My Version of Love

Chapter 1: The Meeting

This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful friend @Shagun_

She has been one of my biggest supports when I irritate her asking her to proof read my story.

She's an awesome writer. Check out her story Memories eh? Too Overrated!!! Its amazing with a totally rocking story line.

And thanks for the love. Here's the starting of the story.

Enjoy!!!

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Chapter 1: The Meeting

I was 18 at that time, newly in college. It was the mid of the first semester and we had a brainstorming assignment given to us. Riya's friends were supposed to come at our place. Riya is my cousin, my best friend and my senior too. The apartment where we lived belonged to my aunt and Riya's mother, who didn't exactly live here so she gave it to us.

We were fully prepared for the evening. Riya was going to do her assignment with her friends and I was going to help in the kitchen and then read my novel. Everybody had arrived shortly, but Riya was waiting for somebody else, I always made fun of her because of it. The doorbell rang and Riya rushed to open the door. I busied myself with my book shaking my head at her childishness. I heard Nikhil's voice and turned to see him, but I saw a new face standing beside Nikhil, talking to Riya. I don't usually notice boys that much, they never catch my eye, I was never searching for 'the one' so I never cared, but something about him caught my eye. He was tall, approximately 6", well built; I guess he was a regular gym goer. He had thick silky blackish hair, dark chocolate brown eyes, and slightly dusky complexion. He wore a camel colored jeans and black half sleeve t-shirt with a dragon print on it. His face was chiseled with a tinge of roundness, making him look cute and charming at the same time.

Did I just think cute? Riya is definitely a bad influence on me. I turned back and picked up my novel and resumed reading it.

"Aru, can you get those snacks please?" Riya asked.

I put the book down and saw Riya piled up with work. I nodded and went inside. I poured the snacks in the bowls and as I turned to get the spoons I was startled to see the new boy behind me, everything was so fast that my foot slipped. I closed my eyes not wanting to see the fall. When I didn't feel the hard marble under me after a few seconds, I opened my eyes slowly, one by one, and looked down to see that I was not even close to falling. I shifted my eyes in the front; my scared eyes met his astonished ones. I could feel the warmth of his arms around my waist. His grip was strong yet gentle, it was too comforting for my liking. Heat was radiating from his skin, like he was sun himself.

"Oh god..." I said while standing up, "thank you." I shook my head letting my messy hair fall on my face, hiding my flushed face.

"Welcome." He said. His voice was deep and soft. He smiled at me. His voice was so sexy, totally drool worthy.

Wait. What?

"Can I get a glass of water please?" He asked straightening himself.

"Of course" I replied, still a little flushed.

I looked for empty glasses but couldn't find any so I opened the higher cupboard. The glasses were quite high for my 5.5". I tried standing on my toes but it was still high and I couldn't find a stool to stand on. I was trying again, until I felt someone against me. It was him. He was much taller and could reach the shelf without any effort. I stepped aside while he took out the glasses for me, my face turning red with embarrassment. I took the glass, poured some water in it and handed it to him. He took it from me, a look of astonishment on his face.

I quickly left the kitchen murmuring 'thanks' to him again. I handed the snacks to everyone and sat to read my novel again, losing myself in the story, not even thinking about what happened inside. I was too engrossed to know that everyone had left. I put down my book when Nikhil sat next to me.

"Sorry I didn't introduce you two before." He said gesturing at the new boy and me.

"It's okay, Niks. I know you forget everything when you see Riya." I said to him, a smirk appearing on my face as I put my arm on his shoulder.

Nikhil and Riya were dating each other and were very much in love with each other.

"Aru!" Riya exclaimed "Don't say things like that!" She shouted and threw a cushion at me. I easily dodged it and stuck out my tongue at her childishly. The boy chuckled, amused by our antics while Riya and Nikhil blushed from my words. I smirked at their reactions.

Nikhil cleared his throat composing himself and said "Aru, this is Reyan Shergill, my cousin." He said motioning his hands towards the boy. "Reyan this is Ariana Mathur, my best friend and Riya's cousin." He said, pointing towards me.

He nodded at me, and we shook hands.

"Aru, Reyan would be joining our college too, so we have to show him around okay?" Riya told me.

"Fine by me" I said simply.

"I think it would be easy and convenient for both of you if you exchange numbers. What do you say Nikhil?" Riya said with a serious voice but her face betrayed as she was smiling looking at us mischievously.

"Yes totally babe, they should exchange numbers" Nikhil said with a smile and I knew they were up to something.

I shrugged and shifted towards Reyan and gave my phone to him as he gave his to me. I typed my number and named it Ariana and gave it to him at the same time he gave me mine.

"Can I borrow your sister for a moment?" Nikhil asked me standing and pulling Riya close to him.

"She is all yours," I shrugged and smiled at him. Riya giggled and they both went inside her room. I wondered what they were up to. What are they trying to do? They won't tell me obviously, but I was curious...

"I am sorry for what happened inside," Reyan said breaking my thoughts. He apologized as if he did some crime. "I shouldn't have startled you like that and I should have definitely asked you before reaching for the glasses." He said scratching the back of his head and then looking down.

"It's alright, accidents happen. It's fine." I said with an assuring smile, he sighed in relief and flashed me a bright smile, taking my breath away.

"So, what course are you in?" He asked me changing the topic.

"Event management," I replied.

"Oh... I have the same course." He said flashing me a smile.

"Hey, this means I got a new classmate, that's so cool." I said excitedly, though I don't know why I was excited in the first place. He quietly nodded a faint smile on his lips.

Riya and Nikhil came out of the room, mischievously smiling about something. They looked at each other and then at me and Reyan. Nikhil and Reyan said their goodbyes and left. Riya grabbed my hand and rushed to the balcony. It was her habit to wave at Nikhil till he left and Nikhil sent her flying kisses; cheesy, I know. Reyan looked up and waved us, surprisingly in all these years, I, for the first time, waved back. When they were gone, Riya turned towards me and was surprised to see me standing there; I generally left after some time.

"Who are you and what did you do to my sister?" Riya shook me by the shoulders. "Or is this a dream?" Riya continued to ask, as an evil smirk came up on her face. I was going to say something but she cut me off.

"Can't you feel my heartbeat so...I can't let you go..." She stared singing 'Every time we touch' and went inside, leaving me with my thoughts. May be she was right. Something had changed, unknowingly, I had changed.

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Until next time !!

Racs