Ananya’s Pov:

Avi and uncle stayed for one night. Babu and I showed Avi the Dehradun city. We went to Robber’s cave, FRI, Buddha temple and Tapkeshwar temple. It was a great day. Next time when Avi will come, we planned to go to Rishikesh and Haridwar. Babu and Avi were planning to do river rafting in Rishikesh, in which I’m totally not interested. Because I’m scared of water and I don’t know how to swim. We’ll stay the whole day in Rishikesh, later in the evening we’ll enjoy the “Aarti” in Haridwar. That’s what we planned for next trip.

Avi promised me that he’ll meet me in Delhi. When I asked “After you join your duty will you get time to meet me?” As a doctor sometimes they don’t get time even to have lunch and he is new comer. So, he has a lot to learn from his senior doctor. He has to do all the things his senior doctor would ask.

“I can manage my time to meet you and if you want to come to base hospital or any other place just tell me earlier ok? I’ll send my car for you. You don’t need to travel on public bus or taxi. So, when I’ll be there, you don’t have to worry for anything.”

“I can travel on public bus. You don’t have to worry about it, and I don’t need your help. I can manage my own thing, understand?”

“No! I don’t understand. I’ll do whatever I feel right for you.”

“Avi, I’m not a fragile girl.”

“Did I say you’re a fragile girl? I like pampering you idiot girl.”

“Then don’t pamper me.”

“I’ll.”

“BABU! Please drag Avi out of my room. I don’t want to argue with him anymore.”

“You didn’t change a bit. In childhood, when you couldn’t win in an argument you started to cry. Now, you want me out of your room. Excellent. But I am not moving an inch from here.”

“Are you really going to annoy me this way even in Delhi?”

“If you won’t listen to me then yes. I’ll annoy you.” Arggh.

Though I don’t say in front of his face, I like his protectiveness and his care towards me. Like Shiv he doesn’t have any sibling. And I know how they feel. When everyone was busy playing with their siblings, Avi looked at them with a sad face. But when I called him to play with me you needed to see his face. It automatically lighted up with a big smile. And whenever Babu peed on his lap he never made a disgusted face even for a once. All I can say Avi cares for me even I want him to or not. I’m glad that he doesn’t change over the years.

*****

“So, how was the reunion with Avik?” Papa asked me after the dinner.

“Great! He didn’t change a bit. It felt like we were still in our childhood days.”

“Ani, we Sukhdev and I are thinking about your and Avik marriage.”

“Avi is getting married! He didn’t tell me about this.”

“No Ani. I’m talking about your and Avik marriage. Together.”

“What! Avi and me? How can you think about it? Does Avi know it already?”

“No. He doesn’t know. We think you’ll be happy with him; he is a good guy.” I look at my mummy. She is looking helpless. Is it a good time to talk about Shiv to Papa? Because if I said it already it won’t happen today. But mummy eyes are telling me to not to tell. Papa might be angry and hurt because we hide it from him.

“Papa, I guess you and Sukhdev uncle mistaken our relationship. Avi and I never think each other like that. We’re friends.”

“I’m not telling you to decide immediately beta. Just think about it, ok?”

“Papa, there’s nothing to think about it. No doubt, Avi is a good guy, I would say he is the best but we…”

“Ani, your Papa and I won’t pressure you. We just expressed our thinking in front of you. Your Sukhdev uncle propose this for both of your happiness. It’s up to you what you want to do. Ok? Don’t stress yourself thinking about it. Now, it’s time to sleep go to your room. You’ve to wake up early. You remember right?” This time mummy said to me. She gave me a assured look that she’ll try to handle everything here. I’m to going back to Delhi tomorrow. So much happened it these two days.

“Good night, Papa.” I hugged him. He hugged me back “Good night. You know, I love you, right?”

“Yes, I know and I love you too, Papa.” Mummy smiled seeing us. She wiped the tears from corner of her eyes. I hugged her. Don’t know from where Babu came and jump over me and hugged me tightly.

“Ahhh! Leave me.”

**********

Two weeks later….

I got busy in the office. I indirectly told Shiv that he needs to come here asap to ask my hand. He also can understand that I can’t hide it anymore. I didn’t tell him about Avi. It’s not like I’m hiding it from him, I’ll definitely tell him about Avik and will introduce them to each other. But not in the call because I don’t know how he is going to take it after hearing about our parent’s decision.

And I still have not mention about our marriage thing to Avi. I’m waiting for him to come to Delhi. We really need to discuss this matter, because if he has even a slightest feeling for me, I’ll be in a serious mess. I don’t know how I’m going to handle this matter. Of course, I’m going to turn down this proposal no matter how. But I’m scared. Because of me I don’t want to affect the years of friendship between our families. And I just met Avi after so many years, I don’t want to lose him either.

*******

My phone is ringing. I guess it’s Shiv. But my guess is wrong, it’s Avi. I answered the call.

“Where are you?” no hi, no hello. Rude much.

“Well, hello to you. I’m out of groceries so, I’m at market to buy the stuff.”

“Send me your location.”

“You’re here?”

“Yes, I just wanted to surprise you but I failed. I went to your apartment but you weren’t there.”

“Who gave you my address?”

“My one and only lovely aunty.”

“Oh God! You wait there. I’m coming.”

I’m not that far from my apartment. I was almost done with my shopping. I hurriedly pay the bill and come out from the store.

He should have call me earlier but no he wanted to give me surprise. It’s good that he came to meet me. I really need to talk to him today anyhow.

When I reached my apartment Avi was standing in front of my door, looking bored. And when he saw me his face lighted up. I unlocked my door and invited him in.

“When did you reach here?”

“Today morning.”

“Don’t you have work?”

“No, not today. I can do whatever I want. But from tomorrow I don’t think I’ll have time. So, I came to meet you.”

“That’s good, because I have something to tell you. Not like telling it’s actually discussing something important.”

“owhkay! What about we go out somewhere for dinner?”

“What about I prepare something special for dinner here in my apartment?”

“Your offer is tempting but that’ll be on someday when I’ll be tired of my mess food. I’ll come here, okay?”

“You just turned down my offer how can it be okay? Any way where are you taking me?”

“Where the food is good, I guess.”

“Let me change my dress and if you want water you know where it is.”

“Yes, I can see. Don’t take too much time, Ani I’m already bored while I waited for you.”

“Then, you really need to learn, how to don’t get bored while waiting for a girl.”

*****

We ate our dinner at a roadside Punjabi dhaba. The food was beyond delicious. All I can say Avi and I licked our fingers till it was cleaned. Yeah! It was finger-licking food.

“You wanted to discuss something with me?”

“Yes. I don’t know how to start this.”

“Ani, you really don’t have to hesitate in front of me. Tell me.”

“Did Sukhdev uncle tell about marriage?”

“Yes. I also wanted to ask about this to you.” Just then my phone start to ring. It’s Shiv. I decline the call because I really need to end this marriage thing first then I’ll talk with him in peace and tell him the whole Avi thing.

“Why didn’t you take the call?”

“That’s not important now.”

“May I know the name of your not so important person?”

“We’ll talk about this later. First, I want to know do you have feelings for me?”

“Yes, I have. Why do you think I care for you too much and want to protect you from everything?”

I couldn’t utter a single word from my mouth after hearing his confession.

*******