chapter 7

Author's POV

It was a grey morning with a dull sky threatening rain. The sky above was full of tumultuous, dark, ragged clouds. 

Morning freshness of fresh rain and mud was making the environment look vintage. Everything appeared clean and clear along with  glowing greenery of plants and trees after the water washed due to rain. 

Few water drops were slowly falling from every hard object, the falling sound of water droplets was melodic to many living ears,  in this noisy city. 

Leisurely diverting her gaze from the window, Anbu stared at Rishi, who was sleeping peacefully beside her curled into a ball.

He was sleeping, leaving a decent gap between them. Anbu wasn't surprised at all, she knew he might have thought that he's taking advantage of her, and following that he must have made a gap between them at midnight. 

He's worrying about the physical closeness, but what about the intense closeness of their souls which they had last night ? 

Anbu smiled sarcastically knowing, no matter how hard he tries to keep a distance between them, nevertheless he ends up being close to her. She is proud of herself realising how much she affects him. 

Playing with her tangled hairs anbu eyed him from top to bottom,  his messed up thick hairs were looking smoking hot, her hanker for playing with his hairs was aching her fingers. Not wanting to disturb his sleep, Anbu kept her hands to herself. She was admiring his Broad forehead and those two rounded eyebrows above thick eyelids. Perfect straight nose which stretches a little whenever he smiles. And now, the most important and attractive feature of his face - his lips.

She usually keeps her all focus on his heart shaped lips, which attracts her more than anything. Definitely he had the perfect shaped and soft lips that a man can have. 

Seeing his lips she recalled their last night kiss, how smoothly he kissed her without making her feel uncomfortable. The way his lips moved against hers was too much to endure for a 'first kiss'. She can still feel his lips on hers, and just a thought of their kiss,  made her blush.  She never thought just a simple kiss can drive all her nerves crazy like this.  she is thankful to him for stopping with just a kiss, otherwise god knows what would have happened between them out of burning desires. 

For a moment she thought all these as a dream. She always wanted to love , before their marriage, but due to her strict parents she never got a chance to even crush around. And finally when her alliance got fixed with Rishi, she left all her  love-dreams and began to accept her fate of arranged marriage. Of course she genuinely liked Rishi and accepted him as her life partner from bottom of her heart yet her unspoken and inexperienced love-dreams were hanging in mid. Nevertheless day by day Rishi made her feel special about herself, just like how a boyfriend makes his girlfriend feel, he shows the love, care, attachment and respect to her, for which she yearns all these days. And now she helplessly  falls for him before their marriage.  Her dream of love marriage has now become a  'dream come true'. Although she isn't sure what he feels for her,  thus she didn't confess her love to him till now.

She knows he likes her, but that's not enough to confess her love yet. She wants to know other than liking her what else he feels for her. And there's no rushing for confession as she feels if something is meant to happen then it will happen. Till then she chose to enjoy their time.

She was admiring her man, when suddenly Rishi's eyelid flinched a little and he opened his eyes at a slow pace. 

Anbu was startled by the sudden eye contact with him, Rishi didn't look away nor he flinched his eyes. His brown orbs were stuck on her like if he saw the most beautiful sight ever.

Anbu felt the weird sensation down her stomach, averting her gaze from him she woke up from bed adjusting her dress properly. 

" Good morning " she heard Rishi's deep voice behind her. 

" Good morning " she greeted him back and stood up from bed, she was feeling embarrassed as Rishi found her g waking him while he was sleeping. 

" Don't be embarrassed, you can check me out whenever you want. It's your rights. " Rishi spoke with a tint of devilish smile. 

Anbu glanced at him suppressing her smile and she said " I wasn't looking at you, it's just i...I just..." She stammered due to his constant gaze on her.

" You know, You look so cute when you try to lie about something " Rishi teased her more, for which Anbu lowered her gaze and mentally cursed herself for being  obvious. 

" Let me get fresh up,  " saying that Anbu escaped from his teasing. Walking into his sister's room she closed the door and stood leaning on it. 

Thinking of her silliness she chuckled and went to take a bath humming a random song. 

Rishi layed there for a few minutes keeping his both arms under his head, eyes on sealing. Indeed he had a good start to the day. 

She is doing something inside him, he feels glad to own her. At first he was vaguely bewildered about Anbu. 

But now, something has changed inside him. Is this love or not , he doesn't know. But he wants all of her only for him, That's all. 

Smiling wildly he stood up and decided to get fresh up and make something for breakfast before she came out. 

Keeping the bed and pillows inside his room back on its place, and put both of their phones in charge as yesterday electronics were not there to charge their phones. Rishi hurriedly took a bath after doing his morning chores.

Rishi came out wearing a light pink t-shirt matching with black track pants. 

Running his fingers in his almost dried hairs he walked inside the kitchen and began to prepare coffee and tossed some bread with jam as he was clueless about what to cook in the morning, that too in this rainy weather. Oily and heavy breakfast won't be digested soon in this shadowed grey day so he decided to go with light food.

By the time he was done preparing coffee he heard the door unlocking sound,  which got his attention. 

Anbu came out wearing a white dress, drying her hair with a towel as she walked to the balcony. Rishi's eyes weren't ready to leave her sight. She was looking god damn gorgeous in that white dress, the way she flipped her hair from right shoulder to left shoulder was a whole show for him. 

How can someone look attractive effortlessly ? He asked himself and smiled looking at her. He can literally feel the creaminess of her skin, waving her hairs in the air she looked here and there casually, that's when she noticed Rishi's eyes on her.

Raising her eyebrows at him she came forward meanwhile Rishi shook his head and said " i come to tell you that coffee is ready " somewhat he handled the situation.

Anbu smiled at him and went with him to have her coffee with breakfast.

Both had their coffee in atmost silence, just then Anbu's phone rang gaining her attention.

Seeing the name on display she picked up the call without wasting another second. 

" Hello, appa " she spoke, by this time Rishi got to know that it's her dad. So he maintained the silence and keenly observed her facial expressions to know what might be he saying.

After hearing what her dad said, she panicked and looked at Rishi in anticipation.

" Sure appa, I'll be ready, drive safe " saying that Anbu ended the call and looked at Rishi who was already waiting for her reply.

" Appa told me to be ready by ten, he will pick me up from Swati's house. " Pinch of disappointment was in her voice when she said that her dad is coming to pick her up. 

He too felt the need of her being with him at every moment. Both of them badly want to stay together for a few more hours, But they don't have any other choice. They have to wait till their marriage so they can be with each other without anyone's fear. 

" Okay then, I'll drop you at Swati's house before your dad arrives there " said Rishi with a fake smile, he doesn't want to show his emotions and make her feel bad. 

" No, it's okay I'll ...." Before she could complete her sentence she got another call, seeing the name on the display Anbu's face brightened with joy. Rishi was confused to see her change of expression in a split of seconds.

" Hey, buffalo, how are you da ? It's been a long time since you talked to us, idiot. You don't even come to my engagement. I hate you seriously, looks like you forgot us. " Anbu was jingling in happiness. 

By the time she spoke to the person, Rishi understood that it must be someone close to her, might be her friend.

" ohh, so now you're in Chennai ? Wohh that's so sudden of you ." Anbu was talking with wide eyes like she was surprised by what the other person said. The curiosity and excitement was visible on her face.

" What , you're coming here ? Are you even serious ?  Who gave you my current location ? must be Swati, she is the only one who knows about my whereabouts. Hey Can't you wait for a few hours ? Ohh , okay then be on time. Don't make me wait....by dumbo " saying this Anbu ended the call with a bright smile.

Rishi was waiting for her to continue.

" It was my friend varun. Actually, Swati and Varun are best friends from school. We three were always a gang. We used to be so chaotic at times. Swati's and  Varun's parents are fun to interact with unlike mine, in fact Varun never showed up indro my parents as my best friend, because my parents never allowed me to be friends with boys, so he always maintained a safe distance whenever my parents were around me. Other than that everything was going smoothly and suddenly varun disappeared after our graduation. I and the swazi were so worried for him, after a few days we got a call from him saying that he went to the US for higher studies. After that we kind of lost touch with him. And now that stupid arrived from nowhere, he come back to India and on the way to pick me up, he said he'll drop me at Swati's house as it will be a great meet up too. " Anbu said all these one go, of course she is so excited to see her best friend after all these years.

Rishi nodded with a 'O' shaped mouth. He wanted to drop her , but it's ok she is meeting her best friend after a long time. Let her enjoy her moment. Thinking this he smiled at her. 

Why he suddenly went to the US for higher studies is still a mystery for Anbu as she knows Varun is not that ideal type of student who is determined to study, nor has he ever discussed higher studies. In all these years he distanced himself, and now he's back. 

She has a list of questions and memories to share with him, a sudden rush of excitement and enthusiasm was inside her.

" He will be here in a few minutes, let me get ready " saying that Anbu ran to Kavya's room to get ready before her friend arrived.

Rishi sat on the couch sipping his coffee, seeing her excitement for her friend, Rishi too had an urge to meet her friend - varun.

In a few minutes Anbu came out getting ready, she wore a Blue cotton shawl on her white dress, and put her hairs in a loose ponytail leaving side flix to adore her hairs. 

By the time she took her phone and hand bang she heard horn sounds, Rishi stood up to bid her knowing that it's her friend Varun only.

" I think he will come " , saying that Anbu walked towards the main door, Rishi too went with her.

Coming out of his appointment Anbu saw her friend Varun, waiting for her leaning on his car.

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She was taken back by Varun's massive change over, her eyes went wide out of surprise. 

" Hey buffalo " cheering in excitement anbu walked to him and hugged varun. Varun smiled seeing his best friend's logging for him. 

" Woahhh, so much of love haan " he teased her while wrapping his arms around her,  Rishi was watching all this with a smile. 

Best friends are always best friends, even if they haven't talked for years. They don't need daily conversation to remain best friends. 

Varun saw Rishi, and the realisation hit him. He took off his hands from Anbu and smiled awkwardly at Rishi. 

Anbu and varun parted away after a few seconds, Anbu smacked varun's head and said " idiot, where were you all these days ? No call, not even a single message. You're such a brat I'm saying " she was scolding him in flow. 

" Dear, you can scold me later, first introduce me to you soon to be husband " varun mocked her.

Anbu bite her tongue realising that she got carried away seeing varun.

" Sorry, meet Rishi. My soon to be husband and Rishi, this is my crackhead friend varun '' anbu introduced them to each other.

Rishi smiled at varun while varun did the same with him, both shaking hands and saying "hi " to each other. 

" Sorry bro, I couldn't attend your engagement, "  Varun said to Rishi.

" No need to say sorry bro, I can understand. " Rishi answered back .

" We need to discuss a lot bro, especially about this crack, I'm sure anbu wouldn't have told her chaotic side stories, let's catch up soon. " Varun joked while Anbu glared at him.

" Sure, i would love to know about her adventures" Rishi joined varun. 

Both men laughed, while Anbu glared at them. 

" Okay, we're getting late. Need to leave bro. Hope we will meet soon ``Varun said and Rishi nodded.

" Take care, and I'll call you once you reach there," Anbu told him and Rishi smiled at her.

Varun bid a bye to Rishi and sat inside the car on the driver seat.

Anbu too walked near the car, but suddenly she turned her head and looked at Rishi.

Rishi was already looking at her with some unknown emotions in his eyes, he wanted to stop her, make her stay with him for a few more hours. But he knows it won't be right to do so. 

Anbu winked at him,  blowing a kiss in the air . She hurriedly sat inside the car, and here Rishi was still in shock. 

What just happened right now ? Was his face reaction m he didn't expect a flying kiss along with a wink from her. 

Biting his lower lips in a shyness mixed with happiness he bid by them and went inside his apartment with a contact heart of having anbu in his life.

Varun started the car, Anbu was sitting right beside him in the passenger seat. 

" Both are made for eachother"  she heard varun's voice, who was concentrating on his driving.

" I know, " Anbu replied back with a shy smile.

" Btw, first tell me why you suddenly went to the US ? If it's not because of studies, there's something else to tell me '' Anbu asked him the question which she wanted to ask him for a long time.

Varun smirked and glanced at her.

" Oh, hello..... I'm asking something, give me the answer otherwise i won't let you in peace " anbu dared him with her warnings.

" Some things are better to be unspoken, " Varun mumbled, which she heard.

" Mr. Devdas first tell me what it is, then you can continue your devadass advice. " Anbu was literally giving him dead glares.

" Okay then your wish." Varun said in a sarcastic way, and continued " I fell in love with you, but I know you will never accept my love as you always saw me as your friend. So I decided to distance myself, because my love for you was so evident in my every move and I was scared to let you know that. So I flew to the US, but guess what, being in such a  long distance didn't even help me to get rid of your memories. I fall hard for you,.more then before and finally decided to propose you, and face whatever happens after that,  i got the courage too, so i come back India but your engagement was a unexpected news for me and i don't know what should i do now, I'm lost and confused " varun finished saying, and looked at Anbu who was staring at him with a open mouth.

She thought he loved swati. 

But what he said now is totally unexpected for her. 

Is this gonna be a love triangle ? She asked herself.