Mohit's POV

I wanted her to be with me as I was very comfortable around her. I didn't want to let her go. I was scared that she might forget me... Her husband may not understand our relationship and tell her to keep away from me.

I wanted her in my life, but I was not attracted to her. I loved her but not as a man loves a woman. I was used to being close to her. I didn't know what it was. I could be me around her.

I was shocked when I got to know that her parents forced her to get married to Sahil Malhotra. He was a handsome hunk by all means, but they didn't love each other. So initially I didn't want her to remain in that marriage.

So I even proposed to Manu as according to me it was better that she marries me than being married to a complete stranger, at least we were best friends. We loved and understood each other and our dreams.

But I realised that they liked each other and she said that she wanted a partner who would love only her. And no one else... I felt that Sahil was one such person. He loved her and she was also developing feelings for him.

He was more suitable for heras compared to me.  He could love her back... I wanted her happiness and it was with Sahil, not me. I didn't feel that ways for her... For anyone ...

There is nothing called love. It is just a stupid emotion. It makes people weak.

I once had felt something like that for a girl. I started thinking of my whole life with her. I told her my feelings and she smiled but said that she wanted some time to think.

That day I went out with my friends, they wanted me to give a treat to them as I already told the girl about my emotions. But that day only, I saw her with another guy. She was clinging to him as they were in a serious relationship. I heard her telling him about me. They planned that she would accept me as her boyfriend just because I was filthy rich.

The next day, she came to me and said that she liked me too and would like to be my girlfriend. She clung to me and was trying to seduce me on the spot. I was put off by her behaviour.

Obviously, I turned her down. I did have a casual or no string attached, type of relationship with some girls. But I felt that most of them were with me because of my good looks and money.

I enjoyed my evenings with drinks and my male friends more.

It became a routine to hang out with them and  Gradually, over a few years, I started liking boys and men more as according to me they were simple and straightforward. They just wanted one thing... and were clear about it.

Then, I met Robin at a bar, I really liked him instantly and felt attracted to him. He was just like me. Rich, famous, Good looking, independent and bisexual.

He was a leading music composer, lyricist and director, living in Delhi but kept travelling to Mumbai.

He asked me out one day and as I was already attracted to him, I went out with him. He was a bit shorter and leaner than me. After a few drinks, he came very close to me and placed his hand on my chest. I loved it and hence I smiled at him.

He asked me to come with him and once we reached his room, he kissed me and we had a nice time that night.  We got involved in a relationship since then.

Though we were in a relationship we're not going exclusive with each other.  His family was very open-minded and they knew about us. Though they didn't like the idea too much but were still not offended. They talked to me nicely, but I knew that they wanted a daughter-in-law just like my parents.

I was still thinking about all these things when Harry came in to ask me something. Which brought me back to my real world.

He was asking about something regarding the exhibition. I told him what is to be done and got busy with my work.

" Hey Mohit, if you are not too busy, would you please come out?? " Manu came back to my cabin and said to me.

" What happened?? "

" Oh nothing, I wanted you to meet my cousin Vidhi. She is the real sister of Vikram Bhai sa. She is getting married and has come to get some dresses here with her fiance. " she replied.

" Oh, sure why not... Anyone important to you is important to me. I would be out in a minute. " I said, she smiled and went out.

I made a quick phone call and went out to meet Manu's family. I saw a pretty girl and a  tall, dark and handsome man. I went towards them. He was my kind of man. I liked those very manly rustic-looking man with that possessive and jealous streak in them.

" Hey, Mohit meet my sister Vidhi and her fiance, Shubh Ji. And he is the creator of all these beautiful dresses.  He creates magic with his hands. " Manu said and I smiled. She always does that.

"  Hello, Mr Shubh. I am really glad to meet you." I shook hands with him with a smile. He seemed to be very good.

" Likewise..." He said with a polite smile.

" Oh, so this is the bride to be... Extremely pretty girl. I think god is a little partial towards your family Manu. Everyone is so good looking, on both sides of your family. All the girls are so pretty and men are handsome as hell. Look at this pair too. Just such a good looking pair. I wish we had met earlier. " I said looking at him.

He glared at me and I liked it. He was a handsome, very rustic and simple man. I would have tried flirting with him but he was engaged and was Manu's relative.

"  So princess, I am really glad to meet you. Please feel free to try any of my designs. You are just like a very pretty doll, I will be happy If you select my dresses to wear on your special day. I hope you like them." I  said to the girl.

Then I caught her hand and kissed it.

It seemed that the man didn't like my gesture. His blood seemed to be started boiling and he took her hand out of mine and pulled her on his other side.  He was glaring at him now.

Awww... I liked him... so I smiled at him. I wish he was not engaged.

" Oh !! He is jealous and over-possessive just like Your husband, manu. Are all the men in your family like that??? I like it. "

" Mohit... Enough. I called you here to introduce you to my family not to flirt. "

"  Yeah, I am trying to get acquainted with this angry young man."

" Mohit, you have a huge amount of work to do, go and do it. I will help them."

" What is the hurry, dear. You suggest dresses to your sister while I suggest something to him. Something that suits his personality. "

" Yes, Mr Mohit... All your designs are just too good. I can't seem to decide, Please help Shubh. " The bride to be said.

" Sure pretty doll... Come Mr groom to be. "

" Mohit, I will help both, now go before I lose my patience. " Manu said.

" You are so bad,  I was enjoying the company of this lovely couple. Ok, I will go and do my work. Feel free to come calling if you need me. "

Just then Harry came and said, " Sir, your mom called up. "

I  just nodded but the smile on my face had gone by what Harry said. I knew what it would be all about. I needed to talk to mom before she barged in here.  I excused myself and went back to my cabin. Harry followed me.

" What did she say ?? " I asked him.

" She wants you to go and meet someone in the evening. She had already booked a table for you both. She gave me the instructions that I have to send you there or she would have my head on a platter. " He said to me.

" Why didn't you tell her that I am absolutely busy?  "

" I told her sir, but she was not listening to me. She scolded me saying that I always say that. I even said that you are busy with the rest of the week. But... "  He said.

" Ok... I would handle it. You go and work. " I said and he went out.

I went to my cabin and called Robin first. The bell was ringing on his phone. He picked up on 3rd ring.

" Hi Handsome, what's up?? "

" Nothing, I was just missing you a lot. " I said to him. I wanted to be with him but he is in Mumbai working hard. He was busy and I didn't want to give stress to him. But I was stressed because I knew, my mom was going to give me a tough time.

" What happened Mohit?? "

" Nothing, I told you... I was missing you and wanted to hear your voice. "

" Don't lie to me... I know You very well. Something is bothering you... What is it, love?? "

" My family is pestering me to meet some girl and marry her. "

" No !! You can't do that to us... that's not fair... Why don't you tell your family for once and for all?? "

" My family is not as open-minded as your's... "

" See... do meet her only if you want to, not because they want it. "

" I want you... When are you coming back?? "

" I want you too. I will be back in about a fortnight. Take care, you need to tell your parents. " He said but I could not.

Mohit's POV

After talking with Robin, I decided that even if I could not tell my family that I loved Robin, I would not give in...  I would resist meeting that girl.

So I took a deep breath and then I called my mom back.

" Hello " She picked up the phone and said sweetly.

" Hello, mum !! "

" So, you got time to call me? " She said in a taunting way. She loves me a lot but gets annoyed that I rarely go home.

" Mum, I was very busy. You know that I have an exhibition this week. I am buried in my work up to my nose."

" Oh please Mohit, you are always busy. I would not take it. You are going to meet the girl. I booked a table for both of you at The Leela Palace. Be there at the time... " She gave me an order.

" Mum, I can't go today. I am working very late. " I retorted.

" No excuses Mohit !!! You are always busy... Always working late. Enough is enough !!! I would not take no for an answer. Be there at 8:30 sharp. Be nice to the girl. " She gave me the ultimatum.

" Mum, if you want me to talk to the girl then it has to next week only. I am even sleeping in my studio apartment. I am too busy to go anywhere. What is the point in meeting someone if I take it as an order from you?  "

" Ok, if you can't come out then I will send the girl to your office. "  She kind of threatened me. She was quite capable of doing that.

" What?? No mum... Not here. I told you I can meet her next week at the earliest. Take it or leave it. You can't force it on me. For God's sake, I am almost 27... "

" Yes, that is what I am saying... You are almost 27. When would you get married?? When would you have kids?? All my friends have got their kids married. They have grandchildren. "

" Even you have grandchildren. Maya has such cute kids. " I reminded her of my elder sister's kids.

" I meant to say I want to be a Daadi now ( paternal grandmother). Go and meet her. "

" I can go next week at the earliest. It is your decision now as I would not go today. "

" Ok fine... Next week it is then. And just no excuses this time. "

" Ok mum... Bye, I have lots of things to see. Don't forget to come to the exhibition. "

" Oh, I would be there... Won't miss it at any cost. Bye... Take care. " She said and disconnected the call.

Thank God... But as far as I knew, she would not let me go off the hook that easily. I shook my head, I have to find a way out of this.

*******

We worked like maniacs for the week and Everything was impeccable. I checked and rechecked many times.

Robin was in Mumbai as one of the movies he was giving music for, was starting the recording of the songs that week. So he was needed there and was also very busy. 

I wanted him to be here with me but I understand that he was also busy.

It was the day of the exhibition and finally, the time had come to put my plan into action.

It was 5 in the evening, everything was settled and under control. Only one thing was to be taken care of. Just the supermodel who was supposed to be the show stopper had not arrived yet.

I acted as if I had started to panic and I  kept trying her phone but it was not reachable. Harry tried calling her manager. She informed me that she would not be able to make it as she got some viral infection all of a sudden and she was admitted to the hospital.

I was tensed as even if I tried, I could not arrange a famous female model at such short notice. I looked as if I was about to get a heart attack.

But in reality, I planned to give recognition to Manu for her incredible work.

She was also feeling very bad for me and tried to contact a few famous models whose pictures she had clicked earlier to persuade them to come but it was extremely short notice and nobody could commit to making it.

They all refused and I acted as if I  was literally on the verge of losing it.  All of a sudden I started staring at her and before she could say anything, I caught her hand and took her to one of the rooms which was reserved for that supermodel.

" What happened Mohit?? Why have you brought me here? "

" Get ready Manu, you are going to wear the dresses she was supposed to wear. "

" What?? Are you out of your mind?? Listen, Mohit please calm down. Take a deep breath. "

" You take a deep breath and get ready. You are going to be my show stopper today. " I said.

" Mohit, have you already lost it?? I can't. I am not even a model. "

" Yes, you are not, but you are a celebrity, it is High time, people should recognise you by face. This beautiful face and awesome body are supposed to in front of the camera. You are the best fashion photographer, you have been behind my success and always been behind the camera. But I want the world to know that you are much more than just a talented photographer behind the camera. " I said.

" Don't be absurd Mohit... Let me go. "  She tried to get out of the room.

" No, I can't afford to let you go. As it is, I have no other option. None of the models, which are here would be able to change so fast. Please Manu, you need to do this for me. Please... We can't allow all the efforts we all made and money to go to the drain. "

" But Mohit..."

" There are so many people here, what about the reporters? Do you want us to get bad reviews?? What would they report?? We can't afford to do that. We have no choice. You got to do this. Please, I request you. "

" But Mohit, I won't be able to pull it off. I am not even a model. I don't look like them. I can't even walk like a model... Those dresses won't even fit me. This is a bad idea. "

" You look more beautiful than most of the models. You have a great body. You can flaunt any of those dresses without any alterations with those perfect curves of yours.  Trust me you look fabulous, stop hiding under those fully covered clothes. "

" But Mohit ... "

" Oh please... stop saying- but Mohit... Get ready fast. No further discussion on this. You need to do this for us. Too many things and above all our reputation is at stake. " I said and left her alone.

There were two dresses, which she had to wear for different categories. I left her no choice but to get ready.

I had already sent an invitation to Sahil.

He asked me to book a room for them at the hotel but I told him that a room was already booked for manu to rest there as she was there since morning.

Guests had started coming, just then I saw Sahil coming towards me and asked about Manu. 

" Sorry Sahil, you can't meet her right now because she is getting ready for the show. " I explained to him everything.

" What?? She is going as a show stopper?? "

" Yes... And no one deserves to be a show stopper more than her. She is awesome and the most important thing is she is one of the reasons, I am doing so well in my business. Because of her excellent pictures. Now is the time to come in front of the camera. " I said and he smiled and nodded.

" Well that is amazing... what I am a bit concerned about is, that she is just too shy. " Sahil said.

" Well, that adds to the beauty, as she is going to wear bridal dresses. She would look like a bride and a bride needs to look beautiful and shy just the way she would look today. The beauty with real innocence,  which cannot be feigned. Trust me she would be perfect for this. "

" Thanks, Mohit, I needed a favour from you... " He asked for a favour and I  grinned and said that it would be done.

I made a phone call right at that moment to make arrangements.  He thanked me and went to take his seat and just then I saw my mom. She was coming towards me.