A/N : Anah's outfit uptop. Hey sorry for the late updates. Please be generous with the reads I know I took so long. 2100 words it is. Enjoy and don't forget to bing me in the comments ❤️

( P.s: A Lil twist awaiting)

Shourya's POV

I looked at my reflection in the mirror while adjusting the collar of my shirt. Wearing a white shirt and a casual blazer I was trying to find any fault in my appearance. Offcourse there were none.

I chuckled at that. I turned towards my bed and sat down while simultaneously working on my shoes. My door opened and entered none other then our Anu in her brown dress. " Wow chachu, we match. Mumma said Anah chachi also wearing brown that is why me and she is wearing too and now you also. Yay!"

She kissed my cheek and ran away. I wonder what good I must have done to have this bundle of joy in my life because now I got two of them. Picking my phone up, I went through our pictures that we clicked yesterday.

Oh she looks so pretty and ravishing in that saree. I will definitely buy more of those. If somebody a couple months before must have told me that I would be this crazy about a girl I would have knocked some sense into them.

But as of now I am not able to get myself together around her let alone trying to put an other person in their shoes. I sighed while grabbing my wallet and watch as I hurried downstairs.

Maa was sitting in the hall with some gifts and sweet boxes surrounding her. This exchange of gifts I swear would leave both of the houses ending up having a room full of them.

She gave me a smile as I approached her. Before I could say anything about the absurd amount of gifts she said "I know and don't teach your mother how to be social". I chuckled and nodded. "Where are others? We'll be late. Their house is a bit far isn't it? I don't know what take bhabhi so long like she is already so beautiful and now bhaiya also joined the crowd"

Maa snickered beside me " Beta seems like you are early, look at the time. It's still 7:30 we can easily reach by 8:30 even if we leave by 8:00. But if you are in a hurry to meet Anah I mean her family then you can go accordingly we'd come later"

Realising my eagerness, I just shook my head while giving a tight smile. "I am not in a hurry offcourse just one never know about Mumbai's traffic so that's why only I said like that."

Ofcourse she wasn't convinced with my explanation but none the less left the topic about which I was very grateful for. Within fifteen minutes everybody got down and soon we were all buckled up in our cars with approximately a dozen of gifts in the trunk.

While driving my thoughts casually started drifting to a certain girl for whom I have fallen hard. Her dedication towards her work and family made her more beautiful in a true sense. I am such a lucky bloke to have her in my life.

Within half an hour as said by maa earlier we reached her home. As I parked right across the driveway my eyes caught something shiny as I looked up and found a brown dupatta with mirrors hanging a little from the window as if somebody stood there.

My mind churned as a funny idea entered my brain. Feigning about forgetting my phone in the car I took my leave to outside. Without another thought I climbed up the pipe carefully not making any sound. Perks of being an army officer.

As I reached the iron rails of her balcony I swiftly pulled myself up and landed with a thud on the floor. Her eyes widen on seeing me as she rushed towards me. "Shourya!! What the hell? Are you okay? Why are you being a thief or a monkey in my house? And why are you-" she stopped as we heard footsteps approaching.

She hurried me towards the other side of the cupboard and stood in front as a sheild "Anah beta, they are here. Come greet them". Khala said. "What are doing in that corner?", I felt khala approaching as she said " Actually I wasn't getting any signal for some reason except this corner in my room and was waiting for a very important call "

"Signal? I never knew it was a problem in your room beta. Not even in the balcony?" She asked to which Anah shook her head. "Weird, but okay don't take too long. Come soon". With that she went away.

I felt Anah's body relaxing as she leaned onto me. My heart skipped a beat as we stood there in a soft embrace. Within a minute she opened her eyes and as if realising the situation pushed me hard against the wall.

Our proximity doesn't do any good to my sanity. " You sorry excuse of an army man, does it suit you to jump across balconies of vulnerable women misusing your army tactics?"

She asked while trying hard to restrain herself from smiling. The things you do to my poor heart Anah. " I just missed you and wanted to surprise you. Afterall I have heard atleast every other girl dreams of having her lover climb up her balcony atleast once in her life"

"Who said you are my lover?" Oh she can't go there. With a smooth flip, she was pressed against the wall while I hovered over her. "Right. I am your finance afterall, not your lover". She blushed and looked away while a Smile lingered on her pretty lips.

My eyes diverted to her lips and then to her eyes. Our eyes met and if understanding the unspoken wish she leaned in, I closed my eyes while my heart thuddered in my chest. I could feel her breath on my face, yes we were that close.

Softly she placed a peck on the corner of my lips and sneaked away from my arms. My breathing was heavy as I tried to get myself together after this little stunt of hers.
"Tease", " It was thankyou gift for fulfilling one of my dreams."

I frowned at that while she came close brushed my cheeks and said " For climbing up the balcony for me". With that she ran away while telling me the way towards the back exit opposite to the hall so I could easily sneak out.

Soon I re-entered and found Anah and others already sitting on the U shaped sofa. She gave me a dazzling smile which I reciprocated and images of her little stunt came in my mind. I gulped hard while trying to keep them away for now. This woman would be the death of mine.

I rushed to Anah's father and touched his feet along with touching khala's feet. They gave me their blessings as I went and sat near bhabhi to my dismay as both maa and Riya occupied the space beside Anah.

Riya saw me staring to which I quickly averted my gaze and maybe that's why couldn't see a small smirk on her face. Soon bhabhi and maa got up and went to help in the kitchen with khala while bhai and Ibrahim sir conversed.

"What do you say about it Shourya?" Anah's eyes fell on me. "Shourya?" Bhai's voice brought me out of my reverie as now all the eyes held a laughter in them except of Ibrahim's sir. "I am sorry what were you asking?", "We were talking about the current crypto currency trend, what do you think about it?"

"I think it depends on whose investing. If they are a person in their early twenties and don't have responsibilities as such then they can try it but if they are someone with families depending on them then it's too risky to invest because the loss might cost alot to the family essential expenses."

I might be an army man but do know a little about business and investments. Bhai seemed proud and Ibrahim sir contend with my answer.

Soon the ladies called for dinner as we all got up and proceeded towards the dining area.  As everybody walked in front of me I softly held Anah's hand to which her eyes widen. She tried to shook her hand away but I gripped it tightly.

" I am not holding this hand for lifetime to let go this easily Anah." Hearing my words her smile appeared again on her regal face while my heart felt at peace.

"Am I missing something here?" Riya said from behind as Anah managed to remove her hand from mine. "Wh-what?" She stuttered. Riya gave me a look and said " If I found out that you are taking advantage of my best friend you will see the worst Mr. Shourya or should I say Jijaji?" She gave a cunning smile while muttering the last word slowly.

"I saw him in your room all snuggled like a couple when he said ' I am not your lover rather a fiance'. I am hurt Anah how can you hide something so important from me. But I can always get back at you as of today, you guys must tell Uncle and khala or else I will. They don't deserve to be kept in the hide."

Anah nodded while pinching her ears in a sorry. " We are going to tell them today Riya don't worry, we also care for their feelings."

"And yeah I prefer Jijaji!" I grinned as we hurried to the table. Anah sat in between me and Riya while food was being served across the table. A casual conversation broke out when in midst Anah spoke.

"Papa, khala? I-I want to tell you something". She stopped as all of my family members shared a knowing look. "Yesterday, when I went to Shourya's home for pooja, we-we had a talk".

"Okay we are listening". She looked at me and our families " We realised that we, we want to try a relationship before jumping directly onto marriage, he-he wants to court me." As she finished anybody could feel the tension in the air.

Nobody said anything for a few minutes when maa broke the silence " Ibrahim bhai, it's the new generation after all. I understand your concerns but my Shourya has nothing but pure feelings and respect for Anah. He wants to take a step a time for both of their sakes. Also if-" she was stopped mid sentence when Ibrahim sir spoke.

"Sandhya beta would you mind taking Anu out in the garden?" Bhabhi looked at maa as she nodded. Soon bhabhi carried Anu out in the garden.

" Do you want to marry my daughter Shourya?" He asked all of a sudden. One look at Anah and I knew the answer "Yes sir I do, she is the best thing that ever happened to me. I want to cherish her as my wife throughout my life."

"Then why court? Just get married already." "Papa its-", "I am not speaking to you Anah, Answer me Shourya". I sighed, "Asad pushed us together, we stayed reluctantly at first but now, when we know that we might be meant for each other, I don't want to rush things sir. Us meeting was Asad's wish but marrying should be ours".

"I-I want time papa, please let him court me. Khala please". I felt Anah's voice wavered at last as her eyes filled with tears. Giving her hand a light squeeze under the table.

"I have to think about it. Till then I would really like if you stay away from my daughter and Anah I have raised you better for you to defy your father for a guy". Hot tears streamed down her face as her chair scraped against the floor and she ran to her room.

Riya followed her suit. I almost reached the stairs when a hand caught mine. Bhai held my hand and gave me a look which made me retreat. " I guess we should leave Ibrahim bhai. We'd be waiting for your decision till then I assure that Shourya won't meet Anah. We respect you, I hope you don't take long to make your decision".

With that we proceeded outside while khala and Ibrahim sir wished us a awkward goodbye.

Both the gifts and my heart felt unwanted when the last look towards her balcony gave me no joy.