Jaanki's POV

"You look so beautiful," Shravani complimented as I wore earrings while she tied my hair into a beautiful braid.

The only thing I could do in response was stare blankly at my reflection. I do look beautiful but I don't feel beautiful. No matter how much ornaments or makeup I put on, I can't make myself look perfect because my natural ornament was missing. My smile.

How could I smile when I was getting ready for another man? The man that I didn't even know, a complete stranger.

" JJ, baby I really can't see you like this," Shravani kneeled behind me and placed her head on my shoulder. " With the way you're behaving for the past two days, I can confidently say that you really like Raghav. You shouldn't go on this date. "

" Like I'm willingly going to meet that stranger," I groaned in anger. " You know that Baba is making me do this. He took a promise from me that he'll only give a day out if I go on a date and now I have no option. "

She nodded with a pout and got up.

" Just be on your worst behaviour so that boy will reject you himself," she suggested, making me smile a little.

That's the only thing I can hope for. Taking my dupatta I walked out and made my way to get rejected again.

The only good thing that happened in the morning was Raghav taking a day off. At least I wouldn't have to face him, it would be even more awkward if I met that stranger while he stayed close to me.

The bitter feeling started flowing in my heart at the thought of being with another man. I'm not with Raghav. But still I felt guilty. We're not together, it's fine if I meet different guys. I tried to convince myself by saying that but nothing worked. I continued to feel awful.

To calm myself I took my phone and the photo of Raghav playing with Guddu greeted me, making a small smile appear on my face. Unlocking the phone I opened the gallery and scrolled through the photos. My gallery was filled with photos of Guddu, Kids, my photos taken by Shravani and some pictures of Raghav that I took secretly.

My finger caressed over one of his photos. He looked so handsome in his black suit, it hugged his body perfectly and the unopened button only increased his hotness. In the next photo he was yawning, I couldn't stop but chuckle at his cuteness. Another one was him looking straight at the camera and my heartbeat increased as I stared at those stormy eyes. It felt like he was staring right into my soul.

Putting the phone down I stared out of the window and watched the trees passing by till I reached the hotel.

Vrindavan.

I read the name of the restaurant where I was supposed to meet my date. I knew this restaurant, everyone in the town did, it was the most popular restaurant owned by the youngest millionaire of the town.

Maybe after my date is done I'll go to meet him. My thought went back to the school days when we used to study together, he was the most popular boy of the school with an invincible charm. Playboy to be exact. But cute nonetheless.

Sighing heavily I walked inside while Ramu Kaka waited for me outside. The manager instantly recognised me and directed me to the table booked by my father.

I didn't even have any photo or number to contact the person I was supposed to meet. How will I even recognise him?

Five minutes passed.

Ten minutes passed.

Nodding my head I drank a glass of water while shaking my leg impatiently.

Twenty minutes passed.

Whoever this person was, he has no punctuality. My nervousness was turning into anger. Just ten more minutes I told myself, after that I'll walk away. I don't care about Baba, I'll hear his scolding but this is just embarrassing.

Half hour.

That's it. Grabbing my purse I stood up but a voice stopped me.

" Rajakumari Jaanki Surya Prakash Jadeja apne sthan par thehar jaiye," a booming voice came. " Aap se milne swayam Aparajit Deora aaye hai. "

[Princess Jaanki Surya Prakash Jadeja, stay in your place]

[Aparajit Deora himself has come to meet you.]

The corner of my lips curled into a big smile as I turned and came face to face with him.

There he stood, the owner of this restaurant, youngest millionaire of this town, the charming boy of our school, also known as the dimple boy. One and only. Aparajit Deora.

He was standing there with head high up in the air and fake arrogance plastered over his face.

" Appu!" I shouted and ran towards him with arms wide open. Thankfully he caught me and returned my hug with the same intensity. " I missed you so much!"

" I missed you too, Jaanu!" He wrapped his arms tighter and started dancing around.

I slapped him on the arm after pulling away and like the drama queen he was , he shouted as if I injured him.

" Don't lie. If you had missed me you could have come to meet me. After school you didn't even come to meet me once," I folded my arms and looked away .

He cleared his throat and turned me towards him, holding both his ears he gave me his infamous dimpled smile. And just like every other girl I started melting.

" You know how busy I'm," he mumbled. " It's not easy to handle three restaurants. "

Yes, I forgot to mention this man didn't have one or two restaurants but three restaurants, among which this was the most profitable one. Of course he'll be busy.

But still I pretended to be upset and sat on my table with a pout.

" You're a liar. Shravani told me about your reputation. That you just do sweet talking and manipulate girls but still I became friends with you and what did I get in return? " I looked at a particular spot to make the tear appear and then stared at him with intensity. " You betrayed me. You. . . You broke my trust. Y-you made me lose my trust in man. "

Just like I accepted he brought my act and got pale. He gulped hard before opening his mouth," Jaanu, trust me. I didn't mean to upset you–"

" But you did!" I slapped the table making him jump on his chair. It was tough to stay in character when he gave these kinds of reactions. " You are the worst friend in the world. "

" Please don't say that," he grabbed my hand in both of his hands and started apologising. " I'm really really sorry, Jaanu. I'm sorry if I hurted you, I really didn't mean to do that. After school we were both busy and. . . You know how everyone thinks of me. I didn't want to ruin your reputation. "

I felt guilty for making him sad, so I decided to end my drama.

" I'll forgive you ," he smiled brightly and it made him look like sunshine. " But in return I want free food from your restaurant for life time. "

" Done, Jaanu," he announced without hesitation.

" Just like that," I couldn't hide my shock. " I was just acting, Appu. I'm not really upset but you can't take the free food promise back. "

" You naughty princess, you almost gave me a heart attack," he fell back on his chair with a sigh. " And yes I'm not going to take back my words. You're the only female friend I have, that's the least I can do. "

I smiled and again pulled him into a hug.

" But what are you doing here all of a sudden?"

And with that small question the smile wiped away from my face once again.

" Baba thinks I should get married. So, here I'm to meet the guy. "

He nodded in understanding. " Who is that guy?"

" I have no idea," I angrily muttered. " It's been half an hour and still that idiot hasn't arrived. I don't even know his number or name that I can contact. Baba, told me to sit at this table and wait for that idiot to arrive. "

" Wait wait wait," Aparajit stopped me. " You were supposed to meet your date at 4:30 right?"

" No, at 4:00. "

" Fuck! I'm that idiot!" He facepalmed himself. That wasn't a lie to be honest but I didn't comprehend what he meant.

" What? I don't understand what you're saying?"

" I mean, I'm that person you're here for. Your date," he hesitantly said.

" What?!" I shouted, grabbing attention from nearby. He motioned me to keep my voice low as none of us could afford extra attention. " You mean to say that Baba arranged my date with you. You?"

He looked offended by my tone. " I'm not that bad. You're saying like I'm not even worthy of one date with you. "

" I don't mean it like that," I waved my hand.

There is no way my father was asking me to marry him. There has to be some kind of confusion.

Aparajit had the reputation of a playboy in our society, that's the reason he was still single other than one more reason. He had the habit of flirting with every woman irrespective of their age or marital status. According to me his flirting is harmless and cute but then again not everyone thinks like me.

He's sweet, caring and cute but that doesn't change the fact that he can be a little over the top at times.

" So, what are we gonna do?" He asked as I didn't say anything for minutes.

I glared at him," I can't marry you. "

" Why?! Kami kya hai mujh main?! Sundar, Sushil, Sanskari teeno hu. "

[What am I lacking?! I am handsome, polite and cultured, all three.]

" Appu!" I whined. " You're seriously considering our marriage. We can't get married. "

" But why?" He made a face like a kid asking for chocolate. " We're both good friends. We've good bonding, understanding and compatibility. I think we're perfect. "

My mouth went wide in shock. I can't believe he just said that, I take all the great words I said about him. He is a bastard.

" I'll break this glass on your head," I eyed the glass and he immediately pushed it away from my reach. " Appu, we're friends. Really good friends but that's it we can't be anything else. Definitely not a couple. I can't marry you, that's final. You've to convince Baba for that. "

" What? Why me?" He jolted in his place. " I'm not going to say anything to your baba, you deal with him. It's already difficult to handle my Maa. "

Leaning on our chairs we both stared at each other not knowing what to do.

" Your mom is really sweet, Appu. She'll understand your problem. With your sweet talks she'll definitely melt down."

He chuckled and shook his head. " She's the only woman who is immuned to my sweet talks. She clearly threatened me that if I don't get married soon then she'll forcefully wed me to any girl she likes. "

That was unexpected. His mother was one of the sweetest people I knew and if she was saying this then, it's going to be tougher for Aparajit to stay single for a long time. But that doesn't mean I'll say yes.

" Fine then," I sighed in defeat. " I'll try to convince Baba."

" Think about it again, Jaanu," he warned me and arched his brow. " We'll make a good match. I'll give you all the freedom you need and friendship is the first step to love, right?"

" It is," I smiled. " But our friendship is beautiful the way it is so let's not force it into something else. "

Especially when I'm already falling for someone else. I don't think it's possible for me to give that space in my heart to anyone.

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Author's POV

" Is something wrong?" Laksh asked, leaning against the wall and giving him a weird glance.

Raghav blinked at him and shook his head. Grabbing the file he flipped through the pages not understanding a single word, physically he was there but mentally his thoughts were still on her.

Every second that he spent in her absence was painful. Painful wasn't even the perfect word to describe what he felt right now.

The confused, defeated and scared look on her that day broke his heart. He wanted to make her happy and comfortable, not the opposite. He thought the kiss would take their relationship to a new level but instead it ruined everything, their friendship, growth, trust, everything got destroyed.

He wasn't even able to control his tears in front of her and ended up breaking down in his room. That was the moment he realised how deeply he had fallen for her.

Even after everything he had some hope in his heart that if he waited and tried then maybe she'll accept him. Maybe she'll give me the tiniest space in her heart, which will mean the world to me. He thought.

But at night her shouts made it clear to him. That both him and the kiss meant nothing to her.

Again he went to his room and dived in his own agony, for a moment he thought about telling her everything. That he's not a bodyguard but a businessman, he's worthy of treating her right. He can ask for her hand from her father but he couldn't.

It would ruin all his plans that he had build for years, destroy everything.

" So, you completed reading that file," Laksh asked teasingly as he walked closer to Robin who was working on his computer.

He shook his head and again flipped through pages. Laksh sighed heavily before getting up from his place and taking the file, he turned it upside down and placed it in his hand, that's when he realised that all this time he was holding it in the wrong way.

" Our wolf seems lost in his dreamland. Let me guess it is related to some Princess," Laksh nudged his shoulder with Raghav's. " Raghu, don't take stress, everything will be fine. "

He nodded before his phone vibrated with a message, he immediately got up leaving all his work.

" I'll have to go," he announced.

" If you don't mind let me remind you, you're the CEO of a million dollar company and this bodyguard is a secondary duty. " Laksh said.

" Can't you shut up for a minute?" Robin groaned, finally showing his presence. " He knows what he's doing. "

Raghav gave a weak smile to Robin before waving his hand.

" Bye Rags," he chirped before turning towards Laksh and dropping his smile.

" Why do you have a nickname for everyone except me?" Laksh asked, crossing his arms.

"Shakal to honi chahiye nickname Dene jesi and Your name in itself is a nickname," Robin rolled his eyes. " I know Laksh is short of Lakshman. "

[At least the face should be like giving a nickname.]

A tiny smile appears on Laksh's face, not many people knew about it, maybe that's why he's happy. He leaned forward and pinched that little boy's cheeks before grabbing his burger.

" Laksh no! Not my burger!" Robin lunged on him.

The room got filled with the loud laughter of Laksh as he took a big bite from his burger. Robin started stomping his feet and crying loudly. It was a fake cry but adorable nonetheless.

" I only took one bite,here take it," he forwarded the half eaten burger to Robin when he didn't take it, Laksh grabbed his jaw and made him take a bite. " Now that's like a good boy. "

Robin slapped his hand that was ruffling his hair and sat back on his chair.

He stared at the burger and pouted it was his favourite one but this man child had to kidnap it. " You're evil. "

Laksh squinted his eyes before taking out something from his bag and twisting it in his hand. " Then I guess you don't need this. "

Robin's eyes sparkled as he saw his favourite burger in his hand and lunged for it but Laksh straightened his hand and made it go higher. Robin was way shorter than him to reach at that distance so the only thing he could do was plead with his puppy eyes.

" How many marks did you get in today's test?" Laksh asked.

A smirk appeared on his face as he replied. " I topped it. "

Smiling back Laksh came to him with the burger and patted his back. But his smile turned into a frown as he noticed the corner of his lip, from far away it was not visible but with the little distance between them he could see the tiny mark.

" Rob, who did this?" He asked clenching his jaw.

Robin was too busy in enjoying his burger to notice what he was saying but the moment he realised what Laksh was talking about his actions stopped. A flicker of fear flowed through his eyes and Laksh hated it more than anything. He got the idea of situation but he wanted Robin to answer him truthfully.

" I got into fight with seniors," he mumbled while leaning back into his chair while Laksh hovered over him. " Nothing serious. I got hit accidentally. "

" Liar," he spatted. Robin stared at him with wide eyes as he saw him leaning closer to him. " They bullied you again, didn't they?"

And finally Robin gave him a small nod.

" What happened this time?"

Robin licked his lip before replying," Is my being gay not a enough reason for them to bully me?"

He knew it. Since the day he announced his sexuality, everyone was judging him, even his whole family and friend circle. That's when he met Raghav and Laksh, who took care him and his abilities.

" Don't worry I'll deal with them," Laksh muttered while wiping his lip that had little sauce on it.

" No you won't," Robin mumbled through his mouth which was still filled with burger. " I can handle them on my own. I'm a big boy. And I can take a few beating here and–"

Before he could complete Laksh grabbed his face in his palm and squeezed it. Robin's eyes matched the size of saucer at his action, he tried to push his hand but they only tightened as he pulled him closer, so close that their nose were only few centimetres apart.

" I don't care if you can handle yourself or not, if you're a big boy or little boy. If they hurt you it's my right to deal with them and nobody can stop me from protecting you," he said firmly and pulled back after ruffling his hair.

Robin stood their as the elder man walked away, a pink hue started appearing on his cheeks as he swallowed down the burger that was in his mouth and sighed heavily.