KIARA POV

A WEEK LATER

" Oh yes . " I say enthusiastically.

" Damnit kiara why are you after my koti ( ludo token ) ? " Karn says pissed off .

" I am not doing it deliberately its just a game ok . You win or lose that's it . " I tap his shoulder to console him .

The scenario is that we three are sitting on their terrace enjoying the slight cool winds as winter is approaching. The sky is beautifully painted orange, pink .

A board of ludo is placed on a table surrounded by us three .

" Karn yrr time waste mat kar ( Karn , stop wasting time ) . " Arjun says rather irritated with the disturbance. Being a sports person he is taking this broad game quite seriously rather than it being a recreational activity.

" Ye meri koti ke piche padi hai ( she is after my token ) . " Karn exclaims pointing at me .

" Its a game and losing is organic. " I try again .

" Whatever. " Arjun says under his breath . Oh God! Worst people to play with.

" I have an another option . " Karn says determined.

" Don't you dare . " Arjun points his index to karn who is sitting right opposite to him . Karn gives me a sweet smile and simply turns the board upside down .

" Me tabhi tere saath nahi khelta ( That's why I don't play with you ) . "

Well , they both are over competitive yet different.

" You were winning and if it would havw been you in my position you would have started cussing . " Karn retorts back .

" Playing with you is just the worst. I feel like I am playing with kids . " I exclaim throwing my hands in the air .

" Whateverrrr.. what is the plan for tomorrow? " Karn says settling down on his chair but my reaction is different. I stiffen in my seat . Both eyes find me , looking at me expectantly.

" Umm..ummm I like the idea , I really do . " I say after clearing my throat.

" I sense a but here . " Arjun points out .

There is obviously a but .

" but... do you think its rational . The talks have not subsided even after good 20 days and going to a black tie event with media there... I seriously do not have any idea . "

" Its a red carpet event for Vogue . You are cute. " Karn says pinching my cheeks .

" Not my point exactly. " I say swatting his hands away.

" Do you need more time ? " Arjun asks me looking hopeful . At one side there is this fear of facing the public eye and on the other side there is Arjun who would pick up any chance to come out in public with me , given that I am comfortable and ready . He never pushes me but I know how much he wants to go our and move freely without the fear of us being caught together. He has made it crystal clear that he is going to be in total boasting mode . He says as I quote, " They should know I am officially off the market for life now . "

" I do not need more time honestly just some push . " I have made my mind after the day Illyana visited me ( which is still unknown to them ) that all the insecurities are in my mind and facing them would put me at ease. Let is call spade a spade , people might not like me but there are going to many who would be happy . Maybe they would change their mind after they see me .

" I can push... " Karn says excitedly.

" Not push the physical push more of a motivational push . " I slowly enunciate .

" I am not much of a help now . " With that he leaves the terrace .

" Kiara , I am going to ask you again ? You are 100% sure you want to attend this like there is no chance in the world you would have double thoughts about it later on . I want you to be ready and there is no time limit. " Arjun rubs my knee in a comforting manner .

" I am ready. Its like I have gone into hiding even if I am out somewhere I am trying to save myself from god knows what and that is not the way I want to go on now . " Arjun looks me in the eyes obviously looking for a hint of doubt and hesitation. He finally smiles when he doesn't find any .

" We are going to kill it . " We fist bump each other .

" There is a problem.. what should I wear ? " I imagine cameras , lights and people wearing beautiful dresses .

" I have a stylist so do not worry about that . We can fly to Mumbai early tomorrow and get you a an amazing dress . "

" Can you make sure there is no media outside? "

" No can do but you can exit with karn and I'll come afterwards. "

" I like that idea. "

" It is going to be official official. Everyone would know I am proudly taken and completely smitten by the most beautiful woman . "

" I am excited no more hiding . "

" No more..... "

____________

NEXT DAY , MUMBAI

" This looks like I am in New york or Dubai. " I am right now in awestruck of the city .

" What floor is it again ? " I turn around to find karn lounging.

" 64 . "

" If someone loses their balance, how much do you think are the chances or survival ? " I ask with curiosity. I look down to see how tiny everything looks from up here .

" You have some disturbing question there but... " Karn walks upto me to the balcony . Leaning against the glass railing he looks down .

" I think the person might die mid flight due to cardiac arrest . "

" Great observation . "

" That is a very interesting discussion but I am afraid to inform you two deathly enthusiasts that Shefali is here . " Arjun comes into the living space, phone in his hand .

" I am coming . " I jog upto him and he drops his arm across my shoulder. We walk into the guest hall of the apartment where a beautiful girl is going through the dresses on a standing hanger .

" Hello . " I say smiling and giving a wave . Shefali, the stylish turns around and gives me an equal excited smile .

" I am the first one in the country to see who is Kiara Singh is . I am so happy to meet you, my god you are beautiful. " Shefali swoops me in a hug which I return with the same intensity. I was right that not everyone would be hostile towards me . I overthink too !

" I am happy to see you too . I am literally depending on you for tonight. I have done zero preparations . " I say breaking the embrace.

" I am happy to be of any help . I have been styling Arjun for 2 years now though that is not much work because he would pick out the first thing I present and be ready in 5 minutes. "

We both laugh looking at Arjun . Arjun takes 2 minutes to shower, 1 minute to get dresses and that's it .

" I trust your selection so even if pick the first piece of clothing it would be the best . "

" I am flattered. " Shefali bows playfully.

" Come this way ... see there are 10 dreses that I picked out . You try them all and we both can decide which one to go with. " Shefali says pointing at Arjun .

20 minutes later I have tried 4 dress but they are either to flashy, hard to carry and just not me and Arjun agrees because the look he gives me is definitely ' next ' . The 5 dress I wore was a beautiful, chic , stylist and just perfect. I excitedly come out of the room and Arjun's eyes lit up .

" I love it . " I say giving them a 360° view .

" This is the one . " Arjun finally says .

" I will take it to get it presses and send it back to you . I will come back with the whole team in the evening to get you ready. " I nod and go inside to change again . I go outside to see Arjun walking up the male clothes and picks out the first suit in the line .

" I am done too. Thankyou for your time Shefali . " With that shefali leaves.

" I am up to a good start . She was so supportive. " I say getting his attention.

" She is a sweet person. She was relatively new in the styling business fresh out of college when my manger told me about her and I made a note to call her in future as well. "

" She is really nice and her taste in clothes is impeccable. "

" See , that is why I pick the first thing I lay my eyes on and you see , I am handsome , great body so.... " Arjun gives me a half smile .

" Pretentious. " I say shaking my head in negation.

" You are going to look ravashing tonight . I am so happy Kiara...no more hiding anymore . " Arjun hugs me and I encircle his waist . I am small !

" I might turn diabetic soon . " Karn enters the guest hall feigning an act to vomit.

" Karn, how come you don't have a date tonight? " Arjun says with an evil smile as Karn narrows his eyes at him.

" Low blow brother. " Karn says in a deadly tone . But this is something that I always wondered. Karn Sharma can easily be identified has the most handsome man in a gathering of thousands . He was more than well settled and his connections run deep but he always stayed clear of girls .

He even used me as a women repellent .

" Karn , if you don't mind but I am really curious why don't you go out . "

Karn's mouth opens but he shuts it again .

" You don't have to push yourself whenever you are ready . " I move my hand dismissing him .

" Thanks . " Karn leaves the room hastily.

" Is is something worrisome. " I ask Arjun obviously feeling ominous from karn's reaction.

" Not worrisome but he tried dating a few years back finally when he was settled with the business . You love the attention initially but after a certain time you thrive for something real not a hard fast date which will end in a night. " I place my head in his chest.

I pray Karn finds his partner to tame his crazy .

" I have been lucky in that department. " Arjun says breaking the silence.

" You sure about that. " I tease him .

" More than myself. " Arjun replies in nanosecond.

" I am excited for tonight. I have an amazing dress , my spirits are high and my partner is also acceptable. " I move to hand to show my plam out and repeat the motion.

" Acceptable partner ? Just acceptable ... I am going to call Shefali to bring me the world's best suit . I am taking my seat at the vanity right now so I will have ummm 9 hours to get ready . " Arjun says mocking offense.

" 9 hours should do the work . " I say with a serious expression.

" You are not joking with me ? "

" Not a bit . "

" I have to work extra hard tonight. "

Arjun says under his breath.

" So , we go there and pose for some cameras and that's it . "

" That is pretty much the whole thing . Then we have to sit through the show and I have access to the after party . "

Arjun lifts his collar . Such a show off .

" I can try to save energy for the after party but I am giving no guarantee . "

" We can leave whenever you want and come back home . Maybe , snuggle our fatige away . " He wiggles his eyebrows.

" Ok . " I say with a big smile . It has been years since I have been sleeping alone so , I can't pass this opportunity.

" It feels amazing we shou..... you said yes right . " Arjun stops mid sentence.

" Yes .. "

" Can't wait for to get back home tonight. " Arjun says looking up .

___________

" How do I look ? " I turn to look at Arjun wiping my sweaty hands on his pants . I don't want to ruin this beautiful dress and moreover its on rent whereas Arjun can afford to buy it if anything happens to his suit .

" Kiara , for the zillion times you are going to be the most beautiful woman tonight. " Arjun holds both my hands in his .

" You look handsome too . " I say smiling to which karn snorts .

" What about me ? " I bend down to look at karn at the passenger seat looking handsome as well.

" You too karn . "

" Thanks . " He turns around to wink at me . I get settled into the seat again to find Arjun's pants have a visible wet stain right at his thigh.

" I am sorry . " I murmur softly . Arjun looks at me confused.

" Your pants... " I point my index finger towards the stain . Arjun laughs and lifts my right hand to place it right there .

" When I had my first press conference I was sweating too . Its like you are in a hot seat with 50 people throwing questions at you but after the 4 press briefing I was habitual . " Arjun kisses the side of my head while intertwining our fingers together as my hand lays on his thigh .

The city is beautiful . We pass through the road where the Indian ocean lies on one side and sky high buildings on the other side . People are strolling casually near the ocean .

" We are there . " I look around to see that we are parked at an open compound and at a walking distance is a pathways in a shape of a tunnel which is lit by beautiful lights . There are many cars parked around or moving while people dressed meticulously were headed towards the tunnel .

" We are there . " I whisper loudly .

" Yes we are .. " Arjun replies.

" Too soon . "

" We drove for good 25 minutes. " Karn moves in the front seat so his full body is facing me .

" Remember we talked about being pushed, you might have to do it . " A smile finds a way onto karn's face .

" I am always up for help. " Karn replies adamantly. Arjun exists the car to open the door for me . He offers his hand and I put my wet hands in his getting out of the car .

" Where do I wipe it now ? It is not stopping. " I whisper to him embarrassed . Arjun grabs my wrist and keeps them on his lapels . I hurriedly move my hands slightly up and down .

" I am not even sorry anymore because I am going to do alot tonight so it is definitely not an action of someone who is sorry you knoww and and the humidity is too much...evaporation must happen all the time... I don't like rains that much... pata hai ek kaali kutti thi ( You know there was a black female dog ) who would jump into the dirty pit and then rush to our main gate... " I start speaking fastly flapping my hands and not giving the men here much attention. When I finally look up both of them are looking at me comically.

" If you laugh then I am going to go back. " I give them a warning .

" I just have a question... how howww did you reach kali kutti from sweaty hands . " Arjun asks showing me his palms as he holds his hands in front of him.

" I am having thousands thoughts right now so ... let's get inside other wise we can spend alot of time here which makes no sense , let's do this . " I say with dedication and confidence.

" That's the spirit. " Me and Arjun fist bump and start moving forward. We pass through the lit tunnel as many people nod their heads towards Arjun as a sign of getting amd then their eyes slip onto me obviously calculating. Many gave me smile which made my every step more confident, this is not as bad as I thought. The tunnel opens into a big open space . There are hundreds of reporters and cameras to my left , a red carpet laid down right in front of me . I could see many familiar movie faces striking a pose . My body suddenly freezes well this is the moment of truth. I walk out there and people would know who am I .

" How hard should the push be ? " Karn murmurs into my ear from the pleft as he bends down to my height .

" Just not hard enough to make me fall . " I whisper back suiting myself. I feel Karn touch my shoulder and does something but that something was definitely not a push .

" What was that ? " I whisper confused.

" That was me pushing you. You are quite slim and slim so I had no idea the amount of strength I should use . " Karn's voice was very opposite to his calm demeanor. I tighten my hold on Arjun's arm .

" Now karn . " I say smiling to the passing couple. Karn gives me a push this time and trust me I felt that because if not for Arjun's support I would have staggered forward. We walk straight towards the centre of the red carpet as the cheering ,shouts starts getting louder and louder. We stand with Arjun's arm aroud my waist and my hand placed on his mid riff .

" Arjun sir sir ... idhar (here ) . "

" Ma'am aap bhi dekhiye nah ( Please look here) . "

" Congratulations. "

The scene in front of me is overwhelming. All the cameras are on me as the cameramen move a step forward against the security chain . The people who were posing before us ha left because it was quite evident that everyone was rooting for Arjun .

" That's it baby . You are doing great ... we have to stay here for a while and then we can snuggle . " I look up to Arjun who was whispering motivation into my ears . I give him a big smile and smile for the camermen . I was definitely overthinking, it is not at all bad .

" Where is karn ? " I bend down by my waist to look for karn who was leaning against the wall of entry tunnel . On locking eyes with me he gives me a big thumbs up and a proud smile .

" He will join us . " Arjun says as he lools at karn , both of them communicating telepathy. Karn jogs to us and places himself onto my left again sliding his hands on my back giving me a encouraging tap . We theree pose for the cameras until they are satisfied and leave for the event .

_______

" This is heavy. " I lift the trophy frame Arjun won for the most stylist sports person.

" But this is so cool you won an award. " I say excitedly.

" This one was more special because you were present tonight. " My smile widens hearing him say that . Tonight was to simply put it ' amazing ' . I met so many people and all of them were so welcoming and warm towards me . Not for a second I felt out of the place .

" You want to know what is being said on the internet . " Karn calls our from the passenger seat .

" The moment of truth . " I mutter . Arjun gives me an encouraging tap on my shoulder as I lean forward to get karn's phone . I hide the screen from Arjun's vision as I scroll down .

" They love me.... " I shout after few moments. The world of internet is hard and fast so many details about me are our including the post I hold and people have been so happy about it . They do not see me as the woman Arjun Malhotra is dating but only me , my own identity. People are saying I am beauty with brains , Amazing , the perfect match for Arjun , impressive and so more .

" It was just a matter of time. " I throw my arms around Arjun's neck hugging him tightly. We reach their apartment and all my fatigue of tonight is lost in the happiness. I throw myself on the comfortable couch as soon as we enter.

" We should do this again . " I shout with enthusiasm.

" Don't worry about that becausewe are definitely doing it again and again until youwrw going to be bored . " Arjun says while he settles down beside me on the couch .

" I am tired. " Karn says as he settles beside Arjun .

" It was a good day.... " I say softly and both of them respond in a 'hmm ' sound obviously tired . I went inside to change into sleeping clothes. My eyes drop as soon as I hit the bed , not waiting for Arjun to join me .

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