Marriage For Convenience (completed)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“Raj can you transfer the pictures from your mobile to my laptop?” Pari asked cheerily as I jumped out of the bed.

I do not remember much about last night except me finally speaking out my biggest truth; the word that is almost banned in our house ‘that I am adopted’

I left the room only returning half an hour or more later completely drunk and then crashed onto bed.

And now she is trying to be all friendly and cheery like last night didn’t happen at all.

She even ordered continental breakfast for me, one of my favorites with latte coffee and made it with just right amount of sugar and milk that I prefer

Shit don’t they say way to man’s heart is his stomach?

But Sam was a terrible cook, last time she entered into the kitchen of my apartment she ruined a weeks worth of grocery in simply trying to decide what to cook.

And I still love her.

Or 

I think I do.

“Really?” my inner stood in front of me with his hands on his waist challenging me.

But I promised her; I am committed….

“Do you have a headache, classic hung-over like they do in novels where the protagonist gets up with a killer headache?” someone was talkative in the morning.

“I think I will live.” I said with no trace of sarcasm.

“Good because I could not arrange for Advil.” She said as she continued trying to connect, copy and paste the pictures from my iPhone to her laptop.

Why was I concerned?

Because she was using MY phone

And Sam has this weird habit to send her nude, seductive and sexy photos to me either by w******p or email.

Her idea to remind me of what I am losing if I kind of get distracted from our relationship.

I do not see them though.

I inner almost pricking on my ears

Okay I might have seen but honestly I do not ogle.

Really gentleman’s words.

‘Uh huh, don’t you even think of eating.” She shouted form across the screen of her, now hers

Why does that bring a smile to my face, not that I am losing my discreet?

“I think you hate continental and are a tea person?” the fake arrogance still laced in my speech.

“I still do but eating without brushing in the morning” she made a screwy scrunchy face “is so gross. Bad breath urrggghhh…”

She added “you might end up with cavities, germs entering your body, infecting your cells making….”

“Pari hold on.” I threw the napkin I had picked with the plate “stop being your usual annoying self. I am going.”

“Last time I read annoying synonyms you,” she mocked.

And I knew there and then we were good.

And I freaking f##king smiled.

I snatched my phone from her, a little rudely

Now don’t get all accusatory on me

Wait 

 “Raj” she eyed between the phone in my hands and me.

Thankfully I did manage the angry young man look plastered on my face.

My inner laughing at the hilarious situation as The Pari was scared of me

Believe me I too wanted to join him in the spree of laughter.

But I managed, barely

She swallowed a lump inside her throat “I do not …” she hesitated “shall I return it once two year…”

She paused scared

Why?

Because I was shooting daggers at her 

My eyes were like dragon’s mouth shooting fireballs

And she retreated defeated.

“okay.. okay” she lifted her hands in the air defeated “I’ll keep it.’

“That’s my girl” the words left my mouth startling her as she blushed a deeper shade of pink.

 I bit the inner of my cheek, my inner patting me on my back for the profound achievement of making her blush, something other than annoying or irritating

 She however simply composed herself looking at the laptop like it was a brittle glass and would break if she were a tad bit harsh on it.

 “If I try and thank you for all you have and are doing for me” she took a voice choking break “I might end up chanting a ‘thank you’ from morning to evening. However I would try to make up to you with a genuine ‘Thank You’” she said with a very honest smile.

“If you want to make up to me I have a very great idea, why not use it.” I said merging her smile

After twisting, fiddling and toying with the phone for god knows how long when she couldn’t get it I volunteered to help.

I was amazed at how she was eager to learn about the gadget even though she despised the thought of having it.

“Raj I want the pictures that you have clicked for the sight scenes.” She asked, “if it is possible? 

“Wow first polite conversation, I am humbly obliged” I gave a gentleman curtsey lunge as I exchanged pictures with her.

“Oh my freaking god!!! This technology is amazing. You know I was always fond of photography.” She stopped and changed the range of conversation “Raj have you ever wanted something and was ecstatic when you got it?” she asked expectantly staring at me straight in the eyes like she could stare into my soul.

I tried to come up with a comeback, come out of it with a stupid reply for distraction but ended up answering her.

“I always wanted to buy a car, mine, on my own and when I earned my first salary as an intern and had enough money, I bought a second hand car.” I answered a bit sheepishly.

She looked at me like I was a God descended from heavens with a look of surprise, shock, awe, admiration; stirring something inside me.

Probably she might have had her thoughts to last night when I kind of admitted that I Raichand Malhotra wasn’t a Malhotra even, I was adopted. The thought itself stung, yet it was the bitter truth of my life and I did not want to discuss it.

Not that I am not grateful towards my parents or the adoption.

Honestly I am; for the life I was living without them was a nightmare, a hell and I wonder how long I might have survived or stayed alive if Malhotra’s hadn’t got me.

The thought itself shudders and scares the s**t out of me.

“You still have the car?” she asked humbly.

I simply shrugged accepting.

Probably Pari too read inconvenience and switched the conversation again.

 “How many pictures can we take?” she asked as she clicked another of mine pictures laughing and teasing at how funny I looked after a hangover.

“I did not drink that much’ I defended.

“I figured that much.” She said still working on the pictures that she had taken and laughing on her own without a comment.

“How Einstein?” I asked half expecting the answer.

“The way you opened the curtains even though you were sleepy like hell.” She said getting back to her mobile “seriously what is the issue with sleep and open curtains, I like to sleep in dark.” She mimicked my words from earlier and pouted.

“I have spent huge money on the rooftop room and I’d like to see the view.” I said irritated.

“Really those neon boards and sign, the huge skyscrapers, you paid to see them?” she asked, her full attention at me now.

Shit the conversation was taking a dark turn

“Pari I guess you are fully aware that you can take as many pictures that you like?” I asked trying to take her back to her older conversation.

“Yes I am educated enough to learn that these phones are better than our granddad’s cameras that could only take 35 or 36 pictures and one had to wait till the cleansing and developing of the roll to find if they have succeeded in taking pictures or not?” she made a duh face “but I have also heard about limited memory space.”

“That you don’t need to worry, this as 128gb memory card and again I can guide you about iCloud where you can store as many pictures and then you don’t have to worry about space in your phone getting full.”

“You are shitting me right!!!” she asked excitedly completely believing me  

 “And I never expected to have any of my desires fulfilled.” She gave a dreamy sigh “its like you are my Jeanie for two..”

Before she could continue I touched the left of my heart and fell straight on the floor.

She immediately bent reaching to my fallen figure and asked, her voice full of concern “Are you okay?”

I opened my left eye first and then the other one later looking at her “I think I am dead and in a different fantasy land.” 

She knitted her eyebrows together confusion layered on her milky white face, “what?”

“Pari referring a positive adjective for me. This is one of my wildest fantasies. Either I am dead or am dreaming.”

My inner lays besides me with dreamy look in his eyes and a tiara of bright shining stars like a halo rotating around his head, a goofy smile playing on his lips.

“Have you ever been to a neurosurgeon?” she asked still concerned.

‘No.” I replied as I straightened my shirt and ruffled the non existing dust from the back of my pants “why do you ask?’

“Because you have serious issues in your brains. It needs to thoroughly checked.” And she put her hands on her waist irritated “no do one thing, you go to psychologist, you have severe psychological ailments, you are crazy, mad, jerk…”

“PARI.” I stopped her “Hold on.” I nodded my head “My ego is severely injured. Mission accomplishment for you.”

She smirked at it; she freaking smirked.

Next couples of days were spent sight seeing, arguing and exploring different parts of Singapore.

Work..

Well the company was offered a bargain by my brilliant brain that they couldn’t say no to. So the contract was sealed.

I too endeavor some business charms.

My inner dressed like an escort getting all seduced by my charms and then threw my pen and file at me

How predictable

“Pari you can watch the YouTube of flight safety instructions. No need to make a fool out of yourself and embarrass me during the flight.

“Embarrassing?” she repeated my words “You?” and put her smirk face on “I don’t have to do it for you. You are quite capable of doing it yourself.”

I know what she was referring to about me panicking and freaking when she was not able to take the same cable car as mine and had to take next tour.

I made a scene out of it and blamed the operators shouting and yelling at them that she was first time visitor and they were to be sued if she didn’t make it safe and sound.

I was cursing like I was sure that Pari was going to experience a severe accident without me or get lost or fall into some uncalled danger.

If this is not enough my embarrassment escalated when the staff there realized that Pari was no 6 year old freaking kid instead a grown up matured woman above 20.

Yes embarrassment happens to by middle name. 

Later Pari made it a point to stick to my side and make sure that even if she is gone I do not a make a deal out of it.

Again when we were on a tour to a hospital as asked by my dad for Pari to visit and learn all the amenities and necessities required in a hospital.

Isn’t that the work of an interior designer?

Still I had to reschedule my meeting to escort her for the tour.

If I was surprised or estranged at the fact that my father wanted Pari to visit the hospital, the bigger shock was awaiting when Pari took notes on what she was observing which included the names of different machines for different wards.

Some of them she said were not available in India even though they are necessary since they are expensive.

She was quickly scribbling down all that she was seeing in a piece of paper.

“Pari” I took an irritated sigh, “why don’t you use your laptop for writing your notes?”

“Why don’t you keep your smart ass mouth shut?” she mumbled only to me.

“What’s the point of me buying the laptop if you are not using it?” I asked annoyed.

“I do not need it.” She whispered audible enough for me.

“I know but I have got it for you and how long are you going to preserve this s**t of paper?” I was loud by now.

“Mr. Smart and handsome” she folded her hands “ get my laptop from the car “I WILL USE IT” she said the last part very loud.

“Okay okay.. I will” I tried to avoid embarrassment 

What

I was still high

She called s.m.a.r.t. And h.a.n.d.s.o.m.e to me

My inner giving me an ignoring gesture

Two can do the same thing together so I ignored him too.

“Here it is” I placed the laptop in front of her like a royal dish served in a platter bowing a little.

She gave the impressed look and said; “now you type as I narrate what I want to.” She batted her eyelashes at me seductively “will you do that for me?”

My inner warned rubbing his hands that she was definitely conning me

But like an obedient husband I opened the laptop and managed to fit it in palms as we were walking from one room to another 

“Note down.” She taunted, “note down what I am saying.” The mocking glint in her eyes matched her tone 

Note to self: you cannot write and tour at same time.

Shit! 1 to Pari, 0 to me;)

She shrugged her shoulders, nodding her head at me “jerk”

The manager of the hospital who was guiding us for the hospital tour literarily bit his lip to avoid laughing at me; Pari however was better at composing her expressions.

Once I switched off the notebook and put it in her bag she stated, “embarrassment is indeed your trademark”

Happy guys, you could laugh at my embarrassment!

“Gadgets are good, a boon but sometimes old traditional habits are better” she murmured as she worked on the collar of my shirt then tapping on my chest getting dangerously close to me for the first time, My heart fluttering at the proximity.

So getting embarrassed was totally worth it!

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

Fortunately though she was a lot better on our flight back.

She however was extra attentive while the steward was giving demonstrations. She even passed a small yelp and was on verge of raising hands when the floaters were not the usual blow ones instead they were our seat cushions that we’d have to strap incase of emergency flight landing in water.

When I gave her a warning glare.

She nodded her head pushing her palms defensively that she wont be asking but she squirmed in her seat, a colossal desperation was building in her to lift the seat and check if she could wear it in case of emergency but managed to control her inquisitiveness.

Sometimes my short temper does come in handy!

Not that I am proud of it.

`````````

“Raj” Pari objected when I pressed the flight attendant call button “What are you doing?” she hissed.

“Calling the stewardess. I need water, am thirsty” I said touching my throat that felt dry.

“Didn’t you have juice “ she looked at her black box, I mean her mobile “just ten minutes ago?”

“Yeah I did but she is so beautiful I feel like calling her again and enjoying.” I stated to annoy her like she was doing it for me.

Why does she have to be such a nagging wife to object if I want to drink water.

“Come on” she pushed her palms towards me “You’d find anyone with b**bs beautiful.”

“Nay” I said in an offended tone. “I do not find you beautiful” 

My inner waving his pointer at me objecting

“Oh you don’t have them at all.” I laughed mockingly.

She pressed her hands to her chest offended by my words “I do have… eh..uh..”

“You do?” I mocked glaring at the perfect set of boobs staring at her chest “But they are always hidden behind the veil or jacket. Can I remove” I tried to pull her veil teasingly.

“You know what “ she huffed irritated “I am not having THIS conversation with you.” And squirmed in her seat.

“You mean b**b talk?” teasing her was so much fun.

“Psssst” she sighed irritated “I am not having any conversation with you. I am sleeping” she closed her eyes and sank into her seat only opening to see that I was pressing the flight attendant call button.

It isn’t my fault that the attendant button was over her head. Is it?

Pari gave me a death glare and yep! if it was kind of true that death glares worked then I would have been burnt into ash.

I shrugged “Cant help, I am obsessed with well dressed stewardesses.” Then I said excitedly “you know my first crush was a steward I was around 12 or 13 and this stewardess was so hot slim and curvy with big’ no super big b**bs. I stared at them for long till I was assured that they were real.

She scrunched her eyebrows in confusion so I felt obligated to clarify “when she sprinted to attend a traveller, they were jumping up and down so I knew they were for ..um real.”

“You know you are gross” she made a dirty face.

“Having crush is normal.” I said easily “Don’t tell me you never ever had crush on anyone.

“Crush?” she was now lost in deep thought and before I gave up expecting a reply from her, she simply murmured “I was crushed before I knew what crush is.” And closed her eyes running away from the reality, running away from the cruelty of her past 

and I let her be, a kind of payback for not pressing onto mine.

I think we ARE good.  

But you all are aware by now that embarrassment is my middle name because the person who answered my bell was a steward a f##king male.

My inner stroking my face with one hand and holding his stomach with other as he laughed hysterically at my missed attempt.

Pari burst into fits of laughter as I softly asked him to get a glass of water.

The ass that the steward was brought a huge bottle of water so that I do not press the call button again.

`````````

I wasn’t surprised when my gran ma and mom came to pick us at the airport, my gran ma never ever had come to pick me up neither my dad, but this was Pari; she had my family wrapped around her little finger.

I have no idea whether to be happy about it or worried.

But when Pari too was tear stained after hugging my gran ma and my mom was a step ahead when she hugged Pari she did not let her go, choking the air out of her lungs.

And I am not exaggerating.

I actually had to pull them apart.

Grace to Pari who was still smiling

“I missed you.” My mom defended herself.

“We too” Pari responded quickly making me smile that she made it sure to mention ‘we’ and not ‘me’

After the trip though a wall between Pari and me had dropped we were behaving less animated with each other.

Don’t worry bi***is still her middle name, and jerk is mine.

She never misses a chance to humor at my expense, the other day when I was worried about my presentation and was continuously working for the project she clicked my picture and photo shopped it with huge glasses and thick ugly eyebrows, not to forget the thick black mole with few strands of hair poking out of it and forwarded it to me with a caption saying ‘grumpy nerd’

I would have almost shrieked scared of the image in front of me

But later realizing it was me, I went into hysterics of laughter.

Bless her to use the gadget to mock at me.

She even made a folder of MY FAMILY with pics of my mom, dad, gran ma, Sia, hers and mine and had hidden it in personal file.

But I am THE ME; I decoded the password and managed to hide it once she was out of bathroom.

She longed for every bit of love and affection that she got from my family

And they reciprocated equally

So at a point I had stopped thinking about future; two years later or precisely 1 year and three months later.

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

No matter how much we were enjoying each other’s company without pulling each other’s hair out from their scalps, we still had an elephant deep rooted in the room.

She would talk about her college, her interaction with my family and would never forget to remind me how much of a douche bag I am.

I too would share tit bit of my work, my focus or mostly hear from her. She was a good speaker. And yes I would always get back at her whenever she’d pick on me either by appreciating her and then clarifying that the monkey from the zoo was much similar or the dress she was wearing was beautiful but was totally meant for her.

“The designer would commit suicide if she realizes what a nerd has worn this dress” I once commented.

I could feel the hurt in her voice, which she quickly covered with a smooth comeback “how I so badly wish that the designer were you.”

And then she’d keep on talking about different designers, their forte, the highest paid designer who was Ralph Lauren, India’s top most designer being Manish Malhotra who had also designed clothes for Michel Jackson.

“Any chance you are related? I mean you both are Malhotras” she mocked.

“Yeah we are friends, pals, best buddies and meet for coffee often.” I answered.

She made a duh face and said “was that funny? Want me to laugh?”

“Why you don’t trust me?” I made a fake hurt expression clutching my heart “I was allowed to make friends unlike you.” I stated and repented all of a sudden

Because the big fat elephant was back in the room roaring oops trumpeting through, cutting thick silence in the room.

“I need to cook” and she was gone even though we both knew that there was no need to cook as were invited for a family dinner and it was mandatory to go as per my gran ma’s instructions 

“I want to brag and show off how good a pair my grandchildren are so you three better be there at the dinner tomorrow or I will personally make sure to come and crash the meeting.’

And no one would dare to disappoint gran ma in any ways.

Today I am determined to go and have a talkwith Pari.

Yes we are friends and she is more than a friend, I can trust her and confide in her.

And it hurts to see her buried in the pains of her past, I am sure not letting her go back to Mathura ever again.

Also her parents have never made an attempt to either call or visit her in the duration.

I wonder how she was taking it

However I think I can help her, share her pain, let her talk about it.

I could have talked earlier but the elephant would be back.

I knew I asked her about her past, it would only open gates for her intrusion in my past.

That I wasn’t ready; yet. 

But since past few days she has been really upset and whenever I ask her she either snaps or shuns me out “I am okay, only tired” would be her only reply.

And it doesn’t feel good to see her like this.

So here I am home early because I knew mom and gran ma are out on some shopping spree for some forthcoming wedding of mom’s relatives, Pari would be home alone 

And we can talk.

My inner coughed “only talk” disappointed

And I gracefully kicked him away.

I was about to press my finger prints to the lock when the chaotic noise from inside the house picked my attention, the house was supposed to be quiet and silent since no one was expected at home in this hour 

Shit! Panic rose in me wondering if Pari was safe.

Quickly I barged inside and found Sia in a tattered condition, mom soothing her and wiping her tears.

“Mom?” I enquired.

“Raj I think you should go get fresh and change.” She ordered in ‘don’t question further’ tone.

And I quickly obeyed and went to my room expecting Pari to answer my questions

But when I entered my room, another shock awaited me.

Pari was in even worse condition, her hair all over her face, tears staining her pretty face and her veil dropping from her shoulders, she was quickly stuffing something inside the bag.

I tried to observe closely.

She was packing all her stuff into a suitcase

Shit! She was leaving