Ishq

Chapter 3

A couple of months ago, if anyone told Ankit that he'd be back in America he'd shrug them off. But standing in America with his luggage in his hands, he knows that he probably should've believed them. 

He unbuttons the top button of his shirt and shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. He hears a couple of girls talk behind him and secretly tunes into them as he waits for his ride. 

"He's so handsome."

"You think he's single?"

"No way."

Ankit knew girls thought he was handsome but he was not looking for anyone specific right now. Although his mom showed him countless girls, he wanted a connection deeper than just on the cover. 

He sighed as the chatter started to bore him when a Mercedes pulls up in front of him, the window sliding down. "Is this Ankit boring Gupta?" 

Ankit peered inside the SUV and rolled his eyes at his best friend's antics. "That is he."

"Come on in then." Karan sits still in the car with a wide smile on his face. One that Ankit felt like wiping right off but considered that since they met after a long time, he'd let it slide. 

He moved to the back and started to load his luggage when Karan slid out and stood to the side. "Don't tell Mumma that I let you put your own luggage in the car. She will kill me."

"I think telling her would be fun." A little teasing doesn't hurt. 

"Fine. I deserve that." Karan's serious face makes Ankit chuckle. 

"I won't tell but you should help your so-called-best friend after his super long flight."

"I know, I know." He huffed as he took Ankit's luggage and slid it into the trunk. "That's the last one?"

"Yeah"

The car ride was silent but the minute Karan cranked up the music, both boys knew that they would be singing along for the rest of the ride. It wasn't until their moods were brightened, that Karan lowered the volume. 

"We didn't talk much for the past couple of months."

"It was crazy busy. I was struggling to wrap things up over there."

"Yeah I get that. Everything wrapped up?"

"Of course."

"I met your mom just two weeks ago, she's as beautiful as ever."

"Uh huh, can't wait to meet your mom too. It's been ages."

"She misses you a lot. You're definitely her favourite child." Karan makes a face. "And I'm her real child."

"She does love you too. Talks about you a lot, Karan this, Karan that." Ankit points out. "Definitely loves you more."

"You're just trying to make me feel better." But both Ankit and Karan knew that it made Karan feel good.

"What about that girl?"

Just as Ankit mentions the girl. Karan's phone starts to buzz. Being connected to the car's Bluetooth, Ankit could see the girl's name. Ariya.

Ankit raises a brow. 

Karan fumbles and groans. "Don't make fun of me okay?" He answers the call. 

"Kiki, what's the plan for tomorrow?" Ankit lets out a snort at the nickname and turns his head sideways the minute Karan glared at him.

"It's a surprise." A smile forms on Karan's face as he hears Ariya complain on the phone. "Dress nicely, traditionally perhaps."

Ankit mouth turns into an o shape and he starts mouthing. You're going to introduce her, aren't you? You're so whipped!

Karan shoves Ankit away with a slight curse and then returns back to the call. "I love you."

"Love you too!" The call ends and Ankit stunned. 

"So you're serious. This new girl"

"She'd be your new bhabhi. She's no new girl."

Ankit smiles. "As long as you're serious about this one."

"I am. She's amazing."

- 

When Ankit walked into the Choudhary's house, Aashi, Karan's mom was ready at the front door. She tackled him with hugs and kisses while Ankit laughed hugging her back. "Okay Mumma, you look exactly the same since I last saw you."

"You're a charmer. There's no way." The laugh that escaped her made Ankit's day officially. "Let me show you your room."

Ankit followed Aashi up the stairs and as they reached his room, the room across from his opened revealing a young girl. 

Her hair was in a messy bun and her clothes were baggy. She had the cutest nose and sharp features. Ankit felt himself melt as she yawned. 

"Mumma, I have a class today and after class I'm going to Priti-" Priyanka must've felt that there was someone else and her eyes open immediately. "Who are you?"

Ankit leaned against the wall and decided to tease her. "I don't know. You tell me."

"Umm." She made a motion of thinking and looked to her mom for help but then she ended up locking eyes with Ankit. "Uhm."

The last time Ankit had seen her was when she was 4 years old. Seeing her all grown up into a young woman was surprising to him. He was sure she wouldn't remember him as he had mostly stayed in touch with Karan. "I'm Ankit. Karan's best friend."

He held out his hand towards her for her to shake and Aashi watched the interaction between them with fondness. 

"I'm Priyanka." The minute Priyanka held Ankit's hand she felt sparks and retracted her hand rather quickly. Her eyes made their way down Ankit's features down to his broad shoulders and well built body. 

Aashi watched Priyanka's expression with amusement as she had an idea as to what her daughter was thinking. "Ankit. Get changed and relax. I'll be downstairs if you need me."

"Thank you." He hugs her once before she left. As soon as she left, Ankit's gaze is back on Priyanka. They're so lost that they don't even see Karan coming around. 

Karan looks at the both of them oddly, his stomach twisting in some sort of feeling. He claps a hand on Ankit's back as he pulls him towards him. "I see you've met my little sister."

Ankit gulps but nods. "She's nice." He meets Priyanka's questioning gaze and he shakes his head. 

"Go rest up, man." He pushes him towards his door and smiles at him in a way that makes Ankit feel weird. "You had a long flight." 

"Priyanka, go get ready."

"Go get ready Priyanka" Priyanka mimics him. So bossy.

Ankit doesn't know what got into him.