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Author's pov:-

"Appa, we will leave now. Otherwise, we might be stuck in a traffic jam." He looked at Priya after taking his leave from his parents and his mama( Priya's father).

"Okay Maya, will meet you in the evening.  Bye," she followed him waving her hands to Maya's parents and her father.

Maya went to her room and engrossed herself in the online classes.

There was complete silence in the car, it was getting awkward for both of them with each passing second. Vikram was anyways a not so talkative gut but Priya couldn't keep her mouth shut for much time and it is quite opposite whenever she was in his presence.

"Umm, how is your working going on?" Vikram asked breaking the silence.

"Great. The project I'm working on is quite tough but interesting. I'm in love with my w-" she clicked her tongue realizing she had been speaking more than enough.

Vikram couldn't hold back his smile looking at her antics, shaking his head he concentrates on driving.

Priya felt her heart skip a beat when he smiled, a blush formed on her cheeks. She looked outside the window to hide her blush from him.

"When is Arjun coming?" He asked with his eyes on the road.

Arjun is Priya's brother and best friend of Vikram. They were of the same age. He works in a police department as an assistant commissioner.

Maya's father and Priya's mother are siblings whilst, Maya's mother and Priya's father are siblings. Their families share a great bond. Maya loved Arjun from her childhood. This was a secret, nobody knows about it except her diary.

Priya and Maya have developed a habit of writing a diary from their childhood, and this was also a secret. None of their families knows about it. Maya and Priya respected each other privacy and never touched the others dairy.

"Within few days, actually he is getting transferred to our place." She answered looking at him.

"Oh! That's great"

"Why did you stop the car?" She frowned at him as he stopped the car suddenly.

"We have reached your office," he said with a straight face.

"Sorry, I didn't realize it" she took her bag and got down from the car.

"Vikram" she called him when he was about to start the car.

"Yes?" He looked at her with a frown on his face.

"Good luck with the surgery" She wished him with a smile.

" Thank you," he said with a smile lingering on his face and left for the hospital.

It was the best day for Priya, smile never left her face all day.

......

"Please amma! You know how much I hate attending functions" Maya whined at her mom.

They have a wedding to attend, her mom wanted Maya to accompany them, she was hell-bent on her decision.

"No Maya, you have to come with us. No more arguments. Your brother is also coming. You better get ready." Her mother left her with no room for arguments.

She scrunched her nose and made a call to Priya.

"Hello Priya!"

"Hi Maya. I was about to call you but beat it to me" Priya said throwing herself on the bed.

"I'm smart right? Anyways, are you coming for today's function?" Maya enquired

"Amma was asking me to attend. I was about to ask the same you the same. So, what have you decided?"

"My amma has not left any other choice" Maya sighed.

"Then, I will come too, we can have fun together."

"Done! Let's meet at the function then. Bye Priya"

"Bye Maya."

......

Maya was wearing a gold-toned Anarkali with a dupatta hanging on her right shoulder. Priya was wearing a royal blue salwar with a silver dupatta. They both have become the centre of attraction in the wedding.

Maya and Priya were talking about the recently released movie, whilst Vikram was busy talking to his cousins.

"Are you looking any matches for Maya?" One of her distant relatives asked Maya's mother.

Maya shifted in her seat uncomfortably hearing the question.

"No! Not yet." Maya's mother replied.

"Oh! I have a chance then. I would like to make her my daughter-in-law. She will be a perfect match for my son" That aunt said with a bright smile on her face.

She left from there when Maya's parents said they would think about it and inform her in a week but her athai (Priya's mother) words caught all thier attention.

"She won't get married to her son" confusion marred on their faces.

"I reserved her for my son. If any of you have a problem, I don't really care and my decision is final" she said making Maya's heart race.

Maya's mind went blank, she was still processing the words she heard. Her dad was about to speak, but her athai cut him off and said something which made all thier jaws touch the ground.

Glossary:-

Athai- Aunt