Aakriti's POV

I quickly changed into my pajamas and stared at the ceiling as I lay on my bed. Today was quite eventful. I guess my stars were not at all favoring me today. First that fraud, then that stupid marriage proposal, then dashing into that handsome man, and last that foul encounter with that pervert. I am still feeling disgusted. It feels as if his touch is still lingering on my waist. No matter how you handle the situation or for how long it happens. An unwanted touch will creep you out like hell. Luckily, Tarun came to support me. In situations like that even your own people refuse to stand by you, and a stranger coming and fighting on your behalf means a lot. He is a nice fellow. His lousy attempt to make me laugh was fruitful. He somewhat distracted me. Thanks to him, my anger subsidizes. Otherwise, I would have exploded on someone else.

I was going through my tomorrow's schedule and checking a few mails. I didn't even realize that I was dozing off until my cell phone fell right on my face. Gosh, that hurts so much. I was about to set up my alarm when I received dadu's call. I picked it up without giving a second thought as Dadu generally never calls me at this hour. I thought it might be some urgent matter.

"Hello! Dadu is everything alright?" I enquired before even letting him say anything.

"Everything is perfectly fine. Don't worry. I am not going to die until I witness your wedding." He said. I think I will die if he continuously talks about my wedding.

"Very funny. You seriously need to grow up dadu. Stop talking nonsense." I said in an irritated tone.

"Ok. I called you to inform you that I have set up your meeting with that guy. Tomorrow you need to meet him for lunch. I will message you the time and place. Bye. Good night." he said hurriedly and cut the call. What the! What is wrong with him?

I buried my face in my pillow and screamed as I was frustrated to a very great extent.

"Why me? Why am I supposed to be tortured in this way?I can't even reject him like all the previous guys I rejected in the past. Dadu is not going to buy any of my excuses." I turned around and asked myself.

"Aaku stop being dramatic and come up with an idea of shooing that guy off." I said firmly.

"Should I pretend that I am possed by an evil soul in middle of the date? If he is someone who is scared of ghosts it will be fun to watch his face." This idea is nice.

"No. No. No. If dadu gets to know that I did something like that, then he will beat me with the broom unless the evil soul along with my soul leaves my body." I said, and a shiver passed my body as I remembered a childhood incident. He didn't lift a hand on me, but he was so furious that it still scares me.

"I can threaten him so he will reject me and won't even say dadu. He might just think that I am not a girl who will dance to his tunes. I am pretty sure dadu must have praised me and told them some of the qualities that I didn't even possess." I was talking like a mad to myself.

"Let's practice what I will say." I said and moved infront of the mirror.

"Listen Mr. I am not interested in this marriage. So can you cancel this alliance and reject me. Please."

"What the hell?" I said in frustration.

"Its sounds like you are begging to get rejected. Where is the threatening element in your sentence." I said to myself.

"I need to use my bossy attitude." I said firmly.

"Listen Mr whatever your name is. Let me tell you clearly that I am not interested in this marriage and especially in you. So you better cancel this alliance or be prepared to experience hell." I repeated it four-five times in front of the mirror.

"Yup, Perfect." I smiled mischievously at my image in the mirror and slept on my bed. 

The meeting got over, and I entered my cabin and sat relaxing on my chair. I need a long vacation to relax, or my hair will surely turn grey before age. Somebody entered my cabin without knocking. It was Maya, who appeared to be in distress.

"Maam, your lunch date." Maya said while taking a deep breath.

"What?" Has she lost her mind? Don't she know that I don't go on dates. I gave her questioning look.

"Maam, you had to meet that guy. Your dadu called me to make sure you are meeting him." She said.

"God, How could I forget? My goodness. Aaku, if you don't meet him, you will be so dead." I said in panic mode. I switched on my phone and saw a message from dadu which mentioned the place and time. I need to be there in 10 minutes, but it will take me twenty minutes to reach the hotel. I grabbed my car key and left my office.

I need to reach there before he leaves. Gosh, why is there so much traffic today? 'Please just don't leave' I was chanting it like a mantra throughout my way.

I finally reached the restaurant. I seriously hope that he is still there. I am 10 minutes late. I am feeling very nervous, and on top of that, I am late, which always makes me more anxious.

I asked the waiter about the table number that dadu had reserved. He directed his finger in a direction, and I was confronted with the familiar gaze that kept flashing through my subconscious mind. He is the guy dadu selected. I started feeling more nervous. I suddenly started feeling conscious about my appearance. I went near him and sat in front of him.

"Hello!" I said. I wanted to say a lot more than just a hello, but I was not able to frame any sentence.

"Hi...um." He was talking but I decided to interrupt him. Aaku it's now or never. Do it just do it.

"Listen Mr whatever your name is. Let me tell you clearly that I am not interested in this marriage and especially in you. So you better cancel this alliance or else be prepared to experience hell. There is a reason why everyone calls me devil." I said whatever came to my mind and in a bit more rude way. His facial expression changed many times in the one-minute time span. He was shocked, blank, angry, again blank and finally he smiled at me. Is he really smiling, or am I seeing things?

"Good to know even I didn't want to get married." He said with a faint smile. I felt a knot in my stomach for God knows what reason.

"So, does it means that you would reject me now?" I asked him. If he rejects me, then my problem will be solved. I should be happy, but I felt different, which I don't know exactly.

"Not right away. I can't just go and say that I don't want to marry right now. I need to give a solid reason, and I think you don't want to take any blame looking the way you threatened me." he spoke casually, but his voice sounded so sexy. Stop. I simply nodded my head as I didn't trust myself to say anything at this moment.

"So, how are we going to get rid of this situation?" I asked him.

"I have an idea. We can say that how are we going to decide in one meet and then ask for some time. After a few days, we can say we don't feel like we are right for each other." He said and sipped water from the glass. How can someone look so tempting while performing such a basic task? I scolded myself mentally and got a hold of myself.

"Will this work?" I asked him.

"I don't know, but if you have a better idea. Do suggest it." He said shrugging his shoulder. He looked quite disinterested in this conversation. Looks like he is forced just like me. I think he already loves someone else.

"What's your name?" I asked him as I realized that we were talking, but I never caught his name.

"Dhruv Singh Rathore." He said and forwarded his hand. His name fits his personality.

"Aakriti Nanda." I shook his hand. He murmured something.

"Huh?" I asked him.

"Nothing. I think I should leave now." Is he going without having lunch?

"But."

"Bye." he left without letting me finish my sentence. This was something completely different from what I expected.

Dhruv's POV

She outright rejected me. I need to know the reason as to why exactly she rejected me. I should've simply asked her. I wouldn't have to worry about any of it. But I know she would have never stated the real reason for rejecting me. I manipulated her so I could have some time, and she fell for it. After all, I am a businessman, so it was a piece of cake for me to convince her. She asked my name and introduced herself. I murmured that I already knew her name. I left the restaurant so that I won't embarrass myself in front of her.I called my secretary and asked him to collect information about Aakriti. If she is in love with someone else, I will give a reason and get her out of this marriage. I simply hope that she is not in love with anyone.

"Dhruv, Why did you fall in love with such a complicated girl?" I said in frustration.

"Did I say, love? It can't be love. Can it? No, I think it's an attraction towards her looks and personality." I asked as I reflected over the words that I just spoke.

I got a call from my secretary. I picked it up, and he started informing me about every single detail about her.

"Sir, I have gathered the information, as you asked about Miss Aakriti Nanda. She is the CEO of the Nanda group. There were a lot of objections when she got selected for that position, Mr. Nanda's daughter wanted one of her sons to be given that position. She proved that she was the only one who deserved it. She is very dedicated towards her work and never tolerates any mistake." He said.

"You mean to say she is like me." I got to know a bit about her personality yesterday itself and knowing more about her makes me more attracted to her. 

"No, She is more strict and rude as compared to you. Her employees have given her a special title for that reason only." He said shocking me.

"What title?" I enquired.

"Miss Arrogant." Seriously.

"Her mother left the family as she was in love with someone else. One year after that incident, her father died. Her father was the one who was very close to her, and that incident had a significant impact on her. She became a reserved person. She shut down many people from her life. She has a horrible relationship with her family except with her grandfather. Her family members were not happy when she became the CEO, as I mentioned earlier. One of the reasons is that she doesn't like to spend time in her house." Are her family members horrible? Or is it that she doesn't bond with them?

"Any more information?" I asked as I wanted to know more.

"I have also heard that her grandfather told her to get married or forget about the company?" So this was the reason why she wanted me to reject her.

"I asked you to search about her dating life."

"She is commitment-phobic. She has never been in a relationship ever before. She has almost rejected 25 guys in the past two years." 25. My Goodness. Thank God at least she is not in love with anyone. I think I can still have my chance. I just need to make her believe that our relationship will not end like her parents. Aakriti, you are only going to be my bride if I ever get married.

"Be ready Miss. Arrogant to fall for my charms." I said, and I know for sure that I have a very bright smile.

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Sorry for not updating for so long. This month is extremely hectic for me. I am trying to write as much as I can. I will update soon. Sorry for making you all wait for so long. 

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