As time skipped to the evening , Akarsh entered in his mansion from work.

Exhausted from a long and stressful day, Akarsh walked towards his room, eager to freshen up and relax.

He entered the room, closing the door behind him, and made his way towards the bathroom.

After that, Akarsh stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the warm water wash away the stresses of the day.

He took his time getting cleaned up, feeling the tension slowly easing from his body as he stood under the running water.

After his shower, Akarsh wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out of the bathroom, walking over to his closet.

He picked out a fresh set of clothes and got dressed, feeling much more relaxed and refreshed.

With a sigh, Akarsh ran a hand through his damp hair and sat down on the edge of his bed.

As he looked at the clock, Akarsh realized that dinnertime was approaching, and Agraja would be arriving soon.

He quickly got up from the bed, running a hand through his hair as he mentally prepared himself to see her again.

As Akarsh descended the stairs and made his way towards the hall, he could see his entire family sitting on the sofa, chatting and laughing amongst themselves.

They looked up as he entered, their faces brightening with warm smiles.

"How was your day Akarsh." Diljeet , his father asked.

"It was good dad." He answered.

Ruhaan : By the way Akarsh bhaiya ko kuch jyada hi time nahi lag gaya aaj freshen up hone me?

Yuvraj : Are bhaiya samjho na hone vali bhabhi pehli baar ghar aa rahi hai. AK Bhaiya taiyaar to honge hi na.

Ruhaan (started singing) : Aaj unse milna hai hame......

Ishita (joined him) : Chalo unke liye kuch lete chale...

Karan : thodi mathri vathri lete chale , thodi chakli chevda lete chale.

Yuvraj : kuch teekha veekha lete chale , kuch khatta meetha lete chale.

Four of them got silent as Akarsh glared them.

Ishita : unse milenge to ham kya kahenge? Ye socha na samjha na Jaana Hai.

Ishita broke the silence , as she stood in front of Akarsh keeping her hands on her waist.

Aradhana : shayad kahein , aise unka hamesha se sar aakhon par hi thikana hai.

Shravi (grins) : Chachi.

Shravi grins pointing her finger at the entrance door , where Vivek , Preeti and Agraja were standing.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as her expression suggesting that she had heard their conversation.

As soon as Agraja made her presence known, a silence descended upon the room, and the teasing abruptly stopped.

Akarsh's cousins looked embarrassed to have been caught teasing him, while he turned red with embarrassment, realizing that Agraja must have overheard their conversation.

Jasleen : Areh aayiye na aap log.

Preeti smiled as her and hold Agraja's hand dragging her into the house. Vivek followed them.

Both the family greeted each other and got engaged in conversation.

Meanwhile , the cousins drag Agraja with them to the other side of the hall.

Ishita : Oh god bhabh...I mean Agraja di , aap bohot sundar lag Rahe ho saree me.

Akarsh's eyes finally seemed noticed her outfit. She was wearing a simple yet elegant black saree, the fabric contrasting beautifully with her fair skin.

Her hairs were open and  few strands falling loosely around her face framing her features.

Agraja : Thanks.

Akarsh could feel his heart rate increasing as he stared at Agraja, his eyes taking in every detail of her appearance.

When she directed her gaze towards him, he suddenly looked away.

Agraja's outfit.

I smiled as Ishita complimented me. I did not wanted to wear this saree , but my mom forced me to wear this.

I didn't got it at first why my mother was forcing me to wear this saree , but when I saw his cousins teasing him with my name I understood what our families are thinking.

"Aapka favourite colour black hai?" Ruhaan asked.

"Umm yes." I replied.

"Oh wow pasand bhi milti hai." The other cousin of him commented.

"Aap?" I asked as I don't know him.

"Karan."

"Yuvraj"

"Ishita."

"Aur mujhe to jante hi hai aap. Mai Ruhaan." One by one they introduced themselves to me.

I just nodded at them. Not knowing what should I talk further.

"Hie Agraja." Aradhana bhabhi greeted as she came there.

"Hi bhabhi." I smiled at her.

"Let's go to have dinner." Mr. Randhawa said.

"Kyu bhaiya? Aapne inse baat to ki hi nahi." Karan said winking at Mr. Randhawa. I quickly lowered my gaze. Why and what will he talk?

Is he also involved with them?

He wants to marry me? My eyes widened as soon as I realised and looked at him squinting my eyes.

In morning , he was asking me to reject his family's proposal and now he himself wants to marry me.

Such a hypocrite man.

"Are bhaiya! Aapna suna nahi?" Ishita interrupted. "Unse kahenge to ham kya kahenge , ye socha na samjha na Jaana Hai." She murmured the Lyrics of the song. But I was able to hear.

I could feel my cheeks burning pink.

"Shut up guys! Don't create awkward situation for both of us. We don't like each other and--- ab samjh jao tum log. Now no one will tease her or make her feel uncomfortable. Get that?" He said sternly taking a stand for me.

I was actually feeling uncomfortable and he raised that topic only.

Not so hypocrite but an understanding man.

Group of cousins nodded like an obedient kids of playschool. 

"Baccho! Aa jao khana khane." I heard his mom's voice.

Finally! Bhook lgra hai yaar mujhe.

After a little while, all got up from their seats and made their way to the dinner hall.

He walked beside me, my heart fluttering as I caught a whiff of his perfume.

He was also wearing black shirt. It was not decided. Just a coincidence.

As we reached at the dining room , everyone took their seat. Only Mr. Randhawa was standing as no other seat was available except next to mine.

His grandmother seemed to noticed that there was no available seat left except the one next to mine , and she spoke up, asking him to sit beside me. "Akarsh, there's no seat left except next to Agraja. Why don't you sit next to her?"

I saw him nodding and he sat beside me.

My stomach suddenly growled loudly , indicating that I was hungry.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the loud growling noises coming from my stomach.

I tried to cover her face to hide my embarrassment, hoping that no one had noticed.

But maybw he had heard it as he was sitting next to me.

I looked at him , who was trying to hold back his laugh.

I quickly looked away and I reached for the rice dish, the hot sabji accidentally slipped off my plate and landed on my hand with a loud sizzle, causing me to yelp in pain.

I winced in pain , as sudden head stinging my skin.

Everyone's attention turned towards me.

"Beta aaram se." His mother said in concern.

It is hurting badly.

"What the hell!" Mr. Randhawa exclaimed as he hold my hand without a second thought.

"Come with me." He said , standing up and gently pulled me along with him.

He led me out of the dinner hall, his grip on my hand firm but gentle.

Once we reached the bathroom , he closed the door behind us, locking it.

He then turned on the cold water tap and kept my hand under the running water, attempting to soothe the pain.

As the cool water ran over my burned hand, I shivered slightly, the sudden change in temperature sending a ripple of gooseflesh down my arm.

I winced momentarily as the cool water stung the burn, but soon the pain began to ease as the water helped to soothe the burning sensation.

After a few minutes of holding my hand under the running water, he turned off the tap and handed me a towel asking me to dry my own hands.

He then rummaged through the bathroom cabinet, searching for a soothing cream or ointment.

Once he found a suitable cream, he gently applied it onto the burn on my hand.

He rubbed it in softly, being careful not to press too hard and cause me any further pain.

After applying the cream to my burn, he carefully wrapped a sterile bandage around my hand.

"Thank you." I said quietly to which he just nodded.

As the moment passed, he finally spoke up after a few moments of silence. "Shall we rejoin the others and finish our dinner?" he asked.

With a nod of agreement from me, he led me out of the bathroom and back towards the dining hall.

As we walked, I was acutely aware of how close we were, the back of his hand occasionally brushing against mine sending shiver down my spine.

That's all for today!

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