"I can't believe he has agreed to meet Ma and Papa." I tell Sneha as I stop by her desk.

"I told you he will." She replies in a duh tone.

"But he's also asked me to meet him and discuss what he wants in return. And now that's bothering me." I tell her.

"Shravya, breathe. Just breathe and stop thinking so much. What's the worst you think he can ask you?" She asks me.

"I don't know but I was thinking of a sexual favor maybe?" I say but it comes out more like a question.

Sneha stares at me, hard and long before she bursts out laughing.

A few coworkers start looking in our direction and I immediately make an attempt to stop her.

"Shravya,.. Shravya... oh my God.. this.. oh..is too funny." She says in between her laugh.

"This isn't funny, okay? I've been stressing myself out since last night thinking what will I do if he asks me to do that in return for pretending to be my boyfriend." I tell her.

"He has to know about this. I will tell him this if I ever get to meet him personally. You must be having his number right? Give it to me, give it to me!" She says as she tries to reach for my phone, her laughter eventually subsiding.

I immediately put my phone behind my back.

"You know what, I'll get back to my desk and stress alone now. You're being of no help to me right now." I tell her as a frown makes its way to my face.

"No Shravya, listen to me, you're overthinking okay. That guy will ask for no such thing I'm sure and incase he does you know who to call, I will come myself and see who this Mehrotra Shehrotra is." She tells me.

"Okay, alright. I'll think positive." I tell her.

"That's the spirit." She says with a wide grin.

Later that day when I am setting by my desk my phone beeps.

I pick it up and see that I've received a message from an unknown number. I opened the message.

Hey this is Arjun here. I am free between 3 to 7 this Sunday. We could arrange a meeting during that time if you're free too? Let me know if you're okay with the timings.

My date is at six on Sunday. If I meet Arjun at 4 and get done with the discussion by 5 I'll be on time to the date location. I think to myself and immediately type a response to Arjun.

Shravya : 4 pm on Sunday is fine by me. Location?

A few seconds later his response comes,

Arjun : 4 p.m. it is then. I'll pick you up.

Shravya : I can make arrangements to meet you at the location, just give it to me.

Arjun : I know you can, but it's my side of the deal we are going to discuss so you don't have to bother. I'll pick you up.

Shravya : Fine.

I send him a one word reply and then save his number on my phone.

I first save it as Arjun Mehrotra but then realising how Ma sometimes uses my phone to call someone when she doesn't have enough balance I immediately backspace the Mehrotra and save it as only Arjun.

The rest of my day in the office thankfully passes by working and not stressing over what Arjun might want in return.

As much as I have known the guy in two meetings he doesn't seem like the guy who'd ask me for that kind of a favor. Who knows he must be even having a secret girlfriend who he has kept hidden from the public eye.

•

I was going through the last file that I had to complete before Monday when my phone beeps continuously indicating I've received a few messages.

I picked it up and unlocked it. I had received a message from Arjun, and several others from Sneha.

I opened Arjun's one first because it was the first on the list. No other reason.

Arjun : I'll come to pick you up by 3.30 today. Same location where I dropped you on , at a little distance from your complex building so that we don't get spotted by the security guard or your mother ;).

A smile made its way to my lips as I read the last line.

But he doesn't know that the likes of Mrs. Batra of flat no. 34 (B) are still there to report any unusual activities in the complex to everyone.

Shravya : There are still some ladies in the complex who might spot us but this time I don't need to worry because I've already told Ma, I'm meeting you today.

He immediately responds.

Arjun : You mean like a date? Did you tell your mother that?

Shravya : What I told Ma is for me to know and for you to not bother about. :)

Arjun : It's okay Shravya, you can admit that's what you told your mother. ;)

Shravya : No, Arjun, that's not what I told my mother.

Arjun : Whatever helps you sleep tonight.

I leave him on seen and get back to working on the file.

Half an hour later I am done completing all the work due on Monday. I then leave my room and go to the kitchen where I spot Papa cooking.

On Sundays Ma has an off from the kitchen duties.

"Your Ma's left for shopping." He informs me as soon as he spots me.

"She left? She did not even tell me." I say as I walk over to the counter to see what's cooking.

"You were engrossed in your work, Shravu, so she did not disturb you." He tells me.

"Oh. Anyways, what's cooking?" I ask him.

"Chole bhature [Chole bhatureis a food dish popular in the Northern areas of the Indian subcontinent. It is a combination of chana masala (spicy white chickpeas) and bhatura/puri, a fried bread made from maida.] for lunch which is ready and now I'm making Madhu's favourite Gajar ka Halwa [Gajar ka halwa a carrot-based sweet dessert pudding from the Indian subcontinent]." He tells me.

I sniff and a smile instantly forms on my face.

"Smells delicious." I tell him and walk over to the casserole to serve myself.

"Shravya, Madhu told me you're going on a date with Arjun today." Papa says as he stirs the halwa on the pan.

"I'm going to meet him Papa, yes. But I'm not going on a date with him." I explain.

"What's the difference?" He asks me with a smile.

"A lot. The ones you took Ma on during your college days, were dates. I am simply going to meet Arjun to discuss when he can meet you guys." I tell him suppressing a smile.

"Oh really? And that cannot be discussed over call? Don't try to fool this old man, Shravya." He says, giving me a teasing smile.

"Whatever you call it, Papa." I tell him.

"Will he come to pick you up?" He asks me.

"Yes." I tell him.

"And will he safely drive you back?"

At this I go silent. I am going on a blind date after meeting him so he's definitely not going to be the one to drop me off.

"Yes." I lie after a few seconds.

"Okay." Papa replies.

•

I take a look at myself in the mirror. I'm dressed in a royal blue coloured embroidered three quarter sleeved kurti with a boat neck which I've paired with a white coloured chikan palazzo.

I've left my hair open with a side partition and have paired the dress with my favorite pair of oxidised jhumkas.

[Chikan : is a delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net, etc. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments.

Palazzo : are long women's pants cut with a loose, extremely wide leg that flares out from the waist.

Jhumkas are one of the classic types of earrings which have been in existence from centuries. Jhumka earrings are in conical, circular or in church bell shape.]

On my forehead I've put a small dot sized bindi of the same colour as my kurti. I pick my silver bangles up and wonder if I should put them on as well or not? After contemplating for a few minutes I decided against wearing them because before the date I have to meet Arjun and I don't want to overdo my look. As for my make-up I've kept my look simple with foundation, concealer, compact powder to finish the look, a light pink coloured lipstick and eyeliner.

[Bindi : a small coloured mark or jewel (= precious stone) that is worn between the eyebrows ]

I turn away from the mirror and eye the wall clock.

3. 25 p.m. Arjun must be here any moment now, I grab my phone and wallet after which I leave my room.

On my way I meet Papa who gives me a compliment saying I look very pretty. I thank him and leave the house.

My phone starts ringing as I make my way to the elevator.

It's Arjun.

"Hello." I say into the receiver after receiving his call.

"Hello, I'm here." He says.

"I'm coming in two minutes, just getting inside the elevator." I tell him.

"Okay cool. I'm waiting." He says and hangs up.

Two minutes later I leave the complex and spot his car at the same spot he had dropped me on when he was here last time. I make my way towards it.

When I reach his car I give the closed tinted window of the passenger seat a knock. The music blasting inside is so loud I hear it from outside too.

The window immediately rolls down and my eyes meet his face.

Dressed in a black v-neck t-shirt and dark blue jeans and a blazer with sunglasses on, seated in the driver's seat is Arjun Mehrotra the great.

"Lower the volume." I almost yell at him however he seems to pay no heed to me as he continues staring at my face.

I roll my eyes and yell louder this time.

"Huh?" He asks, finally breaking out of his trance.

"Lower the volume and unlock the door." I tell him.

"Oh yes,.. I'll.. I'll just do that." He says and immediately unlocks the door after which he lowers the volume.

I get inside the car.

When I look over at him I find his ears turning the slightest shade of red.

"Uh, the seat belt." He says and motions towards it.

I am in the middle of fastening my seatbelt when he says something that causes me to stop and look up at him.

"You look beautiful, Shravya."

I don't know why, maybe it's the way he says it or the way he looks at me when he says it makes my heart start beating rapidly.

Trying to keep my voice as steady as possible I thank him.

"Thank you, you don't look bad yourself." I reply.

"Oh I'm sure I don't." He says with a cheeky grin.

And the cocky Arjun Mehrotra is back I think to myself and shake my head.