18 | Will my lips work?

A U T H O R

• F L A S H B A C K •

Mumbai,
India

"Okay, so we are ready to leave for the airport." Anupam says to the guards when a sudden voice came, "Where's Amaya?" Meghana asked as she wasn't able to find her little daughter in the whole house.

"She was here some time ago." Anupam says, and starts to find Amaya when the doorbell rings and Meghana hastily walks towards the door to open it, "Amaya, where were you?" She says and wraps her arms around Amaya.

"She was in the park." A voice came from Amaya's back and there Sidharth was standing, "Oh my god, Sidharth thank you so much for bringing her here." Meghana thanked him.

"Now what do you want? Why have you come here?" Shaurya's voice reached everyone since he was in his room, so he didn't know that Amaya was missing otherwise you know what happened. "He came to drop Amaya." Meghana enunciates while glaring at the little girl.

"Kyu? Kaha chali gayi thi, Amu? Aur kaise?"  Shaurya asked furious, "Oh Bhai, you get stressed over small things." Amaya dramatically struck her forehead.

Shaurya sauntered in her direction and hugged Amaya, "Mujhe fikr hai na tumhari." She smiled and kissed his cheek, "Meet my new friend, Sidharth." As she completed her words Shaurya's eyes widened in astonishment.

"How can he be your so-called friend?" His eyes started to glare toward that little boy, "Why not Shaurya beta?" This time Anupam interrupted.

"He is ten years old, and our Amaya is only seven. She should make friends of her age." Sidharth came towards Shaurya and enunciated with his puppy eyes, "I will take care of her." 

But before, Shaurya would say something that was not applicable, Meghana said in between, "Yes, sure Sidharth, you can be her friend." Listening to Meghana's words Amaya and Sidharth's lips curled in an actual smile whereas Shaurya was still glaring at that little boy.

After some precious minutes which was like decades for Shaurya, Sidharth finally said bye and left their mansion, "The car is ready can we leave for the airport now?" Anupam vocalizes gazing at Shaurya's pissed impression.

"Aap Amaya ko leke chalo, main aati hu Shaurya ke saath." Nodding at Meghana's word Anupam took Amaya's hand and led her towards the car.

Meanwhile, Meghan glanced at his son's facial expression and sighed past her lips, "Baat to aise karte ho jaise aage chal ke auski shaadi apne se bade umar wale ladke se nahi hogi." Shaurya's eyes snapped on her mother, "Three years of age gap?" 

"Yeah, what's the problem?" 

"NO, not more than two years." Rolling her eyes Meghana walked towards the car leaving whammy Shaurya. "Mumma, ruko main serious hu lekin." He shouted and ran towards Meghana.

New York,
United States

"Will there be an amusement park?" Inquisitive Kiara asked his brother who was in his wonderland, "Bhai." Kiara again said when she didn't get any response, "Bhai"

"Yeah, what happened to Kia?" She smiled when Revansh's daze snapped like she had done the most difficult task in the world. "I was asking will there be an amusement park, but you didn't answer to me." A pout formed over her lips.

Revansh chuckled, "Yes, there would be an amusement park." Kiara's smile turned into a big one. "Yay, so I can take so many rides."

"What happened to her suddenly?" Nita asked with a smile as she came to Revansh's room where both of her children were present. "Nothing she just got excited," Revansh uttered looking at smiling Kiara.

"Aren't you excited?" Nita asked, Revansh gazed at her with some unspecified expression, "Hmm, I am... somehow." 

"Beta, let's forget all those things, it's our past and from Rome, we will all shift directly to India where we start our new life." Revansh nodded before enunciating, "Only two years, and after that I will be back in New York." 

Revansh leaves the place without letting Nita say a single word, "Am I going to live with Bhai only for two years." Kiara mumbled which was audible for Nita to hear, "No, he will come back once his university is completed... hopefully." Kiara smiled.

In the meantime, one of the guards came to inform me that the car was ready, and their luggage was already kept in the trunk.

"So, let's go." Nita took Kiara's hand in a clutch and stride downstairs where Revansh and Ajay were present. Kiara ran towards Revansh and happily said, "Bhai, we are finally going." A smile curled over his lips at her sister's happy voice.

"Yeah, we are going. I hope everything will be fine."

A M A Y A

"Oh, you came." Bhai's voice echoed in the hall as I entered inside, "Yeah, sorry I was a little late." He forwarded his feet in the sofa's direction ahead of gesturing me to come and sit which I did.

"There is no issue of that, actually Dad wanted to discuss something with you." Bhai sighed and enunciated with a pensive stare, "What? Is something serious?" I confirmed.

"Yeah, but remember I am always with you whatever decision you will make." And there I got to know something is very wrong, my heart is going to be shattered by hundreds of pieces. "Okay but what's the matter."

"First, go and change and we will talk after dinner." I nodded at his words and moved myself towards the stairs. My blood was turning cold, I was getting chills, my fingers were shivering like fuck, and this always happens when I feel something bad is going to happen.

Like a scalded cat I opened the door of my room, directly made my way to the closet, took out my night clothes, comfy shorts, and top, and then stride to take a bath. In between all these my brain was still processing what is the serious talk Papa has to talk with me.

I heard Mumma yelling as she was calling me for dinner and without any further ado, I sauntered in the dining room and took my seat beside Bhai while Mumma served me dinner.

"How's the party, Amaya." Papa broke the unspecified silence when I took my first bite of the paneer tikka. Kya matlab jldi khana padega warna pata nahi iske baad mile ya na mile, (kabhi-kabhi gusse mein main khana chhod ke bhaagh jaati na.) "Yeah, it was good." I spoke and promptly took the second bite of my favorite fare.

"I wanted to discuss something," Third bite, "Beta, itna jaldi-jaldi kyu kha rahi? Aaram se khao koi jaldi thodi hai." Mumma spoke, ab kya hi samjhau main. I fake smiled and took the fourth bite, "But Bhai said we will talk after dinner?" Fifth bite.

"Yeah, I thought it would be better if we talk as soon as possible and then you will have more time to think about it." Sixth bite, and it's done, "Ha, ab bolo Papa." I uttered an untypical vocal as the paneer tikka was full inside my mouth making my cheeks look like a balloon.

Mumma, Papa, and Bhai gave me an other-worldly expression, but I just nervously smiled.

What? I am just a girl.

"As you know Ashvin Mehrotra─" I halted Papa's words by, "No, I don't know him who is he?" 

A deep sigh escaped from Papa's throat, "Pehle puri baat to sun lo, baccha." I gulped the water, "Ha, ha bolo na." 

"Ashvin Mehrotra, my business partner Uday Mehrotra's son and we are collaborating with them as you know I already told you that we are going to take on a new project, right?" I nodded my head to which Papa continued, "And he wants you and his son to get married." And there my world stops.

"B-but I-I didn't even see him." I stuttered and bhai held my hand, "Y-you guys want to marry me for your business?" As the words withdrew from my mouth Papa's eyes snapped on me.

"No, Amaya it's not like that, I just share my thoughts with you and it's not for business, you are already twenty-four years old and will soon turn twenty-five so, we have to think about your marriage. I have met Ashvin personally, he is a nice guy, and I am sure he will make you happy in the future." As Papa says I looked at Bhai with a questioning look.

"Dad is right, I have also met him, and I liked his behavior and nature, but if you say no then nothing will happen, okay?" I was about to say 'no' when Papa spoke, "This project is important, you know it." Indirectly, haa karne kaha mujhe?

"Answer me at breakfast," Papa says and leaves the dining room, without waiting or thinking about anything I galloped in my room's direction. The thud sound passes my ear as I close the door.

This shouldn't be happening.

This is not going to happen.

How could I marry someone else when my heart doesn't want it, I also know this project is important for 'UnityPulse'. My pulse quickened in anxiety, I wasn't able to think straight I just needed someone right now who could explain to me what was right and what was not.

And I know who that person is, Kiara. Without thinking twice, I messaged her first what if she was busy?

Me: Kia, are you free? 

It's been ten fucking minutes I didn't get any answer from the other side. My legs were wandering don't know where in stress and apprehension, my brain was wondering what to do or what not to do when I heard the ding of notification, and without waiting for anything I checked that Kiara's message had arrived.

Kiara: I guess, just had some work. What about you? Are you fine?

Me: No, I am not. I don't know what to do.

I was typing further when an incoming call came and it was also of Kiara, the reason why she is my best friend.

"What happened, Amaya?" She asked in a concern, "Kia, Papa wants me to get married to his business partner's son." A sigh escaped from her mouth.

"Bas itni si baat?" 

"Ye itni si baat nahi hai."

"First stop your pretty legs and take a seat then tell me that business partner's son's name." A tear slipped from my eyes staining my cheeks, she knows me better than anyone like the fuck I can do in anxiety, "Ashvin Mehrotra, son of Uday Mehrotra."

"Mehrotra, damn I have heard about them." Anticipation flaunted in her voice but that didn't last long as she asked being a freak, "Do you love someone?" My legs got halted on their own.

"No, whom will I love." I don't love or like anyone right? "Then what's the problem? Just meet that guy once, who knows if you like his behavior towards yourself?" 

"I am sure, uncle must have chosen a nice guy for you. Did Shaurya bhaiya say yes?" I nodded even though she couldn't see before enunciating, "Bhai, said he also liked him but if I say no then it will be no." 

"Shaurya bhaiya made your work easy." She chuckled, "Kia, there is a guy I have spent some time with, and I feel there is a special spot for him in my heart, I guess I am just not sure about it." 

"Wow, who is that lucky man?" Your brother, and now I will cry. "Colleague."

"Ronit?" She asked and I am sure her brows were raised upward, "Chiii, kabhi nahi." 

"Then who the fuck he is?" She asked, "That's not important, first tell me what I should do now?" I almost cried.

"If you like that guy and want to be─" My shout sliced her words, "Bhai don't like him." There was silence for two to three minutes.

"Bc, face time kar mujhe." Did I ever tell you Kiara doesn't curse normally? In the meantime, she faced me which I gladly accepted.

"Explain?" The only word left from her mouth solemnly, "Actually bhai hates him and always tells me to stay away from him."

"And who is that guy?" Her solemn tone didn't budge as she mumbled, "Bhai?" My eyes widened before snapping at her.

"NO" Yes. My screams echoed inside the room, and I saw Kiara's cell phone fall on the bed where she was sitting and her palm immediately covered her ears., "Thik hai, thik hai maine toh bas majak kiya tha ab chilla mat. Ladka kon hai ye bata." 

"Ladka chhodh main karu kya ye bata." 

"Amaya, if Shaurya bhaiya hates him so, I don't think you have any chance with him in the future."

The actual fucking truth.

A deep sigh passed her lips as she gazed at me with a dejected impression, "I think you should meet Ashvin once but don't say yes to the marriage."

"Fine, I will tell Papa that first I will meet him then I will make any decision." 

"Yeah, Chal mood off mat kar aur bata kal club chalegi?"

"Main toh chal chalungi lekin tujhe allow kon karega?"

"Mumma and Papa are out of the country it's only me and Bhai are in the whole fucking mansion." 

"Okay, so tomorrow at eight o'clock at night I will pick you up." She spoke and nodded at her words then she cut the call.

🍂

I heard a knock on the door I immediately said without turning towards the door, "Lavanya, I want something sweet to eat. Can you bring something for me?" Since this time only she can come to my office. "Will my lips work?" A deep, husky voice lands up in my ear.

Without getting second thought I instantly twirled to meet the owner of that dazzling whisky-colored orb who was footing straight at the entrance with his dearest smirk, "What are you doing here?" I mumbled and hastily walked towards him.

"Why can't I be here?" I gripped his wrist and pulled him inside before closing the door, "Kabhi toh thik se jawab de diya karo." A sigh escaped my throat.

"Jawab baad mein dunga, pehle idher mere pass aao, meri jaan." He says and pulls me in his arms. His arms wrapped around my waist and an authentic smile curled over his lips, "You wanted something, right? So, let me give you." 

I didn't comprehend what he said when his lips touched mine, a fear crawled inside me what if anyone saw us? We are not in his car that he can kiss me or feast on my tits, right? Revansh's hand slid to my hair and took it in a fist before tugging it which was enough for me to open my mouth, and he could shove his tongue inside it.

After kissing me opps, and eating me for some good minutes he pulled back and hugged me tightly as if I was going to vanish into thin air if he didn't hug me. "It's so hard to live without you, I want you every single second in my arms." His voice was screaming truthiness.

"Revansh" I mumbled, "Yes, baby."

"What are we?" My sudden question made him break the hug as he smiled and caressed my cheek, "We can be anything you want, if you want me to be your boyfriend I am ready, if you want me to be your husband I will marry you right now and if you want to hide this I am also ready but if anyone tries to take a chance on you, I will kill him."

"R-Revansh, Bhai hates you, he said you are a c-cheater." His expression changed from sweet to solemnly, "I don't give a fuck about that, and it can never change the fact that you are mine." He snuggled his face in the crook of my neck as he inhaled my scent before mumbling, "I am not a cheater, Shaurya never tried to find the truth and I never explained it to him in my anger."

I didn't ask anything further because it wasn't the right time for all these shits, I have to tell him to stay away from me since, I am going to meet someone, my family has chosen for me. 

"But that also doesn't change the fact that Bhai hates you." I attempted to pull back from his grip, but he tightened his hold on my waist, "I think you should stay away from me, you should stop touching me." I spoke after gathering all my confidence.

I could feel him getting furious, his breath got heavy and finally, he pulled himself back from my neck, "I will die... I need you, sweetheart. You are my medicine for everything I have been through or will go through and next time before you say this, take out the fucking gun from my cupboard and pierce my heart because I can't live without you, can't live without having you in my arms." My eyes got moisture by his words as he again took my lips in a passionate, ardent kiss.

Do I matter that much to him?

A knock disturbed our moment as I heard a displeased groan from Revansh. I pushed him lightly maintaining a safe distance from him and said, "Yes, come." Lavanya entered and bowed a little, "Mr. Raichand, Mr. Mittal was asking about you." 

I looked at him as his jaw was clenched and piqued expression was playing over his gorgeous face, "I will be there." His eyes meet mine when he mumbled, "Will meet you soon, baby." 

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

"How is she?" A hoarse voice came from the darkness as his men whirled to find their boss footing straight, "Recently she was seen with a man in Marin Drive."

"Who?" Furious, wrath, and rage were visible in his voice, "From sources we got to know that he is her best friend's brother."

"Do you think he will snatch her from me?" Being confidence is good but over-confidence leads to drowning. "Never, sir."