CHAPTER 10: NAINA

Naina was surprisingly happy in the following few weeks. She didn't give a single look to Jasmine or Juhi for that matter. She had a confident bounce to her feet. Today was no different. She was smiling when she had reached her cabin. She was only settling down when a knock on her cabin door called for her attention.

"Come in, please," She called out.

Her smile widened when she saw Aryan come in.

"Good morning, Aryan," Naina wished.

"Good morning, Naina. You seem happy, did anything happen?" Aryan returned her cheerful smile.

"I guess I am. I don't know why," Naina said as Aryan sat down on one of the visitor's chairs.

"You should. Smiling compliments you," Aryan said. Naina blinked a few times to register what Aryan had just said.

Heat rose up to her face as she looked down, "Thank you," Naina picked up her diary. "What is the agenda for today?" She changed the topic to save herself from more embarrassment.

"I want you to go through the past few reports for me and compile me a rough data..." And so they both went to work mode.

It was so simple with Aryan. As if he knew how Naina functioned. He seemed so close to what Naina would consider a friend so soon. Her mother had always cautioned her before trusting or being friends with anyone. She would always say that people had ulterior motives and one should always be careful, especially with men.

That was her mother's protectiveness, but Naina had found truth in her mother's words not much later. Now that she looked back, she was certain the world was a cruel place, but Aryan...he didn't seem so cruel to her. He was, in fact, one of the most caring and understanding people she knew, probably the only one.

The day passed quickly, Naina felt she blinked and it was already time to go home. Working was fun, but it was better around Aryan. They had this connection she felt, an understanding like they both had the same level while working. Not even once Aryan let her feel that she was only an employee and he was her boss.

"So, what do you say?" Aryan asked breaking Naina from her thoughts.

"About what?" She asked.

"About the tender, Naina, did you even listen?" Aryan was smiling. Naina knew he was talking about something else.

"I'm sorry for spacing out. Now tell me ...truthfully," Naina rolled her eyes.

"About having lunch with Rishi and me tomorrow," Aryan started. "We have this day out kind of a thing. Rishi and Keerti have lunch planned and I, like always, will feel left out. I wondered if you could come and give me some company. I'll even pick you up and drop you home," Aryan proposed.

"I...uh," Naina was at a loss of words.

"Did I make it awkward? I'm sorry it's totally okay. It's your day off, why would you spend it with us..." Naina wanted to laugh at the look of awkwardness he had, so she did.

Aryan's head snapped up as he heard Naina laughing. He seemed so confused.

"I would love to go," Naina said sobering up. "I'm not sure if I should. I mean it's your family affair," Naina expressed.

"Actually it is a chance Rishi and Keerti have gotten to set me up with girls. If you came...they might not do it. I mean..."Aryan sighed, "I don't want to meet any girls. I don't want to get married. Please save me," He sighed, shaking his head furiously.

"Why would you ask me? You must have a lot of friends to take with," Naina asked.

"I am asking you. Aren't you going to help your friend?" Aryan asked making Naina's eyes go wide.

Did he just mention friends?

"Wait...you consider me your friend?" Naina asked.

"Of course I do. Why would I not consider you one?" Aryan's expression turned that of serious confusion.

"I...Well...I..." Naina was at a loss of words. It hadn't been a lot of days and Aryan already considered Naina a friend.

"Naina, what is it?" Aryan asked. She liked when his accent turned all British.

"I didn't think that anyone would...that you would want to be my friend," Naina placed her doubts.

Aryan creased his forehead as he leaned forward on his chair.

"Why would I not? We eat lunch together, we make jokes, I enjoy your company and I confide in you for important decisions...why would you think we aren't friends?" Aryan asked.

Naina was taken aback. Was it really so? Was she never a pity-party for him? A small-town girl to show pity on? Tears threatened to fall from her eyes, she had never felt so happy. Someone had actually considered her a friend.

"I'm...I'm sorry. Of course, I'll go with you. We're friends," Naina smiled.

"Naina you're crying," Aryan pointed out.

"No, I'm not," Naina smiled widely.

"You're crying and you're smiling, Naina. Frankly, this is scary," Aryan joked.

"I'm fine. Just honored that the great Aryan Narain thinks of me, a mere Sales Manager as his friend," Naina said playfully, blinking back her tears.

"Well you should be because I am a great friend," Aryan said as he got up from his chair. "Now Miss Mathur, I have to bid farewell and leave for my humble abode," Aryan was making fun of her love for classics. Naina knew it too well now.

"Farewell, good sir. I look forward to seeing thee tomorrow," Naina played along.

"Then, my fair maiden, I shall pick you up at noon," Aryan bowed.

"I shall wait for you, good sir," Naina bowed back and they both shared a laugh as Aryan left.

Naina sighed and leaned on to the table.

"He thinks of me as a friend and not just a colleague," She said to herself as a wide smile appeared on her face.

It was the very first time someone had called Naina their friend. She was more than happy.

As she reached home, Naina realized she never asked Aryan what to wear.

What was she supposed to wear? Formal won't be suitable, because it wasn't really a formal meeting. She couldn't go in a plain simple suit because it wasn't so casual as well. What should she do?

Sighing, Naina went to her wardrobe where she had hung all her clothes. She looked at her clothes helplessly, having no idea what to wear to an occasion like that.

Then it clicked! She quickly closed her wardrobe and tip-toed herself to take out her suitcase off of the wooden wardrobe. She set the suitcase on the ground and opened it to reveal a beautiful white chikankari fitted tunic which Nafeeza had gifted Naina on her birthday.

The tunic came till her lower calf and Naina had a white churidar to match it with and she shuffled through her wardrobe again to find a white dupatta to pair with it. Naina had a decent pair of sandals and she decided it was an occasion to apply some makeup as well.

Happy with her clothes, Naina slept early.

It was eleven in the morning when Naina started getting ready. She had ironed her ensemble and kept the jewelry out. She didn't have a clue how much to dress up so she went with metal dangling earrings and decided to not wear bangles due to the tunic being full-sleeved.

By 1, Naina was ready, impatiently tapping her foot, waiting for Aryan to come and pick her up. Naina was constantly looking at the clock. She had gone to the market early and picked a bouquet for Rishi's wife and Rishi because she was visiting them for the first time and it was a basic courtesy.

It was 1:05 when her doorbell rang. Naina sighed and went to open the door. She opened the door to reveal a very dapper looking Aryan. He wore a navy blue blazer and trousers with a white shirt sans a tie, which was unusual.

"Hi," Naina said breaking the silence and opening the door for Aryan to enter.

"Hey. Ready to leave?" He asked.

"Sure. Let me get my bag and I'll be out," Naina said. "Come in?" She asked.

"I'll wait outside," Aryan told her, Naina nodded and went inside.

She got the bouquet and her bag. She got the keys of the house and the locks. When she reached outside, she saw Aryan leaning to his gorgeous, shiny black Ford Thunderbird.

She quickly locked the house and went towards Aryan. He looked like he was in deep thought. Naina cleared her throat and Aryan looked at her. For the first time, Naina really noticed their height difference. Aryan was a good 5-6 inches taller than her, making her look up to him.

"Let's go?" Naina asked.

"Yes, yes," Aryan said as he opened the car door for her. Naina smiled and sat down.

Aryan quickly came to the driver's seat. He looked at the bouquet in her hands with confusion.

"I am meeting your sister-in-law for the first time. I thought sweets would look odd in a restaurant," Naina explained without Aryan saying anything.

"Keerti likes tulips. Good choice," Aryan said as he pulled away from her house towards the restaurant they were going to.

"Where are we headed to?" Naina asked after a few minutes.

"Not very far. There is a family club in Saket, that's where we will be meeting everyone," Aryan told her.

"Everyone?" Naina asked in a panic.

"I mean Rishi and Keerti. My younger sister might join too," Aryan revealed.

"Oh..." Naina said coolly but inside she was shaking.

She had no idea how to process the information. She was practically meeting his whole family in a posh club right now. Naina suddenly was self-conscious. She wasn't so sure about her hair, her clothes, her makeup. Suddenly all the insecurities surfaced.

All of a sudden a warm hand touched her cold ones and Naina looked at Aryan who though wasn't looking at her but his expression told her that he understood that she was nervous.

Naina smiled and sighed, shaking off the unnecessary worry. It wasn't like they would all judge her the minute she steps in. Naina was sure to make a good impression on everyone.

Naina was awed by the look of the club Aryan mentioned as they reached the driveway. There was a huge garden with a variety of flowers planted in a way it looked like a rainbow on Earth. The club building was on the opposite side. It looked like a huge manor instead of a club, pristine white in color. It looked like she was in heaven itself.

"This place is gorgeous," Naina said rather calmly.

"Yes, I second that. Also, the food is amazing," Aryan added.

He stopped the car at the door and got out of the car. Before Naina could open, Aryan opened her side of the door and gave her his hand. Naina took it without hesitation and smiled at him. Aryan returned the smile.

Aryan gave the keys to the valet and they both stepped inside the club.

It was even better looking from inside. Naina compared the interior of the club from the forts there in Jaipur.

Aryan guided her to a very posh looking restaurant. Naina was nothing but amazed, the place was gorgeous. The restaurant had a similar ambiance as the garden. It was breathtaking, Naina was awestruck.

"This place is gorgeous," Naina breathed out.

"I had the same reaction when I came to this place for the very first time," Aryan smiled at her.

"When was that?" Naina asked curiously as she followed Aryan to what she supposed was their table.

"I was 15, I guess," Aryan shrugged halting as Naina looked around.

Rishi was sitting two tables away, laughing along with a beautiful lady who Naina had recognized as Keerti, his wife.

Naina had seen their wedding picture every time she had visited Rishi's cabin. He kept it on his desk very fondly. Keerti visited time to time as well, but Naina never got the chance to interact with the lady boss. She was too shy to say hello.

Naina followed Aryan who led them both to the table, her heart thumping in her chest. Rishi and Keerti looked up as Aryan cleared his throat.

Naina saw the change in their expressions when Rishi and Keerti's gaze fell on Naina. While they tried to hold their demeanor, both of them looked surprised seeing Naina at their small party. Her heart was beating loudly, she was scared everyone would hear the thumping.

"Naina? What a surprise," Rishi got up, Keerti followed.

"Surprise?" Naina looked Aryan in horror. Had he not informed them both of his extended invitations? Was she actually invited?

"What he meant was we didn't believe him when bhaiya said he'll bring a friend along. We thought he was messing with us," Keerti smiled at Naina, Aryan seemed relieved. "I am Keerti by the way, Rishi's wife," She introduced herself.

"Naina Mathur, pleased to meet you," Naina politely said as she handed her the bouquet, "For you," Naina smiled, trying to hide her sweaty palms.

"These are lovely!" Keerti smiled widely. "Thank you so much,"

"My pleasure," Naina smiled back.

"How long were you guys waiting for?" Aryan asked his younger sibling as they all sat down.

Aryan and she sat across Rishi and Keerti.

"Not much at all. Maa stopped us to show pictures of a few girls she wanted you to meet," Rishi grinned innocently at his older brother. Aryan's jaw ticked.

"She won't leave it alone, will she?" He asked through his clenched teeth.

"Not until she sees you in a wedding suit, elder brother," Rishi was smiling like a Cheshire cat at Aryan. Naina found this extremely amusing.

"Why don't you meet the girls, bhaiya. At least look at their photos," Keerti suggested, Naina could see she was joking too.

"I met twenty girls in 5 days during your wedding last year. Three when I went to Southall to meet Uncle Rajesh. I was there for one day!" Aryan said exasperatedly.

"It's a process. You just have to go with it," Rishi smiled sadly at his brother.

Naina felt bad for him too. Her parents had only started looking, but it killed her every time they mentioned marriage.

"How many girls did you meet?" Aryan asked his brother.

"Two?" Rishi grinned looking at Keerti.

"One, if you don't count the girl you talked briefly at that family function," Aryan rolled his eyes.

"So? I met the love of my life early and got married," Keerti blushed as Rishi looked at her lovingly.

"Stop saying that in front of everyone!" Keerti scolded Rishi.

"Why? I won't lie. You are the love of my life," Rishi grinned widely making Keerti blush even more.

Naina couldn't help but smile. Rishi and Keerti were too cute together. It was unusual to see their interaction, but not everyone was like people in her family.

"Guys have some shame, I get it you make me feel like a third wheel but don't forget you have Naina here too," Aryan interrupted.

Naina couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat. Not only Aryan invited her to a family bonding lunch but he was also trying to keep her in the loop as much as possible.

Rishi and Keerti smiled sheepishly, Naina just smiled back.

"Don't mind me. You both look really good together, God bless you," Naina said truthfully.

"Thank you," Both Rishi and Keerti said together.

"You aren't engaged yet, are you, Naina?" Keerti asked after they had ordered food.

"No, not until a year I hope," Naina answered.

"Do you have someone you will get engaged to after a year?" She asked curiously.

Naina was aware that Aryan and Rishi who were having a conversation of their own until then were now listening. She sighed.

"I asked my parents for a year before they marry me off. I am not sure, but I hope they will wait at least until next July," Naina answered truthfully.

"A year for what?" Keerti asked.

"To work. I have always loved the idea of working, being independent, the statistics, the strategies. My mother didn't want me to pursue higher education at all, but my father did. And I appreciate it, hence I asked for a year to do what I always wanted to and then after the year gets completed, they can marry me off to whomever they deem fit," Naina explained.

She never had close friends, Naina never opened about anything to anyone, but not today. With Keerti, Naina felt she could share anything.

"So you mean you'll stop working after a year?" Rishi asked. Naina was correct, they were listening to her and Keerti's conversation.

"I...I don't know," Naina looked down.

There was a long pause in the conversation.

"At least you won't like your husband to be at home like that girl wanted Aryan to be," Rishi said suddenly.

"Rishi, I told you not to bring that up!" Aryan glared at his brother.

"I'm sure Naina wants to know. Don't you Naina?" Rishi asked. Naina nodded for the sake of a diversion.

"So we met a girl, actually Aryan met a girl whom our mother chose as a candidate. They met right here. The girl came along with her mother, which wasn't surprising. They seemed nice until the weird questions began," Rishi said.

"What questions?" Naina asked curiously.

"Questions like if he would be settling in India or does the girl's parents would have to relocate. Then she asked if he had knowledge of stitching and embroidery. The best one was if he would work in the kitchen...helping her daughter," Rishi started laughing.

"Oh god!" Naina's hand covered her mouth as she hid her laugh.

"I didn't realize she wanted me to do all that...because they wanted me to be a sit at home husband!" Aryan's face was red, but it wasn't anger. He was highly embarrassed.

"I don't think Aryan could ever be a sit at home man. He never stays at home," Rishi laughed. Keerti and Naina chuckled.

"I don't think it's a bad thing," Naina said.

"Really?" Aryan asked, his eyes snapping up to Naina's.

"Yes, of course. I mean you work really hard. It is human nature to miss someone especially family but work is a priority too. You put a lot of hard work into everything. A business doesn't run on itself," Naina paused. "But hard-working and over-working is entirely different. And using work to run away from meeting possible...bride is very wrong," Naina chuckled making everyone laugh including Aryan.

"Okay, okay. I'll not run like that. And I promise to stay at home more until I go back," Aryan said.

"When are you going back?" Rishi asked.

"In a week or so I believe. I have to be in London for a board meeting. We are expanding our offices in Germany," Aryan told Rishi.

"That's gre...." Rishi was saying but was cut by Keerti.

"Rishi, bhaiya, you both promised there would be no talks about work here!" She complained.

"Okay, okay, sorry. No talking about work," Aryan smiled at his sister-in-law.

Naina smiled at the exchange, but her mind went to the part where Aryan said he'll be going back to London in a week.

Although it had only been 2 weeks since she had known him, Naina had grown used to his company. It didn't seem like she had spent 2 weeks with him. It felt like an eternity and now he would leave soon. It saddened her and confused her at the same time that it affected her so much. She was used to people leaving. She was never this attached but, the thought of Aryan leaving had caused her an ache of sorts.

It was surely because he was her first friend. She never had someone this close to her. Naina suppressed her thoughts and smiled at the conversation which was going on.

The rest of the lunch went smoothly. Aryan's sister didn't show up. Keerti said it was due to her exams and she had a lot of studying to do.

When they were leaving Keerti pulled Naina aside asking her to accompany her to the powder room. When they were inside, Keerti looked at Naina who was confused at the lady's actions.

"Naina, it was a pleasure meeting you," Keerti smiled at her.

"I can say the same, Keerti. I didn't feel like I was with my boss and his family. Thank you for making this so informal and warm," Naina smiled back.

"You are a wonderful lady, Naina. I hope I get to meet you soon. I found a really good friend in you," She said keeping a hand on Naina making her eyes snap at Keerti's in surprise.

Again friends? She wasn't used to the word. But she smiled immediately.

"You're a good friend too, Keerti. I hope I see you soon too," Naina told her happily.

Both the ladies exchanged numbers and left the powder room.

"Naina!" Keerti called as they were to reach the men who were waiting for them.

"Yes?" She asked.

"You are really good to bhaiya. Thank you for being so understanding towards his work and him," She smiled. Naina smiled back.

"Aryan and I quiet similar in this case. He's a great man. I am sure the girl he'll marry is going to be a lucky one," Naina said.

Keerti seemed extremely happy at Naina's answer because she grinned widely.

Aryan decided to give Naina a tour of the club and gardens she was admiring when they arrived. Rishi and Keerti left, something about Aryan and Naina should spend some time alone too. Which made her think that she did need time alone with Aryan.

He was the only person she was herself with. He was the only person whom she wanted to share things with. The way he encouraged her....no one had ever encouraged her. And he was the only person she wanted to share her monsters with, now more than ever because he was leaving.

"Aryan..." She stopped him in the middle of the tour he was giving her of the club.

"Yes?" He asked.

"I...I have something to tell you. Something that you should know before you leave,"

***

So I updated! 

I am still in process of trying to finish this story so patience is what you'll have to keep

I am extremely sorry about the delay

Until next time

Racs...