~ARJUN~

" Ok , let me get this straight. I walk on the stage and get undressed" I ask karn as I button up my vest jacket.

" Just a way to hike my views , Malhotra. Can't you do this to make your brother more rich " karn toasts up his wine glass in the air as he says that .

I look away from the mirror and face him with a poker face . I lean on the chair and fold my arms on my chest . I flew to Mumbai just for these award show and karn is at it again

That's what he always does . Once he was investing in a oil company and he asked me to be in advertisement . Imagine this , I was shirtless filling up fuel tanks. My body was oiled , as directed by karn . My whole body was greasy and karn had the audacity to run in between the shot and tell me to flex my abs . He said , as I quote " No one going to come to our station if you don't show your toned abs " It made no sense then and it makes no sense now. But damn to his puppy eyes which makes me cave to his wishes . I would go hell bad back for this guy .

" How about I unbutton the whole shirt but not remove it " I ask him .

" Nahh , fully naked back and forth ." Karn says shaking his head .

" But my abs will be on the view " I exclaim with my arms in the air .

" God malhotra its like high school all over again " and he burts out laughing.

Yes , high school. It has ended a long time ago but in relaity it does not seem to end. Karn always comes up the ideas that would make me miserable .

" Which do you think would givs us views " he stands up from the couch and continues .

" Arjun malhotra soars the temperature high by giving us a peak of his abs or Girls , buckle up your knees because arjun malhotra went fully naked in the stage last night " .

" First of all . Wht are you waving your hands up in the air ? "

" To accentuate my point Malhotra " . He goes back to sipping on the wine and sprawls on the couch again .

" And if I am not wrong, you will be the heckkk . You should be bestowed with the sexiest Indian award tonight . Ohh God I am going to be super rich once this airs . And you my brother will be the beneficiary of all that money " karn salutes me lazily.

" Last time when I was benefitted from your money was when you gave me my lifelike statue" my face scrunches when I think about it .

Karn had profit of millions in some deal and he always spends carzy on me whenever that happens. He got me my life size statue , on wheels . It was bigger than my height . Karn swung into my house and dopped his body by free flow on me . He didn't budge for minutes and If we were not straight people would assume we are gay because we looked like those cuddly couples . He forced me out of the bed and took me to my hall and there it stood ,up against the wall . I was trying to frame words to explain how absurd that was and karan misunderstood it for happiness .

That statue is still there and a complete eyesore . People come to my house and when they look at it they go like , don't you think you are quite obsessed and pretentious. I tried to explian karn that it would be have been best of he got me one of Vivian Richard's or Sachin tendulkar's statues , I would value them so much . But karn was of the view point that if he did not spend the money of this statute the alternate was many of my miniature dolls . I still pray to God that it didn't happen . It has been quite a time after that . I am always scared what he gets me .

There is no way to get of this argument. I pick up my tux jacket and wear it .

" Ohh , making it hard to get . Nice touch Malhotra . You know a trick or a two "

" Howw , I meann . Whatever! "

I have my face in my palms . Karn makes my brain to freeze . Ok Arjun . Go on the stage and just remove your clothes. No matter how desperate you looks . I know for sure that I will be given some award . I just hope its for the dressing, that's how I can get out of this mess .

" Call time Malhotra. Make me proud ."

Karn hugs me .

Everything was going great until my name was announced for the sexiest Indian award . People were cheering and I was crying silent tears. Karn was seated beside me he shoves me forward . I walk towards the stage .

I get to the mic on the centre stage to say my thankyou speech and that's when karn winks at me . Look at him .

Sitting with his legs crossed and that freaking smirk . Suddenly two arms comes on to my shoulder and my tux is being snatched away .

" Ladies , we deserve this " says one of the actress into the mic . I unbutton my vest jakect and then my shirt . Things I do for karn . I just hope he has an amzing profit and he gets me something reasonable. I am doing all this and definitely not for another one of karn's good for nothing gifts .

As I slip my shirt out of my shoulders karn signals me to stop . Did I say that I love that bastard . I smile for real now .

I see karn making money signs from his hands .

" That was ohhh ! I heared the girls here all gasping and murmuring something something they want to do with you " Karn whispers as I sit beside him .

" Karn , you better get me something real good otherwise I'm not going to be part of you advertisements "

" Hawww " I give karn a side glace .

He's sporting wide mouth , popping eyes , hands on his chest . ASS !

" You don't mean that " He hisses in my ears .

" I do " I am still looking straight and not sparing a glance at him .

" Take that back brother . It is not that bad "

" You put me into miserable positions " I hiss back .

" Ok . So , I ask you to undress on stage is miserable but reading that this or that girl came out of your apartment here is Mumbai is not a problem " He says while moving his hands comically .

" Are you being for real ? You trust the media ! " I give him a death glare .

" Oh . So you are telling me everytime its a lie " With that said he leans back into his chair with a stupid smirk on his face that says I - know -too - much - for - your - own-good .

" Ok . Maybe they are not completely lies " I clear my throat . But there is no reality to it for past 2 years when I an at the best of my game and I do not look for distraction, I want a woman as my strength.

" I think I have made my point " Karn rubs my shoulders.

It was now the time for after party .

After greeting evevrone at the party me and karn take the farthest corner .

" Malhotra , Illayana still likes you . She just keeps looking at you . I thought maybe it was me but whom am I kidding with you by my side I have to have the looks of Bradley copper to be noticed . "

" You of all people is saying this . You get along well " I snicker.

" Why don't to date ? I mean you guys are the best of your concerned fields . You know each other well , given the last few months where you have stopped talking to her . Imagine how cute your children would be " Ok . Here he goes into his dreamland .

" Karn , we are just friends . You know what's the reality of our relationship is other than what media portrays. I just don't feel that now at the age of 26 I should go for casual dates and you know what they call flings . I have had my share of those but now I'm not getting into this . And that baby thing you just said , you don't mean that"

When I think about dating there is no face which appears in front of my eyes .

Kiara Singh and her angelic face , her sharp glare , her snide remarks. I think about her more than I should .

Sure I have had a fair share girlfriend. All were after my fame and money . They just wanted to climb the ladder of limelight and success . As soon as they got settled they left me . I was not heartbroken. I never got attached to any of them . But it felt bad they no one stays . When I was dropped out of the team , my then girlfriend broke up with me . Poor girl . I was given rest because of my hectic schedule of series and they wanted me to rest . She thought my career has ended .

" The host and the hot topic of the party are sitting alone in the corner . Interesting! " my daydream was crushed by illayna .

She is a sweet women . Self made and she never stopped her hustle. We met about 2 years ago when my career soared and I was a permanent in the team . We were invited to speak at an event and instantly connected but I always knew she has a soft spot for me . That is why I stopped hanging out with her . We had frequent dinners and we went on a trip together . This gave rise to our dating rumours but our relation was completely platonic . That's when I decided that I should give her space to get over those bubbling feelings .

" The stars want some rest you know " karn and his sarcastic tongue .

" Ofcourse you do . I just have 23 million followers on Instagram just for nothing " Illyana snaps at him in a sweet voice . Did I forget to mention that they both are always arguing.

" The one who has 50 , does not even utters a word " karn says pointing his finger at me .

" Karn , you bring the worst out of me " she says rolling her eyes .

I just chuckle at their banter . Last trip we had together the whole trip they couldn't stop fighting . We had an audience everywhere we went . Once things escalated so quickly that within seconds illayna was after karn's throat with butter knife in other hand . No wonder karn brings out the worst in her .

" Good to see you illyana " I stand to hug her .

" I assume the little stunt to pulled today was the producer's way of improving " she says teasing me .

" I would do many of such stunts for my human size statue you know " .

Illyana burts out laughing . She knows about that .

Karn was looking me with proud eyes which simply says , " I knew one day you would love my gift "

"I think I am going to cry " As he proceeds to clean his imaginary tears.

Illyana leaves and Karn gives me a meaning look .

" You don't want me to date her and that's the reality " I know him. Karn would never want me to date illyana , he always thrived for someone who is simple , calm , sweet and far far away from all this bling aroud us . You enjoy all this for sometime but in the end you want to go home , away from all this .

" Yes . Don't worry there is someone with whom you can be your real self, unfiltered, not a cricketer and be what we are like when we are together "

" Cheers to that "

The night goes on and its 3 in the morning. I saw illyana and het unstable footing while going for an exit . I half carry her to her car with my arms around her waist and I help her settle into her car . She nods and leaps forward to kiss me on the cheek .

I smile at her and wave her as I close the door .

Illyana is beautiful but there is another beauty which has enchanted me .I never felt this with illyana or any other girls I dated . I would give them respect and make them happy but they could not make me happy . I shake my head to clear out the thoughts . I have other things to be worried about .

Arjun Malhotra, you really can't be falling for the judge.

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