A/N : Guys this is the longest chapter so far. *Cheers *. 2102 words it is. Woah! Got some spice too. * No sorry no smut, not yet*

Okay okay, enjoy!!

Anah's POV

Silence surrounded us. A lump formed in my throat at the mention of my brother and I realised that why we are in this situation, for a moment my surroundings made it feel like a normal and happy family union but I was wrong.

"How'd you met my brother?" I found myself asking. "We met during our first posting in Meshoonabad, it was a small camp with very few recruits on the outskirts of Pahelgaon so for the next few months everybody worked in a pretty thick and close knit environment, we hit it off from being command coordinates. Since then we both drifted to different postings but stayed in touch, till the last posting in Rajori".

I nodded. "Anah?" He called out. Our eyes met, his held so much emotion in them that I couldn't look away, I just couldn't. He cleared his throat, thankfully, as I averted my gaze. "I don't know about your take on this proposal thing but what I gathered so far is that you are not ready for it" His voice had a finality in it which was somewhat annoying.

Who was he to use that tone on me? My gaze narrowed as he frowned. "What happened? Why are you giving me that look? Is something wrong?" I looked away at the mention of the last sentence.

"I am surely not ready to get married to a total stranger but at the same time I can't neglect my brother's last wish for me, no matter how much I want to slaughter him personally but it's his wish for me and no matter how much I try to hold my ground everytime I feel like I am betraying everybody". Bursting out all that felt good, heck it never felt better.

"I feel like I am breaking some sort of promise that I made to him but in real I  didn't". I hated the vulnerability that resonated from my voice. I hated being weak in front of others specially strangers.

But it's okay to have a heart to heart conversation with that stranger in your room, on your bed, with his and your family laughing downstairs.

Huffing I got up and stood near the window. I felt him following my actions. "Shourya? I turned around facing him, his eyes searching for mine, "Are you ready for this? It might sound very irrational  but it's so frustrating you know. All my life I have been this strong person that it almost feels shallow to be weak and with Bhai not being around..it's just" choking on my words I turned around shielding my face from his gaze as the treacherous tears threatened to fall.

For the sake of God Anah, what he must be thinking about you. Now you would be subjected to his pity as well. "I am sorry for this but you need it". Before I could respond he held my arm and turned me around. Pulling me in his chest, he hugged me tightly.

His chin rested on my head as our heartbeats thumped in a rhythm and finally the tears fell from my eyes. Clutching the front of his blazer we shared a warm embrace. Is this the comfort that maa and dad shared?

Now in his arms, I felt safe which was weird. It should be wierd enough to be hugging a stranger let alone cry on his shoulder while he just brush your hair but it doesn't feel weird rather warm and homely instead.

Weird I know.

I don't know how long we stayed like that but It felt right. Somehow he did. Everything was happening so fast that I almost couldn't believe it. Yesterday only I was head bent against this, till he came I was trying to set up Riya instead of me but now it's just feels safe.

"Maybe we can work this out. Anah?" His voice brought me back from my thoughts. "Yeah?". He brushed a strand away from my face. "I would love to hold you whole day but then people would assume something fishy happening. " Slowly his words registered in my dimwit brain as I realised what situation we are in.

Yeah you got it right, Anah Ibrahim wrapped up in Shourya Singh's Rajput arms whom she officially met just a couple of hours ago. Surely some leaps of faith here.

Blushing deeper shade of a tomato's, I pushed him away. "In your dreams! Aah, I am going downstairs". Before I could walk past him he held my hand and pulled me in for a hug again  "I would me more then happy to have that in my dream Anah ".

His voice brought goosebumps as I tried pushing him away. "You obnoxious monkey, leave me!" He chuckled. "I didn't saw anything", another voice sounded from across us as Anu sat on the bed with her hands on her eyes partially.

Just bury me already! Feeling impossibly more embarrassed I hurried downstairs. My whole face felt like left upon a  stove. Yes, It burned like that. With my head bent I went towards the dining table where everybody was chattering happily.

As soon I was in notice, Sandhya asked "What took you so long? Shourya went behind you to see if you need any help with Anu, she can be a little wholesome but both of you took so long, I was about to go and fetch you both. Everything okay?"

"Yeah! We were just got into a chat and Anu kind of woke up too. Sorry, I took her so that she could sleep peacefully but managed to do the opposite instead." I try to reason out. Footsteps approached as Anu ran and hugged her mother's leg.

"Mumma! Anah Aunty and chachu were doing what you and dad do". Everybody gasped at her words as Riya burst out laughing at the innocent pun. Sandhya's eyes widen in surprise and embarrassment as she covered Ananya's mouth while the elders passed awkward smiles.

Kill me already!

"No no, it's not what you all are thinking!" Before I could justify the devil himself did the deed. " I am sorry I tried to get her not to say a word but I guess she rant it all out. Very bad of you Anu".

Holy cow! His explanation just caused more awkwardness. "We were just chatting I promise!" I couldn't even raise my head and meet everybody's eyes. Gosh! I have never blushed this much in my entire life.

A handsome man does that to you.

Rolling at my inner self I hurried and sat beside Riya still looking down and fidgeting with my saree. The chair scrapped beside and sat in the devil. Surprisingly, nobody asked anything about it futher. Ice cream was served and  Anu was eating all over the place.

Khala even brought her an old baby napkin of mine, I was no different except the messy part. Constantly stuffing my face with ice cream so that I didn't have to talk to or answer anybody was my strategy.

Soon the bowl got empty. I looked around the table to get more ice cream when somebody swapped there half filled bowl with my empty one. " Here. Enjoy!" he smiled. My heart skipped a beat and the ice cream start melting along with my poor heart.

He is really a nice man Anah! Don't tell him that just yet though. What if this is not the real him and he is just faking it to gain my approval. " Now don't overthink too much. Your ice cream has started melting. If you won't eat it then how would you hide your embarrassment Anah".

His words made me blush more. I hate it. Rolling my eyes I stuffed the offered ice cream into my mouth as he grinned. "I never thought that this meeting could be this positive and uplifting. It's been long since we had friends and family over for good. Thank you so much Gayatri ji for agreeing to this meet."  Riya and I shared an eye contact.

"Don't embarrass us Akram Bhai, even when we left home we thought it's going to be a very awkward and hesitant meeting with half will and half conflict." She looked at me and continued " Anah is like a daughter to me just like Sandhya. She has all the qualities to become a part of our family, to be honest more then the essential ones."

"We do not hold any disagreement to this relation but It's my opinion and you can differ, I feel the kids are not acquainted. Just one meeting shouldn't decide there fate. If it's okay I would want them to meet more often to get to know each other before moving further steps." As she finished I looked at my father and found him already looking at me.

"If Anah if fine with this, we do not have any problem Gayatri ji. Asad's loss is enough pain for us, I wouldn't want Anah to suffer into an unwanted marriage just for the sake of a promise."

All the eyes were on me. Hesitantly I looked over at Shourya in search for an answer and thankfully he nodded. " I would also want to know Anah more. We are unsure about the love that we can share but we want to try for Asad and for us"

"Like you say papa, friendship and understanding is the foundation for every relationship to succeed, if I am going to marry him I want that bond. We both do."

Everybody agreed and soon it was the time for them to go back home. Everybody sat in the garden while I went to my room to grab some stuff Khala Asked me to as  gifts. We don't let the guests go empty handed.

I was searching through the cabinet for the the stuff when I felt somebody's presence. Turning around Shourya stood there looking at me with his signature smile
" Yeah? You need something". Two times in a row a man in your room that too on the same day, making records, are we?

"Yeah" he came forward and held out his hand. Putting my hand forward he kept a pen drive on it. " I want you to watch it before we start anything. I am an honest person Anah and I want complete transparency between us if we are onto something. There are many more things I would want you to know and trust me I would tell you everything just I need some time and I am sure you do too."

I nodded with a small smile.

"Let me just grab some stuff then we can head downstairs" he nodded and sat across the bed checking his phone. Soon we are out of the room with my hands full with gifts and his with more gifts.

As we entered the garden, khala's eyes widen " Anah! Why did you let Shourya help? We don't make our guest work in this household. I am sorry beta here give it to me" she tried to reach for Shourya but he moved away.

"Ma'am, first decide, beta or a guest then only I would be giving you the gifts. If I am like a son then there is no shame in helping out but if just a guest then okay". My heart felt happy at his answer as khala shook her head with a smile.

"My son would never call me Ma'am, it's khala for you". She said pinching his cheeks as everybody laughed. Tears stung my eyes in the memory of my brother. He would have been so happy here.

Blinking my tears away we all walked towards the driveway to wave them off. Between a subtle arguement about the quantity of the gifts and why they are required, everybody started settling in there car. I felt an arm around my shoulder as the now familiar hazel eyes came in my view

"Take care. I'll call you and I don't like tears in the eye of the people I care about. Did you thought I wouldn't notice?" Giving my shoulder a light squeeze he let me go while disappointment washed over me.

"Shourya?"  Holding his hand and putting it in front. "I..I want to listen this with you. Want to start trusting you." Whispering the last words I rushed back inside without even waiting for his response.

As I entered the room, grinning like an idiot Riya sat there and sang loudly.

पहला पहला प्यार है, पहली पहली बार है ‌‍‌...