On the Brink of falling in Love (On Hold)

"What can I do for you Sir?"

~ Cheezein Mein Rakh Ke, Bhool Jaati Hoon

Bekhayaali Mein Gungunati Hoon

Ab Akele Mein Muskuraati Hoon

Badli Hui Si Meri Ada Hai

Kuch To Hua Hai, Kuch Ho Gaya Hai ~

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"Looks like my little sister is absolutely smitten by Akash! Vivek commented to bring a frozen Srishti to the present. Vivek had come looking for Srishti when she did not join them for lunch, only to find her still standing at the stairs, completely lost in her thoughts. "Huh, what nonsense? Nothing... like that at all". Srishti stuttered and ran into the house before her brother could get back with more comments to tease her.

She joined the rest at the table, slipping into a seat next to her father, right opposite to Akash. She never lifted her gaze to meet his eyes. She felt too shy and squirmed uncomfortably in her seat under his intense look. She then gathered all the confidence left in her to look up at his face and silently gestured him to look elsewhere. When Akash responded with an amused smile followed by a smirk and a nod clearly indicating 'NO', all the confidence ran down the drain as Srishti went back to lowering her gaze, a sweet pink blush making its way up her cheeks.

"Akash did his engineering in electronics and communication. He then did his MS in the United States. Jyoti never wanted to send him that far, but he was determined to do his masters abroad. She let him go only when he promised to return and settle here after he completed his studies. And Akash too stuck to his words. He started his own IT firm in Bangalore two years ago and has strived since then to run it successfully", Avinash proudly shared his son's achievement. Harsh and Vinod gave appreciative looks to Akash who reciprocated with a small smile.

"Oh, so does he stay at Bangalore? I thought he stayed here, in Mumbai", Shanti inquired. "Yeah, he stays in Bangalore. He'll be here for a month now, to attend his best friend's wedding. He never gets time to come to Mumbai. Its mostly only Avi and me who travel to Bangalore if we want to meet him. If things go well, then maybe Srishti will shift with Akash after the wedding. I'll be relieved to know there's someone who can take care of him. Otherwise, he is no less than a caveman", Jyoti complained.

Wedding? Srishti's thoughts were stuck at the mention of her wedding. She had not even given her decision. At least not yet. Weren't their parents taking it too far? She needed to talk to her mother before things got out of hand.

Akash who by now had noticed the change in Srishti's demeanour, decided to change the topic in order to not make her feel uncomfortable. "Mom, stop complaining like that about me! It's so embarrassing!" he slightly hissed and pouted, making the others at the table laugh loud. Srishti also smiled at his antics and gave him a thankful nod when their eyes met.

"And what does Suraj do?" Shanti asked, noticing that the poor boy had been conveniently ignored behind all the limelight his brother was grabbing. "Oh, Suraj also did engineering but pursued his masters in business administration. He works in the finance department of TVS firms, here in Mumbai", Jyoti filled in.

"Oh nice, even Vivek has his masters in business administration. And Srishti, she did her masters in computer applications. She's the software hub of the family. She is also a professor in her own college. She teaches extremely well", Harsh couldn't stop praising his favourite daughter. Srishti felt very awkward being praised in front of the new people who could potentially be her future in-laws. She gave a hesitant smile to the others.

In-laws? Was her head too flying ahead with plans of her wedding with Akash? Gosh, she needed to talk to her mom as soon as possible, before she became insane. She needed to clear her head and only her mom could help her get out of this mess. However, she had to wait till the guests left before she dragged her mother to the room.