Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Niyati's p.o.v

I woke up from my sleep having a hangover type feeling. I rubbed my eyes and looked at my surroundings. My eyes got wide noticing that I am in my room.

How the hell I came here? Who brought me here? The only thing I remember that I drank some water at the party. After that, boom!!! I don't remember anything.

I am still wondering how I returned to my house when my phone vibrated. I looked at the screen and noticed a notification. It's showing that I got a text.

I opened the text and my eyes grew wider and my mouth is now in O shape. It's written in the text with an emoji

" Drink some fresh orange juice.

Your hangover will go away.

Your first crush

Huh!!! Who sent me this!! I checked the number and it's an unknown number. Without thinking anything further I thought to call the person who sent me this text.

" Hello," the person said and I was taken aback hearing the voice. My phone was going to fall from my hand because of shock but somehow I held it. My heartbeat increased just hearing the voice.

I asked surprisingly," Mr Raichand!!"

" So, Ms Verma. Let's come to the point. I like you just the way you like me. I would like to marry you. But, before that, I want to give you some time so that you can know me and understand me. Give your consent when you become sure that I am the true man for you. If you remember, the day after tomorrow is Shivratri. So, don't forget to join me in the temple," he said in one go and my mouth is now opened like a black hole. How the hell he knows that I like him. Hey, Shiv Ji, that's so embarrassing.

Though my heart is dancing with pure happiness knowing that he also likes me but I can't show him my happiness. He will think of me as a cheap girl or something. But, the question is how he knows my feelings?

" Wondering how I know your feelings?" he asked me teasingly before I could ask something.

I was still silent when he said," I have sent you a video. Check it and you will understand everything."

Saying that he cut the call and just a minute later I received a video. I was literally sweating just thinking what can be in the video.

I opened the video hurriedly and became dumbfounded seeing it. Seeing the video I was feeling like burying myself under the ground.

What the fuck I have done!! I have confessed my feelings to him when I was drunk. Hey, Lord!! Just take me to you. How I am going to face Shivansh Raichand. This is so embarrassing.

I am still cursing myself when I got another text. I hurriedly opened it and it's from him. It's written

" Don't worry. No one will know about this video ever. I will keep it with me always so that I can tease you."

I wasn't understanding what I should say or reply. So, I just send a sad emoji.

He replied giving me two smiley emoji

Don't cry, flower. You should be happy because I won't marry Priyanka.

This time I bit my tongue and sent this emoji saying that I liked this name "Flower"

He replied teasing me

" As I won't marry Priyanka so don't forget to distribute sweets in your locality"

This time I just buried my face into the pillow because of embarrassment. He is going to tease me with all this for the rest of my life. It's so awkward.

I replied giving him this emoji.

After that, he texted me saying

" I will talk to you later. I will wait   for you in the Shiv temple. And, another thing, save my number on your phone. I ❤ U, my

A smile adorned my face seeing his text where my heart is beating like it's running a marathon. I was on cloud nine thinking that our feelings are mutual. I am just smiling and thinking by which name I should save his number.

After thinking for some time I saved his number under the name "First crush".

I am still smiling like a fool when someone snatched the phone from my hand. I looked at the person annoyingly and as expected it's none other than Naina.

" First crush. Hmm!!" She said teasingly looking at the phone screen.

A blush appeared on my face and she started laughing. I tried to take my phone when she just run away from my room.

" Naina. Give back my phone," I yelled and started running behind her.

She replied laughing," I won't give back this phone to you until I see this first crush of yours."

Shivansh's p.o.v

I entered the garden and found that Dad and ma are enjoying their afternoon tea. I saw how Dad was kissing Ma's hand and she is now 10 shades red. I couldn't help but chuckle seeing them like that.

" Good afternoon lovebirds," I said clearing my throat and they got startled.

Dad patted the seat next to him and told me," Sit here Shiv. We were talking about your marriage."

" yeah, I have seen that," I replied winking at Ma & Dad and they just glared at me.

Ma tried to say something when I informed them sternly," Well, my dear parents, I won't beat around the bushes. I wanted to share an important matter with you. The thing is I don't want to marry Priyanka."

I finished my saying and Dad looked at me having an expression like I have joined IS and became a terrorist. I thought Ma will give me this expression but surprisingly she is looking very calm.

" Shiv, are you here to joke with us?" Dad asked me with his cold voice.

I replied normally," No, Dad. I am not joking. I am seriously saying it. If I marry Priyanka then her life will be destroyed as well as mine and I don't want it. I love someone else and want to marry her."

" Have you lost your mind? We have already talked with Priyanka's parents. We gave them our words that we will join our families," Dad barked on my face and I got irritated.

I replied raising my voice," Come on, Dad. Don't be silly. Who told you both to fix my marriage without asking me? Marriage is a lifelong decision and I can't randomly marry someone just because you both wanted me to. I can't marry Priyanka."

" Do you know better than us? Huh!! We know what's good for our son. Priyanka is a.........." Dad couldn't complete his sentence when Ma interrupted him.

Ma said patting Dad's shoulder," Satya, it's ok. If he doesn't want to marry Priyanka then it's totally fine. We can't force such an important decision on him."

A smile formed on my lips after hearing my mother. I knew it. I knew that someone understands me or not my mother will always understand me.

" Lalita, he is a kid. What will he understand about marriage and all the stuff?" Dad asked her and stood up from his sit very angrily.

I rolled my eyes hearing him and said exhaling some air," Seriously, Dad. I am a kid!! Someone gives me a candy!!!"

" Shiv, you go to your room. I will talk with your Dad," Ma told me and I kissed her cheek.

I told her smiling," I knew it, Ma. I knew that you will understand. I knew that you will support me always."

She caressed my cheeks and said affectionately," Nothing is important in front of my son's happiness. You can marry whoever you want."

" Here comes this duo," I heard Dad saying very annoyingly and I mentally laughed seeing him.

Then, Ma asked me curiously," By the way, who is this special girl who caught my Shiv's eyes?"

I replied smiling brightly," Ma, I will bring her here to meet you very soon. I bait you will like her."

" Ok. I will wait to meet my daughter in law. And, don't worry about Priyanka. I will talk with her parents and handle everything," Ma assured me and I hugged her tightly.

I said showing my 32 teeth to Dad," Thank you Ma. Thank you so much. You are the best ma in this world."

At Night

Author's p.o.v

Ankush came back to his house with stumbling legs because he is completely drunk. After Priyanka's marriage announcement, he was so depressed that he started drinking without limit. He was fed up with everything and wanted some peace.

" Priyanka, I will love you always," Ankush muttered blinking his eyes and laughed like a maniac.

He is going to his room when some grabbed his back neck from behind and made him look into her eyes. The person is none other than Ankush's mother.

" Now, you have started drinking as well!!" His mother screamed on his face slapping him hard and he fell on the nearby couch.

Before he could say something, his mother started saying with her disappointed voice," We educated you thinking that you will eradicate our poverty. Bring happiness into our life. You are our firstborn and only son. We have many expectations from you. That's how you are repaying us!!!"

Saying all this, his mother started crying and Ankush is still in Priyanka's thoughts. He isn't even hearing what's his mother saying.

" Your father is ill. You have three sisters to marry off. If you keep coming in the house in drunken states then what will people say about us? Who will marry your sisters? Moreover, you are still unemployed. When will you get a job and do something productive? I never thought you will turn out that useless," Ankush's mother barked on his face and he got annoyed hearing her. He is feeling like some kind of insect is buzzing in front of his ear.

He yelled at his mother," Just fuck off, you motherfucking bitch!!"

Ankush's mother's eyes got wide hearing his abusive words. She can't believe Ankush is talking like that with her. She also became angry hearing him. She slapped him hard and he looked at her with rage-filled eyes.

" I wonder how you became so useless even after staying with Shivansh and Kabir. Why don't you learn something from them? Shivansh has enhanced his family business a lot just after joining a few days ago. Kabir established his event management organisation with hard work and passion. And, here you are. Abusing your mother and returning home in a drunken state like any roadside rowdy," Ankush's mother said all this in one go and that's how she triggered a strong nerve inside him.

He couldn't control himself anymore and said slapping his mother," Shut up. Don't compare me with Shivansh Raichand. What's wrong with everyone? Why all of you are so fond of Shivansh Raichand!! What's so special about him? First, my girl left me for him and now my own mother!!!"

Ankush's mother couldn't tolerate her son's this behaviour anymore. She never imagined that her son will raise his hand on her. She is feeling like a failure. She is feeling like she couldn't raise him properly.

Without saying anything further, she left the place leaving behind a frustrated and crazy Ankush.

He started kicking the nearby sofa angrily saying only one thing," Shivansh Raichand, I will kill you. I will never let you be happy in life. I will go any length to make your life miserable. I will make sure one day you become heartbroken just like me."

The next day morning

Niyati entered Kabir's office room and found him standing in front of the window. He was back facing her.

" Kabir, you told me to come early. Why is that?" Niyati asked curiously?

Last night, she got a text from Kabir. He told her to come early to discuss an important matter.

" Niyati, I am going to tell you something which may sound awkward for you. But, I can't hide my feelings anymore," Kabir told Niyati and looked at her with his soft eyes.

Niyati asked frowning her brows," What are you saying, Kabir?"

This time, Kabir kneeled in front of Niyati and she stumbled back seeing him like that. She was shocked beyond level seeing him like that.

" Hey, what are you doing?" Niyati asked and flinched backwards when Kabir held her one hand tightly.

He started saying very emotionally," Niyati, I like you a lot. Actually, it's not just like it's love. I fell in love with you when I first saw I you. My feelings towards you became deeper after knowing about you. Your kind personality, your carefree nature and your beautiful smile just melted my heart. I love you, Niyati."

Hearing all this, Niyati was stunned. She never imagined that Kabir will propose to her.

" Kabir, I understand your feelings..but....   " Niyati couldn't complete her sentence because of Kabir's interruption.

He said assuring her," Niyati, I won't force you. I will always respect your decision. But, I want you to think about all this for once. I promise that I will keep you happy. I promise that you won't regret considering my feelings."

Kabir is saying all these where Niyati is still in her shocked state. She isn't understanding how to react to this situation. She knows that Kabir is a good person but she doesn't love him. She only loves Shivansh.

Kabir is still holding Niyati's hand and telling her about his emotions unknown to the fact that someone has heard them. They were totally unaware that someone was eavesdropping on their conversations.