THE ARRANGED LOVE STORY

EPISODE 10

Ranbir was in a particularly good mood while returning from the meeting. Prachi looked so pleasant when she was talking to him. He noticed that her eyes have a special shine which appears when she is really smiling.

Though he was initially pissed that Aryan was planning behind his back, he calmed down when he realized the benefits of it. He was finding a way to approach Prachi when the information landed in front of him. 

This, so far, was the best help his assistant had provided ever.

Still, a part of him was jealous too. While he was struggling to figure out his feelings towards Prachi, Aryan had already wooed her assistant. He didn't knew that getting into relation was so easy.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Huh?...." Aryan looked at him. "Uh...oh...that. I have seen her around before. We have some common friends, but we actually started talking because of.....what happened last month. Um... the calendar shoot issue."

"Oh!" said Ranbir. So, it was since the day he and Prachi met. "Don't you think it is too soon?" he enquired again.

Aryan gulped. Why was his boss so interested? But, it was his chance to push him more towards Prachi, so he used it.

"Uh...sometimes, we can't understand a person even if we have seen them many times. But, sometimes in one meeting, we can figure out how a person is. It's kind of a gut feeling."

Ranbir began thinking about what Aryan had said. He always felt good when he was around Prachi. She always a light feeling in his chest and a smile on his lips.

"How did you know that....you want to be with her?" Ranbir asked unknowingly.

Aryan was taken aback. He never expected to explain all these things to his boss. And with him being annoyed at Shahana, it was difficult to think the good things about her. "um...well....she is... she is...." Aryan thought all the times he was with Shahana. "She is so innocent and her smile is so naïve and sweet. Moreover, it is easy with her. I don't have to be perfect or pretend or even look good. It doesn't matter to her. All that matters is whether we are happy for each other or not." 

Ranbir was listening to him. He knew he felt happy with Prachi. But he didn't knew what she felt about him. She was pleasant, but happy? He didn't know.

He couldn't ask her either. It was too soon. At that point, what he could do was wait.

Aryan on the other side was thinking about what he had said. Sure, he was angry at Shahana, but he had to agree that she was a good friend.

Suddenly, a message popped up on his phone.

"I'm sorry Mr. Nice Guy. Next time we meet, I'll buy you a milkshake."

A smile came on his face when he read that.

"Chocolate!"

He sent the reply.

*****

Shahana felt bad when Aryan left without even glancing at her. Maybe, what she had said was really mean. After all, he was just teasing her. Friends do that.

"Are you sure about this guy?"

"Huh?" Shahana turned to her boss who had a serious expression. "Ma'am?"

"Are you really sure about him?" Prachi asked again.

"Uh...he is a really nice guy.....ma'am." Shahana replied.

"They can be deceiving too." Prachi said. "Make sure you don't fall into a trap."

Shahana didn't know why she felt so defensive. "After office hours, I could only meet him at night. Apart from eating like a horse and cracking lame jokes, he has not looked at me in a wrong way. Maybe because I have met some bad men in my life, I can realize he is not like them."

Prachi was surprised by what Shahana said. She would have responded but her mind remain stuck to the last line.

Maybe because I have met some bad men in my life, I can realize he is not like them.

Prachi sure had met bad men in her life too. And one of them was a big part of her life, years ago. It took her a long time to move on. Maybe, still she had not completely moved on.

But, she could feel that Ranbir was not like him. He was genuine with her. He supported her. Appreciated her. He was always polite and respectful.

Her past had taught her that she should place her self respect above love always. To never forget caring for herself because she was too busy caring for someone else.

Ranbir was good with her, yes. But she still needed to know her more to decide whether to act on the attraction she had towards him or just let him go on his own way.

Shahana on the other hand was still thinking about Aryan. Perhaps, she shouldn't have said, what she had said. She was repenting now. She quietly picked up her phone.

"I'm sorry Mr. Nice Guy. Next time we meet, I'll buy you a milkshake."

She sent the message. She hoped he would reply. She didn't want him to stay mad at her.

Soon, her phone vibrated with a notification and she checked it immediately.

"Chocolate!"

She smiled.

*****

Ravi Verma was particularly happy to see a special guest at his party. He was looking forward to meet him.

"Ronit!" he called. "What a surprise!"

A man in tuxedo made his way towards the host. There was an attitude in his gait and confidence on his face.

"Hey!" he greeted him.

"How are you? Where is your girlfriend?" Ravi asked.

"Ugh! Don't remind me. Things are not going on with her."

"Oh! I'm sorry to hear that." Ravi replied thought he was not. "How is life apart from her?"

"Good! I'm actually going for a shoot next week." he lowered his voice to a whisper. "They have chosen an Italian model. I'm excited." he gave a disgusting smirk.

Ravi smiled. "I was waiting for you to be honest. I have news."

"Really? What news" he was curious.

"Do you know Ranbir Kohli?" Ravi asked.

"Of RK Constructions? Yeah! Ansh is terrified of him. He got into some kind of problem with him and angry Kohli threatened to ruin his entire business." Ronit exhaled.

"Yes, that Ranbir Kohli." Ravi said. "Apparently, Prachi Mehra arrived at Khurana's party with him."

That shocked Ronit. "Prachi! My Prachi?" he asked.

"I think she is no longer your Prachi." Ravi smirked. "She looked pretty cozy with him. They even danced together!" Ravi said adding fuel to the fire.

Ronit never expected to get into a new relationship. She was too much in love with him, always around him like a lost puppy.

She should never be with someone else.

And if a new man has entered her life, he should know.