Marriage For Convenience (completed)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“You take the bed. I’ll take the couch,” I said easily as I pushed the pillow towards her.

She struggled between the crinkling of her bangles and the balance of her shimmering veil yet managed to get a good catch of the stuffed thing without falling down.

“Its okay” she bit her lip eyeing the entire room lost in her thoughts “I’ll take the couch. I don’t want to be your charity case.”

“Where did the charity come from?” I rolled my eyes at her  “This place is new for you so I am trying to give you a little comfort so you may sleep well”

“Talk about comfort” she said angrily as she closed her eyes with the back of her palm “Don’t you have bathrooms?”

“Hey you didn’t say that when I was removing the kurta? What’s wrong with the bottoms?” I retrieved back to her.

 I knew she was ogling me and my six pack abs while I removed my most uncomfortable upper.

But I didn’t mind that

Why would I, I love boosting my ego and again this is a little payback by the heavens for the immense workout that I do that girls cannot help but drool over me.

Did I smirk at my inner who stood speechless at the fact?

“I thought, I “ she stuttered “Never mind I am telling you now, no stripping in the room.” She commanded.

“I thought you were worried about my comfort?” I raised an eyebrow.

“There is difference between shamelessness and comfort.” she threw her hands in the air, her red and white bangles crinkling with the act.

Then I observed her heavy attire, the huge head gear that she was still carrying on her head, now that her veil was dangling on her shoulders than her head, the huge embroidered skirt that was longer than her, cascaded as she was moving around the room not sure of how and what to do confused and disturbed.

‘Raj is also ogling’ my inner jumped up and down clapping like a little kid who caught his mom eating a cookie ‘Raj is also ogling’ he repeated only stopping after a death glare by me

 “You can also change here,” I offered.

“What?” she shrieked a little louder than expected widening her eyes shocked at my colloquy

Oops!!! Words malfunctioning I hit my own self imaginarily.

“No I meant if you want to change I can give you some space.” I offered 

And my inner stood fanning me with a red kerchief lovingly that I was safe and a better person indeed.

Not that I’d mind peeping her assets 

But my mom brought me up better than this.

She visibly relaxed rolling her tongue inside her cheeks as she stared around.

“Need some help?” I asked.

“What NO” she shrinked herself to the wall and I could really feel her heart beating at the offer.

“No no that came wrong again.” I corrected

Damn these double meaning x-rated questions

But the look on her face

Priceless!!!

 “You need something.” I asked sober.

Now I cannot be that mean. Can I?

She squirmed, remained quiet and closed her eyes as if meditating and she opened them again, her darks seemed to be more inquisitive “Raj” she spoke.

“Yes” I folded my hands like I am a saint.

Trying to be helpful you see.

“I.. my.. bags are not around.” She paused as she swallowed the spit in her throat obviously scared.

‘Jerk you scared her’ my inner scolded and I held my face down. I knew he was right.

As if reading the thoughts, his chest broadened twice its size as he said ‘I am always right’ shuffling his front hair landing on my I mean our forehead.

 Well forget that

Both he and me are one and same

“Your bags?” I looked around searching for them “Nopes not around.” I stated the fact

“Dumbass”

 Ignore this was a taunt by my inner.

“I want to change,” she mumbled “This net is biting me,” she said obviously hurt with the twitching of the biting threads

How do I know?

Because I was wearing the same stupid jardozi embroidery on my kurta

The first thing I did as I entered my room was remove the damn piece of fabric.

“Do you mind borrowing my clothes?” I offered.

You can gladly bend on my feet because I AM acting like an angel.

“Your clothes?” she was deliberating in her head when she could no longer take the itching and started gracefully scratching the back of her deep neck top.

Now it is illegal to stare at the milky white bare back that was adorned with strings and pearls cascading down the shirt that she wore.

So I am doing justice if I am staring.

“Okay?” I asked getting back to my saint self

“okay” she replied

And no I did not watch Fault in our stars twice.

I bit my lips 

Caught me

Actually I did

But remember Don’t…

TELL SAM my inner finished and I grimaced. This was first time in the day I was remembering her and I did not miss her last few days..

No second thoughts guys

I was busy in Big Fat Indian Wedding. You know how gruesome it is.

My inner nodded sarcastically supporting me though he did not agree to me.

I opened my cupboard to help her with one of my tees and tracks, I remember my mom bought it for me for I had 36waist but ironically she picked it form girls section ‘her explanation the leather side loops looked very masculine and macost [machoist in correct English]

So like usual I dumped them here in my cupboard.

As I open my cupboard to add another good deed of the day

‘Sharing clothes is a good thing’ don’t judge.

“Holy f##king, mother of all the cow s**t” I gasped “s**t s**t s**t”

I am sure you are eager to know why I am being so dramatic

Because my cupboard had changed its colors, not form outside, INSIDE

My Armani’s, my Calvin’s, Lee coopers, Austin and all the leading brands were gone, disappeared, extinct, absent, flown, vanished and were replaced by all the colors of the world probably a rainbow had burst in here with different fabrics of linen, crepe, nets and chiffons.

With shivering hands I tried to open the drawers where I had secretly kept Playboy, Debonair and I strongly oppose to say the names further and were replaced by different varieties, shapes and cuts of… of..

Even a b@stard like me finds it difficult to orate.

The word is bra…. And lingerie.

“This can’t be happening.”I might have shouted aloud because the next moment she stood besides me

“What happened Raj? Is everything alright?” her voice sounded concern but a yelp escaped her lips as she stared between my hand that was holding a lavender colored padded bra and the drawer that was filled with explosives like this.

She might have stared at it for long but not for longing but out of shock

My inner applauded at my discovery.

’I… I might need the washroom” she managed to finish and almost flew towards another door that was part of the room and shouted I am an access for all the physical and personal outburst, her heavy skirt following and making pretty noises as she tried to sprint towards the restroom

I quickly pushed the drawer as if it were filled with explosives that would burst if kept open for longer like the bus in Speed was controlled with speed.

By the time she returned the pink of her cheeks had diminished, her face aghast from all the traces of make up, long and studded earrings and necklace gone, the skirt now lifted couple of inches higher to display her henna tattooed feet nothing more than that you perverts!!!

 She stood like last few minutes didn’t happen.

“I guess this is my cupboard.” She said with an erect spine, her voice a no nonsense cadence. “The restroom is free for you” the crisp utterance was a polite command for me to be dismissed and give her privacy.

Having enough embarrassment for the evening I complied without any argument

She picked the cardboard of the discarded wrapper of her red and white night dress, I am sure its my mothers choice

Why?

Because it has Princess Barbie imprinted on it

Though she seemed to be very pretty and cute in the short pyjama and the red top that suited her fiery character, it seemed like she picked it out of instant and didn’t bother much about picking because I did see some international brands out there.

Once changed and comfortable she was impatiently looking for something ignoring my eyes on her back

I was observing her keenly.

Her actions were intriguing me.

“May I help ma’am” I said teasing and trying to maintain am a gentleman persona

“Pen” she blurted still looking around the room.

“Pen?” I repeated

But she quickly scanned the study table picking the pen neatly kept on the stand, courtesy of rom cleaning needless to say my mom.

Who else would dare to exchange my clothes with Pari’s?

She started scribbling 

1. Night suit

2. Toothbrush 

3. Paste as she murmured for her own self.

“What are you doing?” I couldn’t help but ask.

What? I had already killed three cats out of curiosity

And I did not want to be constrained for animal abuse.

Simple

“Making list of things that I am using. When I get a dairy from my stuff I’ll copy it there. Till then so that I do not forget I am listing it here.” She gave an appreciative glance to the list of things that he had used since she reached here as if she’d drawn her own Monalisa

Freak!

“Why?” I asked intrigued more than ever.

“So that I can pay you once I start earning.” She said easily still trying to concentrate and remember if she hadn’t forgotten anything.

“You don’t have to worry Pari.” I tried to failingly snatch that piece of board from her. “I got all this covered. You didn’t read the contract. Did you?”

“Doesn’t matter to me,” she said arrogantly as she nodded her head throwing few strands of her hair that she’d tied in a bun fall on her shoulders. “I’d pay every single penny that I can afford and have utilized by the end of the tenure “ she waved her finger at the beautiful flower adorned bed “of our so called convenient marriage.”

“You are being difficult Pari,” I said angrily.

“I call it being rational,” she argued.

“This is stupidity. I am getting something from you and I am paying back in whatever way is possible.” I was so flustered I could pull my hair.

Why are women so impossible?

‘Because men are You’ my inner argued ‘and even though you admire the act you are trying to be oblivion’

I would really kick his butt one day and make him limp like he’s got piles!

Wow me and my swearing imaginations!

“This is self respect” she was adamant.

‘Whatever” I gave up I didn’t want to argue like married couples again as noted by Sia earlier. ‘I’ll take care of it once the time comes ‘ I assured myself.

That was obviously a band-aid to my bruised ego.

“Why are you smiling?” she asked when I was staring at her bemused.

I thought we were not talking.

“You look like a Santa on Christmas” I said laughing at her “Red and white” I chuckled.

“Yeah this was only one that looked decent” she herself paused to make a look at her red and white so called night dress ”Others..” she stopped abruptly.

“Others?” I asked raising my eyebrows.

“Others umm…” she couldn’t frame the sentence, her cheeks scarlet.

“Others what Pari?” the mischievous glint I am sure sparkled in my eyes.

I knew exactly why not others because they’d look better being tossed up from the head and popped beside the bed floor, they were that seductive.

I had a peep!!!

I am sure they were a pick by my granny.

I remember the mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she bumped my shoulders with her lean and lanky one “we did night dress shopping for Pari” she winked.

But who knew I would be deprived to see her in those*pouts*

You can gladly call me pervert

“I am feeling sleepy” she changed the topic and probably sprinted towards the couch as if the bed adorned with pretty flowers for the consummation night was on fire.

Chuckling I stretched the bedside to switch of the lights and try to sleep

`````````

‘Raj” I knew she was awake as I could hear her shuffling on the couch with her bangles crickling all the while.

“Pari” I answered.

“R..Raj” she repeated.

“P..P…P.. Pari” I answered in a sing sang voice.

‘RAJ” she called again

“PARI” I shouted with her.

“RAAAJ” she sighed frustrated.

“Pari” I said politely now “Do you really want others to think that we are doing the thing now?” I smirked in the darkness not that she’d be able to see.

She stood at an instance, her feet stomping on the floor and her bangles and anklets both making shrilling noise as she stepped towards me, her hands on her hips as she glared at me.

No it’s still dark and I could not see her, her stance made it clear.

“What?” I switched on the light, her golden and dark orbs staring angrily at me. I pulled my pillow from under my head and covered myself with it folding my legs forming a ball “please don’t rape me.” I shouted slowly in dismay.

“WHAT?” she was louder than expected.

“Ssshhh.” I stood at an instant “you are loud.” I remarked.

“You are irritating, stupid, obnoxious, debacle, arrogant” she was on and on till I stopped her placing my palms in front of her

And she flinched.

I sighed at my own childishness “What do you want?’

She bit her lips nervously finding no way out “Sheet.. I want a sheet, its freezing cold out there.”

Feeling sorry for her I quickly helped her with the comforter half expecting the sleep to come for soon it would be dawn.

`````````````

I woke up to see Pari half on the floor and her upper half of the body rested on the bed, yes THE BED adorned with flowers. She was snuggled between all the pillows, the comforter and her own heavy embroidered veil that she wore last night on the other corner away from me.

 A soft knock on the door and she jolted out of her deep slumber afraid, her sleepy darks wavering frantically around her surroundings fazed at the unfriendly, new ambience.

“Its okay.” I tried to comfort her “It must be mom calling for bed tea.”

“Bed tea?” her question didn’t intend an answer but the fear in her eyes made me want to hug her tight and say soft soothing words in her ears.

I had never seen her that scared before.

‘You have hardly seen her before.’ My inner did not fail to comment even in the early hours of the day.

Jerk!

“We all sit for tea together in the morning. Come join in.” I offered probably a little pep talk would help her at ease. 

I could feel her debating internally for a while before she said pointing towards the restroom “Give me a few and I’ll be there.”

“Sure no problem” and I shrugged leaving her alone in the privacy of the room 

She immediately locked the door as soon as I left 

Weirdo

My inner as usual pointing his thumb at her to be great and thumbs down to me.

I gladly chose to ignore.

The usual chit chats were the same as expected about who wore what and who looked tacky, some diamond earrings that someone had worn and my mom expressing that she wanted it for herself and my gran ma as usual mocking her and her collection of jewelry

My uncle was proudly commenting on how good the food was and surely recommending the caterer to his group of friends.

My dad added “Yeah I did see you gulping the sweets like there was no tomorrow. Let me tell your wife how you ate like a dog.”

“Oh she’s too tired to get up now.” My uncles pushed his hands behind his head relaxing.

‘Why is she tired? What did you do? It was Raj’s wedding night.” He teased.

And I choked on the hot tea that I was sipping only to be patted on my back softly by someone who smelt lovely lilies and citrus, strange but captivating.

The peach essence probably the peach milk moisturizer that I had found on my cupboard from her silky soft hands as she pulled the cup from my hands replacing with a glass of water.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asked looking directly into my eyes, the awkward conversation s***h argument of the night long forgotten and a beautiful yet constrained smile blended on her beautiful milky white face.

‘Yup, ..ummm. uncle.. no no I am fine” I would have loved to narrate the entire conversation and enjoy the scarlet look on her face but I had vowed for her self respect so I simply replied “I am good.”

“Pari tea you too.” Pari looked perplexed at the cup of tea and my mom

My gran ma patted on her forehead again “She means have your cup of tea, excuse her englissss” she smiled faintly and mom pouted 

“Mom please I have daughter in law now” irritation evident in my mom’s tone.

“Exactly now you should behave matured.” My gran ma added not bothering if we had just welcomed a new member in the family. My mom might have felt humiliated but Pari bent towards her picking her cup of tea “Its not that” she paused biting her lip probably biting her emotions “I am not used to so much care. It’s usually the other way around. I make tea for the family.” She played with the chinaware saucer looking guiltily at the steam rising from the hot tea “I am sorry I am late but I’ll be up early tomorrow onwards to run errands.”

My heart went out for her, the little red one flying towards her but my inner as usual prick that he is pricked it with a pin

“Hey” my gran ma pulled her to sit besides her caressing her white palms that were clad in full sleeves of net of beautiful blue Indian dress that stretched to her feet “you are not here to run errands. You are family. Don’t beat yourself.”

“And I love tea made by Rima, it tastes amazing, try it” she smiled

Whoa turn of events!

Isn’t she the same drama queen who wanted to have tea made by the new daughter in law twice in a day?

“You never told me you liked tea made by me?” my mother pouted like she was three year old.

“You never told me you enjoy the sarcastic comments passed by me?” my granny as usual counter attacked.

“I not do” my mother denied

“Seriously Pari you teach her English “I don’t” my gran ma stressed “I DON’T”

And we all laughed heartily

Even Pari joined it.

Wow Picture perfect family.

‘Only it is unreal, a lie” my inner states the truth

And for the first time since I decided about the marriage for convenience I feel like a scamp

The revelation was a bad omen because the next thing my gran ma was breathing hard.

“Another stroke” my mom shouted panic “Doctor, ambulance, quick…” 

“Relax m.. mom” Pari said as she started nursing my gran ma Breathe” she commanded and opened the first two buttons of her shirt

“Open the door and windows” she commanded and then started doing CPR pressing her palms one over another to her chest.

“Pari stop. I am calling the damn doctor.” I shouted annoyed at her for wasting time.

But she ignored. IGNORED.

What the heck!

‘You feeling better granny?” Pari asked softly.

“I do. I am.” My granny answered smiling soothingly.

“Aww Pari you are magical.” My mom patted on her back lovingly.

“Magician” my granny correction making everybody chuckle.

“She’s really gonna be a great doctor” my uncle complimented.

“But is indeed a great daughter in law today” my father added.

“Daughter” my granny corrected again “She is MY daughter. Thank god you did not lose your heart to a gori,” gran ma addressed me as she kissed the back of Pari’s palms

```````````

“What were you doing out there?” I almost barked once I entered my room with Pari towering behind me.

“I… I don’t know.” She replied innocently “Is anything wrong?”

“Everything is f##king wrong. You are not supposed to be Miss. Goody two shoes out there with them.” I threw my hands in the air annoyed that I was, probably my eyes raging red.

“What do you expect me to do?” she asked dumbfounded with my outburst.

“I want you to behave unlikely. I want you to set the example of b***h of a daughter in law. I want them to hate you so much that after two years and expiry of contract” my each and every word precise “They are glad that you are GONE”