The Meet: One

Previously...
Upon a call from Kriya, Kaaya rushed towards home as Kriya sounded worried. She opened the door and found Kriya sitting all worried, her eyes were swollen due to crying. She was holding her head in between her hands, and Kaaya asked Kriya what had happened. 

Continued...
Kaaya went and held her head, "Look up, tell me what happened. You made me all worried Kri." Kriya sobbed, "It's all going to end with Akku. It's almost over." Seeing Kriya all panicked, Kaaya hugged her tightly; she patted her head, "Nothing will end, tell me what happened!? Did you two fight?" "NO WE DIDN'T. There's a guy my parents have been pursuing me to meet for months now. I don't want to meet him and I was dodging every single opportunity I get. But Dad fixed my meeting with him today and asked me to meet; otherwise, he threatened me with consequences; I hope you know what he meant by consequences. Kaayu, I'm too involved with Akku, and he's the man of my heart. I can't let myself see any other man than him. But I love Paapa as well. I'm stuck. I told Akaay, and we had an argument. He's not understanding me. I don't want to meet this guy." Seeing Kriya's head stuck with Akku Kaaya was feeling helpless in that situation.

Meanwhile, the doorbell rang; it was Shah Aaji and Maasi Maa (their house helper). "What is going on here girls, we heard loud cries and we're worried!" They were worried to see Kriya into that stage. Kaaya explained the situation to them. They happened to know all the situation. All ladies were thinking, it was drop dead silence, Kriya said, "we don't have much time, we gotta find a way. We only have 2 hours." Maasi maa suggested an idea where Kriya doesn't have to meet this guy. She suggested instead of Kriya Kaaya will meet this guy and broke things off with him. Shah Aaji said, "The idea is good, but what if the guy has seen Kriya's picture and gets to know about it." Maasi maa said, "We will tell them that mistakenly the marriage agent sent some other girl's picture and it was all confusion. And it's the next thing to be worried about but first we have to make the meet happen. What do you think Kaaya?" Kaaya was completely against the idea. She didn't want any guy's feelings be toyed with such fraud. But on the other hand it was Kriya and her love for Akku. Kriya has done so much for Kaaya since the day she met her. She cannot let her best friend get hurt. She was dwelled with the thoughts, but she had to decide quickly as clock was ticking.

Kaaya agreed to their decision and decided to meet the guy. However, she needed to see this guy's picture to identify him at the place. Kriya explained she had never seen this guy and never seen his photos as well and didn't happen to have his photo with her.  Everyone gave a stare to Kriya. Kriya, "Come on, if I don't want to marry him or consider not marrying him, why should I look at him in the first place. At this moment I don't even remember what his name was."  Kaaya was all tensed with the situation as to how she was going to ID this guy, how she was going to convince him to say no. "Okay, let's see, Kriya. He'll id me, I'll handle the rest." Kriya thanked Kaaya 'n' several times. Kaaya got all dressed up. While leaving, she glanced at Kriya, and she could see the hopes she was having. 

She booked an auto and headed to meet this guy. While she was on her way Samartha had called her over the cafe reviews. Kaaya told Samartha that she couldn't wait much and left as she had some important work. The conversation ended. She was anxious and happened to be panicking; she called Kunal and explained the situation she was in. Kunal laughed at the situation, which made Kaaya furious, "How can you laugh at such a crucial time, Kunal? What am I supposed to do there?" Kunal replied, "Calm down. I'm laughing at the situation. It's like a movie scene. Anyway, first of all, you have to know and believe that you're Kriya and gotta act like her. Do everything in your power to embarrass the guy publicly, which will appeal to him to say no to Kriya, which I believe you're good at. Considering your anxiety and the things you've done on your previous dates with guys, it's a cup of tea. And that's it." "HAHAHAH funny. You still tease me over the dates. But you're right, I've got to be just there, and my anxiety will make sure the rest of the things. I hope I really convince this guy to say no. Kaaya is on Hope Up. Anyway, I've reached the destination. Let me call you later. And I'll update you. Please stay free if in case I need you. Bye"

Kaaya went inside the place and sat down on the reserved seat. She hushhed as she made it to the meet before time. She texted Kriya that she had reached and was waiting for the guy. A guy in a grey shirt and black trousers approached Kaaya from behind. He stood next to her and asked, "Hi, excuse me, you're Kriya right?" "Ah yes, and you're?" He put his hand to handshake Kriya, "I'm Ni..." Before he could finish the sentence, Kaaya approached to shake his hand, and while doing so, she accidentally hit the juice glass, and all the juice spilt over their clothes. Kaaya got anxious. She took the table napkin and hastily harshly tried to clean the guy's shirt. "I'm so sorry mister. It was an accident. Oh god your shirt, it's all over your shirt and trousers." Everyone was looking at them. The guy calmly held Kaaya's hand and took the napkin from her hand, "It's alright, accidents happen. Anyway, the juice is spilt over your dress as well; mind consider cleaning it first. It's actually a pretty dress. Do not let a stain ruin it. And if mine are considered even the moon has a stain, hehe," Kaaya chuckled. She was still keeping her head low, she couldn't look up. She told the guy she would be back in a few minutes. She took her purse and went to the restroom. She saw herself in the mirror and scolded herself, "What am I, a child? How can I be so clumsy and careless? But anyway, it happened for good. I hope I have embarrassed the guy." 

She cleaned her dress and went outside. As she approached the table, she could see the guy sitting at the table waiting for her to come; he was scrolling through his phone. She happened to observe him on her way. "Gray shirt, umm hmm nice choice. Not white and black but grey. Wow, he has curls. He's wearing a Rolex watch as well. He happened to use good perfume as well. Let's see." Kaaya reached the table and made herself sit. She initiated the conversation, "Hey, I'm sorry for the trouble. I happen to do such stuff." The guy put his phone aside and looked at Kaaya. Kaaya was shocked to find Nimish. She never expected him to be there. She was staring at him all lost. She didn't even listen to what he was saying. He snapped at her bringing her attention to the conversation. She was brought back to the moment and said sorry what were you saying. "No worries, I was saying. It happens. Don't think much. Anyway, I'm Nimish Ray. My parents have told me a lot many things about you, and I was thrilled to meet you. Sorry, due to my professional commitments, I couldn't meet you earlier, and I regret not meeting such a beautiful lady earlier and making her wait."

Kaaya couldn't process finding Nimish at the other side of the table. She couldn't process the thought of Nimish being the suitor. Her eyes got wet. Nimish observed that and said, "Oh my god Kriya, did I say something to make you feel hurt. Maybe I flirted the wrong way I believe. I was just trying to chill you out." He gave her his handkerchief. Kaaya denied and put out the tissues from the box and patted her eyes. "No, no, something went in my eyes, and that is troubling me. You please continue." Nimish continues talking.

Kaaya was all nervous. What lies ahead is to be seen.

08/10/2024