Chapter-1

Likitha kept looking at her own reflection in the mirror with a pale face.

She is getting ready to meet Karthik and can't stop getting embarrassed remembering all those bizarre encounters.

He sneaked into her room and kissed her without her consent.

How could he do it!?

Is she going on date with her stalker?

How weird she heaved a sigh and closed her eyes, trying to stay calm.

Somehow she could give up her stubbornness and able to give a nod to this marriage but some part of her is still stuck with John.

Quickly she shoved her thoughts trying not to remember him again, it will be difficult for her to face Karthik.

She is unable to believe that she said "yes" for marriage with a mere stranger.

She has no idea what the future holds for her but her tears are silently praying God for her smile.

She deserves a better guy and she too won't deny the fact.

Finally checking herself once again, she walked away from her room with a forced smile.

Why is she doing all this? getting ready and wearing a traditional suite, plastering a smile, Why?!

She questioned herself.

She knows her answer very well.

Whatever she is doing, She is doing it for her dad.

He deserves this happiness.

Actually what she is doing is so less for him.

He did so much for her and all this is just one-millionth.

Karthik is waiting for Likitha to turn up in her favourite restaurant, she made him wait for half an hour. He didn't expect it from her.

She can demand time from Karthik but DCP Karthik is not in a position to offer this much time.

He doesn't want to keep a grumpy face yet he can't himself stop from keeping it.

Finally, She came and sat in front of him with a gentle smile.

Both of them are well aware of the truth that they are getting married and they don't want to ruin their first official date.

Karthik literally felt happy to see her smiling at him.

It was a very gentle polite smile still he felt it so precious.

Probably, this is the first time she smiled at him.

He knows well that her smile, her mere gesture will affect her but never estimated this much.

"Sona...."

"I mean Likitha..."Karthik tried to but her sudden intense gaze literally made him stammer.

He looked away and forgot what to say.

He felt weird and worried.

How can this girl have this much effect on him?! He sat scolding a few curses under his breath.

"Karthik..."She spoke his name in response and he realised it is the first time in his life, she spelt his name.

This literally made his heart flutter out of joy.

To his disappointment, she whispered his name very slowly.

He wanted to hear it again.

He played by pretending that he can't hear her.

She got confused with his reaction.

She knows well that he is not deaf.

"DCP sir. "She called him such wanted to try to get his attention.

He quickly looked into her eyes with a sullen expression.

Her heart skipped it's best feeling his intense gaze, He kissed her face with intense, She felt it.

Gulping at him audibly, She quickly took a glass of water placed in front of it and drank it in a gulp.

He looked at her with a worried face looking at her hurry.

She is about to keep the glass back but she split some water in a hurry, Choking a bit.

He quickly stood up from the chair and patted her back gently trying to take away the glass from her.

Likitha got shocked by his touch, She felt tickles down her spine where did he touch her.

"Are you okay Sona?!"He cupped her face and asked her with so much hurt in his voice.

"Yes!," She nodded a bit and lowered her head trying to avoid his gaze.

"Careful, Sona" He came back and occupied his chair.

"You may feel foolish and silly but I felt a need to tell you that I can't see you like this, I have seen you suffering and dwelling in past for years, enough."

"Please, Don't hate me, I request you not to be afraid of me, It hurts." He said adjusting himself in the chair.

His words are like a cool breeze still she tried to stay calm, unaffected.

Glad she got succeeded in masking her feelings.

He is waiting for her to speak and finally, she spoke.

"Karthik, I..."

"I never wanted to get married and all this seems to be so new to me."She took a pause and looked into his eyes.

"It's not that I am afraid of you, the truth is I am afraid of marriage."

"I am afraid of getting into a relationship when I myself have no idea about my feelings."

"I feel like playing hide and seek with my own emotions."She finished and looked away.

He nodded giving a wan smile.

"I can understand you Likitha everything happened in a hurry and it's hard for you to accept but sorry to say it, you have no choice."

"You have to accept it, you need to move on."

"You have to give me a chance, this relationship a chance," He said with a straight face and she can't read his emotions.

She gave a small nod and sat quietly gazing at her lap.

Karthik doesn't know what to say, he doesn't know how to convey his feelings properly.

They sat in awkward silence.

They ordered food and ate simply talking in monosyllables.

Karthik didn't dare to push her further,

He is aware that she did a lot by stepping out of her comfort zone, it's not good to compel her more.

She is reckless and restless at the same time.

They finished eating their dinner and walked to their vehicles in silence.

Karthik didn't avert his gaze at least for a second and Likitha didn't felt a need to stop him.

Finally, the time arrived and he was about to get into his car.

Likitha went to him running and hugged him for a second.

Tears started rolling over her cheek and her voice became screechy.

He got shocked by her sudden actions, her sudden hug.

She quickly wiped her tears and walked away from there without looking at him.

Karthik stood there frozen, trying to remember what just happened.

Now what exactly she means, he asked his heart twice but not use.

To be continued.