His Pretended Fiancee`(spin off of Marriage For Convenience)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

''''''''''''''Sia''''''''''''''

"Its okay if you want to be out of this pretended relationship?" I asked "I do understand I am lethal, a grenade that can blast any moment. You are not safe with me."

"Whatever you think about yourself," he said looking directly into my eyes and although I take time to trust people I knew he meant every bit of the word that he was speaking "Sia whatever you have assumed about yourself, I understand you have been through a lot to make yourself think this about yourself but I know I am not endangered in your company. More than that I like being with you. So I do not want to be out of this this relationship, not voluntarily." He pressed my hands in assurance "but if you feel trapped and uncomfortable in my company I understand and there is no pressure. I totally understand"

I blinked my eyes but unlike my character to always convert a vulnerable and serious situation into a funny one I let him speak "I won't say that I wouldn't miss you, our togetherness, the secret we share but yes I will live, I'll survive" his vulnerable self was completely exposed.

He wasn't living his life; he was surviving.

Just like me

My heart did a little fluttering.

I might have developed a little something for my childhood crush.

Yes! He was indeed my crush

I have really liked him, obsessed over him for years, I was even jealous of Pari sometimes to have a hilarious and outgoing friend like him.

He was always sweet and never missed a chance to compliment anyone and everyone.

Especially mom. Mom was a die hard fan of him, still is.

I remember once when he was home for Pari's birthday party, he shook hands with me and also complimented me on the bird shaped pendant of mine.

I was so happy that I kept the pendant in my drawers for years.

Well I am not going to share the tiny secret that I did not wash my hand until next morning.

He is indeed a charmer.

He'd always carry an aura of fresh air around him.

Probably I suggested /proposed this pretentious relationship with him because I wanted him around.

Not that I still have that crush on him but because I need someone who'd not pity or judge me because I am adopted or molested in my childhood.

There was actually a reason why I wanted him around.

But now his closeness scares the s**t out of me.

I think I am starting to have feelings for him.

And I don't want it.

I do not like being mushy

It only complicates things

And the L' name given to the feelings is just too overrated.

I want freedom

And I do not want to lose him

Do I sound meaningful?

Taking a deep sigh I mask myself into the strong Sia again "Don't fool me. I know you are only looking forward to have a hot, beautiful and intelligent girl like me in your relationship status."

When I did not get any reaction I said further "Moreover you are still scared of your ex who would come and stick to you like a leech the first instance she comes to know you are single." I gave a model like twist "anyways I am still hotter than her"

He finally chuckled as he pulled me into his laps.

I might have resisted for a second or so but the position was too comfortable to let go so I stayed "My effbee page really looks glamorous with your picture tagged as my fiancée and I wouldn't give it for the world." He said fiddling with my hands.

The position was turned cozy for me to handle.

I also am fully aware that all the girls out there would be kick hard jealous of me for the moment.

"Melodrama" I teased him getting up and away at a safe distance from him

"Practicing" he shrugged "have to stay with Malhotra family for a while."

"If you want to stay Mister" I tapped on his forehead "you have come out of your dumb box and act better."

"Act better?' he asked confused.

"Yes if you want to maintain this relationship and want to make others believe that we are indeed in a relationship you have to be a little more cuddly and little more gooey" I air waved my hands to explain and clarified "in front of my family, especially Pari"

'Cuddly and Gooey?" he stood up smiling, his eyes glistening with excitement as he hugged me for a moment "Does that mean that I get to hug you and kiss you" his lips dangerously close to my ears making thousand of butterflies doing power yoga in my stomach. I loved the feel of the touch of skin against mine.

But I knew this was dangerous.

This was fire and I was taught better not to play with it

I might have melted for fraction of a second but I quickly composed myself and kicked him hard on his shin.

"Ooucch! Oo! oooh" he shrieked in pain "was it really necessary to be violent?"

"A reminder that we are not engaged and only pretending you pervert of an assho..."

"Wait wait" he defended himself "I was not perving I meant to say I would get to kiss you and hug you in front of your brother" he rubbed his pained shin "the spitball of fire in his eyes to see us happy and so much in love would be so much fun" he rubbed his hands in excitement.

What made my heart go hanky panky was a piece of s**t fun for him!

Angrily I landed another punch on his gut.

"Oh man! There should be some kind of instructions or statutory warning related to dating or engaging with girls who train especially the ones with abs," he complained as he rubbed his abs 

Real s**t! His abs was taut perfect too. I actually had to suppress the urge to rub my now burning knuckles.

But I managed.

I can bear pain, had been doing it a lot

So I'll live.

"Are you sure you can pull it off without getting your balls chopped?" I teased him.

"Are you on his side or mine?" he asked bewildered like a kid.

I could actually pull his cheeks for his childish behavior but I didn't.

That would get too personal.

"He is my brother and you?" I scratched my chin for dramatization "I think I have to go with my brother, you are pretending fiancée and he is my real bro..." I bit my lip before I spoke further.

Straightening myself I tipped his head "get ready at 7 tomorrow. You have to visit my family. Go to hospital tomorrow, you have to create an impression right. Don't forget the cuddly and cozy thing>"

"Now can I bark?" he asked like a very obedient employee "if my masters orders are over.

I smiled inertly.

God! I realized I have been instructing him non-stop and he'd been taking them without any argument.

"No you can mew." I played along "I prefer cats instead of dogs."

"Nevertheless I am none other than your pet" he pouted and then a twinkle shone in his eyes "Between how many kisses and hugs is this pet entitled to while visit to your family" he rubbed his hands excitedly actually rubbing off my attitude "lets talk business" 

"Right I will come to that part" I kept my poker business face on "you have to stick to my side, touchy touchy hands on the lower of my back every time," I stressed "Every time. What do they say 'people in love cannot keep their hands off each other?' I waved my hands in the air explaining.

He took a deep breath in excited and exhaled it out with a whistle.

Of course he is a guy and would anticipate some action! 

Freaking asshole 

But can I blame him?

Considering his charming character where women almost drop off their panties with one look at him, I have bonded him into a fake relationship 

Adding to that I have been nothing but a b***h to him.

"Your hands better behave." I warned although I lacked the required force in my voice.

Do I want to be touched by him?

I dusted off the weird thoughts clouding my brain for the moment.

"Do I get to kiss you?" he asked licking his lips. 

"Why not?" I answered and the regretted immediately "you can kiss and deepen it, let your tongue wriggle and dance inside my mouth" I could see his eyes filled with desire, his mouth gaping open with lust and the I put my poker face back "no promises that I wouldn't bite and next time you talk to a girl you will say fuss instead of f**k"

He closed his mouth instantaneously zipping it into a straight line actually scared of my warning. I therefore eased down on him "a peck here and there will be fine."

"A peck here, a peck there. That will be more than one pecks. So can you actually state the number of pecks that I am allowed to have?" he asked innocently.

Of course he was faking it!

The innocent part

When I glared at him, he composed himself making a cute puppy dogface.

I know I am being harsh on him.

But he is too cute and I enjoy with him, so I was simply stalling our conversation.

I wasn't ready to let him go, not yet.

"Okay then how many hugs? Can the good bye hug accompany good bye kiss?" he asked and when I made a hissing sound obviously irritated at his silly questions, he sobered up.

He closed the distance that I had created between us while explaining his code of conduct with my family, he looked into my eyes, his golden ones staring my dark ones trying to reach my soul reading a hundred secrets yet keeping them to himself.

My eyes landing on his pink lips that were now wet for he'd licked them seconds ago, his two-day stubble that gave him a bad boy look and he still looked hot.

I shouldn't think about him this way.

I arranged him as my pretended fiancé for a reason,

I should not be attracted towards him.

Not that I am worried about the age difference.

It is the baggage that I am carrying along.

It is because of Ravin guy...

Whatever he did to mutilate me

But the person who burnt my soul was me myself.

So I cannot put the blame of my shitty life on anyone but myself.

My funda... be a b***h!

Hurts less

Sighing deeply I run my hands into my hair picking the whole bunch of my dark tresses and throwing hem away in other direction, just like I wanted to throw my thoughts away.

Sandy understood

He lifted his hands to the crook of my neck, his eyes never leaving mine and slowly they started travelling down and before I could warn him, the tiny tingles in my body with his touch were too much to take.

He rested them on my shoulders

Pressure pulsating with his two fingers in the front and thumb on my back he started moving in circles, massaging me.

Gosh! Wasn't that wonderful.

I closed my eyes in anticipation enjoying the touch and released pressure that his massaging fingers were helping with 

"Relax Sia," he said making me open my eyes "I understand. I will do my best and" his hands now rested on the left of my cheek "I would never do that to you. I will always remember that this is only a pretend. I know you are way too young for me. You deserve better. You can trust me.' 

Only if he knew

I looked at him intently as he closed his eyes probably processing his own words then lifted his head, his face devoid of all the sparkling and sincerity embracing his sharp features as he asked "Do you trust me?"

'''''''''''''''''''''''

"Couldn't you remind me it was Angie and that Saddu's anniversary today?" He asked frustrated as he exited another art gallery while he was hunting for just the right gift to impress his would be brother in law aka my brother Raj.

"Since it is my mistake I will let go that you called my brother Saddu in hindi even though referring him Rude much also means the same in English. So I let you pass."

"But I will fail this so called designated meeting that you have so cautiously organized with your family." His voice stressed.

'Look you can give these pink flowers to them" I directed towards the bouquet of pink roses he ordered online for mom.

"Oh no" he cutely hugged the bouquet tightly like a girl holding her favorite teddy to sleep "These are for my darling. She'll get very disappointed if I do not get her these."

Did I just call the hawt guy dressed in the most $exiest black tux with six packs and a steaming body cute? 

It's a moral crime!

A screeching halt to the car made me clutch the rear of the car into tight grip "Sorry. I'll be back in a bit." He excused himself running towards the mall.

'Probably male periods' I chuckled at my thoughts and dug into my mobile for a game of...

Yes you guessed it right Candy crush.

I might appear normal and usual bitchy self but I am hell bound nervous.

Last meeting of Sandy and my family was okay; our relationship was raw. But Pari had been critically analyzing our relationship a lot. So I want us to behave like a happy couple.

Not that what others think about me bothers me. But the fact that she might induce and emotionally manipulate me to visit the therapist worries me sick.

Not that I have any personal grudge against her.

It is not even the fact that she has a queer fat and round nose, her hair half black and half that reminds me of Cruella from movie 101 Dalmatians and I resist the urge to laugh cruelly every time she asks a stupid question.

And her frequent statement 'there is something that has happened in your childhood that has scared your faith in relationships'

I have the strongest desires to pull both the sides of her black and white hair and shout "Woman its not only childhood but the teen age when people do things that they are not proud of and are scarred for life.'

But I am strong willed and no matter how much she insinuates and convinces me to open up, I don't.

I can't

And I wont

My secret has to die with me.

How much excruciating it is to maintain the secret within myself?

I consider it as my punishment, my payback by karma. 

Dying every moment of my life because I am the reason of someone else's death.

"Got it" I instantly smile as the owner of the voice has the power to emanate all the evils and negativities of the people in the 50 m radius of his.

"That was quick." I complimented as I saw him placing a gift pack on the back seat.

"But what did you get from the grocery store?" I asked suspicious "Are they neatly and craftily packed mushrooms and broccoli, a gift that could make Pari ecstatic and Raj suffer for he has to bear the wrath of Pari's healthy cooking.

"You should have suggested this earlier. It would have been so much fun. I can actually visualize Raj's face as he chucks those pieces of broccoli in his mouth" he pouted obviously disappointed

I smacked him on his shoulders

My brother and he are like Tom and Jerry always fighting with each other yet they both are analogous to each other.

Nodding my head at his antics I asked, "So what did you get to impress my brother?""

"A satin tie" there's this showroom for belts and tie behind the super market I knew about and then again I can gift him the tie and if he annoys the hell out of me I can wring his neck with his own tie."

"You are so mean" I hit him softly with the same gift box.

"And your brother is meaningless" he argued like a two year old.

I let the mater slid and doing a once over I reminded him "So we are doing this today because .."

Like kid from the nursery who narrates the entire poem in one go Sandy filled in for me "it is RM and Angie's anniversary so they'd be in a hurry to finish of the party and rush to their rooms to do" he wriggled his eyebrows and then making a disappointed face "that I do not get to do" earning a glare from me.

"I am wearing very high heels and you surely do not have pads on your sheen" I warned.

"Okay okay he raised his other hand that was not on the wheel in the air defensively, his eyes glued on the road "your mom would be excited and busy since the cake and the color is pink so she wouldn't notice, your dad has earned the biggest deal so he is already high and your gran ma?" 

"You can easily tame her with your charm" I finished for him.

Then I felt some tugging on my arms, his soft fingers moving up and down bringing tingles wherever they touched 

"What are you doing?" I snapped at him and in reality I liked it.

"You wanted to rehearse remember." He said innocently "this is the lovey dovey and touchy part. I guess you need practice." 

Then his hands went to my thigh trailing small circles 

'Acccllluppp ' voice was heard as I slapped on his hand hard "I meant it for show, not in the vicinity of the car when we are alone."

"Why does my touch bother you when we are alone?" he asked and then winked seductively.

My mouth gaped open and close like a fish but failed to form any coherent reply that could shut him down.

"Now you can shut your mouth close or they might think that you were visualizing a blowjob in your dreams to me." He commented as he switched off the ignition.

I might have blushed red that I did not realize that he was on the other side opening the door for me.

For me

Why do I find the act endearing?

"Happy Anniversary Angie." Sandy beat me to hug and greet his best friend on her big day.

Well I wasn't fuming red because he won over me but the fact that he was carrying a gift for Pari in the pocket of his trousers all the while and he did not mention it to me.

The duo were chatting endlessly and I took the initiative to wish my brother "Many many happy returns of the day bro" I hugged him and offered him the gift pack "Sandy" I couldn't help the venom in my voice at the stupid act of Sandy forgetting why he was around and the agenda he had for impressing my family.

Had I been his real fiancée I would have strangled him for the same.

"Got this for you" I looked at Sandy with a warning eye glare and he immediately came to my side earning a 'teach you later' smile from "happy anniversary R... " He corrected himself "Raj"

"Thank you" Raj too replied in a clipped tone as he gave a once over, the kind of sizing up thing guys do every time they look at each other checking who'd win if there was a brawl between the two. "This was not needed" Raj looked at the gift distastefully.

Where are the manners?

"I hope you like the gift although you don't need it since you are already gifted with the beautiful Angie." Sandy said waiting for a comeback from Raj.

He surely enjoys pushing his buttons

"Too bad I get her annoying friends too.." Raj was not able to complete because a very hyperactive and a smiling lady in pink interrupted the conversation "Sandy" she pulled him for a hug "I am so glad you are here. I am glad you are with Sia." 

"Thanks darling" Sandy was completely comfortable at the overdramatic affection he was receiving from mom "these less than beautiful flowers are for more than beautiful pretty lady in pink" he handed over the pink bouquet to mom who gushed in her improper English 'so petty, I put them pot then they'll flush"

"Why would you put them in a pot?" Sandy asked bewildered and upset that she found the roses petty and was about to flush them.

"She means pretty" gran ma corrected mom "and is putting them in a vase, flower pot and they'll flourish not flush," she patted her forehead faking a disappointed face at mom "too much in a hurry to complete her sentence"

After an intimate hug from gran ma and a formal hand shake with dad Sandy as if remembering something weirdly rushed to my side. He moved a little behind me and pressed his hand at the lower of my back.

I flinched at the sudden movement.

'God someone please explain him how to pretend in love'

"Oops I forgot" he murmured in my ear. I had the strongest urge to glare at him and smack him hard on his feet but it was the newly polished Louis Vuitton shoes and also the very reason to pretend that we were a happy couple stopped me from doing so.

I therefore faked a smile and nodded as if he was saying something intimate and lovey dovey shifted more close to him.

He was confused for a while but quickly managed to put up with the act.

While we were all seated at the dinner table waiting for the two-tier cake to arrive we managed to hold hands

Well actually I tried to hold his hand which he quickly snatched away form my grip and the when I kicked him below the chairs, realization hit him and making an o' face he went to step two and kissed me.

A loud cough by dad followed by loud thud where Raj smashed the banana lying in the basket in front of him with a butter knife glaring angrily at Sandy.

Sandy might have choked his own saliva at the mere look of smashed banana.

It was indeed an ugly sight to be seen.

No wonder I notice him crossing his legs under the table in a gest to protect his own banana.

I suppressed the giggle that was about to escape my mouth when the soup and starters were served and like the usual ever hungry like a pig guy that Sandy is dug into his food and was concentrating in eating as if he'd been starving since ages.

I tried to start a conversation 'you like the soup Sandy?" I asked fluttering my best lashes possible, my squinted eye on Pari who was watching the exchange closely.

Rather it wouldn't be wrong to say that she had one of her James Bond eyes on us all the time as if assessing our relationship.

"I think you should feed me," I murmured into his ears, a sickly sweet smile etched on my face.

But the i***t that he was simply replied with "Huh"

Damn he is going to goof up

"I said feed me" I smiled but whisper shouted with gritted teeth.

"Why? Don't you have your own bowl' he replied back in full volume.

"Sandy" I smiled sickly sweet and murmured closely into his ears not forgetting to brush my lips on them 'lovey dovey touchy feely remember"

To say I was unaffected by the li'l touch would be an understatement of the century.

But I composed myself

I had to 

Why?

Because next

"Oh" he shouted loudly "Now I remember"

"What do you remember?" Raj asked scrutinizing him up and down.

"I remember we were supposed to be lo.. I meani..i.." he stuttered

"Everything alright Sandy?" Pari asked with concern.

"Yeah.. yeah" he stuttered again.

"You look pale." Pari grilled further " what were you supposed to do?"

"We are, I mean I am fine, we were supposed to cut cake for the anniversary." He finally blurted a go with the situation lie "right hun" he winked at me

I was so upset that I almost crushed the taco that I was eating on my forehead hitting my head with a 'useless expression'.

Fortunately dad who was busy with his phone all the while entered the scenario.

Thank god he did

But this was a temporary settlement towards the almighty 

Because what came next made me think otherwise

"Pari you and Raj will have to travel to China next week. The machines we had ordered for the hospital are due for delivery. I want you to check them thoroughly before they are shipped." Dad told rather ordered Raj.

"China for a week Raj's eyes twinkled with excitement at the thought of a holiday with Pari.

"Oh shoot!" Pari objected "I can't. I have this training session in a hospital in Mumbai, the conference room is booked, invitations are sent, I cant" she dropped her spoon.

"But you have to get the shipment done soon otherwise the start of new financial year is expected to rise in prices. Also her is scarcity of availability and I want it to be used soon by our patients." dad explained "Can't you manage anything Pari"

"Sorry dad the invites are under my name. Most of the people have accepted rsvp only because Malhotra name was in the card. I don't think its possible. Again I have also invited doctors from all over the world for the seminar; their tickets are booked, reservations done. I am sorry, I absolutely cannot." She shrugged apologetically.

Stressed dad removed his glasses from his eyes and wiped them with the edge of his shirt a habit that he has developed over the years whenever he is stressed. He even ignored the glaring eyes of the mom.

Pari seemed to have noticed this. Even the evil glint in her eye that always said there was something fishy cooking in her head, her eyes still following mine and Sandy's move where Sandy was still hogging dinner like a dog from Antarctica who'd been driving sledge all the day and me trying to assess what was cooking in Pari's head. 

I tried to kick slowly Sandy from below the table but he was so deeply buried in his steak that he replied my kick with another kick of his, a painful one.

I masked the pain with a smile trying to burn holes in his head with my glaring eyes, but no reaction.

But it was only moments later when the entire concentration of his was put on stand still when his ears perked and his fork slipped from his hand making a loud crinkling sound

Oh shoot!

Now he'd react!

Actually it was Pari who shot her line of words "Why don't we send Sia and Sandy to China. Sandy is a doctor with proficient knowledge and now he is family too."

Sandy coughed loudly at the sound of Pari's idea quickly picked the napkin from the table to hide his shocked expression.

Boy we were in serious trouble!