KIARA POV

I woke up to my blaring alarm. I lift myself up using my elbows and rest my back in the headrest. I look down to see myself still dressed in that bedazzled golden dress . I try to assemble my memory of what happened . Going to the party, dance , dinner and passing out in his car . I do remember him asking for keys , tucking me into my bed . I had this weird dream that he kissed my forehead. But it feels so real , I feel his lips linger and trailing a sizzly feeling right into my spine . I unconsciously touch my head to make that feeling go away but it stays . I guess my whole body had accepted that I like Arjun Malhotra. Smiling like some lunatic, I walk to my bathroom . I am about to leave but a note catches my eyes .

Kiara ,

I slept on your couch as there was no one to lock the door. I would have stayed and had breakfast but I have a shoot to attend . My guard is stationed right outside , please tell him on your way to court to leave . Oh ! I know you would never ask for my autograph so here it is .

At the bottom of the page there is his autograph and a heart . Arjun has managed to get into my system so fast that I myself had no idea when I became all infatuated to him . I fold the paper and keep it in my drawer and text him .

I ask his guard to leave not before showing my gratitude for helping me .

I reach the court and march towards my cabin and then my phone chimes .

The day passes with me and Arjun exchanging texts during our free time . He boarded for Delhi when I was leaving court at 5: 30 in the evening .

I was having some great alone time reading some briefs but to be disturbed by the door bell. Somewhere at the back of my mind and heart I hope and wish that its Arjun . I open the door to find Arjun sitting at the the mini garden right below the stairs that lead to the main door . He has his knees to his chest, a cap , a bag on his left shoulder and a heart warming smile on his face .

" It's safe to say you are tired and some what happy to be here " I say resting against my door .

" That is the most accurate thing I have ever heard in my life " He says and somehow his smile widens .

" For a athlete you are quite fatigued .

Come on , let's get you something to drink " I wave him to come inside.

" Kiaraaaaa " I hear him say as I'm on my way inside. I turn aroud to face him. He extends both of his hands like some baby .

" I can't . Pick me up " He mumbles quietly.

" Arjun , I can't even move you an inch " I throw my hands at him with wide eyes pointing him how huge , strong and full of muscles he his .

" You didn't even try " He exclaims.

I shake my head , hold both his palms into mine a try to pull him up and as I said before I couldn't even move him an inch . I accumulated all my strength and turned into some robust mode but nothing happened except for some grunting sound coming out of me and my body's need for more oxygen.

" I think I have to lie down now and you pick me up " I put my hands on my knees and look at him trying to breath.

" One last try . I'll help you " Arjun has his shy smile on his face .

I extend my one hand and hold his and just pull him with slime to none energy and he gets up effortlessly pulls me into him and hugs me . I am engulfed by warmth and muscles. His hands are so big that they cover my hole back . He's bending a bit to have his head resting on my shoulder. I hug his waist and savour the moment . He held me like I was some cloud or glass .

" Hmmm . I had a shoot for 4 hours then went to the gym , trained and flew to Delhi " He says into my hair .

" It should be concerning that your body has given up . I mean your career just started. How are you planning to play for hours ? " I tease him .

" Nah ! I think I'll be fine . I just wanted this " He tightens his hold on me and so do I .

" I won't be able to breath for long " I say itno his chest.

" I can't to have dying on me . If you are not there where I'll go for salvation " He says with his brows raised .

" Do I give out some guru vibes to you ? " I ask laughing .

" Not guru vibes but you are just a human you know , a basic person who is very much in touch with reality and simplicity that I thrive to have in my life . Being with you makes me feel all that , I go back to my old days where I was some normal Delhi boy . That is the reason Karn couldn't help himself. We never got a chance to associate with a humble person who has nothing to do with our wealth and name in the world , you look at us beyond that fact and I don't know for some reason we are not that people in front of you . We can be out lose , spacy , unfiltered . "

Arjun warmly gazes at me and I smile wide .

" I am happy that you regard me with such importance . This salvation home is always open to you " I give him my hand with he takes within a second .

" Let's go . I got some authentic tea from assam to try and if you want to have something healthy there is some protein shake which my friends gave me but I never tried because it had some obnoxious smell "

" I am open for a full fledged dinner but nothing too oily " He lifts is finger to sign no .

" I know . You are never playing again if you eat something oily " I repeat what he said to me the first day we met .

" What do you have in mind ? I am a great cook let me tell you that " Arjun takes a seat on the couch .

" Thank God . My maid is out with her family for some days and my eyes have been killing me while cutting onions so , you are chopping them tonight "

" As you say . What are you making? "

" Rice are ready and so are the pulses. I need to put some tadka in the pulses and we have our dinner "

" You take a seat at the dining and guide me "

I take chair and turn it around to face Arjun who has started peeling off onions.

" You don't look amateur " He does not look like someone who goes to the pitch once in a blue moon .

" I was at national camp at the age of 16 . There was a good mess but I always cooked a thing or two for myself in my dorm . " He says putting oil in the pan.

" How long have you been playing ? " I wanted to ask him that for quite some time mow . I did talk to his coaches but there is no trace of any coach in early teenage.

" I was always a cricket enthusiast. My parents who birthed me were also cricket lovers . I started training at the age of 9 when my parents enrolled me .

It took me 2 years to settle into a new family. Not that they weren't welcoming but I wanted to leave behind all burden and accept the reality that they are my present. I was 7 when they took me in . At the age of 16 I got into National camp and paving way for my selection into the U19 team . After that I did get a place in the senior team but not for long. The pressure and level there is very different and I was just a child . My performance was not disappointing but it was not upto the mark of what was expected of me . I was dropped again when I was 20 . I trained that whole year more than I have ever had in my life waiting for one more opportunity. A senior player got rested due to injury and I was called in . I was man of the series and then I frequented the team . But there was no permanent number I'll be batting at but 2 years later right after I turned 23 , I got a permanent position at number 3 and last year I was named the vice - captain "

" Wow . The journey to the top is never free of hurdles . " He deserves every bit of credit and the title he owns of being the best batsman .

" It never is but its worth the wait " He says with a satisfying smile .

" I think the food is definitely going to be worth the wait . The spices are swirling around " He laughs while mixing and serving our plates.

" I think its a date " Arjun walks towards me with hands full of plates and a boyish grin on his face .

"Do you want this to be a date ? " I ask slyly . I badly want it to be a date but I keep my emotions masked .

" I wouldn't want anything else " He says with a confidence and warm eyes and I'm a puddle of emotions again .

" I think you got yourself a date tonight . " I lift one of my hand and raise it in the air as some ballet pose . I turn aroud to face the table . I hear Arjun laugh and he places my plate and sits right in front of me .

"I must say you are a cheap date " He says with a weird glint in his eyes that I can make out .

" That was wrong on so many levels. But knowing you , I'll give you a chance to explain " I prop my cheek on my fist and rest my elbow on the table .

" I'm sorry if that came out wrong . See , first chandni chowk , road side dhabba and here we are today at your place . I thought we would go out somewhere fancy " He says the word like its something horrible.

" I'm sorry . You wanted to go out somewhere fancy? " I ask confused.

" No . I always wanted a simple date but the girl would always wanted to go somewhere fancy . They just wanted a picture with going in and out with me to get publicity " He rolls his eyes .

" This is simple in every sense of the word . " I chuckle and start eating.

" I would call it the best date " My hands slows down and I look upto him looking at me with affection.

" I am flattered. But I haven't been on a date with anyone, I can't judge " I say stating a fact .

" You have never been on a date ! " He exclaims more like asking than saying.

" Uhhuh " I look at playing with my food .

" We have to do something about it . I'll give you the best date of your life before leaving for England " He sits straight looking admant.

" I'll be waiting but till the let's eat the meal you have prepared " I spread my arms towards our plates. I start eating and its delicious.

" I have been cooking for so long and never can I prepare something like this"

Arjun laughs . " I am glad you liked it . If you want to have Arjun Malhotra specials , feel free to call me to your services anything " He says bowing his head slightly.

" I'll keep that in mind "

We eat , talk, laugh and before we knew the food was fast eaten and we have been talking for a few hours. Time flew by and it was 11 in the night .

" Would you look at the time " I say pointing to the wall clock.

" Its a saying then when you are enjoying yourself, time creates an illusion of passing fast "

" I can't question that " I sulk into the chair .

" I'm out of the city for 3 more days " He says slowly and he does not look happy about it .

" Where are you going? " I mean he was out of the city today.

" I have some engagements. I have to judge some show's final , a meeting with a new sponsor, opening of a shop I promote. " He does not look at me and plays with the dining cover.

" This means you will leave directly for England " My voice sounds hoarse as there is a lump in my throat.

" I can't miss these . I tried hard to get out of this but.... I had to stay back in Mumbai today but I couldn't . I wanted to get back to you and tell you this personally not over phone and I am noy leaving this country without meeting you" He looks at me and there his eyes screams so many emotions at a time .

" You came for me " I say more to myself.

Arjun leaps forward from the chair and bends on the table to come close to me .

He looks at me with affection and murmurs, " Always . " He bends down further and kisses the corner of my mouth . An internal gasp breaks out of me and all the fibres and cell feel like they are on fire. I open my eyes and look at him and just by looking at him dawns me into a realisation that I was not ready to accept.

I LOVE HIM .

The thought of him leaving made my chest constrict. The swirl of emotions on his face made the strings of my heart pull towards him in a strong pull .

The realization washes me like some ocean wave and my body shivers.

Arjun passes his hands through my hair and cups my face .

" I have so much to say to you . I can't keep it bottled up inside anymore because it will just combust me and I want to do it the right way . I am not leaving the country unless I have met you . Kiara , you deserve everything and I can't keep you from that . The whole time I wanted you kiss you but I won't " He says while a smile remains etched to his face .

" If you won't kiss me then leave. " I whisper softly.

Arjun laughs and gets back into his seat .

" Kiara , I'll give you the first date of your life and I will make sure you don't go out on anymore dates if the other guy is not me " He stands up , hangs his bag on his shoulder and walks towards me .

He kneels down in front and it takes every ounce of strength to not confess my feelings to him . Arjun holds my hands , kisses my palms and capture them in between his big ones.

" Wait for me kiara . Can you do that? "

I want to hug him badly but I refrain .

I just make a hmm sound because that's the best I could do .Arjun laughs and kisses my forehead one last time before leaving.

I sit at the same spot for god knows how long . He kissed me , he wants me to wait. There is no suspicion that that I won't. Can you fall in love in about a month? The man I imagined to be a obnoxious celebrity turned out to be someone completely different than what I was expecting. The whole week spent apart felt like needles into my heart and I knew without a doubt it was for someone I was missing whom I want close , all the time .

I WANT HIM BESIDE ME , HOLDING ME , EMBRACING ME , CARESSING ME , KISSING ME , LOVING ME .

He brought this robust change in my life , I don't feel alone. Even he was miles away today it felt like a close connection with him .

I never got love and affection. My own parents abdicated on me , I was all alone. A current washed down upon me and I knew it was my love for him taking over my every being . I would wait for him as long as I can because my love for him is never going away .

Time does not matter, when it happens you know it .