KIARA POV

12 DAYS LATER

Why can't one single thing in my life so normally the way I want it to . I stare at the woman standing in front of me , the diva . I rake my eyes over her body clad with clothes and shoes worth my one month salary or maybe more .

" We have met remember at Arjun's party . " She smiles as if it is practiced but still she does it with ease .

" Yes , I do remember you . I just stalled given that your presence is quite out of the blue . " I say gaining my composure back .

I take a look around the house trying to comapre it to the surrounding of our first meeting. Illyana Singh is beautiful and that is putting it mildly. With golden , bronze skin to her silky hair , dark brown eyes , she was just perfect.

The first time I met her I had too much on my plate and my whole concentration was on Arjun but now I look at her and can't stop but wonder how do you not fall in love with someone looking like this ? Nor Arjun or karn . They needed glasses like me that is for sure.

" I am sorry for being a bother I hope I am not disturbing you . "

" Not at all please do come in . " I step aside for her to enter. I look at her taking in everything as her back faces me .

" This looks rather rustic . " She turns to me shaking her head in disapproval.

" The word rustic has two meaning so which one do you prefer to describe my place . " I say in a rather calm voice given the rage that has started brewing.

" Its rural and plain . This is what I exactly expected from someone like me . " She tilts her head giving my body a lookover .

" You want to offend me or make me lose my temper or whatever you can think with your brain is not going to happen. " I state firmly.

" You look rather agitated with my presence . Imagine how do I feel right now? " I scrunch my brows together to figure out the exact meaning or her words though I know the main resaon but a visit is not apropos.

" Illyana, I am home after working which requires mind and vocal skills, believe me or not but it is tiresome and I want to treat myself with a cup of hot beverage . If you don't mind you can join me and talk , not in some cryptic sentences. " Exhaustion takes the best as of as the words come out in a harsh whisper. I shut my eyes and press my fingers on my eyelids to ease the tension.

Last few days have not been ' best ' .

The solitude and solace of Mumbai drained the moment we were captured . I have kept away from social networks, Arjun has been under media scrutiny . The cameras are watching him like a hawk to get a glimpse of my face , who is Kiara Singh? . Moments like these make me realise the gravity of the situation . If I am out in the public there would be no going back , I can take a step back but I can't fade away from the lighs and eyes .

" When you have Arjun Malhotra by your side the arrogance is justified? " Illyana has a evil half smile etched on her face .

" Having him with me gives me no power over anybody. I do not change as a person nor does my principles. I am a woman of my own and I certainly do not need a man to be arrogant . He is his own person , self made and so am I . " I firmly state but my inside rages with anger .

" Who are you ? A judge ! Kiara , I respect and bow to the chair you hold , to what you are but I am talking to just who you are here at your home . I know the value people have for you , judiciary is at the supreme position in our country . People respect you and you are into one of the most noble profession , I know that but fame , money it does not come to everyone in this country. You are a simple girl from Delhi, convince me that you are not after him for popularity, fame , money? Convince me you are not using him . I loved him for a really long time and I do not appreciate your presence . " I was left in a dilemma to give a fair response. Arjun has told me that she is a lovely woman , cheerful and a great company so , it is safe to say that that side of her is not reserved for me and why would it be ? I do not want my words creating a rift between them given that her current actions are because of her emotional turmoil . She just respected and accused me by the end of it . Taking a deep breath , controlling my growing anger I prepare myself to give a rational answer to pacify her . This woman loves him and the least I could do is keep her satisfied and happy, well my attempt is .

" Where do I start? " I lift my chin up and stare at the ceiling .

" First , he was guilty of fixing when we first met . I had no idea that there is sports person with such name . The fact that his money does not impress me a bit or nor his popularity. Illyana, I am with him for him . He will not give me his money nor I can take his spot in the public eye . " By the time I finish, I am seated at my sofa which gives my back comfort instantly.

" That is not what the public says .

They call you a gold digger , home wrecker, opportunist and some statements go below the belt . They want me to be with him , they want me to marry him . You are not welcome in my territory and never will be . I have been with him for years, you just can't saunter into our lives and take him away , he is mine . " Every word she say cut through me painfully. I was not that woman whom they paint me to be . This is something that was bound to happen one day but I was sure that it would not affect me , guess I was wrong.

" This is not the last time you are seeing me . I go away for some time and you claw you paws into my territory ; my man . I will be around more . "

" If he is your man then I do not see him around you . It would have been you in Alibaug not me , he should have been with you hours before leaving for England but no it was me again . " I poke my chest to make my point come across. That was a petty move but looks like both of us are driven by our emotions right now . How would Arjun react to two women fighting for him ?

" Not for long. " She scoffs and turns to leave. I play with the bracelet Arjun has given me . Gripping the heart which is adorned by our initials intertwined together beautifully. Now that I think about it , I do that alot when I am nervous. Illyana slams the door shut on her way out but the sound does not shake me out of my trance .

I am officially the woman Arjun Malhotra is dating. The number one ranked batsman for 3 years consecutively, one of the richest athletes in the worlds , the most famous person in the country is committed to me . I sit on the floor raking my hand thorough my hair so soothe my nerves building up . Will people accept me ? They want someone as beautiful as Illyana by his side, someone who is charming, famous just like he is .

They do not want a short , normal , simple girl who does not ozze dazzle or beauty to match in incomparable charm and popularity . Will I ever be enough?

The phone buzzes on the table behind me and its Arjun calling. Clearing my throat a few times I put the phone to my ear.

" Hello . Are you home safe ? " He always asks me that . A smile breaks onto my lips as my mood lightens a tad . Let's live in the moment !

" I am home for sometime now . " I chose not to mention the run in with Illyana.

" That is great . Listen, I am out tonight for a commitment so we won't be able to meet tonight, how about tomorrow? I come by your place or you can come to mine . Going out in public hotels and restaurants might not me the smartest move right now . " I could hear his fast footsteps over the phone.

" yes yes you are right we should avoid the public scene for now and coming to your place might not be the smartest idea too . "

" You are right . I do not want to disclose the location the location of your house so that leaves us....

Nowhere ! We are doing something wrong here, let's rewind again . " I laugh at his response.

" Arjunnnnn , we are walking on a thin ice here . "

" I know baby bu..but what are we supposed to do ? Any sane person would avoid seeing each other but I do not fall into that category. "

" Trust me , I know . "

" We will talk about this because communication is the key . " Arjun says in a almost robotic tone.

" Have you been reading something ? " I ask him out of curiosity. He has lately been saying some stuff which sounds as if thay are automated in his body .

" Guide to a health relationship . Karn suggested that women are not complex but they want certain things from a relationship like men does . So, I don't want to screw the dating part . "

" You have been great by far . "

" I knew it ! " Arjun exclaims from the other side .

" Just a reminder you had a commitment. "

" yes ohh ... I am doing to the Delhi cricket club . Teenagers are practicing so they want me to guide them , talk to them and I can teach them . I was also a student there , I know how much it motivates and improves your game when you meet senior players . "

" I am imagining a 16 year old boy , with pimples, puberty facial hair ohh that image is quite contrasting to the present you . " I have seen his pictures from the club days . It is safe to say that age did him good , really really good .

" I certainty did not have pimples and I know the from where this reference is coming from . My body cannot take caffeine and pickles because they make my skin breakouts moreover, I am in 10 standard . Boys look like this ok ! "

Someone is offended.

" I believe you.... "

" Dammit Kiara, I am not lying and if I remember you had pimples. "

" You did not just go there . " I say in a deadly tone.

" ohhh well . " He says innocently.

" I do not feel like talking to you now . "

" Wooah woah... I was jusy kidding.

And truth be told , you were always beautiful. I thank that puberty hit me nice . "

" A very successful attempt to placate my animosity. "

" ufff.. that was a hard one . The book does not seem useless to me now. "

We both laugh as soon as these words leave his mouth.

" I should get going but I am coming to your place after that and before you give your heart a shock I'll be very discreet and careful . I love you , can't wait to see you. "

" I love you. " I say soflty as I hear Arjun whine .

" I should take a detour , I'll listen to you say this by my own eyes and then straight to the club . What say ? "

" No words , I need to rest myself .

I did not have best of days . " I am reminded of Illyana's visit .

" I have to be at your place tonight then . Sleep , I'll see you before you know it . " Arjun's voice soothes my nerves .

" Now gooo " I shout at him .

" Byeee... see you soon. " With that he cuts the call .

Should I tell Arjun about the spontaneous visit ? One thing I am sure of is that I do not want to put any strains in their friendship. I do not want to be that person who restricts the other person from seeing his friends, that is a whole new level of toxic .

Illayan did throw a threat at me but I know for a fact that Arjun would leave no window open for her to just barge in or create any misunderstandings . But this not I am worried about , the threat does not make me worry its what I am being publicized as . I have always been conscious about being accepted and loves because I did not feel one ounce of it while growing up but I do now . I am again at cross roads with my past self and what I have become now .

Arjun told me that all my problems are in a tunnel from which I do not try to come out but now he waits for me at the end and we have to fight all my gloomy thoughts together. I am out now and this push would send me back , I do not want that. I have to fight for him , I have done enough damage to him for being selfish about my own feelings and never acknowledging how deep he is with me in everything. I won't let that happen !

___________

" You could easily pass for a puny little theif . " I say removing the hood of his jacket.

" I would be the sexy thief then . " He says wiggling his brows mischievously.

" How much do you adore yourself? "

I ask as I play with the hard outline of his abs . What can I say ? You never get enough of it .

" As much as you adore my abs . I have been working hard on them now . "

" I can feel that . " I nod my head .

" Godd I missed you .. " With that he holds my face in between his big , warm hande and kisses me briefly .

" You didn't say anything. " He looks at me like a child who has been deprived of his candy .

" Maybe I didn't miss you. " I shrug nonchalantly. Arjun looks at me with a very scrutinizing gaze before breaking into a smile .

" Liar . " He kisses me again as I drag him inside the house by the collar . Arjun kicks the door close by pushing it by his foot. He slams himself on the door and hoists me up as I wrap my legs around his lean waist .

" Can't risk craning my neck . " He looks at me smiling and my faces contours into that of confusion.

" You are tiny and bending my neck down for a long period of time might hurt . " I look at him in disbelief, mouth wide open .

" Get out of my house now . " I push him against the door but he holds me more tightly .

" Give me a second to change your mind . " He dips his head again capturing my lips again. Our lips move in sync as I go deeper into his oblivion.

4 months back if someone would have said that I would be kissing someone , I would have laughed off . Similarly, if someone said I would be kissing Arjun well joke of the millennium. But here we are kissing each other with no care of the world . To put it that I was shy and never saw myself getting intimate to any level is putting it mildly . The action has is taking place right now would never ever crossed my mind and me being comfortable, willing and voluntarily going for it ; NAH .

" I am still mad . " I say in a hoarse voice as Arjun kisses a very sensitive spot on my neck . Didn't knew it existed .

" I know. We can talk about it later ok. " He says still nibbling the sensitive spot .

" Ok . " He comes back to kissing my jaw as I play with his thick black hair .

" I am stopping. " He says but not actually doing so .

" ok . "

" I am ... "

" hmm... "

" Here . " He retreats back. We both look each other in the eyes breathing heavily.

" I am not tiny . " Arjun laughs delightfully .

" And put me down giant. " I smack his arm . Arjun puts me down slowly and passes me to go futher into the kitchen.

He opens the refrigerator for the jug of juice and pops in my almonds.

" Fill the katori ( bowl ) again . " Which he does .

" How was your day ? " I ask him arranging the cover and cushions.

" It was nostalgic. I was a kid learning there like some time ago , I can very safely say that these kids are going me be legends . I was nowhere near them at the same age but they play like senior players. " He points at his head gesturing a blast .

" You must be happy . The future seems secure. " I say sitting on the couch.

" I was more than happy it was raw pride . " He sits beside me sipping juice directly from the jug .

" How about yours? And before you say no and we waste our time going back and forth let's save time and energy. " Wrapping a hand on the back of my couch he uses his other hand point back and forth. I plant my head on his bicep and exhale loudly .

" Did that book teach you that? " I ask looking at him .

" This is all me ... book knowledge does not apply to real life majority of time and we are talking about us . "

" I have a question? "

" Ohh oh ... and that is ? "

" Let's put it hypothetically ok . If I would have said no to go beyond friendship ... what if I said we should just remain mere knows. "

Arjun drops his arm from the back of the couch to my shoulder and pulls me into him . I grip his hand falling loosely off my shoulder by both my hands .

" First things first , I know it is not something you were thinking but its coming from somewhere which you will tell me after I give you an answer. " I nod .

" I would ask you , persude you to be my girlfriend. Be with me , let me love you . Or maybe if you decided to not to do anything with me or just be by friend ...I do not know Kiara. Urghh I would have said don't love me , don't be with me , do not kiss me , do not talk to me just let me love you from a distance because you can't take away that right from me , no one can . But just stay around, let me watch you and derive happiness just by looking at you . I would watch you adjusting your glasses, the way you play with your hair or bite your lips nervously. I wouldn't care that if you look away from me beacuse I would be content to just step back and watch you enjoying yourself with karn . And you know what ... I would be jealous of karn and I would always be planning his murder on the back of my mind and suffer in the gulit just by the mere thought of it .

Damn ! Kiara that is a sad life..." Arjun kisses the crown of my head .

" It is a sad life . I am happy I did not do that ..... imagine you staring at me like some roadside ... "

" Do not complete that line . Now spill everything. Where is this coming from ? I can bet like ummm some money that it has something to do with your overthinking tendencies . Why are you doing that ? " He looks down at me , his eyes reading my heart and mind.

" I umm went on the web . " I stammer but pick my face . I am not liking lying to him but when you lie for better good its not a lie . Right?

" Urghhhhhh I specially told you go back into the cave age and not surf the net . " Arjun passes his hand through his hair twice before sighing . I take it as my cue to continue.

" I did not do it deliberately . I was justt ok I went there and they are calling me names. " I voice falls down .

" Like what ? You are after my money !

I would give my wealth to you in a heartbeat so the claim is baseless . Next ? " Arjun clicks his finger .

" That I am prying for some spotlight. "

I look at him in hope because I know his reply would make me feel better .

" I would literally throw you in front of the cameras to flaunt you proudly and you hide from the public eyes. Nexttttt? "

" I am using you as my ladder to step up . "

" You are a judge . This one is simply absurd . Next ? "

" I am a home wrecker? " . I did not come between him and Illyana . Arjun's hold on my shoulder tightens. He just looks at me as if reading my thoughts .

" Kiara , listen to me and listen to me good . You were never someone who came between anyone because I was not with anyone. You know that but I know these allegations would never sit well . Please don't overthink , they do not know you nor you do . Everyone is diffrent and people react in varied ways but never take it to your heart .

You are just you , kiara . The girl I fell ìn love with. " Laying my head on his chest I finally take a relaxing breath .

" I was overthinking. "

" I can help you with that if it happens again . Just a call away . "

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HELLO . I AM STARTING TO GIVE TIME FRAME TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE STORY .