Mine, To Hold And Behold

Chapter 21

The city of romance. I don’t think there is a better way of describing the city. The weather was chilly but romantic nonetheless. The traffic here was decent not like the usual traffic in India. I think I made a good decision in choosing this city and this occasion to propose to Pari. " Ugh " I groaned. Just the thought of proposal makes me fidgety. I mean, proposing, is almost like giving her an option, she can either accept or deny me.

No way. She won't deny me. Even if she does, she will marry me. I will make sure of that.

We reached the hotel where we all checked in into our respective rooms. I took a nice long shower and let the warm water ease the tension out of my system. As soon as I stepped out into the bedroom, wrapped in nothing but a towel, my gaze swept over shadow and a startled gasp escaped my mouth. Holy christ!!!

"What the hell are you doing in my suite?" I yelled at the intruder clutching my towel tightly and trying to control my heart beat. Mr.Sharma turned around from the couch, gave me a once over and turned back to reading his newspaper as if I was nothing important. what the f**k?!!

"Didn't you know? We are sharing a room" he said flatly. I bet my expression was horrific. No way in hell I am sharing a room with Mr.Sharma. Not that I didn't like him or anything but come on... I have hots for his daughter. I can't share a room with him. It will be too uncomfortable. What if I'm having a day dream or worse, a fantasy about her daughter? How the hell am I going to manage? And why?

" Well" I drawled, "there must be a misunderstanding, there are plenty of rooms available. I can get you an-" he cut me off, rudely

"I asked for this" he said not looking up from the paper. Oh for God's sake, what's so interesting in that god damn paper? "I'm not letting you near my daughter, until you tie the knot" he said.

I walked to the closet where the hotel staff had already done the unpacking and rearranging of my clothes. I yanked a pair of boxers and jeans hurriedly. Having a conversation while clad in nothing but a towel to cover your modesty was a bit tricky. Old men. How do I get it through his thick skull that I need to be alone with Pari in order to marry her. How will I propose if he continues to stalk me like a maniac?? I grunted my disapproval which obviously went unnoticed by the man.

I walked around the couch and sat in front of him. A minute passed, then two then three, but he didn’t look up. I sighed. I rubbed my face with my palms in resignation. This is going to be hell.

"Sir" I used my most convincing tone, "I love her"

" I know that" he cut me off, again. I controlled my temper.

"I also respect her"

" I know that too" he said shrugging his shoulders. I think he doesn't get that I'm really trying to keep my anger at bay. This man walks into my room and claims to be my un welcomed room mate them he banishes me from Pari. As if I will ever let that happen.

"Don't you trust me? " I asked, feigning hurt when all I was feeling was anger and frustration.

"I trust you" he said and I breathed a sigh of relief. "but" uh oh! "I don’t trust your.... male anatomy. It keeps my gaurd up as a father" he said. And for once I couldn't blame him. I might try something naughty with her.

“ okay. Fair enough" I said scooting to the edge of the chair, "then tell me something, how the hell am I going to propose her if you continue to hover on us all the time?" I yelled

He sighed and closed the newspaper in ancalm way. How can he be so unresponsive to my situation?

"Easy" I bet anything he is going to suggest will not be easy, "I ak going to be there when you propose" he shrugged. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"That's not how it works" I said through gritted teeth.

" Ofcoure it can and it will. Raghu, don't think that I have no idea of romance. I do," he said nodding his head with a smile

"You do!" I highly doubt that.

"oh yeah I do. Come on, your dad and I want to be a part of our kids happiness. Is it too much to ask for?" He gave me a desperate look. Oh! Now I know where Pari got those innocent eyes from.

"One day" my words bought a frown on his face. “ I need one day with Pari. I want to make it special for her. You guys being there will make it.... awkward, for all of us" I said choosing my words carefully.

"Why is that?" He narrowed his eyes, "Are you planning on kissing her French style after the proposal?" He asked, I gave him a blank look. Yes. I plan on that. Any problem? My subconscious was yelling, but somehow I managed to keep my mouth shut. " or do you plan on taking her to your bed, afterwards? " his eyes turned red with anger.

" No, that was not my intention" yes it was, "I respect her and I respect you and our traditions and Indian values. I don’t plan on any such obnoxious ideas" I babbled and gave a nervous laugh. He eyed me for a minute as if trying to find out what was going on in my mind.

" Look Raghu, you asked for a proposal. We agreed. but nothing more. Its been too late already. Everybody is talking about you two for God’s sake . I can't let you two alone" he shook his head.

“ one day. Please " I begged, "for Pari" I added with a desperate look. I think that did the trick,

"One day. If you screw it up, its your loss. And if media gets a snap of you two, then I'm getting you married the next day. One day Raghu, twenty four hours" he said and walked into the washroom.

Yes yes yes yes.... I did a mental happy dance.

*****

With the help of Mrs. Reddy, I planned an entire day for Pari and me. First we will have a breakfast in the hotel, Pari would love the buffet breakfast. So many types of breakfasts, Pari would love it. Then I'm gonna take her take to the Pont des art bridge which is over the Seine river. We will have a long walk on the bridge, enjoying the chilly weather of Paris. Then, during the noon we will have an exquisite lunch at the Intercontinental LeGrand, which is one of the finest hotels in Paris and its cuisine is appreciable. A private dining will be great!!

I booked a limousine, to take us to The Louvre, a famous art museum. The limo would give us a tour of Paris before dropping us off at the museum. I have to make sure that Pari carries her camera. No! How about, I just buy her a latest camera. Yes! That would be perfect.

As the sun starts to set down, we will leave for Eifill tower. The most awaited place of the trip. I definitely have to french kiss her at the top of the tower. An evil grin was plastered on my face at that thought. I'm sorry Mr. Sharma, what is the use of going to the Eifill tower and not french kiss your woman.

And at last, we will come to my suite, a mental note: make sure the oldies aren't anywhere around the hotel at that time, where the entire suite is decorated with scented candles, rose petals, flowers, stuffed toys, etc., And amongst the romantic atmosphere, I will get down on my knee and say those magical yet painful words. "Pari, love of my life, will you marry me?" Okay, 'love of my life' is a bit too cheesy, so stike it off, "Pari, will you marry me?" . Yes! Simple ans to the point, just like I want it.

After she says yes, I will lift her up by her waist and turn her around as her laughter fills my ears. And then the oldies can come in and ruin the night further with thier 'congratulations' and daddy hugs.

***

I closed my laptop as I finished making all the required arrangements for tomorrow. I sighed and stretched my muscles, cracking my knuckles.

A door bell earned a groan from me. I was in such a good mood after completing all the planning for my perfect proposal. I don’t think I will spare anyone who tries to take away the good mood. Even if it is one of those two oldies.

I reluctantly got up and walked to the door and yanked it open with force more than needed. I was about to yell at the intruder of my solitude but the lerson who stood in front of me made me astound.

Salim.

****

I won't lie. He was the last person I expected here. Because I remember, a few years back, when he came here to Paris for a fashion parade, to exhibit his new bridal collection, one of his models was murdered. It was his first fashion parade in which his personal designs were exhibited. He was so much excited for that trip that he begged me to accompany him. But it was the same time when I was playing for the state basketball tournament and I met Pari. I was too busy to come and Salim was all alone, when the homicide was being investigated. Ofcoure he was suspected, because he did have a fling with the model, and he had to stay in the city for three months and it was not at all pretty. Since then he hated this city and France too. Though the country has nothing to do with the case, he blamed it all on the people and the country. He vowed not to step foot in this country again. All of his friends tried to change his mind but nothing could do it. So I was shocked to see him here, would be an understatement.

"Can I come in?" He asked impatiently, taking a swig from the whisky bottle, which I just noticed.

"Ofcoure" I said and moved away to give him way to pass in. "How are you? " I asked.

"Um hm" he shook his head, wriggling his index finger, "the question you are dying to ask is, what the fu*k are you doing here?" He flopped onto the couch making my laptop and cell phone to drop to the floor. I picked them up and placed them on the coffee table. I pushed his legs off the armrest of the couch and made some place for myself beside him. He reluctantly sat up with his head still hung low.

"What happened? " I asked calmly. I sensed something wrong. His face was bearded, like he haven’t shaved for days, and the jeans and tee shirt looked worn and were wrinkled and.... stinking. I bet he hadn’t showered too. And the alcohol stench was so strong, I don't understand how he is still walking.

"She got married" he said after taking a huge swig.

"Who? Anya?" I asked shocked

"who else?" He said with a snort. "She married the guy whom her parents chose"

"But I thought...." I trailed off. The signs were clear. Anya and Salim had a chemistry. The sparks were visibly flying when they were together. I couldn't misinterpret her so wrongly.

"Yes. Exactly. Even I thought we were an item. But no, apparently, she did love me, still does and always will but she can't marry me because her parents don't like me. She can't dis-da-obey them. The people who gave her life and made her.. something something. She.. got married. Yesterday. Right infront of my eyes" he said pointing his eyes eith his index fingers. I thought he would poke his eyes so I removed them away from his face.

He leaned on me and fell asleep. I was glad he made it this far without fainting.

I walked him to the bed and dropped him unceremoniously. Don't blame me, the bugger was too heavy. I pulled his tee shirt off and removed his shoes and socks. I found his mobile in his pant pocket and dialled Richard, he picked up on the second ring. " Mr. Salim?" He asked in a business tone but I could sense his underlying concern.

"Richard its Raghu. Im in the penthouse suite of the Grand hotel. Salim is right here, but he’s passed out. Do one thing, get his clothes and other belongings here. He will stay with me. I will talk to the hotel manager, about your accommodation" I said.

" Sir, Mr. Salim hasn't bought any clothes sir" he said.

“ what?" I asked confusedly. Salim was now babbling something in hindi-urdu which I couldn't understand.

"He flew commercial. He came uninformed. He drove to the airport alone, bought a ticket to the plane available and got into it. He got drunk during his flight which made the authorities in Paris contact our office in New York. I took the first plane to Paris and got here. Since yesterday I have been searching for him but he neither returned my calls or texts" he said in a hurry as if he was running.

"Calm down Richard. He is fine. Come here as soon as you can but take your time. Don't hurry. I will get him cleaned up in the mean time" I said tow hich he replied an okay and hung up.

I was sure, Richard would come here running like a mad man. He was devoted to Salim and cared for him like family. I respect that about this guy. I informed the front desk about Richard so that they would allow him in without much fuss. I called for two guys from the reception to help me get Salim cleaned up, because me alone was not at all enough.

Me and two other guys from room service got him stripped to his boxers and dumped him into the bath tub, which was now filled with warm water and and wash salts. Salim barely stirred through the whole process and yelled incoherent words in urdu, hindi and what not.

After fifteen minutes as we were stopping Salim from flapping his arms like a drowning pig and reassuring him that he wouldn’t drown and die in the bath tub, a door bell rang. The two guys kept Salim in water as I opened the door for Richard and.... Pari?

Richard made a dash for the bathroom where Salim was creating hell. I looked at Pari in confusion, "I saw Richard in the lobby. Dad and Krish are on also coming. Richard told us everything" she said and squeezed my hand gently. I looked at her and gave her a weak smile.

Angry Salim, bossy Salim, arogant Salim, cocky Salim, pissed off Salim, happy Salim, I can handle all of them but Sad Salim, I can't.

***

My dad and Pari's dad came in shortly and were as shocked as I was to see Salim like this. We have never seen him this sad. Not even when a person of his family passed away, he was the strong happy, always positive kind of guy. This was really shocking to be true.

And for the first time I was glad abouty dad's and Mr.Sharma's presence. They supported us emotionally and handled the situation well. Mr.Sharma called Salim's office and talked to his assistant. He gave him some brief details without giving away much, because we couldn't let everyone know about Salim's situation and gave him some orders to handle the office. Dad talked to Salim when he woke up, alone, after which I saw him smile genuinely for the first time. Pari sat with me the whole time, squeezing my hand reassuringly when necessary and supported me silently which I appreciated a lot.

We all wanted to voice out our thoughts about Anya, but we didn't. It's not the right time. Why? How? All the unanswered questions which we wanted to say aloud were swallowed up. Salim needs us right now and we can't let him down by bringing up a sore subject.

But my another important concern was that, how am I going to propose to Pari? With all this going on, is it the right time for it? But if not tomorrow then I can't do it ever again, because day after tomorrow is the party and the day next to it is lined up with meeting the entire day. And the next day we are all leaving. It has to be tomorrow or it can't happen in Paris.

As I was deeply in thought, a hand draped around my shoulder. I looked beside me to see Salim standing there looking ahead out of the window. I followed his line of sight and stared outside, "I've heard you are planning something for tomorrow? " he said in a cool collected voice, I didn't respond, "and also that you have begged Mr. Sharma a lot for one day permission for tomorrow" he said and I snapped my head to him,

"I didnt beg anybody" I said nonchalantly jerking his hand off my shoulder. I crossed my arms as I caught his lips tugging upwards slightly,

" Do it Raghu" he said. I looked at him, "Don't delay it anymore. don't make the mistake that I did. Don't let her go" he said seriously looking into my eyes.

If I wasn’t adamant enough to claim Pari as mine. Now I was. Salim gave Anya a chance to go, he let her leave, I am not going to do that. Pari is mine and I am going to make her mine forever.