41) I'm a sucker for you

Fun trivia about my childhood before we start- I once burnt down a wooden temple in my house while lighting a diya when I was a kid. Didn't notice in the start, went to eat dinner and only when my parents saw smoke coming from upstairs, they ran to stop the fire.

Kiara's POV

"Pick up, pick up, pick up." Keeping the phone near my ear, I muttered as my gaze kept returning to the crowd of photographers gathered at the college entrance.

One of the photographers spotted me and waved, trying to grab my attention. The others noticed me too and followed his actions. I bit my tongue, shutting my eyes in regret and hid behind a pillar.

What did I land myself into?

I had just finished my last lecture 5 minutes ago, when one of my classmates informed me that the paparazzi had blocked the main gate of the college and were waiting for me to make an appearance.

As if that magazine fiasco wasn't enough.

"Hello." Arjun answered from the other side and I sighed in relief.

"Where were you? Are you busy? Can we talk?" I spoke in one go, my breath winding up in the last.

"Just a second." I heard some rustling and a muffled 'excuse me'. "Is everything okay?"

"Not really."

"What happened?"

"We are on the cover page of a magazine."

"So?"

"You don't understand." I walked away from the students lazing around the corridor, lowering my voice. "It's a picture of us kissing at the airport."

"What?" He almost yelled and I cringed away from the phone.

"Yes. They know about my college too. The paparazzi are gathered in front of my college. My classes are over and I don't think I can get out without them noticing."

Arjun let out a string of curses while I could already imagine him raking a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Stay there. I'm coming to pick you up." His voice was laced with steely resolve and I chose not to argue with him.

Moreover, I was somewhat relieved because I don't think I could have handled it all on my own.

"Okay."

"If you want, I can bring my chopper instead. You won't have to deal with the media then."

I pulled away from the phone, my jaw hitting the floor.

A freaking chopper? Are you kidding me?

"What? No! Car is fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed loudly. "I'm not the President of the country stuck in the middle of a war."

He chose to ignore my statement. "Fine. I'll be there in 10." He cut the call and I shook my head at his absurdness.

He was unbelievable sometimes.

As I massaged my temple to get rid of the slight headache, my eyes wandered to Maahi who was waving at the photographers and posing for them. Nandini was grinning like a mad woman on crack and clicking their pictures in return. As for Saumya, she seemed overwhelmed with the whole situation and was admiring the view like she was seeing snow for the first time.

Why am I even friends with them?

Hadn't it been for our professor who entered the class in the morning at the right time, they would have grilled me non-stop unless I told them everything about our kiss down to the last detail. But even the professor couldn't save me from the occasional sly smirks and looks they sent my way all the time along with the silent promise of revenge. I could see it on their faces. They were already racking their brains for different torture techniques on how to get the information out of me. And if it wasn't enough, they would randomly face me during the lecture, puckering their lips in a pout and making weird kissing noises until I turned red either due to embarrassment or anger.

How was I going to handle them after all this was over?

And oh god, Anushka doesn't know anything. She's on a family trip.

Why did we come back from Maldives? We should have stayed there.

"He's here! He's here! He's here!" Nandini exclaimed exactly after ten minutes as two cars came to a stop in front of the college.

"He's not a celebrity, Nandini." I rolled my eyes, holding Maahi's arm who was trying to lean down the railing to get a better view. We were on the first floor and if Maahi would have leaned any further, she would have landed on the ground, breaking her front two teeth.

Am I a bad friend if a tiny part in me wants to push her down the railing for the way she's behaving? I mean it's only two teeth. I know a good dentist.

"Uh, look carefully, Kia." Saumya piped in. "He actually is."

My eyes caught his figure getting out of the car and the paparazzi went crazy. Before they could surround him, his bodyguards came out of the other car, holding them off. Arjun leaned against the car, ankles crossed and I nearly drooled at the sight. He was dressed in a black button down, the sleeves folded up to his elbows. Sunglasses hid his eyes as he fumbled with his phone, running a hand through his hair and I was taken back to the time when he first visited me to college before our marriage.

So much has changed since then.

I was brought out of my reverie by a text from him.

I'm here.

"Come on. Come on. Come on." Nandini urged us to move. "Let's go. Let's go. Let's go."

I looked at her strangely. "Why are you repeating your words?"

"I don't know! I'm too excited!" She bounced down the steps along with Maahi and Saumya who seemed too eager and entertained by the whole situation while I followed at a leisurely pace.

Arjun removed his sunglasses as we crossed the college ground and walked towards him, his eyes set on me.

Unknown to me, a small smile bloomed on my face and my heart skipped a beat as I saw his own lips curving in a soft smile.

Unfortunately, this small change was probably noticed by everyone present there. There were a few students loitering around the college ground. Some of them started cat-calling and my friends thought it would be a good idea to embarrass me even further. Maahi hooted from beside me while Saumya nudged me, passing me a smug smirk. Nandini started humming the tune of some horrible song and I didn't know whether to face-palm or smack their heads against a wall.

We came to a halt a few feet away from him and Nandini pushed me in his direction.

I could feel eyes poking at the back of my head and the strange stares made me uncomfortable as I took hesitant steps towards him.

Why were they staring at me like that?

I could hear the shouts of the photographers and some girls screaming for Arjun, which almost made me turn around and punch their faces, but I kept my focus on my hot husband which wasn't a difficult task. Even in a room full of my favorite people, my eyes would still search for him.

"Hey." Arjun smiled when I came to a stop in front of him.

"Hi."

Why was I feeling giddy all of a sudden?

His eyes focused on something beside me and I turned around only to find my three idiots waving at us like they were seeing us off to war.

He waved back and glanced at me. "I can drop them home if they like."

One look at their creepy smiles and I had made my decision.

If I want to die of embarrassment, I'd rather confess to Arjun about what sinful, perverted thoughts go through my mind whenever I see him shirtless.

"I think they will manage on their own." My lips stretched in a tight smile.

He nodded and opened the car door for me. "Okay. Shall we?"

I sat inside, paying no heed to my friends' suggestive remarks and wolf-whistling. Someone 'awwed' in the crowd and I blushed.

Arjun jogged to the other side while my eyes traced the prominent veins on his arms until he was seated in the car beside me.

Can one be obsessed with someone's arms?

I looked in the rear-view mirror to see the bodyguards handling the media. Arjun started the car and I fished out the magazine from my bag as he drove onto the road. "Look at this."

His eyes momentarily left the road to glance at the scandalous picture.

"Nice shot."

I gave him an incredulous look at his non-chalant tone and he chuckled at my face as if I was talking about growing plants in a desert. "Relax, princess. My team is already working on it. It will be removed from all social media platforms in no time."

"It's on social media too?" I didn't mean to scream but my vocal cords were having a really hard time trying to come in terms with the fact.

"Yes."

Burying my face in my hands, I cursed the stupid photographer who took the photo.

I wish he dresses up for a special occasion and doesn't get even a single good pic.

"Hey, it's okay." His soft voice compelled me to look at him. "These people have nothing better to do other than poking their noses in others' business. The best way to tackle them is to ignore them."

He was right. I shouldn't let them get to me.

Arjun seemed pretty calm about this whole ordeal, which was a first. I thought he would be breathing fire on the photographer like a mad dragon by now.

My eyes studied his side profile and needless to say, he didn't disappoint. The slight stubble on his face made him look even more attractive and I clenched my hands into fists, resisting the urge to hold him by his collar and kiss him right then and there.

What's wrong with you?

.

.

.

At least wait for him to stop or park the car. You don't want an accident happening, do you?

Right.

If he gets to know the thoughts that revolve my mind whenever he's around me, he will get me arrested for attempt at sexual harassment and objectification of men.

Chuckling mentally at my own joke, I looked at cover page once again.

Arjun was right.

It was actually a nice shot.

*

"We came back from Maldives yesterday and you are already working." I scowled, plopping on the sofa as Arjun worked on his laptop.

"I have to submit this report by tonight. It's urgent."

"You work too much." I pouted.

"You talk too much." He replied, his eyes focused at the screen.

Mm-hmm. Why don't you shut me up in your own way?

Ignoring my thirsty conscience and rolling my eyes at his love for his work, I took my time to observe him, something that had become my recent favourite past time.

He looked tensed, the creased lines on his forehead quite prominent as his eyes narrowed in concentration and his tongue poked out slightly.

He needs to lighten up a bit.

He licked his lips, his tongue sliding over his lower lip longer than it was necessary and my conscience woke up with a jerk.

I wonder what else can that talented tongue do?

I was turning into a pervert day by day.

My conscience rose a mocking brow at me.

Fine. I'm already a pervert and turning into a bigger pervert day by day.

Distracting myself from my thoughts, I stood in front of Arjun.

He gave me a quizzical look as I placed hands on my waist, tapping my foot rather impatiently.

"Let's dance."

"What!?" He stared at me as if I had asked him to sell half of his company.

I folded arms across my chest.

His eyes widened. "Kiara, no."

I grinned.

"Don't give me that look. I am not dancing."

"Come on. It will be fun." I insisted.

"I think we have already concluded that we differ on the idea of fun."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not asking you to throw your laptop in fire."

"I'd rather do that than dance."

"But you danced in John's charity ball." I complained.

"That was different." He dismissed me with a wave of his hand.

"Don't be a spoilsport. Please." Whining, I held his wrist and tried to pull him with all my might while he sat there unmoving, not an ounce of emotion on his rock face as I growled like an injured animal, trying to get him to move.

Freaking boulder!

What did he eat for dinner? Rocks?

After a complete 15 seconds of me trying to play tug-of-war with him and getting my butt bruised when I fell on the floor while trying, my dear husband finally took pity on my poor soul.

Sighing heavily as if he was in immense pain, he stood up and I squealed in delight, dragging him to the center. I played Sucker by Jonas Brothers on the music system.

'We go together,

Better than birds of a feather, you and me

We change the weather, yeah

I'm feeling heat in December, when you're around me'

Lip-syncing to the lyrics, I danced around him, my hands flying around me in an exaggerated manner.

Arjun stood there like a statue, his face as expressive as that of a rotten corpse and his blank eyes staring at me like I was a mosquito buzzing around him, disturbing him in his sleep.

"Come on. Dance!" I shrieked while performing a weird tribal dance around him and he sighed again, grunting lowly but held my hand nevertheless.

Drama queen.

Raising our joined hands, he twirled me and brought me closer to him. I wiggled my eyebrows and he rolled his eyes, a grin threatening to break on his face.

One more eye roll and his eyes will come out from their sockets. I'm gonna sell them and buy chocolates for me.

5 minutes later and we both had gone hysterical, dancing like drunk elephants on a rampage.

'I'll be dancing on top of cars and stumbling out of bars

I follow you through the dark and can't get enough'

I jumped on the couch, holding the remote as a mic while Arjun raised his hands in air, yelling the lyrics.

Holding my waist, he picked me up and twirled me once more, landing me on the floor.

With identical goofy smiles on our faces, we moved around matching our steps, putting even Shakira to shame.

I did some funny moves, flailing my arms like crazy while Arjun was busy hitting a high note, singing as if he was on a singing show.

If someone had seen us like this, they would have easily mistaken us for runaway mental patients.

'You're the medicine and the pain, the tattoo inside my brain

And, baby, you know it's obvious'

Bringing our faces closer, we screamed at the top of our lungs. "I'm a sucker for you!"

If this business thing doesn't work out for Arjun, we can start our own band.

Sid knows how to play guitar, Rohan can play a drum and Anushka can.... well, she can cheer for us.

Arjun laughed when I tried to moonwalk and failed miserably, almost face planting in the marble floor.

He steadied me by holding my waist and we continued our performance, channeling our inner Beyonce and Jay Z.

They say every good thing comes to an end. Sometimes, it's too painful.

If the music wasn't so loud and we weren't so immersed in hooting like drunk hooligans, we would have heard the knocks on the door and the sound of doorbell ringing.

We could have also noticed the door unlocking but we were too busy performing our duet for our non-existing audience with full dedication.

I spun around laughing as Arjun copied the famous MJ step, freezing as I became aware of the four shell-shocked figures standing in the doorway.

Oh god.

My breath stuck in my throat and I became paralyzed in my place, my eyes widening comically as I found the four familiar faces staring right back at us, gobsmacked.

Oh my god.

Sid, Rohan, Ritu and Arjun's dad stood at the doorway, their expressions giving into their state of shock. Ritu looked ready to faint while Sid seemed like he was choking on his own spit, his mouth opening and closing a number of times. Rohan had a look of utter horror on his face, his mouth wide open for a mouse to sleep comfortably in there.

Oh. My. God.

I'm officially the brand ambassador for public humiliation.

Is there a way I can evaporate in air?

Arjun's dad was a different case altogether. Although we had managed to render him speechless in the start but his surprise was slowly giving into a strange twinkle in his eyes as his lips spread in a slow smirk.

So, that's where Arjun learnt the art of smirking from.

My face turned mortified as I saw Arjun, unaware of our uninvited guests, thrumming the chords of an imaginary guitar like Nick Jonas.

Shit.

I clamped a palm over my mouth, an indistinct sound leaving the back of my throat that sounded like something between a groan and a helpless whine.

I'll go and dig the ground wide enough for me and Arjun.

I wanted to yell out to him but no words came out of my mouth, my lips were sealed shut as I saw him singing and dancing with no care in the world.

Earlier he didn't want to dance and now he doesn't want to stop.

Hypocritical son of a witch.

He even took a dip, pretending to play the high notes on the guitar like a professional and I face palmed, shaking my head with my eyes shut closed.

How are we going to survive this?

I peeked at him through the gap between my fingers and Arjun's eyes fell on my paralyzed figure, his grin slowly fading away at my expression. "What?"

Removing my hand from my face, I parted my lips to speak but the only thing that came out of my mouth was carbon dioxide. And a hiccup.

Brows creased in confusion, he turned to look what had me petrified and as soon as he whirled around to face our audience, his leg slipped and he landed straight on the couch. With round saucer-like eyes and a half open mouth, he tried to stand but his limbs decided not to co-operate and he lost his balance again, sprawling on the couch like he had encountered a ghost.

No one uttered a single word.

It was so silent that I could hear God laughing from above at my fate.

Thor, can you do me a favour and hit me with a lightening, please?

Sid looked around slowly, disbelief written across his face. "Did we enter the wrong floor?"

"Please take me to a doctor." Rohan lightly touched Sid's arm, rubbing his eyes furiously. "I am hallucinating weird things."

Ritu blinked twice. "I think...I think I forgot to take my medicines in the morning."

While three of them looked ready to fall in a coma anytime, Arjun's dad looked highly entertained, a slight smirk on his face.

Why was he so happy?

It took Arjun another 10 seconds to come out of his initial state of shock. He scrambled to his feet immediately, dusting his clothes and looking anywhere but them. For the first time in my life, I saw him stumbling for words as two red spots appeared on his cheeks.

"Y-you...guys?"

"We are here to discuss about the England project." Mr. Singhania answered since Sid and Rohan seemed too stunned to react.

I snapped out of my trance as I realized they were still standing at the entrance.

"Please come inside." Mentally patting my back for not stuttering even once, I welcomed them with a small smile, ignoring the fact that they just saw me dancing like a chimpanzee on drugs.

Mr. Singhania was the first to enter followed by the rest. Ritu went straight to the kitchen, mumbling to herself something about the eighth wonder of the world and setting a reminder for taking medicines on time.

They sat on the sofa while Arjun and I stood side-by-side, resembling little kids who had been caught eating cake way before it was time for dessert.

"Well?" Mr. Singhania cocked a brow, his gaze flitting between the two of us. "What are you waiting for? Sit."

I lowered myself on the couch opposite them and Arjun copied my actions, but stood upright a fraction of second later as if the couch had springs on it.

"Files! I'll go and bring the files." He tried to escape the situation, almost running to his right when Mr. Singhania called out.

"Arjun!"

"Yes dad?" Arjun looked at his father, extremely flustered. It was funny to watch him so un-coordinated. Hadn't I been flooding in my own embarrassment, I would have enjoyed the look on his face.

The rate at which he was blinking his eyes, I was worried that his eyelashes would fall off. His lashes were too pretty and long to get wasted like this.

"That's the dining room." Mr. Singhania not-so-subtly pointed out, not even trying to hide his smirk.

"Huh?" Arjun looked like a confused cartoon, unable to process his father's words. Realization hit him three seconds later and his face turned blank. "Oh."

"Oh, yeah." He chuckled, rubbing his hands nervously. "I have to go to the dining room first. Because I need some water..." Mr. Singhania narrowed his eyes to which Arjun quickly rectified his mistake, "which is in the kitchen but I need to eat an apple too because I am hungry. And the apple is kept on the dining table. You know what they say? An apple a day keeps a doctor away. And I really want to eat an apple cause I don't want to mess with my iron level."

My mouth hung open as he rambled.

And he says I don't make sense when I talk.

I wanted nothing more than to bang his head against the same dining table.

I'm supposed to be the clumsy one between us, not him.

"I'll back in a minute." He rushed to the dining room, letting out a hiss as he hit his knee on the table on his way.

How could he leave me alone like this?

Sid and Rohan still couldn't digest what they saw and were sitting like statues, frozen in their seats.

As my eyes returned to Mr. Singhania, I found him watching me with keen interest.

"I... am hungry too. I will go and eat some water." I bit my tongue. "I mean drink some water... No. Eat some food." I amended. God, Kia. Get a grip. "I... I'll just come."

I rushed behind Arjun, stumbling mid-way and collided with him as soon as I entered the dining room.

"Ouch." I rubbed my nose, peering up at him.

His scowl vanished as he looked at me. "Are you okay?"

I nodded in response and his expressions dropped in a glare, his eyes staring accusingly at me in a 'This-is-all-your-fault' look.

My face turned sheepish and I ran out of there before he could burn me with his glare.

Entering the kitchen, I found Ritu making tea and snacks for everyone. I took out some plates and cups from the wooden cabinet, intentionally ignoring her gaze.

"I didn't know you give dance lessons too." Ritu leaned against the counter and I pretended to be busy in studying the intricate design on the cups.

They were really beautiful cups.

"So, are these lessons exclusive or available for everyone?" She asked and I groaned internally.

Why couldn't she just give up?

I rubbed the nape of my neck, forcing a smile on my face like a kid who has been forced to meet her annoying relatives.

Ritu laughed as I tried to form a sentence, trying not to make a fool of myself, at least not more than what I already had.

"I was just teasing you, Kia." She smiled. "It's good to see him so carefree."

I smiled, a bit embarrassed and she patted my shoulder.

"I'll go and serve snacks to everyone, you bring the tea." She said and walked out with a bowl and plates.

Heaving a sigh of relief, I poured the freshly brewed tea in cups and kept them in a tray. With sheer determination and focus, I followed Ritu, making sure I didn't trip.

"...and for that we are leaving for London tomorrow." I heard Rohan speaking when I entered the dining room.

We? Is Arjun going to London too?

At least no one seemed to be talking about Arjun and my dance performance as clowns.

I think they're a step away from getting us jobs in a circus.

I served tea to everyone and as Rohan gave me a small smile, I was quickly relieved of the earlier awkwardness. Sending a quick 'thank you' prayer to God, I settled beside Arjun with two cups in my hands. He seemed to be in deep thoughts as I gave him his cup.

"I'm not going." I snapped my head to him as he said those words.

Sid clutched his chest, his face morphing in mock pain. "What are you trying to do? Giving me shock after shock? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Don't you love me anymore?"

Rohan leaned forward with a confused frown and kept a hand on Arjun's forehead. "Are you okay?"

Arjun swatted his hand away, responding him with a bland look.

"You never say no to foreign trips."

"I'm saying it now."

Mr. Singhania frowned. "Arjun, is everything okay?"

His eyes flickered to me for a fleeting second and then back to his tea as he nodded. "Everything is fine, dad."

"But it's important for you to go there. I wouldn't have asked you if it wasn't."

I knew why he wasn't ready to go to London.

"I'll be okay." I spoke quietly so that only he could hear, touching his arm. "You don't need to worry about me."

"No." He didn't even spare me a glance.

Pursing my lips in a thin line, I shook my head.

Well...

I looked at the others. "He's coming."

Arjun glanced up, his face fierce. "I'm not."

"He is."

"Am not."

"He is!"

"Am not!"

"He is!"

"Am not!"

"Look y-"

"Calm down, you two." Rohan intervened. If it wasn't for him, we would have continued bickering like that.

Ignoring him, Arjun looked at me directly in the eyes. "I'm not leaving you alone here."

"Aww, look at you honey poo." Sid placed a palm on his cheek, making heart eyes at us. "Being all cutesy and shit. Who would have thought I would live to see the day?"

Arjun didn't even need to glance at Sid, the way he clenched his jaw and the slight tick in jaw muscle sent red signals to Sid and he immediately shut up, like any sane person would.

"Look I know you are worried but everyone's here with me. Nothing would happen." I tried to make him understand. I know he was worried about those messages but this project seemed important.

"Would you like to come to London with me?" Arjun asked and I nearly forgot what I was going to say next.

Rohan dropped the cookie from his hand, his lips parting in astonishment.

My own face reflected puzzled surprise and I started at him, dumbfounded. "Wh-what?"

"Kia," Sid's voice shook as his gaze shifted from Arjun to me, "are you sure you brought the same Arjun from Maldives? Or did he get exchanged at the airport?"

"Or did you throw the original one in the ocean and asked for a nicer version of him from the goddess of Oceans?"

Arjun's hold on the fork tightened and the muscle in his jaw ticked again as he concentrated on his cookie. Sid widened his eyes, discreetly scooting away from him.

Gathering myself, I looked at Arjun while those intense orbs were already fixed at me. "I can't come with you. I have exams."

The jaw muscle started ticking faster like a bomb waiting to go off and I held my breath, half-expecting him to turn into the Hulk.

"I'll be okay, I promise." I kept my voice low. "Go."

His eyes roamed on my face, searching for something. His expressions were solemn as if he was deciding the budget of the country.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, he grumbled a small 'fine' and I released a heavy sigh.

Sid gasped, narrowing his eyes at me. "Are you practicing black magic on him?"

"What?"

"He always listens to you. If I had asked him instead of you, he would have sent me running from here with his glaring laser eyes and a complimentary death threat."

I punched his shoulder lightly, rolling my eyes.

Arjun cocked his head to Sid and like a deer caught in headlights, Sid froze. He began munching his cracker as if it was the most delicious dish he had ever tasted in his life.

"So tasty." He mumbled, chewing faster and purposely looking away from Arjun while I giggled at his antics, taking a sip of my tea.

Though I had convinced him to go to London, deep inside I didn't want him to leave. I was so used to having him around me all the time and couldn't comprehend the weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Feeling the weight of the familiar gaze on me, I turned my head to left to find Arjun staring at me with a slight frown. I could read the question in his eyes. Whether I was okay.

I passed him a small smile in assurance and quickly averted my eyes from him, lest he read the sadness written all over my face.

The men busied themselves with business talk after that which went straight above my head. So, I excused myself and went to my room and decided to complete my assignments.

*

I was running around my room, stuffing books in my bag when my phone rang and I picked up, only to be greeted by an emotional, dramatic voice.

"It's over between us."

I rolled my eyes. "Hello to you too, Anushka."

"It's time to say goodbye now." She spoke in a low voice, sniffing. "You don't need me anymore, I guess."

If she ever starts her own drama show, it's going to be a blockbuster.

"Anushka -"

"Don't 'Anushka' me. How could you do this to me? You didn't even bother to inform me that you guys kissed." Her voice raised with each word and by the end of the sentence, she was screaming like a possessed woman.

"Just the way you didn't bother to inform me about you and Sid?" I countered back.

"That... was different."

"Of course, it was."

"Drop that smug tone, Kia." She warned.

"What tone are you talking about?"

"Wait till I come back to Delhi. I'll show you."

"I'm waiting." I recited in a sing-song voice.

"I'm gonna hang you upside down and feed you raw broccoli until you spill all the dirty secrets."

"You are more than welcome."

"KIARA!" A loud, impatient voice resounded in the house and I smiled to myself.

I love how sweetly he addresses me.

Yes, sarcasm.

I looked at the clock. It was time for him to leave.

"Coming!" I yelled, keeping the phone away for me and then spoke in the phone. "Listen, I'll call you back. Arjun is leaving for London."

"Yeah, right. Now that you have your own personal Greek God, what's the need for friends?"

"Are you done?" I asked in a boring voice.

"No. But I've also got to go somewhere. Talk to you later. And don't forget to kiss him goodbye." Chirping a bye, she cut the call.

Shaking my head, I walked out of the room, keeping my phone in my jeans pocket.

I have weird friends.

I found Arjun pacing in the main hall, yelling at some poor soul on the phone.

Some things never change.

With his phone sandwiched between his ear and shoulder, he was holding a tie in one hand while searching for a file. Hearing my footsteps, he looked up at me and tilted his head in a 'where were you?' look.

"Sorry." I whispered in an apologetic tone, taking the tie from him as he talked over the phone.

"Yeah, get the car ready. I'll be down in 5." He cut the call as I looped the material around his neck.

It has become our personal tradition. I always make his tie whenever he leaves for office. It almost seems natural, like we've been doing this since forever. Something so simple, yet so important.

"Give me your phone." He demanded.

"What?"

"Your phone."

Before I could react, he took out my phone from my pocket and I let him be, focusing on my task.

"I added David's and my number in your emergency contacts." He told me, keeping my phone on a nearby stand. "Anything wrong and you immediately call me or David."

"David's not coming with you?" He always took David to important meetings with him.

"No. He's staying here. You are not supposed to leave the building without him."

I scoffed under my breath at his tyrant behaviour.

"And you're not allowed to talk to strangers while you are outside."

I snorted. "I'm not a kid. I can handle myself."

I received another infamous as-blank-as-a-whiteboard look from him. "Abducting you is easier than abducting an infant. All they have to do is keep a chocolate cake and a picture of Chris Hemsworth and you will climb inside the van on your own."

"No." I gaped at him, offended that he thought so low of me.

Arjun just stared at me blankly with a 'yeah, no kidding' look.

"Okay, fine. You are right." I huffed, looking away. "I won't talk to any strangers." I mimicked his words and stuck out my tongue at him.

"I'm serious. I won't hesitate to cut your monthly supplies of chocolate if you don't listen to me."

I gasped, outrage flaring in my eyes. "You won't dare."

His eyes shone with a challenging look. "Try me."

My mouth hung open and I pouted at him.

"I told you I'm not going to risk your safety." He said and my heart went all pitter-patter.

Screw him for being rude and sweet at the same time.

He spent another minute repeating the same things he just said.

"Are you done lecturing me?"

Arjun narrowed his eyes at me and then sighed, shaking his head. "Things you make me do."

"I am honored." I bowed my head down, grinning while his face was devoid of any expression, his eyes screaming that he was so done with me.

Too bad he got stuck with me.

"Did you pack everything?" I asked as I folded his collar.

"Yes."

Brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder, I peered up at him, my heart sinking due to an unknown feeling. "You're ready to go."

"I hope I will return to my house still intact in one piece." He teased and a smile appeared on my face.

"No promises."

He chuckled and his eyes flickered to my lips. The smile on my face dropped and I sucked in a breath as he stepped closer to me.

He held my hand, bringing me closer to him and my heart fluttered, my voice weak and barely above a whisper. "Arjun-"

A knock sounded on the main door and we immediately sprang apart.

"Come in."

David entered and Arjun instructed him to take his bags from his room while I tried to control my breathing.

Couldn't you wait for a second, David?

David also received the same set of instructions from Arjun.

"Well, I'll be leaving now." Arjun spoke as David walked out of the penthouse and I nodded, suddenly feeling awkward.

He strode towards the door while I fidgeted with my fingers, chewing my lower lip and contemplating my next action.

Oh for God's sake, you guys have already kissed!

Screw all this.

"Arjun?"

I called out softly as he was about to walk out. He turned around and I walked up to him, my heart hammering in my rib cage.

With every ounce of courage in me, I leaned on my tip-toes. Keeping my hands on his shoulders, I pressed my lips at the corner of his mouth, my eyes closing at the contact. My lips lingered there for a second and I pulled back, just enough to whisper. "Come soon."

Not daring to open my eyes, I turned around and tried to shuffle away from there when a hand caught my wrist and pulled me flush against a hard chest, my back colliding with rock hard abs.

I nearly jumped and my eyes flew open when I felt familiar lips on my neck as Arjun pressed a butterfly kiss on my sweet spot, his arm encircling my stomach.

My breath stuck in my throat, my chest heaving as he husked out a bye near my ear, his lips touching my earlobe.

His arm left me and I breathed a sigh of relief. I heard his footsteps leaving and I stayed still in my place until he left.

A smile bloomed on my face and I blushed the colour of a ripe tomato.

*

"Are you sure you don't want to call him?"

"Yes."

"You don't wanna talk to him?"

"No."

"Even if he calls you?"

"Yes."

"Do you want more ice-cream?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to talk in mono-syllables?"

"Yes." I huffed and Maahi sighed, looking back at the TV.

It had been 5 days since Arjun left. My friends had come over for a movie night and we were watching some random chick-flick. I was already cranky and having severe period cramps when the stupid girl in the movie decided it would be a great idea to miss her boyfriend.

As a result, I started missing Arjun badly and got angry, first on myself for missing him and then on him, for going away to London.

Stupid chimpanzee! Messing with me even when he's far away from me.

I went full Kia on David and ordered him to bring four extra-large chocolate ice cream tubs to try and forget about that devil. David mistakenly thought I had decided to throw a sudden party and asked if he wanted me to arrange for food too. Only after I gave him a stink-eye, he hurried out of the penthouse, returning back in a record time of 7 minutes with 6 ice-cream tubs.

I'm gonna ask Arjun to increase his paycheck.

I stabbed the spoon in my ice-cream tub angrily, muttering curses at the devil who had occupied my thoughts.

Since he left, we would talk daily at around 6 in the evening due to the time gap between India and London. My classes were usually over by then and even he was free during his lunch time. But today I wasn't in a good mood and didn't talk to him all day.

So here I was, wrapped in a blanket and already on my second ice-cream tub, agitated over that handsome goblin who probably wasn't even missing me.

"He didn't even call me!" I cried out loudly, scaring Anushka who almost fell off her seat.

"He did. You cut his call."

"He didn't call me twice!"

"You switched off your phone after that." Saumya deadpanned and I threw a cushion at her, causing her to yelp.

"You are supposed to be at my side." I glared at her.

"That stupid, egotistical jerk." I growled to myself. "What does he think of himself? I don't miss him. Not at all. He can go and have fun with his stupid laptop as much as he wants. I don't mind."

"I'm not going to call him." My mouth twisted in annoyance as I announced it aloud.

"Okay." Nandini nodded slowly and then shrugged. "Don't call him."

"But I miss him." I sobbed loudly, stuffing another spoon of chocolate ice-cream in my mouth.

"Okay, calm down. I will call him and then you can talk." Anushka patted my back and I sniffled, nodding.

Arjun's POV

"... I see it's a win-win for everyone." Rohan finished the presentation, looking at us expectantly.

His eyes swept around the board room, resting on me. I gave an approving nod and he smiled proudly.

"I'm impressed." Mr. Mehra said. "What will be the profit rate if we invest in the project?"

I tuned out of the conversation, my gaze returning to my phone in front of me as I tapped my fingers on the desk.

"Dude she's not gonna jump out from your phone." Sid whispered, leaning towards me and I shot him an irritated look.

Sid grinned slyly, making a tsk tsk sound and looked forward.

"Who would have thought the great Arjun-I'll-feed-you-to-my-hellhounds-if-you-call-me-once-more-Singhania would be acting like a love sick puppy for one phone call." He whispered loud enough for me to hear and I glared at him, opening my mouth to retort but then stopped, realizing we were in a meeting.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I inhaled deeply and leaned back in my seat. Rotating a pen between my fingers, I tried to focus but in vain.

I shifted in my chair, my face twisting in discomfort.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

My gaze travelled to Rohan who gave me an amused look as he continued his conversation with Mr. Mehra.

Averting my eyes from him, I saw that it was 3:30.

She should have called by now.

No, I wasn't being desperate. I was just worried for her safety. That's all.

.

.

.

I couldn't even fool myself.

Why didn't she call? Did she forget?

My phone vibrated and I banged a hand on the table a little too excitedly on seeing the caller ID, standing up eagerly. "See. She didn't forget."

Only a second later did I realize that I wasn't alone. Alas, it was too late.

Everyone looked at me like I had unleashed my pet wolves on them.

"I mean," I cleared my throat. "I need to take this call. Excuse me."

Rohan gestured towards the door, hiding a grin and I speed walked out of the conference room, mentally hitting myself.

What are you doing?

Finding a secluded corner, I picked up the call a little breathlessly. "Hey."

"Hi Arjun. It's me, Anushka."

"Oh. Hi." My brows raised in surprise. "Uh...Is Kiara okay?"

"Yeah. She is fine. Actually..." She trailed off and I could sense her hesitation.

"What's wrong?"

"I think you should talk to her." She spoke slowly. "Here."

I frowned when I heard a muffled sob. "Princess?"

"Don't talk to me." Kiara snapped and I slightly pulled away from the phone.

She sniffled, hiccupping. "You are a true devil."

"What did I do?"

Her voice turned livid. "Of course. Act as if you don't know."

"Why didn't you call me again after I cut your call?" She accused as if I was cheating on her.

"I thought you were busy with some work." I explained.

"So?"

"I didn't want to disturb you. I mean, you could have called me again when you were free."

I was actually waiting for her to call me back.

"Ugghh. Stop making sense! I want to fight with you." She whined and my mouth dropped open in baffled astonishment.

I need an award if I manage to survive even one year with her.

Did she drink again?

"Kiara, are you okay?" I asked, thoroughly bewildered with her behaviour.

"No. I miss you." She grumbled lowly and I thought I misheard.

"What?"

"I miss you." She confessed again, her voice sounding more adorable and I was stumped.

Oh.

What do I say? I miss you too? You are beautiful? I wish to be an alien and travel in a UFO?

I'm hopeless when it comes to emotions. So, I did what I'm best at. Teasing her.

"Oh."

"What do you mean by 'oh'?" Her voice raised up a notch and I stifled a grin. "Don't you have nothing else to say?"

"No." I leaned against the wall.

"You... You!" I had successfully riled her up. "I knew it was a waste talking to you. I hate you."

"I think it's quite the opposite actually. You like me." I smirked.

"You know what? I don't want to talk to you. Bye. Don't come back. Stay there and have fun with your stupid laptop."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." I chuckled. "I... well...uh" I scratched my forehead, struggling to get the words out.

Come on, Arjun. It's just four words.

"I miss you too." I whispered.

The line was silent for some time and I thought she had cut the call but then I heard a sob, followed by another and soon Kiara was sobbing hysterically.

"Why are you crying?" I panicked. "Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"

People reply with 'I miss you too' when someone says 'I miss you' to them, don't they?

"I just...miss you. A lot." She blurted out and laughter echoed in her background. She snapped at her friends, I think, and then quietly mumbled into the phone. "Come soon."

I chuckled and shook my head, rubbing a hand over my face.

She's going to be the death of me one day.

"I will try."

"Bring some chocolates for me." She added and I bit my lip to control my laugh that threatened to escape my mouth.

"I will bring lots of chocolates for you." I assured her and she let out a content hum.

"I think that's all I have to say. I will go now. I have to eat the rest of my ice-cream."

"Sure. I don't want to keep you away from the love of your life."

"Bye." She giggled.

"Bye." I cut the call, smiling to myself like a fool.

"Done romancing on the phone?"

The smile on my face vanished as I faced Sid with a blank face.

He stood there with Rohan, both of them standing in identical positions, arms crossed over their chests and smirking like villains of a comedy movie.

"So..." They said in unison and I squinted my eyes at them.

"So what?"

Their smirks grew bigger as they kept staring at me with smug eyes.

They were starting to creep me out.

"Nothing." Sid grinned like an evil witch who had just formed a plan for mass destruction.

I knew what they were thinking.

Even I was confused with my behaviour.

I don't know why I behaved like that.

Everyday, I would eagerly wait for her phone call. It feels good to talk to her. I'm so used to her talks by now that if I go one day without her rambles, I feel as if something is incomplete.

She has become an important part of my life without even me knowing.

Shit.

"Man, I'm tired. Let's have some drinks before we go back to the hotel." Rohan said, changing the topic for which I was extremely grateful.

I agreed at once. I really needed a drink to sort my thoughts. We went to a nearby bar and Sid and Rohan placed their orders.

"What do you want, Arjun?" Rohan asked.

"A chocolate shake." I muttered distractedly.

I wasn't prepared for the deathly silence on the counter.

Rohan looked flabbergasted whereas Sid stumbled back, his hand resting on Rohan's shoulder for support.

"What?"

"This is not Arjun. He is an impostor." Rohan uttered, horrified.

I pulled my head back, confused.

"You just said you want a chocolate shake." Sid whispered, his eyes wide.

"What? No. I said vodka."

My eyes widened.

I didn't say chocolate shake, did I?

A grin spread on Sid's face. "Boy, you are so screwed."

For the first time in my life, I found myself agreeing with Sid.

Fuck.