44| Will you be my Girlfriend

Started writing on 25th December 2020.

Completed on 25th December 2020.

Word count : 4751 words

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- N A T A S H A -

"Will you go on a dinner with me?" Dhruv asked.

When I was coming out from Divya's room, he pulled me like the last time and pinned me between the wall and his body. Why is always hell bent on surprising me by doing this? What's the need to do all this when there's no future for us?

"Do I have to answer you now?" I hesitated and asked. He nodded and I said, "Okay, then I'm ready."

"Then I'll pick you up from your house tomorrow evening." He said and I nodded. He smiled and kissed on my forehead before walking out.

Is he really Dhruv?

Why do I think he's an imposter?

Doppelgänger?

Maybe not. It suits only in movies. Too scary to be real!

I walked out and went to the main area. "Natasha beta!" Divya's mumma called.

"Yes auntie."

"Don't call me auntie. You can call me mumma, just like Dhruv and Divya." She said. What? But why? "For me you're just like my daughter. So don't hesitate to call me mumma."

"Okay auntie." I said and she glared, "I mean mumma."

"Hmm... Good. Take care. I need check many things, I'll go." She said and went away. Walking towards the food area, I picked a drink and sipped it slowly.

"Hey!" A man said and sat beside me.

"Yes."

"You're.....?" Doesn't he know me? Me? Well, I know this trick. He would act as if he doesn't know me and he'll act too clingy, and think that maybe I would be impressed by him.

"I'm the tenth daughter of my parents." I lied and his face clearly showed the extent to which he was shocked.

"Really?"

"Hmm..."

"Don't you wanna know my name?" He asked and I nodded in negative.

"Nope. I don't have any interest in knowing your name."

"I'm Karan Garg. And in two years, I would be India's biggest fashion designer."

"Ohh..." I said while stirring my drink.

"Do you want to be my girlfriend?"

"No."

"Let's go on a date tonight. You can take the decision then." He said.

"I'm sorry but she won't." I was about to say no when a familiar voice stood behind me.

"You're Divya's brother right?"

"Yes, I'm Divya's brother."

"You should go and check the arrangements. Let me talk with my date."

"This is not a dating spot."

"Any place could be a dating spot where beautiful women like her are. Why are you still here? Please don't invade our privacy."

"Privacy? She's my fiancee." Dhruv said and I choked on my drink. When did we engage?

"But there's no news about her marriage over the net."

"Some things are for privacy. Hope you understand this." Dhruv said and dragged me from that place. "Natasha I-"

"It's alright. You did it to save me. Thanks." I said and ran away from him. Walking towards the area where all the rituals were taking place, I saw Divya and Ayaan all covered with haldi. Such an enjoying moment it would be!

I paced towards them and squatted down. "I can't apply it on your face. I'm not married." Yes, it was true. I wanted to do this but then, it could only be done by married women.

Sigh!

"Then get married." She suggested. What a suggestion!

"Even if I marry someone now, your haldi would be over by then. So there's no need." I said and she chuckled. After the functions were over, I went back to my burrow and took a deep sleep before going to the shoot.

××

Evening it was!

Yesterday Dhruv asked me for a dinner and I agreed. Should I've denied it?

It would be rude then.

Hearing the doorbell ring I quickly wore my coat and opened the door. He smiled and said, "Hey!"

Smile and Dhruv?

Are there any connections between both?

"Hello."

"Let's go." He said. Locking my house, we went to his car and he started driving. "Umm.... Do you want-"

"Water? No, I just drank it few minutes ago."

"Actually I-" He was saying something but my phone rang in between. Picking it up, my manager started her rants about my upcoming schedule. Just when he stopped the car, the call ended. "Let's go. We've reached the restaurant."

"Yes." I said and we stepped out. Reaching our table we ordered the food.

"What do you like to eat?" He asked. Why does he want to know this?

"I like many things but can't eat them."

"Should I plan a diet chart keeping your likes in mind? In this way you could eat everything you want in a proper way."

"But I don't think it would work. I am an actress and I need to keep my figure well."

"Your wish." He said and cleaned his hands as the food arrived. Eating the dinner in silence, I wiped my mouth and took a sip of water. "Natasha, I wanted to talk about something."

"Yes."

"I..... I-" He was saying something but my phone rang again. Cutting the call, I directed him to say more. "I..." My phone rang again and I cancelled it. "I....." It rang again and I was about to cut it when he said, "You can pick it up. Must be something urgent."

"Hello!"

"Come fast to the hospital. The owner of this phone had an accident." I checked the caller ID which belonged to my manager.

"I'm coming now." I said before cutting the call.

"What happened?" Dhruv asked.

"I need to go. It's urgent." I said. He nodded and I left to the hospital. Reaching there I saw my manager sitting without any care.

"Oh, you arrived." She said. There was no sign of bandages on her body.

"Yes. You had an accident?" I asked and she nodded in negative. "Then why did you call me? I was busy."

"Busy in what? Is your work more important than anything."

"But there was no need to use accident as an escape just to meet me. You know, I was so scared."

"Why did you stop your further international training?" She asked. How did she know? Ofcourse, she's my manager. "Tell me!"

"I just don't want to go."

"It's just the thing for forty days. If this goes right, you can become an international star. Just think about it. And why do you have to drop this training?"

"I just don't have a feeling to continue."

"Think about your future. I'm asking you for the last time, do you want to continue?"

"I don't want to."

"Really?"

"I.... Okay. I'm ready. When will the training start?"

"That's good. It would probably start next month. And you need to win it."

"Hmm..." I hummed.

Oh shit!

How could I leave the dinner at that time? He was going to tell me something.

Probably, that he doesn't like me and it would be our last date!

What a girl I am?

One side, I know that he doesn't like me.

On the other side, I'm mad over him and am fangirling him.

Oh my goodness!

××

Walking around while seeing the decorations, I saw Divya sitting in a sleepy mood, "Divya."

"Hmm... How was your date?" She asked. How does she know?

"What date? Which date?"

"Evening date with my brother."

"I didn't go on a date with him yesterday." I said and regretted what I said. Shit!

"See, you yourself are telling about your date. I never said about the day."

"Did he tell you?" I asked. If it's not me, then it must be him.

"No."

"Then? I never told you. Does anyone else know about it?"

"Actually, I was passing around when I saw you and him together. He asked you for a dinner." She said and I could do nothing but be shocked. "I mean I just heard about your date. Nothing more nothing less. By the way, how was your date?"

"Alright."

"Wasn't it good?"

"Do you think? I seriously don't have a heart to listen to his no. I know he doesn't like me. Even if he likes me, it would be either out of pity or out of impulse." I sighed. "It could never be love."

"What name should I write here?" The mehndi designer asked me.

"Wait! I don't want to apply this on my hands."

"Why?" She asked.

"Because after few days, it would make our hands rough." Divya said in between and I nodded. "But then I have to apply it because it's my wedding."

"But it looks good." Diya said while coming towards us.

"But there's a difference between looking good and feeling good." Said Divya.

"But when you look good, you feel good." I said.

"Oh God! Stop it. Why does it feel as if we're giving a motivational speech?" Divya said and we laughed. "Well Diya, how many months are left for them to come out?"

"If we're going through the nine month period, then seven months are left."

"How do you feel while being pregnant?" Divya asked.

"Divya! Are you pregnant?" I asked and gained everyone's unnecessary attention.

"No..... I am not. I'm just asking."

"Pregnancy is a phase which you can never forget. Sometimes you feel it's too good that you're carrying a life inside you and ofcourse you won't have any periods. But then you feel irritated because of smells and vomiting."

"Smells?" Divya asked.

"You need to smell everything before eating it. Now I can't eat most of my favourite food because they smell foul, even if they don't."

"You mean it sucks?" I asked.

"A type of. But then it's just starting. As I've heard, there's more to it as the months pass." Diya said.

"I'll never be pregnant then." I stated.

"But look at the other side too. You'll give birth to a new life which men can't. I mean, isn't it amazing?" Diya said and they looked at me.

"What? Even if I decide to be pregnant, there are many years to it. And I need to find a man first."

"Okay then. Find your man first. We'll look forward to your pregnancy later." Divya said. Just few seconds later, her phone rang.

"Divya!" I called her and kept her phone near her ear, "It's your husband." All the time they kept talking about each other like a cheesy couple. At last I snatched the phone from her hand.

"Well Divya, what should we plan for tomorrow?"

"Satsang." I said. (Spritual discourse)

"Huh? It's not Divya right?"

"Yes. My name is Natasha as far as I remember." I said.

"Give this phone to Divya."

"I won't. And she won't talk to you before the wedding. Now bye." I said and switched the call off. She looked at me and raised her eyebrow, "What?"

"What's the need for you to talk like this?"

"Don't tell me what to do. I won't let you both talk and meet before your wedding. Can't you wait for just twenty four hours?"

"I can but there's nothing wrong in talking over phone. That's not even video call."

"Why do I feel that you're the one who's more desperate here?" I said and she glared, "I mean you're more desperate between you and your husband."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm not."

"Maybe you could. I'm not sure."

"If you're not sure then do not state anything about anyone."

"You're not anyone for me. You're my best friend." I said and she rolled her eyes.

"Idiot!"

"I know right."

××

Quickly changing into my dress, I drove to Divya's or Dhruv's house and got inside. It was an early daylight wedding. "Hey! Nice to meet you again." That same man said. "You remember me, Karan?"

"Nope."

"Actually I'm sorry for hitting on you last time but I really like you."

I've heard that a lot!

"Ohh!"

"Please handle your fiancee. Just don't let him manhandle me. I mean, he's a doctor. What if he injects poison inside me? What would happen to future India's biggest fashion designer."

"Why would he give you poison?"

"You're his fiancee and I was hitting on you."

"He won't do anything. He's-"

"I understand. I know you have a big heart and don't mind what I said. Please save me." He said and left. What a strange man!

I walked to Divya's room and saw her taking with her mother. "Divya! Are you ready?"

"I am. And you look good." She said.

"I know I look good."

"Self boasting!" She muttered.

"I heard that."

"Okay girls. Don't fight." Her mother interrupted in between.

"We are not fighting."

"Wasn't it a fight?" She asked and I nodded. "Wait a minute." She said and taking a small amount of kajal from her eyes in her finger, she stamped it behind Divya's ears. "You're safe now." Superstitions!

She walked to me and did the same. "Okay then. I'll go out and check if they arrived. It's almost the time." She said and went out.

"Your baraat may be on the way!" I winked and she glared. "Why do you have to be angry? Your prince charming may be coming on the way. Just a wait of few hours."

"For what?"

"After few hours, you could be all wild you want. I pity your husband." I teased her.

"Why do you make it sound as if I'm a vampire who would suck all his blood?"

"Maybe you would. Who knows?"

"Natasha!!!" She shouted and her phone rang. Picking it up she talked to the person on other side. Her husband! They were talking and as per what I heard, that Ayaan is stupid. He hid on the terrace just to talk with her without getting caught.

"Okay! Come soon." She said before cutting the call. I cleared my throat and she turned back. "Did you hear everything?"

"Hmm..... Your husband is dumb. He could've came here earlier if he wanted to meet you."

"Okay. But he's not dumb."

"Wait a minute! So now you'll say that I can't call him by these idiotic names because he's your husband. Okay I understand."

"I never meant it that way."

"Hmm.... I know." I said.

××

The wedding started and everything was going well. In few minutes, they would be entitled with the tag of husband and wife, again.

And here I was single as hell who was single from her birth.

I mean I got so many proposals from my teenage, but still I chose none. What got onto me at that time?

"Natasha!" Dhruv patted my shoulders.

"Hmm." I hummed and turned back to face him.

"I need to tell you something."

"Yes."

"Finally!!!" I turned back and everyone cheered as the wedding was now over.

"I like you!" Dhruv said while my back was turned to him. Did I hear it wrong? It must be me who heard wrong.

Why does this heart flutter so easily?

"What did you say? I didn't hear it." I said and he chuckled. He bent on his one knee and cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention. "What are you-"

"Will you be my girlfriend?" He asked and I widened my eyes with shock. Is he for real?

"Say yes!" Everyone shouted continuously.

Yes and no.

"Yes." I said and he smiled. He stood up and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you..."

"Huh?"

"Thank you for saying yes." He said and kissed my forehead.

Am I dreaming?

Must be. I pinched myself but it was reality.

"Control yourself. It's a family gathering." Shrey said and everyone laughed. Gripping his hand, I dragged him out and heard everyone laughing.

"I-" I was about to say something when he kissed me.

This is definitely not a dream!

"Uhm..." Someone cleared their throat. I pushed him back and saw my to-be dadi standing there. "You should get a room. Should I get you one?"

"No, we were just-" Dhruv was about to say something when she interrupted in between.

"Busy in kissing. Continue." She said. She was leaving the place but stopped in between. "There are many vacant rooms. Just use that if you don't want to be caught by an innocent child."

"No." I said and ran away.

××

It was noon and we were going to the registration office for dadu's marriage. Mum and dad were on their way from Dehradun to Delhi.

As soon as we reached there, I saw everyone already present there. I saw Divya who was there with her husband and family. She was looking like a newly wed bride, draped in a heavy saree and wearing heavy jewelleries. "You're already here?" She asked.

"Hmm.... I am." I said, "You know, if I wasn't straight, I would've wooed you."

"Really? Ayaan would've killed you."

"As if I'm afraid." I rolled my eyes and she laughed.

"Is everyone here?" Ayaan's father asked.

"No. My parents are left."

"I talked to them just few months ago. They're on the way." Dadu said and I nodded. Waiting for five minutes they finally arrived. I ran to them and hugged them tightly.

"Where were you? I told you to come yesterday but you did what you wanted."

"Your dad had an urgent work in hospital." Mum said and I nodded. "Let's go. We can't waste more time."

After all the papers were signed, my dadu was once again married.

×× ××

– D I V Y A –

It was night and I was once again in our room.

Wedding night!

In early morning we had our wedding and in the noon, we went to the registrar for dadi's marriage. And now it was night, wedding night.

Although we have done it before many times, still I was nervous. The word— wedding night was enough to shiver anyone.

Cool down...

It's not our first time.

Sitting near the window, I gulped a glass of water in nervousness until I heard the sound of opening of door. I turned back and saw him closing the door.

"What happened? Why are you standing there? You'll catch cold."

"Nothing. I was just waiting for you."

"What could I do? You know my cousins right? Last time too, they held me back." He came near me and held my hand in his.

"It's okay." I said. Suddenly, he pulled me by my waist. "What are trying to do?"

"What do you think?" He whispered in my ears, "We're married twice and it's our first night. What do you think we should do?"

Okay.

Two can play a game!

"And you know what, we have this whole night with us, in your words total seven hours. So let's take full advantage of it." He said and nuzzled his nose in the crook of my neck but wasn't able to due to my necklace. I tried to pull myself from him, but then he was Ayaan. Lifting my chin, he slowly decreased space between us.

"You can think about it." I said and he frowned.

"That's not what you said last time."

"I know. Two can play the game." I said and he chuckled. "I want to tell you three things."

"Hmm....."

"First of all I don't like you." I said and his face fell off, "I'm in love with you." I said and you could guess his expression. "Second, there are many girls who want to be with you but I won't let them."

"Why? Don't torture my fans."

"Really? But I would love to."

"Okay. You have the right. And what's third."

"You're not only handsome but hot and sexy too. And I won't leave you tonight." I winked and he smiled.

"I won't stop you then." He said and I hummed. Standing up on my toes, I pulled him slowly by his collar and pecked the sides of his lips.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"It was not even a proper kiss."

"So what's a proper kiss?" I teased.

"Don't you know?"

"Nope."

"Ohh! Then let me show you what it is." He said. Holding my waist tightly, he traced my lips with his thumb and instantly connected his lips with mine. I tried to hold his neck for support but the bangles in my hands weren't letting me. I pulled back and he looked at me weirdly. "What happened?"

"My jewellery. It's itching." I said and he nodded. Helping me in removing all those heavy jewellery, he sighed and sat on the bed.

"Why do you have to wear these many things? How could you even handle these heavy accessories?"

"Even I didn't want to but I have to. It's due to both the mothers."

"Okay. I can't even tell them what to do." He said and I hummed while getting up. "Where are you going?"

"To change. I literally can't breathe in this heavy saree." I said. I had a little surprise waiting for him.

"Wait. Come here."

"Why?"

"Just once." He made a pleasing face. I nodded and went towards him.

"Tell me, what do you wanna say?"

"Nothing." He said while shrugging his shoulders.

"Yaar.... I was going to change!"

"Go."

"That was a bad joke." I muttered and was about to go when he caught my hand and pulled me on his lap.

"What are you-" I said and he interrupted me in between by his kiss. Holding my back tightly, he deepened the kiss while massaging my hair. Getting rid of all the clothes, he pecked my forehead and once again attacked on my lips. Just when I was about to take the lead, he pushed me on the bed and came over me.

"That's what I wanted to do. I was just teasing you earlier." He said and touched his forehead with mine. "You're still wearing this pendant?" He asked while looking at the pendant in my neck, hanging just below my nuptial chain.

"Hmm.... You gave it to me. How can I not wear it?" I said and he smiled. "I was planning to do something else but you ruined the plan."

"You can do it now."

"I was going to change into that dress but now I'm already naked. It went to waste."

"Is that dress too sexy to resist?" He asked and I nodded. "Then you can use it in our honeymoon."

"Honeymoon?"

"Hmm..."

"We're going on a honeymoon?"

"Last time we weren't able to, but this time we'll go."

"For how many days? I need to complete all my office work before that."

"For around three months."

"Three months?" I shouted, "Are you serious? Who will handle the company then?"

"Relax. Everything will be settled."

"But why three months?"

"Why not? Let's get some free time for us. We're always busy in one or the other work."

"Okay." I said. "But where are we going?"

"Surprise."

"Omelette, that's cheating."

"No, it's not. It's not cheating but surprise. You'll know it tomorrow when we reach there. Now let's continue." He said and nuzzled his face in my neck.

"Wait! We're going there tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"When did you plan it?"

"Day before yesterday."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you. Aren't you happy?" He asked while facing me.

"Who said I'm not happy? It's just..... does everyone know it?"

"Hmm....."

"And by everyone, who?"

"Our families."

"Then why didn't I knew it?"

"I told you, it was a surprise but then I spilt it by telling you. I was going to tell you tomorrow."

"You were going to tell me tomorrow? When would have I packed my things then?"

"It's not the time to discuss these things?"

"But-"

"Shh..." He said. "Why waste our time in these fights when we already have much to do?"

"Ohh! But what do we have to do? Sleeping is the best option for now." I teased him while sliding my hands around his neck.

"We have many things to do before sleeping." He whispered and looked down to my bare chest.

"You pervert!"

"What did I do?"

"You!"

"I? You should moan my name, it sounds better." He winked and I hit his chest. "Domestic violence, once more!" He said and I glared. "Okay, you can sleep." Getting up from over me, he laid beside me on the bed and covered us with the duvet.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

Leaving me in this state, how can he back up?

"What? You wanted to sleep right?" He said and closed his eyes.

"I...... Ayaan!"

"Hmm...."

"Baby..." I said in my sweetest tone while settling my head over my hand taking support of my elbow and he flickered his eyes open.

"What did you say?"

"Baby."

"Care to repeat it?"

"Baby."

"Am I dreaming?"

"No baby!" I said in a sexy voice, all thanks to Maya and her teaching.

"You're calling me baby?"

"Hmm..." I hummed and crawled over him.

"What are you-" He was about to say something but I kissed him. "That's bold of you Mrs Chauhan." He smiled.

"I know." I said and kissed him once more before continuing the night.

××

"Divya, pack them too." Natasha said, directing towards the woollen clothes. She was there to help me in packing. Such a good friend she is! She's now dadi's granddaughter which directly or indirectly meant that she's my sister in law.

"Are you sure? I don't even know where we're going to. If its a snowy or warm place."

"But more important thing is to use protection. Buy tons of condoms if you don't want to be pregnant. And if you want, then your wish. I'll get to see a cute child soon."

"You have a lot of experience?"

"Some things are good to know before experience." She said and I chuckled.

"Well, what about you and Dhruv? So many things happened yesterday. When did you two started dating?"

"We never dated like that. Even I'm surprised about his sudden confession."

"When did you talk to him the last time?"

"Yesterday, in your wedding."

"Seriously?"

"At night."

"At night!" I teased her.

"Divya!" She whined and her phone rang. "I need to pick it up. My manager is calling." She said and picked the call, "Yes... Today?.... Okay..... I'll be coming then."

"What happened?"

"Nothing. A shooting came up at this time. I need to go."

"Hmm...." I said and she left.

While keeping my clothes inside the suitcase, I felt someone hugging me from back. "You need to give me more of your time and attention."

"You'll have it in these three months."

"Hmm...."

"Did you bring our clothes from the other house?"

"Hmm...." He hummed and kept his head on my shoulders until we heard a throat clearing sound. I pushed him and turned back.

"Actually I didn't want to disturb you but then I had to." Mom said.

"I'll go down then." Ayaan said and went out. Mom sat on the bed and made me sit too.

"Have you seen mom today?"

"No. What happened to dadi? Is she alright?"

"I don't know. She's acting strange all the time."

"What do you mean by strange?"

"She was laughing. Never have I watched her laughing. And she wasn't even fighting with me."

"Really?" I asked and she hummed.

"Divya!" Ayaan came inside the room and said. "Dadi is calling you to her room."

"Me?" I asked and he nodded. "What's gonna happen?"

"I don't know. What if something bad is going to happen?" Mom said.

"Is she angry?" I asked Ayaan.

"I don't know." He said. I went down the stairs and walked to her room.

"Dadi, you called me?"

"Yes. Sit here. I need to give you something." She said and went to her wardrobe. Sitting on the bed, I saw mom standing out and checking my condition. I shrugged my shoulders and she sighed. Dadi came back with a jewellery box in her hand. "I'll give this to you. Take care of this." She said and opened the box revealing a necklace inside.

"Dadi, this?"

"This is my heirloom and I would like to give it to you."

"Mom but I'm your daughter-in-law, how come I didn't knew about this heirloom?"

"You already snatched Chauhan family's necklace from me. Do you think I would inform you about the necklace which my mother gave me?"

"But dadi-"

"I never had a daughter. Passing it to you is the best option. You're more responsible than Kritika."

"Even I don't want this." Mom said.

"I'm not even giving it to you." Dadi smiled sarcastically.

Someone save me from their fights!

*****

TIED TOGETHER BY LOVE 💍

Bye... Bye...

❤(◍•ᴗ•◍)❤