Falling in love

Chapter 1

Dev: hello everyone!! What's happening? Everyone's here for dinner. Jiju you are here too? What's up guys what's happening?
Raj( Dev's brother in law): Bro get ready to be the next Victim of woman brutality
Disha (sister): what? Did you just say that Raj? I'm going to kill you
Raj:: see that Dev? Papa look at your daughter how she is threatening me in front of you
Vijay::(Dad) Disha that's not fair
Dev:: ok guys anyone's going to tell me what's happening? As far as I can tell looking at your faces something is cooking
Nandini:: Dev it's been two years your sister got married and you don't even have other siblings. You started working your dad is also busy and I'm the only one left and I feel very lonely.
Dev:: Great then may be we can get a dog or some pet and you will be busy
Vijay:: Dev you know your mom and you yourself are allergic to any kind of fur and that's why we never had a pet at home.
Dev:: Yea I know (rolling his eyes) so why Di and Jiju can't make some babies for you guys to be busy?

His sister almost choking

Raj:: Bro that's actually a very good idea but you know your sister is a doctor so she works and ofcourse I have a business so I work and I am the only son so my parents are also lonely and that's why they got me married so we can make babies for them
Dev:: So can your parents not share one or two babies with my parents?
Disha:: seriously Dev? Are we sharing fruits and vegetables here?
Vijay:: okay Dev lets get serious. This March you are going to turn 27 and ofcourse you are doing very good even at work. Ofcourse your mom and me we both are getting old and soon will retire once you get hold of everything and the business. So we would need something to keep us occupied
Dev:: Dad don't tell me you guys are planning to have a kid? Mom are you pregnant?

His mom facepalmed herself his dad rolled his eyes, his sis and jiju laughed out loud.

Disha:: oh em gee!! Guys why are you running around the bushes? Dev we found a girl for you and we would like you to meet her and if you guys think you are compatible then we would like you to get married.

It was time for Dev to choke on his food. He turned all red coughing

Dev:: so you guys want me to see a girl and get married to her so that we can make babies which will keep you occupied in old age?
Raj:: in short yes you got the basic point
Dev:: you are not serious? Are you?
Yes they all looked dead serious and Dev really wanted to run and hide but it seems like he had no options this time as he has been avoiding this conversation since one year now.
Raj:: Dev on a serious note I just want to say that since I got married to your sister I've felt like the luckiest person everyday and my parents have never been happier.
Disha::: awww sweetheart ❤️ I love u jaan
Raj:: I love you too!!!
And Dev now my happiness will be doubled soon and my parents will give competition to your parents because me and your sister Disha are pregnant

What? (Everyone together) congratulations 🎈🎉🎊
They hug each other and congratulate each other.
Raj:: anyway we just got the report and she is only 6 weeks pregnant and Bro you better get married before your sister starts growing because if she is not able to dance in your wedding than all your life she will curse you.
Disha:: oh definitely!!! So my lil brother it's time you make space for little ones in this house. I think you enjoyed that status for a long time.
Nandini:: that's true Disha was more like a mom to Dev then a big sister.
Disha:: this is what happens when you have a baby six years after your first one I had no choice but to take care of this cute munchkin (kisses his cheeks)
Dev:: Di please I'm not little baby anymore don't do all this
Vijay:: Dev be nice to your sister she loves you and now she is pregnant so you better be extra nice. Anyway on a serious note Dev we don't want to force you but I think it's the right time to think of future and having a partner. Unless you have someone in your mind you can tell us. You know we never stopped you for anything. We don't even care if you wanna bring some white or black or Hispanic girl as long as she is nice and respectful.
Dev:: no Dad I don't have anyone in my mind infact it's been more than one year I haven't even dated anyone. I mean you all know that.
Nandini:: so why don't you atleast meet the girl, you never know you might like her.
Disha:: Dev you might even know her she went to MIT class of 2017 undergrad
Dev: Really?
Disha:: Her Nams is Pooja, Only daughter of Randeep Bhatia he is a hotelier and My father in law's friend. I've seen her quite a few times and I really liked her. I felt she is perfect for you. She is very modern but then again very Indian. I mean it seems she grew up the way we did, she knows her culture well, but then again she was born and brought up here in America just like us so obviously you don't have to worry about the cultural shock part.
Dev:: Hold on are you talking about Pooja Bhatia?
Whose dad has many hotels or something?
Disha:: Yea that's the girl
Dev:: I thought she was dating that idiot Rahul
Nandini:: wow you already know her
Dev::(rolled his eyes) Maa I just said she was dating someone and you are getting excited that I know her.
Nandini:: Dev since when you became so weird? College days people date and have boyfriends just like you were so serious about Anjali and dated her for a year and then broke up and dated This white girl.. what was her name? Very difficult name
Dev:: Camilla 🙄🙄
Nandini:: oh yea that girl
Disha:: Dev that was in college and I have seen Pooja she is very much single now infact I met her two days back and she is okay meeting you
Dev:: excuse me? Are you trying to say you already told them I'm meeting her?
(Disha trying to ignore the question )
Di!! Look at me!
Vijay:: Dev don't over react. Your sister knows you better than even we know you and I trust your sister's choice
Raj:: Alright then this Sunday for Christmas party my dad invited them and Dev can meet her there. Atleast it won't be awkward meeting a girl, I mean you can always meet people in a party. Unless you get lucky like me and get to an accident and a Wonder Woman comes to your rescue.
Vijay:: Raj I must say your dad is awesome he just knows how to fix things.
Raj:: Infact Papa is the one who told Disha about Pooja.
Disha:: and guess what my mother in law said. She wants to start shopping for the wedding right away and she is already planning her clothes for the wedding
Dev:: Seriously you guys have gone so far already and I'm the one who has to get married here
Nandini:: so what? Nothing wrong shopping. One day you will get married if not this girl then some other girl.
Disha:: anyway I have Pooja's number and Dev why don't you text her and introduce yourself
Dev:: I thought she knows me?
Disha:: yes she does but not as Dev Dixit but as Anjali's boyfriend and by the way your Anjali is dating Pooja's Rahul now 🤣🤣
They all laughed
Raj:: so Dev what say? I mean no harm checking out.
Dev:: I mean Pooja is very beautiful though
Nandini:: wow!! That's a plus, did you like her?
Dev:: Maa please. I never even spoke to her. I mean she is pretty and it's natural to notice an Asian girl in college if she is beautiful and plus she was psychology department and I was business major
Disha:: wow you even know her major?
Dev:: ok guys stop now! Fine I'll text her and introduce myself.
After the dinner Disha and Raj left and everyone retired to their rooms. Dev got changed checked his emails and went through his Facebook/ Instagram and it was around 11pm Dev thought of Texting Pooja, it's was little late to text someone specially for the first time Coz he didn't want to make a bad impression but then he just texted without worrying too much.
Dev's Text:: Hi! Sorry for texting this late, my sister Disha gave me your number and wanted me to text you. Anyway I don't mind if you text me late, that's fine with me.
Oh sorry forgot to say I'm Dev you might have seen me in MIT
Ok take care
Pooja's House
Pooja was sitting with her parents enjoying their late night chit chat with some tea which they often do as they don't get to see each other during the day as everyone is busy. As she is the only daughter, she is pampered by her parents but she is not a spoilt brat rather very responsible and respectful.
Suddenly Pooja's phone beeped
Randeep:: message at this time? (A questioning look)
Pooja:: unknown number let me check
(A little smile formed as she read the text)
Poonam:: who is it Pooja?
Pooja:: hmm!! Dev
Randeep:: You mean Dev, you mean Kapoor's daughter-in-law's brother
Poonam:: really? What did he write?
Pooja just showed the message behaving as if it really doesn't matter and she doesn't care much but in her heart there were bubbles popping. She couldn't wait to text him back but she had to show she was cool about it. She didn't want to look desperate.
Poonam:: aww such a sweet boy. He even apologized for texting late.
Randeep:: Great! Good looking and Good mannered.
(Pooja in her mind said not only good looking he is very good looking infact HOT) I think you should text him back, go ahead!
Pooja:: Yea I will no rush, I might text him tomorrow
Poonam:: tomorrow? But he said he doesn't mind even if it's late
Randeep:: don't worry she will text, let her decide after all it's her decision
So almost after half an hour her parents decided to go to sleep and Pooja couldn't wait to go back to her room
On the other hand Dev kept on checking his phone hoping to get a text from Pooja but it was already 35 minutes and while waiting Dev got sleepy and almost dozed off.
11:45
Dev's Phone beeped
Dev in his sleep checked his phone and jumped up
Pooja Text:: Hi sorry! Hope I'm not too late
Dev in a rush wrote:: No nota tall it's five
P:: you mean not at all it's fine?
D:: Oh my God sorry for the typos. I just dozed off so didn't realize
P:: oh I'm sorry then you can go back to sleep I'm sure you also have to go to work in the morning
D:: no it's absolutely fine. I'm not sleepy infact I was waiting for your reply and fell asleep
P:: you were waiting?
Dev just facepalmed himself
D:: I mean you know when you text someone who kinda wait for their reply. That kinda wait!!
P:: sorry I was with my parents having tea with them and my phone was in the room. I just saw your text and replied.
D:: if you don't mind can I call? I don't want to sound rude and desperate but I hate typing specially when my are are giving up coz I don't want to end up doing some typo which might sound weird
The moment Pooja received the text she called back
Dev:: hello!! Pooja?
P:: hi! Yes it's Pooja
D:: oh Hi! So you are not sleeping
P:: mmmm!! I mean I just called you
D:: oh yea ofcourse.. So? I mean how are you?
P:: I'm good and you?
D:: I'm doing well too. (Pause for few long seconds)
Isn't it weird that we kinda know each other meaning we've seen each other but meeting this way
P:: Yea little weird but still better than the kind we see in indian movies that the boy comes to see the girl and gets married the next day
Dev smiles and agrees with her.
P:: do you have work tomorrow or you are off for Christmas
D:: we are still working tomorrow, we are off from 24th
P:: oh that means you have to wake up early morning. I'm sorry I called you so late. I'll let you go now and may be we can talk later.
D:: I really want to talk but honestly I'm very sleepy too. Is it ok I call you after dinner tomorrow?
P:: sure!! Oh tomorrow I'm meeting my friends we are going to watch Dabang3.
D:: oh you like Bollywood?
P:: yes I like Bollywood and I love Salman Khan, why you don't watch Bollywood
D:: no I do but not as much but I like the dude too
P:: you mean Salman Khan
D:: (chuckles) Yea Salman Khan. Anyway let me know how the movie goes. Hopefully I'll talk to you soon.
P:: Yea sure Goodnight
D:: Goodnight
Next Day Dev was very busy as it's the year end and also he was going to be off for the week till New Years. But he did manage to text Pooja but just simple text nothing serious conversation. Same thing on 24th as it's Christmas Eve Pooja's family was hosting a party for friends and family then it was Christmas atlast Dev will be meeting Pooja.
Dev was thinking which suit to wear as it's a formal party, mostly business associates and everyone some celebrities too. But he needs to looks good because he wanted to impress Pooja and ofcourse he didn't want to look any less in front of Pooja. He did check out her Instagram and felt she became prettier than last time he saw her which was like 4 years back. So he picked a nice Black suit with very thin stripes with a nice white shirt and a nice Christmassy tie keeping the spirit alive.
Pooja on the other hand was being tortured by different ideas given by her mom and cousins but to her rescue daddy Randeep brought a dress for his daughter which was fabulous. Pooja's dad is her best friend and the best stylist according to her. It was a white Satin dress with red thread work on it and Swarovski earrings which was basically bells with matching pendant keeping the Christmas spirit alive.
Pooja wore very light make up and more of a messy bun hair.
The Dixit family reaches the party, they started mingling around and enjoying but Dev's eyes were looking for Pooja. It was already half an hour he was there keeping his eye at the door and watching every guest come in as if he was the security guard. After sometime he got tired waiting and watching the guests comes in so he thought of going and eating something as he skipped lunch because he was so excited. Dev was pretending to be cool in front of his family but this anticipation was killing him. The moment he turned around and took two steps Kapoor Uncle literally screamed out Randeep Bhatia's name. Oh no not purposely, that's how he is very Punjabi and always happy. Dev's eyes popped out his ears stood up but he turned slowly and he could see Kapoor uncle introducing them to his parents, but he couldn't see Pooja's face as she was standing behind her dad. It was quite annoying when some people literally stood in front of him covering Pooja completely and he cursed them. Dev wanted to see her before the family introduced her, he didn't want to look gobsmacked that's why he wanted to see her from far away and get ready, in his mind he was even practicing what to say, but as usual to his bad luck Kapoor Aunty caught him off guard and pulled him to meet the Bhatia family.
Kapoor Aunty:: here we go Randeep Bhaisaab this is Dev, Vijay Bhaisaab's son
Dev:: hello Mr. Bhatia nice to meet you
(Somehow Randeep and Dev are wearing same tie)
Randeep:: nice to meet you too Dev. By the way Nice tie!
Dev:: thank you sir, just keeping the spirit alive!
(Guess who is impressed already. Yes Randeep Bhatia already likes the boy and how can Poonam Bhatia stay quiet now)
Poonam:: wow seems like you two similar taste, by the way I am Mrs Bhatia
Dev:: hello Mrs Bhatia, pleasure to meet you..
he still didn't get to see Pooja properly because she was still behind her dad and may be she was purposely hiding.
But ofcourse the Kapoors are very good at being loud, Dev Often thought his brother in law must be adopted that he is so different and so poised and not loud. But he loved the kapoors because they were very loving sometimes embarrassing too though.
Kapoor Aunty:: arreeeyyy Dev! Did you meet Pooja? I mean you guys already know each other but I'm just saying (she gives that embarrassed smile)
This is the first time he actually saw Pooja, it kinda felt like slow motion for Dev, he was mesmerized with the simplicity and elegance. She was looking like an angel. Suddenly The cheesy pick up line came to Dev's mind "heaven must be missing you angel as you are here with me" he almost had his mouth open that's when
P:: Hi Dev!
It took good few seconds for Dev to respond
D:: (Dev kinda stammered) Hi Pooja! Good to see you after so long. You look Gorgeous
(He just facepalmed in his mind for saying that in front of the family)
I mean you look different

Dev just felt he lost his heart right away, this was crazy how can this happen. Dev felt nervous his legs were shaking. Thanks to his brother who kinda saved the day.
Raj:: why don't you all come in, let's sit down, Papa are you going to keep them standing here for the whole evening.
They all walked in meeting others guests and greeting everyone it was almost 15/20 minutes Dev and Pooja was only looking at each other from far away and didn't get a chance to talk to each other.
So Disha and Raj came and asked Randeep and Poonam if it's okay for Pooja to come with them and they were fine with it. Kapoor uncle obviously had to say ' Yea let the kids enjoy the party what are they going to do with us oldies' and Raj asked Dev to join them, they walked outside to the garden area.
Raj:: Alright guys I need to go check on the guests as my dad often forgets everything when he starts talking to one person and Disha said I'll come with you too, leaving Dev and Pooja Alone. There was this awkward silence and they kinda stood there for sometime smiling at each other. Then Dev broke the silence and asked
Dev:: do you wanna walk?
Pooja:: Yea sure why not?
Dev:: by the way you look beautiful today. I mean you were always beautiful but today lil extra
Pooja smiled felt little shy and said thank you.
Dev:: life is so weird.. did we ever think we would meet this way?
P:: no not really.
D:: but I'm not complaining
Pooja looked at Dev and smiled.
P:: you are looking good too in fact lil more than before

Alright people do let me know how you like this story. Don't forget to vote. Just posting a short introduction. Hope you like it and I'll try to update soon