Amumma just called me and told me that we had to leave, at 4AM. She said all stuff about it was to dodge police checking, and to reach there and come back within appropriate times. But I couldn't hear anything after 4am because of the steam coming from my ears.

I was already upset about this whole ordeal and now I have to travel with my ex,as a fake couple, on a motorbike for almost an hour and a half, dodging cops, with masks and helmet on barely able to breathe, And on top of that sleep deprived.

Ohh this was going to be one peachy road trip.

Before I packed my stuff, for the trip, I decide to work on the design of the pandal. There was 3 events associated with the wedding coming up. Haldi, Sangeeth night and the Wedding. Just because we we're stuck in here, doesn't mean Jeevan uncle is gonna spare any expense for his daughter's wedding. He is such a great father.

I wonder if mine will even rent a hall to have my wedding. Nah that will be too expensive, he will probably make me have a court marriage.

I let out a huge sigh and packed a change of clothes, my headphones, charger, and a book. Never rely on electronics for your leisure, men are more reliable than them. Nothing beats the company of a good book with a lot of blood shed and an enemies to lovers romance.

Just as I was about to zip my bag close when Geetha aunty walked in carrying three huge bottles of pickles. I groaned and clutched the bag to my chest.

"don't be childish momo open the bag."i gasped, Geetha aunty was using her trump card, the nickname only she and I knew.

One time when I was visiting Tara, Jeevan uncle had bought us four momo's to each, two each. after finishing mine I snuck into the kitchen and ate one of tara's too. but Geetha aunty caught me and I almost choked to death on momo. Since then whenever I would do some mischief she would call me Momo.

"Why am I taking these gigantic pickle bottles to her? I thought we didn't like her" I whispered.

"No we don't like her. But its not nice to a house empty handed. Always go bearing gifts. Now that you are a married women you must know these kind of stuff" she said with a knowing smile on her face.

My shoulders slumped " et tu Geetha" I said dramatically clutching me chest.

Geetha aunty swatted at my head and picked the bag from my hands and stuffed the bottles inside.

"baby I know you don't like it. I don't like it either that you have to go with a strange man you barely even know of. But what can we do. Its for the greater good. And Adhi is a good boy. he is Arjun's brother, and Arjun is now your brother. which kind of makes Adhi your brother too" she said a small blush forming on her cheeks.

OH MY GOD. They're scared that I might hook up with him, so they are brother zoning him for me.

"Ohh gross, aunty im not gonna. . ." I cringed " do stuff with him. do you think that less of me" I was hurt that they think I might hook up with a stranger. I mean I might, if he's hot enough but they cant think like that.

"no honey. that's not I meant. I mean, you both are young, hot blooded. He is such a good looking boy and at you age, it might happen. im not blaming you, I've been there" she stammered not meeting my eyes.

"What?? Really?" I couldn't believe what I just heard. Geetha aunty sexcapading. its gross and intriguing at the same time.

She flashed a naughty grin " How do you think I met your uncle?"

I started laughing hysterically clutching my stomach. Geetha aunty ruffled my hair and left. I was still laughing when an uncomfortable Tara came in. Her eyes were rimmed with Red like she were crying. The laugh died from lips, I was immediately on my feet.

"Tara what happened? Were you crying?" she didn't meet my eyes and sat on the bed. she started toying with the straps of my bag.

"Tara what the fuck happened? its already bad that I have to go with that asshole. now something happened to you. why re you guys giving trying to give me a heart attack" I yelled

"hey cut that guy some slack" Tara jumped to her feet. She looked angry, for him.

I flinched, wow that hurts. as if sensing my pain tara's gaze softened.

"wow, siding with the brother in law already aren't you?" I scoffed, my pain mustve been clearly etched across my face cause tara took hold of my shoulders

"No. How can you say that? Ill never side with him." she sighed.

"but...?" I waited

"But. . . before completely chucking him out of your life I think you should listen to him."

she sounded determined as if. . " Wait do you know something? did he say anything?"

She nodded "yeah, I do. but" she stopped me when was going to cut in " I cant say anything because its not my story to tell. You're gonna have to talk to him" she crossed her arms.

A shiver went up my body. Tara wont say it like that if it wasn't serious. She wont justify him, because she knows exactly what I went through. Dr Mehta said so, now Tara is saying he same thing, I need to talk to him.

I shook myself from my thoughts and looked at tara who was still sulking. I went over and sat with her, and put an arm around her shoulder.

"Tara. . " I whispered

"what??" she grumbled back

"Did you know how your mom met your dad?" I fought my smile and said.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The shrill voice of my alarm woke me up at 3.30 am. Tara was mumbling something about waking her up when im ready. I took a quick shower, didn't wash my hair cause I hate tying up wet hair. didn't even bother to wear makeup and went to the closet to pick out an outfit. I was rambling through my dresses only to see a package with a note left at the top of my T-shirt section.

Wear this. convince her that you are newly wed bride

It was an old maroon and cream Churidhar. The maroon sleeveless top decorated with golden thread work on the neck. The top ended at my knees, the slits at the sides were low thank god for that. The shimmery cream pants were lose and stretchy, again heaven. The cream silk dupatta was beautiful and flowy. The ends of the dupatta had a small discoloration due to the amount of time it was stuck in some suitcase.

I was planning to not wear makeup but I looked at myself wearing this outfit I did a double take. I look good. First I decided on mild makeup, face cream, little eyeliner, a dab of lipstick. BUt then something clicked in my mind.

if Adhi was trying to torture me by going to this trip, im going to torture him in my own ways.

I drew my eyes with eyeliner and kajal. I put on bloodred lipstick on my lips. I put on my new jumkas which I was planning to wear for the haldi. I tied my hair up in a braided bun, and sprayed it with tons of hairspray so it wont get ruined in the wind. And lastly I sprayed myself with my favourite cologne. I put on my golden sandals, grabbed my bag and walked towards the door. I didn't wake up tara because Im sure she would tease me on this outfit. I looked ridiculous, But also hot.

As I walked down the corridor I made sure to not make any noise, The tap tap of my sandals were too loud so I removed and I held it in my hands. I reached the double door and pushed it open. I could see amumma, and Jeevan uncle standing under the mango tree in the courtyard. And I could see another shadow leaning against the bike. Amumma spotted me and waved me over. I waved back and started towards them.

As I got closer to them the shadow become visible more and more. He was wearing white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His black pants were a perfect fit for him. As I got closer I saw him whip his head up and look at me. And then I saw him take a double take.

The small light bulb under the mango tree illuminated the small area and I could finally see all of their faces clearly. Adhi looked. . . Damn it he looked good. His hair looked ruffled and styled with his hands, a lazy set. Hi hands were clenched the handle bar of the bike tightly.

I looked at amumma and Jeevan uncle and saw them smiling at me. amumma did a circle around my head with both hands in different directions and cracked her knuckles using her temples. It is a practice which means, by doing that you will prevent any bad eye on the person.

"My baby grew up so fast, didn't she?" amumma said emotion clogging her throat.

"yes she did. You look just like her" Jeevan uncle said petting my head.

He didn't have to say who. I knew, I was thinking the same thing. tears burned the back of my eyes. "This is hers isn't it?" I asked amumma pointing to my dupatta.

She nodded and gave me a hug. Jeevan uncle cleared his throat " Now now don't make the child cry mom. Adhi. ." uncle called him.

He came and stood by my side. Jeevan uncle patted him on the shoulder and explained the routes we were supposed to take, to avoid traffic and also police barricades. Adhi nodded and shook hi hands and looked over at me. I didn't realise I was staring at him until his eyes met mine. I quickly looked away and I could almost feel his smirk through the air.

We quickly said our goodbyes. Jeevan uncle promised to keep dad occupied so that he wouldn't have time to realise I was gone. I told him not bother, he wont realise anyway. Adhi went ahead and got onto the bike. It was a vintage Royal Enfield. It was Vivek's baby If we so much as scratched it, we were dead.

Adhi handed me my helmet and put it on and he did his. I climbed onto the bike and sat two legs at the same time style first, Adhi complained he wouldn't be able to go fast if I sat like that and made me sit on leg each side style. I clutched the bag holders on each side as handles and held on for dear life.

"You ready baby?" Adhi asked in a breathy tone, leaning back so that his back touched my chest.

my brows pointed to sky. I grumbled "don't talk to me"

He let out a low laugh and hit ignition. I almost fell back with the force but adhi's hands snaked back and grabbed my waist and pulled me to his back. He took hold of my hands and placed them on his chest.

Dejavu hit me like a train.

"Hold on" he said in a guttural voice and hit the acceleration.

1

2

3

And we crossed the gate. And now we were on the road.

The roads were mostly empty at this time. No vehicle passed us when we got on to the highway, or when we cut into the detour route.

almost giving me about 15 minutes of peace adhi spoke again. " On a scale from one to ten, how badly do you want to kill me right now?"

I sighed. but did say anything.

He made a sharp brake and I got plastered to his back. I shouted "What the hell man?"

"oh good you're still alive?" he replied flatly.

"Don't sound so worried, I might think you actually care" I shot back. my nails digging into his torso.

he hissed and glanced back at me and grinned " You didn't answer my question"

"Im hovering somewhere around the high thirties, low fourties" I snapped.

He threw his head back and laughed. His rich deep voice booming in the early morning air.

God help me.

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