Teju reached home later at night. She was looking very tired so her mother hugged her

Aai: my hardworking girl. How was your day?

Teju: like mother like daughter. My day went great but I am soo tired and thankfully I gotta day off tomorrow. I will sleep till late.

Aai: oh that's good. Go fresh n up I will bring the dinner upstairs.

Teju: you are the best Aai love you.

Aai : nautanki ja

Teju: ok

She quickly turned to leave and climbed the stairs. She remembered leaving her room messy but her mother keeps coming to clean. Guilt seeps into her she proceed towards the cupboard and take out her night suit and change. When she was washing her face she heard a knock on the door.

Teju: aai please come in. How many times I have told you not to knock the door and come in?

Aai: my princess is not child anymore I have to be careful. Come let's eat

Teja: you didn't eat??

She shakes her head

Teju: aaaaiiiii...

Aai: food is getting cold let's have it. I am hungry

Teju : feed me na

Aai : you are such a kid

Teju: decide yourself I am a kid or not?

Aai: both actually sometimes you are an adult and sometimes you become this kid. i love your both versions.

She feed her While having dinner she told her about Karan's arrival to the sets. She was just talking about him which gives her mom courage to talk about him.

Aai: can I ask you something?

Teja: what???

Aai: do you like Karan?

Teju: where is this going ?

Aai: just answer

Teju: yes I like him as a friend. Nothing more. I am not open for any kind of relationship. I had enough share of love in my life. I don't really believe in love anymore

Aai: so you mean you will never give another chance to love?

Teju: I love my family and that's enough for me. Why do you think he is interested in me?

Aai: We saw in his eyes.

Teja: we means ??

Aai : his parents and your baba.

Teja: I don't think he is interested in me? You all have cooked up this. ohh that's the conspiracy at his house. That's why you send us to bring icecream to plan against us.

Aai: we don't want you both to live your life alone.

Teju: I have you , you can't leave me alone

Aai: after us?? We don't want....

Teju : stop this right now ... what do you want?

Aai: give him a chance , meet him few times. If you don't like him then I won't force you.

Teju: ever again ?

Aai nodded and she sighed in frustration but agreed to meet him

Aai: ok I will call them for lunch tomorrow?

Teju: ok but don't expect me get up early and Bring tea for them. I won't dress up like in movies. 

Aai: ok anything else ?

Teju: let me sleep. Go now

Teju loved to see her mom satisfied face but she wasn't ready to give chance in love. She couldn't sleep until late after the conversation with her mom.

**

At Karan's house his mom wake him up

Mom: sunny uth ja mera bacha

Karan: mom sone do

Mom: arey utho Teju ke ghar jana hai

He got up like a spring, his mom laugh at him. Seeing her laugh he thought she was teasing him so lay back in the bed

Karan: why are you joking early in the morning?

Mom: no no I am not joking I got her mom's call in the morning. Get up now we have to buy some gifts for them on the way.

Karan: her mom spoke to her??

Mom: she must have but got to know when we reach there.

Karan: what if she rejected me ?

Mom: her mom wouldn't have invite us then. Don't worry everything will be okay. 

He went inside to get ready
**

She woke up with the chaos downstairs. She realized it's for him and his parents. She went downstairs to check and shocked to see her mom was preparing 7 course meal.

Teju: Aai what is this? We could order few things

Aai: they are our friends first so don't teach me

Teju: ohk my god. Do whatever you feel like

Aai : you should go get ready

Teju: what do you think I should wear? Saree huh?

Aai: sarcasm is not required here. Wear anything you like to though I ironed your pink suit.

Teju: ok let me go. What time they will be here ?

Aai : half an hour to an hour.

Teju: ok I am going to my room

****

His mom told Karan to leave around 12 and he was ready by 11:45 his mom didn't leave chance to tease him

Mom: oho Sasural jane ki itni jaldi

Karan: moooom please don't say stuff like that there. She is gonna kick me out

Mom: wow !! Abhi se itna dar , I am loving it

Karan sighed and left outside as he knew whatever he said or done , she is going to use it against him. On the way he bought some flowers and some gifts for them. His mom again gave him teasing looks but he kept his mouth shut.

They arrived her home and her mom and dad welcomed them but she wasn't there. His eyes desperately looking for her.

Mom : where is teju?

Aai : she is upstairs, getting ready

His body relaxes, he gave flowers to her mom

Karan: this is for you aunty

Her mom smiled at him

Aai : they are beautiful!! Thanks beta. Come sit

He took the seat where he could watch her coming downstairs. Every now and then he kept looking at the stairs. After a while he could hear the door opening and closing that alerted him. His eyes fixed on the stairs. She came wearing a beautiful pink suit with a minimal makeup and open hair that's how he liked her. He found her little awkward towards him.

Teju: hellooo aunty ,how are you ?

She ignored him completely which he felt really odd.

Karan: hi

Teju: hi

After a while her mom told her to take him upstairs. She didn't see this coming she didn't want that as her room was messy. So she excused herself and call him later. When he entered her room she was still trying to make her room presentable. He smiled at her

Karan: hi

She turned toward him

Teju: hi , please come in

Karan: thanks

Teju: sit na

Karan: ok

Teju: soo??

Karan: why are you sooo formal with me ? You named me kundrri right?

Teju: I don't know if I can call you that ?

Karan: why what changed, because nothing changed for me?

Teju: do you like me?

He fumbled at her straight forwardness.

Karan: I like you as a friend

Teja: oh thank god kundrri I thought you like me the other way.

He kept quiet feeling helpless but let her speak

Teju: my mom tried to fix me with you. Do you know they conspired against us the other night can you believe that?

Karan shakes his head

Karan: you should have told her what do you want?

Teju: I did but she wasn't really listening

Karan: what do you want tejasswi?

Teju: I just don't want any man in my life at this point. Life is so easy with no interruptions , no expectation, no complaints, no heartbreaks, no doubts, no tears nothing at all

His heart sank at her words but he composed himself

Karan: a relationship is not only about that but maybe you didn't met someone who can make you feel otherwise. Anyway should we go downstairs and let them know what you want?

Teju: no this will break their hearts

Karan: so what do you want to do?

Teja: I want to make an effort so she never bother me with shadi questions.

Karan: what kind of effort?

Teju: let's meet 3 times spend some time together and then I will tell them I don't like you? i know i am a friend to you so i will be comfortable with rather then a stranger

Karan: you don't like me?

Teju: arey I like you but not the way they want me to like you

Karan: hmm ok

Teju: you will be okay with that right? I don't want reinforce anything you don't like to do.

Karan: no I am okay with anything you want to do

Teju: really?? You are such a sweetu , I wish you will get the girl you want.

Karan: I will ,dont worry

Teju: soo do you like someone?

Karan: now don't be so intrusive. It's kind of personal.

Teju : sorry

He got up to leave

Karan :let's go downstairs , our parents must be waiting for us.

She nodded and followed him downstairs. His mother could read his eyes , she kind of knew that her son wasn't in the right frame of mind. They had lunch and left. His mother kiss Teju on her forehead before leaving.