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Anika PoV:

After the shopping, we both went back to the hotel. All the time, Tara was talking continuously about the guy we encountered at the mall. To be honest, it pissed me off. I admit it, he is smoking hot but that doesn't mean I need to think about him every-time. He is just a passing cloud.

'Tara, will you please stop it? First of all, he is not the only handsome hulk on this planet so please end this. And for god sake, you are in a relationship. You're not supposed to talk like this' I said feeling annoyed.

I went to my room not before throwing my heels in the hall. I collapsed on bed as I was hell tired. I decided to give a call to home as I have to check on Riya.

'Hello, Jessy' I greeted her. Jessy is Riya's care taker. She is staying with us from past 3 years now and she is the only one I can trust in Riya's matter.

'Hi Anika. How's your exhibition? All good?' she asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.

'It went well and how's my Riya doing? Did she finished her homework?' I asked checking my watch. It is past 11'oclock in Korea which is 7:00 Pm in India.

'Yup, you don't need to worry about that. She is good in academics. Now she is watching her favorite cartoon. Stay on the line, I will pass the phone to her' Jessy said while I waited to hear my favorite voice.

'Hello' I said as soon as she greeted me.

'Riya, how are you?' I asked her thinking about her cute smile.

'When are you coming back, Ani? I'm missing you already. Jessy didi is saying you will be there by tomorrow midnight. Is that true?' she asked me very cutely.

'So my dearest sister is missing me huh? Jessy is right. Don't worry, I will come soon. Now be a good girl, complete your dinner and sleep. Remember that I'm also missing you a lot' I said as she gave the phone back to Jessy.

'We are catching tomorrow's flight, I will see you guys soon. Take care of her, Jessy' saying this I hung the call. I took a deep breathe and decided to sleep for some time.

I closed my eyes, seeking solace in the darkness, but his face flashed into my mind with startling clarity. The memory of his dark eyes invaded my thoughts. It was as if his eyes held a magnetic pull, drawing me back into the warmth and intensity of his presence, unwilling to release their hold on my thoughts. What the fuck am I thinking? Shit!!He occupied my mind.

Immediately, I got up from the bed and sat straight. I shook my head a little to let go of his thoughts but miserably failed. Damn it, boy!! what did you do to me? Get out of my mind. I said feeling frustrated. I went to the washroom, splashed some cold water on my face to calm my nerves.

'Forget him, Ani. You will never see his face again. You should not be thinking about him, focus on yourself. You need rest' I told myself and jumped on to bed again. I don't know when I drifted into sleep. Next day, Tara woke me up. We packed our stuff and headed out to the airport.

'Didn't you sleep last night? Your face looks tired' I heard Tara's voice. Sleep? No, I didn't. I couldn't stop thinking about him. This is all because of you, idiot.

'No, I'm fine. I had a good sleep' I lied.

'Ani, I want to tell you something. Don't be mad now' she said turning towards my side completely.

'I have a strong feeling that you will end up with him. I think he will cross your path again' Tara said with excitement in her eyes. Is she referring to that guy? God!! Why you sent this girl into my life?

'Because yesterday was the first snowfall in Korea, as I said earlier it is the symbol of new beginnings' she said trying to justify.

'Tara, why don't you break up with Rishi and run after the guy we met yesterday? I think it's you who is more interested in him. And don't talk shit, I don't believe in new beginnings and all' I said giving her a death glare making sure she won't open her mouth again. As soon as we reached the terminal, we took our boarding pass walked towards our gate.

'Ani, wait here. I will go and use the restroom' Tara said walking to the loo. As I stood there, engrossed in my phone screen, a sudden collision jolted me back to reality. Startled, I looked up to see who had bumped into me, and there he was—the guy from last night. His presence caught me off guard, and for a moment, I was speechless.

'You?' I heard my own voice. I found myself surprised seeing him again. I blinked my eye lashes again to make sure I'm not dreaming.

Arya PoV:

I attended the party with Viraj. Not to mention, he enjoyed a lot while I hated it the most. It was totally boring for me. In the morning, we headed out to the airport. The ride was completely in silence. I was just looking into the passing roads while Viraj was busy in texting someone. Couple of times I saw him smiling, but I decided not to ask as I respect his privacy.

'Wait here, I will go and do the luggage check' Viraj said and I nodded. We both took our boarding pass and started walking to our gate.

'Hey Arya!! Look at the banner. One day, we will also promote our game like this' he said showing me a poster of a 3D game. Suddenly, I bumped into someone as I was walking looking at the poster. Startled a little, I looked at the person.

There she was again, standing before me with her eyes wide open, fixed on mine. Her gaze was intense mixed with surprise and curiosity.

'You?' she mumbled as if she remembered me from last night. Damn! Her voice it is so captivating which I failed to recognize last time.

I rugged my hair as I realized what just happened. I averted my gaze from her maintaining a strict posture with a stern look. What the hell is happening to me?

'Again? Why are you bumping into me always?' I heard her voice.

'Excuse me? Who are you, Miss? Do we know each other?' I asked in return keeping a straight face.

'Are you for real? Yesterday, you bumped into me at the mall. I think someone must have hit you hard on head' she said giving me an annoying look. Why the hell am I even talking to her? It's been ages that I talked to a girl.

'You're misunderstanding Miss. I have never seen you before and don't want to see you again in future. Please excuse us' saying this I left the place without even giving her a chance to speak.

Why am I seeing her again? We boarded into business class. I closed my eyes to calm down my thoughts.

'What just happened there? Do you know her before?' Viraj voice shook me off.

'I bumped into her yesterday at the mall' I blurted out still closing my eyes.

'Then why did mention that you didn't met her before' he asked and I reminded silent. I heard him smiling after a some time.

'It's been a long time since I saw you talking to a girl. I was actually surprised' he said and I clenched my fist.

'Come on, Arya. Why don't just live in the moment? She was really gorgeous and you saw her for second time. You must have tried to built a conversation with her' he said which irritated me more.

'Viraj, don't start it again. You know how much I'm uncomfortable around girls. They are not my cup of tea' I said.

'Go on, fool everyone around you saying that girls are not your cup of tea. But I very well know you. I saw it in your eyes, you were mesmerized seeing her beauty. You literally ran away from her as you couldn't control yourself' he said making me feel frustrated.

'Enough Viraj, I'm done hearing you. She is just a stranger and I'm not bumping into her again' I said but I have a strong feeling like this encounter is just a beginning of something inexplicable and utterly captivating. I masked my feelings sighing heavily.

Later in the mid-night, we landed in India. I told Vihaan that I will see him tomorrow in the office and headed to home. As it was 3:30 AM, I went inside with my own keys, without making any noise.

As I settled into bed, ready to embrace the sleep, her face unexpectedly flooded my thoughts like a sudden burst of light in the darkness. Despite my efforts to quiet my mind, her image persisted, vivid and unyielding. Each time I closed my eyes, her features materialized with startling clarity. What the hell is happening to me? I rolled over on the bed covering my face with blanket but my mind is messed up. I looked at the clock, it was 4:45 AM. I got up, went straight to the gym and started to workout. Only this can calm my nerves.

By the time I completed my workout, it was morning. After a quick shower, I headed downstairs where I saw my mom and dad talking about something.

'When did you came? You should've called me to open the door' my mom said coming towards me.

'I didn't want to disturb your sleep, mom. Besides, I have the keys' I said hugging her. We all went to the dining hall, the environment looked tensed. What's actually happening here? I didn't find my sister in any where. Maybe she is still sleeping.

'Dad, is everything alright? You look serious' I said taking a bite of my toast.

'yeah, I'm serious. I have something important to talk to you, Arya' he said. Something is fishy here. What is he up-to?

'I've been looking for my daughter in law from past one year. As you're not in any relationship, I want to you commit and settle' I heard him saying.

'Wait! What? Excuse me, I'm done hearing this. I'm taking leave' I said getting up from my seat. What the hell is wrong with them?

'Arya, listen if you leave this house now. You're not coming inside again' I heard my dad's voice. Is he threatening me now?

'Dad, I'm not interested in this. Leave me alone. I'm fine being single and I can very well take care of myself' I snapped turning towards his side. He was fuming in anger. I looked at mom for help but she reminded silent clearly stating she took my dad's side.

'In next six months, you will turn 28. I want you to find someone by yourself. If you failed, then you have to marry the girl I choose for you' he said and left the place. Why is everyone interested in my life? For god sake, I don't want any girl near me. I detest them. I decided to leave this problem as I still have six months to find a solution for this. I went to my office and engaged myself in work. Viraj joined me in the noon.

'When did you came to office?' he asked as we were heading to a restaurant for lunch.

'Morning. I was unable to stay at my home' I said and narrated the whole story that happened in the morning.

'See, I knew this would be coming one day. It's time for you to settle down, Arya' he said changing the gear. What the fuck? It's time for me? Then what about him?

'Don't give me that look, I already have a girlfriend' he snapped. Wait!! Did he really have one? From when he started hiding things from me?

'Why didn't you tell me before? Who is she?' I asked with some excitement. I'm totally happy for my friend. Though I don't like girls, I cannot force my friend to not love someone.

'You will be knowing it soon. You will be surprised' he said smiling. He parked the car at the parking lot. We both went to our reserved table and settled down.

'This place is still the same' I said looking at the ambience. This is our hangout place from many years. It has many memories.

In an instant, a melody of laughter filled the air, captivating my senses and drawing my attention like a magnet. Without hesitation, I turned my head towards the source, and once again, I found myself stunned by what lay before me. It was her again?

Time seemed to stand still, as I drank in the sight of her, illuminated by the radiance of her laughter. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was the genuine joy that danced in her eyes, the genuine warmth that radiated from her smile, that truly captivated me.

"It's her, Arya," Viraj's voice cut through my thoughts, jolting me back to the present moment.

"Damn!! she is a beauty," he exclaimed.

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***unedited***

Ramzz