“Aur bhaiya ko kya pasand hai?”

(What does bhaiya like?)

“Bhaiya ko toh bhabhi pasand hai.”

(Bhaiya likes Bhabhi.)

He replied without a second thought making her laugh and hit his bicep lightly.

“Seriously batao Karan.”

(Tell me seriously Karan.)

“Arre mazak nhi kr rha. She’s his only preference. But agar tumhe unke liye kuch lena hi hai toh you can take a shirt. Safest choice for men.”

(I am not joking…But if you want to get him something you can take a shirt.)

Monami nodded and they parked the car at the mall. They first got clips for Misha. Monami got a lot of cute ones. Then she selected two pairs of earrings for his bhabhi. And finally, they proceeded to get a shirt for his brother.

“You know his shirt size?”

Monami asked in a hush tone as she skimmed through the patterns and shirts.

“We wear the same size.”

Karan mumbled back.

“What’s your size?”

She asked not realising how she worded her question and he leaned in, not wanting to leave any chance to tease her.

“Aise public mai batau?”

(Should I tell in public?)

She turned to look at him with a confused glance. Seeing his teasing smile and recalling her words, she realised what he meant and hit his bicep again.

“Oh my God! Karan! I… I meant shirt size! Not… not…argh!”

She looked away feeling embarrassed and he covered his mouth with his fist to hide his laughter.

“46. We wear 46.”

He answered and she raised her eyebrow. 46 was too big for him. He was a fit man with no extra belly fat. Why would he wear 46?

“You don’t look like a 46.”

“I have broad chest and shoulders. Shirts don’t fit easily. We get it tailored.”

He answered and picked out a shirt while she checked out his shoulders and chest. He wasn’t lying. He did have broad shoulders. And guys! Add another thing in her dream list.

“Here! He’ll like this one.”

He picked one out for her and she asked him to try it out. He did as asked and told her that it was fine.

“Thank you! I’ll see you in some time.”

She said as they reached his floor. He nodded and got off the lift waving her in a flirty manner. She shook her head and blushed.

Monami had been standing in front of her almirah for the past 15 minutes, trying to figure out what to wear. She had dismissed about 20 clothes and still couldn’t find the right one to wear.

Her gaze then fell on one of the boxes which was still unopened. The suit that her mother had gifted her on her last birthday. She had never worn it yet. Maybe she could try it now.

Monami was not a big fan of traditionals but today she wanted to see his reaction to her wearing them. It was a pretty powder blue body length suit with palazzo pants and light embroidery.

She applied kajal, mascara, a little bit of blush and her favourite lip colour. She paired it with the light blue velvet bangles and perfect matching earrings, both of which her parents gifted her along with the said piece of clothing.

One look at herself in the mirror and she bit her lip in nervousness. She looked good according to her. Now Karan’s reaction will tell her. Taking a deep breath and wearing her sandals, she got into the lift and descended down to his floor.

Her hands were shaking due to nervousness when she rang the doorbell. She heard his voice tell her that he was coming to open the door and she heard footsteps making her heartbeat raise.

“You know what? I’ll give you the passkey to the house. You don’t have to ring the bell everytime you-”

He ranted while opening the door but stopped short when he looked at her. His mouth parted open and his eyes…oh his eyes! He blinked slowly as if not being able to believe that he wasn’t dreaming and what he was seeing was real.

“Ummm… Karan?”

She whispered and he hummed.

“Andar aa skti hu?”

(Can I come inside?)

She asked softly and he realised that she was still standing outside his apartment and he was staring at her like a creep.

“Oh yeah! Yeah! I’m sorry. Aao na please.”

(Come in please.)

She entered and blushed while he closed his eyes and cursed himself in his mind. He turned to look at her again and got lost in her. She looked so so beautiful that he had no words.

“Do I look fine? Jyada toh nhi ho gaya na? I don’t wear traditionals much but I thought ki achha lagega. Should I go and change? Abhi bhi time hai.”

(It is not too much, right? I don’t wear traditional much but I thought that it would look good….There’s still time.)

She rambled when he didn’t say anything about her outfit. He placed his finger on her lips, making her go quiet and her heartbeat go wild.

“Shhhh! Fine? If taking someone’s breath away with just one look means looking fine, then yes, you look fine.”

He whispered and she felt her breath hitch. A deep red hue covered her cheek and she lowered her lashes. Karan gulped. He wanted to confess. He wasn’t sure for how long he’ll be able to keep his feelings in his heart. 

He couldn’t avert his eyes from her. Not even when he tried. She still felt his gaze on herself but couldn’t get herself to look into his eyes. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to handle the emotions in them and not break down. She was so in love with this man that it hurt. 

“Monami… I-”

He started to say something but was cut off because the doorbell rang. Karan cleared his throat and mumbled.

“That must be them.”

He opened the door and a soft, little body collided with his legs, wrapping itself around him.

“CHACHU!”

The little girl yelled and giggled in excitement. Karan too laughed and picked her up, smothering her with kisses, making her laugh more and hug him tightly.

He greeted his brother and bhabhi too, giving them side hugs because Misha was still clinging to him. 

“Oh hi! You must be Monami, right? Bhut suna hai tumhare baare mai. It’s so good to finally meet you.”

(We have heard a lot about you.)

Karan’s bhabhi, Shalini said with a wide smile and the next second, Monami was taken into a hug. She smiled and hugged her back.

“Likewise! Karan bhut baatein krte hai aap sabki. Aaj finally aap sab mil hi li. Hello bhaiya.”

(Karan talks a lot about you guys. I finally met you all today.)

Mithilesh greeted her back with a smile. He then gave a secret smile to Karan making him blush a little and rub his neck sheepishly.