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

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

So where was I?

Why am I hanging in the past tense?

Because I wanted to recollect why was I at the hospital in the first place..

Oh yes I remember this is a conspiracy against me..

By none other than Malhotras.

But why am I letting Malhotras drag me into this?

This is only because of Sia.

The very first day or not so first day when I met her at the restaurant with that egg yolk guy I knew she was trouble.

Yet the daring macho, the knight in shining armor that I am, I volunteered to help her.

I feel like pinching my bloated chest that has broadened by my brave deed and getting back to my own dull and boring life

Life was much better before Sia.

A visual picture of Genelia and me before meeting Sia made me shudder, another date with Genelia and her series of complaints I swear I would have committed suicide.

So well I cannot blame Sia either.

Its like we are trying to save each other.

Therefore when Malhotra family agreed to accept our non-existent relationship they had only one rule for me to be followed.

Hey hey hey don't take it easy..

And don't you dare think that it was an easy escape

Coz it isn't

By one rule, they implied that I had to follow one rule laid by each and every member of the family...

So there were series of rules that I had to agree. 

With papa Malhotra's strict rule of having our courtship for at least two years before we finally decide to tie the knots.

Raj started with me not meeting Sia at all which each and every member of the family condemned

Yay! 1 for me 0 for Raj

Then he reduced to dating once in a week which was again cut off by sweetest Moma darling "No that contraceptive my rule." Okay these were her words from English vocabulary that were later corrected by Sia "she means contradicts"

"My rule" her mom exclaimed dreamily "Take her to lots of dates," she swayed her head smiling as she continued "Love her, bring her gifts, flowers and butterflies all that you people in love do"

"Uh huh" a loud cough by gran ma who stopped mom "Have you forgotten me? I'll go first." She said sternly then looking warningly at me.

Probably my scared face might have melted her heart she softened 'I like you and all but if you are to marry my grand daughter" her eyes glued at mine

I squirmed under her experienced gaze, the guilt killing me inside for lying to such a motherly figure.

She however ignored as she continued "No more flirting with girls especially with Sia as your new fiancée" the distaste in her voice at the use of word new evident.

But that was easy, isn't it?

So you are wrong if you and me think alike.

The next words out of her mouth being "I do not want any other girl around 50 m radius from you, no hugging, no kissing and what you guys call these days" she air quoted her fingers, her stance determined in no nonsense way as she continued "especially that witch" "oops!" She giggled as she pressed her mouth due to her slipping.

For those who do not know gran ma that well, she is very easy going person with lots of love in her heart and loads of humor in her genes.

I personally love her.

Had she been my age I'd have actually dumped Sia pretend or not to marry her

Oops TMI pg13, censor..... beep beeps

"So you have to refrain from meeting her Genelia or you are officially restricted to meet any other girl that can be close prospect to be your partner"

"Yes...ss ma'am" I slurred at her tone.

"Good" she complimented patting me or trying to pat me on my head with her short frame and ended up patting me on my neck "nice boy. You have my blessings" she smiled through.

Nodding happily I too joined the Malhotra males eagerly digging into the samosa that had been teasing me throughout the evening, begging me to hog them.

As I was about to put the fork with potato stuffing in my mouth, like a jinx Raj stopped me shouting, "wait"

Damn! Can I poke the same fork into his eyes?

Don't get me wrong I am a very peace loving person but this R. M gets the worst out of me.

"My rule is you wont ever touch Si...."

"Raj" Pari yelled in warning

"Okay no kisses at least" his voice stern but eyes begging at Pari.

Pari put her hands on her hips challengingly..

"Okay no.. I mean NO Lip or.." he slurred now "I mean nofrenchkissing' he said in single breath.

Scarlet looking at papa Malhotra probably embarrassed at Raj's output on his choice of rule Pari couldn't help but scold him "How old are you Raj five? Haven't you done anything during your courtship? Be practical" she said with a bridge of finality.

"No I didn't. ours was a convenient one" Raj pouted and mumbled to himself earning an eye roll from Angie and said loudly this time "I am only being protective."

"Does being protective and acting weird have same meaning in your dictionary?" this was Sia 

And I couldn't help but feel proud of my girl for standing up for me.

2 for me; 0 for Raj.

Wait wait where did my girl come from?

"That wont stop me from laying my own rule" Raj almost growled looking at me like I was his next meal.

"Yes you can but..." Pari tried to put some sense.

"Now you don't have to give me instructions." Raj said but a twinge of fear in his voice much like 'if I cross my boundary now, my bedroom action will have no Jackson' kind but still his glare was fixated at me.

"Raj yes but don't be mean" Sia begged.

"And rude" Pari ordered.

I squirmed in my seat, my platter begging for me to have a morsel but I know if I had one bite without hearing his aka RM's rule all heaven will let loose.

"Do you want to discus about your rule before declaring it aloud?' Pari asked.

"Why should I?" Raj defended.

"Because you are being judgmental' Sia added and soon there was chaos of words, each and every female member of the family either cursing or warning Raj my head spinning with the melodrama of the family.

Well you wouldn't want to miss Papa Malhotra; there he sat relaxed, on a king sized garden chair though made of plastic, its still a Maharaja chair his one leg crossed over another and hands folded rested on his back as he enjoyed the drama unfolding in front of him as his lips curved slightly upwards an amusing almost smile gracing his face.

Didn't I use metaphor of a monkey for myself?

I have being presenting the show, Malhotras the audience.

I might as well charge entertainment fees and tax to the family.

"You have to practice celibacy till marriage" Raj finally shouted out loud and the way he stood straight his shoulders broad clarified that he wasn't backing down anyway "And you don't have to remind me what I did." He warned Pari who stood unaffected at his silly threats.

'Raj.." Pari stood to object but Sia stopped 'okay okay agreed" she barged between the two lovebirds as if there would be serious scuffle if she didn't intervene.

"We agree right Sandy?" Sia fluttered her eyelashes at me seductively and suggestively.

"What are you suggesting" Raj asked furiously 

"Raj" papa Malhotra intervened now "you are talking to Sia remember," his tone a strict warning.

"I apologise" quickly putting his head down sincerely apologetic about his behavior Raj went to Sia "I am simply looking out for you."

"I know" she patted him, a flash of vulnerability flashing her eyes for a millisecond before she composed herself "no worries" she patted on his head then wiping her hand with her toned ass she mocked her sibling "Pari did you give him chameli[stinking] oil to apply on his head?" she made a yucky face "it stinks."

"Its gel and a branded one" Raj defended himself, a sibling battle was about to begin when Pari wrapped her veil around her waist tightly a very serious expression on her face "my rule"

I smiled I knew my best friend wont be that harsh so I eased on my chair and delicately picked a cookie with a kiss and bit it with a crunching sound waving my hand for her to continue.

"You will join your dad's hospital from tomorrow."

There was a standstill, a pause button had been hit, pin drop silence prevailed for the longest duration, all the Malhotra eyes were glued to me, the last bit of cookie now choked my throat which was parched and dry by now

Out of all the rules laid by the Malhotra's this was the most challenging one.

But it was laid by none other than Pari, my Angie and although I was expecting her to be against our relationship but she supported and I do not know if I should thank her enough or feel sorry for myself for being stuck up in a pretended relationship.

Well I do not mind being with Sia though, lets keep the age difference aside but all this is fake and wrong and somewhere deep inside I feel strongly guilty to not only lying to the Malhotras who were more or less like a family but also Angie who is my best friend, who can read me like a book nevertheless she did not catch my lies.

I AM in trouble

''''''''''

"Dr Sandy. oops!" the newly appointed nurse whose name I have not asked yet giggled "Dr Sandeep, Dr Nicholas is waiting for your assistance in Opd" she reminded me why I was feeling so jittery at the moment.

Every step I took towards the theatre was like climbing a huge slippery rock with my feet frozen but I had to.

I had promised Angie and not to forget these were dads's order..

That son of a...

Oops! No dad cursing

But I can rightfully add that father of an a**..

But why am I cursing myself?

It should be my hesitation to enter the self imposed restricted area

Why am I here at the first place?

Because of dad, he knew I wouldn't deny in front of Sia.

He not only invited Sia to his office but also did not spare any chance to humiliate me in front of her.

Well sharing my childhood secrets that I used to wear my red underwear over my denim pants to look like superman and how I wanted to be prince charming and wake the sleeping beauty only because of which I took horse riding lessons. 

How I cried to death because I lost front two milk teeth and I thought I looked ugly and no princess would marry me. Worst I'd not be able to even kiss properly

I was 6 man!

And if that was not enough he started narrating the tales of his friends children who were even worst, one of them jumped from the balcony to act like batman breaking his first two teeth.

Well he could go on and on therefore I interrupted him "dad I am here to work so may I go and try to be useful?"

"I appreciate that you are trying," he laughed for reasons unknown to mankind.

Can't blame him though he didn't get to watch serials like Friends and Big bang theory.

He deserves to laugh at silly things.

"Well" he folded his hands from across his office desk, his stance serious "if you remember I am the one here who allots duties and therefore if you prefer to be useful I guess you have to take orders from me." He looked straight into my eyes.

Anticipating what he was up to, I panicked but was strongly composed yet my body went rigid, I knew what was coming up next and I dint want that. 

The room with green and red light on the doors!

I might have stiffened and next I realize movement besides me, a very soft hand had enclosed mine in hers, her finger fitting perfectly well between mine and the sturdy grip she held, a silent promise that she was there, I relaxed immediately and then when I looked at her she smiled sweetly closing her eyes for a millisecond a silent affirmation of the emotion I felt at the moment.

"I think you should leave now" dad ordered authoritatively, "Dr. Nicholas is waiting for your assistance in the surgery."

I licked my lip in anticipation, my throat suddenly parched dry when Sia pressed my palms softly and before I could anticipate what was happening she hugged me casually, her lanky frame enclosing me in a friendly hug "all the best" she moved back smiling warmly and then looking at dad if she didn't do something like showing pda

Yes! My folks a friendly hug to your fiancé IS considered PDA in India.

"First day luck" she winked at dad who laughed heartily again.

I wish I could laugh along but I couldn't and here I am outside the opd waiting to start my first day of work.

Clenching and unclenching my fists I stretched my hand to finally open the door when the familiar buzzing of my phone interrupted me.

I quickly pulled out the phone to shut it off while I was at the theatre when the caller id made me pick up.

She is a peer and would only take a second to inform her that I was leaving for a surgery so instead I swiped the circle in green "Angie" I greeted and before I could explain that we cannot talk she started shouting "I want to see you NOW"

"I cant I ..." before I could explain she started yelling again

"Listen I have only half an hour break then I am busy rest of the day you better bring your ass down I am waiting outside the hospital" she yelled from her Bluetooth speaker indicating that he was indeed waiting downstairs in her car.

I was about to apologize when the door to the theatre opened and a stressed Dr. Nicholas exited through it 

"Dr. Sandeep I was looking for you" he said

"Yes I'll join you in a bit" I said moving back to conversation with Angie.

"No that's not what I am here for" Dr. Nicholas appeared guilty "I am sorry actually.." he stalled unsure of how'd I take the news "actually the kid's parents are insisting on having the child's regular pediatrician assisting me for the surgery." He patted me on my shoulders "Hope you don't mind?" he asked apologetically.

"No way. Why should I?" I might have sounded over excited because Dr. Nicholas's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I understand the parent's concern" I composed myself "go ahead and all the best" immediately switching to my cell trying to ignore the weird looks Dr was sending my way "see you in a bit" I yelled to Angie and raced down the stairs like tail between my legs were on fire.

"Sandeep babu" I heard a familiar voice filled with love. But I couldn't get whose.

I turned around to see not so old man in his mid forties but his semi baldhead and gray hair shouted years of experience and hard work.

"Moon light" my nickname for him as I transformed his Indian Chandrakant from one of the villages where me and Angie had taken medical camp.

His shining bald head like a moon cannot be forgotten, I named him moonlight exactly because of that.

I greeted him with a smile on my face "what brought you here?' I asked as he still held my hands after shaking firmly for almost a minute.

"Remember my stomach ache?" he asked "you told me to visit big hospital from city and get all the tests done."

"Yes yes" I smiled happily that he agreed and the pink tint on his cheeks said he was feeling better.

"That's good." I said honestly "how are you feeling now?

"Great. People here are also very nice. They did not even charge me for treatment and tests." He said happily "when I forced them they said you, Dr. Sandeep" he took my name proudly like a father talking about his son who had topped in the board exams "got it covered. YOU" he stressed, "paid the bills"

"I never paid the bills. I did not even know that you were here." I mumbled.

"What but they.." the man "how is it possible. Why.." the self respect valuing man stressed more than necessary so I shrugged it off.

Maybe I might have had a word or two with dad and might have forgotten

'Forget the bills the main thing is are you feeling healthy and good?" I asked patting his little back 

"I have never felt healthier all my life, the medicines they give are nice. Thanks to you."

"Please don't thank me.

"Chandrakant" the nurse called and Moonlight excused himself "I have to go, they call me for monthly checkups." He said hastily with lot of affection "see you later" he shook my hands as I repeated "later" after him.

With a quick formal greet I eased into the passenger door of Angie's suv as she drove to the regular café down the street where we normally meet and chat.

"Even snakes shred their skin after sometime" I told Angie who had a confused expression "you can get off your second skin" I told her.

I gestured toward her doctor's coat.

Like the coolest girl she is she calmly folded her arms around her waist staring at me up and down 

Picking up on each other is common; I knew a comeback was on its way.

"Have you heard sometime ago in your childhood?" Angie now rested her elbows on my shoulders "practice before you preach" she eyed my doctor's coat from top to bottom.

"whoopsie!" I chuckled holding my hands in the air "I goofed up."

Quickly removing my coat and placing it on the passenger seat I asked "ready?'

"One minute" she raised her pointer and then neatly folding her coat and then mine" she nodded

"Happy?" I asked eyeing her ocd

"It is not obsessive cleaning disorder" she shouted before I could tease her on "this is my personal choice, something you can never value." She made a grumbling face muttering some decent curses.

"Coffer for sir and green tea for me" she ordered the waiter adding "green tea with honey and chocolate and sprinkler dough nut" she flapped closed the menu scaring me the most.

Angie, the Pari was ordering unhealthy coffee and doughnuts?

This was miracle

This was earth revolving east to west 

It was snowfall in summers, sunshine in winter

It was ....

So not good news

I might have pouted

Because I knew this is a long conversation.

But what did Sia say?

Yes she trained me to behave in a way so that everyone is convinced we are dating and actually engaged 

For Angie 

Step 1.

Square your shoulders

2.

Ease yourself, give yourself a back rest

3

Look into her eyes

And like a sincere student I followed every bit..

There was only a tiny bit glitch.

Both Sia and me forgot one tad bit detail...

Angie here is my best friend she could read me like a book.

"Cut the crap Sandy" she eased herself into the chair answering her cell phone with busy call you later' reply.

"Its not my birthday Angie" I mocked "and why would you get me crap for a cake?"

"Can your humor take a back seat?" she said pretending to be angry "It doesn't work on me."

"It doesn't?" I asked worried or pretending to be worried.

'Nopes, nada" she said confidently.

"So you wouldn't laugh if I tell you that the girl in second row is wearing a polka dot panty?" I asked.

"Its nothing to laugh" she replied angrily "its creepy to stare."

"Okay you wouldn't laugh when I tell you that she is getting a nice handjob?' I asked seriously and feeling deflated that my humor was not working.

"What?" she whisper yelled making a yucky face "You shouldn't stare" she hit me on my arms 

Why cant people do stuff in their rooms.

"So you think that if you have got your drink spilled in a restaurant, you'd wait till you reach your home and then clean it?" I asked then laughed "she spilled her coffee and trying to rub that off" I continued laughing as Angie joined me "although its funny that I looks like she is giving a hand job to herself."

"Sandy" she tried to be angry but failed "you and your manipulative observations"

"Wait wait she is a gay" I shouted but quickly slapped my mouth shut as both of us started giggling when her girlfriend now with the excuse of cleaning the stain was rubbing her..."

you all know what...

"I am not here for fun." Angie stopped laughing and folded her hands on the table as she said sternly "we need to talk."

"We ARE talking Angie" I said "you can never keep quiet remember you lost the challenge last time when I told you to remain silent for five minutes.

"Sandy" she narrowed her eyes

Like a sweet guy that I am I acted to zip my lips and gestured her to continue

"You and Sia"

Yes! Like you guys even my ears were on high alert.

"What is going on between you two?"

"Angie.." I tried to speak

But she stopped me "I know both of you well, something is amiss"

"Its nothing" I tried, I really tried 

"Just tell me the truth why are you together?" she looked at me in a way that I couldn't lie 

I looked around left and right anticipating whether to tell the truth or lie straight on face to my best friend

My relationship with Sia was a pretend

And risking my friendship with Angie was a big price I'd have to pay

Lying Angie was not something that I could do.

Impatiently Angie was tapping her feet under the table

Each tap felt like a loud singular drum roll in slow motion

Her narrowing slits were a fact that any lie would not be left unobserved by her.

"ilikeSia" I blurted out loudly

And when I realized I had spoken aloud something, I had answered Angie

I also realized that it wasn't a lie, it was truth.

"I like Sia" this time it was more confident and I was sure about it.

It also meant one thing...

What have I said?'