Dhruv's POV

Why is she not picking up my calls? Why is she not ready to meet me? She canceled the appointment again. She was anxious to discuss the mistake, but now she doesn't want to meet with me. Is she alright? She didn't seem well when she called me that day. Is she angry with me? What should I do now? I need to meet her. But how?

"Yes, Dadu. Now only he can help me. But how will I indirectly suggest him to set a date between us."

I went towards his room. I saw that the door was wide open and Dadu was calmly reading the newspaper. I knocked on his door. He looked at me and raised his eyebrow questioning my presence. He asked me to come in and place the newspaper on the table. He looked at the clock and then at me.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the office right now?" He asked me.

"Dadu.." I hesitated as I didn't know how to bring up that topic.

He looked surprised and I felt that he gave a slight smile. Maybe I am just imagining it.

"Dadu, why don't you set another date between me and Aakriti?" I said trying to sound as calm as I could.

"Why should I? Last time when you came back from the date your reaction didn't seem to be particularly favorable about this marriage."

"Didn't I tell you that we were going to take time to understand each other? Didn't I do that because I was in favor of this marriage?"

"Do you take me as a fool? I might be old but not stupid. Don't I know that you are not interested in marrying anyone let alone Aakriti? Even I realized that forcing you both was not a good idea. But we really wish to see you together. So we decided to make you work with each other and let fate play its part. If you both still decide not to get married we will not force you both. You can stay single for the rest of your life and Aakriti will get married to someone else."

"Why would she get married to someone else?" I said in anger.

"Because she has no choice. If you both decide not to marry each other. I would not find another girl for you because I have given up on you but Aakriti's case is not the same. Aakriti's dadu is a very stubborn man. He is very determined to get her married and I am pretty sure he will get her married this year. I am sure he must have already searched for other candidates not just placing all his hope on just you. Since she is your business partner you might need to attend her wedding along with me."

"This is never going to happen. She will not marry anyone other than me, only I will be her husband." I said in frustration almost raising my voice. I realized my words after seeing the smirk on Dadu's face. God this sly man trapped me in his words.

"Hush, at least all my planning and plotting gave me a fruitful result. My grandson is finally in love. I am so happy right now. Get married soon and have a lot of kids so that I can become a great-grandfather." He said giving me a teasing look.

"Now I know who Kabir went on."

"So what should he be like you? You are exactly like your dad rude, mean, and stupid. Not even a single quality of my dear daughter-in-law. I have to even act to make you voice your feelings."

"Ok. Ok. Dadu keep your disappointment to you only. Help me meet Aakriti. Please."

"Call her and meet her. Don't disturb me, cause I am busy."

"Dadu. Please."

"Get lost." He said and started reading the newspaper ignoring me.

Aakriti's POV

"Hello dadu." I received a call from my dadu.

"Aakriti, can you go and meet my friend? Just visit him for an hour. He wants to meet you."

"But Dadu I am busy. I have to complete all the work here as I will be returning to Delhi in a few days." I said as I didn't want to meet his friend.

"That's the only reason why I am asking you to meet him. He had an operation recently but couldn't go so just go and meet him on my behalf. Please pretty please."

"Ok. Ok. Fine."

"Thank you. Love you. I will send you his address." Sometimes I feel like he is my grandson and I am his grandparent.

I checked the address sent by Dadu to realize that it was Dhruv's address.

"Dadu you tricked me." I said and sighed.

"How will I meet Dhruv's grandfather in this injured state? What if I meet Dhruv there? What if he asked me why I avoided him? I don't want to meet him. What should I do? Call Dadu Aaku and convince him."

"I tried to call him but he was not picking up my call. I tried many times but to no avail."

"I know he is purposely doing it." I said. Looks like I have no choice but to meet Dhruv's grandfather. I hope Dhruv isn't there. But I am sure he will be there as they are obviously planning to set a meeting between us.

I reached the palace and someone was there waiting to greet me. Throughout the way, I was chanting that Dhruv should not be here. I went in and saw an old man sitting in his wheelchair and being pushed by a servant. He had an undefined aura. I greeted him as politely as possible. He gave me a pleasant smile in return.

He asked me about my well-being and offered me some snacks which I declined as I was feeling anxious.

He started talking about all the times he spent with my Dadu. For some reason, I found his stories to be interesting. Hearing his stories gave me a new perspective on my Dadu. It felt warm with him. I have never even felt like this with Dadu as whenever we chat he brings my marriage topic and my mood becomes sour.

"Was my dadu really like that so mischievous?"

"Yes. He was very mischievous. He was always punished by his father for causing trouble. There are so many stories. If I start now it will take the entire day. Let's go. I will show you his youth's photos." He said with an excited look and ordered his servant. I started following him and after a few steps, my foot started hurting. I looked down to check and luckily my foot was not bleeding.

We met Kabir on the way and I waved at him. But he looked at me as if looking at a stranger. I saw another Kabir coming from the same direction. Are they twins? Looks like, I really know nothing about Dhruv or his family. I saw the latter one coming happily towards me. Ok. This is Kabir. He looks like a puppy when he is happy.

"Hello!" he said with a goofy smile.

"Hello, how are you?" I asked him.

"I am fine." He put his arm around his twin's neck and dragged him in front of me.

"This is Karan my twin older brother."

"This is Bha... This is..." I realized what he was trying to say. I better interrupt him.

"Ok. Don't pressurize your tiny brain." I said to Kabir and then faced Karan.

"Aakriti Nanda. Your brother's business partner in one of his new projects."

"Hello. Nice meeting you." Karan said. He looks like a calm one contrary to Kabir.

"Dadu, are you giving her a palace tour? I will also come with you." Kabir said.

"No. But I think it is a good idea. Let's see the photos first then we will go" Dhruv's dadu said to me. It is a bad idea my foot is paining. But I couldn't bring myself to say no so I simply nodded. I followed him and Kabir and Karan were behind me.

We entered a very spacious room. The walls were decorated with photos, trophies, and medals.

A large photo of a couple in ethnic attire drew my attention. The picture screamed of class and elegance. I was stunned staring at the photo with admiration. There were no imperfections. The man in the picture looked deadly handsome. He had a proud expression. The woman was the epitome of beauty. I have never seen anyone looking more beautiful than her. I didn't know what to admire about her because everything was perfect. Her looks, clothes, jewelry, or simply just her aura. I sound crazy when I say that, I feel her aura from a picture. My goodness, I am having a lady crush on her.

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