PART 15(A)
"It is going to be a crazy weekend.", I stretched on my bed. Saturday Morning, and Papa Mumma and Bhai over here to discuss my marriage. "Screw me!", I cribbed. My house was unusually crowded and noisy. Stacy must be having a tough time dealing with my mom. Too many cooks do spoil the broth. I felt lazy. Having cancelled gym, I had practically nothing to do but wait for RK and his mother to come over to our place for lunch. Papa and Aunty were going to officially talk about this. "I wish I could tell you Ri..", I moaned at the thought of my best friend. But I had promised myself. No revelations till everything is sorted. My mom barged into my silence suddenly, "Madhu. Get up and get ready. Breakfast taiyyar hai. I want you on the table with the rest of us". She pulled off the blanket. A shiver ran down my spine as I lazily got up and trudged to the washroom.
Everyone was seated at my dining table, waiting for me. Stacy was serving the breakfast into dishes. Poor girl. I sighed as I caught sight of her. "Here is Madhu", Papa smiled as he folded the newspaper. "Morning Papa!", I hugged him. "Good Morning Bhai and Bhabhi", I greeted everyone. "Baith Madhu. I made you kheer and halwa.", Maa smiled. "Sweet for breakfast?", I cringed. "No there's your healthy oats meal. But kheer and halwa are complementary", she winked. I laughed. "I missed this!", I declared. Kheer was just amazing. Maa's hands had magic obviously. And halwa. Yum. We chatted over coffee. Mostly about weather, my newspaper, and my colleagues. Stacy washed the dishes and made me another list of items to buy. I smiled at her.
"We'll go shopping in the evening, Madhu. I want to see the markets here", my Bhabhi Suhasi spoke up. "Sure Bhabhi." I smiled nibbling the halwa.
"Beta tu jake ready ho jaa. RK and his mother should be here soon", Papa looked at his watch. "Ji. But I am not wearing Indian. Keep it simple Papa. I will be who I am comfortable being", I emphasised. Maa was uneasy but she agreed. After a shower, I opened my closet.
"What to pick up!", I murmured. Very proudly, I had declared that I was going to keep it simple, but my mind wandered and I wanted to make sure Aunty liked what I wore. Gladly, I had nothing in Indian. "Phew!", I smiled as I took out a cotton Kurti and coupled it with black skin fit denims. "Semi-Indian. Looks exactly good!", I straightened my hair and wore a bracelet.
"How do I look!", I came out of my room. Papa and Maa were showered and dressed up. And Bhabhi was still in the washroom. "You look beautiful, doll!", Papa said. I smiled.
I felt the clock ticking. I was getting nervous with every second passing. I shook my legs in stress. Bhai was moving to and fro. Maa was panicking about the food and Bhabhi was on her phone. "They should be here any minute", Papa looked at the watch. A few minutes later, there was a knock. I opened the door and it was Radha Aunty and RK. I looked around. Aunty noticed me, "Kya hua Madhu?", she smiled. "I was looking for Will.", I bit. my lip. "He is not here.", RK spoke. I noticed him. He was wearing a dark purple shirt and off-white pants. I smiled and greeted them in.
Papa welcomed them, and asked them to sit. RK shook Bhai's hands.
"Hello Sir", RK shook Papa's hands. Papa motioned him to sit. I took a seat beside Papa.
"Its really nice to finally meet you", Papa told Radha Aunty. She smiled and reciprocated. Meanwhile, Maa offered them water and juice.
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr Mallick. You have a gorgeous daughter.", Radha Aunty smiled affectionately. Papa caressed my hairs. I smiled to him.
"Thank you for coming over at such a short notice." Radha Aunty continued. I really felt awkward. RK was feeling on the same lines. I could read his eyes.
"Why don't you and RK go for a walk while we talk?", Papa told me. I thought it was a pretty bad idea. But he agreed and stood up, waiting for me to rise. I left my dad's hands and took his.
"Why don't you both get the grocery items Stacy asked?", Bhabhi said. I looked at her in shock.
"That is a good idea." Radha Aunty supported. I was bewildered. Maa handed over the list and my car keys. "I have the car", he spoke.
"Let me take mine please", I insisted. He glared at me. "I am taking my own car, Madhu.", this meant his final word. I nodded, giving in. "Drive careful!", Papa spoke as we left the house.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Are you sure what you're doing?", he pressed the gas pedal.
I gazed at him. Those eyes were emotionless and fixed on the road ahead. "I think I am.", I murmured.
"Marriage. Is a life long commitment.", he spoke. "Most of the time.", he softly added.
"I know. I have had the taste of an almost marriage.", I bit my lip. He chuckled really softly. I turned to him in shock. "Its been a while.", I muttered.
"For?"
"Its been a while since I last saw you smiling", I held his hands which were on the gear panel. He felt uneasy and slipped them off below me.
"As I was saying. I might not be the best person for you?"
"You might not be. I agree RK.", I looked towards the window. "But, I know what a girl wants. To be safe and happy. And I think I can be the safest with you.", I admitted.
"How can you say that!"
"Because you are a friend. Duh! And then you've rescued me twice. 6 years ago in that forest and last week in that pub."
He looked at me in utter disbelief.
"In the past 5 years, I haven't been addressed as being safe for woman", he muttered softly. My heart skipped a beat. Nobody could possibly imagine what this boy must have been through just because of a classless bitch.
"I feel safe with you. And regarding being happy. That I think will take some time to happen.", I winked. I felt him ease out.
"You really want to do this?"
"I think so! Yes.", I admitted.
The car stopped at the grocery shop. The same one I had been to last week. "NOT HERE!", I yelled. He was removing his seat belt but he stopped. "What is wrong?", he asked.
"There's this owner of this shop who is a freakshow. He scares the hell out of his workers.", I rolled my eyes.
A soft smile crept his lips and he held mouth. I raised a brow, "What?".
"I am the owner of this store", he smiled. My eyes popped out and then I bit my lip. "When did you see me!", he rubbed his temple.
"Last Saturday...", I stuck out my tongue.
"Hmm...", he blinked quickly. I chuckled.
"Come...", he said. I nodded.
As soon as we entered the store, every employee straightened up. I felt odd. "Morning Sir!", one of the employees greeted RK. RK took the list from my hands and gave it to him. "I want these."
The boy nodded and rushed ahead.
"That is my office.", he pointed at the door at the far end of the store. We walked upto the cabin and RK opened it. It was a massive room with sleek silver stainless steel furniture and glass tops. He opened a chair and offered it to me. I obliged with a smile. "The boys will take no time. What would you like to drink?", he sat on his chair. I hesitated. "Tell me! Madhu.", he pressed the button on the side of his table. The same employee entered within 5 minutes.
"Get us fruit beer.", he said. I rolled my eyes.
"What is it?", he pressed back on his chair.
"You and your...", I sighed.
"What?", he protested.
"All this. I don't like this...", I made a face.
"Fruit beer?", he looked annoyed.
"Your ideas. Pathetic ideas", I rolled my eyes.
"Like what?"
"Like this!", I extended my hands. "I mean, I like to shop for myself. Not giving the list to the employees and making them do work."
"I pay them, Madhu!"
"I don't! RK. I like doing this for myself. I am not a brat if you consider me. I am very much grounded. And I like it."
"Well. I own this place, and I can do this much."
"I know. I know what you can do. I cannot take it.", I admitted.
"I just thought we'd have some time."
"For?", I looked at him in disbelief.
"To talk. Everything out."
"RK. I am confused. I don't want to throw myself on you. It is you who has to decide and regarding my decision, that is precisely why Papa is here. If he approves, I will have no reason to deny."
"I am in a confusion. I cannot start living the way I used to before...", he paused. "All that"
"I get it."
"But I don't want to depress Maa. She thinks that all the fault is hers. She was the one who wanted me to marry."
"I understand. She is in a difficult place. RK see, she is right about moving on. But this time, I want you to be the one to decide. You should know what exactly you want to do."
"I cannot decide."
"You can", I held his hands. He looked at me.
"I don't want to ruin your life"
"How will you?"
"I cannot give you what you will deserve after marriage."
"Chheee! RK. You really think so low of me? The only thing I look for in a relationship is safety. I already told you? Other bonds will develop over time."
"You think so?"
"I know so! See, we are friends. Sort of!", I bit my lip. He nodded.
"Achcha. Tell me, how did Aunty come to the conclusion of asking my hand?"
"Since the day she saw you. When I went back from your birthday. She told me that in the 6 years, she found me different today. More real. So I told her about your party. Ever since, she had been dying to talk to you. And then I also told her how you reacted when you came to know of all that."
"I do make impressions." I chuckled. He looked at me, confused.
The boy entered with the bags. "Here's the stuff, Sir".
"Add the bill to my accounts"
"NO!", I protested and took out my wallet.
"It is fine!", RK said.
"AREY!", I shouted. The boy looked at me, "I'll pay. How much?". The boy handed over the bill. I took out the money, "Here.". The boy looked at RK. RK nodded. The boy took the money and went.
"You're stubborn", RK muttered.
"You haven't seen me. I PAY FOR MY EXPENSES", I emphasised hitting the table with my fingers.
"Shall we?", he stood up and opened the door. I took the bags and followed. The staff greeted us on our way back and soon we were back in my apartment. Everyone had taken tea and snacks.
"There you two are", Papa welcomed us. I handed the bags to Stacy and joined Papa and others.
"Madhu. I'll be glad to have you in our family", Radha Aunty spoke. I looked at Papa. He was smiling and hugging me.
"Thank you Aunty."
"RK. Now we want to know, do you really want this?", Papa asked him clutching me tightly, protectively. RK was silent. My heart started pounding. I clutched my father's arm tightly.
"I do, Sir", he replied.
"Keep my girl safe. RK", he held RK's shoulder.
"I will try to the best of my abilities to make sure that your daughter stays safe and happy", he looked at me as he emphasised on the word safe.
We sat and decided on the dates of the rituals. Next Sunday would be the best for the court marriage. We decided on having no other function. Both RK and me wanted to keep this confidential for a year or so. It would be difficult for both of us to blink and change our lives forever.
I'll upload Part B of this Chapter either tomorrow or on Saturday.PMs laters. Edited by Temptations. - 10 years ago
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