Chapter Two

Location: Bangalore

Murthy Mansion

"What are you thinking?" Vihaan said as soon as he finished telling her that their very close family friends and business associated Iyer’s were coming to their house for dinner as well as with a marriage proposal for Myra.

She stayed calm for few minutes took few long breaths to control her anger, which reached the peak on hearing that some stupid was coming to her house with an intention to marry her. If it was not Vihaan who was telling this to her, she would have broken all the plates kept in front of her on the table.

"Bhai" so spoke very slowly composing herself to the maximum extent possible "You know my answer right. I don’t have any intentions of marrying an NRI. I am not his favourite Indian snack that he packs with his luggage on his trip to India. What does Chachi think before bringing such stupid people home. Just tell me one thing, am I a burden to you all? That you want to marry me off to someone who is staying in US, so that I stop bothering you!” she spoke with tears brimming in her eyes.

She was not an emotional person but the thought of marriage and leaving her family and of course her most lovable brother’s always brought tears into her eyes.

Listening this Vihaan was also getting emotional, but right now his main goal was to stop the tears falling down from her eyes. He cursed himself for bringing this topic to her even after knowing what her answer would be.

Composing himself, he spoke lovingly

“Okay so, game on. Tell me how are you planning to scare off the guy who is coming to our house? And please this time involve me in your plans. I can’t just stay on the side while you have all the fun” he finished and winked at her

His plan worked and she started laughing on her brothers comments, after a few good minutes she spoke

"Bhai let me handle this myself. Iyer’s are our close family friends and business associates. I don’t want to create problems to Chacha and Chachi. Now coming to Mr. Whosoever Iyer, I can handle him in my style. Just leave it to me. When time comes I will give you a signal and you can act along so that we are not caught. Okay?” she finished and winked at him with a devilish smirk on her face.

“I pity the poor guy. Good that he is not getting married to a devil like you. And I am sure, after the stunt that you are going to pull on him, he is directly going to go to airport to leave the country to never return back. Who would have thought that all time bubbly Myra Murthy is a devil in disguise” Myra smacked him on his shoulder for the comment he made and both burst out into laughter.

Location: Mumbai

Malhotra Heights

Ayaan was in sitting in his lavish cabin thinking something. His chain of thoughts broke when he heard a knock on his door

"Sir, can I come in" it was his secretary Aryaman Thakur.

"Yeah come in Aryaman and dude chuck this sir and all, call me Ayaan. How many times did I tell you to call me by my name and not Sir. Do I look like an old man that you call me Sir?"

"Sir...umm..i mean Ayaan. Your client from Bangalore, Mr. Malhotra, he called me today morning. He wants you to come and visit the new factory that they are planning to open there. If you are okay with it, they want to proceed further and complete the formalities at the earliest possible. So shall I book your tickets for tonight?”

He thought for a while and said

"No not today. Avni will freak out if she comes to know that I’ll be leaving today evening. I’ll take her out for dinner tonight and then I’ll tell her. Otherwise, first she will kill me and then come for you." saying this he winked at Aryaman and he left his cabin laughing to book his tickets for Bangalore for the next they.

Same day evening

Ayaan was still in his office and was about to wrap up his work when he got a call from Avni

"Bhai..!!" she shouted on the top of her voice, Ayaan took the phone away from his ears for a second and replied

"Avni, baby calm down, why are you shouting?"

"Like seriously! Why am I shouting? And what explanation do you have for what you did?” she replied still shouting

"But sweetheart what did I do that made you this upset?” now his voice was softened a bit and he was worried as what made Avni so angry. It was not that she needed a reason to be angry, but still he was worried as what might may have happened that she is so mad at him.

"Seriously! You are asking me what did you do? Why am I hearing that you are going Bangalore again? Like seriously! This is the fifth time in the last two months that you are going there. Can I ask you why are you going there so often?” she spoke furiously

"Avni, first of all, take deep breathes and calm down. Who told you that I am going to Bangalore? Now coming to why, I have told you about my new client Mr.Ranbir Malhotra right. He is investing a lot in my upcoming project. He is our new board member as well. Now, you tell me, I cant sit here and ask him to visit our office right? I have to go there to meet him, otherwise, it doesn’t look good on our part.” he spoke trying to explain her.

"Do you have to go? Cant someone fill in on your behalf?" she asked controlling her tears as well as anger as she knew if it was not important her brother wouldn’t think of leaving her even for a single they alone in Mumbai.

"I wouldn’t have gone if it wasn’t important. But I promise I’ll be back in a week. Promise. Now, I have a surprise for you get ready, lets go out for dinner. I’m leaving office in 10 minutes, will be home soon. And yes, ask Zara to join us as well, its been a long time we three went out for dinner together" Ayaan replied packing his things.

"Okay then, some soon. Even we both have to tell you something important. I am waiting for you. Come soon”

“I can come, only if you stop talking and let me finish my work here”

“Yeah, yeah. Come soon. Drive safe, love you”

“Love you too baby girl”

Saying this he ended the call and walked out of his cabin, grabbing his car keys and drove off to his house.

Location: Bangalore

Murthy Mansion

There was hustle bustle all over the house. Shailaja and Shyam Murthy were checking for the last minute preparations regarding the food and all other arrangements, as Iyer’s were supposed to arrive any minute now.

"Myra honey get ready fast. They will be here any minute now." Shailaja seeing Myra totally careless about the arriving guests. She was still in her pj’s, munching on popcorn, watching something in TV.

"Sure Chachi. After seeing me today, I am sure the Iyer’s will fix the first possible date for marriage. And that stupid NRI, will not be able to take his eyes off me." she said and winked at her Chachi.

Completely knowing her daughters intentions Shailaja who was about to leave the room came back to her again and said

"Myra, I don’t want any mischief like last time. Iyer’s are very reputed family and our close business associates. Besides all that, I have seen Rahul Iyer personally. He is very good guy and good looking too. You both will make a great pair. Trust me on this. I did a background check on the guy as well. Everything looks good from their end. Wear the dress that I have picked for you. You will look like a fairy in it. Please make it fast and come down" saying this she left the room.

"However good a guy maybe. No one stands a chance when it comes to my Ranbir” she spoke looking at 'Her' Ranbir’s poster winked at him.

"So Mr. Rahul Iyer, get ready to have some fun in Myra Murthy’s style.” she said to herself and smiled naughtily and started getting ready.

***

*Bhai – A common Hindi word to address elder brothers.

*Chachi & Chacha - A common Hindi word to address you Mother's younger sister (Chachi) and her husband (Chacha) or father's younger brother(Chacha) and his wife(Chachi).