Chapter 24

Jay woke up by a soft hand patting his cheek. He held it and opened his eyes to find a wide eyed Sameera's face close to his. She cleared her throat and scurried away.

"I....uh......we are going to land. I thought to wake you up."

She said and Jay didn't miss the slight shade of red on her ears.

"Thanks."

He yawned.

"I really had a good sleep though. It may feel weird but you are very comfortable."

He said and this time her cheeks also held a shade of red. This guy was forward.

He chuckled and shook his head.

When they landed, Sameera was feeling overly excited. She was excited to the point that she actually ran off to the exit without her friends. Upon realising that she left them she ran back to them.

Maaya sighed.

"You could have just waited there. There was no need to run like a maniac."

"I didn't exercise today. Just filling up for that."

She shrugged.

She turned to Jay to find him concentrated on his phone.

With furrowed brows and still looking down he spoke

"My men are outside. Let's go."

He took Sameera's hand and led her out with others behind.

She let out a quiet shriek and looked back at her friends. While the girls were shaking their head suggestively Raj and Shivam looked like one look from Sameera and they'll beat the shit out Jay.

She smiled assuringly at them and looked ahead.

Jay was taking long, confident strides towards the exit and it looked like he barely even realised that he was holding her hand.

Sameera couldn't help but compare him to the cold, ruthless buisnessman which Wattpad novels featured.

Though he didn't act like one but his whole demeanor screamed 'talk to me and I'll freeze you.'

She snickered to herself causing Jay to look at her.

He raised his brows.

"What are you laughing at?"

H

e asked causing her to straight up.

She shook her head.

"Nothing."

Jay narrowed his eyes playfully.

"Oh come on. Tell me."

"It was just the way you are walking you are seriously looking like a cold, ruthless billionaire who hasn't taken a leave in about five years and his employees are too scared to even stand in front of him. And if anybody talked to you without peeing their pants, they should be given a bravery award."

Jay looked at her seriously.

"From where do you even get that kind of thoughts?"

She just giggled.

"You looked like that. Not my fault."

Jay chuckled.

"Well, for starters I'm not a billionaire yet. And I'm definitely not a workoholic."

"That's reaaaaally good."

She said sitting beside him in the backseat of some expensive car.

She didn't even remember of her friends as she was too caught up talking to Jay.

Raj, Shivam, Pihu and Maaya sat at the back of the car, while Shrishti sat in the passenger seat on the other car.

She turned back and spoke

"She's not even glancing at us. What will happen if they actually started dating?"

"She'll forget about us. Nothing else."

Maaya said and Shrishti chuckled.

_______________________________

Shrithik was watching a movie. Though it was a thriller movie but because every story needs a little romance there was a kissing scene between the actors.

He watched as the male lead looked down at the female lead and how she was slowly standing on her tip toes.

And ever so slowly, that female lead changed into Sameera and the male lead changed into him. He watched as she leaned up, her nose touched his. Then very, very slowly to the point where he got frustrated watching, her lips touched his.

And as soon as that happened Sameera changed into the actress. He groaned and leaned back on the sofa rubbing his face.

His head is seriously messed up. In his 46 years of invisible life he never even got a crush. Let alone imagine himself kissing someone. And that someone to be Sameera.

Suddenly a question popped into his mind. Who was the first to lean in in the morning? Who had the thought of kissing first? If they would have kissed, how would that have been? Slow, sensual or rough and passionate. What would she had liked? He-

"Oh god, Shrithik. Snap out of it. What was the first question you had and what are you thinking now? How would she prefer to be kissed? Really? Go drown in a bathtub."

He popped back on the sofa and slapped his face. Then sitting up straight he decided to do his favourite thing: eating.

He was eating when his, sorry her phone rang. It was her.

"Hey old man."

"Hello sweetheart."

He replied gruffly.

She furrowed her eyebrows at the other end. He never talked like this.

"What happened? Any problem?"

He so badly wanted to reply 'Yes. You are the problem. Your messing with my head.'

But replied with

"Nothing. Why did you call?"

"I just wanted to ask why you don't have any lock on your phone."

Lie. After they reached to Jay's house where they'll be staying they went to a coffee shop. And Pihu and Raj drank from a cup with two straws, because a couple was doing so and Raj also wanted to try. And as you know, Shrithik's face suddenly popped up in her mind.

And the amusing thing was she didn't even think that she'll drink with someone like that. But one glance at the couple sitting in front of her, and Shrithik was doing fruit dance in her head.

Shrithik furrowed his brows. That girl can sometimes really be a nuisance. And right now was the time. He had told her atleast a hundred times that he couldn't come up with a good password, pattern will be of no use if somehow the touch of his phone malfunctioned and pin wasn't his thing.

"I really don't appreciate you disturbing me while I am eating. If you want a password then add it. I've no problem."

"Okay. Bye."

Saying this she hung up. She didn't even know why she called him. And it clearly looked like he didn't want to talk to her.

Shrithik looked at Sameera's phone confused. Why did she hang up? They could've talked about the movie he saw just now.

Maybe she was feeling......awkward? He nodded to himself. It's possible.

She must have thought that he didn't want to talk to her which was partially true. But the most part was false.

He dialed his number but she didn't pick up. Sighing he resumed eating.

Sameera's slightly dampened mood was perked up as soon as Jay entered the room she and Maaya and Shrishti were sharing.

"Hey!"

She greeted him and he smiled back. Oh god, how can someone have this beautiful smile?

"You should come down now. My parents and some of my close relatives are back. I want you to meet them."

"Of course."

Saying this she stood up from the bed.

"I hope I am also invited Jay."

Maaya teased coming out of the attached bathroom.

Jay startled at her voice. When registered what she said he chuckled awkwardly.

"Yeah....you are. I was just wondering where you were."

He said and Maaya gave him a teasing smile. They called everyone and went downstairs of the mansion.

Jay's mansion was a three floor mansion. With ground floor consisting of a big kitchen, hall and a study. Stairs to the above floor stood directly front of the entrance. The rest two floors containing bedrooms and guestrooms. There was a big garden around the house and a large swimming pool at the back. The mansion was large and to say Sameera has never seen such big mansion would be fair.

"Maa, Dadi these are Pihu's friends."

Jay introduced Sameera, Maaya, Shrishti, Raj and Shivam.

There were four females standing. Two of them stood in the category of senior citizens. A younger lady, probably Jay's mother and a more younger lady. Probably the bride.

"Maa, these are Sameera, Maaya, Shrishti, Shivam and Raj. Guys this is my dadi-"

He said pointing to the most old looking lady who was sitting. She smiled at them.

"-this is my nani-"

He said pointing to the other old lady, she also smiled warmly.

"-this is my mother and this is my sister. The bride."

He said introducing the other two. The bride was beautiful. More beautiful than anybody in the big room. Suddenly she felt very happy that Shrithik refused to come. Very happy.

"I hope you enjoy this week. Don't feel shy for anything and think of this as your home. If you need anything just ask Jay or any maid."

Mrs.Shinghal/Jay's mom said.

They all nodded and smiled. Soon the three old ladies left. Leaving the younger ones.

"Boys, I think you should also leave. I've to talk to my girls."

Jay's sister said, shooing the boys somewhere else. Jay rolled his eyes and took Raj and Shivam to show his cars. Boys.

"Hey didi. It's been a long time since we met right?"

Pihu said hugging the sister.

"Yeah. By the way, I am Madhu."

She said introducing herself.

"Sooooo, I know this is very embarrassing but I don't have my wedding dress till now."

Madhu said biting her lips.

The girls gasped, including Sameera.

"You haven't decided yet? I thought the brides have their dresses ready from a month ago."

Maaya mused.

Madhu nodded.

"Yeah I have some dresses which I chose, but I can't finalise one. Will you please help me?"

"Of course we will."

Pihu said gaining a huge smile from Madhu. She took out her phone and looked at the day.

"So I'll tell you our schedule for this week. Today is Saturday, well we have till Tuesday to plan everything. Then Wednesday we'll have Haldi ki rasm, on Thursday - Maata Poojan, on Friday Sangeet and on Saturday - final wedding."

"That means we still have a whole week to get your final wedding dress. Hmmmm. We'll get it. Don't worry."

Shrishti said and Madhu smiled relieved.

"Thank god, you all are here. I was getting worried how I'll manage. All my friends are abroad and can't come. It's really frustrating you know."

She sighed and Sameera kept her hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry. We're here. You'll not even feel that somebody's missing. Maaya will talk for everyone."

"Ye- wait, what?"

Sameera laughed at Maaya's expression. She stuck her tongue out at Maaya who just gave her a death stare.

Madhu laughed along with everyone else.

"We'll go to the parlour tomorrow. I've fixed an appointment at 1:00pm. Believe me,the make-up artist there is the best in this whole city. Many big stars request for her to do their make-up."

"Really? That's amazing. I'm really looking forward to it."

Shrishti said and Sameera rolled her eyes. As their conversation took place, Sameera started loosing idea of what were they even talking. But to not seem rude, she just sat there.

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In India it's extremely disrespectful to call elders by their name.

Dadi - Paternal grandmother.

Dadaji - Paternal grandfather.

Nani - Maternal grandmother.

Nanaji - Maternal grandfather.

Didi - Big sister.

Bhaiya - Big brother.

Bhabhi - Brother's wife.

Jijaji - Sister's husband.

I'll explain the rituals as they'll take place.