FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 10

Next day, I am up around 7am. Everyone will arrive by evening and I have to shortlist the destination where the engagement will take place, Liqa will then finalize. There is so less time. I called Anil the photographer, I scold him when he says he hasn't come yet. I ask him to come here ASAP, I want to see his face tomorrow. Heck, tomorrow is the engagement.

I brushed my teeth and then took a quick hot shower and emerge out from the bathroom dressed in a floral jumpsuit shorts and left my hair open. I applied lip balm, kohl and my tinge of my perfume. Wore my wrist watch and slipped into a white flat. I take the file, which has some shortlisted beaches and venues for the engagement. I have to mail the short-listed destination by afternoon to Liqa so she could choose and send me ASAP.

I and Ruchi went to many beach venues, the first venue we went to was booked and it worried me. And so Ruchi and I pulled up our sleeves and started with non-stop venue hunting. Liqa had already send me some of her preferences (which she had checked online) we went to the venue which is second to the list.

By mid-afternoon we had covered all the preferred venues, some of the venues were really costly.

I and Ruchi wondered if Liqa is queen of some place. As we mailed Liqa. I and Ruchi are in the café and talk random stuff. Ruchi is excited when she finds out that the guests will be staying with us at our resort.

Liqa has already informed us that not only many guests will be coming here, she wanted an intimate engagement but the wedding and reception will be grand. Since it's in Pune, which is my home ground so I am not that worried.

That evening, I and Ruchi stand at the airport holding huge board written "LIQA NAWAB ALI", we have brought with us the cab that will take us to the resort. I have donned a very professional look by wearing a grey trouser suit while Ruchi chose to be casual and is dressed in white half sleeved Tee and a denim dungaree.

Few minutes later we see Liqa come out from the airport, she is dressed in white sleeveless top with black high collar, she matched it with denim shorts and black ankle length boots. I frown when I see her arm entangled with a man's. He is the same stranger I had met at the pub and then at the pub. He is wearing v neck black full sleeve folded till his elbows and denim jeans, with one hand he is dragging the baggage trolley and other arm entangled with Liqa's. I see a laptop bag placed on his right shoulder.

Oh My God! Is he her fiancé? I don't know why I feel disappointed?

Liqa waves at us smiling, I didn't smile back but Ruchi overexcitedly waved at her and smiled broadly. The dude next to her looks at me and I notice color drain from his face. I quickly compose myself, I am not going to show it on my face that I am bothered. If he acts over-smart I will talk to Liqa and inform her that her fiancé was once flirting with me in a pub, and get him bashed.

'Hey!' Liqa says and hugs first me (I didn't hug back) and then Ruchi.

'You are looking fab!' Ruchi butter-polished Liqa who smiles proudly. I glanced at the stranger and find him looking at me.

'And who is this handsome young man? Your fiancé' Ruchi says, she shoots a very seductive look at the stranger.

Liqa nudged the guy and laughed, she throws her head back and laughs. I frown at her, what is so funny?

'See, I told you everyone thinks we are couple' the stranger says. Gosh! His voice so deep. I shake my head.

Liqa laughed for few more seconds and then she shakes her head 'Dear, (she wraps her hand around his arm) he isn't my fiancé...I am not that lucky to have such handsome fiancé' she says. Ruchi's eyes twinkle.

'So you are single' Ruchi says seductively. I rolled my eyes, "he is single but not you" I wanted to say but stopped myself.

The stranger smiles forwarding his hand to Ruchi 'Hi! I am Riad Nawab Ali. Liqa's cousin'