Marriage For Convenience (completed)

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

“I am sure I am not sleeping without you”

And this was the best and only thing you guys wanted to hear. Right?

Sorry for the disappointment folks

My inner too stood with a foil packet of ummm…. Gritted between his lips.

Perverts!!!

“I thought you trust me.” I pouted.

“I do” she insisted “But”

“Pari I wont.” I said.

“I know you wont.” She mumbled, “I never trusted anyone more than I trust you” her voice almost choking. But she masked her vulnerability “That doesn’t mean you are not a jerk.”

“And who says Jerkism is contagious that would spread to you if you come into close proximity “Not that you aren’t atrocious and odd”

“That’s what you do on your computer every day?” she remarked.

“What do I do on my laptop? How do you know?” I asked irritated.

I was like a deer caught in the headlights.

Did she hear mine and Sam’s conversation about having skype$ex

 I out rightly denied; this is simply for information

Why is Pari so stubborn?

“You keep on looking adjectives for me in thesaurus on your laptop.” She had her hands on her waist now trying to look intimidating.

But may I probe it was equally hilarious.

Well my inner laughing mockingly at me for my stupid ‘hand caught in the cookie jar conclusions.’

“Well good we’ll do it your way” I said enthusiastically rubbing my hands, an equivalent smile forming on her face at her victory but by the time she could analyze I was already wearing my shoes to leave.

“Raj where are you going?” she asked shocked.

“Remember the deal, I was supposed to spend the night at Mustafa mall.” I smirked.

This was my Ace of spade

Jackpot

Checkmate

Bingo 

Game set match

And the trophy goes to I, ME, MYSELF.

I knew she wouldn’t let me leave in the mid of night.

My inner crossing his fingers and showing a fist to me incase she doesn’t.

All I could do is shrug and pray for a night of deep slumber.

“Raj” she called.

“Its okay Pari, you have trust issues and probably I am too much of a jerk as you chant throughout the day, I wouldn’t impose on you.” My puppy dog poker face on as I added “I have to keep my end of bargain for a peaceful and relaxing holiday for you.” 

Giving a deep heartfelt sight I left.

Well I acted in slow motion like in movies, frame by frame or the replay of wicket taken in a cricket match waiting for her reaction.

I did see her biting the inner of her cheek so probably she is internally debating 

But now since I have my back to her I cannot assess her face and gauge what her next step would be.

I was about to close the door rather I closed and kept a small gap open waiting for her call

And she did call?

“Jerk” she sighed calling “Raj”

My inner opened his hands with his pointer stretched, as he swung in circles happy that he could sleep in the comfort of a room.

Not that I can always take another room in another hotel but Pari needn’t know this.

‘Smart one” my inner complimented and I gave a salute to him, smirking later.

“Raj.” She called again, her fingers moving on the comforter in circles and eyes intended on the threads of the carpeted floor she continued “I trust you enough to sleep on the bed but you’ll sleep on the farthest end and I’ll manage here, she shifted on the edge enough to fall with slightest change of side as she pulled a comforter blocking herself from all the sides “but you.. please don’t sleep shirt less, it feels a little awkward.

I suppressed a chuckle yet without another word slipped on the bed clutching a pillow one under my neck one on the ankles and one to hug while I go to sleep leaving none spare for her.

What? I did not have a comforter or a sheet; I at least need some heat though only from a pillow.

Again I have to maintain the reputation of being her jerk’.

My inner stood caressing my cheeks with his hands sympathizing with me and I kicked him hard on his shin

Feisty I am!!!

I waited for her to complain but instead she took a tiring sigh and switched the light off not without murmuring a soft Good night.

I wanted to answer but I guess I was too tired and sleepy to do that.

The appetizing smell of waffles with chocolate syrup was like an angel pulling me out of my bed but the warmth of the bed was equally alluring. 

I did try hard to sleep last night but couldn’t. Sleep was like anonymous. So I kept on tossing and turning till I remember.

Now when I’m feeling sleepy, I am forced to be up not only with the wafting smell but also a loud shriek 

“Raj, RAJ”

With a yawn I pushed of the comforter wondering how’d the b*tch sacrifice her comforter.

“You were cold and I didn’t knew how to adjust the conditioning, probably it is centrally conditioned,” she said feeling conscious.

I was looking I mean my look-alike nasty inner self was searching besides the bed floor

What? Exactly I asked the same thing

“Your jaw that has dropped’ he replied.

Pari being so nice to me!!!

It’s a shock!!!!

I mean isn’t it something like killing two birds in one go.

Miss Touch me not only shared a bed with me but also the comforter.

That’s quiet an achievement!!!!

“I ordered breakfast, thought you had a meeting” Pari said as she tried to occupy herself cleaning the small room that was already tidy taking me out of my mini celebration.

“Huh umm. Join Me,” I said excitedly as I lifted the lid of the tray.

“Don’t you brush before eating in the morning?’ she asked with an ewww’ face.

It was then I realize that she didn’t sleep either, dark circles and puffed bags under her eyes said it all.

But I didn’t comment on it. I thought, maybe some time will help her adjust to new setting or new pattern of sleeping.

Neither is she a sound sleeper, a tiny thud or a slightest movement jerks her awake and she is so scared as if been attacked.

`````````

“You can shut the door here at least “ Pari shouted from outside “This isn’t YOUR” she stressed on Your part “room that you have to show your claim.”

Not knowing how to get out of this I moved out of the washroom with brush still stuffed in between my teeth, the foam filled in my mouth half of it about to drip to the floor.

I know it is gross and disgusting and that was what I wanted to do.

‘Eeerrrwwww” she made a vomit like face and threw a pillow at me “IN THE WASHROOM” she shouted “you are so disgusting”

I quickly sprinted inside the washroom dancing at my victory as I gargled and wiped my mouth and face only after washing it thoroughly.

“How was it?” I teased raising my eyebrows playfully.

“Disgusting, irritating , annoying” she was on and on when I stopped her

“Exactly I love to annoy you and for your information and my entertainment; the washroom door is going to remain open while I am in there.” I dropped my track pants on the floor only to see her face tint with pink and took my own leisure time to wrap a towel around

Don’t worry I had my boxers on.

 “Got it?” I asked and then dismissed her “Now do whatever you want to do but don’t trouble ME” and went inside the washroom.

‘Jerk’ my inner abused but I’d rather bang the door on his face than close it.

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

“This is Sandeep’s laptop?” I couldn’t resist the temper in my voice.

“Yes” she smiled her complete concentration on the work she was doing on the bitten apple gadget

Not that I don’t love it.

But it isn’t mine and it isn’t hers either

Why does the jerk have to share things with her?

Not that I am narrow minded

It’s just that I had a crappy meeting

In spite of all the hard works and efforts they are not ready to invest with the company due to some trust issues and their bitter experience in the past.

I knew I’d eventually convince them but for today the day’s gone in a waste.

“Why do you have to borrow?” I almost barked.

“What has your panties in a twist?” she asked dully as she continued tapping her fingers on the laptop.

“Its your f##king attitude.” I shouted 

She switched her laptop to sleeping mode before getting up to look at me.

And instead of clarifying why on the f##kin hell did she get his laptop.

“Who in their right mind gives his expensive gadget worth almost a million to his not so-called friend but a class mate? Can you explain? Is this only friendship or you are interested in him?” I knew I was going overboard with my accusations but my anger was getting worst over me.

The two hour-long meeting in a closed room, no windows. And the mini tour of elevators since the stairs were blocked for hygiene reasons 

F##k!

“RAJ, you rather feed this in your thick heads that I DID NOT ASK FOR LAPTOP” Pari shouted on top of her voice, tears streaking her face “AND he is Not, N…O…T… my friend or anything else. I am married and I do know the rules of married life.” She finished dropping on the bed helpless sobbing bitterly.

‘Oops sorry Pari” I sat besides her

Shit I made her cry

My inner ready in all blacks and military print jacket with gritted teeth to have a combat with me 

“I had a rough day. I did not know what I was saying. I am sorry. It’s like you always defend him not being your friend and yet taking favors from him.” I did not realize I had pushed her away while she was trying to explain.                                                              

She ignored my apologies and continued sobbing hiding her face behind the knees.

I bent down to her “I said I was sorry. I can even pull ears if you say so. Please.” I was uncomfortable with her crying. “Why don’t you tell me if you need something and then why denying if you are friends?”

A long-term silence prevailed and when I was dying of guilt she spoke

“I was not allowed to keep friends. They promised to pass on my doom to them if I had friends. So I broke my friendship with my only best friend when I was eleven and after that I kept away from friends and friendship. I did not want to put them into trouble.” She said and before I could question her further she called it a day. “I am hungry. Lets have lunch”, she clutched her blue bag with passports tightly under her arms.

I knew right then I wasn’t getting any information

And although I have been a d!ck she still understands and I am forgiven.

“So I take it the meeting did not go well?’ she asked as she made sure that the food that she was picking was vegetarian with green dot on the name of the recipe.

I am so glad that she’d finally given up on asking the waiter that if it contains eggs?

“We are Asian vegetarians we take milk and cheese but no eggs please. Are you sure this is vegetarian?” she’d ask humbly yet animatedly trying to pick their accent.

Some logic behind that people understand better if we imitate their accent.

And the waiter like he’d been asked the toughest question from science stream wherein he’s a whole sole commerce student went to have a word with the cook in the kitchen and returned with a tiara of appreciation on his head for solving the most mysterious quiz “It is indeed vegetarian mi `lady, you can have it.”

Had she asked me it would have been easier and less time consuming.

But considering she is my wife and I have to bear her antics I kept quiet.

Dressed in white and a matching white woolen scarf my inner offered his condolences and I accepted most humbly 

Only kicking him later on his butts.

“Was it that bad?” she waved her hands in front of my eyes “the meeting? You fazed out.”

“Yeah” I scratched the back of my neck “they are being difficult.”

‘Oh my freaking God!” she held her hand on her chest “Raj couldn’t work his charms.” And then pouted dramatically, “you disappointed me.”

“Whoa you think I am charming?” I raised an eyebrow and did I see her blush?

My heart stirred at the moment and I quickly sipped on the frizzy wine washing down the feeling.

“I think I’ll make it next time.” I said honestly.

“That’s my boy” she raised a toast with her glass of sparkling water.

Yes my Indian convenient wife doesn’t drink.

‘You like cottage cheese a lot.” She stated trying to talk casually.

“Yes I love it. I can eat anything that has cottage cheese in it.” I was trying to flow with the conversation in which we are not ripping each other’s heads off.

Well ‘heads’ in my dictionary is Ego

Actually it was nice talking to her and she had such interesting facts about everything and anything

“You know it is also known as farmer’s cheese or pot cheese which means it is unaged.” She said as she gulped in a spoon full of broccoli soup, making sure she wiped her face after that.

She indeed was a gracious eater

“Unaged?” I asked. This was something new.

‘Yeah cheese needs some years to be ready wherein cottage cheese can be made at an instant.”

‘Yeah I know that” I winked happy that I did have some practical knowledge.

“The… lap..” she stirred her spoon in her soup bowl ‘the green broth suddenly looking cold and stale to her “the laptop. I didn’t ask for it.”

I kept silent waiting for her to finish

“He said it was a gift for one of his friends residing in Singapore that I had to deliver. Only once we were here he called up telling that it was for me and he threatened me to finish our assignments that we are doing together and any other assignment. I am sorry I never intended to offend you.” She finished releasing a deep breath that she was holding.

“I am sorry I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I was upset.” I said honestly.

My inner raising his eyebrow in appreciation.

Somebody tell him I am more than happy rather shocked that we two are talking civilly with each other.

I can win a Mr. Chivalry for this achievement.

“And from now on you’ll lock the washroom door?” she asked.

‘Okay” I said easily as I sipped anther sip of my white wine and then puked splattering it all over the table,

‘Mr. Chivalry” my inner pouted sideways and then clapped thrice teasing me at my skills or table etiquettes.

“Where did this come from?” I asked as I wiped my face trying to wipe away the embarrassment for people all around the restaurant were staring at us.

“You switched to such good mood, even apologized. I thought why not try my luck.” She made a sad face

``````` 

“Aren’t you tired? Why are you taking me for sight seeing?” Pari asked following behind me.

‘Because I want you to get tired end of the day and sleep without the botheration of having a companybesides’obviously I did not answer her instead I tried to sprint or brisk walk ahead of her so that I can pretend I did not hear her and ignore her.

But we are talking about adamant b*** here

“It’s a holiday tour for you and I guess people go for sight seeing on a holiday tour.” I said once we were seated in the cab.

The driver himself was agitated at Pari’s constant questionnaire.

‘We’ll go to science museum first followed by night safari” I said opening the Tour guide for her.

“Museum” she made a grumpy face. “Why do you guys feel that girls have an inborn liking towards museum. Stereotypical.” She muttered.

“Well may I counter attack you being judgmental?” I asked annoyed that she couldn’t enjoy what she gets.

“Oops” she sealed her lips like zipping a bag “sorry but I honestly hate museums. Although I have only been once in one of my school trips.”

I simply laughed and waited.

‘Oh my god Raj” her contagious enthusiasm was back 

Do I need to add her positivity and appreciation for everything came alive.

“This is amazing. s**t I never expected the museum to be like this. This is awesome.” She laughed heartily, the careless one “who thought machines could speak?” she said as she talked animatedly to the Robot who could speak

Hey have you heard of Siri?

She was asking silly question to the robot

‘How are you?’

What is your name?

Do you like it over here?

Are you often asked strange and funny questions? and she herself giggled with every question

‘You don’t want to talk Raj?” she asked.

“No thanks. It’s only a machine without emotions. I think I’ll pass” and I went back to mail the company trying to fix another meeting.

“Sometimes talking to an emotionless person seems adequate.” She murmured more to herself hinting that there’s so much bottled up inside her.

“I am not coming in this shuttle. You go ahead,” I said as I continued negotiating with the company.

They were being difficult.

But don’t worry I am a MBA student I wont give up.

“Please Raj I don’t want to go alone. Join me.” She pleaded.

“Last call then you’ll have to wait for 20 minutes for next ride.” The guide or the operator whoever it was, called.

‘Raj” Pari said politely “You brought me here to enjoy but you are bugging me with your phone.”

“Sorry” I lifted my hands handing the iphone to her “Work calls.”

She smiled as she took it and kept it secured in her bag just like she’d pack our passports safe and burglar proof.

“Shall we leave for the next safari thing or whatever you like to do?” I offered 

Oh you can call me gin from the Aladdin lamp.

“No” she pouted  “I wanna go to the shuttle with you” she said in a singsong voice.

“Are you two? Do you want a cotton candy or an ice cream?” I snapped.

“I just want you to enjoy the ride. Is that too much to ask? I am sorry I tried.” She then calmed a bit “come on it will be fun.” She tried to convince me.

Shit!

“For F##ck sake Pari. For the umpteenth time I am not going in that shuttle box and you are not my mother to teach me how to have fun. So cut the slack.” I shouted creating a scene.

But she was such a persistent dame

“Oh no you are a baby, a girl, a tourist cannot go alone.” I taunted bitterly “you want a chaperone?”  

“You know you should Lick your own…. I don’t even want to finish. She opened the bag and tossed my phone back to me. “You are better off with emotionless gadgets.” She repeated my words from earlier and ran towards the shuttle stomping her every step towards the theatre.      

Oh no! We were in tight spots again.