Loving The Liar

Chapter 32

Aadhya's POV

"My dream." I whispered dreamily, noticing a small smile forming on his lips.

I picked up the first sketch, a pretty knee length evening dress, designed when I was sixteen years old. My mind went back to the time when I'd finished drawing it and then hide it in my math textbook, so that my sister would never find it.

She never did. Nor your design neither your dream.

I ignored her comment and placed it in front of Veer. Instantly, I began to explain it to him, then, accordingly the next sketches. We went through each and every design. Even I'd already fixed what fabric should be used and what texture, which colour, everything was clearly set in my mind. It was even noted behind the design.

For the whole time, Veer's attention never snapped away from me and designs even for a moment. He was really interested in knowing what I love, it was clear on his face. Then, wasn't he always interested in knowing me? This thought tugged a small smile on my lips.

We never knew when from the sitting position, we shifted to a comfortable one. Veer had loosened his tie, rolled up the sleeves, kicked off his shoes and was leaning against the armrest. He'd spread his legs straight on the sofa. I was sitting in the space between his legs, with my back pressed against his chest. He had Hus arms wrapped around my shoulders.

At certain times, we debated over the fabric's and colour's choices. Trust me, his judgement was better then mine. He kissed my forehead, when I turned to pull his cheeks.

There were more than two hundred designs. Mostly evening dress, jeans, tops, saree's and Indian outfits. But there was one and only dress I designed for me, mused and its my favorite. I showed it to him at last.

"A wedding dress? You never told me you wanted a Christian wedding." He said. I nodded in no, indicating I didn't want a Christian wedding, but to dress up like that and recite those vows, say 'I do' and dance. Without audience.

So, yes, it was a wedding dress designed for myself, just as I have it in my mind. An elegant off white pearl colour gown. But, what was interesting, was that according to my imagination and calculation, it can be made by a single two hundred metres on length and ten centimeters in breadth strip. Yes, a two hundred metres long strip of satin. Nor georgette or lace but satin. Along with it, some more work was needed.

The shine it need could only be satisfied by satin. I expressed all my views related to the dress to him.

"Veer, this will be a masterpiece." I whined when he started to disagree with my thoughts. His first question was how will I get such a long strip. That I too didn't knew.

"I don't understand how will you stitch a wedding gown using a long single strip of cloth. Yes, I'm impressed by all of your designs and ideas, imaginations. But I'm more impressed by your choices and confidence in your work. You just need some guidance and then your work will be loved by everyone." He words did registered in my mind, but was still stuck on wedding dress.

"I don't know, Veer. But what I'm sure of is that one, I'll try to fulfill my dream and two, I'll try hard to make my dress come true." I declared. From tomorrow, I was going to find a small job in any fashion house. Even Ishika promised to talk to her friend who was a fashion designer.

"And I'll support you in all your decisions." He cooed in my ears that made me smile. He slightly brought his hand to my cheek and pushed the strand that was disturbing me behind my ear. I blushed a bit, acknowledging the sudden rise if romance in air.

To distract him, I asked him how he found this folder. He said that I wasn't creative enough to hid it and his pen drive found it. That logically means he found his pen drive fallen near the folder that was under the cupboard.

After that I packed a small duffel bag consisting of my clothes and few important things like my gun, folder, etc. It took me half an hour to convince him to ride back to Mehrotra Mansion on my bike, sitting behind me.

We came out of the home through the same way we entered in.

Kick starting my bike, we rode off. Since it was winter season, the wind was picking up and I loved it. In few mins, I felt Veer's arms finding their way around my waist and his chin on my shoulder. No matter how much romantic the moment was, if I'd say that the sudden proximity didn't at all affected me, then it would be a big fat lie.

My breathing hitched as he tightened his hold and whispered my name huskily in my ears. I was sure that there was no space for even a single strand of hair between us.

"Veer." I called him out, breathily. "What are you doing?" Asking him and trying to manage to keep my voice unaffected was a difficult task.

"What baby?" Veer replied, as a question, trying to act innocent.

"Your hands around my waist?" I pinched the back of him palm slightly, make him wince. But the grip didn't loosen at all.

"Oh that! I'm scared because your too fast." He baby-ish tone and lame reason made me laugh. We both knew that this was my normal speed, 150 kmph.

"Oh my Darling, Veer. How can I forget that my companion riding with me was an old man? How foolish of me to take an old man with me instead of smart, charming, sexy and young guy who loved thrill."

I completed my words with fake accent, just to irritate him more. There was no way I could stop the grin spreading on my lips when he abruptly pulled off from me and stared at me from few seconds, may be registering what I just said. Further I decided to sing an old Hindi song.

"Hay main kya karu ram mujhe buddha mil gaya. Hay hay hay buddha mil gaya. (Oh God, what will I do now that I got an old man)" I dramatically slapped my hand on my head, to make the song feel more realistic.

"Hey, buddha kisko bola?" He exasperated as I laughed and pointed at his reflection in the mirror.

"You called me buddha. Take it back. Say Veer you're the smartest, most charming, sexiest young man I've ever laid my eyes on." He threatened me, but I nodded in no and continued singing 'hay main kya karun ram mujhe buddha milgaya....' on the top of my voice.

Suddenly, he gripped my elbow, knowing that his touch is my weakness. He moved closer to me, sliding his hands from my elbow to my fingers. My breathe quickly turned into an unsteady one.  He covered his hands over mine and took control over the vehicle. Damn! He had too long hands and had caged me with them. My hand had already became clammy.

This man is going to kill us with himself.

True.

Now, my bullet was under his control, along with me. It wasn't a secret that he was enjoying my nervousness. He twisted the handle, increasing the speed to 230kmph. This was enough for me to become jumpy and squeak.

If I was riding, than it was okay. But I didn't trust anyone else riding, especially in this position. Thank god that there were too less vehicles on the road.

"Veer, slow down." I screamed when the headlights of the truck coming from the forward direction blocked my vision. But Veer ignored my plea and truck driver's horn. Instead, he sped past the truck. To say that I got scared was an underestimation.

"You okay?" I asked and he nodded.

It didn't happened with me for the first time. So I wasn't scared for my life but Veer's. He laughed watching my plight and encouraged me to say what he wants to hear. Cursing him under my breath, I repeated his sentence. It wasn't completely a lie, but the word young shouldn't have been added in the sentence.

Then too he kept his control over the bike, just driving with normal speed.

We reached Mehrotra mansion somehow safely and in one piece. Khanna Ji and the new Butler greeted us. Veer tossed his car key to Khanna ji to get back his car. We made our way to my room. I dropped the folder on the bed and rushed to the bathroom to freshen up.

Veer knocked on the bathroom door when I started to strip off my clothes.

"I'm going down, to arrange some dinner for us." He yelled and I yelled an okay back.

Turning on the shower, a sigh of relief left my lips when the cold water hit my shoulders. Cold shower were always better than the hot ones for me, even I winter. If I'd to choose between staying in the cold storage for whole night or on the hot sunny beach, I'd gladly comply with the first one. Heat is something I could never handle. Its good for me that my wedding is in my favorite season.

A nerve cooling shower was enough to make me chirpy. I picked up the white shirt, Veer's white shirt that I stole from him when we were off to Ooty and paired it with a loose pyjama. Even if I loved designing dresses, I had no fashion sense for myself.

I went down to the kitchen only to find my hot fiancé kneading the dough for roti. More importantly, he had his earpiece on and was scolding someone, his secretary, I guess.

Washing my hands, I made my way to him and slightly pushed him aside with my hip and took off his work of kneading the dough over myself, letting him free to discuss or yell.

"If Ms. Mitra refused to work with us, find someone else, Ruhi. There is no way the annual exhibition will be delayed just because a woman with talent has no business sense." He ordered as he settled on one of the bar stools, back facing me.

I lighted the stove and placed a frying pan over it, starting to cut vegetables. Veer nodded in no, looking at the wall. Before I could ask him anything, his phone flew across the kitchen and smashed near the door.

SSO mode on

For few secs, he stood in same position. Worriedly, I placed my hand on his shoulder. He turned back giving me a look and then he left along with his poor broken phone.

"Ajeeb insaan hai." I said to myself and continued chopping vegetables. In twenty mins I finished my cooking and turned the stove off. Plating the dinner on two dishes, I carried them to the pool area.

He was sitting here, with his legs in water. Without turning back, he tapped the place besides him, asking me to join him. Putting the plates in his hands and bent down to roll up my pyjama to the knees. Dipping my legs into the water I sat accompanying him.

His eyes were fixed on the shining surface of water and mine on him, studying his face. Suddenly, he turned to face me with a distraught look, that I couldn't bare.

Placing my hand on his cheek, I asked "what happened?" He huffed, putting both the plates aside.

"What all do you know about my business?" He asked softly. I remember him once or twice talking about his deals, but just briefly. I just nodded in no, indicating nothing.

He gave me a very small and dazed smile. Pointing to his heart, he said, "Before you, this heart used to beat only for two reasons, my brother Kabir and Mehrotra business. Mehrotra business was my first love, my dream, my breath and my everything. Kabir used to say that time. Mehrotra business and Veer Singh Mehrotra defined each other."

The glint in his eyes, the passion in voice was enough to express his love for his work. I was jealous too, not because he loved his business more but because was living his dream and most importantly it made him feel like he was on the top of the world.

"What does your company manufactures?" I asked. Once, I heard him saying that there were some problems raised in his manufacturing.

"Fabrics. The name's Mehrotra Fabrics." He exclaimed grinningly and I nodded.

Why was he grinning?

Because he said Mehrotra fabric! Idiot.

So what? He just said Mehrotra fab..what?

"What did you say? Fabrics?" He nodded. "Then you were fooling around with me when I was talking about my designs. Now I see where such knowledge in fabrics you got from."

Fool.

Shut up!

I poked my finger on his chest. "You were watching me making a fool out of me? And here I thought you just had good observing skills."

"I just wanted to know about your love for it and also wanted to impress you." He grinned, because he knew that I was impressed indeed.

"Impress my foot. Mazaak bana rakha hai mera." I muttered under my breath, but he heard it and mumbled a sorry. I pinched his waist harder, expressing my annoyance. But he pouted and his cute puppy face made my heart melt.

Picking up the food he neglected, I took a piece of roti, stuffed some bhaji in it and forwarded it to him. He smiled and turned the direction of my hand, feeding me. Further, I asked him to continue and forwarded the next bite which he gladly accepted.

"Once, when I'd just restarted the industry, years after my father's demise, everything was running low. That's when I got an idea of 'December Evening Festive'. It was an event held my company and some other individuals, which helped us to display out fabrics, as in elegant dresses."

Few of his words were to hard to catch because of the food in his mouth. He pointed at the bhaji and showed his three last fingers, telling that food was good.

Suddenly when I forwarded the next bite, he slapped his hand on his mouth. Pulling my hand back, I took the bite to check if everything was okay. Everything was really fine. His eyes grew wider as the confusion building up in me was about to burst.

You idiot, you might have fed him chilli.

Shit.

I looked around for water, but the only water available was the pool water. I slapped my hand on the forehead acknowledging what I was thinking.

Wait, did you added chilli in your dish?

No? No. I didn't.

Suddenly, he grabbed me by my shoulders and squealed, "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. Thank you so much."

He sent a flying kiss towards me. But I was too dumbstruck to understand what why was he acting like a heroine who signed her first film. He looked around and picked up his broken phone.

Is it even working.

God knows.

Yeah, it was working. He phoned someone.

"Ruhi, I found the replacement for Ms. Mitra. Assemble the best person from each sector and form the best team. I want the work done by tomorrow 10 am." He ordered to someone.

Further, the person other side said something and he added an 'okay' and hung the call. He, then turned to me with a small smile and uncertain look.

"Aadhya." He called out my name then looked away, saying he doesn't knows how will he explain it to me. I forced him to look at me and squeezed his hand with my free hand, giving him a reassuring smile as it took the next bite.

"Aadhya, I've forwarded your name as the this year's fashion designer." He said, leaning back a bit as if I was going to claw him. Wait, why will I scratch his face?

Then I replayed his last sentence in my mind. And. I. Choked. I started coughing badly with my free hand on my chest. I placed the plate aside and washed dipped my right hand in pool, without thinking.

Was he nuts?

Was that even a question to ask?

I glanced up at him, when I stopped coughing and swallowed the morsel. The look on my face had already scared him off. What was he thinking before taking this decision?

I poked his head with utmost anger bubbling inside me for his idiotic-ness.

"Much hai ki nahi yaha?" I asked, even though knowing that there is no brain inside his skull. How could be? I'm sure he sold it in the chor bazaar.

"Kisne tumhe CEO banaya haan?" I stood up and started pacing, not caring the I could slip because of my wet legs. How could he just puy so much pressure on my shoulders. I stopped to glare him and he instead gave me a puppy face which set me off.

"People say walk before you run and here this mahashay is throwing me off sky saying beta fly."  I muttered some more curses under my breath.

He caught my hand and pulled me, making me land on his lap. I pinched the side of his neck making him wince. All the nervousness comic from his touch evaporation due to my franticness.

"Babe, listen to me, once please." He pleaded and I gave in only because I believe in listening to the opponent once, even if he's a billionaire idiot.

"Aadhya, you think I've reached to this position without making tough and good decisions." He stared into my eyes, like he'd find his way to my heart. Now, our position started to affect me.

"Till few mins back, no." I exclaimed making him frown then smiled as I said that I trust him in making best decisions for his business.

"I've seen your designs, Aadhya. They are awesome. Your choice of fabrics, colours are also too good. I'm ready to risk it only because I know its worth it. You know I won't take wrong decision when it comes to my first love. I just want you to give it a try."

He smiled and it reached his eyes making them shine. It felt like, if possible, then he'd solve each and every problem with his charming smile.

But this won't solve your problem.

I know.

I sighed and cupped his cheeks.

"Its not the only problem. I know that if you'll help me, I might really succeeded. But, then, I'll get a feeling at I'm using you to make my way in the fashion industry. It will always be me being there only because of you and not my hard work."

I told him that I didn't wanted to be known as Veer Singh Mehrotra's lady or even as Maya's sister. I wanted to be known as Aadhya, just Aadhya or nothing.

"You don't want my name linked with yours?" He asked. I was able to see the insecurities surfacing in his eyes. It hurt me in my heart.

Oh God.

"No Veer, I don't want your money to be reason if linking me to you." I expressed my concerns to Veer. His insecurities faded and his expressions softened, giving me and understanding smile.

I ran my hands through his hair telling him that if I would work for him, in his event, without experience, then I'd be seen as using him as ladder for success. His money will always be considered as the reason of my success, only if I succeeded. I wasn't comfortable with entwining our personal and process life.

But the main reason was that, I was scared, scared to let him down and I didn't tell him that.

"Aadhya, it won't be a big deal for me of the event doesn't goes as I planned. Bit if it goes, then think, it will set your carrier in fashion industry."

Much optimistic.

But I was terrified of the idea. What I'd planned was to join as an assistant in a fashion house, even if that was possible. But here, what my darling fiancé had plated in front of me huge, very huge and very unreal.

"I don't want your money Veer, I only want you." Pecking his lips, I rested my head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around me.

"My money comes along with me Aadhya. You have to get used to it, now or later." He stated.

"I know." I said but refrained from adding ' but I can't accept it'. Making money wasn't a big problem for me ever. I knew shooting, archery, running and teaching. I was good with kids. I know its not good yo praise me myself but I had skills that I could put to use.

"Look at me." He said. I lifted my head and met his captivating eyes. He stared into my eyes, for mins, as if he was trying to read me inside out.

"You are scared of messing up and more importantly, you don't want your identity to be overshadowed my mine." Hus words caught me off guard. I inhaled sharply, realizing that he can really read me like inside out.

You thought that if you didn't admit your real feelings to yourself, then he won't find it.

That was the plan.

Well, your plan sucks.

I can see that.

So no point to lie now.

Hmm.

"Yes Veer, I'm scared that I'll let you down or I'll remain as the Veer Singh Mehrotra's lady." There was no way I could lie now when he knows the truth.

Not for once did his eyes left mine and I understood all his unsaid pleas. Sometimes it occurred to me that I could spend my whole life just staring into his eyes.

An okay left my lips, with my consent. My wide went wide when I realized what I said. But then, I know I had to do this for him.

Before he could say anything, I pleaded him not to say a word related to his business now and we finished eating in silence. I wasn't going to take the discussion further

Later, when we'd decided to call it a night and were laying down on my bed, with his arm around my shoulder, he slightly whispered near my ears.

"I forgot to say, you look so hot in my shirt."

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