༘⋆🌷🫧💭₊˚ෆ

𝐈𝐬𝐪 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤

मस्किलों में ये डाले,
जो भी चाहे करा ले

📓

𝗠 𝗔 𝗛 𝗜 𝗥

18 December, 02:34 PM, Silver Lining, Aerocity, Delhi

I groan, leaning back on my chair, the tension eating me up from inside. Kaya rolls her eyes at me, spiking my irritation to another notch.

It has been half an hour since I received the last update from Moksh regarding the meet-up. They had safely managed to get to Vanya's house but that is the last thing I know. Even after numerous texts to the little bastard, he didn't bother replying to a single one.

"I'll fucking kill him," I grunt under my breath as I stand up. 

"Do I need to prepare lawyers? Or cleaners and a body bag?" Kaya remarks and I sneer at her.

"How about your resignation letter?" I bite and she clicks her tongue. "No thank you, I'll willingly resign when I find a better job with extra pay."

This oportunist! I stare at her in disbelief. I'm surrounded by selfish and idiotic people.

"Why are you so bothered today? Did your date cancel again?" She asks and I can pinpoint the humor in her tone.

Ignoring Kaya and her remarks, I head towards the door, sparing a glance at my watch. It's lunch hours. She must be in the cafeteria.

"Where are you going? HEY! You still have these documents to go through!" Kaya yells after me when I enter the elevator. The other executives jump in shock at her yell but return to work within a few seconds.

They were used to it by now.

I press the button for the cafeteria and smile smugly at Kaya. "Bye."

I chuckle when I see Kaya's face reddening in anger before the elevator doors fully close. It's fun irritating her.

I send Moksh another text as I wait for the elevator to reach the fourth floor where the cafeteria is situated. The text goes under the seen tag but my thorn of a brother still doesn't reply. 

Is he having fun at my expense?

I walk into the cafeteria, nodding my head to the staff's greetings. Where is sh-

My thoughts come to a pause when I find Vanya by the windows, chatting away with a boy. The same boy who was with her in the conference room that day. Are they close? 

My jaw unconsciously clenches when he pokes her cheek before laughing loudly. Some sort of relief washes through me when Vanya smacks him, hard enough so that he yelps loudly.

Turning on my phone, I send her a quick text and it takes only a few seconds before her neck snaps in my direction and her eyes widen in alarm.

It seems like you aren't the least bit stressed about the situation hunh?

♡ 🦋☾

𝗩 𝗔 𝗡 𝗬 𝗔

I give Dravya a dirty look, my hands itching to slap him again. I was already panicking due to today's situation but the rascal had to come up and irritate me further with his yapping over cricket.

My phone pings in my pocket and I frown as I pull it out, ignoring Dravya who was still ranting about god knows what and who. Unlocking it, I see a text from Mahir sir. What does this evil boss want now?

You look happy.

My breath hitches in my throat and I instantly look up, my eyes meeting his brown ones that narrow menacingly when he crosses his arms.

He stares at me for a while before turning around and gesturing me to follow him. My feet follow him without further ado. Dravya yells after me and I look back, yelling, "I have to do something important."

I follow him into the elevator quietly, the usually buzzing corridor suddenly deserted. He presses the button for the terrace and the doors close with a ding.

That's how all horror movies start. My subconscious peeps.
Shut up! I grit back.
He'll take you to the terrace and then push you down. Boom. Dead. 

I gulp and lick my lips before glancing aside to find him busy scowling at his phone. The doors open and I yelp at the noise. Sir looks at me, surprised and I hold back the urge to slap myself.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. 

I dart out of the elevator, my face reddening in embarrassment. Why the fuck does it always happen when he's near? 

I look up at the sky. Why? Just why do you hate me? Why do you always have to embarrass me in front of him?

I walk towards the railing and by now, I'm sure sir must be reconsidering his decision to marry me. Maybe I should jump down before he pushes me down? 

I look down the railing and my head spins. Fuck, never mind. I'm acrophobic.

"What are you doing?" He asks and I turn towards him. The expression on his face literally says 'I ain't letting you away even if you die'.

"No-nothing," I squeak out. Like hell I can tell him my oh-so-great plans of hugging the floor from this height.

"Did you receive any call from your mother?" He asks and I shake my head in a no.

"Did you?"

He sighs, before leaning back against the railing and raking his hand through his hair. It does something to me. Something so rampant that I had to check my face for any drool that might have leaked at that gesture.

"Moksh informed me that they reached about half an hour ago," he replies and all thoughts of jumping -down the building of course- disappear from my mind.

"Then? Then what? Did they talk? Did something happen? How is the situation there? Are we caught? Oh my god, we're caught, aren't we? They found out!" My fingers grip his suit jacket tightly.

"We. Didn't. Get. Caught. Even I don't know what happened. Moksh's not replying to my messages," he replies and I sigh, pulling away.

"Should I try calling my mum? Never mind, she'll definitely insult me in front of your parents," I mutter, pouting as I imagine the insults that might be thrown at me.

"Hello? Moksh?" I hear and snap my neck towards sir.

"Did he pick up? Ask him what happened. Put in on speaker" I mouth and he nods, gesturing me to calm down.

"Bhai, kaand ho gaya."

My eyes widen when Moksh's whisper comes through the speaker and the call disconnects the next moment.

Both of us look at each other, our expressions mirroring before we take off towards the elevator.

"I'll pull out my car through the back exit."

"I'll grab my bag quickly and meet you there," I reply as he presses the button for my floor.

My hands shake as I wait for the elevator to quickly get to my floor. Why is it that whenever you're in a hurry, everything except the time seems to slow down?

From the corner of my eyes, I see sir trying to call Moksh again only to release a groan in frustration. "He fucking switched off his phone."

Just our luck! Only when I begin thinking something can go in my favour, life has to go and prove me wrong. It looks like my life is an entertainment show for gods named 'The hilarious Trials of Vanya Sharma. Let's see when Vanya gives up.'

I quickly run towards my office once the elevator doors open, ignoring the yells Dravya throws after me. I grab my bag and put all the scattered stuff inside it and approach the elevator.

"Arey? Vanya? Kahan jaa rahi hai? Sun na!" He yells, following after me. Just before he can step into the elevator again, I push him back and smack his forehead.

"Kidhar aa raha hai? Peeche hat." He yelps, rubbing his forehead as he glares at me.

"Where are you going this early?" He asks when I furiously press the buttons for the ground floor.

"Tere papa ki shaadi mein," I reply sarcastically. He's been getting on my nerves the entire day, especially once I told him about the situation with Mum.

"Accha," he mumbles, looking away but snaps his neck back as quickly. "Hain?"

The elevator doors close before he can ramble more nonsense and I sigh in relief. Though the relief is shortlived. Anxiety grapples me again and nausea makes me feel like I'll hurl the coffee I had for breakfast this morning.

I rush out when the elevator doors open, my mind hazy from the numerous negative thoughts. I find sir's car parked out at the back exit, the said man waiting for me inside.

"Now Ms. Sharma, I need you," he says and I nod.

"Yes," I nod, my eyes widening when I process his words. "What?" I screech at him.

"I need you," he pauses, amusement swirling in his eyes as she gives me a once over, "to tell me the shortest route to your home."

"Shortest? Yeah, okay." I nod and he nods back, turning on the car before taking off. I navigate him through the shortcuts, the momentary silence between us aiding in relieving my anxiety.

Within twenty minutes, we come to a stop outside my place. My heartbeat thunders in my chest when I spot an unfamiliar car outside my house. A luxurious unfamiliar car. 

"That's dad's car," Mahir sir breathes out as both of us step out of the car and rush in. 

I quickly take out the keys to the main door from my bag, and both of us jerk inside, sir slamming into my back. He pulls me towards himself when I lose balance. The loud and jovial chatter of the living room came to a pause and both of us were much too oblivious to it.

"Are you okay?" Mahir sir asked and I nodded slowly, suddenly aware of how warm and big his hands were on my back. "Good."

Someone clears their throat and both of us jump at the sudden sound. We turn towards it, my eyes widening when I find everyone looking at us in amusement as well as surprise.

Mumma and Sonakshi Aunty sat side by side whereas Moksh sat with his father stuffing his face with fruit salad I had kept for myself to binge on for later. Mahir sir's grandfather on the other hand was busy discussing something with the priest.

I pull back from sir, smiling awkwardly as I make my way towards the elders. "Namaste."

"What are you both doing here at this time?" Sonakshi Aunty asks and both of us look at each other, gesturing the other to speak up first. 

"S-Mahir had something to ask," I say after a momentary battle of eyebrows and sir scoffs, casting me with a look of betrayal before turning towards his family.

"I-I came here because of Moksh," he blames his brother, pointing in his direction with a glare. Moksh choked on his third piece of samosa -yes I am counting- and looked up with a confused look.

"Me? I don't know anything," Moksh defends with a shake of his head. "He's lying maa."

"No, I'm not! You said something happened and switched off your phone!" Mahir sir states and I nod along. 

Moksh frowns before nodding his head, a look of acknowledgement passing his features. "Aah, yes. I forgot to charge my phone."

"I was just overwhelmed to see so many snacks at Vanya Bhabhi's place. These are so yummy," he informs and for a moment there, I was tempted to rip out his curly locks.

"Moksh, mere bhai. Come with me for a moment," sir says with a smile that is anything but genuine, thankfully though, his brother doesn't get the hint of it. He stands up and follows Mahir sir out of the house whereas I keep still beside the pillar of the living room.

"Vanya beta! What are you doing there? Come on here. We have so much to discuss," Sonakshi Aunty beckons me over and I jump, before nodding and making my way over to them. Both of them fill me in about how they have met before and Aunty is Mumma's customer. 

Mahir sir soon heads back in, the calm expression on his face indicating that he has been informed about everything by Moksh. He takes a seat in front of me, beside his father and nods as if to assure me that everything is okay.

I nod back, sighing in relief. Short-lived relief.

"देखिए श्रीमंत, विवाह का शुभ मुहर्त इनकी कुंडलियों के हिसाब से अगले साल फाल्गुन मास में है। उसे पहले मुहूर्त तो है पर शुभ नहीं।"

The priest informs us and I notice as our mothers' faces drop."Three months? Isn't it too late? Can't we do it earlier?" Sonakshi Aunty asks in a tone of disbelief.

"फाल्गुन मास की 16 तारीखें आत्यंत ही शुभ हैं। अन्यता, अगले साल कार्तिक मास शुभ है।" The priest replies in a strict tone.

Agla saal done karo fir! We'll handle everything by then.

"Nahi, nahi. Anju ji, we'll handle everything. From the venue to the functions, but let's not delay the wedding." Sonakshi Aunty grabs mumma's hands, the expression on her face screaming excitement.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about it. We'll handle everything as well. I don't mind the wedding in three months. If it were up to me, I'd have them wedded by the next month," Mumma replies with a smile.

Arey humse bhi toh koi pooch lo! We are getting married here! I almost cry out in panic.

"Well, that's settled then. The wedding will take place in March. We have enough time to prepare," Mahir sir's grandfather states in a final tone before both of us can express our disagreement.

"Is that okay?" He asks, turning towards Mahir sir. His tone might seem like he's asking for our views but by the look on his face, it was clear he was giving his statement, leaving us no room for any argument.

Sir and I both nod at him. That's the only thing we can do right now. Everything is taking place faster than I thought. It was just a deal of yesterday when we had sat down to agree terms of our contract and now we are sitting down to finalize our wedding dates.

"Then we shall announce it by to-"
"No!" Sir exclaims, cutting off his grandfather and everyone turns to him in surprise.

"Excuse me?" Grandfather questions and sir sighs before looking in my direction.

"I don't think we should announce the wedding right now. There's a huge risk of the media messing with Vanya and her mother's privacy. I don't want anyone to cause them any stress," he sighs.

"And then there is company strife as well. I don't want Vanya to be held under the wrong light."

Everyone's expressions soften at his explanation and they nod in agreement. This man was good with words. No wonder, he handled the the company's affairs for a decade.

"As you wish. I understand your concerns," grandfather says and sir smiles at him in appreciation.

I jump in surprise when the doorbell rings and turn towards my mother who looks as confused as me. Standing up, I make my way towards the door. "Are we expecting someone today?"

Just as I open the door, a few men enter, carrying baskets full of fruits, sweets, etc. "Oh, they are here?" I hear Sonakshi Aunty saying and turn around watching as she stands up.

"Place the baskets here. Thank you," she says, and they nod, leaving the same way they came. 

"Maa, what is all this?" Mahir sir asks the question I was itching to ask and his mother smiles.

"I asked pandit ji for the best date for your roka and he said today is a nice one. I was planning to hand over the shagun to Vanya's mother but it's good, you both came here," she replies and turns to me. "Vanya, beta come here. Mahir, come over here and sit beside her."

Both of us do as we are being told and take seats beside each other. Moksh quickly gets up and places a handkerchief on Mahir sir's lap, smiling when his mother pats his shoulder. Mumma comes over from the kitchen, holding a veneration platter in her hands. She puts the teeka on Sir's forehead before feeding him a piece of sweets and blesses him to be a part of our family.

Once she's done, she places some money on the hankie placed in the sir's lap along with some sweets and gifts. Sonakshi Aunty then moves to me, covering my head with a red expensive-looking dupatta. My hands unconsciously clench on the sofa, a nervous ball wrecking storms in my chest.

My breath gets caught in my throat when a warm hand grips mine and I look down at it. Sir's hand covers mine, his thumb rubbing soft soothing circles on my knuckles. I look up at him, to find his attention already on me. His eyes were calm, something about his actions, calming my raging anxiety.

"Vanya beta?" Sonakshi Aunty calls me and sir nods, gesturing towards his mother. I take my eyes off him and turn to face his mother with a small smile.

Aunty does the same rituals done by my mother and places a stack of money, sweets and two gold bangles on my lap. "From now onwards, you are officially reserved for our Mahir and our Mahir, for you," Aunty announces with a smile as she coddles my face between her palms.

"We're glad to have you in our family beta," she mutters, pressing a kiss to my forehead before backing away.

I sit there, with Mahir sir by my side watching our mothers hug each other in glee while the men talk about wedding preparation and whatnot. Moksh was the only sane one who was sprawled on the bean bag, scrolling away on his phone.

"Okay then Anju ji, we'll take our leave. We'll come by again to discuss the wedding preparation," Sonakshi Aunty says as Mahir sir's father and grandfather stand up along with the priest.

Mumma nods, the smile on her face radiating her happiness. "You're welcome anytime."

All of them move out, talking amongst themselves and we follow their route.

"Ms. Sharma?" I look up when sir calls for me. He pulls me in towards himself, the setting sun shining above our heads, highlighting those kittenish eyes of his more. My eyes widen at the gesture and I gulp.

"I've saved you a tough job. Until the wedding, I don't want any news regarding us circulating the company. You get what I mean?" He says, his voice coming out husky as he tries to keep it low and I nod.

"It's a mere contract. Always remember that. I don't want any feelings involved," he whispers staring into my eyes, his expression soft and I acknowledge it's to play pretend in front of our families.

"Don't get your hopes up, Mr. Oberoi. I'm not capable of developing feelings for emotionally inept people," I mutter before pulling back with a tight smile. Plus you can never compare to my fictional men, you blackmailing grump.

As you said, it's a mere contract and both of us are equal. You're as desperate for the wedding as I am so don't even think that I'd let you command me that easily.

I walk away from him to bid goodbye to his family, aware of the scorching pair of brown eyes throwing glares at me. 

Ghurlo, that's the only thing you can do now anyway.

💌

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