Chapter Two

AHAAN

Two young girls dressed in a simple salwar, kurta, and dupatta were seated on the backseats of my car.

“Uh-oh! Caught” One of them muttered to the other and stuck out her tongue.

The girl who just muttered wasn’t scared or even anxious for that matter. It was amusing to see her completely chilled out—as if this was totally normal and as if she had pranked her best friend. Whilst the other girl was worried and terrified. She didn’t dare to raise her gaze to look at me and stared at the knotted fingers placed in her lap.

My eyes narrowed at the invaders. “Who are you guys? Why are you both in my car?”

“Umm, can we please move out and talk?” Chilled Out Girl requested.

Reluctantly nodding, I got out of my car then opened the door for the girls to come out.

“Never have I ever seen such stupid crazy fans.” My index finger and thumb pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Excuse me?” Chilled Out Girl had an immediate reaction. She was roughly four inches shorter than the 6’2 me. “I’m not your fan, okay! Who are you? A celebrity?”

I was stunned for a good whole minute. Chilled Out Girl didn’t know who I was. I was a fucking world-famous actor. Ahaan Megastar Agnihotri. How did she not know me?

Perhaps, my beanie and aviators were the reason why she wasn’t able to recognize me. I looked like a gangster more than a celebrity.

I removed my beanie and aviators. “Now, do you recognize me?” I pointed a hand at myself.

Chilled Out Girl chewed her bottom lip as she studied me from top to bottom and vice versa. It looked like she was finding it hard to recognize me.

“No. I don’t know who you are.” Chilled Out Girl shocked the hell out of me again. This was the first time someone had refused or failed to identify me without my creepy beanie and aviators.

I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. “You don’t know Ahaan Agnihotri? Seriously?”

“I don’t know you, man!” Chilled Out Girl was frustrated.

Astonished.

Fucking Astonished.

Chilled Out Girl stretched out her slender hand. “Aaliya Mansur.”

“Ahaan Agnihotri. The megastar of the film industry.” I forced a smile as I shook my hand with hers.

“This is Inaaya.” Aaliya pointed at a short girl who stood silent beside her. “My younger sister.”

“Why were you both in my car?” I repeated the most important question.

“We need your help,” she blurted, instead of answering my question.

My fingertips scrubbed my stubble as I peered at the strangers. “Help? What kind of help?”

“Please marry my sister.” Hearing that I choked on my breath. What the fucking hell did she just say?

“Are you okay?” She put a hand on my shoulder, seeming concerned.

“Are you out of your mind?” my voice was frustrated, shocked, and baffled.

She twitched, removing her hand from my shoulder. “Help us. Please, marry Inaaya,” she pleaded.

I wasn’t able to comprehend what the actual fuck was going on. A woman was requesting me to marry her younger sister. Why? Why would she want me to marry her sister? What could be the reason? How could I marrying her sister would help them?

Anxious fingers dug in my hair. “No! I can’t!”

“Please, Ahaan…” she almost begged.

“How can you marry your sister to a stranger?”

“You’re a good-hearted person, Ahaan. I saw the way you helped those homeless kids. In that one moment, I realized that you are the one sent by Allah for our help. It was Allah’s sign… I truly believe.”

I scoffed at the ridiculous woman. “Did your Allah call and told you that?”

No way I was going to marry some stranger. Marry… I hadn’t given thought to that subject even for once in my life.

“Find somebody else to marry your little sister. I don’t want to fall into this mysterious mess.”

She joined her hands, imploring, “Only you can help us, Ahaan. We don’t know anyone in this city or country. We have no one. Please help us,” with hopeful yet helpless eyes.

It was hard to watch a woman beg me. I ran a hand through my already messy hair, trying to analyze the situation. I hadn’t planned to give second thoughts but suddenly I did.

“Why do you want me to marry your sister? What about you, Aaliya?”

“As of now, I can only tell you—there are some people behind us. I want Inaaya to get married so that she’ll be safe with her husband. He will protect her. Speaking of me… I guess I’m eligible to look after myself. I don’t need a husband to protect me. Not at all interested in marriage,” she explained. It didn’t seem like she was lying. Because if she was, I’d have caught her right away.

“Did you take your sister’s consent? Does she wish to get married… to me… or anyone for that matter?”

“Inaaya is innocent and an introvert. She is so kind—she thinks everybody is made of milk and honey in this cruel world.” She exhaled. “Look, Ahaan, I want my sister to get married and lead a happy life. That’s all."

“Lastly, for your lack of information, Mr. Ahaan Agnihotri—my sister is ready to marry you.”

“Who is behind you and your sister?” I wasn’t in the mood to stop questioning. I literally had transformed from an actor to an interviewer and enjoyed every second of the change. Asking questions was much better than answering them. In my case, I had answered tons and tons of questions—so I truly deserved this opportunity.

Besides, I needed to learn who and why were people behind the girls.

“Long story. Will tell you later.” She sighed, tucking away a hair curl behind her ear. “One thing is sure—Inaaya’s life is in danger… so is mine. We’re dependent on you, on your decision, Ahaan. Help us, please.”

I didn’t know what to answer. It felt like I was stuck on an unknown island. I needed help. I just couldn’t make a decision without calculating its pros and cons.

Marriage was a big deal for me, personally and professionally.

“So, are you marrying Inaaya?” Aaliya gazed at me with those same hopeful eyes.

“Aaliya… I need time… I can’t take such a huge decision without discussing it with my close ones.” My voice flooded out my hesitation, anxiousness, and confusion.

“If we get married, maybe… maybe those people won’t come behind us. Then, if you want…you can divorce me.”

Finally, I heard Inaaya’s caramel-coated soft feminine voice.

The girl who had accidentally collided with me along with her elder sister, and perhaps was accidentally going to be married to a stranger… to me. Fuck. What mess had I landed in!?

“Please marry me,” Inaaya requested. But she didn’t dare to meet her eyes with mine.

My phone rang loudly once again.

This time I didn’t jump and made fun of myself.

I checked the time on my digital wristwatch. It was 11:35 pm. Shiiiit.

It could be none other than Zehaan Furious Rehman.

I’m bloody late. Stuck in this mysterious mess.

“Where the hell are you, Ahaan Fucking Agnihotri?” Zehaan yelled on top of his voice.

My ears almost bled. Asshole would make me go deaf someday.“Dude, dude, calm down. I’ll be there in ten okay.”

“You said fifteen and you took over thirty-five minutes. In what problem have you fallen this time?”

Zehaan knew me too well enough. “Uh, a long story. Will tell you when I get there, okay. Just give me ten minutes.”

“Alright. Ten minutes. But if you’re even a minute late, I’m going to punch you straight on the face and will see how you go for your shoot the next day.”

“Yes, sir. Be right there in ten.”

My head turned to the strangers after hanging up the call. “Get into the car,” I commanded, snapping my fingers.

Aaliya knitted her brows “Why?”

“We’re going somewhere. If you want an answer—get inside the car or go back to where you came from. Feel safe enough. I’m not a criminal. In fact, an angel sent by your Allah.”

“I trust Allah and of course, you, Mr. Angel.” Aaliya laughed. This woman was beautiful and crazy as hell.

Three of us hopped inside my car. I drove to Zehaan’s place because he was the only one who could pull me out of this mess. My best friend’s worthy advice would help me like always.

Save me from this mysterious accidental mess, asshole.