Diya stared at the text longer than usual, her eyes never leaving the first three words uttered---sent by him.

I am ready.

Her heart was thumping loudly as she re-read those words. She was so busy reading the first three words that she merely gave importance to the next remaining words. A part of her believed that it was a dream while on the other hand, she was in the ninth sky.

Her lips curved a bit with her eyes glistened with hope and happiness. She was out of the trance when she heard someone calling by her name and it was none other than her best friend.

"Diya, are you okay?" Rohan shakes her arms slightly and that resulted in the blinking of her eyes and she flinched at her place, completely taken aback by the sudden call.

"Oh? Yeah...." She managed to answer him as she composed herself and started typing fiercely. She miswrote some words and even re-wrote and erased a few words and after 3 minutes of typing she finally replied with-

Diya : Okay.

( Typical Diya

Advait : Osteria Café at 10 am.

Diya released a long breath not knowing, she was holding back since how long. She placed a hand on her racing heart, trying to calm her self as she was taking deep and harsh breathings. Rohan instantly came beside her and tried to hold her by her shoulder.

Rohan looked at her with furrowed brows and lowered his gaze and as soon as his eyes fell on Diya's phone, he froze.

Rohan blinked his eyes for a good ten seconds but still could not digest the fact that his friend, finally agreed to give in. Rohan looked at the text and then at Diya's face and then he muttered in slow voice-

"No wonder you appear like someone who just saw a ghost"

Rohan said to her while shaking head and not to forget the wide eyes and the shock which is still plastered on his face. Diya's face was blank as if she was not aware of any kind of emotion but only her heart knew the kind of jiggles and fear she was feeling, right in this moment.

"He is not Advait, Diya. I am sure he is possessed by some virgin soul ," Rohan muttered under his breath with horrified expression. Diya just smacked his shoulder for trying to say anything negative and ill about the man of her dreams.

"What are you whispering and muttering under your breaths like some thief? "

Samaira asked both of them as soon as she entered the kitchen as she needed some caffeine to relax her brain because she just returned from The Agnihotry Mansion and successfully managed to sneak under his breath and also she was thankful to her lucky stars, that she didn't get cornered by that certain 'HIM'.

" You better place your mug on the slab before hearing the news,"

Rohan said with a smirk while having his entire attention on Diya as she lowered her gaze as soon as she heard his words.

" Why are you sounding as Advait Bhai agreed for the alliance " She said out of nowhere and forwarded her coffee mug near her lips to have a sip but as soon as she took one,

" BINGO ! " Rohan said with a huge grin on his face and Diya pinched his hands and he let out a painful yelp and on the other side, Samaira spitted the coffee from her mouth which she just sipped and started coughing violently.

Diya rushed towards her and started giving soft pats on her back, followed by some gentle and sisterly caressing with concerned eyes. She stepped towards the slab, grabbed a crystal glass and poured some water for her to drink.

After having some water and relaxing a bit, Samaira finally spoke-

" Goodness, Di. I think I should change my profession to a fortune teller, Damn! I am brilliant " Samaira said those words without paying any attention and being lost in her own thoughts.

Of course it was shocking for everyone because Advait was a closed man and his interaction with people was limited to the point that if he speaks more than 10 words to someone, apart from business clients and partners, his loved one starts hyping up and almost goes crazy. His ability to open up to someone almost burned to ashes with his warmth. He became cold and rigid to the point that no one can guess his happy and disappointed expression. He needed someone who would read between the lines, someone who would see him through his mask and Diya was it.

Diya will rip off his forged mask and 'will embrace his inner demon which he has been taming for the last 4 years.

Diya smiled upon hearing her sister's naive talk and just shook her head.

" Jeez, Stop obsessing over yourself Sam, you already have someone doing that part for you , don't increase the numbers " Rohan smirked as Samaira's expression clearly fell and her face turned pale.

Yes, Everyone was aware of the fact that Samaira Sharma was Off-limits. For everyone. They better prepare themselves for the worst if they even tried to breathe into her direction.

" Mood spoiler '' Samaira muttered and abruptly got up from the chair to head towards her bedroom.

" Night, Dii " Samaira kissed Diya's cheeks and fist-bumped with Rohan and left hurriedly.

Rohan just chuckled and he froze when his eyes fell on Diya, who was giving death glares at him .

" Should I be worried about something? " Diya threw a question with narrowed eyes

" Worried? Of course you should be but only when He is pissed at her, not the other way " Rohan said, referring to Samaira.

" He is still not convinced? About not bothering Sam ? " Diya asked him, again .

" More like He is eliminating the population who are bothering your sister, Stop asking for the impossible, Diya. He is whipped for your sister. More like crazy." Rohan laughed and Diya sighed and left for her room after bidding adieu to Rohan.

She changed into her night gown, removed her make-up and did her skin care. After completing her night routine, She finally let her body fall on her comfortable bed with a light thud. She splayed her arms and inhaled a deep breath and rewined her entire day and thinking about the last part, She smiled.

A part of her is happy after knowing that she is finally having someone she was craving for years but the scared and gentle part of her was having concerned thoughts about her future with him.

' What if He will never try to love her? ' ' What if He tries to leave her in the future? ' These were the kind of thoughts she was having but instead of diving into those complications, she chose to be wise.

She just slept while keeping her pillow close to her heart.

__________________________________

It was  9:20 in the morning and Diya was ready to leave for the cafe as he had to meet Advait. She stood infront of the mirror and stared at her face. Her makeup was minimal and her outfit was as per the weather.

She put on a light denim, followed by a comfy white tee and she completed her look with a long dark greyed cardigan. Unlike other girls, Diya was never a fan of famine colors and she always prioritised Neutral colors over anything else. She released a long breath and stepped out of her room, bot before grabbing her car keys. She hurriedly closed the distance between herself and the exit door but her steps came to a halt when she heard her sister screaming from the balcony.

" All the best, Dii" Samaira gave a lazy smile and Diya returned the gesture but narrowing her eyes at her and lastly gave her a hearty smile and moved towards her car.

It's a special occasion so she chose her favourite car. Diya was obsessed with cars. She settled on the driving seat of her Black, shiny Audi Q8 E-TRON  and drove to her destination.

After 10 minutes of driveways, she parked her car, grabbed her purse and stepped into the cafe. She was early but that's okay. She can be early but being late was out of the question.

Specially when Advait is involved.

She stood at the entrance and roamed her eyes to find a familiar one and her eyes halted on a certain person who was typing furiously on his phone. Probably replying to an Email?

Diya smiled a bit and strode towards his direction. Advait lifted his eyes from his phone as soon as he felt her presence, more like her fragrance and gave her a simple nod.

Diya got the signal and she sat on the empty chair, opposite him.

Both were silent for few minutes, even though the cafe was not completely chaosed and full with people but it was not completely silent either. It was silent for the two people, sitting on a table, trying to talk about their upcomming future.

Diya figured out the tention between both of them and she decided to thin the air. She cleared her throat softly and started -

" Umm......So? " She told and instantly regretted. She was used to her profession tone with him and speaking casually, with him was completely new for her.

" What..do you think ? " Advait asked for her consent, like a proper gentleman he is.

" It's up to you...Aap jo chahenge, wahi hoga..." Diya muttered back.

( It's all upon you. Whatever you wish )

" I should be the one, staying these lines to you " His lips curved a bit, very slightly but she noticed that anyways.

Thousands of butterflies erupted in her stomach as she noticed his charming and beautiful smile which he rarely offers to someone.

Advait released a sigh and stared into her eyes as he didn't wanted any wall between their future relationship.

" Do you agree? " He asked her in a gentle tone.

" Yes " She replied instantly but tried not to sound excited.

" Why " He asked and his expression turned cold and rigid, nothing like the gesture he had while asking the earlier question.

" Because my parents wants this alliance, they agreed "

Because I've loved you for 5 fucking years.

But she never said that aloud.

" Why are you agreeing? " Diya questioned him.

" Because my mum has never asked me anything and yesterday, I saw how her eyes sparkled when she called your name and imagined her son's future with you. I am no one to take that spark away from her. If, having you as my wife would make her happy, I am willing to give a try " Advait completed his words and Waited for Diya's answer patiently.

Diya was listening to him with wide eyes because it was the longest he has spoken in 5 years to her, apart from business. But she was still proud of him for respecting his mother more than anything and most importantly loving her.

She nodded and kept her eyes low and he continued,

" I am a simple Man with simple morals and I am absolutely not the one if you are seeking for a Man from a fairytale. I am complex and won't be considered as a perfect Man alive but I promise to give you a comfortable and safe future with me, if you agree. In return, I just want your loyalty. Nothing else."

She looked at him as if she fell for the Man, infront of him, all over again.

" I am ready " That's all she said and tried to maintain a smile.

" We are doing this for the sake of our family, Diya. Love is the least ever thing I can offer you " He stated.

Pain slashed through her heart and slight mist covered her eyes but she composed herself. More of that, she was happy to share a future with him and that was enough for her.

She still have a future to make him fall for her.