Fighting!

Chapter 7

Chapter 7:

Ananya's point of view:

“Hey Aunty” I replied, wincing at the old lady who is snobby af. Last time I called her grandmother and god, the hell broke loose. Thankfully, Varuni, one of my cousins, saved me from getting my teeth broken.

“Anu, when did you get here?” She asked, giving me her fake smile.

“ A few minutes ago actually, I just freshened up” I said, giving her my own fake smile.

“So-“

“Aunty, mom was calling me. There is some urgent issue, I need to go but I’ll talk to you later” I said in a hurry shooting her a fake smile and dashed out of there while she stood there with a distaste look on her face.

Fewwww!

Just miss! I escaped before she could open her claws and hold me hostage.

“Hey big baby” I greeted Akshay who was the sofa in the garden with his wife, Meera.

“Anu!!” Meera exclaimed before getting up and pulling me into a hug. I reciprocated with a genuine smile this time. Meera is a very cool girl.

When we first went to her house with Akshay’s proposal, there she stood very quietly and traditionally. She’s a very shy person and I was worried that she would gel-up well with us, his cousins but she proved me wrong when she laughed at the double meaning joke that I made. She’s an introvert and blushed so easily which drives Akshay crazy. He claims it was love at first sight for him.

I remember him being rebellious and telling their parents he doesn’t want to get arrange marriage but went to see Meera because of his mother’s pressure. She was somehow convinced that Meera was the girl for him and boy, when he saw her anyone could tell that guy was a goner.

“Hey Meera, hope this cry baby isn’t troubling you too much” I said giving her husband a stink eye.

He returned the favour with the same look.

“I’m not a cry baby” He stated like a spoilt kid.

I gave a look to Meera which said ‘See, this is what I mean’. She just laughed out loud.

“I missed seeing you guys bicker like this” she said with a soft smile.

“Well, someone stopped visiting” Akshay said raising his eyebrows at me.

“Oh, but you did. I’ll tell you think story Meera. This guy over here, your husband came to my house with his friend’s proposal along with him and his family. As a cousin, I expected a call at least but sir over here ignored my calls instead” I said crossing my arms with a sarcastic smile.

Meera gave him a ‘I told you’ look.

“I apologised already” He said pulling me beside him.

Yeah, like that’s gonna work.

“Oh my god, Lord Akshay has apologised. What shall I do with this gift that’s been bestowed upon me” I said dramatically starring at the sky. Meera giggled sitting beside me. I now sat in between them.

“Drama-queen! But I promise I’ll make it up to you” He said with a smile and I gave in. I’m sucker I tell you. Him being my favourite cousin didn’t help at all.

Soon the garden which was heavily decorated filled with people. Many guys in groups practicing their dance for tonight sangeet while ladies were busy getting Mehendi done to their hands. I was one among them. The whole morning was spent catching up with my cousins, gossiping and commenting on the mean old hags of our family. It was fun, the last time we met was for Akshay’s marriage and it was a blast.

In the evening, all the ladies were getting ready and men were planning their drinks party. The garden was decorated for Sangeet.

I wore a red lehenga for tonight, my hair was all set up with perfect makeup and my mehendi was darker, I washed it and the color was beautiful. I think it will still get darker than this.

I was sitting with my cousin, Vaani and talking about college when mom called me and told me to go and tell my dad to meet her in their room. Sighing, I told Vaani I will be right back and started searching for my dad.

I’m sure my dad’s phone is on one side of the house and my dad is at another.

I searching the whole house and went to garden to see him talking to Akshay and his father.

“Dad” I called out walking towards them.

“What?” He asked looking at me in question.

“Mom’s calling you. Go to your room” I said pointing towards the inside.

“Ah! This woman” he grumbled shaking his head and walked inside telling Akshay and his father that he’ll be right back.

“Anu, remember how I told you that I would make it up to you” I heard Akshay say and looked up from my phone.

I nodded at his words.

“There” He said nodding towards the gate.

I turned around to see Ayush entering the premise looking dashing as hell.

Oh s**t!

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I sat there on our designated table right beside Akshay’s with my parents glaring at the head of my idiotic cousin. He’s been subtly avoiding my eye contact knowing I’m ready chew his brains out.

That stupid i***t didn’t even tell me that he invited Aayush. Seeing him enter the venue took my breath away and I did first thing that came to my mind, run.

I hid myself from him till now, I saw my parents talk to him and he was very polite from where I could see.

Look so fit in his blue shirt and black pants looking sexy as hell. Once everyone took their seat, even he sat with Akshay’s friends I came and took my seat making sure he doesn’t see me.

Why am I hiding from him?

I don’t know.

Do I want to talk to him?

No.

When my parents asked from my answer about the proposal, I told them no and explained that taking care of an infant is not my scene and they didn’t even force me knowing that was very true. My mom didn’t stop gushing over how cute Diya is for days and we couldn’t agree more. But they understood my decision and let me be.

Soon, the event started.

Akshay went on stage and made a speech about his parents which made everyone laugh and awe at his words. He loves and respects his parents’ way too much.

“Let the party begin!!!” He announced loudly making everyone hoot and yell in excitement.

All our cousins are ready to dance and have fun. I have not practiced with them but they have video called me and showed me all the moves. This was just in case they drag me to the stage suddenly and I make a huge fool of myself.

First dance was from the kids, the little kindergarteners started dancing very cutely for a kid’s song which I have no idea about. Every single parent was hooting and making videos of them. I could see Akshay’s parents looking so happy staring at those kids. My parents were hooting and cheering with same enthusiasm. I smiled at my family. Even though they have their ups and downs, when we gather like this as a family we all enjoy it to the fullest.

Next, my younger girl cousins who were 10 to 14-year-old age started their dance to Barbie girl song and stole so many peoples heart with their cute moves. At some point, I tried to whistle and failed miserably and hid by my father’s side.

Next song was the boy’s gang, our family is huge and everyone loves to participate in gatherings like this. They all danced for some Bollywood songs and I couldn’t stop myself from cat calling. My parents just laughed at me while my other female cousins joined me in making fun of them.

Next, Akshay dragged his parents for a couple dance and played an old Hindi song which was apparently their favourite song. We all cheered and teased them and Akshay’s mom couldn’t stop her blush which made us tease them more. As soon as they got down from the stage, she made her way over to me and twisted my ear for being naughty but I could see love in her eyes. She’s everyone’s favourite.

Next song was our song. My girl gang started dancing to a Bollywood dance song and I had warned them not to drag me but as expected they ignored my words and dragged me to the stage in the middle of the song and placed me in middle.

I looked around them and shrugged before dancing.

Thank god, I remember those steps and that I’m good at dancing.

We all girls were grinning and dancing having the time of our life, Vaani even dragged Akshay later who awkwardly danced with us making me laugh in his face. He deserves that.

Being a mature guy that he is, he stuck his tongue out at me and went to his seat. We all shared a look and giggled in glee. By the end of the song, my eye connected with Aayush’s, who was looking at me only.

Suddenly I forgot the steps and everything became hazy, thankfully song ended and we all got down. In daze, I walked towards the pool area which was empty as everyone was near the stage.

I sat on one of pool chairs looking at the water in front of me. I’m not mad or sad. I’m just wondering why?

I have no idea why just one eye contact affected me so much. Somewhere, I knew he was perfect for the image I had in my mind about my future guy, I mean looks wise. I’m insanely attracted to him, no doubt. But..

If I keep thinking about this, I’ll go on and on like a broken tape-recorder. Sighing, I stood up to join the crowd but stopped on my tracks as I saw him walking towards me.

I looked at him with my neutral face, giving nothing away. He took few steps towards me, looking at me intently. I just stood there like a statue gawking at his every move.

“Hi” those words uttered out of his mouth as he stood right in front of me and all I could think about was, how damn sexy his voice was!

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