Dakshika's Pov :
I took shower and got ready wearing a maroon colour Anarkali with golden polka dots on it. My dupatta tucked on one of my shoulder. A small bindi on my forehead, and I was ready.
I was about to go and make my breakfast when there was a knock on the main door. I moved towards the door and it opened to reveal Nidhi along with the two boys I saw yesterday.
I was observing them, when Nidhi again interrupted, " Hey Dakshi, let me introduce you to my brothers, saying this she signalled towards on of the boys who was a little taller than the other with beard. He looked older than me.
"This is my brother, Neil Rathore, he is an year older than me." She then signalled towards the other one with no beard and soft boy features, saying " And this is Aarav Rathore."
I looked at then and said, "Hello, I am Dakshika Singh Rathore."
To which Neil replied first, " Hi Dakshika, nice to meet you."
While Aarav did something unexpected, he hugged me out of the blue, " Hey Dakshika, I am Aarav but you can call me partner." He said breaking the hug and winked at me .
I wanted to laugh so badly at this but controlled my self, saying, " Thanks, but I would prefer Mr. Rathore over it." His face fell, while Neil and Nidhi laughed.
Neil smacked his head and said to me, " Don't mind him Dakshika, he is a little flirty by nature. Other then that he has no bad intention. And please I insist you to call us by aur names."
"But you are elder than me." I said trying to explain my view, but instead he replied, " I see you as a friend Dakshika, so there's no need for such formalities."
"It's all right. Please come inside guys, I am sorry, I kept you standing at the door." I said as I signalled towards the couch.
They took the couch and Nidhi forwarded me the packets in her hands.
"Suresh kaka sent breakfast made by him for you. I didn't know that you have been coming here since you were a child." She said with a hint of amaze in her voice.
I nodded and took the packet. "What would you guys prefer, tea or coffee?"
To which they shook their head negatively, "Nothing." Aarav and Nidhi said together.
"We just had breakfast, Dakshika. We don't need anything. Instead you need to have your breakfast or else, it will get cold." Neil said and I nodded.
"You can go have your breakfast till then can we roam around the haveli a bit? Pleasee." Aarav asked and I nodded my head hesitantly. I wanted to go with them but then I can't eat in front of them with them just watching me.
They stood up and moved towards the garden and I went into the kitchen. Sitting in front of the kitchen, I was having Parathas made by kaka.
I had my breakfast and washed the dishes, moving out in search of my guests. And I saw them in the garden near the mango tree planted by me when I was young.
I reached near them and heard Aarav teasing Neil. " Oho bhai! I saw the way you were looking at her. Looks like our brother has a crush on your friend Nidhi. Aww! How sweet na"
Ok, this isn't what I was expecting. I don't want best friend's brother trope in my life. " Will you stop making false assumptions Aarav? We are at her place and she will misunderstand me, not you if she hears you, even if it's for fun."
I cleared my throat to make them aware of my prescence. They turned towards me and Aarav instantly went quite.
"Oh Dakshika, come we were just talking about...about um" Nidhi was saying but Aarav completed, " About you, I mean how sweet you are. Nothing else."
I smiled a little and said, " Oh, so what are you guys doing in your lives? I mean I know Nidhi is doing interior designing but what about you Aarav?"
" I am doing L.L.M., first year." He replied with a proud smile. The passion for it visible in his eyes.
I turned towards Neil, " And what about you Neil ji? "
"Umm, I work in Rathore Groups. My studies are already completed." He said, his expressions telling that he is shy.
Uff so cute!
I nodded my head with a light smile on my face.
I asked them to come inside, and have a seat but they insisted to be in the garden and sat on the rug on which I was sitting the other day.
Author's Pov:
Sitting in the garden, feeling the sun's warmth in the cold, they were talking about anything and everything.
Though Dakshika wasn't talking much she gave a few nods or syllables from time to time to show that she was indulged in the conversation.
Neil on the other side being an introvert was talking less. After about an hour, Nidhi said," Ok Dakshi, now we will leave. I'll meet you in the evening. Ba-bye." Saying so she hugged her.
Dakshika nodded and Aarav said in a genuine tone, " It was nice meeting you Dakshika. And this time I am saying it genuinely. "
Dakshika smiled at it and Nidhi said, "Okay, let's go now."
But then Neil said, " Uh, you and Aarav go Nidhi, I have something to discuss with Dakshika. "
Both of them looked shocked, but nodded nonetheless. Once inside the palace, Aarav quickly wrapped one arm around Nidhi's shoulder and said, " I feel something fishy here."
Akshar who was drinking water, heard this. While Aarav continued, " Dakshika calling bhai, Neil ji? And him calling her Dakshika, isn't that indicating something? A person like bhai who is so introvert that it takes months for him to open up, says I need to discuss something, in the first meet itself. "
"You know, I think my words became true, I guess bhai has a crush on Dakshika." He said after a 2-second break.
Nidhi removed his hand from her shoulder, and smacked his head, " Stop making dream castles in the air. What you are thinking isn't correct. And even if it is, what's wrong in that. As far as I see, they can make a perfect match."
"Arey! To maine kabhi kaha ki isme kuch galat hai. In fact I will be happy if it's true."
( when did I say, that there's something wrong in it.)
All this was heard by Akshar, and he kept the bottle and moved to his room taking long strides. He banged the door and went to his balcony.
He was feeling restless not liking the idea of Dakshika and Neil. But what he saw in front of him fueled his anger. In the garden of Vyas haveli, Dakshika and Neil were standing. They were smiling and exchanging words now and then.
His hands fisted when he saw, Neil offering a handshake to Dakshika and she accepted it. This was it. He turned and barged into his room.
Sitting on the sofa, his mind kept replaying the scene he just saw. He felt his anger rising. But the next second he stood up and took a deep breath heading towards the bathroom.
The thing that angered him was his dislike for this specific girl. He didn't know her yet but he already disliked her for two reasons. First, the moment he laid his eyes on her she stirred certain emotions in him.
And second, she was the girl for whom he had seen his sister cry, doesn't matter if it was her fault or not.
He stood below the shower and yanked away his white shirt, which was completely sticking to his body.
His abbs, chiseled chest, and broad biceps were at display, showing his hard work in gym. His sharp facial features looked enhanced under the flowing water.
In short he looked no less than a Greek god.
Akshar's Pov:
I am not able to decide, what's happening with me. I am a short tempered person but I can control my anger very well. Then why am I not able to control it today?
And above all, the main question is why am I angry? What's there to get angry if my brother has a potential future with Ms. Skye. I mean she might be a good girl, unlike what I have assumed.
And I am no fool to justify my thinking on the fact that I care for my brother or that girl isn't good and so on.
Neither I know Ms. Skye fully nor my brother is some child who needs to be told what kind of person is in front of him. At least, not Neil.
I am feeling frustrated and irritated. Why? I don't know and that's the reason I am furious.
God! My feelings are fucked up. And that's all because of Ms. Skye.
Dakshika's Pov:
In the garden, when Nidhi and Aarav left I turned towards him. I could see on his face that the talk is nothing like what his cousins are expecting.
And I was proved right the moment words rolled out of his mouth, " I am sorry Dakshika, I know you were here when Aarav was saying all that and you heard it. But there isn't anything like that. And I hope you won't mind me calling you by your name."
He heaved a sigh before continuing, "I mean I may admire you but it's nothing like I crush over you. Hope so you understand. And even if any of my actions, gave the false hint, then I am really sorry."
"You don't need to worry about it. Nidhi is like that only and as much as I got to know Aarav, he is the same. So there is no need of justifying yourself." I said before giving him a soft smile.
He nodded and I continued, "Guess I was right when I thought that you were gonna talk about it."
"Can we be friends Dakshika?", he asked with hope in his eyes.
" Umm, okay." I said a little hesitantly. He saw my hesitancy and smiled softly forwarding his hand towards me. "So, friends?"
I shook hands with him, "Friends."
"I guess our friendship is going to be something that we'll cherish all our lives." He said.
"Yes, hope so." My voice contained no emotions but my mind drifted back to the fact that all the relations that I have ever thought to cherish, were either snatched away from me or destiny snatched the person itself.
So neither I want to hope that this lasts forever, nor I want to break or ruin it.
He held my shoulders and shook me lightly. " Hey what happened, you seem lost" To which I just shook my head, and said "nothing I was just thinking something."
"Oh, okay. So I'll be leaving for now Dakshika. Will meet you soon. " He said with a light smile.
I nodded. He left and I went to my room once I saw him entering the palace premises.
If it goes as planned, it isn't life.