05. I can't marry you

"I didn't came in your life to be out so easily. You are mine and I don't let go what belongs to me."

~Karan

His eyes were sparkling as he leaned closer diving into her eyes while peeking into her soul. His heart beat was thumping hard inside his rib cage feeling damn lucky to get her.

"I-I.. can't believe we are getting marr-", he was cut in middle.

"I-I can't marry you… I don't want to. I'm being forced into this", she says, hesitating.

His eyes squinted as the sparks changed into confusion. He was unable to detect any lie in those words while seeing through her soul. And he gulped hard thinking why in this world she can't. When Sammy unannounced showed up and she left gazing down. He could see a lone tear escape her eyes and his heart shattered with that, feeling demotivated but smiled seeing his siblings. 

Making them think they were having such a romantic moment but in reality it was something he never wanted to hear or even imagine for a second.

………………..

Karan's mind recalled this secret conversation of them which was left incompelete due to his brother. He couldn't think about anything but those words and that somehow escalated his blood pressure making him heave.

I won't let you go Dia… you are just mine. And you need to marry me at any cost, he oaths to himself as he walks toward the living room.

Sammy tapped his shoulder making him clouds of thought burst and he raised his brows giving him attention. But frowned as his brother copied his action, earning a death set glare which clearly made Sammy understand that he is dead. 

"Fine… just chill Bhai!", he says quickly, passing a apologetic smile.

Karan sighs and smiles back at him making Sammy run into the hall and blurt that he is hungry. While Karan follows him after sparing a last glance towards her room.

Meanwhile, Dia was sitting on her bed thinking why she feels lost in him and everything around them goes blank out. 

Why do you care? You just be happy now, because you made it clear to him that.. 'YOU-ARE-NOT-MARRYING-HIM!!', her subconscious chirps making her smile softly.

And now I'm sure he would cancel this marriage. Woohhoooo… now we will be free and back to the life we were living, her subconscious danced feeling over the moon. 

Nodding in affirmation Dia smiles as well but something inside her evaporating that smile makes her sad. Her heart clenched tight and tears welled up again.

Why am I feeling like to cry now?

What's disturbing me now?, she inquires her heart. 

When Ira barged inside her room and tapped on her shoulder making her startle. She giggled looking at Dia's face and informed her that everyone is calling her out for lunch. While she just nodded and stood up for walking out but paused seeing Ira still standing. 

Ira was scanning her room and found it decent, simple and less decorative. In total for her it was quite plain in comparison to what generally girls have. Dia raised her brows when she tapped at her and Ira passed a sheepish smile. 

"Umm…nothing was just checking your room", she replies and Dia nods and was about to turn but stops. 

Dia could see she wanted to ask more as her curiousity of asking something was clear in her eyes. So, she ushered her to question whatever she wants to and she did.

"Why your room is so simple and plain? I mean… generally we girl's don't have any bluntness in our room, right?"

"True. But I don't stay here and secondly even in where I stay means Australia my room has minimal things only", she replies.

"O.. but you know what Bhabi.. Bhai has his room full of decent but eye catching things. Making it look like magnificent and stylish. While mine is full of girlish things…ahh just like one of the girls dream about", she overly shares being a bubbly girl.

While Dia feels uneasy ticklish sensation crawl her heart hearing about him and her again being mentioned as 'bhabi' aka sister in law.

Ariha then continued saying that how even they used to live in Australia first and then her parent's shifted here with her. After Kabir and Sammy joined the business and took over it. But the main branch is still in Mumbai, India. She even said that Karan used to stay in India only and it's been just few years of him shifting there as he wanted to explore his life first.

Dia just nodded listening her and they went dining hall straight as everyone was there only. Ira took her seat beside her mom while Dia scanning the whole table found Karan's side seat empty. She sighed before hesitantly taking her seat making Karan froze for a second. 

Though it was unintentional but it's a sign Dia, that you belong to me being at my side, he mutters to himself as he sees the other seats reserved.

On the hand, her mind was filled again with his presence and cologne making other things blocked in her head.

Why does he effect me so much? What's so special about him?, she questions herself while serving on her plate.

Shrugging their thoughts both continued to eat their food in utter silence avoiding each other while other's were laughing, talking and enjoying their food when suddenly Ariha called out for her.

"Bhai…Bhabi, can you please pass me the plate of kebabs?", she uttered hungrily and they both nodded together.

Karan extended his hand for taking kebabs and so did Dia which made their hands touch, giving an igniting spark to their body. Both turned to look at each other and they were lost for a second making Ariha elbow Sammy and get her kebabs. While seeing his intense gaze she took her hand back and looked down and he shifted his gaze as well. 

What the hell just did happened?, they both questioned together to themselves internally.

While Avni and Shalini were quietly observing them sitting at opposite sides and smiling.

Karan then for diverting his mind decides to feed his stomach and picks the bowl of chicken curry, serving himself. But as he was about to keep the bowl back, corner of his eyes noticed her hesitation.

Is she wanting chicken curry as well?, he questions his subconscious.

He then clears his throat lowly, grabbing her attention and making her look at him biting her lips. 

"Umm.. do you want some?", he says feeling uneasy with the way she was nibbling on her plump lips.

She nodded in affirmation feeling tongue tied and was about to take the bowl from him when he smiling lightly served her too. Dia was taken aback and smiled unknowingly at his sweet gesture and continued to eat while he did too. Their parents noticed this caring nature and actions thoroughly and smiled. Thinking they will surely make a good couple bond with each other.

After lunch they went to their backyard to get some fresh air as the weather was quite pleasant and cool outside. The older generation sat in the chair discussing about further rituals and ceremonies while the younger group decided to roam in the backyard. 

Karan was walking behind Dia with his one hand in pocket and other busy with his phone. While Ira and Sammy kept chattering and Dia calmly listened and responded. 

At times, he could hear her smile, laugh, anklet and bangles noise which felt soothing for him. Dia even teased Sammy with Ira which made him smile too.

You are just perfect to fit in my family, he says internally, smiling to himself.

When Ariha and Sammy started running behind each other out of the blue. And Dia stopped on her way making Karan bump into her this time.

"Ahh....", she hisses a little as her shoulder gets hit by his hard chest.

And he looks up quickly apologizing to her for his mistake. She says it's okay to him but turning her head other side calls him an blind idiot.

God knows how many times more would he crush me from his hard muscles. Aghhh!, she groans in mind.

Well if you want.. he could do that all your life being your partner. And then he would be above you and you…you my love underneath him", her subconscious teases, making her glare for those nasty thoughts.