Marriage For Convenience (completed)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

```````````Pari`````````````

I waited for at least 15 minutes before I entered my house waiting for the old and battered car owner to leave and when I was tired waiting I manned up and entered my house with a notion to sprint directly into my room.

But as the luck betrays he stood right at the door probably waiting for me.

The sneer smile on his face when he saw me made the hair on my back rise.

I successfully tried to ignore him but he was a step ahead with his comment “Sis be careful; open doors these days are risky” and did not forget to brush past his shoulders against mine.

I shuddered with the contact yet tried to keep a bold face marching straight ahead.

I knew what he meant yet behaved ignorant. I had given up on being intimidated by him 

Or you can say I try.

He still scares the hell out of me and he knows that.

After taking a burning hot shower till my skin started pricking of the heat.

 Don’t worry no geysers in summers the sun itself has the privilege to provide hot showers; it was natural and much needed.

The burning sensation made me feel clean.

Wiping my face twice thrice till the dryness was hurting me I went for my task of the day..

Kitchen.

“Did you go through the goodies that the groom’s mom has sent?” my mom asked my father as soon as he entered the house tired after standing for whole day at the sari[Indian drape] shop.

Yes my dad Suryavansh is a salesman at the biggest retail outlet of Indian drape called sari.

Wrong timing mom. He is tired and short tempered.

 But I kept the thoughts to myself.

“How’d I know I was at the office, only thing that I know is that we are finally blessed. At least Parijaat gets a nice groom.” Wow turn of events the reaction by my dad was 360 degree flip.

I couldn’t help but pout my bottom lip in astonishment as I continued chopping the heap of spinach leaves my mother had bargained from the vendor a at a very cheap price.

How turned on women get with a good bargain even though the stuff is not needed at all.

Yes I get the sarcasm trust me that too is imminent provided it is the sale of c0nd0ms or any other contraceptives

“Now Sanya can I have water?” my father said as he seated on the couch.

“Pari” the obvious yell came form my mother but before she could finish I was present there with a glass of water and cashew cookies that my dad prefers to have once he is back home.

“Can I have a strong ginger flavored tea?” my dad asked but it was a command and I instantaneously knew he is kicking me out to discuss something with my mom.

As if, if he asked me directly to take my ass away from their private get together I would have denied..

Whatever..

“Pari for me too and I would love if you could get fenugreek cutlets too,” my mom said so sweetly that I felt that there was absolutely no need to add sugar to the tea, her words were enough. Then she added “I just have the cravings for the same since morning.”

“Are you pregnant?” the words were competing to run out of my mouth but I managed however she had already started with her menopause couple of years ago so hormonal cravings were out of question.

It only meant that she had to talk to my dad for longer and I was strictly prohibited in the conversation.

I quickly rushed to start preparing the supper 

And you all might be thinking that like a goodie daughter I wont eaves drop on my parents right?

Well then be ready for surprise!!

No way in the hell I am not..

“They are multimillionaires. Why don’t you understand? You have to give A LOT to her as dowry” my mother suggested or argued whatever I had just bumped into the middle of conversation.

“I am prepared for it.” My dad said simply.

“You have two daughters remember.” She was reasoning for sure now.

“I do and you don’t have to worry” he said lovingly.

Oh how much he loves her!

“But do you think hot shot people like them would resort to a simple wedding. They would want everything huge and grand. Even if we could afford, we wont be able to live up to their expectations, the boy is from Amriica remember.” My mom stated, my heart beating ferociously, adrenaline running into me happy that there was finally no need of fake wedding.

“I’ll take some loans.” My father stated and I had to press the toes of my feet to stop running to him and denying him to do so.

“Whatever you do; trust me all their relatives and friends attending the wedding would never be satisfied. We would be a laughing stock.” My mother stated matter of fact.

‘Then what do you suggest?

 Deliberately we should let such a nice groom slip and leave my daughter bachelorette for the rest of her life.” The happy tone went missing from his voice.

“No I have a better suggestion,” my mom said excitedly.

“You and your suggestions, I am off them.” My father denied obviously annoyed. He was more than happy with Raj.

I knew they’d argue more over nothing and I escaped for quick minutes to continue with the cooking 

Once back, I was all ears to them.

Come on I have to eavesdrop and don’t worry I wont be caught I have watched enough CID [Indian detective serial and Bond all the series, they were my favorite actually the lead actors but I can only shrug.

I know prying over our own parents is bad but I will ask for forgiveness later and it is my life they are talking about and that too my wedding, they are least concerned about my career, my choices.

So whoever you are chuck it!

“I have a groom in mind and he is from our town. Pari will stay closer to us and I have had a word they do not want dowry at all and marriage function expenses would also be shared so it’s a win-win.” My mom stated strategically.

My legs turned jello while my heart was beating wildly.

Marrying in same town was like closing doors to medical studies, my dream would be buried before it could get its wings, my hard work all in drains.

“And who is the god sent groom?” my father asked in a very enlightening tone.

Shit! He was approving.

For a moment marrying the arrogant, self-obsessed Raj seemed to be a better idea.

“My brother was here in the morning and he is more than ready to take Pari for his son.”

If my heart was beating wildly earlier and legs jelly I think I had reached fatigue now and was frozen not before I dropped the tray on the floor, the loud crackling noise of the steel plates and mugs loudly audible.

“What are you doing here?” my mom asked angrily.

But I couldn’t answer. It was like my lips were zipped tightly.

“You were supposed to be cooking in the kitchen what are you doing here? Trying to eaves drop on your parents. Cant we have a bit of privacy?” my mom kept ranting.

“Parijaat” my dad’s loud oration of my name made my mom shut her mouth “Why are you here and where is tea?’

‘I... me.. I .. umm.. was..no, no,, … “I tried to phrase a sentence 

Hold your self Pari; gather yourself. I pumped myself.

“Well I brought cups and plates and sauces earlier so that tea is hot and easy to be carried.” I said looking directly into his eyes.

What? I knew there were chances of being caught so I was prepared simple. 

Bond movies remember..

Bitch’ you are now referring me as.. I know

But who cares?

“See she cannot perform a task well. She isn’t focused at all. I suggest we should stop her studies.” My mom said annoyed.

“I am sorry.” I mumbled.

“Only if you could be more responsible next time.” My mom remarked which was clearly ignored by my dad I suppose.

Aren’t fathers supposed to support their daughters at least sometimes!

Slowly I was picking the fallen cutlery, my ears still glued on the conversation 

“I tell you her semester is about to finish next week, don’t enroll her further. The fees is a huge sum and she needs to concentrate on household duties.” my mom dictated.

“She can cook well right?” my father asked worried.

Yeah I forgot to mention the biggest eligibility of a would be wife or daughter with added in law in India is that she should be able to cook

“Of course she can. I brought my daughters well. She can cook and Deya is good with tea and evening snacks, once Pari is married I’ll concentrate on Deya” my mom hushed her tone “and if she is married to my brother’s son she can come home anytime, even help me” she paused for god knows what reason and added “teach Deya cook too.” She finished confidently.

She surely has her way with words…

“And I tell you let her focus on her wedding, there will be guests, work, shopping celebrations and yes too much expenditure, spending on her college fees doesn’t seem viable.” She paused again. My eyes were already rimmed with the saline liquid but still I waited to hear more.

I am strong enough to take more than life has to offer.

“We will buy jewelry with the fees saved and it will be useful for the family.” Yeah the rare cheery side of my mom was up.

“I think you are right” my father gave his assent and my world turned upside down…..

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“You were crying?” the Richie rich. God! why is he so handsome?

“Are you blind?’ I widened my eyes showing him my big orbs “Do you see my tears?”

I HAD to sober up. I heard the roaring of his grand chariot. It’s a new brand BMW and I am already drooling at the fine species.

“Your eyes are red and puffy.” He tried to touch my lower eyelid but I flinched moving away from his reach.

“Are you here for a reason or you had the desire to flash another one of your big cars?” I said looking at the white BMW with blue and white emblem.

“You have any idea people in Mathura are not used to such flashy things. Beware before some one scraps it out for mere fun.” I said 

How badly my hands were itching to do the same and teach the jerk a lesson but it is BMW and I wont do such a thing to the cute little nah BIG thing.

I really do not know why I am angry with him but I just want to get over it.

“Why are you here?” I couldn’t help ask but the way he was staring at me was creeping me out

 “Hey you have a girlfriend”I wanted to shout but I had passed too many snide comments on him already, sealing my tongue was need of the moment.

“Actually I was here because …” he stammered whoa! he stammered I should be dancing up and down the arrogant, confident and eligible bachelor is short of words. yaay!! 

“I cannot go ahead with the fake wedding.’ he finished upset. Probably he was disappointed with his own self.

“Sam.. Samantha, my girlfriend doesn’t approve. She is not comfortable.” He said.

“Did I ask for explanations?’ I said curtly but realized I was behaving a bit too rude. 

“At least she is the smarter one,” I then said with a smile.

“What?” he asked perplexed.

 “At least” I said “she has brains, yours I guess have fallen on the drains.”

“Wow that rhymes.” He complimented and made duh face.

“I’ll go and talk inside.” He was about to get in but I stopped him “no need they are already gonna call your parents and return the goodies so you can chuck and check out” I waved my hand dismissing him.

“Whoa that’s a relief.” He breathed easily for the first time “I did not know what to say.”

“What your parents do not know you are calling off the engagement?” I asked.

 I tell you this guy is nuts.

“No. As if they’d agree,” he stated easily.

“Then?” I asked he seemed to care about his family and hiding from them was something weird.

“I’ll take care of it. You don’t have to worry.” And he left without another word.

“Well as you wish; Bye Mr. flash card” 

God why did I blurt it loud?

Idiot! i***t! i***t!

He would have gone by now.

“Flash card?” he raised his eyebrows “Now what does that nick name got to do with me?” he asked smirking as if I have gifted him tiara of Mr. Universe

sorry sorry sash of Mr. Universe and a broach scratch that.

“Your Louis Vuitton shirt and branded Ed hardy jeans,” my hands waved up and down all over his body as I directed

And not to forget I did check him out.

Well that’s not an offense; he does have a flashy body too.

Huh Flashcard

 “All flashy and not to forget the white “ I scrunched my nose in disgust as I waved at his huuuugggggeeee BMW because with the dusty roads of Mathura it was no longer that sparkly white that it should have been, a small layer of red mud had enveloped it dimming its whiteness.

‘So you noticed” his smirk grew size of his ego that could actually touch the sky

“Well I know I am hot and handsome, never fishing for compliments. Thanks anyway” he winked at me.

HE BLOODY WINKED AT ME.

That ass.

“That is called showoff” I quoted my pinkies in the air “Reality check Mr. Malhotra”

He simply smiled while I expected him to get angry and storm back to Delhi in his car.

He stood close to me, very close and I could smell his expensive perfume.

Don’t ask me the brand because I only know the pirated ones available in the $ shops here. But he smelt good, no better than good, amazing but the smirk on his face.

I want an eraser that could permanently wipe that off from his face.

“Too bad you cannot have me.” He commented and was about to leave but this final meet I won’t take any non-sense from him.

“Bad” I repeated “I feel fortunate and blessed to have called off the wedding” now it was my chance to smirk.

But the hurt look on his face?

Don’t judge guys, I am a normal girl and his face is really cute, frown doesn’t suit him.

“Why do you hate me so much? Am I that bad?” he asked and that innocent look in his eyes.

Any girl would marry him EXCEPT ME

And I am still straight not a lesbian.

“No I don’t hate you” I said honestly “I simply do not like you.”

The hurt stayed on his face as he walked away “you are indeed lucky then. I will miss you though” he was leaving now actually leaving and I DID not feel good about it.

Shoot!

“Raj” I called, I do not know why but I did “You’ll be fine?”

He returned and looked directly into my eyes “You are hurting and are worried about me?’ his question did not intend an answer.

So I simply looked down scratching the floor with my toes as if I could scratch my fear and worries with that.

“Pari. It was nice meeting you” he smiled a genuine smile “You might not like me but I do. The engagement is about to be cancelled and apparently we won’t meet ever again. Can you for once tell me what’s bothering you?

 He added “As a friend. Why were you crying?”

That was bold and abrupt. This act finally made me erase the self obsessed title from his monogram.

Don’t keep your hopes up guys. It’s for a while

I was debating what to do? Why should I tell him? How would it help me?

“I wont judge you. I promise,” he said; his grayish black eyes shouted commitment.

And I melted into his sweet gestures.

“My parents are planning my marriage.” I choked my own words the very thought of marrying the guy brings chills to my spine.

“But you said they are calling off our engagement?” he asked holding the keys of his car that he was wriggling earlier tightly. He was into our conversation and first time ever I couldn’t pinpoint anything negative in his gesture.

“With you they are calling off but getting me married to the guy in our own town, rather our own family which means the dream of becoming a doctor is parched, not to forget the atrocities..” I gulped the rest of the part and thankfully he did not gibe for my mid pause. He was too shocked to hear that.

Probably ego-bruised that another guy was picked over him.

I laughed mentally ha! Ha! Take that Hot and Handsome.

And felt bad instantaneously for my childishness for he was genuinely concerned or he appeared concerned 

“No no they cannot do this. If they wanted you to get married; then why not us? Why not me?’ he asked confused, his body rigid.

“Because you are Richie rich The Malhotras” I quoted my pinkies again

I have been doing this a lot lately. 

Bad habit Pari!I scolded myself getting back to the most good looking and richest man I have ever met in my life and continued with the facts “and a rich Indian wedding involves lot of expenditure that we cannot afford. Anyways we are freed of fake wedding. No more marriage for convenience…”