36. Falling hard!

Anika

The next day, Diya was in town again. She had to come for her friend's wedding and decided to stay for a few days. Working away from home was a task.

So, we decided to meet. All of us - Me, Nisha, Varsha, Aarav, and Diya.

We became close in the last few days. It was mostly chat, but we finally decided to meet again today.

Jai decided to start going to the office again. But because he was the cutie pie that he denies to be, he decided to pamper me before leaving.

He made me food and iced coffee, left me a few notes all around the house like - 'Stay safe', 'Eat first then coffee!', 'Smile hard, babe.', 'You looked so hot yesterday.', 'Can't wait to be back'.

There was one particular note which said 'Stop showering with cold water just because you're getting late! I turned the geyser on so you'll have plenty of hot water.'

I always liked to be on time, whether it is to meet my friends or a professional meeting.

I went to take a shower - with hot water, and it felt so good. Hot water showers were always superior. I got ready in casual jeans and a plain fitted top.

Wore shoes today because when I'm with these people I can never expect what's going to happen. One moment we'll be sitting in a cafe, and the next moment we'll be randomly walking on the streets.

I was always the one who reached on time, so I texted before leaving.

Anika - I'm leaving.

Aarav - Ummm...

Anika - Don't tell me-

Aarav - Okay, I won't.

Anika - Asshole, I meant don't cancel.

Aarav - Sorry, beautiful. Have an important meeting that I need to attend.

Diya - Girls' day out!

Aarav - I'll haunt your dreams.

Diya - flips him off

Nisha - leave him alone, D.

Diya - Only because you're the one saving him, Nish.

Aarav - rolls his eyes

Varsha - ...........

Nisha - You also?

Varsha - Assignment submission. Can't join y'all today. Sorry, guys.

Anika - Ok baby, do good.

Diya - All the best Var!

Nisha - Kill it babe.

Aarav - What?? That's ittt? She gets 'all the best' and me?

Nisha - All the best, babe. I know you're gonna kill it.

Anika - flips him off

Diya - flips him off

Aarav - That's it. I'm leaving.

Varsha - Don't be jealous Jij; I'm the kid of the group.

Anika - Are we meeting?

Diya - I'll start in 5.

Nisha - Me too!

We'll probably reach by the same time, and I decided to book a cab instead of going by metro. I locked the door and texted Jai.

Anika - Started. attached a picture

Jai - okayy. Text me after you reach, baby.

Anika - Sure!

Jai - How are you going?

Anika - Cab..

Jai FaceTimed me after a few seconds.

"Booked the cab?" Jai asked.

"Not yet. I'll do it downstairs." I replied.

"Kamal ji will be waiting for you downstairs. He'll take you anywhere you want, okay?" Jai started.

"I can-"

"I know you can go all by yourself but I'm doing this because I want my wife safe and happy. Now if you don't find a cab, you'll get upset. Just ask Kamal ji to drop you, princess." he added.

"Okay" I replied happily. He always gave me answers before I started overthinking. I like this version of him more.

"Okay.." he was about to say something when someone called him.

"Okay, I'll call you later?" he asked

"Yepp!" I smiled happily.

As soon as I got down in the parking lot, I saw Kamal uncle waiting for me.

"Hello Uncle." I greeted him.

"Namaste Madam"

"Aree madam nahi, Anika bolo mujhe" I requested him.

Then I got in the car, and we left for the cafe. It took me around 25 minutes to reach the cafe, and as soon as I got down, I saw Nisha talking to someone on the phone.

"Thank you uncle." I told Kamal Uncle and got down from the car.

"Hello cutie!" I whispered from behind, and she dropped her phone. I caught it before it fell down, though.

"Anika! You scared the shit out of me!!" she replied, clutching her chest and I was laughing like a maniac.

"Hi bitches" someone whispered, and the both of us screamed.

"What the hell" I yelled, laughing.

"What the hell is happening? Nishu, are you okay? I'm coming right now!" I think it was Aarav.

"Nooo, I'm fine Aarav. Don't worry" Nisha laughed.

"Stop being overprotective Aarav." I said.

"Explain that to your husband, bhabhi ji." Aarav replied, and I rolled my eyes.

"Let's go inside?" Diya asked.

"Yessss" me and Nisha replied.

We headed inside the cafe and settled in a corner. It was just the three of us. Just like the old times. It's been so long since the three of us sat down like this.

I received a text from Jai.

Jai - Reached?

Anika - Yepp.

Jai - okay, have fun.

Jai - even if it is without me *sad emoji*

Anika - Hahahaha. Such a cutie.

Jai - Don't let the word spread, princess; this side is only for you.

Anika - heart emojis

Then the three of us started talking. About one thing or the other, random gossip, our bucket lists, about our dream destinations...

I told them about Gauri aunty to which they gave her a lot of cuss words. I'd usually not allow it but she deserved those.

Then Diya suddenly asked, "Do you guys remember when we made a list of places we want to visit together?"

"I dooo!" I replied. It was in 6th grade when we decided to plan a trip.

"Switzerland, France, Italy I remember" Nisha said.

"We were so innocent." I said.

"We really need to check that list" Diya said and something clicked.

"I know right.." Nisha added.

"Guyss...what do you think if we check the list now?" I asked excited.

"You mean tick or check???" Diya asked "Check babe, check!" Nisha replied.

"Let's go? You guys have money saved up?" I asked

"For a trip? Hell yeah!" Diya replied. She was literally beaming.

"Not much, but yeah, I do" Nisha replied.

"We're going?"

"We're going??"

"We're going!!!" I laughed.

"Okay. We'll plan it at your home now, Ani. Let's go!" Nisha got up hurriedly.

"Okay. Let's gooo!" I replied. We paid the bill and then left the place.

Because we had Kamal ji to drop us home today, it took us a little less time to reach. I had texted Jai that the girls came over as soon as we were in the lift.

Anika - With the girls at home.

Jai - okay, princess. Have fun.

Anika - Sure. I have some news.

Jai - ???

Anika - I'll tell you when you come home.

Jai - Can I come back now?

Anika - hahahaha, you sure can.

Jai - okayy!

Anika - wait, you're seriously going to come home? Before your meeting?

He didn't reply to the last text, and we entered our living room. We sat down, taking our respective places like always.

Me on the recliner; Jai and I were always on the recliner. I used to sit on him, and he'd wrap his arms around me. Nisha and Diya on the sofa.

I got my laptop, and we turned on the projector.

Around 40 minutes when we were done deciding the places and discussing the budget, I heard our bell buzz.

When I opened the door, I found Jai standing with one hand in his pant pocket and the other holding the laptop bag like always. This man looked so sexy even while doing absolutely nothing.

"Okayy, time to leave." Nisha got up smirking.

"Yepp" Diya also has the exact same expression painted on her face, and I rolled my eyes. They were such idiots. But I loved them so much.

"I missed you, baby" Jai hugs me from behind, and those little butterflies erupt in my stomach. It's been so long since they did that.

"I missed you more." I replied

"More? No chance" he smirked.

"So what were you going to tell me?" he asked as soon as we sat on the recliner. Like always.

"Soooo"

"Hmmm" he looked at me keenly.

"I'm planning to go on a girls trip with Nisha and Diya." I said

"Whyyyy?" he asked playfully.

"What do you mean why? You're not taking me anywhere, so I decided to go with them." I joked, but his expression turned serious.

"I'm sorry Ani, I didn't-"

"I was kidding, Jai. We had a bucket list when we were younger so we decided to go on that trip now."

"Is that okay?" I added.

"Can I do anything to make you stay here?" he asked, making a cute face.

"Bribing me now, Mr. Singhania?" I teased

"Is it working?" He wiggled his.

"No, it's not!" I laughed and hit his chest; he caught my hand and started rubbing it, his other hand still wrapped around my waist, bringing me closer. I placed my head on his shoulder.

"I need your location 24/7, keep sending me pictures, text me, and call me once in a while." he said resting his head on mine.

"I can gooo? You're not going to stop me?" I chuckled, full of excitement.

"Of course not. You can go, baby."

"I see a but coming"

"But.. You need to stay safe, and if you don't answer my call, I'm flying there." he said seriously.

"Donee! Thank youuu." I hugged him.

Then I told him everything that we decided today. From the date of the flights to our locations.

"Where are you staying?" he asked

"We haven't decided that yet.." I shrugged

"Okay, you want the jet?"

"Nooo"

"Why?" he asked

"We're travelling like we always wanted. Doing the things which we'd do if we took this trip as college students. But thank you for asking" I kissed his shoulder.

Then we started talking about his office and what had happened today. I loved the fact that he started sharing everything with me lately. He doesn't hide what he feels anymore. He truly shows how much I mean to him on a daily basis.

And that makes me want to keep falling for him deeper and deeper.

.........................................................................

❀₊˚⊹♡

I'm loving this version of Jai. What do you guys say?

Sorry for the delay, as I said I have my exams and my laptop isn't cooperating. This chapter took a lot of time.

I hope I didn't disappoint or bore you guys with this one.

And... We're so close to 500k reads!!😭Thank you so much for your constant support guys. My first book getting this amount of hype means so much to me.

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I post every Saturday, so wait for the next one😉