Mine to Keep

chapter 3

Aarav was being a total gentleman he opened the car door for me and made sure my dress was not hanging outside but all I could think about right now was Aayan I decided to give him a call.

"calling him ha?" Aarav coming back to his normal state started teasing me.

"yes maybe he had some work or something ."

He was not picking up my phone I tried again and still no response. He should have been here by my side for moral support as I was going to meet his whole family but instead, Aarav was here doing all that stuff.

We were almost there the location was beautiful it was on a hill with a private beach turns out to be it was Aarav's farmhouse. He opened my door for me and offered me his hand I took it unapologetically.

We were greeted by his mother who was waiting for guests to show apparently we were the first ones to arrive.

" you two look as pretty as a picture if you were not dating Aayan I would have chosen you for my Aarav" she hugged me she truly was like my mother sweet but not dramatic I started loving Tina from that moment.

Aarav pulled me away and started showing me his prized possession in this beautiful mansion on a small hill.

" This property is one of the oldest ones that my family owns. my cousins and I used to come here in vacations and our grandma used to cook us her famous homemade khichdi . we used to store it and take it to the beach and eat together there while enjoying the sunset ." he loved his family more than anything in the world.He is exact opposite of Aayan he hated family time . What if he planned to skip this dinner. I was too distracted to hear his stories I was self absorbed in my own thoughts and tripped over a stone next few seconds went by in slow motion everything in my hand fell down and my scarf/dupatta went up in the air. I was about to fall my head was going to the ground. Finally Aarav realised what was happening and he used his presence of mind and saved me from embarrassing myself in front of his family . he grabbed me by my waist and grabbed my hand by this free hand to give extra support. I had closed my eyes I was scared to open them. I finally opened my eyes slowly and Aarav was staring at me with the softest look in his eyes we were having a perfect romantic moment that I had imagined to have with Aayan . Aarav flashed me with his biggest smile and said

"Are you always this clumsy when Aayan does not pick up your phone?" he asked me barely keeping his laugh inside.

I couldn't help but laugh man just made a point and was true taking it as an invitation he started laughing as well we both had laughed our hearts out. I regained my consciousness and realized how close we were he must have noticed a slight shift in my comfort so he stopped laughing and looked me in eyes his stare was intimidating as if he was able to look inside my soul through my eyes. I set myself free from his hold and avoided in gaze following me as I was picking up my things.

"let go its almost time I am sure my family must be getting anxious to meet future Mrs. Aayan Bhatia."

"oh please its only been a month trust me you will have to wait a long time before you can call me that."

And we talked about his childhood for the rest of our trip back and this time I was trying to pay attention.

As we entered the house through back door the kitchen was full with decorated plates and variety of starters deserts and main course dishes. I was getting nervous thinking about number people out there it seemed like Aarav's grandmother invited a gazillion people . He pulled me towards the main door and then we entered the much-sophisticated society

"welcome to my world it sucks you will love it!"

" Did you just quote friends? " and we started fangirling about it for one minute straight Aayan hated that show so I had to stop quoting it in front of him it was such a relief that I found someone who was a big fan of that classic show as much as I am.