The Best Friend of the Bride (COMPLETED)

Chapter two

Chapter Two

It was already seven thirty am. He had a breakfast meeting in fifteen minutes. He was running extremely late! It had been four hours since he lay down in the comfortable king sized bed in his room at his grandparent's house. Since childhood, this bed had the power to seduce him to sleep the moment he'd put his head on the soft, comforting pillow. All the worries of the world seemed to escape him when he lay here and feel into a deep slumber; whether they were of broken toys or fallen ice creams when he was younger, or disappointments of lost deals or his favourite team losing in sports. Never before had this bed failed to work its charm on him.

However, tonight was different. He felt the bed was too uncomfortable and hadn't been able to sleep a wink. His thoughts stayed focused on those inviting brown eyes that he had encountered the previous evening. Her long eyelashes, minimal make up, clear, translucent skin, deep brown eyes, the natural blush on her face and those lusciously pink lips. He even remembered the way the soft silk was draped around her body. The light peach colour of the fabric matched her skin tone and it hugged her body at all the right places. He was enchanted by her performance and couldn't believe his luck when she bumped into him. When he held her in his arms to prevent her from falling, he felt her smooth skin burning something unfamiliar inside of him.

He was going crazy thinking about her. Groaning, he got out of bed. Shit! It was already three quarters past seven and he was late for his meeting. He made a quick phone call cancelling all his engagements for the day and decided that he needed to do something to distract himself from her. Work didn't sound appealing at the moment. Maybe he could spend the day with his grandparents. Yes, they would love it. Didn't his Grandma keep pestering him for more attention whenever he visited India? This would be the perfect day to spend some quality time with them.

Smiling to himself, he made his way to his bathroom for a quick shower. Once he was done with his morning routine, he went downstairs and informed the cook that he'd be having breakfast shortly and not to prepare any lunch for himself and his grandparents. He had the perfect plan.

Entering the dining room, he could see that his grandparents were shocked to see him there. Smirking at their shocked faces, he made his way towards them and touched their feet as a sign of respect. Yes, even at twenty four he hadn't changed his childhood habits and still respected the ancient traditions although he'd been living in New York since his parents moved there when he was ten. He hugged his grandma and sat at the table. Just then, one of the maids brought him his breakfast.

Once the three of them were done eating, he looked up at his grandparents and asked them to get ready within fifteen minutes as he had a surprise for them.

His grandma squealed with joy like a schoolgirl whose teacher announces an unexpected holiday. "What brought on this change, are you seeing someone? Is there someone you want us to meet? She better be Indian. I don't want an uncultured American having you wrapped around her finger." She teased lightly. But the twinkle in her eyes and the eagerness on her face told him differently. In all honestly, she longed for his confirmation to her question.

"No Dadi, nothing like that. And Americans aren't uncultured. Not everything is like they portray on that stupid telly of yours. It's just that we haven't spent a lot of time together these last few years and I'll be leaving in a couple of days. I just had no plans for the day, so..."

With a tinge of disappointment she cuts him, "If you don't have a special someone in mind, maybe I could introduce you to some of my friend's granddaughters. You'll see that girls in Mumbai can win your heart too. Just let me know, won't you?"

Sighing, he says, "Dadi, I'm not ready yet. Papa wants me to take over the entire business and wishes to retire soon. I need to handle that before taking on additional responsibilities. I've come to India to close on some important deals, not to get engaged."

Little did she know how true she was when she spoke about a girl in Mumbai winning his heart?

Grudgingly, she concedes, "Very well Aryan beta, if I can't change your mind, at least I can look forward to what you've planned today. Please excuse me, I need to get ready otherwise my husband and grandson will team up against me and leave me here to sulk."

Chuckling, he bowed her out of the room dramatically, earning a smile from his grandfather.

"You know your Dadi is right about settling down Aryan, when I was your age I had three beautiful children already. What's with your father anyway? He wants to retire so soon?" Asked the older man shocked.

"Dada, to answer your question, Papa is thinking of retiring and coming back to India to look after our Hotels here from time to time, and give me a free reign there. He wants to stay closer to you and Dadi and even Mumma is missing life in India. And about marriage, that was a different era! I'm not really ready for any commitments," said Aryan shortly.

Just when his grandfather was about to open his mouth, in walked his grandmother gracefully and said, "Let's go. And Aryan, since we are going out I'd like you to drive first to my friend Aruna's house. I'd forgotten my shawl there last week."

"Yes ma'am," he says and exchanges a look with his grandfather. Even after all these years, nobody could differ from his grandmother's wishes except him. Hopefully she didn't make an excuse to set him up with some girl. His grandfather just shrugged as they walked towards the car. Aryan had given the chauffeur the day off since he would be accompanying his grandparents. Driving out of their long driveway, he asked his grandma for directions to the friends place and arrived there within five minutes.

It was a beautiful house, very like his grandparents, one of the few bungalows in the posh locality of South Mumbai. While his grandparents went in to retrieve the shawl, he decided to stay by the car and scanned his surroundings. As he was admiring the beautiful fountain in the foyer, he suddenly sensed someone nearing. The beautiful fragrance he inhaled reminded him of the girl that refused to let his brain relax last night. He automatically switched his head towards the bungalows entrance and what he saw made his jaw drop.

That very girl was running down the stairs in a beautiful red traditional dress. The colour really brought out her beauty. His breathing constricted and his eyes widened as he took in her appearance. Her luscious brown locks flew behind her as she descended the stairs hurriedly. She seemed to be in a rush and ran towards the garage without a glance at him. His thoughts were still on her when a gentle cough distracted him. His grandparents were back.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur as he took his grandparents to the temple and to their favourite restaurant for a Punjabi lunch and then some shopping and took them for a nice family movie. As he drove back home around seven in the evening, he rushed upstairs to shower and change for the Cocktail party hosted by his client Mr. Modi, who was Sagar's father. His heart beat fastened as he realised that he'll be seeing her at the party.