Hi everyone! Long time, huh? First of all, I will apologize for such an irregular update. The reason being my exams which came out of nowhere and got postpone again suddenly. Yes. I got to know my university exams are in ten days and then a week later they told us again that it is postponed for a month now.

Now I am back on track and I promise I will update one more chapter in the evening and possibly two. Also, it will be regular now. Hope I am forgiven and you will keep supporting me like this always.

Second thing, I made some recent changes in the book as I wasn't feeling the previous idea was that good. And this book might have 55 chapters. So maybe in ten days I would be finished. Crossing my finger for that.

Third and last thing, please choose what should be the title of Siya and Karan's story.

1. Then Rivals, Now Lovers.

2. Then Rivalry, Now Pleasure.

3. Then Enemies, Now Partners.

You can suggest any other title too, and if anyone likes it, they can vote for it too.

Let me know your choice so I can make the book cover soon.

Till then take care and once again thank you. 😊❤️

***Piya's POV.***

"You what now?" Papa says in shock and his hand has stopped midway from eating the halwa I made.

"Really?" Maa asks with a frown.

"Yes. I love Veer, and he is my boyfriend now." I say bluntly again.

"Wow! But didn't you say he doesn't like you?" Maa asks.

"He didn't mean it like that. He said he just can't like me because I deserved to be loved by him. And then he confessed to me." I say with a smile.

"Where is my phone?" Papa asks.

We all look at Subu and she says, "This is family time, uncle. Please concentrate."

He narrowed his eyes in suspicion and asked, "Did something happen that you told us right away?"

"Well..." I say as I try to find the right words.

"That means something did happen. What was he doing?" He asks.

"Nothing. We were just in his room... hugging." I say, and it is not a lie, just a half truth. It was not as if we were actually kissing, we were just going to.

"And?" Maa asks now.

"And Mayra Aunty saw us. But we were going to tell you as soon as you come back, anyway." I say.

"I trust your words, dear, without a single doubt, because you hide nothing from us. We got lucky in that zone." Papa says.

"Not lucky, Papa. Trust goes both ways. You trust me, and it is my responsibility to show you the same courtesy. Also, I love you both a lot." I say and hug Papa.

"More than Veer?" Papa asks.

"Hmm..." I think and Papa tugs at my cheek, "Okay, more than Veer."

"Then I am happy." He says and hugs me.

"What about you Maa?" I ask.

"I am happy if you are, and it lies with Veer. But there is one question." She says.

"What?" I ask.

"Did you tell Veer about your decision?" Maa asks.

"What decision?" Papa asks but I understand what she means.

"The one she made for her dream. Going to France." She says.

"You are going to France?" Subu asks in shock, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't tell anyone, not even Rihaan, too." I say.

"Why?" She asks.

"It was not as if I wasn't going to. I just wanted some time." I say.

"I don't know whether to be hurt that you didn't tell me about this or happy that I am the first one to know." Subu says and sighs heavily then goes upstairs.

"I need to talk to her." I say and get up.

"Piya, if Subu is this much hurt, think about Veer. Tell him yourself just like you did to us and let him know about your plans. It is his right to know now that you both are in a serious relationship. Okay?" She asks and I nod.

"I will do that." I say and rush upstairs.

Subu was angry for sure because we were together for over two weeks and I didn't tell her anything about the biggest decision of my life. She bounced between being upset and happy for two long hours because of which it took me time to tell Veer what my parents said.

"Piya, are you okay? Is everything okay? Do your parents know about us now? Are they angry?" Veer asks as soon as I call him.

"Everything is fine here." I say.

"So, what took you so long?" He asks.

"It was something else. I am sorry." I say.

"Is there something else you want to tell me?" He asks.

"Actually, yes. Can we meet?" I ask.

"Sure. When?" He asks.

"Well... I have taken a half day's leave so I will have lunch with everyone, then go to work." I say.

"What about in the evening? I will pick you up and we can have dinner. What do you say?" He asks.

"Let's meet in the evening for coffee. I can't skip any meals with my family for the next two days." I say, and he chuckles.

"Sure." He says and I go to hang up when he asks, "Is everything okay, Piya?"

"Yes. I just need to tell you something important." I say.

"Okay. See you soon." He says.

"See you soon." I say and we both hang up.

"I hope everything goes smoothly." I say to myself and sigh heavily.

"Piya, your Nani called." Papa says as we have lunch.

"Yes." I say.

"She told me that there is a marriage proposal for you." He says, and I start coughing.

Maa rubs my back as I drink some water, then asks, "What did you say?"

"That you aren't ready yet and you have to go to Paris." He says.

"Did you not tell her about me and Veer?" I ask.

"Of course I did." He says.

"What did she say?" I ask.

"That she is relieved now." He says with a confused frown.

"Well, I am getting late, so I must leave for work." I say and get up but then kiss Papa's cheek, "Thanks, Papa."

"For what?" He asks.

"For always understanding me and being by my side." I say.

He finally smiles and takes my hand and says, "Where would I be anyway if not by your side? It is just that you are my only child and I love you very much.. I trust Veer, and I am happy for you both. But don't let this relationship define your whole life. Okay?"

"Yes, Papa." I say.

"I want my daughter to achieve big things in her life so she won't have any regrets and also... She is the best." He says.

"Thanks, Papa. And I promise I will fulfill all of my dreams." I say, and he pats my hand.

"I have talked with Mayra and she told me everyone is thrilled there, too. She asked me about what are your future plans and I told her you will let everyone know soon. We know you will not marry right away, but make sure you let them know so they know they have to wait. Okay?" Maa says and I nod.

"No marriage for two years. That is fixed." Papa dictates, "You can add more."

"I am fine by that much. Also, I will come a little late in the evening." I say.

"Why?" Papa asks.

"I am meeting Veer for..." I say, and Maa understands.

"That's okay, dear. You don't need to tell us every little thing. Just major ones." Maa says.

"We trust you." Papa says and I kiss his cheek once again and also Maa's.

"You both are the best. I will take my leave now. Bye." I say and pick up my bag and leave.

I have got the best parents in the world. But that's because I am a dutiful daughter too. My parents have always tried their best to give me the best and in return I tried my hardest to not be a trouble for them but a solution. They trust me and have shown me that many times, so it is natural for me to have a firm belief that they will always support me if I am right.

After I enter the office, I get busy with work. A multinational company is holding a big event in Delhi and they want Rihaan to arrange everything for them. Rihaan asks our manager to choose the best menu as this project would be beneficial for our company.

"No! It is not about expensive cuisines. This company represents good health, so we need to follow their ethics and make a menu which has those qualities. So I need you all to make a list of them and the top 3 selections will get praise." Our manager, Nitin says.

"What about bonus, Sir?" Manik, a fellow chef, asks.

"Really?" Nitin asks.

"Praise is no motivation." Manik says.

"You think the same, Piya." Nitin asks.

"Please say yes." Manik says.

"Actually, I would agree with Manik on this one, Sir. This is an enormous project and we will feel more motivated. So you should give a bonus to the two best selections." I say.

"Well, sir mentioned three, Piya." Sakshi asks.

"Well, except for me, two more." I say with a smile, and she scoffs.

"Arrogant much." She says with a smile.

"Rightly so." Our manager says, "Fine. I will arrange something. But work hard, guys."

"Yes." We all say.

My colleagues and I discuss some plans, then I go to my cubicle to research more about it. I was so lost in making the list of dishes and their ingredients that I lost track of time. It was not until Veer knocked on my desk that I realized it was already eight.

"Oh, my gosh!" I exclaim in surprise.

"I am sorry to interrupt you." Veer says.

"No. I was lost at work. When did you come?" I ask as I start packing.

"Two hours ago." He says.

"What?!" I exclaimed in shock again, "Why didn't you come then?"

"Well, Rihaan told me you were working on a huge project so I thought not to... But then it was almost dinnertime so I thought to..." He says.

I sigh and ask, "Why are you so sweet?"

"Well... you looked cute when you were concentrating like that. So it was win-win." He says with a smile.

"Let's go now." I say, taking his hand in mine.

"Where?" He asks.

"For dinner." I say, "I will let Maa know."

"Okay." He says.

I call Maa and tell her everything while Veer gets his car. She tells me it is fine but I have to be home before 10 as Papa and she want to discuss funds and all minor things with me. Maa is adamant about letting me not waste my savings and use the funds they have kept aside for me and I lost the battle long ago when she became the opponent.

"So what is it that you want to tell me?" He asks after we place our order.

"Well, you must have heard about the award I won in Delhi, right?" I ask.

"Yes. Rihaan told me all about it. After that, his company got many deals." He says with a smile.

"Well, they also offered me an opportunity to study and work at a prestigious college in France. And I have accepted it. I will be leaving for Paris in December." I say and he gets as still as a statue.