The Not So Cliché Love story

The Desi prank

Dia's P.O.V.

Maybe it's the close quarter. Maybe it's the talks about marriage and commitment or because I am in a beautiful place.

There's no denying it. I am attracted to him. I like the way he is with Vivaan and his parents. I like his smile. I don't see it often around me and it's bothering me now.

One minute he laughs with paari and the next he runs out of the room as if I contaminate.

"Dia, you were totally blushing!" states Paari.

"No way," I say frowning at the chair.

"Oh don't deny it. That guy seems to be immune to your disinterested charms."

I don't stop imagining chair in different shapes and colours.

"Play a prank on him," I turn around so fast that for a second I think I finally managed to break my neck.

"Cocktail," she prompts a movie name.

I am usually the one who begs her to do some pranks. Then the Bollywood movie scene she wants flashes in my head. My eyes widen.

"Are you freaking crazy? No way. Its Aarav," I scream.

"Coward"

Like any other idiot I fall for it.

"I will do it. But it is the most common prank in Bollywood."

"No one has enough guts to do it in real. You do!"

That girl will be my death one day. I don't know why she is making me do this but what bad can come out of this?
We grin at each other.

※※※※※※
I have a good breakfast, ignoring Aarav's pleas for chutney and my mother's glares. He did refuse to pass around my Dosa.

When he finally gets up to wash his hand, I follow him.

"Sweetheart, don't ignore me," I say.

I guess he recognizes my voice because he turns around looking scared out of his wits.

"Please. Talk to me. I can't bear your silence,"I say.

The crowd stops and looks at us with interest.

I clutch his arm. Well toned. Naice.

Damn it, Dia. Focus.

"Dia, this is not funny. Let me go. What are you even talking about?"

That's when I make my big move. I gently keep my hand on my belly. My eyes water because of the silent laughter I have looking at his expression.

My God, his horror.

"This. Our baby. Pia or Jai. You can't do this to us"

The group of people around us gasp.
I see no one from our party is here. Paari is doing her job well. When I look back at him, his expression scares me.
His dark black eyes are soft. Concerned and beautiful to my already impressed brain.

Aarav. Aarav. Aarav. Aarav.

"I am sorry, Baby. I am so sorry.
You know I love you. I stopped because of my family but you never told me about our baby. I was coming back to you anyway. The world without you.."

His voice breaks. The crowd gasps again, deeply moved. His eyes stop me from feeling the same. They are sparkling with what can only be called mischief. The spell of his voice. The perfect time for the break in his voice. Man is a master.

Despite every thing I am in awe.

While I am lost in all this, he takes a step forward and puts his arm around me. I stiffen.

"You both are so perfect"

" Awww"

"You guys are so awesome"

What is wrong with this crowd?

Oh right. They think I have his baby and that I am crazy about him.

"Kiss her,"someone prompts.

Aarav looks as if he is in pain. He closes his eyes and gulps trying not to laugh. He succeeds, barely.

"Boy, this is India. We should be-,"an elderly man starts.

"Damn right, this is India. Kiss her hard," offers another girl cutting him.

I stare at Aarav, colour creeping into my cheeks. I am too comfortable in this position.

I looks at his face first time and note  his stubble, his crooked ears and those lips.
Some crazy, dazed part of me did not mind.
It actually wants him to close the distance.

Even in my haze, I could see he isn't smiling anymore.

"Dia" paari shouts out a warning. Maybe someone is coming.
My eyes widen.

I push him away and run. I don't look back. Not at the crowd and definitely not at him.

I stop at a corner taking deep breaths. Won't be of any use if I have a heart attack now.
What was I about to do?

I could hear crowd dispersing, dissatisfied with the end of the drama.

What about him?

What about me?