Chapter 22

Sharing a glance, both Priya and Abhay turned their gazes to Madhu and Ramesh, who seemed lost in their own world.

Priya narrowed her gaze with a naughty gleam.

Oh! What did her friend say? 'No, I don't like that police,' Madhu said before. But now it seemed like a different story. Once again, Priya looked at Abhay and saw him grinning. He winked at her and stood up.

"Come on, darling," Abhay said, lifting Aisha into his arms, "Let's give a little surprise to your uncle." He waited for Priya to stand up. She smiled and they made their way slowly towards the lost couple.

Reaching them they thought at least they would realize someone came. But nope. Abhay and Priya looked at each other and both waved a single hand in front of their friends. They were amused when they didn't respond and continued to smile at each other.

Priya shook her head. "Very well done, my friend," she whispered in her ear. Madhu jerked and her eyes widened when she saw Priya.

From the corner of her eyes, Priya saw Abhay smack his friend's head. Ramesh, oblivious to them, came out of his stupor and was about to lash out at the person who dared to interrupt them but stopped when he saw it was them. Instead of feeling guilty, like Madhu, he grinned sheepishly.

"Hey guys," Ramesh said, "What are you doing here?"

"Uncle!" Aisha stretched her arms toward him. Ramesh smiled, taking her into his lap and showered her with kisses.

"Priya! It's not what you are thinking," Madhu said quickly once she came out of her stupor.

Priya heard Ramesh snort.

"Yeah. It looks like more," Priya drawled. "What do you say, Abhay?" She asked.

Madhu started to shake her head. Suddenly Priya caught her ear and twisted lightly. "You stupid. How long is this going on?"

"About a week," Ramesh answered.

Madhu gasped and glared at him. "Liar!" She pulled away from Priya and put a hand on her hip, "Just yesterday I agreed to come out with him. Your lies cost you a lot, Mister," she warned.

Ramesh didn't seem to be afraid. Instead he gave a smug smile. That earned him a smack from Abhay. "When do you learn to respect your woman's wishes?"

Madhu gasped. "How many did he have before?" She asked terrified.

Ramesh's eyes widened. He glared at Abhay.

Priya tried hard to hold back her laughter while Abhay bit his tongue and shrugged casually.

"No... No... sweetheart," Ramesh said standing and holding Aisha, "I only love you. There was no one in the past."

Priya's eyes widened. Love? Oh my God! She looked at Madhu. But she seemed to be closed off.

Madhu opened her mouth to say something but Priya butted in before a fight started.

"How about we celebrate this moment? My friend finally decided to hook up." She winked at Madhu.

"Good idea," Abhay agreed.

"I am not hooked up," Madhu gritted.

"You will soon," Ramesh said determinedly.

Madhu rolled her eyes making everyone laugh.

"This celebration is nothing without Anjali and Varun. Let me call them and we'll go," Abhay said, fishing out his mobile.

∞∞∞

Priya was sitting on the left side to Abhay and Aisha perched on her lap as the little one fell asleep on her lap. In front of her sat Anjali and Varun and next to them were Ramesh and Madhu.

Priya thought Abhay would choose an extravagant restaurant to dine. But to her relief, he took them all to a simple and cute family restaurant where they enjoyed their time laughing out loud and throwing jokes. Even Aisha made their evening lively by her cute talks.

Priya moved her eyes from one to another, taking in their smiling faces. Priya wanted this moment to last. No... She wanted this for a lifetime.

Until now it was just her, her mother and brother. But having a big family... The thought itself made her smile.

"So? When are your hands getting filled with mehendi, ma'am?" Madhu asked Anjali.

Anjali gave her a look. "Madhu... how many times should I tell you to call Anjali outside. All these madam formalities are inside our office. We are friends first."

"Oops!" Madhu gave a sheepish grin and held her ear. "Anjali."

Anjali grinned. "It's next week... I want you both to be next to me every second," she said looking at both Madhu and Priya.

Priya hesitated. "Anjali... I don't know... Office..." she stopped when a big hand held her shoulder.

"I can take care of it," Abhay whispered. Her breath hitched, feeling his hand around her shoulder, "You just stay next to Anjali until the wedding."

"You sure?"

He nodded and a small smile played at the corner of his lips. She too gave a small smile of her own. Olivious to them, four pairs of eyes were watching, smiling.

"Hey, guys!" A cheerful feminine voice caught everyone's attention.

Priya moved her gaze, and her smile fell when she saw Ananya walking towards them. She could see the surprise on her face and Abhay's too. He instantly stood as she reached and they both hugged. Oh how did she forget about her?

Even Anjali hugged her while Varun and Ramesh shook her hand asking how she was doing. They seem like long lost friends.

She caught Madhu's questioning look and she shook her head with a tight lip.

"Oh! How big Aisha has become?" Ananya cooed, staring at Aisha's sleeping form and smiling warmly.

Priya looked down just as Aisha started to squirm. She slowly opened her eyes and peeked at Ananya.

Priya stood holding Aisha as she tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes.

Ananya looked genuinely smiled, staring at Priya and Aisha, so Priya couldn't help but return one.

"Aisha," Anjali said, "Remember Ananya Aunty dear?"

Aisha just stared and turned away, circling her hands around Priya and hiding her face in her neck.

"Sorry. She's just sleepy," Priya gave an awkward smile.

"Never mind. And it's good to see you all like this," Ananya moved her gaze at everyone, "I am just here with my cousin. I should go. See you later."

"Join us," Priya said, and instantly bit the inside of her cheek. Oh! Why was she playing the host?

Abhay gave her a frown as if he didn't expect her to stay and after a moment of hesitance, he said, "Yeah."

Ananya shook her head. "Maybe next time. See ya," she waved and walked away.

Once Ananya walked away, Anjali said surprised, "Wow! She changed a lot. I didn't expect to see her. What is she doing back in India?"

"She came for her cousin's wedding," Abhay said.

"How do you know?" Anjali asked. Priya couldn't help but notice the wariness in her voice.

Abhay gave her a look. "She visited me a few days back. Is it enough or do you want more?" He clipped.

Priya squirmed in her seat, uncomfortable with the tension building between the siblings. Looks like Ananya was more to Abhay then she thought.

"Bhaiya..." Anjali sighed and shared a look with her fiancee. "You..."

Priya cleared her throat and stood up holding Aisha. "I think I am gonna use the restroom," she said and turned to Abhay expectantly to take Aisha.

She wasn't looking at him. But she could feel his gaze on her face. She prayed he dont find the dissolution on her face.

Once Aisha was being held safely in Abhay's arms, she bolted straight to the ladies room. She rested her hands on the counter and stared at her reflection. She never gave primary importance to her looks. But now? She's thinking she's nothing but a plain girl. She was suddenly comparing herself with Ananya. Oh! How foolish of herself? She could never stand next to her.

Her self-loathing was cut short when the door opened and Anjali poked her head inside. She gave a small smile asking, "Is everything alright?"

Priya turned away from the mirror and gave a smile which she hoped was bright. "Yeah..."

Anjali sighed and shook her head. She entered inside and held her hand that was on the counter. "You don't have to worry. She's nothing to my brother."

Priya gave a laugh, feigning innocence. "What are you talking about?"

Anjali continued, as if she didn't hear her. "Ananya..."

"Why will I worry about her, Anjali?"

Anjali shrugged. "You should know that," she smiled.

Priya didn't say anything.

Anjali asked expectantly, "Don't you like my brother?"

Her eyes widened. Like? She laughed to herself. I love him.

"What's not there to like about him?" Priya smiled. "Maybe he's a bit arrogant."

Anjali laughed. "Right. So..." she drawled with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "When are you going to tell my brother about your love?"

"What?!" Priya gaped at her. "No... I don't..."

"Your secret is safe with me," Anjali winked. "He might be my brother. But then, you are my friend too."

Instantly, Priya hugged her. "Thank you." Anjali just squeezed her in a comforting way.

"I dont like your brother," Priya said firmly, pulling away. She could see the disappointment in Anjali's face but she still smiled. She opened her mouth but Priya continued, "I love him."

Anjali gasped. Then a bright smile colored her features. In an instant, Priya was engulfed in a crushing hug. Anjali swayed her tightly while saying, "OMG! OMG! OMG!"

Priya laughed and patted her back. "Cant breathe..."

"Sorry," Anjali pulled away still smiling, "I can't believe this. Finally. Someone to hold my hardheaded brother to hold down."

Priya gave a sad smile. "I don't think so."

"What do you mean?"

"I love him. But I don't think we both are compatible. And there is..." Priya stopped once she realized what she was going to say.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Truth. Look at me," Priya stretched her hands, "I am just plain old me. I am from a middle class family. He is... he is there," she lifted her hand up. "He needs someone who stands next to him and show her proudly to everyone. He needs someone like... Ananya."

Anjali gave her a hard look. "Believe me. He don't need Ananya."

Priya frowned at the firmness in her voice. Seeing her questioning eyes, Anjali sighed and continued, "They had a history. They didn't work out. Will never work out."

"How can you..." She stopped when there was a loud banging on the door, followed by Abhay's agitated voice.

"What the hell are you both doing in there so long?"

Priya panicked looking at Anjali. Anjali smiled, "I won't tell him. It's not my place."

Priya sighed relieved. Again the pounding continued. "Come on. Before my brother breaks the door."

Priya's heart was racing when Anjali opened the door open and there stood Abhay with his hand halfway to the door. He looked at her inside the door and relaxed visibly.

"How long are you going to take?" He barked.

Priya's nervousness gone replaced with anger.

"Give the girl some break," Anjali scoffed and walked away leaving them alone.

Priya squared her shoulders and walked past him ignoring his stare. But stopped when his big hand held her arm. Her breath hitched.

"What happened?" He asked. She could see the concern in his voice.

"Nothing, " she said, trying to pull her hand away. His touch was burning her hot and she earned for more. But she couldn't.

Instead of loosening his grip, he tightened pulling her. Her back collided with his hard chest. She stilled.

Her heart pounded against her chest when she felt him lean forward and inhale. His lips grazed her ear making her toes curl.

"I don't know what's bothering you," his voice husky, "I hate to see you like this."

"Why?" She asked breathless. She leaned back into him, wanting his warmness surrounding her. Her head fell back on his shoulder when she felt one of his hand travelling from her hip to her exposed stomach.

"Because..."

A throat clearing made them jump back. An old woman was standing there, avoiding to look at them and waiting for them to give her way to the restroom.

Priya's skin burned hot with embarrassment as she trailed her eyes down and walked out.

Oh my! She thought. How the hell did she let that happen? She sensed him behind her but she avoided looking at him.

As she rushed to their table, her mobile chimed with a message. A smile appeared on her lips seeing the message. Finally! She prayed to God that everything goes fine. That she's not taking a wrong decision.

"Who is that?"

She was startled when she felt Abhay behind her. She turned around and saw his frowning face. She cocked up an eyebrow in question.

"Who messaged that you are smiling so big?"

Was that jealousy? No... It can't be. She frowned at his tone.

By this time, they both has reached their table and was giving a show to their audience.

"None of your concern..." she snapped.

"God! Give me patience..." he said, while looking at her with his hard eyes. She narrowed her eyes and wondered how the hell did she fall for this infuriating man.

Oh yeah! He's super sweet when he's with his daughter. And gives warm hugs to her when she needed. A safe comfort.

***