Kanishk

I feel someone smack a soft cushion against my face and a low groan leaves my chapped lips.

My eyes take a minute to adjust to the lighting of the room before they look for the culprit of such doing. My eyes finally set on my beloved sister. Kyra stared back at me with a grump on her face.

"What would you possibly want so early on a Sunday morning Kyra Rajvanshi??"

"Exactly Teddy, SUNDAY. It's Sunday. Aren't you forgetting something?"

I stare at her in confusion. Was it something special today? Someone's birthday? Or anniversary? What-

"Kya Bol Rahi hai tu billi. I'm so confused right now."
(What are you saying kitty)

"You've got a date bhaiya!"

She looks back at me in disbelief and realisation finally dawns upon me. I was supposed to meet Ipshita today to discuss something about the marriage. Her family had arranged a meeting for us both because she had something important to discuss before the wedding.

I glance at the clock hung on the wall in front of me before another groan of frustration leaves my lips. 9:30 am, I'm running late.

"Tick tick Bhaiya. Also, leave me by the library while you're on your way. I need to buy new books."

"Absolutely no-"

Before I finish my sentence Kyra slams the door shut before walking away. This kid, how many books is she going to buy? An entire wall of her room is filled with books.

Sighing, I lazily get out of my bed to shower and change into suitable clothes. First impressions are important, especially when you're trying to impress a girl you've never met in your life and are about to marry.

The marriage was fixed without my permission. Not that they'd give me any choice anyway. I've never dated, never liked a girl, never talked about marriage. Rather ran away from that topic. Marriage is an inconvenience to me, and here it's being done for the convenience of two companies, the irony.

Tying the gold watch around my wrist, I look at my reflection staring back at me.

White shirt, blue jeans, it's basic but who cares, as long as it works for me.

Fixing my hair a bit and pulling on my shoes, I pace downstairs before grabbing the car keys and heading out.

A few minutes after I settled in the car, Kyra finally stepped out of the house before opening the car door and sitting in the passenger seat.

I take a quick look at the bag in her hand before my eyes settle on her clothes.

"What the fuck are you wearing Kyra?"

I eye her deep neck vest before looking at her confused face. Ye toh book store ja rahi thi na?

"What why?"

"Ye iske aage ka kidhar hai?" My finger points at her slightly exposed cleavage, god these kids grow up too fast.
(Where's the front part of this?)

"It's called v neck Kanishk."

"Book store ke samne line lag jaegi ladko ki."
(There will be a queue of boys in front of the library)

"Ladke bookstore pe kab hi aate bhai. Plus it's so hot outside. Please chup ho jao aur chalo."
(When do boys even come to the book store, plus it's so hot outside. Please shut up and let's go.)

I give her an offended side eye before starting the car and pulling out of the drive.

After dropping Kyra near her favourite library, I make my way to the restaurant where I was supposed to meet ipshita.

Sala ek toh date fix karte hai bina puche aur Phir restaurant bhi khud decide kar lete hai. Aur choose bhi konsa kiya? Our company's most famous restaurant.
(God, first they fix a date without asking, and they even decided the restaurant themself. And which one did they chose? Our company's most famous restaurant.)

A deep sigh of frustration and nervousness leaves my lips before I look at the fore mirror of the car and run my hand through my hair. I stare back at my reflection for another before finally gathering the courage to step out of the car and make my way towards my restaurant.

The company has opened a lot of branches over the years, but this restaurant has been the best working in years.

I pull out my thoughts when I hear someone greet me and I look up to see the staff standing there with a smile on their face.

I give them a tight smile before heading inside to meet the woman I'll possibly live the rest of my life with. Which I wouldn't mind really, because ever since I've seen that beauty, I can't get my mind off of her,  this woman is a real-life goddess.

I look around the restaurant before my eyes settle on a beautiful woman. My heart flutters seeing the beauty sitting in front of me clad in a simple yet beautiful greyish saree. But it wouldn't compare to her beauty. Ever. A soft glow adorned her face, and her hair, long and shiny left open down her back. And at last, my sight settles down on her lips. Rose petal pink, full, and heart-shaped.  I could feel my heart beating against my chest aggressively, and to say that butterfly erupted in my stomach wouldn't be enough. A galaxy. I could feel a whole galaxy revolving in my stomach at every small glance I took at her. God, how could you ever make such a gorgeous woman? Anyone would be blessed just to look at her.

Her doe eyes linger around for another minute before they settle on me. It takes me a whole minute to realise that I'm staring at her like a hungry dog and I immediately look away. Pagal Insaan, aese kon ghorta hai?

I clear my throat and quietly make my way towards her. The cold demeanour was just a show. I would get on my knees and worship her right here, magar mujhe pagal samajh ke bhagyi toh problem ho jaegi.

"Namaste Mr. Rajvanshi."

Her voice comes out meek but in the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. She folds her hands in front of her before giving me a soft bow, which I return. I could feel my heart melting further when she gives me a small glance through her lashes before returning her gaze to the table in front of her.

I pull out the chair in front of her and settle down on it before taking a quick sight of the surroundings. The restaurant was pretty empty, with only a few people.

"Idhar udhar hi dekhte rehege ya kuch baat bhi karege?"
(Will keep looking here and  there or talk as well?)

My eyes still for a moment before landing back to her hazel ones. She tilts her small head at me before picking up her bag which was laid on the side and pulls out a black file, placing it in front of me.

I look at her in question, before opening the file, my eyes scan the small print over the white pages.

"What's this?"

"I'll get straight to the point. It's our marriage contract. Our families didn't make one so I decided I'd make one myself."

"I don't understand."

I look at her with a confused gaze, trying to figure out the meaning behind her words. What contract?

"This is why I asked your family to arrange a date for us. I wanted to discuss this matter with you. You're well aware, we're getting married only for the convenience of our companies. Once everything is well settled, and the companies have a bond held other, we'll end the contract there and then along with this marriage."

I had been aware that the wedding was for the convenience of the companies but I had never expected a contract. And if she never wanted to stay married then why would she even agree to it?

"Then why did you even agree to this wedding Ishpita?"

"It's what my family wanted. And I don't have a problem with it. Anyway it's a marriage of convenience, we have a contract, and we have our rules. And I hope you'll keep them in mind. Until the contract ends"

Before I can say something against it, she picks up her bag and gets up from her place.

After giving me one last glance, she heads towards the restaurant doors and disappears from the place I had entered.

I can feel my heart ping in pain for a second but I push it away.

Marriage of convenience or not. Pyaar me toh main ghir hi gaya hu, jabse tumhari tasveer dekhi hai. Ab bas, tumhare ghirne ka intazaar kar raha hu. Bas ye dua hai ki tumhara contract khatam hone se pehele mera intazaar khatam ho jae.

(I have already fallen in love ever since I saw your picture. Now, I am waiting for your fall. I just pray that my wait ends before your contract does.)

Shivyansh

I can feel girl's glances all over me as I make my way through the crowded office towards the elevator.

It's Monday again. Dreadful, work-filled, annoying Monday. I had wasted my Sunday sleeping in the entire day and now comes fucking Monday.

The elevator door pings and I head first through the doors giving zero heed to the people already standing there.

The door of the elevator opens and shuts for the next few minutes until it's only me remaining inside.

The door finally opens up to my office room and I walk in, my shoes making a noise against the marbled floors. I toss my bag aside nonchalantly, its weight subsiding from my shoulders before I settle down on my chair.

I feel my phone buzz in the pocket of my pants and pull it out to see a client's call. A groan of frustration and annoyance leaves my lips before forcing myself to pick up the call. Great Subha Subha ye bhi aagye dimaag kharab karne.
(Great early in the morning, they  also came to spoil the mood.)

The rest of the afternoon goes by at a slow pace, with coworkers coming in and going out, and black-blue files covering my office table.

I glance at the clock on the wall in front of me before relaxing into my chair and closing my eyes. It's already 3 pm, might as well leave the rest of the work for tomorrow. Not like someone else is going to walk in with work now and settle another file on my desk.

But of course, god hates me, because a second after that thought I hear the office door open again before someone walks in.

A deep sigh leaves my lips and I slam my hands on the table in front of me without looking up. 5-minute ka bhi break nhi mil sakta hai kya mujhe?
(Can't i get a 5 min break?)

"What's wrong Mr. Khurana?"

My eyes immediately shoot up listening familiar sweet voice. To my delight, I see Mariam standing in front of me, staring at me with concern-filled eyes.

She has wearing a white kurta along with a dupatta over her head like always and a pair of silver Jhumke in her ears. She gives me a questioning glance before setting the file in her hand on the table.

"I hope everything is okay."

"I'm just exhausted,"

Mariam's eyes soften as she takes a step closer, her hand reaching out to touch my hand set on the table, and patting it softly. I feel my heart skip a heart at the feeling of her warm skin against my cold one. Even the slight touch of her feels like an electric spark.

"You look like you could use a distraction "
her voice comes out gentle, almost as soft as a feather. And I can feel myself drowning in it again.

I could hear her voice all day, near me, in the hallway, through the walls of my office. Wouldn't mind hearing it at night either, in my bed.

She snaps her fingers in front of my face to pull me out of my dirty thoughts.

"Mr. Khurana? Why are you always so lost?"

Blame your beauty, it would be a crime not to get lost in it.

"You're right, Mariam. A 'distraction' would be exactly what I need right now. But I'm not sure where I can find one on a Monday afternoon – any suggestions?"

She looks at me momentarily before slowly catching onto the playfulness in my answer. Her cheeks flush a delicate pink shade before her gaze turns down, avoiding looking into my eyes.

I couldn't help but feel a flutter of butterflies in my stomach as I observed the subtle shyness that adorned her goddess-like features.

In a moment, she looks back up at me with the most delicate eyes, our orbs meet and stare back at each other a second longer than usual before her gaze returns to the ground. And I feel the sudden urge to pick her up and worship her beautiful lips.

"Maybe there's something you'd like to do?"

"Yes, I'd like to do you."

She looks back up at me with big round eyes and mouth agape with an expression of surprise on her face, before I realise the words I had said in my head came out of my mouth instead, revealing my private thoughts to her.

"I- I mean I'd like to do something with you"

I mentally smack myself for stumbling over my words, making them sound dirtier than the ones before. She removes her shocked gaze from me looking anywhere but into my eyes, her hands fumbling with each other in front of her, the shade of pink which was light on her cheeks a few minutes back turning brighter by the second.

Before I say something to explain my slip of the tongue or provide context to ease the situation, my phone pings loudly with a notification.

I watch as her slight lingers on my phone screen for a few seconds before she clears her throat.

"I should go now Mr, Khurana! Have a good rest of the day!"

Before I say another word she scurries off to the office door before disappearing out in the hallway.

I sit in my chair for a moment, staring again at the clock in front of me trying to figure out what the fuck just happened.

I hear my phone ping with another message and pick it up to see Kyra's text.

What the hell is she always doing at the library? Whenever you ask someone where is Kyra, the answer is either her room or the library.

I type her a short "okay" message before keeping my phone aside and returning to the work with the little strength I had left. There was still an hour and a half before it turned 5, it's better to finish the work left than sit and daydream.

Time skip

I relax against the seat of my car before pulling out of the driveway. The car glides smoothly over the well-built street, the engine humming along with the music which was playing on the radio.

I look out the window momentarily seeing the colours of the sky slowly turn pinkish orange as the afternoon subsides into the evening.

As I reach the library, I see Kyra standing over the stairs of the library wearing a white deep v-neck top and shorts, along with a beige tote bag.

I pull up in front of her before honking the loud horn to catch her attention. She gives the car a strange look before realizing it's me and swiftly makes her way down the step and towards the car door. She steps into the interior of the car before fastening her seat belt and turns to look at me.

"Achi gaadi hai, kisne di?"

"What do you mean kisne di? I bought it myself."

"Itne paise hai tere pas?"

I give her a weird look before smacking the back of her head. She lets out a squeal of pain and amusement before giving me a side-eye.

I roll my eyes at her behaviour before my eyes look over her outfit and then back at the library doors.

"Kya hua? Is smtg wrong?"

I shake my head softly before looking back at her.

"Nhi bas surprised hu, library ke bahar ladko ki line nhi lagyi hui."

She looks at me with confused eyes before giving a glance towards the library.

"Kyu lagaegi line?"

"Tu itni sundar jo lag rahi hai."

The unexpected compliment catches her off guard and her eyes slightly widen. But they quickly turn into thin siren eyes looking at me with a question.

"Wese toh bohot chudail bolta hai, ab suddenly Sundar? Kya chahiye teko?"

"I genuinely mean it, idiot."

My hand softly ruffles her soft black hair before returning to the gear and shifting it into drive pulling out of the driveway of the library.

Her eyes linger on me for a minute before returning to their normal state. Kyra sinks back into her seat before facing the window and gazing outside.

But it doesn't hide the genuine smile on her face, and the subtle warmth on her cheek from the faint reflection of her on the window.