Chapter 40

Chapter 36-Gurleen

She woke up with a jolt in the middle of the night,her heart beating wildly.It took her a while to recognise the room.She tried to move but found herself cocooned in someone's arms.She sighed.He probably didn't mean any harm but he had to stop being so free with her.Even if they were engaged,they hadn't really discussed anything about pursuing a real relationship. And with what happened before the bonfire she wasn't sure if she wanted to get romantically entangled with him.

A wave of sadness washed over her as she reflected on their scenario.She sorely regretted her actions.She wished she hadn't recklessly plunged into this plan to take revenge on Daarji and her mother.She should've agreed to walk out of the business when her veerji had suggested.Unfortunately, all her bridges had been burnt.She had no choice but to go through with this marriage.Sleep evaded her as she dwelt on her thoughts.Desiring to get some fresh air,she gently untangled herself and winced as she used her injured foot to support her wait.Casting a glance her Parjaai and veerji who had passed out on the chaise she snuck out of the room,limping gingerly.

It wasn't long before she was hopelessly lost.She soon found herself near the pool.Hobbling over,she sat at the edge of the pool,her uninjured foot dangling in the water.It was freezing yet she paid no heed as the turmoil in her heart overwhelmed her.She couldn't for the life of her decipher what Jaspal ji wanted.He claimed to not trust her yet wished her to take him in confidence.

"Idiot",she huffed, thoroughly frustrated.

Footsteps behind her shook her out of her reverie .To her surprise,it was Inder Veerji,drunk as usual,alcohol slushing in his glass.He sauntered in and plopped down beside Before long ,he was joined by Manveer di who settled down on her other side.To Gurleen's horror,she was drunk as well.If either of them fell into the pool,she was in absolutely no condition to help them.

She frantically looked around,hoping for help only to be met with silence.

"Inder veerji, it's really cold .Could we head back inside?"

"No.I like it here.The old man cannot get at me.Ha! In your face Akaal Singh Brar!"

Gurleen groaned,head in her hands.He was behaving like a petulant child.

"Manveer di ..."

"I'm not di.I'm your parjaai.You're marrying Jaspal aren't you? Where are your manners girl?Amrit would be so ashamed of you."

She then burst into tears at the mention of Amrit's name.Gurleen awkwardly patted her back. Meanwhile,Manveer had managed to pull herself together

"Jaspal is no doubt a good person,but he's a Brar.Never trust a Brar man."her speech started to slur .

"I don't know what to make of you.You have everything I wanted.Your brother still loves you even though you destroyed his life.You'll be chairperson of the Babbar-Brar empire.Daarji loves you though he barely knows you.Jaspal of all people is marrying you and unlike his brother he's smitten with his bride to be."

"You must be mistaken Parjaai,Jaspal ji isn't fond of me.He just respects me a lot."

"Respect, my foot,"Manveer muttered.

Gurleen desperately looked around,hoping for a miracle.

"Gurleen...."

She turned in relief,her miracle was here.

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"Gurleen ,are you mad?Do you know how worried I was about you?I got up in the middle of the night only to find you gone."

She watched him pace frantically,running his hand over the cloth covering his hair.The urge to straighten the ruffled cloth grew stronger;his hair was starting to peek out beneath the edges.

He continued, oblivious to her obvious distraction.

"Your foot is injured.You really need to rest as much as you can.I will never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you ."

Her heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened.

He quickly amended his statement,much to her confusion.

"You've become a really good friend,one of the best people I know."

"This is news to me",she remarked dryly.

"The last time we talked,you left me alone in the gazebo."

"You were the one who pushed me away,"he retorted.

She started to feel angry.

"What did you expect me to do?We were hugging ,what if someone had seen us?"

"We're fiancees for god's sake.Are you ashamed to be seen with me in public?"

"Of course I'm not.I was startled.I wanted to apologise but you started that stupid monologue of yours before I could say anything."

He blinked at her.

"You wanted to apologise."

"Yes",she gave him the strongest glare she could muster.

"In that case,I apologise for not listening to you.I shouldn't have assumed the worst."

He deflated and sat beside her.They were still by the pool.Inder and Manveer were currently talking ,heads bent, surprisingly civil for once.

"Jaspal ji,your hair is askew."she nervously pointed out .

"Thank you,"I'll fix it once we get back inside.

They sat in silence.

"Gurleen...."

"Hmm"

"I really think we should try being friends.We might be able to understand each other better.Please free to unburden yourself to me."

She sighed.

"Jaspal ji,I understand your concern and I appreciate it.But a relationship is a two way process.How can I talk to you freely when you don't do the same with me?We must be on an equal footing if we're to move forward."

He bowed his head in resignation.

She looked at him with pity.

"You are still unable to trust me.I don't deny the fact that your reservations are perfectly valid.So I think it's better we remain acquaintances.It's best for both of us.We don't have to bother each other with our troubles."

While her heart hurt at such a declaration,she knew it was for the best.