Tangled: Hearts And Truths 𝟒𝟑: 𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐬

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Akshara: MISSION COMPLETED.

She’s informing me today while she was done doing the job already the last night.

After all that guy himself called me.

I’ll have to ask Akshara as soon as we meet that how she managed to be so perfect, while acting like my boyfriend, she had surely used some voice editing app.

I couldn’t control my laugh but keep the phone on mute while that guy kept on talking in tension. What else would I do when he asked me in horror that which killer I’ve got as my boyfriend.

Only if he knew it was my best friend instead.

I wondered what she even told him that made him really call me and inform me that he’s not coming today and ask my boyfriend to stop annoying him.

He was the guy my father had told me to be careful and not spoil anything, because He belonged to so great family and had so amazing business.

And these types of offers are not something small for a girl like me, who’s wedding was broken in front of the whole big world, according to my father.

He had gotten the call back earlier in the hospital about that family visiting us today to see him and that was when he informed me to be ready and I straight rejected. He dared me to say that again before I ran away from there, ending up at the terrace.

I’m just fed up of finding new ways to get saved from these blind dates and marriage things.

I don’t even know what I want.

Or maybe I know.

But then that person himself doesn’t knows?

The memory of the other night filled my brain again as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

I had managed to come back to my senses after sometime, which was honestly too long but my brain kept on considering it as sometime, and surely pulled away from him.

I didn’t tried to look at him again even though I know he was staring at me, or more like I didn’t had the courage to.

I drove away from there, trying my best not to hate myself for leaving him that way in that heavy rain.

“Sidharth left this jacket here in your room. When will this guy get smart!” My grandma complained and I turned around to check which jacket she was talking about as he just left for New York back yesterday.

“That’s not his.” I blurted, closing my eyes in regression because that black jacket did not looked like it belonged to a girl, nor like it did.

It was just that I realised his jacket over my shoulders after reaching my house, I did not only left him in the heavy rain but also took his jacket.

“Then who’s?” She asked looking at it carefully and distracting her was the best idea.

“Should I tie my hair or keep it open, dadi?” I asked her because I was currently getting ready for someone who wasn’t going to appear. 

“Keep that open, beta. You’re looking gorgeous.” She said pinching my cheek with love and I chuckled at it, I was really happy.

I let my hair fall down to my shoulders as I was already done wearing earrings, followed by a purple suit.

I was almost surprised to know it when I woke up today that my family is still not aware of them not coming today, or ever.

But they’ll soon be.

And the reason behind my double happiness is…my father asked me to give my hundred percent just this one time and if it doesn’t works, he’ll let me breath in peace for some months.

I’m ready to do it for even one month here.

I was, giving my hundred percent. It surely won’t be my fault if they don’t arrive.

“Aaliya, are you rea—” Papa knocked on the door and I opened it even before he was complete. He smiled at me before telling me he’ll call them.

“They’re not answering our call.” Papa said tensely and I hid the smile forming over my face with a fake tensed look.

“Why would they not?” I tried to act as innocent as possible. “They might be on their way, don’t worry.” He patted his hand over my back before walking out as if I’ll be really worried.

My grandma followed him out too and I sat back on my bed in relief, taking my phone.

A CALL FROM THE BLACKLISTED

-flashed on my screen and it didn’t took me time to guess who it was.

He literally called me late at night, when there was probably the party going on at Akshara’s home, which I didn’t attended only because of his presence.

I answered him and don’t know what else I expected but what he said boiled my blood.

He kept silent for the first few second and after asking for numerous times what it is, he answered that he wants his jacket back!

I just ended the call and blocked him for no reason.

The door to my room opened so forcefully, forcing my head to jerk up and look who it is.

My grandma is probably getting stronger day by day.

“They are here!” She breathed with a big excited smile over her face and my breath stopped.

“Other girl’s face gets red and yours is going colourless.” She tapped her forehead coming to me and I just stared at nothing, in shock.

“This boy is really handsome, I can already say he’s gonna be a perfect pair for you.” She ran a hand down my hair in excitement.

I took in a deep breath.

What if that guy is here?

The worse can be I’ll end up marrying this person.

What more?

“You seat here calmly, I’ll tell you when to come out. Don’t be nervous” She said becoming all serious again and stepping out of the room.

Oh no
Oh no
Oh no!

I looked all around in my room, running a hand over my hair frustratedly in attempt to find any way.

The phone in my hand rang again and I checked the caller ID before answering immediately.

“Don’t you dare thank me, it was my pleasure to help you. Just buy an ice cream for me, or actually two icecreams. Someone is not that bad.” Akshara highlighted the ‘someone’ but my brain couldn’t focus on finding which someone she was talking about currently.

“They are here..” I said in disappointment and she muttered a curse underneath her breath. “Why?! I mean how?! Or actually..why?” She herself sounded so shocked.

“Are you gonna shut up or not?!” She yelled loudly at someone and I felt confused whom to feel more pity over, me or that person. “We’ve got only two option now.” She said sounding all serious, and I nodded even though it was a voice call.

“Find a beer bottle in your father’s room, drink it and go in front of them that way. They will absolutely leave right away…and….your father will… throw you out of the house, but don’t worry I’ll pick you up.” I was surprised by the excitement in her last line.

“Second option?” I asked completely ignoring the first one. “Get married.”

Before I could think or answer, the door to my room opened and my mother stepped in.

“Bye.” I said before ending the call and turning to her. “You’re okay?” She asked walking to me and palming my cheeks.

I nodded and smiled, gesturing her to go, with me. “Don’t be nervous.” She said fixing my already fixed hair. Even if I told her that I don’t want to, she’d just tell me whatever my father is doing is for my own good, so be it.

She put a hand at my back as we stepped down with my heartbeat raising with each step I take forward.

I never curse, but after telling me that he won’t be coming and now suddenly appearing, he deserves hell.

I was about to turn towards the room they were in before mummy stopped me by my arm. “Take this” She said gesturing at a helper who was standing with a tray of tea cups in her hand that was made by our cook.

I took it and turned around again walking towards the door.

My mother stepped in first then gestured me with a smile to come in too.

I took in a heavy breath and plastered a fake smile over my face that I’ve always been flawlessly expert at.

I stepped in and my father and probably, that guy’s father stopped talking.

The feeling of eyes on me was strong, but then, there was one gaze that felt a little, not really a little, too intense.

I didn’t rose my eyes to even look at that guy, I had already seen his picture and to be honest, he wasn’t that bad but.. I don’t want him.

And I’m not wanted by the person whom I want.

Amazing!

He doesn’t even knows that the one I want is him.

More amazing!

“What are you doing, Aaliya? Go and serve them.” My mother whispered me, pulling me out of thoughts and I slowly turned to my right, where they were.

I didn’t rose my eyes more than seeing till their waist. There sat my father, I didn’t even needed to look up to know how wide he was smiling.

Then at another side was, a man, a woman, and another man, with sexy legs.

My grip on the tray tightened as I internally hit myself for finding someone’s leg sexy? How on earth even?

I need a psychiatrist.

“Aaliya, be quicker beta.” My father said in a gentle and sweet tone, it probably sounded that to them, but for me, it was a warning.

“We can wait, let the kid be comfortable.” Probably, that guy’s father said. I took in a deep breath that I was holding for so long and walked to my father before handing him the tea.

I turned to the lady who’s hair was done in a low bun looking who was giving me the warmest smile that pulled out a genuine smile out of me too and I handed her the tea.

After serving the man beside her also, I kept my eyes down, turning to the coward who was scared to shit till yesterday but suddenly appeared at my house.

I wished I could spill the whole tea over his head before kicking him out of my house.

I forwarded the tea cup to him, without meeting his gaze because I felt him gazing at me the entire time.

“I won’t take it before you tell me whether you’re going to return my jacket or not, that’s too memorial and I have to preserve it for our kids.” The voice was low, enough for no one else to hear it.

I froze.

My eyes immediately raised up to his eyes.

It’s him.

My eyes widened slowly before I heard a loud sharp sound below, at the ground, feeling warm liquid burning my skin.

“This girl can’t do anything properly without a problem! Reyansh beta, are you hur—” I flinched at his yell before a firm voice interrupted him.

“Or is there any problem with your eyes, Sir? Because you can’t even see properly who’s hurt.” I felt his warm hands holding over my left palm as I stared down at the broken pieces of the cup.

“Where’s the kitchen?” He asked dragging me out from the room with my hand in his, which was literally on fire. I couldn’t even process anything, leading him with my other hand.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know that cup would fall off your hand.” He hissed entering inside and turning on the tap before leaving my hand in water and then walking to the fridge.

I winced in pain closing my eyes tightly as he pressed an ice cube over the back of my palm. I opened my eyes slowly again, my attention wasn’t on the pain in my skin but at him.

He blowed over my skin as he kept rubbing the icecube over it also.

He was also forced, just like me.

His family also forced him to come here today.

And if that’s so, I’m ready to break it myself.

“You’ve burnt your leg too?” He asked gently, looking down at my feet and I didn’t answered, most of the tea had spilled over my feet.

“What have I done!” He hissed and I suddenly felt a pair of hands around my waist before he lifted me up and sat me over the counter.

I shyly looked out the door and let out a sigh when I saw no one to witness that. A painful wince escaped my lips as soon as I felt him rubbing the ice cubes over my feet.

“I-I’m fine. You don’t need to do it.” I hardly managed to say with my dry lips and almost felt as if he didn’t heard me if not for the sign he gave my by gripping my leg tighter and continuing what he was doing.

He stood up after some moment and kept the ice tray beside me, on the counter, standing too close to me.

“That wasn’t the reaction I expected.” He said almost sounding disappointed and I wondered if he expected me to scream in happiness and hug him, or kiss him.

“Stop staring at my lips.” He said and I lifted my eyes to meet his gaze before looking down again at his lips and a sudden panic and realisation took over me. I turned my head to the side.

“Not like I mind it, but….” he took a small break as I turned back and looked at him with narrowed eyes and his lips formed into a smirk.

“Then you’re going to be the same person who’d push me away if I kiss you because your father would have probably seen us till then.” I didn’t even needed a mirror to see the redness over my cheeks, I could feel it.

He’d say these things, he’d show care, he’d make me feel a little bit of happiness and would also shatter them soon by letting me know he still hasn’t moved on.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go and tell my father that I don’t want to marry you.” I said getting down from the platform on my own.

I don’t know what my father would be doing in anger but I’d rather marry a stranger than marrying Reyansh if he is also forced by his parents.

“You don’t?” He asked suddenly holding me by my wrist when I stepped past him and I again looked out the wide open door to look for anyone but there wasn’t.

“I don’t.” I said sharply, shaking my head before he suddenly pulled me, causing my head to hit his chest and I instantly tried to step back but his grip was stronger.

“Let me go!” I blurted with gritted teeth with the small amount of hate I have in my while the rest wants to cry. I don’t know why but.

“You don’t?” He asked me again and I tried my best to pull away. “Leave. Me.” I said pulling back but my all strength went in vain.

“I. Won’t. You should had thought about it before kissing me the other night in that rain because now, I’m fucked up.” He said firmly again reminding me my second mistake.

First was that day in the car.

I again tried to pull back forcefully and he asked, “You were talking about me that night?” I stopped pulling back because it more sounded like a statement than a question.

“Someone is calling me. Let me go.” I lied without looking at him, standing calmly.

“You’re not going unless you accept it.” He said, calmer than me, or actually he was the only one calm.

I gritted my teeth in anger, why the hell he has to be so double faced as if he won’t turn me down the moment I accept anything.

“Fine, I won’t be answering you. You want to stay like this? Let’s watch who’s tired first.” I said staring straight into his eyes before he suddenly pulled me again closer, killing that mere distance too that I could hardly maintain.

“You think I’m gonna be tired?” He asked, towering over me with his breath brushing over my face.

“I was talking about you, now leave me.” I said again wiggling through his grip and he suddenly let go my hand.

I didn’t waited for him to laugh at my face and was about to run out from there as soon as possible when he said something causing me to stop me at track.

“But you were wrong.” I waited, looking over my shoulder.

“And maybe I was too.” It didn’t take me time to turn around and check his face, wondering what is he even saying.

“I used to thing that I couldn’t have a place for anyone ever again in my heart.” My heartbeat suddenly rose and my eyes widened.

“And maybe you still think that you only fall for the ones who aren’t meant for you.” He shrugged, taking a step forward and I was caught on my breath.

“But the truth is—-” He was interrupted by a call for aur both name and I turned around to see everyone.

“You’re alright, Aaliya?” Mummy asked me gently, putting a hand over my head and I nodded lightly.

“She will always be now, with my son beside her!” His mother smiled cupping my face gently in her hands.

I smiled awkwardly, having no idea and glanced back at Reyansh from the corner of my eyes to find him already looking at me with a hidden smirk, that wasn’t hidden to me.

“Let’s go back.” Mummy said putting a hand over my back when his mother stopped her. “Let Aaliya have some time with Reyansh to clear any doubts if she has while we talk about the wedding arrangements.” I gulped and the fake smile also faded from my face.

“You’re happy with it, Aaliya? We’ll only do anything if you agree with it.” She said as if noticed my reaction and I glanced at Reyansh again.

I took in a deep breath. “Aunty, I’m not read–” I was interrupted by a sudden grip at my wrist. “Hope none of you would mind if I have a small talk with her.” My father was half way through his, “We would surely not mind…” while Reyansh dragged me out with him.

“I don’t want to talk.” I muttered on his way god knows where when he suddenly stepped inside my room with me.

“What are we doing here?!” I exclaimed removing my hand from his grip and stepping back as he stood against the door. “Or actually, what are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to come but someone else.” I told him.

“I still wonder how the fuck your father even think of that man for you who pissed in his pants from my mere words on a phone call and didn’t show up here.” He stated and my brows knitted in confusion.

Akshara informed that the mission was completed, but not about by whom?

“Y-you were the one calling him?” I asked in disbelief and he nodded, taking a step closer to me.

“I was also the one telling him how just a few phone calls and his business would run down, but more to care about his health because I wasn’t going to spare that either if he showed up at your house. He wasn’t a matter to worry even before you asked bhabhi to help you.” He said and a soft chuckle escaped his throat.

“She tried hard to make me jealous by appreciating his looks..taking my enemy’s side.” I could see a hint of disgust in his face. “But I sent a voice record to Arhaan.” He winked at me.  

“B-but how did you ended up here?!” I asked.

He smiled, victoriously.

“I just had to let my parents know that I’m ready, but only if it’s one specific person, and my parents didn’t took much time to call your father yesterday evening and talk about us. Guess what?! Your father didn’t minded and invited them home today!”

My father might have surely gone crazy when the other guy refused, because of our deal so for sure, he couldn’t let this golden chance go.

I scoffed. “You even included your parents in your play.” As soon as the words escaped my throat, something twitched in his jaw.

“None.” Step. “Of” step. “This.” Step. “Is.” Step. “A.” Step. “Fucking.” Step. “Play.” He said taking the last step, caging me against the wall.

“T-then why are you doing this?!” I tried to yell at him, tears forming in my eyes.

“Because I need to be by your side for the rest of my life to keep you from crying as I’ve said earlier.” I watched with heavy breath as he stared in my eyes, or, the tears in my eyes.  

“You don’t have to.” I said and was about to step away from beside before he rested his other arm on the wall caging me again, keeping me from going. “I will.”

I looked back at him again slowly, before asking. “And why would you?” My voice only came out as a faint whisper because I was almost breathless.

“I hadn’t realised it until I felt the urge to go and kill each and every single reason when I saw you breaking down in that rain, when I felt my heart clenching in my chest only at the thought of you thinking of another man to have you. So, I assume that as love. And I’m in fucking love with you.”

He breathed heavily, his breathes brushing over my face as I felt at loss of air. “I don’t believe in those dating shits anymore, so…be mine.”

“Y-you meant it?” I managed to ask after staying like that, for what felt like eternity. He smiled, like really smiled so warmly and leaned in to me.

“You know, I did.” I inhaled a sharp breath at the contact of his soft lips over a tear on my cheeks, only then I realised that the tears has already made its way down my cheek.

He then stepped back from me, allowing me access to move but I still remained sticked to the wall, unable to think.

“I don’t think staying here alone for too long with me is going to be a good impression on your family.” He stated and my eyes widened before I ran towards the door, only to be stopped again by a grip on my wrist.

“You didn’t answered me.” He said again and I turned around with crooked brows.

“If you’re ready to be Mrs. Khurana.” I slowly took a step to him. “If I say no?”  I asked with neutral tone.

“Then I’ll kiss you.” He said with a confident smirk, as if he knew it more than me that I won’t.

“Then, no.” I can change my answer later for sure.

He looked around and his eyes stopped over at my dressing table.

“Let me fix your lipstick later before we step out.” He said before claiming my lips.

______________________________________

Their last chapter.

Only two chapters away from the ending.

The quicker the target is complete, the quicker the update.

Thank you.