CHAPTER 1- ARYAN AND IMLIE’S FIRST MEETING
Khushi gets a call from a friend in her hometown that Khushi's parents have got some news about her and Keshav being in a relationship and were very furious and also are looking for prospective matches for her. Khushi panics. She starts crying and Imlie tries to calm her down. Khushi then calls Keshav and tells him about the news she got. They discuss how they need to do something soon before the parents force their decision on Khushi. Also, because her parents are quite known people, it will not be a surprise if they hire some goons to save their reputation which is of utmost importance to them.
The couple decided they need to take action soon. They can do court marriage but keep living separately until the need to disclose the wedding arises. By this way, they will not have to fear that Khushi's parents will get her married somewhere else. Khushi didn't want to go against her parents but she knew they wouldn't listen to her at all. They may also take extreme steps if need be. They will try to register their marriage at court very soon. Suddenly, Khushi realized what if her parents try to interfere like take her back or harm Keshav. This was serious, they needed to get some protection. They weren't sure if the police could help them in this case. Keshav suddenly remembered about Aryan as he has personal security for him and may have some contacts that may help them.
"Let me call Aryan, he is my friend. He may have some contacts that may help us" Keshav said
Call goes to his manager. Usually he is available to take his friends' calls directly but only barring 2-3 numbers all calls are transferred to his manager/ assistant after midnight. He has business overseas so it's usual that he gets incoming calls post his bedtime. He is a light sleeper and lets his manager or assistant take the messages for him(this is his mother's rule so that he gets good night sleep). Keshav is aware of this thing but this one is urgent and can't wait for morning, every minute counts in this situation. It was like a life and death situation for him- he couldn't imagine his life without Khushi.
"Hello. Can I speak to Aryan please" Keshav said. He knew it was Aryan's assistant-Shefali.
"May I know who this is ?" Shefali said
"This is Keshav. I am Aryan's friend"
"Sir, we are only allowed to transfer very urgent calls that can't wait at this hour. Can this please wait?"
"I am afraid it can't wait. Its very urgent and I need to speak to him" Keshav sounded tensed
Shefali was confused as she wasn't sure if she should transfer a friend's call at this hour. She had worked for Aryan for quite sometime now and finally took a call that Aryan cared for his friends and family always and if this friend has his personal number too, he must be a close one.
"Sir I am transfering the call" Shefali said
Khushi had the phone on speaker mode and Imlie was trying to calm down both Keshav and Khushi who were panicking.
"What kind of friend is he who can't directly take a friend's call" Imlie was irate already with the waiting and transferring.
"Hello, Aryan"
"Hey Keshav, all well buddy?" Aryan is a sharp guy, he recollects most of his close friends' voices.
"Not really Aryan. I need your help. Khushi's parents have got to know about our relationship and we are scared they are reaching out for us very soon"
"OK"
"They are against this relationship and looking for matches for Khushi. We can't live without each other. I thought we need to get some personal security until we complete our court marriage formalities. I wanted to get only trusted people involved here so calling you to help. I am not trusting any unknown agencies at this time. Do you have any trusted people you can refer?" Keshav was saying that fast. Aryan could sense the panic.
"Hold on Keshav. I can definitely help you with security part but how about you talk to her family first and try to explain them your feelings" Aryan had no experience in this field he suddenly realized
"Hey Aryan. Khushi here. My parents already know about Keshav and are against the relationship. We are from different backgrounds. They will never agree"
" Hi Khushi. It is nice talking to you. We have never met but Keshav keeps talking about you. We have been friends for a..."
" Can we please do these long intro sessions later" Imlie was irritated with this new man Aryan already
" Sorry.. Who's this?" Aryan never had anyone cut him like this
"This is Imlie here, I am Khushi's friend. We have waited long for the phone transfer service so thought we can quickly discuss the next steps if you can"
"OHKKKK, sure" Aryan was still surprised. He is not used to this at all.
" So before you joined we discussed they can have temple wedding tomorrow morning and then we will try to register their marriage as soon as we can" Imlie didn't want to be rude but she was stressed, she couldn't see her friend crying non-stop. She was the only family Imlie had in Delhi and she can't see her loved ones like this and goes to any length to help them.
They all discussed some more and finally agreed that they will go to temple early in the morning and if possible will have them married tomorrow itself.
Khushi was momentarily sad thinking she would have no one from her family to attend her wedding and how this was happening in so much panic.
"Don't worry you guys. Your friends are there with you, we love you and we aren't leaving you alone in this at all " Imlie said trying to cheer them up.
They discussed all minute details for the next day in their one hour call and finally disconnected. Imlie could hardly sleep, she gets restless in such situations. She hasn't told anyone but she does sometimes get panic attacks. Even Khushi is unaware.
Next morning, Aryan gets his schedule from his assistant. It was a busy day. He wasn't sure if he would be able to personally make it to the temple due to his schedule but made sure all security, even more than they discussed, was arranged. He reached his office and started with his work and meetings. They also created a group to have everyone on the same page for all 4 of them and 3 more friends they had in common. So 7 of them are now a part of the plan and they are meeting at 11am at the temple.
" Guys, I have spoken to the priest and everything is arranged. We are good, come soon guys, we got this" Imlie was fast at organizing things and convincing people.
" I may not be able to make it personally but have got all the arrangements done" Aryan typed. He was about to send it when Imlie's words echoed in his mind that "we aren't leaving you alone in this at all". Keshav was a good friend of his and he knew how Khushi meant the world to Keshav. He deleted the message and typed - " I'll be there in half hr". After sending this message he told his assistant to postpone his next two meetings. He had never done this before. He never postponed his meetings, his work was everything for him, he missed his lunch breaks also many times due to his work and he would never mind. He loved his work. He was surprised at this decision of his but quickly left for the temple.
He reached there and met Keshav - He was nervous and excited at the same time. He was happy that finally he is tying a knot with the love of his life but worried about the near future. They were already expecting an eventful week after the news broke, this was the first step. Now they were waiting for the bride Khushi.
Aryan was busy browsing his phone checking his emails when he heard a somewhat familiar sound " And here comes our beautiful bride Khushi"It was Imlie's voice full of excitement.
Khushi walked in with Imlie holding her closely.
All Aryan could see was Imlie's hands on Khushi's shoulder.
He was very engrossed in his work and was about to look down at his emails again when he heard - " So all excited and happy Jiju '' This time Imlie rather teasing Keshav.
Aryan couldn't stop but try to look at the girl who was as excited as the bride and groom or even more. Girls love weddings, don't they? He thought.
"Guys this is my Imlie, my BFF, my family, my support" Khushi hugged the girl next to her.
Again Aryan could see the side of two girls hugging but not a view of Imlie yet. All other 4 were kinda in the way of them. All of them did a circle hug.
"Aryan aaja tu bhi yaar" Keshav said.
" Me? ok sure" He wasn't PDA kinda person and wasn't sure if he wanted to do this but did it nevertheless. All of the seven in a group hug. Imlie and Khushi in the middle and Keshav and Aryan on the outside layer. As of now, both Aryan and Imlie haven't had a glimpse of each other and neither are they looking forward to anything like that. They weren't yet cautious of each other's presence.
The ceremony started, Aryan was out for the whole part as he had a very urgent business call he couldn't avoid.
It was time of the sindoor that he entered back in. He saw a beautiful petite girl holding Sindoor and mangalsutra in a plate sitting in the middle just little behind the couple. She has the most genuine and beautiful smile. He was lost in the moment that he didn't realize he was starring at the girl.
"Aryan, aaja yahan" Keshav called Aryan.
Aryan was brought back from this moment but Imlie was still busy giggling with Khushi trying to clean extra sindoor on Khushi's cheeks. She didn't notice Aryan yet.
Aryan got a email notification that his client's are coming for a meeting in 45 mins. He told Keshav that he needs to leave but to call him anytime if they need anything. He explained them briefly about the security details and they needn't worry about anything. Imlie was talking to the priest about the final formalities with her back towards Aryan.
Aryan wanted her to turn don't know why, he wanted to look at her one more time, don't know why? She was too involved in the discussion. He left saying bye to all but couldn't go talk to her and say bye. He has never been such. He has never ever felt awkward to talk to anyone. He has never waited to get a glimpse of anyone. He found this feeling weird but got a call from his assistant Shefali.
"Sir, do you want me to postpone the next meeting? Will you be able to attend the next meeting in 35 mins at our office?"
" I will be there" Aryan didn't want to postpone this meeting which was very important for Bhaskar times. He left.
NEXT : SECOND MEETING OF ARYLIE
Edited by Fantasylover1 - 3 years ago
Kumkum Bhagya
