Marriage For Convenience (completed)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

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“Pari how’d you like the idea of the speaker of the seminar you attended with Raj?” my dad asked as Pari was serving another helping of dinner.

A certain light of twinkle engulfed her “It was amazing. Dr Machintosh is a proficient in the field and knows well.” She finished elated.

Mac, mac in to shoe I was trying to learn and spell his name hopeful that I might remember and not goof up with MacBook or Mac Donald’s

“Did he mention anything in the line of bringing those new, sophisticated and helpful machineries in India?”

My father asked again.

“Yeah he did and that is amazing, it will help a lot of patients and again mostly the fatalities due to delays in treatment could be avoided,” she explained easily.

“Do you know who is financing him?” my father asked again

Clueless Pari denied easily “must be some hotshot, needs lots of investment.”

A proud smirk engulfed my dad’s face “its me and I am planning to invest in Hospitals, not as a source of income though but to help mankind and the profits from the project will be directed towards further enhancement of the hospitals, new advanced technologies to be introduced and so on.

“That will further help raise the stock of our company,” I added proud of my dad’s sense of business.

“Yeah that would be an add on but I want to open a hospital for Pari to manage and take care when she is done with her studies.” My dad said with same enthusiasm that he had when he enrolled me for Management University in US.

I would certainly second at that one by my father. Of all the others I’d prefer Pari doing it. I have seen her honesty and passion for the same in her eyes.

And that way I do not have to worry about her wellbeing even after the two-year tenure of our contract is over.

My heart constricting at the thought!

It is going to be tough departing her from family and me.

My inner doing a bemused dance at the idea like a child being promised his favorite toy next day.

Silly jerk!

As if taken aback Pari almost yelled with a quick dose of respect to her speech “I do not deserve all that. I need to study a lot before taking up such a thing. Please no. umm..”

“Papa. You call me papa and no daughter should turn down her father like this.” My dad said with authoritative and loving anger that only a father could hold.

“It is a big responsibility Papa” Pari said panic struck “my qualifications..”

“You don’t have to worry about that child I will arrange for higher studies for you abroad.”

‘Really you’ll let me study further” hope indignant in her eyes “I have already filled in forms for scholarship. I intend to do higher studies if circumstances” her tone full of uncertainty “allow”

“Why do circumstances have a say in what you want to do? You’ll be going abroad for higher studies and I’ll be sponsoring you.” My dad said easily.

“But I cant. I wont” Pari’s voice was quivering now making me wonder about her lack of happiness for such a big opportunity that she was blessed with.

“I cannot take any other liberties from you.” Pari said almost sobbing.

“Don’t act like a spoilt kid. I will be sponsoring you and you WILL study till the extremes and there is no room for argument in this” he finished a little loud obviously disappointed at Pari’s lack of enthusiasm.

If Pari was speaking in a sobbed voice earlier, she was full on sobbing as she retrieved back to her room avoiding any further discussions.

“Raj I think” my dad put his hand on my shoulders staring at the closed door of the room “She misses her family. Take her to visit them soon”.

“Yes” my gran ma piped in “The pag fera ritual when you drop her to her maternal home in the morning and pick her by evening is also due. You should take her to meet her parents soon.”

“I have some important business meets to take care of this week, I’ll see what I can do.” I dodge the whole traveling with her for now

Yay!!!

My inner was ready cursing me on his toes ‘mean’ he mouthed and all I could do was show him my middle finger ‘take that’

He almost cried at that complaining about the lack of action he was getting in the regards and have to do with the same

Too bad I had to agree to him with the same*pouts*

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“You sit, you done enough” my mom almost pushed Pari into the chair on the dining table snatching the vessel that she was serving from.

“I am good” Pari argued 

‘No you cooking since you returned college. Eat now” my mom pushed a plate in front of her.

“No I’ll feed others and then eat.” Pari insisted.

“Why?” my gran ma scrunched her nose at her verdict.

“Cooking ethics” I piped in “chef shouldn’t eat before feeding others,” I laughed at it.

“Huh” my mom’s mouth went open as she gasped “what is this?”

“She believes that” I said as I had a spoonful of the amazing Thai curry that Pari had cooked.

“Rubbish! Sit down Pari. You’ll eat first. You must be starving.” My gran ma ordered.

“I’ll eat later” Pari was almost on the verge of crying as if she was about to commit a murder

“I swear I wont eat if you are not eating now. I’ll starve all the night”, my mom warned. “How can a mom eat without feeding her children”

“That’s maternal ethic” I chimed in again, sorry couldn’t help.

Pari was full blown and ran from the dining hall towards the bedroom 

My mom looked warily at her retreating figure, then at me later at gran ma waiting for her another sarcastic comment how she’d goofed up.

After staring endlessly at three of us when there was no outcome my mom simply sighed and sat on her seat clueless.

“You should take her to her maternal home tomorrow,” my Granma said and I knew it was an order without any second consideration.

I’ll have to do it!

It was my time to sigh now.

As if certain lightening struck her, my mom almost clicked her fingers;  I could see the bulb lightening on the top of her head like they show in comic series my mom said with the same enthusiasm that Archimedes might have shouted Eureka! Eureka! Mom stated “she misses her mom” and her face dropped saddening for the part that she was actually upset.

My innocent mother!

My mother dished out some food in a platter and handed over me to be taken to the room for Pari.

Pari lunged on the food just like a monkey who first stares at the food as if it is his target and then pounces all of a sudden scared that he might miss the target and fills it in his mouth in one go.

Yeah I am not exaggerating.

She actually did it

You can however kill me for comparing a beauty like hers to a monkey 

But with red puffed eyes, her hair out of face and a tail oops! Plaid of her hair hanging behind

Not to forget the nude colored dress that she is wearing

My inner laughing and coiling on the floor at her choice of dress, his attempt to glare at me and scold me for doing such a comparison failing miserably as he couldn’t stop laughing.

“Why are you staring?” she snapped and then composed herself feeling embarrassed all of a sudden “I am starving.” She excused.

“No problem” I laughed finally in open and walked out before informing “You are missing classes tomorrow. I am taking you to Mathura, your home town to meet your family.”

If she was squealing happily overwhelmed with joy of meeting her dear ones I did not notice because I walked away.

I had to 

My inner arguing longing to see one smile of hers

But I was adamant; I had to finish work that was scheduled for tomorrow.

It was urgent but Pari’s happiness is more important.

And my gran ma’s verdict

Even the president of the country does not have in him to deny her command.

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I thought she’d be dressed in one of the best outfits and smiling from ear to ear, jumping on her feet, fiddling with her veil not able contain her happiness that she was meeting her family after a long time.

But Pari appeared as if she woke from the wrong side of bed.

Actually she is always waking up half on the bed half on the floor that she manages to reach from the couch due to cold.

I am not heartless

I do not switch on the conditioning

It’s the change of weather

Winters are approaching and she like the stubborn b**ch she is doesn’t swap the couch with beds and is always half on the floor, half on the bed.

“Pari I promise I wont bite if you sleep on the bed.” I once said sincerely.

“I know” she stated easily, “you are not a dog”

my inner ready with a dog collar and a chain for me to wear.

How I wish I could strangle him with same.

“Then?” I managed to ask even though the curse was still challenging my weak temper.

My question was left unanswered as she shrugged and walked away ignoring me.

Too bad for her 

Too good for me I get the whole bed yay!

“You okay?” my mom asked Pari.

So it wasn’t me alone who noticed her indifference.

She simply smiled halfheartedly.

“Take this,” my mom offered Pari a bag  “a small goodie bag for your baby sister”

“No I cannot take this.” Pari out rightly denied, “We had already agreed upon no exchange of gifts”

“That was when you were their daughter, now you are ours, part of our family” my gran ma explained.

“Your daughter, your family?” Pari murmured so softly that only I could hear.

“I still cannot take this mom. Lets not start it.” She said, her voice giving up her inner emotions.

“Pari are you really feeling well?” my gran ma asked now. “Where has my chirpy Pari whose smiles lit up the whole house disappeared?”

Pari looked at me as if seeking permission.

My inner hitting his forehead cursing at me.

She leaned on her laps “Just not feeling well gran ma but I’ll be fine. Thanks for everything.”

My gran ma hit her playfully on her forehead “Why. You are not going forever. Silly”

“But I do not want to exchange pleasantries in any way.” Pari insisted.

“Okay, don’t get worked up upon it.” My gran ma finally gave in.

Oh my freaking God!!!! I just had a heart attack

Pari, Parijaat is a witch!!!

My inner stood mouth-hanging open, wide-eyed staring at me as if I had gone nuts

Pari has indeed bewitched my gran ma.

She knows black magic for sure

No one, NO ONE in this freaking world can make my gran ma give up her antics and here Pari does it gracefully.

My inner circling his finger on the side of his forehead; an indication that I have gone crazy.

Disclaimer: I am not! 

But Pari will definitely make me crazy one day.

‘Crazy in love’ my inner mouthed but I pushed his words ignoring that he was simply mocking

But why cannot I ignore him like always???

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The ride in the car was silent.

Even though I was pushing off the speed limits the graceful lady with colorful tongue kept silent 

Sometimes I purposely pressed on the brakes all of a sudden but Miss Pari aka Mrs. Convenient Malhotra didn’t utter a word.

I checked twice if she was still sitting on the passenger seat.

Had her bangles not been crinkling with her thumb making circular patterns on the back of her palm I would have felt that she was dead, I might have stretched my finger horizontally below her nose for confirmation.

I wonder what is bothering her so much

Or probably she is PMSing

She told gran ma she was unwell

So that’s the only illness a girl can have right when they look so perfectly normal outside.

“Pari” I called trying to break the silence.

“Huh” she snapped out of her thoughts bewildered as if awakened from a terrible nightmare.

I wonder what was upsetting her so much.

“What were you talking about” I tried to start some conversation even if it was an argument probably she’d feel better than she was feeling now

But what do I ask?  “Seven wows you took?” I finished.

My inner slapping me for my smart/not so smart communication skills.

‘Told you go for HR management’ he scolded.

“Umm. That” she scrunched her eyebrows obviously trying to avoid the conversation and just like her prayers being answered her irritating black box of a phone rang with its shrilling voice.

I managed to peep in to the caller id it was the infamous “Sandy”

My inner gritted his teeth seeing his name on the screen.

She chuckled as she answered with a muted ‘hmm. Hmm,” on the phone smiling all the while.

Where has the frowning Pari disappeared?

“Sandy you won’t die if you do not see me one day.” She laughed muttering a “drama queen” remark at him

“No I have already mailed you the submissions so Mr. Naail will not abuse you physically and don’t worry you won’t turn into a gay.” She laughed at another sarcastic comment passed by him.

“Sandy are you sure you wont be spotted talking on the mobile?” she asked still smiling.

Another comment passed something in the line of some snake like teachers pouncing on its prey.

Yes I overheard it

I was intrigued okay

She was silent since morning

I had to know what he was saying that made her laugh.

I don’t care if you call me jealous

Because I am not

“Suit yourself’ my inner mouthed and I gave him a death glare to leave me alone and let me  focus on the road

She was still smiling even though the phone was switched off minutes ago.

“Charming fellow” I couldn’t help but comment.

“Who?,” she asked innocent.

Innocent my foot, she was blushing, laughing and enjoying talking to him.

‘And not arguing like you two.’ my irritating inner voice was back again.

“The caller” I gesticulated towards her phone that she was still holding tight in her hands.

“Yes he has a lot of female fan following poor chap. And an amazing sense of humor” she added.

“You too follow him?” I asked casually.

“What?” she almost shouted.

Yes I would look like an obsessive husband, convenient husband

So I corrected myself

“I mean on effbee or stagram.”

“No I ain’t part of any social media. I do not follow anybody.” She said easily, her gloominess long gone.

“Really?” I put the car to an immediate stop.

“What year were you born?” I asked.

“86. Why what happened?’ she looked around wondering why I put the car to a sudden halt.

“You do not have an effbee account? Are you insane?” I mocked.

“Many people from Mathura don’t even know what effbee and stagram are.” She stated as if matter of fact “and it is no big deal. I otherwise do not have nay friends so doesn’t matter..” she shrugged her shoulders 

“really “ I shouted “I am married to a social nerd” I mocked 

“You know the actor Daniel Radcliff From Harry potter too doesn’t have any social media account. He believes in privacy and says privacy and social websites don’t go hand in hand.”

“Why don’t you have any friends?” I asked. I wanted to ask this since forever instead I wanted to ask her ‘why are you so afraid of making friends?’ 

She stalled for awhile trying to avoid the answer for she bit inner of her cheeks, her eyes wondered from side window to wind screen  and when she noticed I was still expecting an answer she took a deep sigh probably remembering something weird something dark and said “I wasn’t allowed to.” 

She then stretched to play the music from the stereo kind of indicating that she did not want to speak further.

Respecting her personal space I let her be.

“Here we are” I shouted happy that finally we reached.

She failed to match my enthusiasm and rather had a glum expression on her face

Was coming here bothering her all this while?

“Yeah. Okay. I guess. I should leave” she unlocked the door and walked out.

I waited expectantly for her to invite me in to offer some tea or coffee.

No I am not nosy

I had been driving 4 hours straight.

I wanted to stretch my feet

But this girl here is just a selfish b*** 

Probably eager to meet her family she’d forgotten her basic manners.

Anyways planning on to take a small break at the gas station and relax at the place with a cup of mocha I put the sedan on gear and drove off.

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“Haaaash!!!!” I relaxed or probably overreacted with my relaxation that the devil was finally gone.

But I am cursed

Honestly cursed

And no I am not overreacting

Because howsoever I try to avoid that beauty of a b***h she still has silently promised to haunt my life.

The shrilling ring of her mobile broke the peaceful and eerie silence that I was enjoying.

 And guess who the infamous caller was?

No prizes to guess that it was the extension of a devil ‘Sandy aka Sandeep’ her non-acclaimed friend yet best no no good friend.

‘You are sounding jealous’ my inner was back with his sarcastic comment but I flickered my thumb and pointer flickering him away who flew like a blown balloon left in the air without filling it completely.

Deserves so!

I rejected the call and helplessly took the road back to Mathura to return her mobile and handbag that she’d left in the car

Absent minded!

Oh s**t! What if it is a habit?

Would she leave her scissors and other equipment in the body of patient during surgery?

What kind of a doctor would she be?

If she’d work in dad’s hospitals, the patient might sue us.

Our reputation will be spoiled

Our stocks in share markets would decline

Our business will be ruined

Our reputation would be spoilt

Oh no no no…..

Over dramatic! I know I know 

Can you blame me?

I have to drive miles back to return her the same

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“Pari” I shouted. The sight in front of me was not the one I expected.

I expected her to be giggling and chatting happily with her mother and sister sipping a hot cup of tea or coffee perhaps bitching about me and my mother whatsoever

I honestly do not mind that 

Isn’t a bit of gossip between in laws healthy?

But instead I stand blaring red my hand extended blocking Pari’s mom’s hand stopping her to slap on Pari’s face.

Which mother in right phase of mind would abuse her daughter when she returns for first time after her wedding?

Pari staring between her mom and me, her eyes red and puffy full of fear, tears flowing freely on her milky white cheeks, her expression more of shock with hint of embarrassment for me to witness what I was seeing.

“You… left” her mother stated after a long silence as she managed to rescue her abusing hand from my grasp.

“Me.. Pari..” her mom tried to phrase some words.

“In the car Pari” I cut her mom commanding Pari.

“No she is supposed to spend her day.” Her mom like a sweet angel said “I was simply asking her to deliver the delicacies that I had cooked specially for Pari” her voice coated in fake sugar “to her uncle and she was denying. Perhaps she wants to meet her father.”

While Pari had look of disbelief in her eyes, her mom’s wavering of voice and movement of pupils everywhere an indication that she was lying raged me further

“Pari I said NOW.” I barked making her mother squirm while she sprinted out of the door away as if the house was nothing less than twin tower that was attacked by terrorists.

Ignoring the made up excuses of her mother and sister that she was overreacting and they weren’t abusing and silly humdrums I too rushed out of the house following her to the car.

Once in the car I found her sobbing bitterly.

“I am sorry” I muttered

‘Why are you sorry?” she asked confused.

“I was not supposed to encounter.” I shrugged.

“Why?” I asked “ a mother should be on seventh heaven when her daughter returns first time after her marriage?” I couldn’t help but ask I was so bothered about the same.

“She is my step mother.” She said and kept on crying ignoring my presence and I kept on fidgeting wondering how to calm her down.

“Want to see your dad?” I asked expecting her to light up a little. He loved her for sure.

But her reply was again terrifying “NO” she yelled and not able to contain her any more “why did you get me here? WHY?”

“Sorry” I muttered “you cried when dad gave you the biggest offer any medical student would dream of, I felt you missed your dad, he would be so proud when he learns that you will be handling the whole hospital that you’ll be studying from abroad.”

“No he wont” her speech a combination of pain and anger “He would never like that. 

He never wanted me to study” her tears still continued to stream down her pretty yet tattered face.

Restless I was wandering how to ease her pain, how to stop her from crying when the familiar shrill of tone grasped my attention.

For the first time in the day the noise of her ringtone and the id on the screen made me sigh in relief.

He can make her smile!I thought internally as I handed her mobile that she had left in the car.

She took the phone from my hands and answered disappointing me that the guy could be a better person to handle her sorrows and problems.

I listened to her conversation positively that he could finally help her be normal again.

But the words erupting from her mouth made me gape at her in shock “Sandeep please I am occupied at the moment. Please will call you later” and she pressed the red button of her phone.

“Pari can I..” I paused making sure if she was listening “Please may I… I hug you if it will make you feel any better?” she moved a little closer to me.

Though it was far from a hug but I still wrapped my hands around her shoulders and her sobbing stopped.

Her phone buzzed again. This time I myself pressed the end button feeling glad that she trusted me more than the charming guy 

My inner smiling and rejoicing at the thought