The sound of her payal was all that could be heard as she raced along the wide banister of the staircase. And then you heard her giggles. "You can't catch me!" she said as she turned the corner and ran down the stairs. He raced after her, laughing as he tried to grab her duppata that was dragging behind her. "Arohi, stop." he said as he followed her down the stairs. Getting to the foot of the stairs she quickly veered to the right. "You'll never catch me!" she said with more giggles as she ran towards the hallway, glancing back to see if he was still following behind. "Umph!" Arohi barely had time to react as she felt herself hitting something hard. The impact had her squeezing her eyes closed and holding on for dear life. She felt an arm snake around her waist and pull her closer. And then time froze...or atleast it felt like it did. Slowly she opened her eyes and followed the length of the warm body that was holding her so close..she followed it up to his face. Her breathing shallow as she continued to clutch at his shirt. And then she made eye contact with big brown eyes that stared back at her so intensely. Her own eyes widened and she quickly pulled back. He let her go immediately and watched as she took another step back. "Sorry" she said softly not meeting his eyes. She didn't say his name...she never said his name. It just didn't feel right. And then she felt a pair of arms grab her from behind, hugging her. "I told you I'd catch you!" he said laughing. Arohi's eyes slowly made her way up to the man standing in front of her. He stared back at her, disappointment evident in his eyes. Arohi chewed on her lower lip as she pushed the pair of arms hugging her away. "Vicky!" she said helplessly. Vicky looked up at the man that stood in front of them. "Arjun Bhai!" "You're home!" he said pulling away from Arohi and taking a few steps before throwing his arms around his brother. Arohi saw HIS eyes visibly soften and a small smile spread across his lips as he hugged his younger brother back. "I've missed you bhai!" "What took you so long?!" "I'm getting married in 6 days and you make an appearance now?!" Vicky said pulling away and looking at his big brother. HIS eyes wandered back to Arohi's. Looking at her shrewdly. "I'm here now Vick." he said in his deep voice. "You didn't think I'd miss my little brother's wedding did you?" he asked turning back to Vicky. "Nah, you know I wouldn't get married without you being there anyways!" "Right Arohi?" Vicky asked pulling away from his brother and moving to Arohi. Slipping an arm around her waist. "Arohi knows that without my big brother's input I don't do anything." Vicky said with a smile. "Other then propose to women." HE said as he looked at her again, his eyes narrowed. Vick laughed. "Well the proposal was a spur of the moment kind of thing bhai." "I didn't know I was going to do it myself until it was already done!" Vicky said with his booming laugh. Arohi elbowed Vicky in the ribs and glared at him. Must he tell that story to everyone she thought to herself. Especially to the "kuroos." "I should get going home" Arohi said quickly pulling away from Vicky and turning away.
"Okay, I'll call you in a while." Vicky said with a smile as he watched Arohi rush back down the hallway. Turning to his brother he said happily. "Isn't she great?" "Sure." his brother said turning around and heading to the family room. Vicky followed after him. "Can you believe I'm getting married?" he asked his brother. "No" Arjun replied as he sat down. "How long have you and Arohi been together?" Arjun asked thoughtfully. "Well, bhai, we've known each other since we were 16 when her and her family moved in next door." Vicky answered. Arjun took a deep breath. "I know that Vick." "I know who our neighbors are." he said exasperated. "I want to know how long you've been serious about each other." "Oh that!" Vick answered. "Well she's been one of my best friends since almost the moment we met, but I guess the whole being in a serious relationship started about 5 months back." "5 months...I see" Arjun said. Switching gears he asked. "So now that you're going to be a married man what are your plans for a career?" "A career..." Vick asked slowly. "I have lots of plans." "I'm going to finish university and then figure out what I'm going to do with my life." Arjun stared at his younger brother. "You should be finished University by now." "And you most definitely should have figured out what you were going to do with your life before you decided to get married." "Bhai, please don't start." Vick said. "I'll have it all figured out." "Arohi is a great influence on me, she's always pushing me to do better." "You shouldn't need anyone to push you Vick, you should know you need to do better." "I'm your brother, I want you to excel." "Come to Mumbai and join my business." Arjun said. Vick smiled. "I will bhai, I will." "Eventually I will probably end up there, but just give me some time...after all I'm only 24." Arjun frowned. "Yeah, you're only 24 and you're about to get married." "You don't think I should be getting married do you?" Vick asked. "It's too late to care about what I think." Arjun answered. "You've made a commitment to that girl and there is no way you're backing out now." "Especially not with 6 days left till the wedding." Vick smiled. "Well it's a good thing I have no plans to back out." "I love Arohi and I'm ready to be married." Arjun didn't say anything.
"You've become even more rigid in your old age bhai." Vick suddenly teased. Arjun narrowed his eyes at Vick. "Old?" he drawled. "Well you are 5 years older then me." Vick said with a laugh "And 10 years older in maturity." Arjun said shaking his head. "Sorry, not everyone can be like you and leave home at 19 to move to Mumbai to build an extremely successful real estate development empire from the ground up!" Vick said rolling his eyes. "I don't want you to be like me Vick." "I've built the business, I just think that now is a good time for you to join it." "I've been hesitant about forcing any responsibility on you until now thinking you're young, but now that you've forced responsibility on yourself by planning on getting married I just think it's time for you to stand on your own two feet." Vick stared at his brother hesitantly. "I, I will bhai." he finally stammered. "Just give me some time." Arjun stared at him for a moment and then finally smiled. "I just want what's best for you." "Just think about what I've said." Vicky nodded and watched as his brother stood up and mentioning something about making some business phone calls, walked away. As Vicky stared after him he noticed how Arjun walked with so much confidence. He'd always been like that. Self assured, confident. Knew what he was going to do, and how he was going to achieve it. Arjun always got what he wanted, be it the best grades in school and then University which he started 2 years before everyone else because he was a freakin genius. Be it his business which he worked very hard to build and in which he and his partner had become one of the largest and most successful developers in India. And when it came to women, even though Arjun bhai never talked about it, Vick knew he had no problems in that department. Women were attracted to his good looks, his success, his attitude, his intelligence and ofcourse his money. No, when it came to women, Arjun Singhania definitely had no problems. It was pretty hard to live up to being Arjun's brother. But Vick didn't feel anything but pride because whatever Arjun was to the rest of the world, to Vick he was his big brother who had always taken care of him. Apparently from the day Vicky was born Arjun had told one and all that Vick was his and he would take care of him. And since that day he's taken that responsibility very seriously. He's always protected and cared for Vick, when they were younger he'd covered up his mistakes and as they got older he tried to clear the path so things were just easier for him. Be it getting into University with his not so great grades or making sure that Vick always had whatever he wanted. And growing up Arjun had been the one that tried to shield him from his parent's every day violent arguments. They didn't physically assault each other, no, they did a lot more damage to each other and to Vick and Arjun... with words..just their words. As Arjun and Vick got older they learned to ignore the arguments and bhai did his best to protect Vick from the scars that his parents verbal confrontations were sure to leave. As a result Vick had turned out to be a reasonably happy young man, the class clown and joker. But Arjun had grown up harder, more cynical, more ruthless. As his parents aged, their fights got less and less, not because they had less to fight about. No, more then anything it was because they started to live separate lives and in doing so they barely ever saw or spoke to each other. Living under the same roof, they were strangers. At one point it had bothered Vick, but not any more.
So, yes, he was spoiled and as much as Arjun bhai said he wanted Vick to grow up, it was partly Arjun's fault that he hadn't. Why would he want to work hard for anything when he knew his older brother would do it for him and he could reap the benefits from it. No, he was going to enjoy life for the next little while.
Arohi laughed at the sight of herself in her wedding lengha. Her, and her two best friends Rashi and Shefali were gathered around staring at Arohi through the mirror. The sales woman stood behind them smiling. "That turned out beautifully Miss Ahluwalia." "You look gorgeous in it." she said to Arohi. Arohi smiled and then with a mischievous glint in her eye turned to her friends. "If I have to wear this heavy duppata all day I'm sure my back is going to be hunched over permanently by the end of the day." "I think this dupaata weighs almost as much as I do." she said. Rashi frowned at Arohi. "Can you please learn to take a compliment!?' "You look breathtaking in this outfit." "Vick is going to go crazy when he sees you." Shefali added slyly. Arohi stuck out her tongue at her ever frowning friend Rashi. And turned to the mirror once again, looking at herself with a careful eye. She did look good she thought to herself. The lengha was a straight cut gold net with magenta and gold stone work and embroidery throughout. The choli was magenta and short with little capped sleeves also in net with stone work all along the neck and bottom of the choli. The duppata which was so heavy with it's embroidery was a two toned gold and magenta. "It's nice." Arohi finally agreed. "NICE?" Rashi exclaimed. "What am I going to do with you?" "It's too late to change your mind now." "The wedding is in 3 days." Rashi said. Arohi put her hands on her hips. "I'm not changing my mind Miss Tyrant!" "I like it" Arohi said with a sudden smile on her face. "More importantly Vick will like it." Arohi said. Rashi and Shefali both smiled. "Okay, quickly change we've got to get back to your place." "We still need to get ready for tonight's pre wedding party." "And we need to look our best for Vick's brother." Shefali said fixing her hair. Arohi made a face. She knew about Shefali's infatuation with Vick's brother. She just didn't know why. Arohi just thought he was very...cold. Nothing like Vick who was so jovial, always laughing and joking around. As Arohi changed she thought about the two brothers. They were polar opposites in so many ways. While Vick was shorter , his features more boy next door... just what I like she told herself quickly. Arjun was tall, and devastatingly handsome said a little voice in her head. But he was also arrogant, and cold, and she knew for a fact he didn't like her. He'd never out right said anything to her but she could feel it in the way he looked at her. It was almost as if he didn't want to bother with her. She could probably count on one hand how many times she'd seen him smile...and she was almost positive all those smiles had been directed at Vick. As far as she was concerned that was the one good thing about him...his love for Vick. She knew HE loved his younger brother very much and that Vick loved him just as much. What do I care she said to herself as she stepped out of the change room. Since she moved next door eight years ago, she'd seen him a handful of times.. If she was lucky it would stay that way.
"Kaka, not like that." Arohi said as she walked into her house and saw an older man stringing up some flowers. "You two go up and get ready, I'll be right up." she said to her friends. The girls nodded and ran up. Arohi tried to explain how she wanted the flowers done but the poor man just couldn't get it right. "Okay that's fine." she said sweetly. "You come down from the ladder and I'll do it." she said. The man had no objections as he quickly made his way down. Arohi grabbed some of the flowers pulling her duppata off she threw it on the chair next to the ladder. "Alright kaka you pass me the flowers and I'll string them." she said. He nodded and held up the first string for Arohi. Arohi made quick work of them and started on the next, and then the next. "Kaka, the next ones." she said holding out her hand but not looking back." Reaching again she called "kaka the next ones." And then she felt herself start to wobble and before she could grab the ladder she was falling. Her eyes slammed shut and she braced herself to feel the impact of the cold hard marble floor. Instead she felt herself fall against something hard but definitely not cold. A pair of warm, strong arms caught her and held her tight. Arohi's heart was beating a mile a minute, thank you god she said silently as she opened her eyes and looked into a pair of all too familiar stormy ones. Arohi gulped. "Are you trying to kill yourself?" he asked coldly. Arohi's mouth dropped open and then before she could help herself she said. "From that height I think the likely hood of me killing myself is pretty slim." But maybe a twisted ankle." she said with a small smile playing on her lips. Arjun stared back at her, his lips drawn into a tight grim line. Arohi's smile quickly disappeared. "Karoos" she mumbled under her breath. Narrowing his eyes at her, he asked "What did you say?" "Nothing." she replied quickly. Arjun continued to stare at her, his eyes hard and cold and Arohi continued to stare at the wall behind him ,finally breaking the silence with "Um, I'm fine you can put me down now." Arjun quickly put her down. "Next time be more careful!" he barked as he stalked past her towards her father's study. Arohi stuck her tongue out at him. "Karoos!" she repeated louder this time because she knew he was out of hearing range.
"I can't believe you're getting married Vick?" his friend Sunny said from beside him. Vick gave a small smile. "I'm not jealous of you though." "I'm not ready to give up my bachelorhood." Sunny said with a laugh. Vicky frowned. Lately all he'd been hearing was that. "Instead of people telling him how lucky he was he had been hearing how unlucky he was and how his life was about to end. How responsibility was about to come down on him hard. Looking across the room at Arohi he smiled. She looked beautiful in a white and silver sari but as he remembered their conversation from last night his smile turned back into a frown. He'd told her he wanted to go on a 2 weeks guys trip to Europe 3 weeks after the wedding and she'd told him no. No discussion, just no. He wasn't used to anyone telling him what he could and couldn't do. His own brother didn't tell him what to do. How could Arohi? Because she's going to be your wife a little voice in his head said. She'll be able to tell you what and how to do things and you're going to have to listen. Vick felt himself break out into a sweat. And it wasn't even just the Europe trip. In the last few days he'd been really starting to have cold feet and he blamed his brother for starting it all. All that talk about responsibility and settling down. He'd been waking up in a cold sweat as of late. When he'd asked Arohi if she thought he'd rushed her into marriage she'd laughed and told him not to be silly. She couldn't wait to be Mrs. Singhania. Vick sighed and glanced over at his drunk single friends and for the first time he envied them. But it was too late, there was no turning back now. Once he'd committed to something like this, there was no way his brother would let him back out. No way. Taking a a big drink from his glass he told himself to stop freaking out and that everything would be okay.
"Oh my god he is so gorgeous!" Shefali giggled like a little school girl beside Arohi. Arohi didn't need to look to see who Shefali was talking about. It was the same person most of the young girls in the room were talking about...HIM. Rolling her eyes Arohi didn't comment. She knew there was no point. She just didn't understand what everyone found so desirable about him. He was so cold...and scary. Arohi shivered as she glanced casually in his direction. Ruthless came to mind along with arrogant. Look at him, she thought with a frown...standing there all bored as he glanced at his watch. Like he'd rather be somewhere else that his own brother's wedding party! But she didn't miss the fact that amongst all the guys that were around him, he was the one that stood out. His style, his looks and his attitude unfortunately only made him more attractive. "Stop drooling Shefali." she said sarcastically as she looked over at her friend. "I can't help it." "He's so yummy!" she squealed. "I would love to get me some Arjun Singhania." Shefali said staring at Arjun. Arohi made a disgusted face. "Why are we friends again?" she asked. "Because you love me" Shefali answered, not once tearing her eyes away from Arjun. "He doesn't know how to smile." Arohi said as if that was the worst thing in the world. "He doesn't have the ability." "It's not his smile I'm after" Shefali said with a smirk. Arohi gasped and hit her on the arm. "You are too much!" she said as Shefali giggled.
That night as Arohi climbed into bed exhausted she couldn't help but smile. The evening had been so much fun, dancing and laughter, even Mr. Karoos couldn't ruin it. She was happy! Really happy. And more importantly her dad was happy. He'd been her mom and her dad for the last 9 years. Ever since her mom had died he'd been there to take care of her. But she also knew how much he worried and how important it was to him that she get married in a good family to an equally good man, who in her father's eyes would take care of his little girl. She loved her dad very much but he was a little skittish and even a little old fashioned. He hadn't wanted Arohi dating Vick for very long so when he had heard Vick had proposed her dad had pushed Arohi to accept it. I'm going to marry him eventually she had thought, so why not now.
Hearing the beeping of her phone Arohi grabbed it and pressed it against her ear. "Hi Vicky" she said. "Hi Arohi." he said softly. "What's wrong?" she asked quickly. "Nothing." he answered. "Party was great wasn't it? she asked. "Hmm, yeah great." Vick agreed. "Can you believe we're getting married in less then 2 days!" Arohi said excitingly. "Yeah less then 2 days." Vick said softly. Arohi frowned. "What's wrong Vicky?" "Come on you can tell me." she said. Vicky paused. "Are you sure you want to go ahead with this?" "I don't want to pressure you." he said quickly. "Go ahead with the wedding?" Arohi asked confused. "Ofcourse, and you've never pressured me." "Vicky, are you okay." "You do want to get married don't you?" she asked hesitantly. Vick paused and then quickly said "Ofcourse I do!" Arohi smiled. "Okay, I'm going to bed." "I need my beauty sleep for my mendhi party tomorrow." "I'll call you later." "I love you Arohi." Vicky said softly. Arohi smiled. "I love you too." she said. Hanging up, she fell asleep smiling, anticipating the most beautiful day of her life.
"Mendhi Rang Layi" played as giggling girls danced infront of Arohi. Arohi sat having her intricate mendhi done. "It's so pretty" Shefali said from beside her. Arohi smiled as she looked down at her mendhi design. "So Arohi you wouldn't introduce me to Arjun last night." "Promise me you'll introduce me tomorrow after the wedding." Arohi sighed. "I don't know why you want to meet HIM so badly." Well for one thing "Have you seen him?" "He's gorgeous!" Secondly, I have full plans on becoming your older sister in law." "I'll be the jatani!" Shefali said with an evil laugh. Making Arohi laugh. "But don't worry I won't be the domineering type." Shefali added quickly. "Come on just promise me you'll introduce me to Arjun." Arohi laughed. "Fine, I'll introduce you to him." she said. She hadn't talked to Vicky all day. She hadn't had a chance to call him and he was probably busy in celebrations in his home too. She couldn't believe that at this time the next day she would be Mrs. Arohi Singhania. Just the thought of it gave her shivers.
"Arohi," Rashi said coming up to her a few hours later as Arohi danced with some of her friends. "Your dad is calling you." Rashi said. "He asked for you to come to his study." Arohi raised her eyebrows but nodded. She suddenly noticed she hadn't seen her dad for hours. She knew he was busy with last minute wedding preparations but she wanted to make sure she got atleast alittle bit of time to spend with him. Afterall this was her last night in this house. The thought brought instant tears to her eyes. As she walked by the mendhi artist, the woman stopped her. "I'll show you where I put your to be husband's name on your hand." the woman said in Hindi. Arohi nodded and looked down at where she pointed. Arjun. Arohi gasped. The woman had written Arjun's name in mendhi on Arohi's hand. "Oh my god!" Arohi whispered. "Why did you write Arjun?" Arohi asked angrily. The woman looked taken a back. "I heard your friend say it so many times so I thought that was his name." Arohi stared at her like she was crazy. What kind of logic was that!' she thought. "Arohi." her dad called standing outside of his study. Arohi glared at the mendhi artist and then rushed towards her dad. She'll just have to make a design over it and write Vicky's name instead!' Arohi thought as she walked into the study. Pausing as she saw her dad, Vicky's parents and in the far corner with his back to her... Vicky' brother. "What's going on?" she asked hesitantly as she glanced at her father who suddenly looked so tired and weary. At her words she saw his eyes fill with tears. Arohi quickly rushed over to him. "Dad what's wrong?" she asked. "Has something happened to Vicky?" she asked in a panicked voice. Vicky's mom walked over to Arohi and pulled her into her arms. "My poor child" she said in a broken voice. Arohi quickly pushed away. "Please, please tell me what's wrong." "Has Vicky been hurt?" she asked as tears fell down her face. No one said anything and then finally HE spoke. Turning around he looked at her, no emotion whatsoever in his eyes. They betrayed nothing. "Vicky is gone." "Gone where?" she asked helplessly. "Gone, Vicky has left you... giving a cold disbelieving laugh he shook his head. Vicky has run away from home. Arohi felt her knees give out and slowly she slid to the ground. "How could he have left her...he loved her..didn't he? where her last thoughts before she passed out.
YOU ARE READING
Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha
FanfictionI'm just POSTING this story here... I don't own it... it's written by IF user @salmankh1 (Raman di). Arjun hates the idea of marriage or love but loves his li'l brother beyond limits, so when he says that he was getting married to his girl friend, h...
