As Paani and I were discussing elections and other matters, Aamukta approached, carefully carrying a cup of tea for me. As she came closer, I smiled at her, and she said, "Here is the tea."
I took the cup from her and, smiling warmly, said, "Thank you, Cutie pie."
She smiled back at me, her eyes twinkling. Paani, who had been watching our interaction, interjected, "Aamukta, where's my tea?"
Aamukta replied nonchalantly, "Ma said to send you inside to drink your tea."
Paani sighed, giving me and Aamukta a look before getting up. "You and your ma," he muttered, making his way toward the door.
As he walked away, I noticed Aamukta's mother and Shreya watching us from the doorway. Shreya was pointing at me and saying something to her mother. When they saw me looking at them, I waved my hand and smiled at Aamukta's mother. She smiled back, nodded, and gave me a thumbs up, as if giving her approval. Approval for what?
As I pondered this, Aamukta had already seated herself in front of me. "Hey, Cutie pie, why is your ma giving me an approving look and a thumbs up?" I asked, genuinely curious.
Aamukta smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. "It's nothing, just ignore her. Anyway, tell me how the tea is."
I nodded and took a sip. Aamukta watched me intently, her expression expectant. I savored the tea for a moment before looking at her and smiling. "It's the best tea I've ever had."
Her face lit up with a cute smile. "Thank you," she said softly.
I couldn't help but feel a warm sensation spread through me, not just from the tea, but from the simple, genuine connection we shared in that moment.
As Aamukta and I were talking, I felt a genuine sense of happiness and comfort around her. Her presence was warm and inviting, and I found myself smiling without even realizing it. Looking at her, I asked, "Aamukta, I keep calling you Cutie pie. Do you think it's cringe?"
Aamukta smiled, her eyes sparkling. "It does feel a bit cringe, but I like it, so it's okay."
Relieved, I chuckled. "If you say so, Cutie pie."
She smiled back, and we continued chatting, the conversation flowing effortlessly. We talked about everything and nothing, laughing at little jokes and sharing stories. Time seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, it was time for me to leave.
Standing up, I looked at her with a touch of regret. "Cutie pie, it's time for me to leave."
Aamukta's expression turned pleading as she quickly said, "Please, can't you stay for a few more minutes?"
I shook my head gently, though her request tugged at my heart. "Not now, but next time, okay?"
Aamukta's eyes softened, but there was a hint of disappointment. "So, when are we going to meet again?"
Hearing this, I thought for a second and said, "We can meet tomorrow. I can pick you up, and then we can go shopping and watch a movie."
Aamukta's eyes lit up, and she smiled teasingly. "So, you're asking me out on a date?"
I grinned. "You can think of it that way if you want."
Her happiness was evident as she replied, "Okay, tomorrow morning then. Give me your number."
We exchanged contact numbers, and I could see the excitement in her eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow," I said.
I then said my goodbyes to Aamukta and the others. Aamukta's mother and Shreya insisted that I stay for dinner, but I politely declined. As I got into my car, I glanced back and saw Aamukta standing near the gate, watching me.
"So, it's goodbye for now," I said, feeling a mix of anticipation and reluctance.
Aamukta nodded, her expression serious but with a hint of a smile. "Yes, it's goodbye, but don't forget about tomorrow. You promised."
I smiled reassuringly. "I won't forget. See you tomorrow."
She nodded again, and I could see the promise in her eyes. Starting the car, I made my way toward the company, my thoughts lingering on the day's events and the anticipation of tomorrow.
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"3RD PERSON POV"
As Krishna drove away, Aamukta stood at the gate for a moment, watching until his car disappeared from sight. A smile lingered on her lips as she turned and made her way back inside the house, her mind buzzing with thoughts of tomorrow. What should she wear? How should she style her hair? What would they talk about? The excitement was palpable, and she felt a flutter in her chest.
Inside the house, Paani was seated on the sofa, engrossed in the file Krishna had given him. Hearing Aamukta enter, he glanced up. "So, Krishna left, huh?"
Aamukta nodded, unable to hide her happiness. "Yes, he left."
Paani raised an eyebrow, noticing her unusually cheerful demeanor. "Then why do you look so happy?"
Aamukta's smile widened, her eyes sparkling. "It's because he promised me that we're going on a date tomorrow."
Paani nearly dropped the file, his eyes widening in surprise. "What?"
Aamukta's playful tone softened slightly. "Yes, do you have any problem with that, Papa?"
Paani closed the file, trying to process this new information. "A date? With Krishna?"
Aamukta nodded, her excitement undiminished. "Yes, he said he'd pick me up, and we'd go shopping and watch a movie."
Paani leaned back, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Are you sure about this, Aamukta? Krishna seems like a complicated man."
Aamukta's smile faded just a bit, but her determination shone through. "I know, Papa. But I feel comfortable around him. He's different, in a good way."
As Paani was about to respond, Shreya, who had been quietly observing the conversation, interjected. "So, you're going on a date, Di? Tell me, when you were making that reel, were you thinking about him?"
Aamukta walked over to Shreya, who was sitting on the sofa, and hugged her with a smile. "Yes."
Shreya's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Di, did you check your Instagram after you posted the photo and reel with Krishna?"
Aamukta shook her head. "No, why? What happened?"
Shreya grinned, clearly excited. "Nothing much, just that the reel is going viral, and people are asking if you and Krishna are a couple. They've already made a fan account for you two."
Aamukta chuckled lightly. "Is that all? Don't worry about it."
Shreya gave her an incredulous look, as if Aamukta didn't grasp the magnitude of what she was saying. "If you say so, Di."
As Aamukta and Shreya talked, their mother entered the hall, her expression warm and reassuring. "Aamukta, you don't have to worry. You have my permission. Krishna is the best choice."
She turned to Paani, her gaze steady and determined. "I see who would go against this. You don't have to worry."
Aamukta, Shreya, and their mother all looked at Paani, awaiting his reaction. Caught off guard by their united front, the poor man sighed, raising his hands in surrender. "What can I do if all of you agree? Do what you want."
Aamukta's face lit up with joy. She jumped up, rushed over to Paani, and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Papa," she said, her voice filled with gratitude and happiness.
Paani smiled, the warmth in his daughter's embrace melting away any remaining doubts. He patted her head gently. "Just be happy, Aamukta. That's all I want."
The atmosphere in the room was filled with a sense of excitement and approval.
--------------------
"KRISHNA POV"
As I drove towards the company, enjoying the silence and peace, my phone began to ring. Glancing at the caller ID, I saw it was Anasuya, my novel editor. Picking up the call, I said, "Hi, Anasuya. It's been a while. How are you?"
There was a nervous hesitation in her voice as she responded, "Ha, oh, um, Krishna, hi. It's been a while. I'm fine. How are you?"
"I'm fine," I replied, sensing her unease. "How did you get the time to call me?"
"I've been busy with the novel work, which is why I haven't had time to call," she explained, her voice still a bit shaky.
"That's okay," I reassured her with a smile, even though she couldn't see it. "So, how's the novel publishing work going?"
"Yeah, about that," she began, sounding more composed. "Everything is done. We just have to create a cover page for the novel."
"Okay," I said thoughtfully. "Come to the company, and we can discuss it further."
There was a brief pause before she asked, "Hmm, if possible, can you come to my house?"
I thought for a moment, weighing my schedule and the convenience. "Okay, send me the address," I finally said.
"Okay, thank you," she replied, relief evident in her voice.
"It's okay," I said softly, and with that, we ended the call.
As I drove, Anasuya's message about her address pinged on my phone. I pulled over briefly to read it: "Her house is located in Jubilee Hills." I raised an eyebrow, recognizing the name of one of Hyderabad's most prestigious neighborhoods.
Jubilee Hills was known for its opulent residential and commercial properties, with land prices that could rival some of the highest in the world. It was a place where luxury wasn't just an option—it was a way of life. The thought of a 6-acre plot selling for nearly ₹3,340,000,000 ($66,800,000) underscored the area's exclusivity. I recalled the rental prices on Road Numbers 36 and 37 ranging from ₹100–₹200 per square foot, reflecting its status as a top commercial locale. It made sense that Anasuya, with her meticulous attention to detail, would reside in such a coveted part of the city.
I navigated my way to Jubilee Hills, the drive offering glimpses of the grandeur of the area—wide, tree-lined streets and homes that were more than just residences; they were statements. After a while, I arrived at Anasuya's house. The security guard, recognizing my name from Anasuya's prior communication, waved me through without hesitation.
I parked the car and stepped out, taking in the sight before me. Anasuya's house was a striking example of modern urban architecture. The sleek design was immediately apparent with its clean lines and flat roof. Expansive glass windows adorned the façade, allowing natural light to flood the interior and creating an inviting transparency. The house was framed by a meticulously landscaped lawn, a lush green contrast to the urban surroundings.
Standing there, I found myself pondering the allure of such grandeur. It seemed curious that people with relatively small families would opt for such vast spaces. Though I too had my share of wealth, my home was far from this scale. I wondered why some were drawn to these immense structures, while others, like myself, found contentment in more modest settings. It was a reminder of how different perspectives and priorities shaped our lives in unique ways.
Shaking off these thoughts, I approached the front gate, where a neatly trimmed path led to the entrance. I felt a slight tinge of apprehension mixed with curiosity about what awaited inside. As I made my way up the steps, the grandeur of the house seemed to mirror Anasuya's own dedication to her work—a reflection of the high standards she maintained. I reached the door and rang the bell, feeling a excitement.
(A/N:"With this chapter, we reach 100,000 words and 250,000 views. Thank you for your love and support for this fanfic—I truly appreciate it! 🙇♂️😊")
(Word's Count:1924)