A 10000 Hits For You
I could not let this time pass without adding to Jhilly and Tessa huge milestone celebration. Jhilly for your wonderful unique way of entertaining us with your story with a cause. And Tessa, Queen of OS, for your wonderful creative stories and unwavering support with angry emoji which have me scared, đ and drive me to write for fear of retribution đ. Keep on sizzling !!!!!
ps: thanks Bee & Nikky for the check.
Here it is, just a short light story, I hope.
*
"10000???"
"10000???"
"Seriously 10000 hits?"
"Yes, yes and yes. How many times are you going to ask the same question", Yash said exasperated
"Wow", Aarti continues stunned
"Stop it and help me", Yash shook her a little to get her attention back
"And what do you want me to do?" She asks deadpan
"Be my fake fiance", he asks
"What!? Heck no", Aarti flat out refuses
"Aarti, please, please, you have to help me", Yash pleads
"Why, should I", Aarti annoyingly asks
"Because, ... you're my friend" ... he said
"..." silence
"Out of pity", he said again
"..." silence
"Because you are the best human being, caring, always willing to help", Yash attempts again
"Oh please, flattery will get you nowhere", she dismissed
"Aarti, if you don't help me I'll...I'll..."
"You'll what?"
"I'll tell Ma & Bauji about that party, you threw back then without permission and how the police end up involved; remember who took care of that FIR lodged by that asshole ex-boyfriend of yours at the time. It can always reappear, then will see if Aarti aura remain so spotless", he threatened
Aarti open her mouth in shock, "you wouldn't, you jackass"
"Try me!", he taunts
"Huh, you snake. I hate you", she shots back
"I am fine with that. So, you'll help me"
"Why do I need to be your fiance? I'll just tell Uncle & Aunty, how dumb and stupid their son was and that I have sort it out with Arpita. They trust me. It wouldn't be the first time I'll bail you out", Aarti said aggravated
Yash frown at the blatant insult, but then decides to let it be, for now, he had to focus on his goal, get Aarti to agree with his scheme, they will be time to retaliate for the insult, "that won't do, Bauji has been pursuing me to settle for a while now and with this scandal he has leverage this time; I won't be able to get out of it. At least with you once the dust settles we can come up with a story to explain our break up, they will be no clingy hurt woman. You'll still be their shinning almost bahu, anyway", he explains
"I don't like it; I won't lie to them. They have been very kind to me and treated me like their own child", Aarti said
"Yash sighs, "Aarti please. You are my best friend and I don't want to disappoint Ma and Bauji more than they are now. I am not as shallow as you seem to think, I made an honest mistake. Please?"
Aarti stares at him for a few seconds, "you don't play fair", she said finally
"So you'll help me", he asks again
"I am only doing this for Gayatri Aunty, she would be so ashamed of her son if she knew how he almost sold his body for an online auction"
"For the last time I did not, I thought it was for a good cause, raising money for the Orphanage foundation renovation"
Aarti rolls her eyes, "right, since when did the foundation money get collected like that. Admit that you couldn't resist another challenge, you self-centered @ss and thought you could come up on top without damage or publicity"
"That's not true, it's that ...that Arpita, she tricked me, wait till I get my hand on her, I'll ring her neck", Yash said furious
"Don't blame her, it's your fault, who was smitten like a puppy because she wore a slim body revealing dress and let himself be dragged in that event blindly. Seriously, where was your brain?""Well, she looks smoking in it, but that is beside the point, I will not marry her. How was I to know that it was a contest to trap guys. The day is still to come until Yash SP Scindhia is trapped by one of the money grabbing women"
"Says the corner man, begging for help now", Aarti mocks
"Aarti!!" he shouts
"What", she replies annoyingly
"Oh, you drive me crazy; how are we friend again"
"Do continue like that and I can back out of this deal, you idiot"
"Ok, ok. So, we'll tell my parents that we are engaged and wanted to surprise them and so on... and the article was just the lame joke of some journalist because he did not get the firsthand exclusive news of our engagement. And Arpita will turn her eyes on someone else; see killing three birds in one", he finishes self-satisfying.
"Oh, you so owe me and trust me, you'll pay", Aarti threatened deadly
Yash shuddered, knowing his headstrong takes no prisoner best gal character; he had a second hesitation, but then thought, hey, what the heck his parents will be happy, he will be out of the dog house and well, Aarti, is ... oh no don't go there.., as soon as this fire his extinct they'll just go back to partners in misdeed as usual
*
"Ma, Bauji, how are you", Yash greets
SP look at him severely, "so that is what you are worth now, 10000 lakhs or is that 1 crores or how did they say it, 10000 hits for a shotgun secret engagement", SP furiously announced
"Bauji, please, it was all a mistake ", Yash starts to explain
"A mistake!!! Gayatri, do you see. You have indulged him and now look at him ridicule my name in the news because your son got himself sold in an auction, AN AUCTION..!!!.", SP angrily shouts
"Don't Gayatri me. You raised him; put these: you're the best my son', narcissist thoughts in his head and now you want to blame me", Gayatri replies with the same tone
"You were supposed to control him; aren't you his mother ", SP reacts on the defensive
"So what, did Prateek or Pankaj ever got into shameful situations, no because I was not countered every time I took a sound decision with them. Now deal with this", Gayatri shots back
Aarti was secretly smiling, at Gayatri aunty riling up SP uncle. It's true that Yash was spoiled, not in a bad way, but sometimes the aura of Scindhia name was inflating his head. Then she heard his soft voice 'continue to mock me and you'll get yours too', Yash whispered in Aarti ear, seeing her face
"YASH, what do you have to say for yourself", SP called
"Bauji please I am sorry; I didn't mean to put the family in the spotlight like that. I swear. I'll do anything you want to remedy the situation "
"Glad to hear that, son. Tomorrow we'll announce your weeding and you will give a proper interview to more serous channels and papers. You've been avoiding this for absurd reasons. Now you have no say in this. I'll call Khanna and send a request for his daughter"
"But...", Yash started
"No, but you are getting married even if I have to drag you myself", Bauji orders with finality
"That's what I wanted to say Bauji. I asked Aarti to marry me and she agreed. Isn't it great", he smiles
"!?!?"
"Yash, are you using her", Gayatri suddenly came at him furious to which Yash took a step back
"Ma!!!?"
"If you are playing with Aarti, I swear I'll rip your throat. I bore you I can take you out too. Now tell the truth", she threatens
Yash, having never seen his mother so furious with a deadly kind of look took another step back and said "I...I..I love her Ma", to which Aarti look flabbergasted.
"Since when?", Gayatri asks suspiciously
"Since forever. She was just too stubborn to see it", Yash answers
"SHE is standing here and don't blame me for your nonsense behavior over the years"
"You are too damn independent and getting your attention was like pulling a tooth out of a tiger, not to mentioned getting through the endless stupid idiots you call boyfriends""Boyfriends!!! Me!!! Are you projecting. I was not the one parading around with every vapid woman around", Aarti shots back
"They were not vapid, just clingy", he shot back
"Right, potaitoes, potatoes. You're such a cad, and arrogant, and... "
"It was your fault; I keep asking you out and you always refused"
"Of course I did, you just wanted to make them jealous! Are you now blaming me for your behavior"?
"I do", he said daring her
"You coward; that such a man thing to do. Who was playing Casanova all these years and finally almost go trap by one of his conquest"
"And who was supposed to have my back", he shots back
SP and Gayatri were eyeing each other's refraining from laughing at the two silly adults fighting like children.
Since they were kids Gayatri wanted to married them, but knowing their stubbornness, the direct approach would have backfired on them so they waited until they grew up to see how the relationship would evolve instead of declaring them tied too early. Still that didn't prevent Gayatri for having them interact as much as possible whenever she could. She felt so drawn to the shy, lonely girl she met at the orphanage. She and SP has created a special scholarship for kids who stayed behind, not all were lucky to be adopted especially the older kids. Gayatri and Aarti had developed a special bond and over the years she became a fixture of the Scindia household and in Yash life. Then came the time to get things moving to the next phase of their lives.Flashback
6 months ago, Gayatri and Aarti sitting in the living room having tchai
"Aarti, time to get your man and settle", Gayatri said
"Aunty!!!"
"Don't Aunty me, I am your Ma, always have been even if I have not borne you; you know what I mean. I can't wait for him to continue flaunting these women anymore. He need to settle and become the complete man he need to be and only you can do it"
"But Aunty, I mean Ma "
"No but, Aarti. Tell me you don't love him and this discussion will be over ", Gayatri demands
"I...I.. do", Aarti whispers
"So what are you waiting for?"
"What if he doesn't love me", Aarti asks unsure
"Aarti you know better", Gayatri knowingly said
"But why me, why couldn't he take that step"
"Aarti!!"
"Ok, Ma", Aarti relents understanding that further protests or procrastinating won't do.
"Good. Now get on with it and I want you both married by next season"
"Right, no pressure, Ma", she said, stopping herself from rolling her eyes in front of Gayatri.
Gayatri laughs softly, "Aarti as a woman we have to do what need to be done. I love my son dearly, but he can be so stubborn and determine to stay on the wrong path just to prove a point. You are the only one who can tame and guide him through life, but more importantly love him for him"
Aarti eyes, tears; she went to hug this woman who has been a mother to her through her life. Whenever she felt lonely or hurt, she would take comfort in Gayatri warm embrace, whenever she would accomplish anything, she would call Gayatri Ma who will always encourage and prayed for her well being too. How could she deny her, "Ma, I may have to expose him, for this to work ", she simply said
"I count on it, my child", Gayatri said patting her back
"And Bauji.."
"Will be all the more pleased"
End of Flashback
Refocusing on the two arguing young people, "so children, its settle then. We can call pundit ji to look at your chart and set the date", Gayatri intervenes
"Huh, I guess, ok Ma!!" Yash said
"This is not over, Aarti whispers
"Doesn't matter, they are happy with me and I can get out of the dog house, then freedom again", he whispered smirking
*
Weeding night
They did actually end up married. It all started with the preparation that took a life on his own and then Aarti disappearing act, apparently so busy with his Ma and soon the day arrived. While this was happening on one side, he was acting the happy future married man, going out with friends, making sure that gossipers see him, going at his bachelor party and actually starting to think that this was normal outcome. Then the tying of heart day, saat phere, seven tours around the fire, the various rituals, send off by smiling parents, friends and extended family.
And now, two individuals were apprehensively standing in their room, slightly nervous.
"So here we are," Yash finally said
"Here we are", Aarti repeat
Yash move toward the bathroom out of habit, then stopped, "do you want to undress, here, I mean, do you need help, or you can use the bathroom first", Yash stammers unable to comprehend his agitation. This was Aarti, no this was his Aarti.
"No no go ahead, it's your domain, I mean room no ..it's fine go ahead ", Aarti nervously replied.
Geez for two people used to each other and close since forever, they suddenly find themselves paralyzed with nerves, loss of coherent thoughts even trembling a little.
It suddenly down on them that they are about to enter into a bond. True, they walk around the fire, but things did not seem as real as this single, silent moment. Yash was used to charm the pants off women, but now this one was precious, hence his hesitates stance, he knew that he didn't want to come off as shallow or inconsiderate or less in her eyes. He went from childhood games to teenage crush to adult love buried under ton of tease and fake carelessness and would have continued like that since he didn't think she will ever take him seriously. But now, here in his room decorated with flowers he was mesmerized by her bright eyes, lush' lips, slender body, long hair. All the deep feelings were coming back in a rush and for a nanosecond his breath cut... Ah Love! He feels.
Aarti was wondering what was going through his head, but more to the point, what has suddenly gotten into her, after all she did want this, it all looked so simple.
Tired of waiting for Mr. clueless, check
Put a plan to trap said Mr. clueless, check
Make it feel like Mr. clueless idea, check
Put on a show of reluctance, check
Get parents' approval, easy and already check beforehand
Get married, big check
And live happily ever after, or tried to, and that when the last check was not so sure.
What if he gets furious at her confession and bailed out in anger; the man was known to be quick to judge sometimes, but then he went through the weeding, that should mean something, right. What if he does not actually love her like she though, what if.. aaahh' Aarti scream in her head, hands wriggling. stop it Aarti, you've come this far now is not the time to chicken out'. She took a breath and start getting close to him and kissed him with a slight tremor. Yash stood still for a few second, then felt her warm hands on his face, he slowly reaches her shoulders to bring her closer to him while deepening the kiss. He felt so good and wanting to last forever if not for the need to come up for air. They stared at each other and without words fell into the rhythm of lover coming together attune to each other needs and blissful passionate embrace.
Some time later
"I love you, Aarti", Yash confesses
"Really, you do", Aarti said
"Yes, I do", he confirms
"I didn't think I would ever hear these words from you", Aarti replies
"You didn't seem interested", Yash said
"Don't. Admit that you didn't get the courage to take the hard path; it was easier to go after those that were falling in your arms", Aarti said a little hurt
"I am sorry", he concedes
"It's ok, we needed to live our own experience to appreciate this moment"
"My wife the voice of wisdom", he teases
"Hum.."
"You did not say it back", he said
Aarti shot her head up and look into his eyes, then starts confessing her plan, fake auction, accomplice journalist friends, help from Arpita, Gayatri Ma approval to push his button, and wait for the sentence.
Yash jump off the bed, "unbelievable, unbelievable", pacing back and forth
"Yash, please don't be mad", Aarti asks, knowing his ego was more hurt than really being angry
"You are such a scheming, headstrong princess, you had to get your way as usual", Yash roared
Aarti furious, "you are so arrogant, stubborn and self-absorb, I had to resort to scheming to get the man of my dream. Yes, I am not ashamed, nor above going after what I want. Why, I ask myself couldn't I fall for a normal, easy guy. Huh. No Aarti Dubey, strong, cynical, swear never to ruin the precious friendship with her best friend had to admit that she fell hook line and sinker with him. And after years of stepping aside could no longer denied her love and decide to grab her happiness, hoping that she was not making the biggest mistakes", she finishes in a small voice hugging herself in comfort.
"Really?", she heard after a moment
"What really", she asks confused
"You love me so much?"
"Haven't I been saying that; do you think I went to all this planning for simple like or to get my way, I am not the shallow one"
"Shallow!!! I have pursued you since we were teenagers, do you think keeping that snake of yours was fun. And wearing that, .. that awful, humiliating disguise because Miss Aarti had to fulfill some nonsense dream for the year end ball; and the protection against those hooligan, groups of idiots..."
"Yash", Aarti called smiling
"What !?" he yells
"Come here ", she whispered
"What", he pouts but still coming closer
She put her hands in his face," I love you so much"
"Proves it", he replies
"Ok, jaan, you've earned it", and she pushes him back on the bed and got on top of him to show him how much she cherishes him
*
Gayatri & SP room
"You think we'll survive the first few months of their marriage", SP asks
"Doesn't matter, they are married and stuck with each other so they'll have to sort it out", Gayatri said in a satisfying tone, "couldn't stand each other, yet couldn't do without one another", Gayatri smiles
"Remember when they were kids and Rahul tried to woo her", SP said
"Poor child, Yash did a number on him, I had to pacify his mother and punish Yash strongly or she would have taken serious offense. We're lucky she decides to account it to children being children.
"I have to admit out of all my children he has been giving me early grey hairs", SP remarks
"Don't blame my child, you are getting old", Gayatri said deadpan
"Thank you my wife," he replies dejected
"But I am still here haina, ...", Gayatri smiles
"Yes, I know and I appreciate all that you have done and sacrificed for me", SP said
"It was no sacrifice, we have a good life, behaved children, nice bahus, wonderful grandchildren, more soon to come, and as soon as Prateek settles ", Gayatri said
"Oh, don't start, leave the boy to leave a little." SP pleads
"Oh, it wouldn't be entirely up to me, he has his eyes on someone, just hasn't gotten around to woe her properly"
"Don't you have better things to take care off for now. You just finish organizing Yash and Aarti weeding"
"And where would that have gotten us, if I didn't set my boys straight...huh"
"Ok, ok. I give up. Come to bed"
Gayatri simply smiles joining her husband
*
"Yash"
"Hum, are we ok", Aarti softly asks
"Yes, we are but what you did was so risky; what if I had said yes to Arpita proposal, she was a catch", he taunts
"Let's just say you are lucky it wasn't in the card", Aarti said
"Are you going to play with our kids lives too", he asks
"You want children?" Aarti asks even more smitten
Yash eyed her in amazement, "are you ok; aren't we married, isn't it part of the deal"
"Well, I couldn't be so sure, after all... you never spoke about it ...always gallivanting around like you prefers the bachelor life to the married one"
"You are unbelievable, you planned all this and you aren't sure; what if I was against it, I could have you know, Pankaj and Prateek can produce the next Scindia generation. What if ,..."
"So how many, do you want", Aarti cuts him
"How many, can you carry", he said without losing a beat
"Ugh, no way, two or three top is fine", she said
Yash smiles, finally feeling like he had the upper hand, who knows how many times will it happen during their marriage; he grew serious and said, "so I have no say in this, you decide the relationship, weeding, kids. What am I, chopped liver"?"
Aarti hesitantly, "Yash.. hum, it's not that. But I have a career too"
"And", he asks solemnly
"And I want to continue to work", she said
"In that case, darling you played with the wrong man, in the Scindhia family women don't work, they stay home, cook and take care of the house and men"
Aarti gulps unable to believe her ears, where did this came from, that was not the feeling she got from the Scindhia all these years, Vidhi, just wanted to stay at home and manage her multiple hobbies and foundation for kids in needs, Ma was busy with community demands. Aarti was getting anxious...'oh no no no..that won't do and if Mr. Arrogant think I'll abide to this then divorce it is. Too bad if my heart will break into a million pieces after that"; she regains her composure and firmly start to rip into him, when she saw his lips twist then he couldn't stop and broke into a hearty full laugh.
"You were playing me", she shrieksYash still laughing hard, "I.. hiccup, couldn't resist...so easy... hiccup, you should have seen your face...and continue to laugh until his stomach hurt and a few tears dropped."
"You scoundrel", she sulks
"Oh come on, I owe you a revenge for the play you did on me", he pacified her
"Ok, ok, I concede you...this one"
Sobering up, Yash said, "Aarti, do I look like a 18e century man, and anyway I wouldn't want to change you. You are perfect as his and I want a happy wife not a frustrated one. You, working is not an issue. And we'll have 4 four kids, two of each"
Aarti smile moved, "like you can command it"
He smiles tenderly, "I will, you'll see"
"Then I look forward to that", she softly replies. "Now shut up you still have 9996 ways to show me how much you love me and I intend to collect", Aarti orders lovingly
"Alright my torturer. Here is number five and more hits to come, my love"
And they lived happy, well.. in between fights and thousands of contests
The End
Sorry for spellings and grammar mistakes
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