Marriage For Convenience (completed)

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

I swatted my hand away from her as I realized that she was uncomfortable, her body had stiffened as soon as it came in contact with mine.

Probably she did not react because she did not want to be rude.

So I let her be giving her space and waiting for her to relax and settle on her own.

After a long silence when I pushed the key into the ignition and was about to drive off; it was then she muttered.

"You cannot mention this at home," she said feeling humiliated.

"I understand," I said easily "I won't" I consented firmly.

"But.."

The b***h she is!

Doesn't trust my words.

"Trust me I won't" I tried to assure her.

"No I do but if we return back they'd ask questions," She stated.

Well, she was the Einstein here!

My inner mouthed ‘useless' to me but as usual I asked him to talk to my shoe.

"I'll figure out something," I said as I focused on the road and she went on to her self-grieving as she folded her knees to her chest and hugged herself. 

Another irritated ring from her phone made her change her position, but she simply ignored.

"Its the same guy," I said expecting her to receive the call.

If at the moment he lifts her sour mood then let it be. 

I'll suck it up with the loser.

‘He is not a loser' my inner defended, but I focused on Pari.

Pari still ignored the ring.

"I guess you should wear the seatbelt" I tried to communicate and then brought my sedan to a sudden halt.

Don't worry I checked the rear view mirror the road was clear.

She bumped a little ahead and straightened herself before pulling the straps of the seat belt to be fastened.

This time the irritating ring of her black box aka cell phone was answered by her "I am fine Sandy." She huffed annoyed on the phone

And suddenly started laughing "No I am alive you don't need to call the cops and yes I am not ignoring a HAWWWWTTTT guy like you so your ego is also safe," she said giggling.

"Unlike you others are busy." She continued her conversation ending up warning him "another call from you and honestly I am going to report it to the authorities that you use a cell phone in college. I have a proof of your call in my cell now" she narrowed her eyes playfully even though he wouldn’t be able to see.

After such irritating conversations about how he'd flirt with the $exiest faculty and swap the dead body that was kept in the lab for learning demonstrations with his own and shouted ‘boo,' at his fellow mates scaring them.

He also narrated few other amusing anecdotes irritating and entertaining her at the same time; the phone finally came to an end.

I, however, couldn't complain because she was back to her smiling self.

Did I mention that she looks cute smiling?

And she talks too much on the phone.

‘She doesn't, my inner argued

Wherein I am sure she does

My inner sing sang ‘Jealous of the way' while I continued driving.

"Why?" I couldn't help before the words left my mouth s**t "Why are you comfortable with him and even let him touch you?"

"Who and what are you talking about?" she asked confused.

"Sandeep" I pressed my lips into a thin line "Don't deny I have seen him holding your hand, and pressing your back at the seminar. Is there something I should know?" I asked.

They’d have my blessings if they were really into each other. I know it would be earlier than the contract but the two can be discreet right.

My inner running around with a burning heart in his hand but I choose to avoid his existence.

Please join the club with me

"YEEESSSS there is something very important that you should know." Her tone did not match her words.

I raised my eyebrows and though sideways I am sure she noticed as she continued with her answer "That you are a jerk."

"MWhoa, I guess I touched a nerve.

"I.. I .." I tried to speak but thought otherwise if she can be a b***h, I can ignore her for life.

‘Two years, you have two years with her, my inner reminded and I do not know why I was upset about it.

Maybe two years is a long time.

‘Jerk' my inner repeated Pari's words and sat quietly with my already bruised ego trying to ease of my raging emotions with the press of pedal.

"Umm..' Pari opened her mouth licking her lips and I raced further for I knew she'd be back to cursing my speed but when she finished I was already parked on the left of the road

"He has a sister with the same problem and he understands. He always seeks permission before he is about to touch."

When she realized I was clueless about what she was saying she added "the touching problem Haphephobia in medical terms."

 She said slowly as she continued playing with her fingers knotting them into each other and removing trying to avoid eye contact with me.

 "I too can touch you?" I tried to read her facial expressions “with prior permission of course” which stayed passive so I continued "but I did.. I tried you.. were not comfortable right?" I asked.

"I am not, not with him either but he insists, he says it's a part of therapy that his sister is undergoing," She stated 

"So can I touch you?" I looked at her expectantly "NOW?" 

She bit the inner of her cheek, a non-deliberate habit of hers and after a long pause answered "Okay" that one word took a lot of effort to be uttered by her.

"Its okay I am good," I said lifting my hands in the air seeing her discomfort.

The bright small smile that curved her pink lips showing how she was glad that I let her go; didn't push her made me smile too.

So proud of my own self my inner squared my shoulders patting me on my back and showing off that he and me are same to the invisible audience.

 I too felt glad that I broke the ice with her.

 `````````````````````

"Oh s**t ! oh s**t! s**t s**t!" I cursed under my breath.

"Hell! F##king NO! Oh MYYYYY GAAWWWDDD" she yelled, "I know this would happen. You and your BIIIIGGGG cars and to add to it you high speeding." She kept on blabbering in her high-pitched voice "Were you driving your car or playing a virtual racing game in your Xbox?

Damn why do you drive if you do not know how to hit the brake pedal?" she kept on cursing as I removed my seat belt to get down and assess the damage crossing my fingers and praying that the motorcyclist was safe and not hurt much.

Okay, I'll unfold the mystery. I hit my car.

We met with a freaking accident.

And I cannot understand what is more unnerving- 

That my car is hit or my cribbing wife who was depressed of life moments ago!

Once out of the car I was surrounded by a very disappointed mob that was ready to attack 

"Your father can buy you car but not responsibility" one of the elderly person with a broad stature and huge salt pepper mustaches that were curved upwards from both the ends.

"I .. I. am" I stuttered "Sorr…

"Hey hey hey!" Pari piped in cutting in my mid words "Who are you blaming? Why?" she twisted her hands interrogating him.

Her short and skinny stature outsmarting the broad one, as she looked square in his eyes intimidating him

Hell, I was intimidated too.

My inner like a baby dressed in shorts and Superman tee with a furry lion cuddled in his arms stared at her then at the mob with wide eyes wondering who is scarier?

 "The motorcycle rider was driving in wrong lane. My husband cannot be blamed." She finished with her hands on her hips.

Wouldn't be a lie if I say she intimidated me too?

And the turn of events completes 360 degrees.

Wasn't she cursing and blaming me inside the car?

"Madam he was over speeding" if the mustache guy was silent now another one from the mob in a uniform entered the conversation, probably a cop.

I pulled Pari a little behind murmuring in her eyes "back up" but she shrugged moving a step forward pointing her finger at the cop himself "Whoa how do you know? Were you there at the scenario? You toh were sipping your tea from the stall at the right even at the time of duty. I saw it with my eyes."

The cop was now looking at the ground scared.

Cheers to Pari! I almost raised my fists in the air for her salute almost!

I too was scared at her outburst.

"And what are you talking about speed. This is highway and one is supposed to drive in maximum speed limit here. I am sure my husband was following that unlike you. I bet you don't even know the speed limit here."

“And you dare try and Google the speed limit in your blackberry.” She threatened the cop.

Scared he lifted both his hands in the air, one of them holding his blackberry nodding is face saying ‘I wont’ emphatically.

My inner stood with folded hands smiling and awing at Pari even proud of her antics.

"But but.." the motorcycle rider said emphatically "my vehicle is damaged, I might have had some bruises too. " pointing at me he added "he needs to pay some compensation" his voice feeble by the end.

With quick force Pari dropped his hand down "Why should he pay? Would you pay for the damage to our car and you are lucky you ended up with only bruises, had it been some other amateur driver you'd have lost your life."

Saying she turned on her heels and started walking towards the car, me like her pet mostly pug puppy with an imaginary chain strapped to my neck trailed behind her.

A sudden bump made me stop on my tracks as she had stopped to turn around "Next time" she pointed at the motorcyclist "Drive on the right lane. Luck cannot be in your favor always"

And probably I imagined that the entire mob was clapping for her wisdom and bravery; it took a lot in me not to join my hands and applaud for her quite a performance.

Yay yay, I was impressed!

"Thanks for standing up for me," I said honestly.

Her reply- 

Like how a stage artist removes his makeup once the curtain is down, she too flipped "No need to get high and mighty about it." Her words deflating my ego like you puncture a well-inflated balloon with the prick of a needle as she added "you too should distinguish between luck and sovereignty, drive safe" she commanded before closing her eyes and getting lost into a deep slumber.

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

"Where are we?" she asked stretching her hands in front of her; dazed by unfamiliar surrounding when she woke once the engine of my sedan was shut.

"Not home?" she asked perplexed still sleepy.

"You were the one who did not want others to get a hint at what happened back there?" I questioned annoyed.

‘O" her mouthed formed an o "I lost the track while sleeping, you don't need to get cranky about it." She snapped.

"Cranky? Me?" I raised my eyebrow "It appears like you are in your periods."

Her face turned scarlet at the words.  She is not used to discussing such a thing in open.

But wasn't she the one talking about my mood swings and periods in the same sentence few days ago.

Whatever?

"Can we keep the discrepancies for later?" I asked tired of her chameleon attitude, not that I do not appreciate her forgetting the worst and switching for new light because I can't.

It takes a lot in me to do that.

I kind of switch off myself from my fears and sulk rather than facing them face front.

````````

The thrill and excitement on Pari's face were a view of its kind. It was like an 8-year-old having possession of Pari's anatomy.

She waited at each and every stall, even had the conversation with the vendor and smiled at them appreciating a piece or two and sharing some eateries with me.

"Hey, you'd like to have kulfi?' I imitated her excitement or you may say the euphoria of the name Kingdom of Dreams , a latest tourist attraction in Delhi getting the most of me.

"Kulfi?" she repeated perplexed.

"Kulfi the milk cream candy with a stick, it's cold, frozen and sweet." I gave my duh face.

Who doesn't know about kulfi?

Corrections which Indian does not know about kulfi?

"Wow Genius" she exclaimed excited and then turned into a duh' face, her turn now "I know what is kulfi but now?"

"It is only a kulfi, a desert not a pornographic film that can be enjoyed only after 10:30 in the evening." I couldn't help but comment.

"Calm your t**s" she shouted "Its just a kulfi, no need to get edgy about it" she snapped and then turned around "let's have it"

Well though nothing can beat the taste of a frozen kulfi yet I now realize this wasn't one of the best ideas.

No kidding guys

The way she unwrapped the kulfi from the butter paper, holding it both her hands, I wonder why?

Why oh why? My inner yelled as he banged his head on one of the walls beside.

She opened her big mouth O forming from her fuschia pink lips and she swallowed he whole bar in her mouth relishing it and then removing it repeating the task umm. Taste..

Shit, Kulfi was no longer appetizing or appealing, all I could see was how she was licking the thick soggy thick and enjoying every bit of it, the repetitive movements aahhh…, my little buddy between the leg getting alarmed while my inner anxious and jumpy.

And if the torture wasn’t enough she removed her tongue out and swiped it around the lips wiping them clean.

Shit! s**t s**t! Bad idea, kulfi can indeed have certified PG 13 rating if you look at me below my waist now.

“Huh’ hello; heelo” she waved in front of my eyes raising her eyebrows gesturing at me and looking down, below ummm….

Oh s**t she noticed!

I am gone, ruined, humiliated, will soon be abused, tortured or even castrated to have done such a blunder

‘Your kulfi?” She shouted and then scrunched her eyebrows “I thought you liked it?’

Ahhh she was referring to the kulfi that lay in my hands.

Thank God I thought she figured…

Okay.. I am good…No worries

My li’l buddy is safe and its sanity is intact.

“I do but …” I was speechless. How do I explain that there was something much better influencing than my kulfi and they were your luscious lips and big mouth..

My inner cupped my mouth with his hands trying to block my haywards thoughts.

Great job for once I have to agree.

Sighing she snatched the kulfi which was nothing but a stick wrapped with flavored milk for the thing had melted with the heat

‘Yeah the scene was so HOT’ my inner swayed like a stripper and I had to keep my fists in control not have him punched right on his jaw.

It was noon and sunny too the ice cream was bound to melt.

‘Keep saying’ my inner repeated and I graciously IGNORED.

“Can we watch Zangarroo?” she asked and then bit her lip shrugging her shoulder and walking ahead.

“What were you asking?” I asked wondering her change of plans.

“Umm.” She hesitated “nothing never mind.” She said biting the inner of her cheek; she does when she is trying to hide something and ignoring eye contact.

“You want to watch musical show?’ I asked “why are you hesitating?’ I asked annoyed.

She is so difficult.

“No is it time. Shall we go back home?” she tried to change the topic.

“Why don’t you want to see Zangarrooo?”

I asked looking at her eyes directly.

I had that this nagging feeling that I am not going to like what she would say but still I was adamant.

Yes my middle name is idiot

 Happy.

‘And don’t you dare lie to me.” I almost commanded 

‘The tickets are .. expensive” she almost whispered in her mouth the word expensive.

“So you think I cannot afford the tickets? What do you think I am? Oh for fu#k’s sake why cant you for once live your life? Why don’t you understand it’s not a big deal?” I kept on blabbering angrily without realizing.

How did I realize that I was blabbering?

Because she moved ahead to the ticket counter to buy tickets “Don’t get all Godzilla on me I’ll watch the show. Do you want to join?” she asked politely ignoring my ramble.

All I did was hand over my credit card to her smiling at my stupid outburst.

“Finally’ my inner mouthed

What? I asked frustrated both my inner self and Pari are going to be death of me

‘You realized you are stupid’ my inner mocked and pushed his hands in his white trousers and walked smirking at me and whistling coherently.

That ass!

“You are sure you are watching this show for entertainment purpose only?” I asked as I found her watching the whole show intently, her arms folded on her laps, a dreamy look in her eyes and a small smile on her lips as she was humming the song along with the dancers.

“Huh why do you ask?” she asked dreamily.

“Because you are watching like this is your syllabus and you are supposed to give your assessments regarding the same after the show.”

“You have paid money for the musical show or for the comedy?” she asked innocently.

I fiddled with the passes reading carefully and nodded ‘musical evening and am sure you’ll crack this question on the test papers.”

“Ha ha funny then why are you so keen in making a fool out of yourself and turn this music into sarcastic jokes. Well I would say sarcasm on self is highly in demand” she smirked before moving her eyes back to the show “but for your information I have paid a huge amount of money for the show and I intend to enjoy watching it fully rather than making a jerk out of myself.”

‘Say say’ my inner mocked at me ‘Make some more fool out of yourself” 

I simply folded my hands and mimicked Pari tryingto enjoy the show.

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

“Why don’t you wear the shawl that you had purchase from the Jammu Kashmir state stall?” I asked when she was rubbing her arms trying to keep the cold away.

“That was for gran ma.” She simply stated.

“The nike jacket from Punjab?”

“Sia has her classes early in the mornings, it’d be perfect for her.” She bit her lip nervously.

“Cardigan for mom right?’ it was my chance to question her now.

She bit the inner of her cheeks, her orbs shifting left to right and back and before I could utter a word she said abruptly “No I wouldn’t say I brought for them instead we’ll say that you picked them and I was completely oblivion about it”’ her face a complete distress

“Nothing for dad and me? You broke my heart” I pressed the left of my chest with my closed fist chuckling at her

She scrunched her eyebrows “You are not mad at me for buying gifts for them?”

Whoa what kind of girl is this?

One who is … 

‘A burglar.’ My inner finished

Burglar? My inner was a jerk most of the times but poor in English? That’s new.

Dressed in rock white pants and shirts with mercurial glass shades hiding his mischievous eyes and a guitar in his hand, not to forget the spiked hair covered with gel he sing sang ‘dheere dheere se dil ko churaya hai[ slowly and steadily she intends to steal your heart away]’; he removed his sunshades and winked before sprinting away from me.