Bhumi's pov!

"May I have this dance, my lady?" He asked and took my hands and moved to the centre of the stage.

Where did this stage come from now, I didn't notice it before.

He placed his left hand on my hip and held my left hand in his right hand after directing my right hand onto his shoulder.

He pulled me closer and we started swaying to the light music looking into each other's eyes.

Smile, you arrogant idiot, I wanted to scream at him.

We stopped dancing after a few minutes and the people around applauded.

Of course. There were people around. For a second I forgot we have an audience.

Damn it, Bhumi.

"That was an amazing performance. Congratulations Mr and soon to be Mrs Mehrotra," the host said and went back to our seats.

"I hope paparazzis did cover everything." Aryamann said.

"Huh??" I asked, still in daze.

"Where are you lost, Bhumi??" He asked.

"Nothing. I am alright," I said quickly.

"Attention ladies and gentlemen. We have arranged for a small game for the couples here. I request all the lovely couples to join the game," the host announced and we saw many young couples making their way towards the stage.

"Mr Mehrotra and Ms Basu. It would be a pleasure if you could please join us," the host said and we made our way to the makeshift stage.

There were six couples in total.

"So the game is simple. We will tie some ribbons on the men. And the women will have to untie those ribbons within the given time and the couple who unties the maximum number of ribbons wins," the host announced. 

Is that even a game? Even kids won't play such silly games.

"But, girls!! You can't use your hands," the host said with a cheeky laugh and I looked at him in horror.

Without using hands how are we supposed to untie the ribbons?

"You can use your lips and teeth," the host announced with a mischievous smile on his face. 

"And boys, you can't touch your girl during the game. If you touch her, then you guys are out of the game," the host continued. 

"And the couple losing the game will have to kiss each other in front of everyone," the host completed with a wicked smile and I looked at Aryamann in horror and he had an unreadable expression on his face.

"Don't you dare touch me during the game, even by mistake." I warned and he rolled his eyes

"I am not dying to kiss you," he said coldly.

The host tied many ribbons around the men's hands, legs and neck.

"Now girls, your time starts now," the host announced and I stood in front of Aryamann.

I took his hands and started untying the ribbons on them. I looked around to see all the girls going straight for the ribbons around their partners neck.

How brave!

"You know, the ribbons around my neck are loosely tied. You will have to take it in between your lips and just yank it off. You don't have to untie them. That's why they are loosely tied." Aryamann said.

"So you won't have a problem if I put my lips near your neck??" I asked doubtfully. 

"Why would I have a problem? It doesn't bother me. Now let's get it over with," he said.

Okay. If he doesn't have a problem, why am I hesitating?

I placed my hands on his shoulders, stood on my toes and reached for his neck.

I felt him stiffen as my breath hit his neck.

I took the first ribbon in between my lips and yanked it off.

There are four more ribbons around his neck.

I took the second one in between my lips but in the process my teeth grazed his neck and he groaned.

I immediately pulled away from him, yanking the ribbon along.

"I am sorry," I apologised and went for the next ribbon and my teeth again grazed at the same spot and he suddenly pulled me towards him by my waist.

"What are you doing, Bhumi," he whispered against my lips.

"I am playing the game," I said looking at him confused.

"Mr Mehrotra, you are out," the host announced and he immediately pulled away from me.

"Sh*t," he cursed under his breath.

"It's time for the kiss, Mr Mehrotra," the host announced happily and I froze.

Kiss?

Kiss?

Kiss?

My first kiss!

I looked up at him in shock.

He looked at me intensely, bent down and crashed his lips onto mine.

I felt it again. Those strange things in my stomach.

I stiffened and placed my hands on his chest.

What am I supposed to do now??

God I have no idea what to do.

Should I move my lips too?

Just stay still Bhumi. What if moving your lips is the wrong step!

************************************************

Aryamann's pov!

I am fu*king turned on.

I couldn't take it anymore and pulled her towards me by her waist.

"What are you doing, Bhumi??" I whispered huskily.

"I am playing the game," she said, looking confused.

She have no idea what she was doing to me, and I hate to say this but it is fu*king cute.

"Mr Mehrotra, you are out," the host announced and I pulled away from her cursing under my breath.

"It's time for the kiss, Mr Mehrotra." The host announced happily and Bhumi froze.

OMG! I have been wanting to do this from the moment I saw her at her apartment this evening.

I don't think I can hold it anymore.

A kiss won't hurt right!

It won't change anything. 

I dipped my head down and crashed my lips onto hers. She stiffened in my arms at the sudden contact,  but then placed her hands on my chest, but didn't move her lips.

After a few seconds I pulled away from her 

"Bhumi," I called softly.

"Huh??" She looked at me with those doe shaped eyes, still dazed at what just happened.

"Let's go," I said and took her hands in mine and walked out of the restaurant.

The car ride was awkwardly silent and I am not used to this silent Bhumi. She is just looking out through the window.

I admit I used to get irritated because of her non-stop chattering. But silent Bhumi is far worse.

"You want ice cream?" I asked as I saw an ice cream vendor on the roadside.

She turned to me and her face immediately lit up and her eyes twinkled.

All for an ice cream. Seriously??

One week later

Bhumi's pov!

"You took a day off today, right Bhumi?" Arohi asked me, while getting ready for work.

For a change, I am up earlier than usual.

Because I am going to the temple today. It was my mother's birthday.

"Yes," I said with a barely there smile.

Arohi and Bani left for work and I am on my own for the day.

And that's how I like it.

It has been a week since the first date.

And my first kiss.

I can't believe that I lost my first kiss to that arrogant prick.

It felt good though.

Well, good would be such a small word for it. It felt awesome.

I googled to know how to kiss and I haven't been more embarrassed in my life before.

What would he be thinking of me now?

That would have been the worst kiss in his life.

Is that why he didn't call me after that day??

Did he realise I am not good enough for him?

The day after that date, the tabloids were filled with the news of the reclusive billionaire getting hitched.

I mean seriously? Why are people even bothered about what happens in rich people's lives?

The pictures in the tabloids were not clear enough to show my face. They are still trying to figure out who the mystery girl is, who tamed the beast.

Like seriously??

But still I could have kissed him back.

Arghh Bhumi! What the hell is wrong with you?? Why are you thinking of your fake fiance? This is just a sham.

A show for the public.

Get that into your thick head.

You have had enough losses in your life Bhumi.

First Mumma , papa.

Then Ryan.

And then...

At the thought of him my hands went to the ring clasped in a chain around my neck.

'This is a promise ring, Bhumi bear. I am promising you that I will be back soon.'

'Don't go please'

'I have to, Bhumi bear. But remember, I will always love you. And I will come back. And keep this ring with you always, no matter what. And throw it away when I come back for you.'

I am still waiting for you, Ansh. 

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the honk of a car from outside. 

You have to go to the temple, Bhumi.

I took a shower and came out wrapped in a thick towel.

I was going through my cupboard when my phone rang.

J

Ah the personal protection officer!

I picked up the call on the second ring 

"Bhumi. I am waiting outside your apartment. Open the door," he said.

"There will be a spare key under the doormat. Help yourself in. I am getting ready for the day." I said.

"Okay." he said and hung up the call.

We became really good friends within this one week.

The only problem is his uniform and his posture when he is out with me.

I begged him to come wearing casuals, but no. He always says no.

If he is stubborn, I can be stubborn too.

I will get him to wear some casual clothes soon.

I took a green coloured saree from the cupboard and a matching blouse to go with it.

After draping the saree and pinning it on my shoulder in a single pleat, I looked at the mirror.

Wah! You look gorgeous, Bhumi Basu.

What?? No I am not a self conceited b*tch.

But still I am my favourite person. Mein apni favourite hum!

I took my mother's jhumkas from a box that I had kept safely in the cupboard.

I wear this only on special days.

Not that I have many special days in my life.

Just the birthdays of the four of us. These days I go to the temple and spend the whole day there.

I wore the jhumkas and a pretty bead necklace to complete my look.

I left my hair open just the way I like it.

I opened my door and walked out of my room to see Jai scrolling through his phone.

"What took you so lo-" he trailed off and his eyes widened looking at me. And his wallet fell down, which was in his hands.

He didn't say anything for a few minutes. Just kept staring at me.

"What happened??" I asked, taking the wallet from the floor and I opened it to see his licence. And I saw his date of birth on it.

His birthday is coming soon. Now I know how to get him out of those ridiculous uniforms.

I looked up to see him still staring at me.

I snapped my fingers in front of him

"Uh??"

"Why are you looking at me like that??" I asked and he shook his head as if to clear something off his head.

"Nothing. Yo- you look beautiful," he said softly.

"Really?? Thank you." I said, smiling widely.

"By the way, may I know where this excess beauty is off to??" He asked and I laughed out loud.

"This excess beauty is off to pay a visit to her Lord Shiva, to thank him for showering her with awesome friends like you" I said and winked at him, making him laugh.

"Okay, come on, let's go," he said.

"Wait. I am not taking my scooty. You will have to drive me over there." I said with puppy eyes.

"Your wish is my command," he said and did a dramatic bow in front of me.

Is this the same man who met me a week ago in front of my apartment?

Seems like I am rubbing off on him quite well.