A GIRL LIKE YOU

39

"Mom, Kiara." Ansh said as soon as we entered the well lit, aroma filled kitchen.
A beautiful woman around my mom's age turned around. She is very chubby and cute. She has Ansh's eyes. Or the other way around. She smiled that big bright smile and walked towards me.
"Oh Kiara, I've heard so much about you." She said and hugged me.
"I've heard so much about you too." I said as she released me.
"So pretty." She looked at her son and said teasingly.
Ansh rolled his eyes and put his hand on the small of my back, leading me towards the living room.
A man sat on the couch watching TV.
"Dad, meet Kiara." Ansh said and the man stood up.
I offered him my hand.
"It's so very nice to finally meet you Kiara." He took my hand and gave it a firm shake.
"Likewise." I said, as I stared at the older version of Ansh, except the eyes.
"Come on. I'll show you around." Ansh said and took my hand in his.
"Dinner in 15 minutes." Her mom's voice came from the kitchen as we went upstairs. Ansh gave me a small tour of the first floor before he led me inside the last room down the hall and closed the door.
I looked around and undoubtedly, it's Ansh's room. Before I could look at the details, other than the huge bed and Almirah, I heard a thud. I turned around to find that Ansh has dropped my duffel bag on the ground. I don't think I'll be staying in his room if we sleep here tonight.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
He didn't reply. His adam's apple bobbed as he walked towards me. He was so fast. It was like one moment he was there by the door and the next he had me pinned against the wall.
"I missed you." He breathed and pushed me further in the wall and rolled his hip against mine.
My breath hitched.
"Ansh...Your family..Its-its just down there." I managed to say.
"I know. I just want a kiss." He said and the next moment he was on my lips. He kissed me punishingly as his hands roamed from my face to the back of my neck and finally rested on my waist.
I kissed him back passionately. Ansh released my lips and kissed on my neck as his hands roamed down to my ass. He pulled at it and I could feel his hardness through our clothes. I breathed heavily as he kissed at my jaw and licked my ear lobe.
"Ansh!!!"
Anya. Her voice came seconds before the door swung wide open. Ansh and I separated as fast as we could. My cheeks blazed as I looked down at the ground.
This is embarrassing.
"What?!" Ansh sound irritated as he avoided his sister's eyes and picked up my bag and put it on his bed.
"Mom is calling both of you downstairs." She said.
I didn't miss the opportunity. I quickly got my shit together and smiled at Anya and walked towards her.
"I'll be right down." He said without looking.
I know he has to take care of his hard on.
"Love birds." Anya muttered as we made our way downstairs.

The first thing I noticed was Preeti working in kitchen with Ansh's mom.
Am I jealous? Yes! I want her to leave. He is mine. This place is mine.
"Hi Kiara!" Preeti chirped.
"Hi. How have you been?" I asked as Anya and I sat down on the dinning table. Preeti joined us 2 seconds later.
"I've been great. What about you? Is the family matter solved yet?"
"Not really."
"Don't worry. I don't know where Aarav is, but when he comes back I'll make him go to your home and tell your parents what happened exactly. It'll be fine."
"Thanks Preeti."
I gotta say, this girl is nice. She is genuine.
"Excuse me." Anya muttered and left the table. I can't help but think it's about Aarav. I looked at Preeti and she gave me a knowing smile.
"One sided crush for years now." She stated. And everything made sense now. Anya has been in love with Aarav since forever. Wow. Why doesn't she hate me then?
Probably because he left me.
"Oh." I said.
"Kiara?"
I looked up at Preeti.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Umm..that day I shouldn't have shouted like that about your father's time in jail. I had no right to bring it out like that."
"Hey it's fine. It's okay. It's not a secret anymore."
"Thanks."
"How did you know that?"
"Oh, it was through Aarav. Actually Aarav's mom kind of knew everything about everything before she agreed for the wedding. I think your parents talked about it."
"Really?"
How did I not know this???
"Yeah. Aarav and I found out together. We were at his home and heard his mom and dad's conversation."

Oh. So that's why Ansh didn't know.
Wait. Aarav knew and he didn't mention it once? Was it his indifference towards me or the goodness of his heart?
Hell, if I could ever figure that guy out.
"It's fine." I smiled at Preeti. Ansh's mom and dad joined us. Not later Anya and Ansh sat on either side of me as the dinner began.
I noticed how Ansh just gave Preeti a friendly smile and nothing else. I noticed how Ansh kept paying attention to me and how Preeti stared at him. I'm sure Preeti already know what's going on between us.
To say that maintaining conversation throughout the dinner was hard, would be an understatement. I could barely pay attention as Ansh's dad recalled old memories and stuff. All I could focus was Ansh's hands on my thighs, Preeti's stare on both of us and the goddamn insecurities shouting in my head. The voices compared me and Preeti and always ended up finding her better than me. Yes. She is definitely better than me.
Ansh deserve her, not a train wreck like me.
"So kiara, tell us about your job?" Ansh's dad asked me.
I had to pay attention now, since everybody was staring at me. I smiled and answered his question. The conversation shifted towards me and I answered whatever question his parents asked. I even managed to make the table laugh twice.
I noticed how Ansh's mom kept smiling at her son as if she is saying, "good choice son." His dqd definitely liked my sense of humour. Anya kept asking about my hair products, again. I think I won over the family.
"Who is helping me wash the dishes?" Ansh's mom stood up.
I have to get out of my head for a while, so I volunteered.
"I am." I said and before anybody could object I went straight to the kitchen.
As I started doing the dishes, I turned around to find Anya standing in the doorway instead of her mom.
"What's up?" I asked her casually as I did my stuff.
"I really wanted to hate you." She said.
The dish in my hand fell and clattered with others. I turned to look at her.
"Why?" I sound hurt. Of course I am. I really wanted her to like me.
"Because you were going to get married to Aarav."
"Oh."
"Yeah. And then I found out you are with my brother, that sure pissed me off more until this afternoon when Ansh told me how you never wanted to get married to Aarav."
I just looked at her.
"I just want to tell you that I don't hate you. I like you. My brother seems happy with you."
I sighed as relief washed over me.
Thank god.

...