Sweet 'n' Sour | ✔

eight

8. Jahaan aap, waha mein (I am, where you are.)

Ps. ready for some 90's romance?

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I took a step forward, standing beside her. Bhai's eyes drifted over me and he looked away.

I found his reaction strange. They seem to be acquainted. Then why would he speak those words about her? Did he have a first hand experience of her personality? I looked at her, noticing the practiced professional smile plastered on her face. It took me aback. Maybe because now I know what her real smile looks like.

Well, I get why Bhai said what he said. He seems to be on the other end of her spectrum. The business spectrum. Where there's no room for anything more than professionalism. Now I feel bad about blowing up on Bhai like that. He was just looking out for me. And I, due to my jealousy, told him off rather harshly. I should apologise to him later.

"This is such a pleasant surprise," she said with an even tone. The shakiness in her voice I had just witnessed inside the room a few minutes seems to have vanished into the thin air. "How are you?"

Bhai nodded, forcing a smile at her. Wow, he really dislikes her. "Fine. What about you?"

"Good. I had no idea Aditya was your brother." She spoke so courteously, it reminded me of the first day I met her.

"Yeah," Bhai nodded. "He is my younger brother."

"You know each other?" Dad interrupted, speaking my words and I think everyone's as well, considering how we all had our eyes fixed on them.

"Are you two friends?" Meghna asked curiously.

"Uh," Bhai spoke up first. "Yeah-"

"No. We're just business acquaintances." Priya smiled at her.

Bhai fell quiet.

Ouch.

"I had hired his services when I first started my Event Management company. He helped me explore the idea and guide me through it until I was capable of handling it on my own." She added curtly.

"He helped you with your business?" Mom leaned forward in her seat.

Priya looked at her. "No. I paid him for his services."

Mom sat back looking awkward.

"I always wondered what he actually does to be earning so well. Thanks to you, now I got a better idea." I chuckled, another miserable attempt to diffuse the tension.

"Now you know," Priya met my eyes.

I nodded. "Now I do," I whispered back.

Someone cleared their throat.

We both looked away from each other. I don't understand why people love to make others embarrassed. We didn't even stare for that long.

"I thought you said you'll come home late tonight?" Mom got up from the couch, immediately tending to his needs. "This is my elder son by the way," she smiled at the Upadhyay couple. "Avinash." She introduced. "And Avi, this is Priya's family. That's her uncle, Mr. Mahesh Upadhyay and that's her aunt, Mrs. Ragini Upadhyay."