CHAPTER 5
Armaan's POV
I woke up and got ready for the meeting that was there today. It was a partnership business that Vikram uncle and dad had set up. Since they were besties from childhood there was no problem in handling it. This business's expansion is the reason we moved to Paris and now they had to tell something to us( Karan, Armaan and Alisha) regarding their retirement.
I got ready for the meeting and left without having breakfast. It had become normal for me to leave without having breakfast even though I woke up early. It was 7:45 AM and the meeting was at 12 in the afternoon. So I was sitting in the living room and reading newspaper when mom came and sat next to me.
"Arru." She told.
"Hmm." I kept the newspaper on the table and looked at her.
"See, I know you haven't moved on yet. I just want you to get engaged to Alisha before you leave for France." She told. I was waiting for her to continue and when she didn't I decided to reply.
"Mom, I don't love anyone apart from her. I don't think I could ever love Alisha like I loved her. I don't mind marrying anyone, it doesn't matter. It's just that I need sometime to move on. I don't know how much time. I don't want to spoil her life just because I need time to move on. If you like her so much then I'm ready to marry her but I don't know if I'll be able to keep her happy." I told.
"Arru, let's go on a long drive. There's a lot of time for the meeting." Dad told.
"Okay. Cool ." I replied and got the keys for my car. We left.
"Can I drive?" Dad asked.
"Okay." I told and gave the keys to dad. He started driving.
"I guess you both should at least get engaged. Maybe Alisha might be able to get the older Armaan back to us again." Dad told while driving.
"Okay dad." I replied a bit annoyed. Everyone is behind me and Alisha getting married. That's so mean. I don't want to marry her she doesn't want to marry me then why all this stupid talks.
We went back home as it was only 9:30 AM and dad left for office saying that he had to discuss something with Vicky uncle. I went inside and then mom started her emotional blackmail which I knew would be starting anytime soon.
"Arru, you're my only kid. I can't see you like this. Alisha is an amazing girl. Why are you not understanding? She'll keep you happy. You can't love anyone and I know that. But once you know Alisha you'll eventually fall for her. This is the only thing I've ever asked from you Arru. Have I ever asked you anything apart from this ? No na. The decision is up to you now." She told and was at the verge of crying.
"Okay mom, I'll get engaged to her before I leave for Paris. Happy now? Stop crying please. I can't see you crying." I told.
'These Indian parents I say, every time they want their kids to do something they start emotional blackmailing. Either ways Alisha won't agree.' I thought and left it up to Alisha now.
"By the way, ask Alisha if she wants to marry me." I told her.
"Okay." She grinned. After a while I left for office. It was better to go to office than stay at home for some more time and listen to mom praising Alisha.
"Okay, I'll leave now." I told mom.
"Okay,You can't even listen to me praising your to be wife." Mom told.
"Bye." I told ignoring her comment.
"Bye, Arru." She told and grinned.
"Mom, only I agreed for the wedding not Alisha. Stop grinning so much." I told.
"You go to your office. I know how to convince my aloo." She told.
"Hope your aloo doesn't agree." I muttered.
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We reached the office for the meeting. It was just 11:30 AM Karan and Alisha were yet to come. So I decided to sit with dad and Vicky uncle as they were discussing something regarding business.
Alisha's POV
I woke up at 9:00 AM took a quick shower and wore a blue blazer and pants paired it with white shirt and white heels.
I went downstairs to have my breakfast.
"Aloo, Arru is like our own kid. Though he has grown up in Paris but he was in always contact with us. We know that he's a good guy. Okay, I understand that you both need to know each other but what's there in heyy engaged and then you can take time to know each other. I've never asked anything from you. This is the only thing I've ever asked. But don't worry, I won't force you for it. It's your decision." Maa told more like emotional blackmailed me. I looked at bhai seeking for some help but he shrugged his shoulders stating that he can't help me in this situation.
"Maa, but...Aap na ek baar Armaan se puch lo. Agar woh iske liye ready hai toh mujhe koi problem nahi."
(You ask Armaan only. If he is ready for it then I don't have any problem with it.)
I replied thinking that Armaan will never agree for this and mentally patted myself for giving such a good answer to maa.
"Okay." Maa replied.
"Okay. Bhai let's leave. We're getting late." I told.
"Okay, bye maa." Both of us told together.
"Bye kiddos." Maa replied.
"By the way, what if Armaan agrees?" We were in the car waiting for the signal to turn green when bhai asked me this question.
"He'll never do that." I confidently replied.
"I heard maa speaking to aunty in the morning. Aunty told maa that Armaan told if you don't have any problem then he's okay with it and later maa asked you on the table and you told the same thing. So, congratulations you both have agreed to it." He told laughing while telling the last part. I was shocked to hear this. Now we both can't deny.
"He's handsome, good-looking and a kind hearted person. I know him since childhood. He was a bit naughty while we were studying in London but now I don't think so he's the same. He has changed now. You don't have to worry." Bhai told seeing my upset face.
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We reached the office. Dadda and uncle started congratulating me and Armaan.
"Congratulations to both of you. Good that you agree and if you wouldn't we would've made you agree." Uncle joked.
Armaan looked confused but then uncle cleared everything to him and I gave him a 'couldn't do anything' wala look.
"And one more thing since me and sameer are retiring we want you 3 to take care of the business." Sameer uncle told more likely announced.
Armaan's POV
Now, I know why mom was grinning so much in the morning.
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After working for a while me and Karan decided to go for lunch outside, Alisha hadn't finished her work yet. So we were waiting for her. Dad and Vicky uncle already left after announcing their retirement to the employees.
"By the way, I need to leave. I have some work. You go with Alisha." Karan told as he read a message on his phone.
"Karan, this isn't fair."I told as he was leaving.
"Bye arru, sorry man." He teased me and left. I was waiting for Alisha to come when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I told.
"Uhm... Armaan, what should we do now?" Alisha asked tensed.
"About?" I asked seeing her tensed.
"Our engagement." She replied sadly.
"We can't do anything. I tried convincing them but mom emotionally blackmailed me so I left it to you. I didn't know that you would be telling the same answer."I told seeing her sad.
"Did you get bhai's message?" She asked.
"Maybe. I didn't check my phone. It's charging over there." I said pointing at my phone.
"We're getting engaged next Sunday." She said.
"So soon?" I questioned.
"Haan. Saisha aunty and maa wanted us to get engaged before you leave for Paris." She explained.
"Ugh..." I was frustrated now.
"I'm hungry. Let's go for lunch. Karan already left. We will think of something there." I suggested and she nodded positively. 'What's with this girl she never agreed to me. She's acting so mature man.' I thought to myself and left with her.
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We had lunch silently. She was never this silent. What must have changed her so much ?
"Aloo?" I teased her.
"Hmm." She told digging into her food.
"I'm teasing you." I told her.
"I know that." She replied casually.
"How come you're so silent these days?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I'm always like this. You noticed it now." She looked casual but wasn't.
"Nope. The ALOO I used to tease was totally different." I told.
"Different in what sense?" She asked as if she didn't know what I was thinking about.
"She never agreed to me. She never let me tease her. She was very stubborn and childish. This one is different. She agrees to whatever I tell. She let's me tease her. She's so professional. I personally like the old one." I cleared it to her and she looked shocked for a while.
"Armaan, we were kids back then. Even you've changed. You don't tease me much. You might look happy but your eyes tell that you're broken inside." I was shocked hearing the last part. No one ever saw the pain in my eyes except my mom.
Was I so clear to her ?
We finished our and left for home.
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We went to my home. As we went in the living it looked like there was a replay of what happened after our previous lunch date, it's just that their places were shuffled and last time we both had and option to deny this engagement this time we didn't have that option. Everything was being planned for the engagement.
I looked at Alisha who was also looking at me at the same time.