Borrowed But Mine: An Arylie FF

Borrowed But Mine: Chapter 56, Aneesh-Aliya

A/N: So by popular demand I'm posting this one shot on Aneesh.

A disclaimer: I have immense respect for men and women in the armed forces of any nation. It takes courage to swear to protect a nation at the cost of your own life and no ordinary human being can boast that kind of mettle. Having said that the two characters from the military here are fictional and their flaws are imagined. A bit of creative liberty for the sake of drama.

A song at the end of the chapter, which is my vision of how these two would end up

Chapter 56

Aneesh stood outside near the balustrade of a large terrace adjoining the dining area where the wedding dinner hosted by the Rathores had just wound up. 

Imlie finally had her name back. He smiled as he scrolled through the pictures and videos on his phone. 

His finger stilled, hovering over the next button as he stared at a picture of Imlie and Aliya.

Saptapadi. 

Seven steps that the husband and wife took together, avowing their life to each other. At the end of all seven rounds, when Imlie slid aside the last betel nut with her toe, Aliya held her toe down, grinning up at the smiling couple. 

Aliya's chance to make a profit off of her brother in law.

Imlie looked radiant in that picture. And in the next, as she glanced up at Aryan. 

Love. Aneesh thought wistfully.

His gaze slid back to Aliya still kneeling at Imlie's feet, the dimple in her left cheek deeper, her eyes twinkling. Minus the geeky glasses. 

Her hair, long, sleek, smooth as silk, she could model for a shampoo ad. The heavily embroidered, peacock blue lehenga suited her coloring perfectly.

For the first time, last night, he'd noticed her and not been able to simply dismiss her like he always did, as Imlie's pesky teen cousin. 

A man taking note of a woman. Alluring in her flowy red dress, dancing to the song Imlie had chosen to sing. Her movements graceful, gliding effortless across the dance floor. 

He'd been unable to take his eyes off her. The pretty crown of flowers on her head had reminded him of vintage paintings of nymphs and fairies from Greek mythology.

Aneesh shook his head at his train of thoughts and resumed studying the picture of Imlie and Aliya on his phone.

He'd held his breath right after clicking this photograph when Aliya had turned quite suddenly to him and posed with her head tilted, the dimple in her cheek deepening when she flashed a cheerful smile. 

F**k! He'd had to remind himself she was still a teenager!