23. He's off-limits!

Anika

His hungry eyes locked onto mine, mirroring the desire that's been building up ever since that incredible kiss yesterday. "Anyone can watch," I said, noting that the wall was practically made of glass. People downstairs could get an eyeful.

"Let them" he replied with a mischievous grin.

"PDA!" I teased.

"Until they don't listen to your little moans when I kiss you, I'm okay with that," he said, a hint of playfulness in his voice.

I couldn't believe the courage that surged through me as I rose to my tiptoes and whispered, "Is that so?"

Without waiting for his reaction, I pressed my mouth to his. Our lips met, and the world around us faded away. It felt like time stood still, and his response was immediate. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer as if he never wanted to let go.

The kiss was electric, a perfect blend of passion and tenderness. I could feel the warmth of his lips, the urgency in the way he kissed me back. It was a dance of emotions, a silent conversation that spoke volumes. Our hearts beat in sync, and for that moment, there was only us.

His fingers traced the curve of my waist, sending shivers down my spine. Every touch, every movement, fueled the fire that burned between us. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only the intoxicating taste of his lips, the feel of his arms around me, and the sweet surrender to the moment.

We broke the kiss, breathless and with a shared smile that spoke of promises and unspoken feelings. The air was charged with an undeniable connection, and as we gazed into each other's eyes, it was clear – this was just the beginning of a beautiful journey together.

After years of hidden notes, smiles, stolen touches, I get to say that this beautiful man is mine. He's off-limits!

"Let's go downstairs; people must be waiting," I told him, and he just nodded his head.

"Wait!" I grabbed a wipe and went towards him, wiping his lips. They were smeared with my lipstick. Even though I was happy about it, I didn't want anyone to see him like this, regardless of the fact that half of them were already watching us from the garden.

Then we went down, and I saw my friends – Nisha and Diya, along with Varsha, chatting and giggling. I couldn't talk to them earlier because of the hurry, but I went towards them.

"Wassup, guys?" I asked, and they stopped talking.

"Just about a few kiss scenes," Diya said, smirking.

"Yeah, though the man covered the woman's face. I'm a little bummed," Varsha added.

"Now I have neck pain," Nisha joined, and that moment I understood that they were talking about me. I covered my face in my hands to stop myself from showing my embarrassed/blushing face.

"Stop it, guys!" I said, and they started laughing.

Then they started gossiping about what the other aunties were talking about. We sat down near the swimming pool on a sofa, and at the same time, Aarav joined the scene.

"You look beautiful, Ani," he said, throwing his arm over my shoulder. He didn't even look at my friends until now.

"Ahmm," Varsha prompted, and he just smiled harder.

Varsha and Aarav have been closer because they would always meet through me. We went to movies, cafes, arcades so many times together.

"You too, bachu," Aarav ruffled Varsha's hair. Aarav has always treated Varsha like a younger sister that he didn't have. He'd make the best elder brother for sure.

Varsha always ties him a Rakhi every year. Once, when he wasn't in India, as a Raksha Bandhan gift, he bought her a pair of her favorite sneakers. As an apology, he took her on a shopping spree.

She has another sibling and often doesn't look up to me when she has money problems. Bro, I'm her sister. But I'm happy that she has him as a brother from another mother.

Mom calls Varsha, and she leaves, saying, "Aayi maa" and turns to us and said, "I'll be right back."

Then I introduced my friends, "So this is Diya and Ni-"

"Nisha?" Aarav's voice is full of surprise and shock; I didn't know which to pick. "Aarav?" Nisha's face is similar to Aarav's. They know each other?

Aarav, who was on my side, gets up and goes towards her.

"You haven't changed a bit, Cupcake." Cupcake? What is happening?

"You too!" She said after he hugged her. I am as clueless as Diya by looking at her expression.

Right then Varsha comes into the scene and gives me a look, which said 'yeh kya ho raha hai?' because both of us know that Aarav doesn't go near women; a hug is a big thing. I shrug, and she sits down beside me.

They part, and looking at them happy together made me smile as well.

"You guys know each other?" Diya asked.

"She's my childhood friend," Aarav said smiling.

"So are we," I said, confused. I never saw Aarav before college.

"I used to go with Dad where he was working. We played there almost every day," Nisha said.

I've never seen Aarav smiling like that before. If I had known Nisha would make him smile like that, I'd bring her way before.

"I didn't know you're the Aarav she talks so much about," Nisha said, and I realized I never showed her a picture of Aarav.

"One and only," he smirked. Was he the Aarav I knew? Because he doesn't flirt. Or did the kiss with Jai block my mind completely.

Then Jai came near us, and I gave him a bright smile. He literally pops up every time I think about him.

"Stealing my girl," he said to no one in particular, and both of us left.

"Hii," he said.

"Hii," I replied, laughing.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look?"

"Did you? I can't remember." He did in the morning, but I wanted to hear it again.

"You look so gorgeous that I'm unable to tear my eyes away from you. I'm so glad I'm the one you chose, princess." He said, making me all emotional now.

Then we went and met a few relatives from Jai's side. I liked a few of his cousins. They didn't seem to have any attitude, so I'm guessing they're sweet like Naman and Rahul.

After that, we had a little party with our friends, with drinks and music. I was not much of a drinker, and Jai didn't drink at all.

I had a shot of vodka, and because I was a lightweight, I got tipsy after that. Maybe even had another after that.

Jai came and tried to stop me. "Enough for today."

"Whyyyyy?"

"You're gonna travel now; you'll be sick, and if not, you're gonna wake up with a headache."

"It's okayyyy." Was I expanding the words? Don't care if I was.

I was a crybaby and a child when I was drunk, and I didn't want either of them to come out when I was with Jai. The control me would have laughed if she could see me now.

He took the shot glass from my hand and placed it on the table, pulled me closer, and damnit it works because I can't think about anything other than him.

He put a few strands of my hair behind my ear, and our eye contact lasted for minutes or hours; I don't know.

Then Ed Sheeran's perfect started playing.

"Let's dance!!" I pulled him to the dance floor.

"I don't know how to dance."

"I know. Just put your hand on my waist." He did that, and I interlaced both of our other hands. My one hand on his shoulder. Then we started moving in slow moments, dancing, and I pressed my cheek to his chest, bringing us even closer, and he wrapped both of his hands around my waist.

'We were just kids when we fell in love not knowing what it was I will not give you up it's timeee' felt deep because maybe along the way I've fallen in love with him, and I won't give up on him anytime soon.

Then I felt sleepy, and Jai took me inside the house and upstairs to his room, I'm assuming. I dived straight into bed when someone catches me halfway.

"I wanna sleep," I said.

"Change into something comfortable."

"I didn't bring anything."

"Okay, wait. Stay still for a minute." I agreed with my eyes still closed.

"Go wear this." He'd given me a pair of his tee and sweatpants. I went to the bathroom and changed into his tee, and I already had shorts on inside the saree, so I just wore the T-shirt.

I heard noises from the room while dressing up and kind of heard mom's voice, "We have to leave."

To which Jai replied, "I'll bring her tomorrow" and something like "safely."

Dad's voice was loud and clear when he said, "No sleeping in the same room," and Jai replies, "yes" and something I couldn't recognize.

I came out in the same costume, with Jai's T-shirt that reached my mid-thigh and my shorts which reached just below the T-shirt that I'm wearing.

"You look better in my clothes," he said, and I smiled like an idiot.

Note to myself: Never drink again. I'm losing the control I have damnit.

Then he takes me straight to bed and gave me a glass of water. I refused, but he didn't listen to me, so I had to drink a whole glass – I don't drink much water.

"Good night, my prince," I say when he wraps a blanket around me.

"Good night, Princess," he placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Can you cuddle me?"

"You want me to?" he asked.

"Just for a little while. Until I feel a little good."

"You don't feel good?" he asked, and I shook my head. My eyes were closed, and the tears were threatening to come out. As I said, a crybaby.

"Why, baby?" he sat down beside me, patting my hair. How do I tell him that my overthinking level was higher than usual?

I just shrugged and brought the blanket closer to my face.

"Okay." Then I don't know where he goes, but he comes in a minute wearing white T-shirt and grey sweatpants.

My mood changes instantly. Grey sweatpants look so good on him.

"I'll leave after you sleep, okay?" he said, and I nodded my head.

He laid down beside me, and I wrapped my hand around him. He bought me closer, and I snuggled into his chest, breathing his scent.

I heard him say, "You'll never be alone, princess."

I want to stay here forever.

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Is Aarav off-limits too? What do you think?

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The next chapter is going to be about all the other wedding functions but now in detail. I'll cover a few moments and keep it brief.

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