Chapter 6: will you marry me?

Arjun never liked to visit this cafe as the time he spent there was always punishment time and he regretted even being born in this family. But for the last few days, he is excited to go there daily to see her or to be more precise, to torture her with his little bossy attitude. But he never went overboard and Ishu can say that for sure that he is not an evil person he tries to show off.

It's another day as Arjun got inside and his mood instantly went off when he saw his grandfather sitting there like a king and all servants surrounding him like bees.

"Is it the time to be here?" Ved Singh Rathore asked in a calm and composed tone that the room went silent and all stared at Arjun for a while. Arjun casually walked inside chewing his bubble cam making the old man grit his teeth. He can tolerate everything but manners?

"I had assignments in my class" Arjun replied casually and his eyes locked at the left corner where Ishu stood there with her apron on.

"You are studying in his college right? Is it true?" Arjun has never liked the way his grandfather showed him down in front of his college mates or someone he knew. But Ved liked to annoy him. Ishu blinked twice to see that Ved actually asked her about Arjun.

"Erm. I am his junior. I don't know actually" She replied nervously. In fact, she didn't like the way Arjun was cornered there. But Arjun didn't give any expression to satisfy that old man. He was just smirking and smiling taking all the insults as if he is trained for that.

"If the interrogation is over, shall I go?" Arjun asked as he walked towards his workstation. He didn't even wait for the old man to complete his talk. Ved stood up abruptly and walked behind Arjun and all dispersed as if it didn't matter to them. Maybe that's what they are trained to do.

"Guess you enjoy this punishment." Ved snapped at him while Arjun started cleaning the utensils in a charismatic way.

"I have no choice" he replied and kept the plates in the rack.

"If I ever spot you in front of that film studio, I will never think twice to remove you from my family register" Ved threatened and he was satisfied at last as he could get some reaction out from Arjun this way. But he chose not to say anything.

"Drop your dream to be an actor. It's useless. We have our whole empire and your job is to complete your studies and join me there" Ved announced and this time his voice was calm and it shows some concern for Arjun. Arjun didn't even give any reaction to those words as he started cleaning those vessels fast as if it burned his skin. Ved scrunched his eyes seeing how ignorant his grandkid is but he couldn't do anything. He left the room with a long sigh.

Ishu silently took the rack which was filled by Arjun. It was 3 hours and Arjun didn't even flinch away in his place and was continuously doing his job. Ishu had that urge to at least console him. He is not a stranger after all and she felt bad for him.

"You should take a rest or else you would hurt your fingers this way" Ishu mumbled as she gently grabbed the soap from his hand. Arjun looked up to her and that's when he realised that she was there beside him for these hours. His face was emotionless and it lacks that alluring smile which he always carries.

"Are you sympathising with me?" He asked, sitting over the slab over there. Ishu stared at him for a moment.

"Yeah of course. You look pitiful and some roadside kid who is crying for attention" Ishu has been honest there and that's made him stretch into a lazy smile. No one has ever told this to his face till now.

"That was rude" Arjun pouted and took waffles to stuff it inside his mouth. But she snatched it instantly.

"It's for customers. If you want, place an order and pay for the bill and get it." She snapped at him, keeping the waffles back inside the box. Arjun is amused with her for her behaviour. She is aware of who he is and anyone in her place would try to please him or else stay away from him but she is still throwing her tantrums around him.

"Okay fine. Will you give the company? We shall sit there and order for waffles and coffee" is he serious here? Ishu looked at him and the one percent of sympathy she had vanished into thin air and it was replaced with frown and irritation.

"Half an hour you have to rest. After that, finish the remaining utensils." She replied calmly and left the place making him giggle at her. She is too cute and he is getting attracted towards her for some unknown reason.

He is surprised with himself that he wanted to share his sad story with her. Maybe in that case, she might at least show some sympathy for him. But she has no interest in it. That makes him more excited to talk to her.

****

2021

Neha looked at Ishu angrily. That was unexpected from her side.

"You shouldn't have acted that way. He has been cute from what you have said just now. Why did you act like that?" Neha asked, throwing up her hands in frustration? If some guy is decently approaching you, the least you can do is to at least show some respect. Ishu has been a bitch in the flashback.

Ishu just smiled at her friend. In some way, she felt happy that Neha is supporting her Arjun. Arjun is the kind of person that everyone would love him the way he is. But till now, everyone around her always bashed Arjun for no reason. It's only because of the love they have for Ishu.

Ishu can never express how much Arjun means to her in her life. Maybe in this flashback, Neha can relate to it for at least ten per cent. She felt good at last to open up about her love story to Neha.

"We should sleep now. It's 3 already. Tomorrow there is an event in the school. Do you even remember that?" Ishu scolds Neha and sets her bed. With no options left, Neha slept there as she can't be late the next day for sure.

*****

Ishu supervised everything and the event for parents is her favourite. She adores how all parents come together to support their child and they are given the reports of their kids. Some would be disappointed while the major would be happy as Ishu made sure to give positive reports to all unless it's very necessary for them to know about. The game part is the most exciting section in this event and that builds a strong relationship among kids and their parents.

"Neha, did you get the list of" Ishu's words died when she saw the person entering her cabin. Her hands shivered internally but she gave a poker face not wanting to show him the effect she has on his presence.

"Miss.Kapoor. I must say. Everything is beautiful as you" he spoke as he eyed the decorations outside and back at Ishu with a creepy smile.

"Thank you mr.Mehra. I have made arrangements for guests outside. You can join there" Ishu spoke curtly and shifted her eyes to her laptop not wanting to waste more time with this man.

"Don't call me formally. It's Shivansh for you. And we have known each other for more than a year. Isn't there enough time to be called friends?" He asked as he took his seat in front of her.

Shivansh Mehra is one of the top businessmen in the city and he is a friend of Suraj. He is a single father who has a beautiful daughter of Sid's age. He openly comments about his hardship as a single father so that he can get a signal from Ishu. But she found it too creepy to even talk to him. She has denied him decently in various ways but he is adamant about getting closer to her. Ishu was holding back only because she didn't want to create any drama in Suraj's school.

"Thanks but no thanks. I have friends and I am happy with it" Ishu is always honest in her replies. This quality often attracts many men around her and she despises everyone. Being a single mother is difficult in this society and the cherry on the cake is her beauty which is her main enemy.

"That was rude" the sentence made her look at him. He threw his charming smile towards her while she rolled her eyes visibly. How can men be so cheap sometimes? Can't he understand that she is not interested?

She always respects Suraj in this case. Suraj genuinely cares for Ishu and even has feelings for her. But never he approached her knowing well about her reply. But she never crosses any man like Suraj. All have taken advantage of her being single. The thought made her grit her teeth.

"If it's rude, it directly means that I have no interest in talking to you. Why don't you get that point clearly and get out of here?" Ishu had never been this tough with him before. But she is losing her patience day by day. These men are tiring and she doesn't want to get involved in any murder case for sure.

"Guess I should also ask you directly then" Shivansh Mehra didn't want to let her go at any cost. She is too beautiful and the cherry on the cake is she is single.

"Will you marry me?" The words made her close her eyes in reflex as tears rolled down her cheeks. The word Marriage holds a very special place in her heart and she doesn't want to remember those days and show her vulnerability.