Through The Years - A Shraman SS - Page 4

Age 24

Next Day

I am rushing around the room, putting things in my bag as I get ready to go to PCT. I am doing a final check of the files and important papers that I have to take today when I hear excited chatter coming from the living room. I furrow my brows in confusion wondering who could it be at 8 in the morning but I don't have to wonder for long when the banging starts at my door.

Not again.

Knowing that he would, by now, be leaning on the door, I jerk the door open and watch the jerk-face sprawl on my feet.

"OWWW!!! Sumo, you ass!"

"PUSHKAR MALHOTRA!" I hear my mother shout to reprimand him.

"Sorry, Aunty," he replies softly, glaring at me and rubbing his nose.

I snicker quietly at his predicament and rush back to my bed to take my bag and exit from the other door attached to my room into the living room only to find Shravan and Varun Bhaiya sitting at the dining table, facing away from the door, and hogging on all the food, while Ma is in the kitchen.

And everyone says I keep thinking about food all the time. Hypocrites, I tell you. The whole bunch of them.

Taking the opening I have, I try to get out of the room without making any noise, try being the operative word, when my mother's stern voice stops me in my tracks. "Suman Tiwari! Where do you think you are going?"

Turning around, I answer her, "Oh, apne boyfriend ke pass? Ussne mujhe bola tha woh mujhe aaj pick-up karega." I end with a smile.

She simply shakes her head at my antic knowing well that I do not have a boyfriend and walks back into the kitchen but not before ordering me to sit and eat my breakfast like a normal human does.

If I would have told this to papa he would have fallen for that excuse and asked me twenty questions about the guy before threatening to hurt him. Pfft. He is so easy to rile.

Walking to my seat on the dining table, I see Pushkar already there hogging the food, Varun Bhaiya looking at him in disgust and Shravan looking at me, brows furrowed as if he trying to solve a tough question. What is up with this guy?

Mom comes out with a plate and puts in down in front of me. "Now do not eat like a mad person like that monkey sitting beside you and if you even think about taking a few bites and dividing the rest among these three then I will make sure that you don't go to PCT today until you've had everything. Got it?" She ordered sternly.

"Yes, mother," I replied without making too much fuss because I knew she would do exactly that if I pulled any of my antics.

"Did she just call me a monkey?" Pushkar asked, his eyes wide.

"You'll call a spade a spade, won't you?" to which I get a kick on my chair.

"Chotte! Stop it." Shravan reprimanded him.

"But bhaiya "

"I said stop," he interrupts him. "One, you are a grown-up, at least try to act like one once in a while, two it is absolutely useless arguing with the Tiwari women, you will lose and three, aunty and Sumo are right."

Shots. Fired.

A snort escapes before I clasp my palm on my mouth to stop the burst of laughter that is on the cusp of breaking through and control myself before I completely lose it.

After running around all day in the kitchen making food, supervising my staff, doing deliveries and checking orders I am dog tired and would have loved to rest but of course, my family always has to trample through my plans as always. So 15 minutes later, here I am standing in front of a mirror getting ready to go to the Malhotra Mansion. Why? Because apparently some rishta has come for Varun Bhaiya and they wanted to meet the Malhotra's and if they have to meet the Malhotra's then of course, as a rule, the Tiwari's will also be present. I wish I could bring the facepalm emoji to life but then again who says I already haven't?

"Suman! Chalo! We are getting late." Papa shouts.

"Toh maine thodi na bola tha mujhe saath mein leke chalo. Rishta aa raha Varun Bhaiya ke liyebeech mein main phas gayi hun." I muttered as I moved out of my room in quick steps.

"Haye, kitni acchi lag rahi hai meri beti." Maa fawns.

"Acchi main roz dikhti hun." I called out as I moved towards the car.

Entering the Malhotra Mansion 15 minutes later, I quickly go up to Ramnath Uncle and vent "Yeh raat ko kaun ladka dekhne aata hai? Yeh saab subah hota hai taaki logo ko raat ho chain se sone de."

Laughing at my frustration, he replied, "Arre subah unki kuch meeting toh nahi aa sakte the."

"Kyu? Tata, Birla ya Ambani hai joh apni meetings reschedule nahi kar sakte the joh raat ko dimag ka dahi bana rahe hai." I huffed.

"Suman!" Mamiji reprimands.

"Mamiji!" I gasp with equal fervour "Mujhe mera naam pata hai." Both of us roll our eyes at each other's antics and she lets a small smile slips through but she quickly schools her features. I just give her sly wink letting her know that I saw that before I go looking for the man of the hour.

I barge into Bhaiya's room without knocking. "Suman!" I look up to see him standing across the room in his pant and vest, arms across his chest, his shirt hanging off one fist as if trying to protect his modesty.

"What are you doing?" I asked him bewildered, signalling to the utter ridiculousness of his pose. When laughter breaks out do I realize that Pushkar and Shravan are in the room as well, crowding on the bed.

He quickly puts his hands down and glares at me. "Couldn't you knock?"

"It's nothing I haven't seen before," I stated matter of factly. "Actually, I've seen better, so..." I trail, going and sitting on the sofa near the open windows.

"Ha. Ha." He replied sarcastically.

"Whose bodies have you seen?" I hear Shravan asking me. I turn to look only to find him staring at me intently, his jaw working back and forth. I just raise an eyebrow as an answer and the stare turns into a glare before I turn back to Varun Bhaiya and look horrified to see what he is wearing.

"Wha... What is wrong with you?" I sputter.

"What?" Varun Bhaiya looks at me in the mirror.

"What are you wearing?!" I almost screech. Damn, I've almost reached the slap-happy stage.

"Clothes?"

"No shit, Sherlock, I thought you were wearing a grass skirt and two coconuts on the chest to protect your modesty."

I hear a thud and turn to look where the sound came from, only to find Pushkar on the floor laughing like a hyena and sputtering, "grass skirt... coconuts..."

Shaking my head at the fool, and look back to Bhaiya once again. "Bhaiya aapko ladki vale dekh ne aa rahe hai koi investors nahi aa rahe jo aapne yeh suit pehna hai."

God help me with these Malhotra men.

"For God's sake, get rid of the jacket, tie and waistcoat! The pant and shirt are absolutely fine and open the top two buttons while you are it as well."

"Zyaada ho gaya kya?" He asks worriedly.

"Zyaada? Think over the top, big brother." I replied with wide eyes. "Do it!"

"VARUN! PUSHKAR! SHRAVAN! SUMAN! BAHAR AAO! GUESTS AATE HI HONGE!!" We hear Chachi call out.

"Bhaiyo aur Sumo, chalo jaldi. Agar mummy aa gayi na toh hum teeno ka toh tabhi theek hai par Varun Bhaiya aapki ladki valo ke saamne solid bezzati hogi."

"Teri toh... ruk!" And with that Varun Bhaiya runs after Pushkar and a high-pitched yelp confirms that he caught him. Laughing at them I move towards the bedroom door when I am pulled back roughly and pressed against the wall and Shravan in towering over me, giving me a glare.

"Tum kis boyfriend aur kiski body ki baat kar rahi thi?" His voice low and husky and coupled that with the intense way he was looking at me, I felt goosebumps break out all over my body.

I twisted my wrist, trying to break free from his hold only to have him push me further against the wall and closing in on me. Our stomachs and chest touching and only a sliver of space for the air to pass through.

"Let me go!" I command him frustratingly, fighting to get away from his hold.

"And if I don't?" He replied with a small smirk.

Straightening my spine, I press my front against his in a dare, my eyes flashing at him in anger, daring him to give me a reason to physically hurt him. "You really well know exactly what will happen if you don't let me go in the next five seconds, Malhotra." I threaten.

He gives me a small smile and brings his head down, his lips brushing the outer shell of my left ear as he whispers, "I know exactly what you are capable of Miss Tiwari." Saying that he further bends his head and I feel his lips ghost along the junction where my neck and shoulder meet. A small shudder goes throughout my body as I contain a surprised gasp at this bold move. What in the world are you doing to me, Malhotra?

Pulling away from me, he gives me a wink and walks out of the room with a smug smile on his face, leaving me against the wall trying to catch my breath.

Dinner is done and the Malhotra ladies and my over-excited mother are bringing out the sweet dish of the night... Moong Dal Halwa. Blah! Halwa na hogya musibat hai yeh, har occasion par yahi banta hai. Favourite ek insaan ka par khana sabko padta hai.

"So Suman beta, yahan hum sab baat kare jaa rahe par tum kuch bol hi nahi rahi." Mr. Mehra pointed out laughingly.

"Actually uncle, aaj thoda off day chal raha hai. Subah milte toh shaayad aapko bolne ka mauka nahi deti." I ended up replying teasingly.

I could feel my mother throwing daggers at me from across the room and Ramnath Uncle beside me, shaking with amusement when Mehra Uncle bursts out into laughter.

"Yeh bhi sahi hai. Toh batao aaj off day kyu hai?" He asked genuinely and I thought it was better to give him the truth regardless of the number of imaginary flying chappals that mom would throw at me and because I really don't have the energy to be smooth.

"Office aaj thoda zayada hectic tha, too much running around and when I came home I had this solid plan of having a nice hot bath and then sleeping but you know how parents are always on the sideline waiting to mess with any plan, so my mom did the same when I entered the house and told me I literally had 10 minutes to change and get in the car because you were coming with a rishta for Varun Bhaiya and because I am in a slap-happy mode. Though I'm more on the quiet side right now." I ended bluntly.

"Oh my God," I heard the muffled whisper of my mother. There is a beat of silence before Mr Mehra breaks out into a loud laugh, his whole body shaking. "Well then, I'm really sorry Ms Tiwari that your amazing plans got side-tracked because of us."

"Apology accepted, Mr Mehra." I smile at him. "Though I have to say that this apology is being accepted only because of your daughter and nothing else." His brows furrow in confusion not understanding my statement.

I get up from my place and walk backwards towards the kitchen as I let them know my verdict. "All I'm saying is, I approve of Vandana Mehra as Vandana Malhotra and from this moment as my Vandy Bhabhi." I give Varun Bhaiya a wink as he deflates in his place, thankful for my approval. Before I turn and walk the rest of the way to the kitchen I catch the mile-long grins on everyone's face.

I'm putting my bowl in the sink when I hear Nirmala Aunty come into the kitchen. "Suman, tuhje sacchi Vandana acchi lagi?" She asked excitedly.

"Haan. I mean baat-baat pe brands ka naam leti hai but she's cute and carefree completely opposite to the brute she is going to marry."

"Eek!" She squeals and I look at her in surprise an amused smile on my face. "Mujhe pata tha tujhe voh pasand ayegi."

"Hmm. Tabhi Tiwari's ka bahana dekar mujhe bulaya tha na? Actually mein pure Malhotra khaandan ko mera opinion chaiya tha. Am I right or am I right?" I asked smugly.

"Haan baba, isilye sabko bulaya tha. Kyunki sirf tujhe bulati toh emotionally blackmail karke koi na koi bahana tu zaroor deti toh Priya ko tere peeche chidna pada." She confessed.

"Chalu haan."

"Haan. Accha sun, Shravan aapne kamre mein hai --"

"Toh main kya karu?" I interrupt her.

"Bolne degi tabhi toh pata chalega ki kya karna hai." She comes around the counter and lightly hits me on the forehead before handing a bowl full of halwa. Great.

"Please yeh usse de aa? Tujhe toh pata hai na, yeh halwa nahi milega toh pura ghar sar par utha lega."

Not having it in me to argue with her, I quietly go up to his room.

Entering his room without knocking on the door, I look around the room quickly only to not find him anywhere. I walk up to the coffee table in his room, put down the bowl and turn around only to be hit by a hard wall. A wall that smells way too good. Arms go around my waist to prevent me from tumbling and I look up, a retort ready on the tip of my tongue but the words dry down when I see the look on his face.

"Hmm. Halwa lekar aayi ho, nice. By the way, tumhari knock na karne ki aadat kabhi nahi jayegi na?"

"Aunty ne bheja hai aur bola and I quote 'agar tumhe nahi mila toh tum pura ghar sar par utha loge' and given there are guests in the house she didn't want to scare them." I huff, breaking away from his hold and moving to get out of this room only to stopped by his next question.

"Are you still mad at me?" He asked frustrated.

"Still?!" I turned on my heels to face him. "You literally ruined my date from thousands of miles away without knowing the full thing and when I tried to go out again you had managed to scare the guy so much that he had told his friends and subsequently every male populace that if they even thought about they would have to face a third-degree from you and that is not worth it."

"Are you serious? Listen here you crazy ass woman, if he wanted to go out with you like really wanted to go out with you he wouldn't have minded getting the third degree from me or anyone else who cares about you. And anyway, I spoke to him for like a minute and I could tell in an instant that he wouldn't have lasted with you for even a whole month. And anyway, if we are talking about you being mad at me for looking after you then I should be mad at you for the whole womanizer thing. That was way worse."

"First, you deserved it. Second, it was sure as hell not worse because I am pretty sure there was no one there to spread that rumour about you because guess what?! The talk happened only with you and no one else and lastly one month, one week, one day who cares? I wanted to go on a date with someone who actually liked me for me and wanted to take me out until you butted in." I stop myself from stomping my feet like a five-year-old. I've just barely opened the bedroom door when I feel him behind me and the next second the door is shut with just enough force to not raise any suspicion among the families.

I quickly turn around and throw my arms out, my hands landing on his hard chest, pushing him away from me. His widen and he stumbles back because he was not expecting that reaction. and We both stood facing each other in his room and I have my arms crossed as a protective mechanism when he walks towards me and backs me gently against the wall. I could feel his breath on my face.

"Look at me," he whispered intently. Even though my face was turned towards him, my eyes were fixed on the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the room.

"Look at me." his voice was deeper and more insistent when he repeated. When I did, he finally spoke, his eyes glistening with a fiery intensity and he didn't take them off me for a second.

"You think I don't want you?" His brown eyes were brimming with desire and an unnamed emotion as I looked into them for several seconds. He looked at me for a few more moments, his eyes conflicting as he tries to decide something. His eyes cleared from confusion and he shook his head in disbelief before he lowered his mouth and slowly licked my lips before kissing me passionately.

Before I know it, my legs are wrapped around his waist and my hands wrap around his neck. His taste alone is enough to leave me breathless, the movement of his lips against mine is enough to keep me that way. My senses are all over the place and I can't seem to get a grip. All I can do is kiss him back while burying my fingers in his thick hair.

The initial hesitation disappeared a moment later and despite the lack of experience on my part, I easily found a rhythm that matched his. The way we moved against each other, I felt like we had been doing this our whole lives. This kiss was so right, so amazing and so perfect.

My body was burning and when Shravan made a move to pull away, I brought my hands back to his face, cupping his cheeks, and pulled him back in because honestly, I had waited far too long for this. He did not seem to mind if his reaction to me pulling him back was any indication. His free arm slid up my back and he gripped the hair at the nape of my neck and pulled me closer to him.

I could feel and hear myself panting with the lack of air and my mind screamed to pull back but this was too good to be true and my heart fought back to keep right where I was, in his arms, and experience this heady feeling just in case it was a dream.

But like all good things come to an end, so when Shravan pulled back again this time I let him do so.

He kept his arms around me and my legs were still wrapped around his waist, our foreheads resting against each other as we both tried to catch our breath.

I've heard him say my name countless of times and different tones whether it was in anger, happiness, sadness or even as a warning; I've been so attuned to him, his behaviour, his movements his voice, that I always caught the subtle changes so when he said my name this time it was different from all the other times.

"Sumo," he whispered between breaths. My name was full of affection and care and love than it had ever been before.

"Shravan," I whispered back hoping that my voice conveyed all those emotions and much more.

His eyes continued to look at me as he lifted his head. He freed one arm and brought it to my face to cup my cheek and I turned my head to place a kiss on the centre of his palm. His eyes widened at the gesture before a small shy smile graced his face.

If this is a dream, don't wake me up.

He slowly put me down as I unwrapped my legs and he slowly intertwined this hand with mine before he slowly lifted our hands and brought his mouth down to kiss the back of mine.
Neither of us moved, too scared to break the moment but the silence was killing me. Eventually, when my breathing had returned to normal and I had gathered some courage I opened my mouth.

"Wow," was all I could say. So smooth Tiwari.

He let out a big breath. "Wow."

Another beat of silence before it was broken, this time by him. "Are you...was that...was that okay?"

"Okay?" I whispered hoarsely.

He nodded, running his teeth on his lower lip in hesitation.

"That was not at all okay, Shravan."

I see him deflate in front of me, the light in his eyes dimming, his head bowing down.

"That was not okay because it was perfect." I completed quickly, not able to see that defeated look on his face.

He looked up in a snap and did not even wait for a second before he was leaning in and kissing me again. Nope, I do not mind this at all.

He grinned at me shyly when he pulled away. "Why did we never do this before now?" he asked.

"We did remember? When I was six only it was a kiss on the cheek and not on the lips."

"I remember," he replies. "It was the best day of my life when we were kids. I got to kiss the girl I really liked and who also happened to be my best friend."

Now that I think about it, I might have liked that too but must have buried it down because I didn't know what to think. Plus duh, I was six, who figures these kinds of things at that age?

I laughed at that. "And? What's the best day of your life now?" I asked hesitantly. Maybe even fishing for a confirmation or compliment whichever fits.

"Today. Definitely today," he replied back confidently.

"Good." I smile and kiss him once again.

Continued below...

Continued...

For the next few weeks, we both rediscovered ourselves as two individuals, two best friends, who were now in a relationship. It was better than I had ever expected. We weren't just best friends who knew each other like the back of our hands we were something more. We were something that I don't think I would ever be able to explain.

After that night in his room, we have tried to keep everything normal so that our families wouldn't suspect anything. Our families think that all that time when I didn't come down we both actually sat down and talked everything out and sorted our differences and got back to being our usual selves and when you've had the kind of friendship that Shravan and I have, your family doesn't even bat an eyelash when your secret boyfriend comes to pick you up after dinner for some late night rendezvous that generally ended up with both of us finding quiet spots where no one would see us and we could be girlfriend and boyfriend without the prying eyes.

Shravan and I had been dating for six months now and our families were still clueless about it. Everything was pretty perfect. We both understood and connected with each other on a completely different level and it surprised the both of us. When you've known someone for as long as we have known each other there isn't much that surprises you anymore.

But of course, we wouldn't be Shravan and Suman if we didn't have our occasional fights. Our first fight was the worse than any other fights we ever had before and let me tell you we've had some pretty nasty fights. But this one... for that one moment I had honestly believed that this was it. This was how we ended never to get back again.

It had started out as a normal day and I was at PCT, working on the accounts when a college friend of mine had decided to surprise me.

I had turned around to get some files from the cabinet behind me when I heard a voice sing out loud. "Laila O Laila!"

Bloody hell. I could recognize that voice anywhere

"Aditya Ahuja!" I called out, my back still facing the door. "Shut your mouth before I come and shut it for you." I turned to face him at that moment, eyebrow raised.

"Oof." He acted. Overacted is more like it. "Do tell how you plan to shut my mouth." He replied taking a seat on the opposite side of the desk, his elbow on the table, arms supporting his face as he wiggled his eyebrows like a third grade Bollywood film villain.

"I would shut your mouth in such a way that will get that eyebrow wiggling stopped in a second and instead have them disappearing in your hairline," I replied back sassily, smiling when I saw him stop.

"Bore."

We both stare at each other for a minute before our faces split into a huge grin and we both quickly rush to each other and share a hug.

"Ha! What are you doing here and when did you come to Delhi and why in the world didn't you tell me." I fired at him, hitting his shoulder in annoyance.

"Madam, this is called surprise and since I know you don't like surprises I thought why not do the exact thing you don't like. Seemed perfect."

"Heh. Very funny."

"Accha anyway, ab main aa gaya hu toh now we have to honour our timely tradition. Coffee and pastry?"

"Coffee and pastries, Ahuja." I correct him.

"Let's go!"

Twenty minutes later we both are seated at a cosy coffee shop each binging on chocolate pastry and hazelnut coffee for me and a latte for him talking about anything and everything we could.

"Confession," Aditya called out suddenly.

This was a game we played in college. Whenever Pushkar, Aditya or me had to confess to something we would just call out "confession" and the other two had to listen to everything the person confessing had to say though Pushkar had used confession time for the silliest of things possible.

"Okay, let's hear it."

"So I had an ulterior motive of coming to Delhi." I squint my eyes at him letting him know to continue. "Okay, so you know how I look out for small businesses that have potential and get them investors so that it possible for them to have resources and flourish?"

"Yes."

"Well, since you started I've kept tabs on you and PCT, just to see how you would do in the future and you surpassed a lot of my expectations but I see a lot more potential in you and your company so, Ms Tiwari I have a business proposal for you. I want to bring investors to you so that you can have unlimited resources and do more great things that I know you are capable of." He ends with a huge smile.

"Oh? Wow...Adi, I don't know what to say "

"Say you accept my proposal."

"Adi, but I don't need investors. I am happy with where my company is and on top that I don't have the time to look for more people or create a business presentation for the investors."

"Suman," he groans. "Kabhi toh baat maan liya kar na, please."

"No, I mean I don't want to sound ungrateful and your proposal is amazing and I am truly honoured that you think my company deserves this but not right now, not when the company is just 3-years-old. I need to establish myself more and start small before I think of expanding. How about this? You come to me with this proposal sometime in the future when I've settled in more and when I am confident that I will be able to handle the expansion. I promise I'll think real hard."

"You drive a hard bargain, Tiwari but I accept your offer. In the future, I will come back with this proposal and you better accept it." He threatens.

"Deal." We both smile and shake our hands on it.

"Sumo?" I hear someone call and turn around to see Shravan standing behind me, dressed in a grey pant, white shirt with the sleeves rolled up showcasing his arms with a matching tie and that freaking waistcoat.

Shravan in a waistcoat is lethal but Shravan in a waistcoat and his shirt sleeves rolled up? Lord, have mercy on me.

Oh God, are those veins I see running on his forearms? Somebody, please call the fire department!

"Hey!" I called out, a little dazed by his appearance. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I was meeting a client for some work. You?" He questioned his eyes flitting behind me.

"Oh, just having coffee with Adi here."

"Adi?" He asked confused.

"Oh sorry. Shravan meet Aditya Ahuja my friends from college. Aditya meet Shravan Malhotra, my best friend." I introduce them to each other.

"Oh, toh tum ho the infamous Shravan Malhotra. Tumhare baare mein bahut suna hai, it's finally nice to meet you. " Aditya said, getting up from his seat and moving to shake Shravan's hand.

Shravan stares at his stoically for a minute and just when things were going to get awkward, he moved to shake his hand. "Can't say I can return the compliment. Haven't heard anything about you."

"Well, no problem. Abhi jaan lete hai. This bhukkad here has already had two cups of coffee and two pastries, we need someone to take them away." Aditya directed the last part teasingly towards me.

"Says the guy whose has three cups of coffee and four different kinds of pastries." I retort.

"Oh, tum dono yahan kitni der se ho?" Shravan asked nonchalantly.

I quickly check the time on my watch and realize we've been here for an hour. Crap!

"Shoot! We've been here for an hour? I didn't even realize."

"Arre jab company itni set hai saath mein toh time ka pata kahan se chalega." Aditya boasted.

Getting up from my seat, I quickly collect my bag and get ready to move. "Arre, kahan ja rahi hai?"

"Teri chutti hai meri nahi. I have to go back to PCT and get the rest of the work done."

"Okay, I'll settle the bill and I'll drop you off?" Aditya suggested.

"Please? Since you are the one who picked me up and brought me here."

"Give me a minute." He smiled and went to the payment counter.

"Yeh kaun hai?" Shravan asked testily.

"Huh? Bola toh, a college friend."

"Tumne toh kabhi iske baare mein bataya nahi."

"Really?" I asked confused.

"Yes."

"Theek hai, toh itna sadd kyu rahe ho?"

"Mein nahi sadd raha." he said shortly.

I just raise my eyebrow at his tone confirming that he is indeed being short for some unknown reason. "Okay done! Chale?"

"Yes, please."

"It was nice meeting you bro," Aditya said once again shaking Shravan's hand who in return just gave a barely-there smile.

For the next few days, that Aditya was here, he demanded that I show him around Delhi so with Pushkar tagging along it was just like college days when Aditya would show us around Mumbai. Shravan was busy since he was piled up with case after case and learning the ropes of Malhotra & Associates but whenever we spoke he always sounded miffed, never truly telling me what was on his mind whenever I asked.

It was just another night, and I was in my bed reading a book when the phone call of doom rang.

"Hello?" I picked up the phone without checking the caller ID.

"Suman." I recognized the voice but didn't recognize the tone

"Shravan?" I asked confused.

"Are you expecting someone else to call? I don't know, maybe you were waiting for Aditya to call you?" He sounded peeved.

"What?" I laughed confused as to where he was going with this. "Why would I expect his call?"

"I don't know maybe because he wants to hang out with you at midnight all alone."

"Shravan, are you even hearing what you are saying? What is wrong with you?" I asked baffled.

"Yes, I know exactly what I am saying, Suman."

"Listen, you better drop that attitude with me or I am dropping this call because for some reason it sounds like you are accusing me of something," I warned him.

"I never see you anymore!" He burst out, accusing me. "You're always with him. Every time I called or messaged you wanting to know what you were doing your answer was always the same. You were with your Adi." He spat.

"That's what this is about? This is absolutely ridiculous! You are being ridiculous, Shravan."

All I got was a scoff from him. "Of course, I am the one who is ridiculous."

"OH, MY GOD! The only reason we spent so much time together was because he was here for a few days and I hadn't seen him in two years! He wanted to see Delhi and I showed him around. That's it. I have other friends Shravan and yes some of them are boys! Aditya is just a friend like Pushkar is just a friend." I stressed on the last part emphasising my point.

"Well, it didn't look like that a few days ago when he had hands all over you!"

"Bloody hell. I tripped Shravan and he caught me before I could fall! That's all there is to it."

"Well, he shouldn't have touched you."

"Oh, you'd rather he let me fall and get hurt so that you could scold him for not catching me, that it?"

"I didn't mean it like " He muttered.

"Oh, screw you, Malhotra!" I yell at him and cut the call and switch off the phone immediately.

I wake up later than usual the next day thank to last night's fight so now here I am running around trying to get all the files I need to take to PCT. After I switched on my phone it started vibrating like mad and I checked to see so many missed calls and messages from Shravan but I decided to ignore them because I didn't want to be later than I already was. I am arranging the files as I walk out the main door and when I look up I find Shravan leaning against his car, a remorseful expression on his face that made him look vulnerable.

It sucks that I can't even stay mad at this oaf when he looks like that.

"Sumo," he called out softly. "Sumo, I'm really sorry about last night. I don't know "

"You were jealous, Shravan." I let him know, equally soft.

There is a beat of silence before he admitted. "Yes. Yes, I was. It's just...I've only seen you hang around with me and no one else so when you were spending all that time with Aditya, I couldn't handle it and it made me jealous and I might have...I felt a little insecure as well." He confessed, looking at the stone on the driveaway, ashamed for what he said last night.

"Oh, Shravan," I whispered. I walked up to him and entwined my hand with his, aware of where I was. "Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?"

"No," he admitted with a whisper.

"Shravan, even if you aren't sure of yourself always be sure that I will never ever do something like this. You're it for me, Shravan. There can never be anyone else."

He shook his head in acknowledgement, squeezing my hand. "Sumo, I really am sorry." He repeated.

"I know and you are already forgiven."

A relieved look crossed his face and he planted a kiss on my forehead before pulling away from the car and opening the passenger door. "Come on, I'll drop you to PCT."

We both settled in the car and after Shravan had pulled out from the driveway he took hold of my hand in his and kept it on his lap the entire ride.

And with this update 'Age 24' comes to an end. Hope you've all enjoyed a different facet of Shravan and Sumo. I had loads of fun writing the more than first half of the update.

Plus, a certain scene finally became a reality and these two are now officially a couple!

There are just two more chapters left in this story and then its a wrap! A disclaimer in advance the next two chapters aren't going to be super long like the previous ones or this one.

As always VOTE and COMMENT!

Until the next chapter...

Originally posted by: akrocks77

Hey!!

Hi!

Amazing Update!!

I am loving the way this story is progressing.

Nice pace.

Thank you so much! 😳

Shravan is being Shravan...no dating for her.

Jealous!!😆

Lol! Shravan is Shravan. Can't see her with anyone else. Jalkukda.

He's way too possessive about her.😉

Of course, he is 😆

Sumo is fierce ..to say the least.

I can do all the non sense ...but I will tolerate no nonsense.

Chit bhi meri ...pat bhi meri.😎

YES!!!!!! 😆

She told his parents ...he is sleeping around.😲

And still she's angry.

Bichara Shravan🤣

That part just happened and I loved everyone's reaction to it!🤣🤣🤣

Even in anger she's unable to resist him😉

😃😃😃😃

Aah the dream!!😳

Excited.

Do update soon.

Eeek!!!

Apoorva

Originally posted by: SumoKaShravan

Awesome update 🤗👏

Originally posted by: KitkitMkb

Needless to say that I absolutely love the chapter ❤️

Originally posted by: akrocks77

Hey!!

Hi Apoorva!

Awesome Update!!

Nice chapter...😃

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

Pushkar fell face flat...Pushkar the monkey😆

Hahahaha! Bandar ko bandar hi bulaya jayega. 😆

"Whose bodies have you seen?"

"Tum kis boyfriend aur kiski body ki baat kar rahi thi?"

Again the jealous Shravan😛

I love me some jealous/possessive Shravan. That one was always my favourite. *heart eyes*

"grass skirt... coconuts..."🤣

LOL!

Bold Sumo ...she tells them everything on the face.

Her too good plans were spoiled...and she bluntly blamed them😆

I love the straight to the point Suman. No kissing asses with this one. 🤣

Hayee!! The dream became the reality...finally.

They Kissed...😃

They are dating finally.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Had I not made that dream a reality, I know quite a few people who have hunted me down and beat with their chappals. 😆

Aditya🤬

Shravan's forever Jealous😆

Naaa... The proverbial kebab mein haddi was a positive character. Mehraban ho gayi mein uspe. 😆

Excited for the last two.

Do update soon.

Yay! Posting them ASAP!

Apoorva

Originally posted by: Arpi1234

Res

Age 26

I am in my room, reading through the PCT files, making a list of the raw material's and extra utensils needed and a separate spreadsheet for all the new orders coming in.

A few months ago, Aditya came back again with the proposal and when I told him that it hadn't been a few years he reminded me and I quote: "Suman, you said to get back to you in the future and this is the future. You never specified when in the future."

At that moment I didn't know who to hit, him for being so cocky or me for not seeing the loophole I left unknowingly. So being the leech that man is, he refused to take a no for an answer and now here I am some odd months later, gearing up for all the new orders that have come in and preparing for the hell that is going to rain down on us for the initial days.

The only plus point to all of this is that there is no new branch of my beloved PCT. The old one was renovated and expanded to fit in more people and cooking slabs and now we deliver farther more than we used to, all thanks to the delivery people we hired to do the running around.

I am brought back out of my thoughts by the ringing of my phone and I pick it up to see the alert that has been flashing on the screen. Oh crap, I'm late!

I quickly grab my bag and car keys and rush out of the house, hoping and praying that I don't come across too much traffic and reach the airport on time.

I pull into the airport parking lot an hour later and entered the huge white building. Checking my phone for the gate number I moved to the exit, thankful for the information he had sent me last night.

Checking the details on the board, I saw that his flight was delayed by half an hour, so I took a seat in the waiting area and pulled out the new book that was a part of my favourite Romantic Suspense Series that had me hooked and was impossible for me to put down.

I was at the part where the female lead had figured out who the killer was and I was so engrossed in this story that when somebody cleared their throat way too loudly, I snapped my head up to glare at the person who was getting in the way of my reading only to be met with my favourite pair of chocolate brown eyes that were looking down at me in amusement.

"Hi," called out that husky voice of his that had starred in many of my dreams alongside the man it belonged to. My heart skipped a beat at the very fact that he could still make me feel this way a year and a half later.

I quickly stowed away my novel and jumped up to hug him, earning a chuckle from him at my antics as he pulled me tightly to him.

I don't know how long we were in the embrace but I know it wasn't long enough. When we let go of each other, Shravan picked up his carry-on bag and picked my bag up as well, putting it on top of his and together we walked out of the building hand-in-hand.

And as is the norm with us, we had a small argument about who would drive the car, because God forbid this man ever sit in the passenger seat when I am with him, but seeing as that it was my car and Shravan was not comfortable driving the ambassador since it did not have power steering, I easily won the argument. I might have even done a tiny victory dance at that small win.

He put the bags in the backseat and came around to open the driver's side of the door for me, Ever the gentleman. Giving him a smile I got into the car as he rounded towards the passenger side.

Once he was buckled, I fired up the ignition and was fidgeting with the radio buttons when his hand stopped mine.

I looked up to find him peering at me with the intensity that his eyes hold whenever we are alone. He cupped one side of my face in his big palm and brought my face to his, kissing me on the lips softly and quietly.

Pulling away, he softly kissed my forehead and pressed his nose to the top of my head, breathing me in. I closed my eyes and leaned into him a little more, trying to breathe him in, like he was doing with me.

"I missed you," I felt the whispered words on my forehead.

I pulled back and looked at him indulgently. "I know you've been in London for the past 3 months but I spoke to you daily and had video chat session that lasted hours. How could you possibly miss me?"

He stared at me intently, like I was missing the obvious. "I missed you," he repeated.

I shook my head and giving him a small smile. "I missed you, too." His response was another kiss on the lips before he freed my hand so that I could put the car in gear. Soon we were out of the airport and onto the highway.

We drove in comfortable silence, the radio crooning the latest romantic hit was a soothing background noise.

Shravan and I never had awkward moments or silences. Well, apart from that one time before he kissed me for the first time, we both were never nervous or shy with each other. We always knew what we wanted and we shared everything from his "conquests", when we both didn't know how we felt about each other, to a topic that made most grown men cringe: periods.

This man knew my cycle better than I did. So much so that, when the first time he figured out that I was one of those who got cranky when they were PMSing and chocolate was the answer to everything, he resorted to calling me Satan for those five days and his favourite line whenever someone gave me anything sweet? 'Oh, thank God! Satan has been fed!'

So while we didn't have the awkward and nervous stage in our relationship, I could easily figure out that this was the first time since he came back that Shravan Malhotra 2.0 was nervous. What gave him away? The constant shifting in his seat, the bouncing of his leg and his hand was always touching some part of me.

I had plans to ask him what was making him nervous once we reached home but he quickly sat up straight in his seat and removed his hand, that was resting on my thigh, to point to our right. "Turn here, please," he said.

As soon as I did, I recognized the road and understood where we were headed.

The park.

This was the park that we came to a lot when we were in school. So many of our amazing days were spent here playing for hours with each other and our cousins. The parking lot was empty, given that it was in the middle of afternoon and week.

We both got out of the car and we began walking to the shaded walkway, dubbed as the shed, that was at a little distance but was our designated spot whenever we came here.

Shravan grabbed my hand and pulled me in closer to him, bringing his arm around my shoulders and holding me close to him as we walked side by side.

As we walked through the park lazily, I couldn't help but smile at all the memories we had made here. Each step we took refreshed my memory of my time spent and the gentle squeeze of Shravan's hand on my shoulder confirmed that he was thinking the same.

Soon enough, we took the unmarked path to the little shed and both of us sat down on the steps, side by side, taking in our surroundings.

Revelling in the quiet and the man sitting beside me, I put my head on his shoulder, absolutely content with where I was. Shravan wrapped his arms around me, running his hand up and down my arms. The chirping of the birds and the occasional wind created the perfect atmosphere.

"Sumo," Shravan called out my name, pausing as if he wanted to say something but didn't know how to continue.

I lifted my head to look at him, nodding at him to continue.

He ran his hands through the back of his neck and hair, blowing out a big breath before grabbing my hand and sliding down the stair so he could turn to face me.

"Sumo, I love you," he said, staring intently into my eyes.

One year later and he still makes my heart flutter when he tells me he loves me. Smiling at his declaration, I whisper softly, "I love you too, Shravan."

He leaned in to kiss me softly on the cheek. Then he slid down the stairs, still holding my hand, and sank down on the ground. On one knee.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

I feel my eyes going wide at his position.

I could feel my heart thundering in my chest as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a ring box.

"Sumo, I remember when I held you in arms the first time. You were this cute little pink-cheeked baby who was creating a havoc, crying your little heart out and I think I fell in love with you a little that day. I would always look forward to the time when I could come to Tiwari Killa with Mumma and Papa just so that I could hold you and play with you. You were always my cheerleader, no matter what age or if we fought, you've always been there. Over the years, I've fallen for you every day little by little and continue to fall in love with you. After spending so many years with each other I thought I knew you better than anyone else but you continue to surprise every day."

My eyes had begun to water the moment he started with his speech. My verbal skills were non-existent at this point.

This is the most inconvenient of times to lose your ability to speak, Sumo.

Shravan opened the box and held it out to me. "So, Miss Suman Tiwari will you marry me?"

I opened my mouth to give him an answer only to choke on my words. He smiled at my predicament, eyes shining with mirth. I nodded my head vigorously like a bobblehead. "Yes!" I choked. "Oh my God, yes, Shravan!"

His smile grew wide as he removed the ring from the box and slid it onto my left ring finger. He kissed my fingers before rising from the ground, pulling me with him and pulling me into a hug so tight and comforting and kissed me.

Pulling away from him, I rest my forehead against him, I cupped his cheeks in my palm, squishing them a little.

Life couldn't get better than this.

I've been in a super mood since the last update and I couldn't stop writing every time I sat to type so this story is already completed on Wattpad and in the next few days I will be posting the remaining chapters as well. Like I had mentioned before, this and the next chapter, which will be the last one, are going to be relatively short than the previous ones.

Did you see the teeny-tiny reference to the first chapter?

How was the proposal?

As always VOTE and COMMENT to let me know your thoughts! Even if it is a line.

Until the next chapter...