Introducing my love to her

32. Am I a fool?

trrring... trrring... trring....
Anu phone's started ringing. Anu came out of her trance and answered the call.

Anu - "Yes daddy! I am on the way. Everything is fine. As it is getting late, Trisha will sleep at our home tonight. Could you please ask amma to make food for both of us? As we already had some snacks here, ask her to reduce the quantity. Bye"

Malavika - "You should have told your dad not to worry Anu. We are almost there. We will reach your home in 5 mins".

Anu gave a small smile to Malavika and thanked god for saving her from the awkward situation. She immediately texted Advay to drop both of them (Tri and her) at the start of the lane. As Advay is driving, he is not checking his phone. She gave a missed call.

Advay opened his phone to check the calls and messages. Immediately his gaze moved towards Anu through the rear mirror. Seeing him through the same mirror, Anu averted her gaze and calmed her brain, and heart as she is having an unknown feeling whenever Advay makes eye contact. Understanding the situation, Advay said - "Do you guys mind if I drop you at the start of your lane? I have some important work to do"

Malavika - "Advay beta, we came all the way till here, what's the point of dropping them at the start of the lane? It will take only 5 mins for us to reach her house"

Anu - "No aunty. It's completely fine. I have seen sir busy with the work. As you are telling that it will only take 5 mins. We can walk to our home. What's say, Tri?"

Trisha who is unaware of the situation doesn't know what to say. Anu started coughing and hitting Tri with her elbow giving her hints to say yes. "Yaa...Yaa...Yes, Aunty. We can walk. God gave us legs to walk and we were continuously sitting from eating in the food court till now. My legs are aching. So, it would be better for us to walk. Right, Anu?"

Anu tried to communicate with her eyes to stop Trisha from saying all the nonsense all this while. Looking at all the chaotic expressions and conversations, a smile made its way on Advay's face. As Tri, Anu, and Advay are okay with it, Malavika couldn't say anything and kept silent.

Advay dropped them at the start of the lane. They bid their byes. On reaching home, Anu and Tri started showing her parents all the things they bought at the mall. Anu put the white shirt she bought on her and showed it to her parents.

Raghav - "Ware wah Anu... This looks too good on you. You got a glow on your face because of the color. Go and look at yourself in the mirror"

Anu happily went near to the mirror and looked at herself. All that happened when she trialed the shirt started playing. Unknowingly she went into the imaginary world. Dhruv noticed her and started teasing her

Dhruv - "Who is he because of whom your cheeks turned red"

Anu came back from the lost world and started running after Dhruv. The entire environment lit up with giggles, smiles, laughter, and whatnot. After having dinner and chit-chatting, everyone returned to their rooms. Tri and Anu directly went to bed as they are tired because of all the shopping. Tri went into a deep sleep within 5 mins but on the other side, Anu is trying to sleep but her thoughts are revolving around Advay. The way he signaled her about the shirt's top button, the way he looked at her through the rear window, the way they carried ice cream - everything. Anu started questioning herself like why is she thinking about that man whom she doesn't want to marry?

THE NEXT DAY

Tri went to her house and Anu helped her mother in setting her house and did house chores. But all the time, she is having a question mark face - WHY? WHY? and WHY?

That day, later in the night, Anu made up her mind not to think of Advay.

Monday

Anu woke up early. The first thing she said to her mind is not to remember anything related to Advay. While she is brushing - bathing - clothing - making her hairstyle - setting up her bag or eating her breakfast, she is continuously reminding her brain not to think of Advay. But, Poor Anu, little did she know, she is indirectly thinking about Advay all the time.

As Anu was busy with Advay's thoughts - I mean reminding herself not to think about Advay, she forgot that there was a meeting at 9:30. She reached the office at 9:45. When she reached her floor, no one is present at their desks to greet her. She was confused. Is everybody on leave today? but I had no info. Even Tri didn't tell me anything? With all these confusions, she moved towards her desk. Seeing her colleague's bags, she switched on her laptop and busshhhhh.... busshhhh.... she got to know about the meeting. She immediately ran towards the meeting room and knocked on the door.

"Come in" - a deep and rough voice came from inside. She moved into the room and took a seat. After sitting, she realized that she is sitting exactly opposite to Advay. Advay was giving a presentation and was explaining to the team about design and process. Somehow, they are making eye contact and Anu is averting her gaze. After the meeting ended, everybody started leaving the room. "Anuhya could you please stay - I have something to discuss" - Advay's strong and bold voice echoed in the room.

Hesitatingly Anu said yes and stayed in the room. "Sarika please close the door" - Advay said. Once everybody is out, Advay started moving towards Anu, Anu is tensed and started sweating. Unknowing she stood up while Advay is moving towards her. Once Advay is in front of her,

"S.... Si... Sir... I am sorry. I am late today and I won't be late again. Please forgive. Somehow, my teams logged out and I was unaware of the meeting" - Anu started talking continuously without break.

Advay - "It's okay. I didn't ask you to stay to hear an explanation. On Saturday, I paid the money at the food court. Could you please return it? I don't want to ask for money in front of all of them. So, I asked you to stay" (Advay needs one or the other way to talk to Anu. As she said that she will pay the money for food. Advay took the opportunity ;D)

Reality hit her, Confused Anu, opened her mobile and started scanning the QR code. But every time, the payment failed. Unknowingly Advay took her phone from her hands to check what is the problem. While taking the phone, their hands brushed and Anu got anxiety feels. Butterflies started flying in her stomach.

Advay - "Anu you have to turn on your internet before payment (with a smirk). See the payment is done". With this Advay left the room smiling. (That smile is to die for)

Anu face-palming herself left the meeting room. As you guys already know, Anu was thinking about the same like how foolish I am not turning on the internet and making a payment. Did he think that I am stupid? I was already late and on top of that this. She is continuously mocking herself for all that happened.

Anu went to the restroom, washed her face, built some confidence in her, and left for the pantry. But she was speechless on seeing the view in front of her.

Advay was standing with a girl with his hands on her side hip and posing for a picture. Aryan was taking the picture and these two crackheads are giving poses to it. Seeing them like that, she can say that they both are so close.

Is Anu jealous of the girl? Who is the girl by the way? Does Anu really care about Advay so much that she couldn't even see him standing too close to another girl? Let's wait for the next chapter.

Hi Everyone! How are you all doing? I got married and there are many things I am busy with. One of my friends who helped me with the story got busy too as well. Sorry for the late update. Happy and safe Diwali everyone. On this auspicious Diwali, I wanted to gift you guys an update. In this update, mostly I tried to avoid Point of Views. Is this way better or should I write with POVs? Please do let me know in the comments and also how did you like the chapter? Is it fine or should I improve the story with more scenes between our leads? Please forgive me for all the grammatical mistakes and I am thanking you all from the bottom of my heart for patiently waiting for an update. Love you guys so much. I miss you all so much.

With Smile,

Radha