Rayaan was having coffee under the star night on his balcony. Thinking of everything from his work, parents to Meera's behavior.
There was not much excitement or happiness in her eyes. Even if she was shy she would not be that nervous and it made him ponder over the words he said to her in the cafe. Were they so hurtful that she was that upset about it on their engagement? But he also mocked her height and weight.
He must apologize to her. Her getting scared of him was not quite settling with him. It didn't make him feel good. In fact, it made him feel guilty.
His peace was disturbed as soon as Aryan barged into the balcony with a stupid smile. He sat beside him on the couch keeping his legs on the coffee table. "Put your dirty legs down" Rayaan grumbled at him but Aryan laughed it off. "You would not think about it when I will give you something really precious. " He tried to snuggle more into Rayaan's chest but Rayaan pushed him off with a disgusted face.
Aryan is his maternal uncle's only son. He is a pampered child and that is exactly why Rayaan thinks he is indisciplined. He just passed his 12th and he has everything to talk about other than studies. Rayaan completely dispise non-serious people and Aryan is one among them.
Rayaan doesn't have a problem with Shubham and Ishika who are his elder Maternal Uncle's children. They are disciplined and don't nag him like Aryan.
Rayaan's favorites are Vrinda and Vinita who are daughters of his maternal aunt. They are really sweet. He has a soft spot for them. He is protective of them and even they love him dearly. Whenever they visit their house it feels more homely. Though they are yet to arrive for his wedding as Vinita is busy with her Semester exams and Vrinda is on a trip with her friends.
There was no one present from his paternal family. All his paternal cousins were already married. And they were not connected after the death of his Grandparents.
Aryan waved a paper in front of him "Shall I give it to you? "
Rayaan raised a brow at him keeping his face uninterested, "What is it? " He just wanted Aryan to leave him alone.
Aryan kept a finger on his chin as if thinking something deeply "Maybe my would be Bhabhi's number " He said mischievously. Rayaan's eyes held curiosity now. But he didn't want to look obvious.
"Oh!" He sipped his coffee acting unbothered.
Aryan frowned at his actions. Should not he be desperate about his Bhabhi's number? "Don't act. I know you want it" His voice held uncertainty. But when Rayaan didn't react further, he sulked on the couch.
Argh! His brother is boring.
He kept the paper on the table and stood up, "Listen! I am your only cousin who does good work. If someone asks who is your favorite cousin. Tell them my name okay? "
"Get out" Was all Rayaan said keeping the cup on the paper, securing it from getting fled away.
Aryan bent a little and kissed Rayaan's cheek " I love you too" Leaving him Stunned. Before Rayaan could even comprehend what happened, Aryan dashed out of the room.
Rayaan shook his head at his antics as a small smile graced his lips, "stupid".
He opened the paper, in the middle it had " Meera Bhabhi" Written in bold letters, and in the top corner her phone number.
Aryan indeed did good work.
He looked at the wristwatch kept on the table.
12: 07
She must be asleep. He sighed, saving her number in his phone.
Even the night was teasing him. It did not seem to end. Rayaan kept tossing and turning but he couldn't sleep peacefully.
He was already awake before the morning rolled in. Though in a grumpy mood because of lack of sleep but then when he isn't in a grumpy mood?
He stood up lazily and went for his morning routine.
"Hmm! Seems like someone was busy the whole night " Aryan grinned giving a suggestive look to Shubham.
Their teasing was only increasing Rayaan's headache. As usual, ignoring it like a pro he went to make himself a coffee.
But the cousin duo were on a mission, they followed him like his tail.
Aryan bumped his shoulder to Rayaan giving him a toothy grin, "You should at least thank me, because of me you got a chance to talk to Bhabhi. You talked to her the whole night, right? " He lifted his eyebrow in a questioning manner. Shubham chose to eat an apple, standing at least 5 feet away from Rayaan. He was sure now that Rayaan was going to thrash Aryan. But
Silence
Was all Rayaan replied with.
When he didn't say anything even after a minute, Aryan whined, "Bhai!"
Rayaan quickly finished making his coffee and made his way toward the exit.
"Shubham" He called before putting his feet outside. And as if his back was on fire he quickly stood before Rayaan, "Yes, Bhai"
Rayaan gazed directly into his eyes and said "Stay away from Aryan".
Aryan looked at him as if he was in great pain, " What? " His dramatic reaction did nothing to both the brother. "Sure" Shubhan nodded in agreement.
Aryan gave him the most betrayed look ever. He tried to say something but Rayaan's voice interrupted him, " Distribute it between you two" He kept some cash on Shubham's palm and went towards his room.
Of course, Aryan wanted some money. The reason he was trying to be an all-good boy since morning. Finally, his hard work paid off. He squealed, snatching the money from Shubham.
"Bhai" Aryan called again but Rayaan was already inside his room.
"I wanted to say that you could have given a thousand more " Aryan muttered sighing, "but no worries this will help too "
"Bhai said to distribute it" Shubham intervened eyeing the money in Aryan's hand.
Aryan rolled his eyes at him, "Shut up! I did all the work. Getting Bhabhi's number was not an easy task. Besides that, you dared to disown me in front of Bhai. "
"But..."
"But since I am a good brother. Here take this" He gave him a hundred rupee note and ran out with money leaving a sulking Shubham behind.
In the room, Rayaan was pacing back and forth.
Shall I call her?
What would I say? He wanted to apologize to her. And also ask her some questions that he was curious about. But they are still not comfortable with each other. She is not entitled to answer him.
"Damn it! " He sat on the bed rubbing his foot that mistakenly hit the bed foot.
This call thing was getting too much. It was occupying a lot of his time which it shouldn't.
Let me just call her and end this.
He looked through his contacts finding hers. Once he found it, he tried to click on the call option. But it wouldn't get click.
Relax... What's happening to me? Relax Rayaan... It's nothing.
Taking a deep breath in, he called her.
Ring... Ring... Ring...
The rings kept on going but there were no efforts from the other side of receiving the call.
Should I call her again? But What if she is busy?
Nervously, he called again but still, she didn't pick up.
Did Aryan give me the wrong number? Damn it! Aryan you are so gone.
Rayaan was agitated. He threw the phone on the bed. Running his hands through the hair, he sighed in annoyance. Why on earth did he choose to believe that Aryan? Gritting his teeth, he picked up the phone again to call Aryan in his room but his phone screen was already dialing Meera's number.
In a blink of an eye, the call was picked up.
Rayaan put the phone on his ear but there was no response from the other side.
His heart was beating faster than usual. He has never been this nervous on calls.
licking his dry lips, he spoke unsure, " Hello? "
"Hi! Who is this? " Came a feminine voice that Rayaan recognized immediately. He sighed in relief, finally, he can talk to her. Aryan didn't give him the wrong number.
"Your Fiance" He said this time in his usual confident voice.
Rayaan repeated the words in his mind and mentally cringed, he came out as if he was trying to flirt. He waited for her to say anything but she was again silent. "Meera? " He tried to confirm if she was actually on call.
"Ji" Came her instant reply as if she was startled.
A small smile graced Rayaan's lip as he could guess the comical expressions on her face with her tone.
"I am sorry." Rayaan admitted with guilt, "I should have behaved nicely before. No excuses for my behavior. I am really sorry " Rayaan admitted his mistake which was clearly evident in his guilt-stricken voice.
It was unexpected for Meera to hear an apology from him. She was clearly surprised. She was Clueless about what to say, she almost whispered "It's okay".
Rayaan sighed, he knew she needed some time to forgive him. So not making it awkward for her he tried to change the topic, " Are you getting married with your own will? "
He needed to be sure she was not being forced into it. And if she didn't want to get married to him, he will make sure to comply with her wishes.
She cleared her throat before saying "Yes! "
Rayaan didn't hear any hesitation in her voice. And then it was decided.
No more running away from marriage. Now, neither she nor him were going to back out from this marriage.
"Alright then! " He hung up.
Finally! The call was done.
He lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. They had almost a month before the wedding.