Sweet 'n' Sour | ✔

seventeen

17. Bas tumhe dekhte rehne ka jee karta hai. (I just feel like watching you forever.)

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I was back at her office building. It was Thursday evening, and our families had decided to go out shopping together. Neelam bua suggested it'll be a great way for both the families to spend some time. They aren't aware of the Mussoorie trip we had taken for the same reason. But dad said everyone else needs to meet the Upadhayay's and Mathur sisters as well. So after fixing a date with Mahesh Uncle, it was decided that shopping for the wedding will be done together. Now I don't find the need for me to come here to pick her up. I travel by bus for god's sake. And she has a car, plus a chauffeur. But Dadi and Neelam bua are like self-proclaimed cupids of my love story and they leave no opportunity of pushing me and Priya in an awkward moments that they think are romantic. I can't believe even Dadi is acting like her partner in crime. I thought old people are strictly against the groom and bride meeting each other often before marriage.

The elevator stopped on the tenth floor. Unlike a few days ago, the floor was now bustling with people. Surprisingly, the heater was on and not the AC. I made my way towards the reception area where a new face stood at the moment. I guessed it was Sheena.

"Hi, how may I help you?"

"I was hoping to meet Priya. She knows I'll be coming."

"May I know your name, sir?" She asked me politely, prepared to type my name on her computer.

"Aditya Shrivastava,"

I frowned when she stood straight instead of typing the name. "I'm sorry for holding you back, sir. You may enter the cabin. But I advise you to not knock. She is in a meeting right now."

"I can wait outside."

"Family members are strictly prohibited from waiting in the lounge. You can wait in her office."

I turned to leave but then hesitated again. "Won't that disturb her?"

She chuckled. "She rarely meets a client in her cabin, sir. That's the reason we have this rule. Except for virtual meetings, she holds every other meeting in the conference room. This meeting popped up unceremoniously. But don't worry, it isn't that important. You can go in without worrying about disturbing her." She explained thoroughly.

I blinked, chewing on my lower lip. "You sure?" Don't blame me for overthinking. As an intern, I had once made the mistake of knocking on my Boss' cabin when he was in a meeting. The way he had had blew up on me for being unprofessional, still gives me chills. Not my fault his assistant was in the cafeteria enjoying coffee with her colleagues and I had some important documents to show him. But I'm traumatized about unintentionally disturbing people's important meetings.

She smiled. "You're her fiancé, sir. Whoever is in the cabin, can never be more important than you. Please go in. I'll send someone with a coffee and snacks."

I nodded. "I don't- uh, like coffee." I was embarrassed for declining the offer just because my taste doesn't match with the people in the corporate sector. But what can I do? Coffee gives me headaches and constipation.

"Tea?"

Tea? Now? I just had one at three pm.

She saw the hesitation on my face and simpered. "Ice cream?"

"That'll work," I rubbed my nape sheepishly.

She nodded, trying to hide her smile but failing. Am I mortified? Yes. Was it worth it? I mean, it's ice cream we're talking about. Everything is worth it when it comes to treating my taste buds to some cold sweetness.