Aakrithi's pov: (Back to present)

It has been 2 weeks since I have seen Aatharva. I mean he is good in disappearing – which is what I wanted in first place. I should be happy about it, but him steering clear of my way deliberately bothers me. So here I am nursing my foggy mind with two shots of whiskey at 12pm.

"Don't tell me you are drinking in the middle of the day?"

It was Aadhira and she was brightly dressed.

"Is Karthick in pain again? Should I administer another pain killer?" I asked.

"No. No he is sleeping peacefully." Aadhira said and walked to my cupboard. Karthick was discharged two days back but he needs to be in full rest at the least for 2 more weeks.

"What are you doing?" I asked since she was rampaging my wardrobe and throwing the clothes out.

"I am picking a outfit for your date" She said and picked my 16th birthday costume out. Threw it away farther corner of the room absolutely loathing it.

Don't judge me it was a princess costume. Back to reality. Did I hear about a date?

I cleared my throat.

"A Date? With whom might I know?" I asked and she gave me a smirk.

"That is a secret. I am sure he is going to steal your breath and his name starts with letter A" She said and went back to selecting me a outfit.

"You know Aadhira I am 26 I think I can choose who I want to date.."She threw another outfit out.

"And my clothes especially." I said.

"I know dear. You know the past few weeks has been hard for me I just wanted a distraction so I thought I would help you choose you a costume" She said.

"Did you just guilt trap me?" I asked.

"Is it working?" She asked and I nodded my head.

***

When it was 6pm my mother was going nuts, for a third person it would look like looked like my mom was going on a date rather me. To say her mother was excited would be an understatement.

I wanted to argue with my mom about how she was trying to set me with (hint) good but with brownie points in looks department. What is her problem really?

Did she really think she could choose a guy for me to date?

I know I didn't make fine choice in choosing the guy to date but still it was my decision. My worst mistake of life. Still.

I dressed up in a simple black bodycon dress with a slit from middle thigh despite Aadhira's insistence on wearing a neon pink dress. I left my hair open.

"You should tie up your hair and put a darker shade of lipstick" Mom said.

"Ok. Enough. One more word I am walking back to my room. Cancelling this shit and changing into pj's." I said totally irritated with my mom's behaviour.

Mom looked at Aadhira ready to complain about my insolent behaviour.

"Be nice" Mom said.

"I need you both to go back to your rooms. I can open the door myself to my lovely date. Thanks"

I said pissed with the whole setup.

"Smile. You are going to be surprised seeing who your mom has set up" Aadhira said and walked away.

It was sharp 7 when the bell rang. I was praying all the gods to provide me with enough patience for the night.

And there stood the DEVIL.

I tried to close the door fast " I am not going anywhere with you.." I said but he put force on the door to stay open.

"Did mom really think you and I can..? I can't believe this!" I said.

I could say he was enjoying watching me struggle with the idea of mom setting us up.

"Shall we move?" Aatharva asked and I blanked seeing those dark eyes eying me with intense desire.

"Or should I put you up my shoulder in caveman style and get you into my car? I prefer the caveman style!" Aatharva was still in a suit means he had just finished some official meeting. His dark hair looked messy but he looked delicious as ever.

I wanted to call my mom and argue how foolish it was of her to set us up. But I know better. I pushed past the door and walked to his car. I waited for him. He went inside to deliver few files he had in his hand to Karthick.

"Feel free to open your own door" Aatharva said and walked to take the driver's seat. I snorted.

"It is not like I waited for you to open the door for me" I replied and got into the car.

I remember the old time's when he used to act all like a perfect gentleman. Now just an asshole in place.

"Where are we going?" I asked trying to find a good song to play.

"Someplace you like" He said and I rolled my eyes.

We reached the Meredion restaurant. A very famous one in the city. I have read reviews about it online and heard that we have to reserve tables here at least a week before.

Aatharva passed the key to the chauffer and walked towards me. I linked my arm into his as we got to the lift. The restaurant was in the 12th floor.

As we walked out a waitress was already waiting for us. She walked with us to the restaurant all the way ogling at my date - who I hate. But still it made me furious. I made a mental note to visit a physiatrist soon.

"Sir Vardan it is my pleasure having you here" The manager said and invited us in. He helped us to sit in a corner table with a spectacular view.

"This is beautiful thank you!" I said though I hated the fact I have to be in his presence, the view made me feel better.

"Wait till you see the view from the open front deck" He said and the waitress came to take the order.

The waitress was the same one who was Aatharva from the start. "May I take your orders, please?" She literally grinned ear to ear. Should I take her eyes out with the fork?

But Aatharva ignored her and that made me smile.

"Look I don't want to glare you the whole evening what say we don't speak about our past? And try not to kill each before the night ends." I said and he nodded sipping water.

We ordered mixed Indian dishes from both north and south. I loved the aloo parathas and panner dosai the most of all.

Aatharva kept the conversation neat and far from the past. Like what I am specializing now? How the medicine is?

I asked him about Sunshine hospitals, his new interest in cooking and about his recent case where the thief tied the whole family with ropes and sat for a feast. The thief savored Briyani, curd and milk before he looted 50 thousand worth jewellery. Aatharva also said he was caught next morning in the nearby hospital for severe diarrhea. I laughed out loud hearing the story.

I had a good time after so long.

As promised Aatharva brought me to the front deck. The view was phenomenal. He took his suit off and wrapped me up since the wind was chill.

"It looks beautiful isn't?" I asked looking at the skyscrapers with different color lights.

With no response from him I turned towards him. He was looking at me with a unreadable expression.

I walked to him and could see bags under his eyes. This guy doesn't know when to stop.

"Stressful day?" I asked.

"Months probably" He said and snaked his arm around my waist. He pulled me closer to his hard chest.

"What the brownie you are doing?" I asked him and he gave me a coy smile. "Let me go" I said.

"In a minute kiwi" He said and looked at me intensely. His eyes feasted on my lips.

"We can't ki..." Before I had the chance to finish he captured my lips in a gentle kiss. My knees wobbled I placed my hand on his chest for support. His kisses were teasing at first just to manipulate me respond to him. It slowly turned truculent.

Holy mother of Jesus! This pompous ass could kiss. Like a lighted candle I melted into him. His tongue entered my mouth ravening for more. I kissed him equal passion. His hands slowly caressed my thighs. That's when reality slapped my cheeks.

"Stop. Stop it. We can't. We can't fall back to step 1 knowing how disastrous the ending is going to be" I said and tears rushed to my eyes. I turned and walked to the lift. After few minutes he collected himself and stood beside me waiting for the lift to reach our floor.

"Get me home please" I said and he just nodded without responding in words.

***

There were few texts from Kayal. I opened the chat box to see two images.

It was of me and Aatharva sitting in the restaurant. Another one was us standing in the deck really close.

"Don't tell me you have spies on me now?" I texted back.

"Oh no darling. Remember your whole family is still in surveillance?"

She replied back.

"How was the date? Spill the details"

"Don't Kayal" I texted her.

"Fine. I am just happy that you didn't go with your original date"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Innocent Krithi. Did you really think Aatharva was the date your mother set you up?"

"I had the same doubt. Who was it?"

"That is for you to guess" Kayal left the chat.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

***