Chapter Thirteen

I felt him before he was even near us. I don't know why, but I simply did, which was just plain weird!

"Di. Jeejaji."

Why is he being so formal?

"Quit being so formal around your future wife," Anjali said.

Oh!

"We're you're family, not your employees that you need to be in boss mode in front of your employee."

I glanced up at him and he glanced at me.

"Go ahead, keep stealing glances at each other," Anjali grinned.

Both of us looked away and blush filled my cheeks. Holy crap, what is going on with me?

"How cute are they," Anjali gushed. "They look so perfect together, right Rohan?"

"They most certainly are," he agreed. "Now stop embarrassing them."

Anjali gaped at her husband. "I am not," she defended, but he only frowned at her, crossing his arms.

"You know he's right," Arnav said.

"Hey, you're my brother," Anjali pouted.

Arnav chuckled and my heart fluttered. Oh my....

"Come on Rani Saheba, let's give the two some privacy."

"But- oh alright, I guess the two deserve a moment." Anjali turned away with her husband. "Have fun you two."

Truth be told, I wanted to hold them down because I had no idea what to say to him, nor how to actually manage my legs from collapsing beneath me. They had turned to jelly and I felt wobbly.

Arnav and I glanced at each other and around the room, not saying any words. A waitress came by and and offered us drinks. While Arnav went with the alcoholic drink, I took a soda.

"You don't drink," he asked when the waitress left.

I shook my head. "No. I don't see the hype in it."

Arnav nodded. "I guess. But that's not the only reason why people drink."

I tilted my head in confusion. "What reasons are there for people to drink?"

Arnav shrugged nonchalantly. "For a good time. Sometimes for no reason."

Hmm. I shrugged with a nod.

The room had filled up with more guests and with buzzing, talk buzzing around in the air.

"Do you want to get away from here?"

My eyes shot up to his. Hot stuff say wah?

It took a brief moment to let his words go through my ears and get to my brain, understand it, then bring a response to my lips. "Um... sure."

Why did I agree?

Arnav led the way and I followed behind. We slipped through the guests, him saying hi to several people who had noticed him, and abandoned our empty glasses on an empty tray. Eventually we arrived to a poolside, away from the rest of the guests. There was a wonderful view of the full moon and of the many shining stars above. With the brightness of the moonlight, the area was well lit, the light reflecting into the pool.

Arnav stood beside me and I couldn't help but to think of the night of the party. Some things still just didn't make sense and I was still confused.

"You're still confused, aren't you?"

My eyes widened and I looked away as I blushed hard.

"I can clear it up for you, if you'd like."

Oh? "Um... did you know who I was when you interviewed me?"

"As an applicant, yes. Other than that, no."

Oh?

"I found out afterwards."

"And you still wanted to meet me? Even though I was your employee."

"I didn't have much of a choice. My Di forced me, remember?"

Right, he mentioned that at the party. "Right," I said softly.

"I admit, I was going to tell you eventually, but then there was the incident at the office."

Aye yai yai, don't remind me!

"At least that's one way of doing it," he scoffed lightly.

Touché.

Up above in the sky, the stars twinkled. I loved stars - the way they gleamed and shined above. Suddenly a star shot through the sky and I instantly shut my eyes and made a wish.

I wish that Arnav would be my Mr. Perfect. I really do.

When I opened my eyes, I found Arnav looking at me.

Oh boy, I hope he doesn't think I'm childish.

"What did you wish for?"

My eyebrows slightly shot up. "Can't tell. It won't come true then," I said softly.

Arnav chuckled lightly and looked up. "That's true."

"Won't you wish for anything?"

He looked at me for a moment, then looked back up and shut his eyes. As he made his wish, I couldn't help but to gaze at him. At work, he was this ruthless boss, yelling away with a temper. And here was this man, the man behind the facade.

And I really like him.

Arnav opened his eyes and looked at me.

"What did you wish for," I asked softly.

There was that thing again that was making my knees weak.

"Can't tell," he replied softly.

Oh my... his voice. "Why not?"

"Because it won't come true."

The softness of his voice was truly getting me, and it finally made its affect. My knees went weak and I lost my balance. Arnav caught me around my waist instantly and held onto me, the both of us gazing into each others eyes.

Neither of us looked away, even as badly as I wanted to. I mean why wouldn't I? I was so embarrassed, I mean who the heck literally gets weak at the knees and collapses in front of a hot guy?

No other idiot but me!

My hair came falling to my face and Arnav reached up and tucked it behind my ear. It reminded me of the night before and only then did I register his warm hand on my cool skin, right at my exposed waist.

"You look beautiful," he said softly.

Oh that soothing, velvet voice!! Can you imagine what it would be like to hear the sweetest of things from him?

"It's the sari," I nearly whispered.

"No, it isn't."

My eyes widened slightly. "I-its not?"

Geez, first I stutter, and then I say something as stupid as that -_-

"No."

The two of us just gazed at each other and then in an instant, our lips collided. I don't know who initiated first or if it was the both of us at the same time, I really don't know. All I know was that the two of us were kissing, my hand resting on his cheek and his hand at the nape of my neck. Who knows how much time had passed by - minutes, hours, perhaps even years, because let me tell you, that's exactly how it felt - timeless.

Pulling away for air, I felt Arnav's lips travel down my cheek, to my neck. He placed soft kisses beneath my ear and my body shuddered, my hands automatically reaching out to his arms. I couldn't help the moans that escaped my lips as he kissed and sucked on my neck. It felt amazing, passionate - intimate. Never before have I ever felt such a feeling in my life.

And I wanted this forever with him.

Unfortunately, the feeling of a vibration split us apart, wondering where the heck it was coming from. It turned out to be Arnav's phone and he took the call.

"Yeah Di... no, nothing Di... just showing her around."

Arnav looked at me and I looked away, my face as red as a tomato.

"Alright, we'll be down soon," and he hung up.

Holy crap, did that just really happen?!

"They're waiting for us downstairs."

I simply nodded since trying to even think of bringing words to my mouth was impossible, my brain a pile of mush.

Arnav led the way and somehow, without even realizing it, our hands came together. We walked hand in hand, and I must admit - it felt perfect.

When we came downstairs, we saw Anjali- er, Di, standing beside Jeejaji. We joined the two, releasing our hands so no one would say anything.

Di and Jeejaji turned to us and when they saw us, both of their eyebrows scrunched and then a small smirk grew on their faces.

Wait, why?

"Uh, Saleh Saab, just for future reference," Jeejaji began, "the next time you two kiss..."

My eyes widened instantly. How does he know?!

"...and she has lipstick on, you might want to make sure you don't end up having any left on your lips."

What-? I looked up at Arnav and forced myself not to gasp. There were remnants of my red lipstick on his lips and Arnav reached up with his thumb to wipe it away.

Oh my gosh, could this be even more embarrassing?

Di giggled like a little schoolgirl. "Oh this definitely confirms things. Nani," she called out, and went to her..

Oh my gosh!

I could see the confusion on Nani's face at first and then fill up with a bright smile. She turned to my family and then they all beamed, Amma looking most excited out of them.

Anjali came over to us, giddy.  "Your marriage is fixed and official! You two are getting married! Congratulations!"

Anjali hugged me first and everything around me blurred. Holy cow, how did all of this happen so quick? One moment Arnav and I were awkward, the next we're in each others arms. One moment we were kissing and moaning, the next were in front of a crowd, announcing our wedding.

...our wedding.

Holy shit, our wedding!

I'm getting married!!!!!!!