Foolishly In Love

Nice to meet you

Chapter 2

*Ahjay's pov*

My mind kept replaying that girl's words. Who was she? My thoughts were interrupted by the abrupt stop of my car. "We have arrived, Sir." My driver Alek reported to me. I did not wait for a split second. I hurriedly got out of the car and walked to the front door of the mansion. My mother was already waiting for me with the veneration plate in her hand. Behind her were Manav and Manan, my naughty but fun twin cousins, their mother, Aunt Shruti, her husband, Uncle Molu, and my dearest grandmother, Nidhi My father was not here to welcome me. Why would he be there? We hate - oh no, we despise each other to the bone. You don't really want to know what happened between us. Mom started the veneration. She swung the plate round and round, pushed the little flame towards me, sprayed some holy water, and applied Vermillion on my forehead, "No one should cast an evil eye on you, my son" she said as she applied it. I came into the house and embraced mom, grandma, aunt, and uncle. My two cousins and I made our secret handshake, and I disheveled their hair, " Hey you two," I greeted. "Hey, brother. Did you meet any hot chicks in LA? " They smirked mischievously. "Hey, your brother just came home, probably jet-lagged, and you are already asking about girls?" Uncle Molu asked as he laughed out loud. "This is no laughing matter, Molu. Your sons are very petty, just like you," my Aunt Shruti complained as she pulled my uncle's left ear. "Hey, Shruti. Leave the poor man alone. You're hurting him," my mom said as she placed the plate at Lord Krishna temple. " Uh, Mom. I am very tired and I want to sleep. Goodnight, " I said as I kissed her cheek. "We have to talk about tomorrow 's welcome home party, Ahjay,"

"We'll talk tomorrow," I answered as I ran up the stairs and into my room. I quickly took a shower and changed into my PJs. I looked around the room. Ah, how I missed my room. I spotted my guitar in my left-hand corner of the room. I slowly walked to it and traced my fingers along the guitar.

Flashback

Little Ahjay is sitting on a rock next to the river, playing his guitar. A girl is sitting next to him in a state of serenity. He plays a melodious tune of a song called ' Nachde Ne Saare.' When he played the last note, the girl looked at him. " That was beautiful, " She complimented, "can you teach me?" She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Sure. Come and sit here," He patted his lap. The girl immediately obeyed, and they started playing together, note by note, rhyming and looking into each other's eyes with smiles slowly dancing at their lips.

Flashback ends

I sighed, "Where are you now?" I ran my fingers along the guitar and then walked to my balcony where the moon shone brightly on everything in sight. I sat on the bean bag chair and looked at the moon. I chuckled lightly, "Hey, Moon. Are you looking at me just like how I am looking at you? Are you admiring your beauty just like how I am admiring it?" I smiled and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

********

Meera's pov

I drifted off to sleep and had a dream.

In her dream

Teenage Meera is lying in a sleeping bag next to a boy of approximately her age + looking at the stars in the night sky, " Isn't it the solar eclipse today?" She asked.

"Yes, it is," the boy answered.

" I don't see the moon, though, " She said. The boy pointed above her head at the small, bright full moon, "There it is," He said out loud. Meera looked in the pointed direction, and her eyes glowed with satisfaction, "It's beautiful," She whispered. "Just like you," the boy whispered back, and Meera smiled softly.

*****

"Meera? Meera, dear, wake up," I flashed my eyes open and saw Mom holding two dresses. "What's wrong, Ma? Why did you wake me up so early?" I asked as I yawned. "Hey, I brought dresses for you two," Mom told me in an excited voice. Mehek walked into my room. "Mom, I have so many dresses. Why did you have to buy one today?" I asked. "Don't you remember what day it is today?" Mehek asked. I shook my head, and Mehek gave an 'Are you serious' look. "Stop speaking in riddles, Mehek. Tell me clearly," I said in an annoyed tone. I was already irritated because they woke me up from my beauty sleep early at 4 am! Like seriously, what do they think I am? A human robot? "Ugh! Fine. Yesterday, the sole heir of the Kundral Mining Depot, Ahjay Kundral, came back from studying in London for 3 years, so his mother decided to throw a welcoming party for him. She invited Mom and us to attend since we are her neighbors so Mom bought these dresses for today's party, now do you get it?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow. I pinched the edge of my nose," So you mean to tell me that all this commotion was for today's event," Mom nodded eagerly like a child awaiting a gift from her father, "I am so sorry for disappointing you, Ma, but I am not interested. Can I have my peaceful sleep now?" I buried myself inside my blankets. "Oh no, you don't, " Mom pulled the blankets off me. "Mom!" I pouted. Mom picked the dresses up and handed one to me and the other to Mehek. As always, Mehek checked the price tags - hers first, " 17 000 Ruppees?!" She checked mine, " 20 000 Ruppees? What do you take me for, Mom?" She asked angrily. " It's just a difference of 3,000 rupees, Mehek. It won't kill you," Mom answered in a bored tone. "But it will kill my fashion senses. We are going to the Kundral mansion - THE FAMOUS KUNDRAL, Mom. For heaven's sake, I can't go wearing this," Yep, that's my little sister's habit. Every time Mom bought us expensive gifts, she always compared my price tag with hers. "I'll take yours then," I said. 'Anything to stop this bickering,' I thought to myself. "Really?" Mehek's eyes lit up. I nodded, and she hugged me so tight," Oh thank you so much, big sis. You are the best," She did not wait for another second, and her hands were already on my dress while she put hers on my bed. "I am going to get ready now," She went out of my room singing happily. " Why did you give the dress to her?" Mom asked angrily. "If I did not give it to her, you would not stop bickering and I always tell you guys that your bickering gives me a severe headache, I just can't think straight," I answered and that is entirely true. Every time people argued around me, I had this splitting headache like someone was trying to c***k my head open with a hammer and chisel, and I don't like that at all. That is my number one red flag. " So my dear mother," I said as I pushed her out of my room," I need to start getting ready now. We don't want to be late for the party, do we?" I shut the door before she could say anything, and I sighed heavily. I looked at my heavenly retreat - my bed. I will have to cast a side eye on it if I want to get ready for the party. The sooner we attend, the later we will leave. I quickly showered, singing my favorite song.

*****

Ahjay's pov

in his dream

Ahjay is sitting under a plum tree with a little girl on his lap and a woman next to him. While they are happily chatting, the little girl suddenly runs off, chasing a colorful butterfly. "Hey, Amrita. Don't go too far now. Come back to daddy," he said as he chased the little girl. All of a sudden, the girl is now in the middle of the road with the butterfly on her shoulder, "Daddy, look!" She shouted excitedly. A car was quickly approaching, and Ahjay's feet were becoming heavy like cement boots, "Amrita dear, get out of the road and run to daddy," He said as he tried running faster. The car was nearby, and the faster he ran, the heavier his feet became. "Amrita!" He shouted. Car tires screeching, body- thump. The little girl lay lifelessly on the gravel road, and the car dashed off. "Ahjay? Ahjayy? Ahjay!"

Dream ends

"Amrita!" I wake up and look around the room. I sighed, "It was just a dream," and I lay back in bed. "Ahjay!" I immediately opened my eyes, "Geez, Aavni. You'll give me a heart attack. How did you get in my room?" I asked as I yawned. "The mean aunt Chanda let me in," She answered. "That's my mother, you know?" I asked as I walked into the shower.

****

When I came out of the closet, I had my tux on. It was quite an option among my red tuxedos. Not to brag, but I make sure that for every theme on every occasion, I have a set of clothes, either formal or in formal fit for my liking. Iconic, right? As I fixed my bow tie, I looked at Aavni's reflection in the mirror. She was eyeing me lustfully, and I did not like it. To put it plainly, I do not like her at all. The same goes for my family. They don't like her at all. They just put up with her because she's the daughter of my dad's best friend. "Are you ready to go?" I asked as I put my cologne on the dressing table. She nodded and hooked her arm with mine. Nope, not gonna allow that . I broke free from her hold and walked down the stairs, her tailing behind. The people started applauding as I. arrived. I greeted the guests, made long speeches , exchanged words with a few business partners, and then went to a bar. "Two shots of tequila, please," The waiter brought my order, and I gulped down the first one. "Why are you sulking here, Ahjay? Let's go dance," I reluctantly followed her to the dance, and she moved her body in sync with the music, then I saw a familiar figure - that girl! I quickly left the dance floor and went to the entrance where Mom was greeting them, "Hello, Mrs Padri. " Mom greeted them. "Aunt Chanda, " I nodded at the guest. "Oh Ahjay, you've grown so well. How have you been?" She asked, and that girl's eyes widened slightly, and then she recovered. "I've been well. Thank you." I turned to the girls behind her , " These must be your daughters, am I correct?" I smirked. "Oh, yes." She pointed at the familiar girl, "My first daughter, Meera." She turned to the other girl, who was smiling awkwardly, "My second daughter, Mehek," Mehek extended her hand, "A pleasure to meet you, " I ignored her amd turned to Meera, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Meera. I believe we have met before," I smiled. "Please come in," Mom and I stepped aside. "Please enjoy the party," I waved at Meera as they came in.