PAAKHI POV

Waking up in the morning is itself a struggle, but waking up to the ringing of your phone is annoying. With a huff, I pick up the call and groggily answer, "Hello?" while rubbing off sleep from my eyes.

"Morning Beautiful!" The person replies from the other side.

"Viren?!" I perk up,

"Viren who?" The person on the other end asks.

I push myself out of bed and towards the window to get some fresh air and get sleep off of my mind.

"Prithvi?" I ask when my mind comprehends his voice.

"Yes, Prithvi! Where are you?" He asks irritated.

"What happened?" I ask noticing his agitation.

"What happened? Are you asking what happened?" He exaggerates.

"Don't you remember we had to go meet mom for your job today?" He reason.

Hearing him, I remember that he asked me to meet him today so that he can take me to his mom's boutique, where I can assist and earn money.

"But it was around 10-" I stop speaking when I notice the time on the clock.

"And it's half past that!" He retorts.

I feel embarrassment course through me. With everything that happened yesterday evening, I forgot all about this meeting.

"Thankfully I just got a call from her that she had to go to a meeting, so we can schedule the meeting for another time." He replies.

"I'm so sorry, Prithvi. Please forgive me. Where are you now?" I ask running out of my room and towards the balcony.

"In the car, in front of your apartment." He replies.

"Please come upstairs. I will make you your favorite Desert." I pursue, feeling bad for making him wait for me.

"I don't want to disturb Maanya and Aditi." He sounds uncertain.

"No no, please come so that you can finally meet them," I insist.

"Okay fine," he sounds uncomfortable.

"Second floor, apartment to the left," I tell before hanging up.

"Who is coming?"

"Ahhh!!" I shriek, looking beside me, I scowl at Maanya for scaring me.

"Who is it?!" She asks again, amusement clear in her eyes.

"An old friend," I announce sauntering towards the main door.

"Aditi!!! Come fast, we are meeting Paakhi's old friend!!!" Maanya shout.

"Paakhi has friends?" I hear Aditi ask, walking out of her room.

I endorse her with a frown but do not reply, because I see Prithvi walking out of the elevator.

"Prithvi!" I yell waving my hand for his attention.

"Holy shit! Who is this hotty?!" Aditi exclaim, pushing me and stepping forward.

"I am your long-lost maybe," Prithvi replies cockily while grabbing her hand and placing a kiss on her hand.

Unconsciously a repulsive scowl masks my face.

"I like this man!" She exclaims passing him a friendly smile. Of course, she does, she likes anyone with a sharp mouth.

"You must be Aditi, and You Maanya," he exclaims taking a step forward and holding Maanya's hand, and then he places a kiss on it.

"How do you know that?" Maanya asks surprised.

"As delicate as a flower can only be Maanya and As strong as a trunk can only be Aditi." He acknowledges and turns towards me.

Thinking he will kiss my hand too, I extend my hand.

"Did you even wash them?" He scrunches up his face. Aditi and Maanya snort.

Feeling embarrassed, I instantly hit him.

"I hate you!" I huff.

"Aww, Pika, don't be mad. " he coos, pulling me to himself.

"Let's go in, I have to know about this friend of yours," Aditi exclaims rushing inside.

With a smile plastered on my face, I welcome Prithvi inside.

"Wow, you guys have such a cozy house." He appreciates glancing around.

We lead him to the living room and make him sit. Aditi takes a seat beside him, while Maanya goes inside to fetch him some refreshments.

"By the way? Who is this Viren?" He asks, just as I take a seat on the couch beside his.

I feel heat convulse through my body, just hearing his name.

"Her Boyfriend." Aditi reply looking at me.

"Pika?! You have a boyfriend?" He exclaims surprised.

I feel warmth in my cheeks, listening to them saying Boyfriend again and again.

"Why do you call her Pika?" Aditi asks.

"I don't know, maybe because she was small and cute just like a rabbit when we were kids." He replies.

"So you guys are childhood friends?" Maanya exclaims surprised.
She offers Prithvi a glass of lemonade and takes a seat beside me.

"Ya, she used to work in a cafe where my family visited every weekend. Rags made the best cinnamon bread in the whole town. There I met her, initially she used to ignore me, but soon we became good friends." He replies.

"So where were you for the last few years?" Aditi pry.

"His family shifted to London, and we lost touch. Then you guys came into my life." I reply seeing Prithvi sad. He has been apologizing to me since yesterday for leaving years ago.

"Now, stop brooding, tell me what we have for breakfast?" I announce changing the mood.

"We just ate toast before you wake up," Maanya answer,

"Those toast digested, Now I'm hungry..." Aditi exclaims, causing Maanya to frown at her.

" Should we-" before I can say further, the doorbell ring. Because I'm closest to the door, I stand up.

"Helloooo Sisters!!!" We hear Sana cheerfully greeting while entering the living room.

"Look what did I get you guys?" She asks referring to three paper bags dangling from her arms.

"Is it what I think it is?" Aditi exclaims charging towards Sana.

But Sana does not reply to her because she is looking at someone behind me.
I turn a bit to see Prithvi and Sana looking at each other.

"You?! Did you follow me here?" She yells scowling at him.

Prithvi looks at her, embarrassed. His face becomes red and he looks everywhere but at her.

"Do you both know each other?" I ask frowning.

"We met at the mall a few days back, and he stalked me." Sana exclaim.

I glare at him, feeling mad.

"Pika?!" He exclaims.

"It's just a misunderstanding, I don't know why that day we kept bumping into each other," he answers.

Sana scoff and glare at him.

"Truly?" I ask.

"Truly!" He replies gazing into my eyes.

I can feel he is truthful, so I turn towards Sana and say, "Sana, Prithvi is not that kind of guy. He would never do that. But if you want, I would apologize from his side."

"No Paakhi, if you are saying so, then let's end this feud." She announces settling the bags on the table and taking out its content one by one.

"Thank you for trusting me Pika." I hear him whispering to me.

I look at him and pass a smile. He smiles back.

"Come sit," I request Prithvi. When he takes a seat at the table, others follow suit and we start placing food on our plates.

"This smell of freshly baked rolls is heavenly!" I moan taking a bite of my cinnamon roll.

"Yea, try these banana pancakes, they are delicious." Aditi exclaim, passing the container to Sana, who needs to pass it to Prithvi so that it reaches me. I don't know what happened but when Prithvi took the box from her, she leaped, causing the table to jerk. When we all look at her, she passes us a smile and apologizes.

After that weird incident, nothing much happened and everyone enjoyed their breakfast.

"Thank you for such a delicious meal, Now I will take my leave." Prithvi exclaim standing up.

"It was nice meeting such beautiful ladies, I hope to see you all again." He announces walking towards the door.

I follow him and open it for him.

"See at 7 Pika!" He exclaims and walks away.

"7? Why?" Aditi remark.

I uncertainly look at her and try making some excuses.

"To visit him in his club." Words topple from my mouth.

"Huh?" She asks surprised.

"He has his club downtown and wanted me to see it for the first time. So I said I will come." I say looking everywhere but at her.

"So we are going to the club tonight?" She cheers.

"No! Not all of us, just me. First, let me go, and see if it is a good place or not. You know... Review it for, you guys?!" I laugh.

"Ya, you are right. Okay then, let me help you in dressing up. Come!" She exclaims tugging me towards my room.

"I have to go at 7, now is only 12," I whine.

"Let us decide on a dress for you. It takes time." She reprimands.

We enter my room and she pushes me on my bed. With a huff, I plop down and look at her rummaging through my cupboard.

"Why am I here? I have so much to do today." I whine again.

"Stop whining and focus." She yells at me and throws a short black dress at my face.

"What is this?!" I ask in mortification.

"This is a dress, the one you will be wearing today evening." She affirms.

"No! Absolutely no!" I refuse. How am I suppose to wear this dress to my work tonight?

"Of course you will, now stand up and go take a bath, a long refreshing one. Because you stink." She says scrunching her nose.

I scowl at her and lazily drag myself towards the washroom.

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

After a relaxing shower, I enter the living room to see Aditi munching on a bag of chips. She is so engrossed in the television that she doesn't notice the chips falling from her hand onto the ground.

"What the hell are you eating?" I chide walking towards her and snatching the bag from her.

"Hey!" She yells pulling it back.

"These are mine." She groans.

"I don't care, these are not good for the child. So don't eat them." I persist.

With one swift tug, I snatch it from her hands and put them behind my back.

"Why?!" She cries.

"Told you it's not healthy for the child," I repeat myself.

She huffs and plops down.

"Tell me? What the hell are you doing at home? Don't you have work to go to?" I ask seeing beside her.

"Umm," she pauses.

"What did you leave your job?" I ask curiously.

"No, The opposite happened. They fired me." She says looking down embarrassed.

"Why?" I ask irate.

"Why Aditi? Did you misbehave with them?" I ask.

"No, I did not," she replies. But something in her tone says she is sad.

"Aditi, tell me..." I persuade.

She looks at me and then at the floor. I give her some time before she starts speaking again.

"Mrs. Moore sold the boutique, and the new owner didn't want an illiterate, cheap person to breath the same air as her literate, wealthy clients." She tells.

I feel anger course through me. People say we are developing, but they don't realize that this materialistic development is concealing humanity and our thoughts.

"It's okay, either way, they don't deserve you. You just focus on yourself and this little one." I ensure her.

"But what about the expenses? I'm so sorry I'm just becoming a liability day by day. " tears topple from her eyes.

"Hey? Never say that. You are not a liability instead of an asset in my life. If not for you I would have never got over my insecurities and stop Viren from leaving me." I confess hugging her.

"These hormones are making me a crying mess." She huffs.

I laugh hearing her. One thing that pregnancy did well to Aditi is, it made her emotional. Now she doesn't bottle up her emotions.

"What did we miss?" Maanya asks entering the living room, with Sana.

"I will kill you if tell her." Aditi mumble to me.

"She needed a hug, So I'm giving her one," I say instead.

"This pregnancy is making you weird." Maanya exclaim.

"Tell me..." Aditi mumble causing me to smile.

"So? What happened with Bhai?" Sana asks eagerly.

Listening to her a blush creeps up my cheeks. I don't know why this keeps happening.

"You are blushing!" Sana exclaims hugging me.

"I'm so happy for both of you." She mumbles.

"Thank you for accepting him even after knowing his past," she confides.
Hearing her I feel a churn in my stomach. What is his past?

"Thank you," she exclaims smiling at me. I nod at her with a forced smile.

"Now you tell us? What is happening with you?" Aditi asks her.

To avoid thinking about Viren's past, I try concentrating on what they are saying. Because in due time he will tell me.

"Nothing much, just thinking about working. I mean when I'm not doing anything, I'm just thinking about him." She confesses.

"Do you still love him?" Maanya asks uncertainly.

She heaves a breath and answers, "Thinking about it now, I realized that what I felt for Saurav was long lost. I was just existing with him because I was more than ashamed to go back to my family. But when I heard Paakhi that day, Something in me changed and the feeling to live prospered and I made a decision. And now here I'm, Happy."

"But?" I ask.

"Huh?" She replies looking back at me.

"I detect a but," I say.

"But seeing you guys, I feel like I'm doing nothing. And I want to help. But I met Saurav when I was in my first year of college. And didn't complete my studies, so now I'm not graduated. I don't have any qualifications." She mumbles sadly.

"You are Sana Singh, the Singh enterprises are all yours." Aditi scoff. Seeing Sana getting more upset, I glare at Aditi.

"Hey?" I call for her attention.

"That's not mine, I didn't work hard to take it where it is now. That's my brothers' hard work, I want to do something with my hard work." Hearing her, my respect for her rise. She never fazes to amaze me.

"Then you'll find something that you love to do." I encourage.

"Thank you guys, I'm so happy my brothers chose girls like you." She acknowledges looking at each one of us.

We all smile at her and leap forward to hug her.

We all are still entangled with each other when the doorbell ring.

I'm the first one to pull back and walk over to the door.
Opening the door, I stunned to see our guest.

"Hello Dear, I hope you don't mind us visiting." Mrs.Tanvi announces walking in and hugging me.

"Welcome, " I greet back and lead her and Arhaan to the living room.
Every time I see Arhaan's cold attitude towards me, I feel bumped.

"Hello, girls!" Mrs.Singh greets others.

I walk towards the kitchen and take glasses of water outside.

"Thank you, dear, but we don't need anything. You come and sit here." She calls.

I nod and take a seat beside her. On her other side, Maanya is seated with her head down.

"So I want to discuss Maanya and Arhaan's reception," she announces.

"In two days, just as Viren returns from his trip. We are having this reception." She further adds.

I feel nervous and happy at the same time.

"Are you not happy?" She asks me.

"Oh no, no, I'm just nervous because we didn't tell Nona and Others about their wedding." I confide.

"Do you want me to talk to them?" She asks looking around.

I think for a second and then say, "It would be better if we tell them."

"Fine, but do it soon. We have so many preparations to do." She asserts.

I nod and she smiles.

"Oh and one more thing, I want Maanya, you to come with me and others for some shopping." She asks Maanya.

I feel myself getting agitated.

"Mrs.Singh?" I call for her attention.

"Yes, dear?" She says glancing at me.

I glance at Maanya to see her smiling at Arhaan. She looks so happy. What should I do now?

"Umm..." I stutter.

"When are you guys going?" I ask instead.

"As soon as my daughter-in-law gets ready." She laughs.

Maanya blush and rush towards her room.

"Mrs.Tanvi? How many guests are coming to this event?" I hear Aditi making small talks.

So I discreetly leave the living room and enter Maanya's room.

Tears spill from my eyes seeing her happily applying sindoor.

"Hey?!" She comes rushing towards me.
"What happened? Don't you like me going with them?" She asks sadly.

"Oh god," I slightly hit her. "These are happy tears. Seeing you applying sindoor rendered me happy. You are a married woman now." I gush looking at her. She looks radiant, Marriage has enhanced her beauty.

"Really? Do I look okay?" She asks nervously.

"Okay? You look beautiful." I chide.

She blushes causing me to laugh. She hit me and scramble towards the door.

"Oh wait, let me give you something before you leave," I stop her from exiting the room.

"What?" She asks confuse.

"Come with me," I say grabbing her and leading her to my room.

"Why are we here?" She asks hurriedly.

I ignore her and walk towards the cupboard.

"Take this and buy anything you like," I say laying the bundle of notes on her palm.

"What?!" She asks surprised.

"This is..." I instantly put a finger on her lips.

"Don't worry about that, just enjoy your time with your new family. I don't want you to get embarrassed in front of them." I admit.

She lunges forward and hugs me. I hug her tight and control my tears from falling.

"Now go, don't let your mother-in-law waiting for you," I exclaim pushing her towards the door.

Closing my cupboard, I follow her to the living room, but when I reach there, I notice everyone walking towards the main door.

Aditi and Sana hug Maanu and she leaves with her mother-in-law and husband.

"They look so cute together." Sana exclaim walking inside.

"I know right." Aditi cheer. I smile at them and walk back to my room.

Opening the cupboard, I grab my bag and check for the left-off money. Sadly, only 300 bills are left.
The money we got from Yash is half spent on the house necessities and the other half, I just handed to Maanya.

Thankfully, I'm starting my shift at Prithvi's club tonight, otherwise, I don't know what else I would do.

Keeping the bag back and closing the cupboard, I feel tense.

My mind is overthinking.

The ringing of my mobile phone grabs my attention. I walk over to my nightstand and grab my phone.

Seeing the caller id, A smile glosses my face.

"Viren?" I breathe out.

"Paakhi!" My name from his mouth sounds so sensuous.

There is a long pause. I'm relishing the warmth spreading through my body hearing my name from his mouth.

"How are you? Did you reach safely? Did you eat anything? " I ramble abruptly.

On the other end, I hear laughter.

"My love, I'm fine, and yes I'm safe and sound in my penthouse right now. And for your last question, I'm going to take a shower first and then order something at the office." He answers.

Hearing his endearment, I blush. I never thought that someone would call me that. These things sound cheesy when you are not in love. But in love these endearments imply affection.

"What are you doing right now?" He asks when I don't say anything.

"Nothing, Arhaan, and Mrs.Tanvi we're here, they took Maanya for some shopping," I tell him.

"You didn't go?" He asks and I hear shuffling from the other side.

"What would I do with them? They are a family now!" I laugh.

"Wait for me then, as soon as I come back, I will take you shopping." He asserts.

"Come soon though," I whine.

"Do you miss me?" He asks.

"Yes," I reply with a smile.

"Okay, so what will be the first thing you will do when you see me?" He asks excitedly.

"The usual," I reply shying away.

"What is this usual?" He pries.

"You know Viren," I lightly chide.

"No Paakhi, I don't." He replies I can hear the smugness in his voice.

"You tell me? What will you do when you'll see me?" I assert.

"Really? You want to hear what I will do?" He asks adamantly.

"Yes!" I persist.

"Okay, so when I will see you, the first thing I will do is grab you and kiss you senseless. I miss your glossy, sensuous lips. I miss the spark they ignite when they touch mine." His answer renders me stunned.

I never expected him to be so bold, "then I will slightly move back, and carry you in my arms towards my car. Then there I will-"

"Hush! Viren!" I exclaim.

On the other end, I hear booming laughter.

"Oh my love, you are so innocent, I bet you are flush red right now." He exclaims.

I turn around and look into the mirror, I smile seeing his words are right. I'm indeed glowing crimson.

"I miss you crazy girl." His tone suddenly softens.

"Me too," I whisper back.

"There is so much to say and tell, but don't worry I'm coming back in two days and then your time will be mine and only mine." He proclaims.

I smile at his determination and after a small okay, we hung up.

All my earlier tension faded away and now I'm feeling fresh.

"Woman, look at the time. You only have 2 hours left." Aditi exclaims barging into my room.

"Late for what?" I scowl back.

"Your meet-up with Prithvi." She replies in a duh tone.

I roll my eyes and slump on my bed. There is no reason to explain to her why I'm meeting him.

"Listen! Don't overdo it." I assert as she walks over to me with her makeup bag.

"I know!" She exclaims and starts her work.

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

"Shut up before I stab your eyes" she chides after 30 minutes of my verbiage.

Instantly I shut up, can't risk my poor eyes.

"Okay done, now wear the clothes I selected for you earlier." She asserts and walks out of my room.

I stand up to look into the mirror when my phone chime, I pick it up to see a message from Prithvi.

Opening the text, I read, 'Don't be late this time.'

Noticing the time, I curse Aditi for taking so much time.

Instead of looking into the mirror, I grab the laid-out clothes and change into them.

Rushing out of the room, I bump into Sana.

"Sorry! Sorry! " I call after her.

"Where are you going?" She asks following me towards the shoe rack.

"To Prithvi's club," I reply wearing my sneakers.

"This late?" She pries.

I nod my head and rush out.

Hailing a cab, I take out my phone to keep the track of the time.

10 minutes later and I will be late for my shift.

After nagging the driver to drive fast, I reach the club on time.

Ignoring the scowl that the driver passed me because I didn't tip him, I rush towards the back door of the club and knock twice.

A few seconds later, a buffy guy unlocks the door and step out. I cower a step back and say, "I'm Paakhi, I'm here for my shift."

He looks me over and then steps aside. I pass him and enter the small corridor. Remembering the way, I take each step with caution to Prithvi's office, Reaching there I knock and wait.

When he unlocks his door, his eyes go wide.

"Umm..." He renders speechless.

I look at him confused.

"Did I forget to tell you that, my workers mostly blend in and not stand out?" He says unsurely.

"What?" I ask annoyed.

"What in the world are you wearing?" He asks stupefied.

"A black jeans as you said and a blouse." I frown.

"No not that, on your face? What is this?" He snorts.

Instantly my self-consciousness peak and I shy away.

When his laughter doesn't stop, I push past him into his office and see myself on the mirror wall.

I don't know how am I even standing? Because after this much mortification Someone would have surely passed out.

Aditi among all the times chose today to give me a smokey eye and dark red lips. And I don't know why but my cheeks right now correspond to that of a joker.

I turn around and glare at the laughing fool and grab the bunch of napkins from his table to wipe off the excess makeup.

After using a dozen of napkins, I'm content with my subtle look.

"Now that's my Pika!" He jests walking forward.

I hit him lightly and say, "Tell me my work."

"Okay geez!" He says relinquished.

"Zoya will teach you the ropes here." He asserts walking towards his desk and calling someone.

A few seconds later the girl I met when I first came here yesterday walks in.

She smiles at Prithvi and then at me.

"Hi, I'm Zoya khan" she extends her hand. Teaching out, I grab it and reply, "Paakhi Kapoor,"

After a few seconds of pleasantries, I follow Zoya to the front.

She tells me my role and after her brief overture patrons start arriving.

Within a few moments, the club becomes packed. Usually, I hate the blasting music and sweaty bodies but today seemed to b different. Maybe because I didn't get a chance to even catch a breath.

Whoever thought that waitressing is easy should see me right now, another five minutes and I will be panting like a dog on the floor.

"So? How's everything going?" I hear someone ask? I jump a bit because I thought that I'm alone in this safe corner that I have chosen as mine.

"Good," I reply looking at Prithvi.

"You look like a mess." He exclaims with a smile.

With a frown, I tuck back some fallen hair and reply, "I never knew this could be so tiring."

"I know, but honestly you did well on your first day." He appreciates hanging his arm around me. I smile at him and he smiles back.

"Now get back to work in 10." He orders and walks away.

Taking a deep breath I'm about to turn when I feel someone behind me.

"Okay jeez, I'm coming," I laugh at his eagerness.

But when I turn my mind goes numb,

"Didn't know you had it in you to even cheat," this accusation breaks my heart.

___________________________________________________

[Prithvi above ------->]

Heya lovelies, what's up?

So here is the update, Sorry for the late upload, Just trying to cope with college reopening and all.

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And Double update. Scroll down for the next chapter.❤

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