Shivyansh

Sometimes I wonder why exactly I decided to make Kanishk my business partner, I mean, believe me, he's a great friend, and he's like my brother but only if god made him less of a talker, I wouldn't be having the urge to throw him out my office right now.

"BHAI, Tu sun bhi raha hai?" He waves his hand in front of my face which I swat away before glaring at his face.

(Brother are you even listening to me?)

"Are you sure you're older than me? How come you whine like a 5-year-old while being 27?" I hear him let out a scoff as I close my laptop stuffing it into my bag. He brings his hand to smack my face but I get up from my chair before his digits even touch my skin. A smirk forms on my face watching his face grow with annoyance.

"Now you know how I feel." I pick up my bag and walk towards the door, ignoring his rants of curses indicated to me. We both step into the elevator, the doors closing in front of us. My shoulders relax a bit, as I roll my neck to release the tension from a long day at work. Clients had been coming and leaving hour after hour, and while Kanishk was busy with Aditya uncle to finish off deals, I was dealing with assholes the whole day.

I glance at Kanishk's reflection on the elevator doors, watching as the lines on his forehead deepen into a frown. Had anyone else seen him like this, they would ask five times if he was Kanishq Rajvanshi. He isn't one to stress or get tensed, but seeing his current behaviour also concerned me.

"Itna tensed kyu ho rakha hai?" I look back at him over my shoulder waiting for him to speak. He takes a deep breath before leaning against the far wall of the lift.

(Why are you so tensed?)

"Teko boluga toh bhi farak nhi padega." His voice comes out low, almost disappointed.

(It would matter even if I told you.)

"Bolna yaar, kya ho gaya?" The last time I saw him this tense was when he was going to college and Kaynaaz had broken her leg, he was reluctant to leave her side but eventually did when Kaynaaz herself told him to go.

(Tell me, what happened?)

"Kyra hasn't stepped out of her room since last night, she won't speak to anyone, or tell anyone what happened." He gives me a pained look which I failed to return. Kyra was the least of my concerns, and I have zero clue what happened last night. All I'm grateful for is that, It was Kyra who turned on the movie room's light and not some actual ghost, not that she looked any less than a Bhootni herself.

Before I can say a word of comfort to Kanishk, the lift opens up to the ground floor, revealing a huge coward of people in the lobby.

"I'll meet you in the parking out", he slips past me, disappearing into the coward. Sighing, I drag my feet to the reception, the crowd hustling and bustling, when a figure suddenly bumps into mine, making me stumble to the side. A female's hand reaches out to me helping me stand up, before she bows her head, her brownish hair covering the view of her face. She apologizes continuously, and before I can mutter a word, turns around running back into the coward with her red dupatta flying behind her.

Odd. I have never seen a girl wearing traditionals in the company.

Pushing the thought aside, I slip out of the building before meeting Kyra's brother in the lot. Both of us settle in our cars and drive back to the Rajvanshi mansion

Kyra

Sitting on the staircase I was watching the two love birds romancing, Ishaan's hands wrapped around Anvi's waist as both of them stared intensely at each other. Ishaan leans forward, closer to her lips. Kiss kiss kiss kiss, my brain screamed with excitement, finally, the two will admit having feelings for each other. Atleast someone will get their dream love story. Just then, the front door bursts open and in walks Kanishk and behind him, Shivyansh Khurana. I roll my eyes stalking his long strides inside the house. How dare he ask so free and confident? As if he didn't just insult me last night with his rude asshole behaviour. Both of them set down their work bag and work their way towards to kitchen. Panic settles inside me when I remember the position in which Ishaan and Anvi were. If that Shivyansh see them that close both of them will be six feet under.

I sprinted down the stairs, to stop them but I was too late. Shivyansh stood in the kitchen, with Ishaan in a headlock while Anvi pleaded him to leave his poor brother's neck. Kanishk just stood in the corner quietly, his lower lip tucked between his teeth, trying not to burst into laughter. When he sees me approaching Shivyansh from behind he stills, pausing any movement. He shakes his head denying me of continuing what I'm about to do, but I refuse to listen. No way I'm letting this 26-year-old man hit my best friend, khud ko toh pyaar karne ki fursat nhi, and he dares to disrupt the young couple's first kiss

(He, himself doesn't have the time to fall in love, and he dares to disrupt the young couple's first kiss)

I creep up behind his board back, quietly tipping toeing to stand directly parallel to him. I catch Anvi's glance and grin at her before my hands smacks flat on the back of his head. Shivyansh's grip around Ishaan's head loosened and I immediately instruct Anvi to grab his hand and run. I'll deal with this monster man myself. Shivyansh catches the grip of my hand turns around and faces me. I look back at his face, giving a second thought to my decision.

Shiv's eyes bore holes into my head, staring at my 5'3 ft figure. Suddenly, he seemed much bigger and taller than before. I glance at the spot Kanishk was standing in and he shakes his head, his eyes screaming 'Don't argue with him'. Instead, I return the same death glare to the 6 ft man standing in front of me.

"Why did you hit me?" His voice came out stern.

"You can't hit my best friend." I said nonchalantly.

"He's not your BSF. And he's my brother I can do what I like." A scoff makes it past my lips. Who is he to decide whether Ishaan is my bsf or not, he's not the boss of me.

"He IS my best friend." I snatch my hand back from him, placing both of them on my hip bone trying to look intimidating.

"He's my brother." He smirks at my behaviour and brings his hand up before flicking my forehead harshly.

I squint my eyes at him trying to control my anger, looking around the kitchen, I find the box of flour Anvi had taken out of the cabinet. Taking it in my hands I dump the flour on top of his head before screaming "HE IS MY BEST FRIEND YOU CAN'T HIT HIM." I lose my last nerve and stomp my foot on his.

He stares at me for two seconds, trying to process what just happened. I hear Kanishk mutter a small 'oh fuck' before a small realization of what I had done arises in me. Hair and face covered in white flour, Shivyansh's red eyes stare back at me in anger. A nervous chuckle leaves my lip and I pick up my hand to dust off some of the flour off his shoulder before muttering a small "oops".

He loses his calm and his hand reaches around his back as he grabs a glass of water to throw it on top of me, but I move out of the way and the water splashes on Kanishk's face. I purse my lips trying to hold in my laughter. Kanishk smiles clearly pissed. Great I'm done for, I glance at the entrance of the kitchen, making my move and running back out into the hallway.

"Get your annoying ass back you little shit." I could hear the anger in Shivyansh's voice, his footstep not two feet away from my own. I run into the living room, hiding behind the sofa cupping my hand over my mouth to cover the sound of my heavy breathing. When the sound of footsteps moving around stops, I sigh in relief. Phew, that was close. I relax a bit laying my head on the back of the sofa closing my eyes to calm down my breathing, opening them again only to find those glaring brown eyes throwing daggers. I flinch at his sudden appearance, glancing at him and then at the gate of the house. Mummy bacha lo ye pagal insaan Meko mar dega. I slide away from him, sprinting towards the main door, praying to god to help me escape but unfortunately, the god wasn't in my favour today and the tall figure cuts in between, blocking the way.

"Ab kidhar jaegi chudail?" He wiggles his eyebrows in challenge.

(Where will you go now, witch?)

"You did not just call me a chudail."

(You did not just call me a witch)

"Aww gussa ho gyi chudail?" He steps closer to the figure, taunting me with his expressions. Isko mai Abhi batati hu zyada bol raha.

(Aww, did the witch get mad?)

(He's talking a lot, let me teach him a lesson)

I glance around the room, looking for something to use. Spotting a small plastic vase nearby, I grab it in my hands, holding it in front of me.

"Take it back." I challenge him.

"Nhi."

(No)

"Shivyansh teko mar dalugi."

(Shivyansh I will kill you)

"Pehele khud ki height toh dekhli shawty."

(First, look at your height shawty)

I pick up my hand, with the plastic vase, "Madarch-"

(Motherfu-)

"Kya ho raha hai idhar?" A heavy feminine reaches my ears and I bite my tongue in nervousness. Shivyansh backs away dusting the flour off his clothes as he glances at me and then at the woman behind us. I turn around to face Dadi standing there with her hands full of bags and a face of horror.

(What is happening here?)

"Kyra pagal ho gyi hai." I shake my head furiously, glancing back at him with a glare.

(Kyra has gone mad)

"Dadi isse ne Meko chudail bola." I point my finger at him, an innocent pout forming on my face.

(Dadi he called me a witch)

"Tune mere saar pe aata daal diya pagal aurat." He shakes his hair, dusts of flour falling on the floor in front of us.

(You poured flour on top of my head, crazy woman)

"Meko pagal kese bola tune?"

(How did you call me crazy?)

"Muh se."

(With my mouth)

"Tera muh na ma-"

(Your mouth I wil-)

"BAS KARO TUM DONO." I toss the vase aside and stand silently in front of Dadi. Agar Dadi ko gussa aagya toh hum dono ko ghar se bahar phek degi.

(ENOUGH YOU BOTH)

(If Dadi gets mad, then when will kick both of us out of the house)

"Apologize to each other." I look at her in disbelief, pointing at his white powdery face. Apologize to him. This arrogant, panda-looking creature? Isse Acha mai ja ke building se khud jau. I shake my head, reluctant to do as she said, no no no, I will not apologize to Shivyansh Khurana.

(I would rather go jump off a building)

But the sternness in her eyes, made me do what I wouldn't in a million years. I turn my body towards him, forwarding my hand to him.

"I'm sorry Mr. Khurana" I bat my lashes at him and the fakest apology leaves my lips. He rolls his eyes, taking my hand in his squeezing it tight enough to make me yelp. But unfortunately, Dadi didn't seem to notice. He smirks and takes his leave with Bhaiya. I cross my arms in front of my chest and walk to the couch sitting there with a grump on my face.

A few minutes later Dadi sets her bags on the coffee table before settling down herself. Taking out big and small red boxes from the bags she sets them on the table, before calling everyone to the living room.

Rooh and Kaynaaz slip into the room wearing matching jump sets, both of them settling next to Dadi staring at the boxes in curiosity. Rooh reaches for one of the boxes but her hand gets swatted by Dadi.

"No touching Rooh, you have to wait." The gentleness in her voice makes me smile softly. She holds a soft corner for the three young girls, they're her "three musketeers" but me and Kanishk like to call them the "three idiots".

Bhaiya and Shivyansh enter the room next, Kanishk settles down next to me as his friend sits in the chair a few feet in front of me. He had washed himself up and was wearing Kanishk's clothes, black sweatpants and a loose white t-shirt. He glances my way, amused by the movement of my eyes over the clothing. What? does he think I'm checking him out? I make a disgusted face at him. I would cleanse my eyes with bleach if I ever think of doing that. I give him an annoyed smile before flipping him off.

"Kyra." I still hearing Dadi's voice. Turning my face toward her, I sigh in relief. She was picking out a box from the ones set on the table.

"Ji dadi, kya hua?", she picks up a small red box before handing it to me. It was smaller than the rest of the boxes and some good embellishments on top of it. I carefully open the blood-coloured box and a small exclaim leaves my lips as I see the item placed inside. A beautiful silver band diamond ring. It glittered under the lights of the living room, sparkling bright like a star.

(Yes dadi, what happened?)

"Oh my god Dadi ye kiske liye hai." I glance at her before showing the ring to Bhaiya who was beside me. He takes it in his hand, astonished by its beauty. Dadi rarely buys such expensive gifts, even after being in a wealthy family, she prefers to stay simple and cost-efficient, her buying such an expensive gift can only mean there was going to be a special occasion soon.

(Oh my god, who is it for dadi?)

"It's for your bhabhi." She says, looking at Kanishk. I watch his face change from a surprised one to a blank one. Bhabhi? Magar bhaiya ki shaadi- Holy fuck. An audible gasp leaves my lips, as I glance around the room, the other two girls held the same expression as mine, and shiv's mouth open as well.

(Bhabhi- sister in law)

"Here, look at her." Dadi hands an envelope to Bhaiya, eagerly waiting for him to open it. But instead, he drops the envelope in my lap, before standing up and facing her with a hard expression.

"Ab bhi dekhne ka kya matlab dadi? I'll just directly meet her at the wedding." He scoffs and storms out of the room. Guilt settles on Dadi's face, she lowers her head and sighs softly. She was helpless I know, Bhai isn't one to think of love and relationships, he says he's too busy to fall in love and give fucks about someone besides his family. And although me and Kay love our brother, this has always been a topic of argument between us. We just wanted what was best for him.

(What's the point of seeing her now dadi? I'll just directly meet her at the wedding.)

I get up from my place in worry, to go after him but a hand stops me. I glance at Shivyansh, tugging at the envelope in my hand. Looking at him in question I let go of the envelope by instinct. He sits beside Dadi before whispering something to her silently.

He gets up and walks towards me, "let me talk to him." His voice comes out in the softest whisper and I just nod my head slightly, before he storms past me toward Kanishk's study.

Kanishk

A groan of absolute frustration leaves my lips as my fingers tap continuously on the table in front of me. I love my grandmother, and I abide by her every rule, but her actions just now down in the living room made me furious. If I hadn't left, I would've said something that could hurt her.

Fuck this shit, I've no interest in marrying someone, moreover loving someone. It's practically a waste of time and a mere distraction. I grip my hair tightly pulling at them, as a few curse words leave my lips. How can they make such a big decision without asking me? This is my life.

The door of my study bursts open and Shiv stepped inside with the same envelope Dadi gave me in his hand.

"Don't even try." I know what he was trying, trying to convince me to atleast look at her pictures.

"Kanishk pagal jesi harkate mat kar aur envelop khol ke dekh. Dadi ne koi ladki pasand ki hai toh soch samjh ke hi ki hogi" The sternness in his voice indicated his seriousness. He puts the envelope infront of my eyes before leaving the room slamming the door shut.

(Kanishk stop behaving like an idiot and open the envelope, if dadi has choose a girl for you, she must've done it with thinking and thoughts)

I stare at the yellow paper, fighting my heart and brain as I try to make a decision. Ughhh fuck you Shiv. I pick up the yellow folder and slip my hand inside taking out the pictures.

The first thing I notice is her long black hair, a little long than Kyra's with lifted curls at the end. She wore a blue Kurti and wrists adorned with some white coloured bangles. Her Hazel eyes catch my own dark brown ones, lashes coated with some mascara and Kajol on the water line. Her pink coloured lips curved up into a simple smile, making her eyes crinkle slightly.

I stare at her for a long minute, taken aback by the beauty of her face, her expression and sense of dressing. A minute or two pass, my eyes frantically running over and over her picture, memorising how she looks. Turn after turn, minute after minute, my eyes still don't get tired off looking at her. She's the most beautiful fucking person I've ever seen.

I pick up the envelope to look for a name written on the paper, finding nothing outside, I peek inside it to find any kind of name. Still failing, I sit back in my chair in disappointment, I want to know her name. I hold her photo in front of my face, taking in her features again. Flipping the photo in hope of finding any information there, i fist  pump the air as I find a beautiful name written in a beautiful handwriting.

Ipshita Singhania