Mine, To Hold And Behold

Chapter 5

She pulled away from me, not even after the second being in my arms. It hurt, to see her pull away, like that. But I fastly covered it with a smirk. "So, what do you want my help with, sweetheart?"

She walked back towards her computer desk and sat on the revolving chair, keeping a distance between us. I rolled my eyes at her. "I won't bite you, you know that right"

"I do" She agreed tilting her chin up.

"yeah! I can see that" I said motioning the distance between us.

"It's for the best. I don't want you to get distracted, which you have been, since you entered this room" She said crossing her hands, protectively over her chest.

"well, just to enlighten you, sweetheart, I have been distracted since I laid my eyes on you" she was about to come back at me. I interrupted her, "let's get started, What's been bothering you?" I asked in complete seriousness.

"Well, Papa..." she paused, taking a deep breath, "he has been getting threat calls recently. Someone is threatening him to death"

"What?" I asked. Who would want to kill Mr Sharma? He doesn't even hurt a fly. "Are you sure?" I asked

She nodded, her face trying hard to mask away the sadness. "In the beginning, it was just a few phone calls. but today, a few of them showed up" she got up and walked to the window. "That's how I came to know. Papa didn't tell me anything about this. I was just about to leave for college, and,..." her voice turned heavy. "I got so scared. They were threatening him. They said, they wouldn't let him live and after his death, they would take me and..." I didn't need to hear the end of it. I couldn't. I closed the distance between us and pulled her closer to my heart.

Her head hit my chest, with the force I used. she tried to move away but I held her in place. I needed to hold her. I needed to make sure that she was safe. She was on the verge of tears and I couldn't let her cry. After a few futile attempts of trying to get away from me, she finally gave up and let her head fall back on my chest and sobbed.

"How could they.... they said they will kill him if he doesn't listen to them..." she sobbed and buried her face in my chest.

Here she was crying, worrying about her father and I being an a*s I am, am feeling happy that she finally gave in.

I smirked. Well! That didn't take long before I made her lean into me, again.

Selfish I know, but if her being sad means that she would fall right into my arms then I don't think I will be minding it too much.

She pulled back from me. The smirk wiped off completely and a sobered look replaced. Her eyes huge and a little pout from those pink lips did she even know that she was giving me that irresistible puppy dog look.

Things have definitely changed. I am not eight anymore. I am a grown man. This look of hers is now doing things to me.

"I'm scared" she admitted after staring for a while. As if she was having an inner battle in letting her feelings show.

"All I'm gonna say is, you will never have to deal with those 'pathetic excuses of men' ever again in your life. Ever."

With that, I jumped out of the window, just like I used to when I was a kid but landed a little more gracefully. A lot has changed.

I looked up. A smirk forming on my lips when I saw Pari leaning against the window and looking at me.

A lot has changed. But some things never change. She is still so damn crazy for me just like old times.

***********

"This is his phone number"

"That's all?" Benji asked. I nodded. "It'll work. I will get you all the details you need. But then..." he paused, "the best we had is called off, right?" He asked with a guarded expression.

Apparently, since Mr Sharma worked for none other than my dad, it was not a big deal to find out what was happening. All I had to do was lure the office peon with a few green notes and he spilled the beans eagerly.

My dad filed a tender for the project that's worth a million American dollars. And the tender details are in access only with my dad and none other than his most trusted friend/employee, Mr Sharma. So, somehow, the rival company got the wind of this information and are trying to steal the companies tender files.

After trying all the antics like, trying to buy him off and tempting him with undeniable offers and so, when Mr Sharma didn't budge, they opted for this sh*t plan of blackmailing. They hired some goons to carry on their dirty work. So that their companies name doesn't get strained.

Real looser.

I somehow managed to get the phone number of one of the goons who threatened him, by going through a few office phone records. It wasn't so difficult in the first place. Since all the calls that are received in the office are registered, it was easy to track down an unrecognized/unregistered number.

Benji, my betting buddy is a computer genius. He has a way with technology and stuff. Even with a clue like a phone number he could make sure to find out the life history of a person. Getting him to work for me wasn't difficult either. Considering the fact that he owned me some money.

"Bro?" He asked, with a worried expression.

I took a deep breath, "apart from the money you spent on the other night at the club, the rest is forgotten" I assured him and he got back to work. Damn! I need to get back for the loss, later in some way or the other.

Well, if you are wondering why my most influential father hasn't done anything done to save his friend, then the answer to that is, he doesn't know that something like this has been happening, in the first place. Some best friend he is!

"Got it bro" Benji's voice brought me back to the present.

I lowered my head to the screens level and was about to burst into a fit of laughter. "What the heck is this? " I threw my head back and laughed even harder.

The add read something like this: wanna beat the sh*t out of someone? Wanna bash your enemy black and blue? Blackmailing isn't working out for you? Wanna get your money back from someone? For all such troubles you are facing, you can contact 'Mallesh A to Z services'.

We will get your work done or else money back.

For other details, please contact us at the numbers given below.

Mallesh Goud: 1212166890

Jugga: 1237800763.

By the time I completed reading the add, I was laughing so hard, my stomach hurt.

This is the most hilarious thing I have ever seen or heard.

"Presenting you the new generation marketing skills," Benji said changing his accent a little and chuckling.

"How can they... I mean. Is this even legal?"

"No idea bro"

"God! This is like an open invitation to crime and not to forget the police" I shook my head, "I don't know, who can come up with such an absurd idea"

"Well! If you put it this way, I mean, they put up this add is one thing, and they already found a client is on a completely different level". He said pointing to the phone numbers, "look, the number of the blackmailer is here, apparently he has his specializations in blackmail, kidnap, acid-attempts, and even murder".

I smirked, I knew exactly how to show them their place.

***********

Where the hell is she?

Last night, I resolved the problem. Those filthy buggers won't be able to bother my angel or her father anymore. Being a street fighter seemed useful after all. My gang and I took over those goons with complete ease. One good thing about my gang was, they didn't ask for explanations. When it came down to fights, they were always ready, and more than happy to follow my instructions. And that is how we solved the problem. We didn't cause much damage, just scared the hell out of them. I was sure, they wouldn't dare to spare a glance back at Mr Sharma ever again.

After an entire night's hard work, I'm expecting a reward, but she is nowhere to be found. Where the hell is she?

The strong aroma of caffeine-filled my nostrils and my gaze turned towards the enticing smell. Kumar stood there, his eyebrows furrowed in a frown, I looked around and everyone had a same confused look plastered on their faces. I noticed a mug in Kumar's hand filled with steaming coffee. I snatched the cup from his hands, "What?" I snapped. They all looked away.

Damn! I got to stop zoning out.

"Kumar!" I called out. He hesitantly walked towards me. I removed a piece of paper from my jeans pocket and shoved it into his palm. He looked confused, "This is the name of a fresher. I want all the details of this chick" The frown suddenly transformed into a smirk.

I knew exactly what they all must be thinking. they must be assuming that the reason behind my sudden frustration must be s****l and that I have found a way to scratch the itch.

They bombarded me with questions, "Who is she?", "where did you find her, bro?", which I completely ignored. I had a triumphant smirk plastered on my face. Now I didn't have to worry about what the gang will think of me. As I gave them an unexplained explanation.

*******

She was sulking in the back bench of her class. I watched her from the corridor, as she picked out her cell phone and started playing a game on it. I ran a hand through my hair, If she was not interested in the lecture, why the hell was she attending the classes?

She smiled brightly and fist thumped in the air when the lecturer was not looking. That's it. I have had enough. I didn't come all the way to the college to let her beat a high score in the stupid game. I walked into the classroom, not giving a damn about the lecturer.

"What's going on?" The old bald headed lecturer, whose name, I don't even remember, exclaimed.

I ignored and walked towards Pari. she was shell shocked at my entry. her eyes widened and a pure look of horror was plastered on her face. I smirked, Yeah babe! This is what I am, and this is what you have to deal with.

She stood up involuntarily as I approached her. I caught her wrist and tugged her forward. she stumbled for a couple of steps, unable to keep up with me. I didn't slow down my pace. I have been waiting all morning for her, and when she came, she was half an hour late for the class and before I could approach her, she ran into the classroom, begging the lecturer to allow her into the class, despite her im-punctuality. Three hours later, it's one o clock. the sun was scorching and I didn't even get a glimpse of her. She stuck to that last bench in the class and continued playing numerous games and beating her own records again and again.

I pulled her into the parking lot and released her near my bike. She stumbled and steadied herself. she caught her wrist and nursed her hand. she glared at me, pouting. I smirked at her and got on my bike. "Come" I demanded.

She looked confused, "Where do you think you are taking me?"

"Just get on the bike, will you?" I said, frustrated. She glared and crossed her arms across her chest.

"No, Thank you. I would like to attend my classes, rather sit on your bike"

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know, attending classes was so important for you, Considering the fact that you were draining all your energy by sitting in that godforsaken class and beating all the records of 'Subway Surfers'. I thought I could save the game from you"

She opened her mouth and closed like a goldfish, failing miserably trying for a comeback. "I was not playing for that long," she said looking away.

"Oh yeah?" I challenged her, crossing my arms across my chest mimicking her. she untangled her arms from her chest and looked away. "Why do you attend classes if you don't want to hear the lectures?" I asked.

"Who the hell said I attend college to hear the lectures?" she said, "I attend for the sake of attendance" she shrugged.

"Attendance?" I asked.

"yeah! don't you know, our college has a rule, stating that students should have a minimum of 85% attendance or else they wouldn't allow you to write the examinations" she scared as if it was an unbreakable rule. I rolled my eyes at her seriousness.

"Everyone doesn't follow the rules"

"Well! Everyone isn't the only son a billionaire" my head snapped towards her. I narrowed my eyes at her. did she really say that? she quickly looked away. "i-I didn't.."

"Save it" I interrupted her. I started my bike and accelerated it, "you are just like everyone else. I don't understand why I thought of you any differently. Go to hell" I said and moved an inch when she caught my arm, stopping me. She gave me one of those puppy dog eyes, making her eyes huge and pouting her lower lip and blinking at me. "I'm sorry" she whispered.

I looked away. I didn't want her to see, the way she affected me. "So, where did you want to take me?" she asked.

"Why do you ask? do you think, I will murder you after having my way with you?" I narrowed my eyes at her. she visibly flinched at my words, "Even only son of billionaires have a bone of decency, don't you think?" her eyes welled up, "Or do you still assume that only son of a billionaire, isn't trustworthy anymore?" I asked, clenching my teeth.

It hurt. My entire life, I have been deprived of true love and friendship. Either, people completely ignored me, assuming that they were not good enough to be friends with an only son of a billionaire, or they thought of me as a money bank and became my friends, for their own greedy needs. The true affection that I ever received, was from Her. And now, hearing the only words that hurt me the most, from the only person I love, was like, pouring salt water all over the unhealed wounds.

It hurt.

"I love you. I always have. you know that, right" she said in a low voice. My eyes snapped to her. She looked at me, her eyes filled with love and.... innocence. Yes. Innocent, that's what she is.

She knew nothing about me, yet she was confessing her love for me. She still saw me as that eight-year-old kid, who was lost and lonely. She didn't care, whether I was rich or poor, I was good or bad. All she cared was me and my happiness. That is what I love about her. She is too good to be true. Too good to be mine.

I pulled her to my chest and hugged her for dear life. That moment, she was my need, my love and my life. I won't let her go this time.

**********

"I am a bad boy, sweetheart," I said, pulling her closer to my chest.

We were lying on the bed in her room. I was currently spooning her. "geez!" she screeched. I could imagine her nose wrinkling in disgust. "Don't you think we are a bit older for those endearments?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, Sweetheart? seriously?" she said turning to face me.

"yeah! Isn't it what I always call you?" I asked.

"Yeah! but we were kids back then. And Sweetheart was in trend, those days" she shrugged.

"Oh! so what's in trend nowadays?"

"Hmm" she tapped her chin, as if in deep thought. "Now, 'Babes' is the new trend," she said proudly. "And no, you are too old to be a Bad boy too. Good boy is 'in', these days".

I sighed. "You haven't changed a bit, have you?"

"Nope," she said, popping the 'p'.

"huh! What am I gonna do with you?" I said.

"Call me babe!" she said in a hushed whisper.

"Babe!" I tested that word on my tongue. it rolled off so smoothly and it did sound sexy. Considering the fact that this angel, has transformed from being a sweet sweetheart to a sexy babe. I think, Babe! Would be appropriate. "Babe!" I called her, my voice a bare whisper. I bent my head to meet her lips with mine. I had to kiss her. My lips brushed against her, starting the kiss slow and sensuous, but it soon turned into a fierce kiss.

She pulled away from me, gasping for breath. I wasn't completely satisfied yet, nor was I out of breath. I looked at her. Her face turned a scarlet red, damn! She looked so cute when she blushed.

"Babe! This isn't our first kiss, remember", I said, caressing her soft cheek,

"Oh yeah! But your kisses aren't innocent anymore" she said, blushing furiously. I chuckled, "your kisses are so...." she trailed off, looking away.

"What... my kisses are so..? Lustful? hungry? what is the exact word?" I asked, chuckling.

Suddenly the door burst open. Pari scampered off the bed. I looked up. A furious looking Mr Sharma was standing on the doorway. I got up from the bed, looking at him.

He looked between me and Pari. His face turned red with anger.

*******

"So?" he prompted, taking a seat on the sofa settee.

"So...?" I asked, in a fake innocent tone. He looked up at me, a murderous look in his eyes. I sighed deeply, "I want her. I am not losing her this time" I said with finality in my tone. He looked at me for a complete sixty seconds. Then he looked at Pari, who was standing right behind me, holding onto my upper arm. her grip tightened. "I love him, Papa," she said, her voice a bare whisper.

She was scared. And I didn't blame her. She was a Daddy's girl. Every important decision in her life was made by her father. She respected him, loved him, and also feared him. A typical, conservative Indian Daughter she is. I am proud of her. I smiled at her, reassuringly. Our eyes locked.

A throat clearing interrupted us. "You break her heart and I break your neck. I mean it, son, I know you. You better watch out for her. She is my only daughter, the only reason I am alive. I don't want you to hurt her" he said it all in a single breathe, as if it was taking a lot in him, not to break down.

"Papa," Pari said in a bare whisper. her eyes clouded with moistness.

"Sir, I promise," I said with complete sincerity, "I promise, I will never hurt her. I will put my life before hers and protect her from all the pain. I will never break her heart. You can trust me on this".

"I trust you", he said. "I do".

I offered him a tight smile, which he returned. He turned towards his daughter and gave her a similar smile and a small nod. She beamed with happiness. She looked at me and our eyes locked again.

"And you can leave"Mr Sharma's voice broke the silent exchange. I looked at him confused. "As much as I trust you, and I'm okay with your relation. I am not comfortable, with you staying in my daughter's room, all night. I am a man of tradition" he said, patting my shoulders.

"Papa!" Pari's eyes widened. She blushed furiously, before leaving us alone in the living room

"I understand sir," I said after she left.

I walked out of the house, grinning like an i***t. Unlike the arrogant smirks that I usually carry, this time a genuine smile was plastered on my face. this was what I always aimed for. The reason, I so badly wanted to say on the good side of Mr Sharma, so that he would accept me for his daughter, finally showed its fruit. I can officially now call her my girlfriend.

My phone vibrated indicating the received message.

FIGHT AT DOWNTOWN IN AN HOUR

-KUMAR

So much for my happiness. I completely forgot about the fight. Today is Friday. Damn! And how did I forget about the gang? I can't announce Pari as my girlfriend. They would kill me with questions. And how the hell will I explain my relationship to them? Will they even understand our love? I snorted. No, they wouldn't. Those idiots knew nothing about love or relationships. Their relationship with women started at parties and ended in the backseat of their car or in a motel. How the hell will I explain them?

I reached the downtown area. One word to explain the surroundings, filthy. Dirt and filth surrounded the area. Beggars littered the ground, dimly lit street lamps were the only source of lightning. this would easily pass out as a horror movie background.

An old building came into light. Its paint fading and parts of the building were collapsing. Anyone from the outside would notice it as an old building, which could be of no use, in particular. But in reality, every Friday, around millions worth, betting takes place in this particular building.

I proceeded towards the basement and the loud cheering and shouts increased in volume. I parked my bike beside Jai's Jeep. The entire crowd gathered around me, 'Where were you, bro! The match started an hour ago and you already missed five matches" Kumar gushed.

I ignored him, not bothering to answer. I removed my shirt and tied a cloth around my palm tightly, to increase the fist power. I took a cigarette from Jai and lit it, inhaling the weed and breathing out a puff of smoke.

Jai was in the ring, fighting against "Sadhu", a truck driver, who occasionally participated in the fights. He was a family man and came down to these fights whenever he needed money. Though he wasn't a professional or trained regularly, he was a tough fight. He was well built with well-defined muscles, due to his heavy manual work. His moustache gave him a fierce look, but in reality, he was an emotional man.

he lunged forward and grabbed Jai's shoulders with a death grip. Jai kicked his knee and Sadhu, fell to the ground. Jai moved aside and let Sadhu get up on his feet, Jai proceeded to punch him squarely in the jaw, but Sadhu dodged it and the fist collided with his shoulders. The fight went on like this for a while. After throwing kicks and punches for a complete fifteen minutes, Sadhu finally gave in and Jai won. Jai walked back to the middle of the ring and pulled Sadhu to his feet.

Not everyone around here was honest and good. But Sadhu was among those few who were here because of their need, not greed. He came here only when he had a genuine urgency for money.

Sadhu tapped Jai's shoulder in appreciation and walked away, limping slightly. Jai raised both his hands up in the air, showing his victory.

I followed Sadhu outside. He limped his way towards his truck, completely unaware of my presence. "Sadhu Bhai" I called him. he turned around. "What brings you here today?" he smiled at me and looked away. I knew very well, that he wasn't proud of what he does.

'Kuch khaas nahi Raghu bhai", 'nothing important, brother' he replied. I sighed. he was a man of self-respect. it was a good thing, but sometimes, it could be a character of pain in the ass. I knew for a fact that he wouldn't tell me the reason, why he needed money for. I removed a wad of cash from my pocket and shoved it into his pocket.

"Brother! I can't take it" he said, unbelief and shock evident in his tone.

"take it. I want it, but you need it" I said and walked away, without waiting for his words.

Damn! Am I really becoming a softie? It's all Pari's fault. Damn woman.

my phone vibrated, GOOD NIGHT, GOOD BOY ;) MISS U ALREADY. U CAN ALWAYS SNEAK IN THROUGH THE WINDOW REMEMBER ;)

I smirked. I walked, no, I actually ran towards my bike. I hopped on it and accelerated to the top. As suggested, Pari left her window door opened. I silently sneaked in. Pari was fast asleep lying on one end of the bed. She knew me too well. I slowly made my way to the other side and snuggled closer to her, pulling her back against my chest and spooning her. She sighed contently and a grin broke onto my face.

I sighed. What am I gonna do with you?

Her innocence was killing me. No wonder she still assumed that we were still kids and it was okay for us to sleep in the same bed bit little did she know that I've grown up into a man and she is no more a little girl now, but a fully grown woman. I sighed in resignation. But I'm not gonna let her away from me. She is mine, always has been and her rightful place is right here in my arms. And she is right where she should be.

Six months later..

"Are you serious right now?" I exclaimed.

"Yup," she said popping 'p'. She bent down and started digging the soil around a sapling.

"but, It's my birthday" I whined. I know, I sounded like a girl, but what? Can't a guy get excited for his birthday?

"I know. And I will make sure, your birthday will be the best. Trust me", she said, giving me one of those, genuine smiles.

"Don't give me that 'reassuring' smile. I am not falling for that. Not this time. I want you to come with me on my birthday to the farmhouse"

"Uh-huh... And?" she prompted, completely ignoring me and focusing on her garden.

"What do you mean, and?" I asked frustrated at her ignorance.

"I mean..." she got up lazily and strode towards me. I crossed my arms across my chest. "I know what you are planning 'at the farmhouse', and I am not up for it. So NO, I am not coming with you" she said with finality in her tone.

"What do you mean; you know what I am planning? What am I planning?" I challenged her, but inside I was sweating profusely.

"Really? Do you want me to say it?" she raised an eyebrow, I remained stoic, "You are planning to sleep with me," she said in a low voice.

"What is there to plan in it? Am I not sleeping with you, almost every night?"

"Okay, I will put it straight, you are planning on having s*x with me" She snapped.

I didn't know what to reply. She is right. I have been planning for it. It is one of the main reasons why I have been rooting for this trip so much.

From the past six months, Pari and I have become an exclusive couple. In the beginning, it was just us two; we tried to keep our relationship discreet. But as days passed, boys in college started engaging Pari in conversations, a few of them even dared to ask her out. As much as she tried to avoid them, they still came for her. It started to get on my nerves.

A few of the guys who approached her were all nerds and not her type, but later a few handsome (as much as I would hate to admit), guys approached her. My insecurities got to best and I acted upon instincts.

One day I found the Basketball team captain hitting on her and acted upon my instinct. I walked to her and pulled her against my chest and slammed my lips on hers. She was too shocked to react to the kiss. But with that stunt, we became official. I claimed her mine in front of a fair crowd, and soon the word spread in the entire college. None of the guys ever again dared to confront her. I started picking her up and dropping her home. Even Mr Sharma became comfortable with the idea of our relationship, though he didn't know about our sleeping arrangements. I often sneaked into her room at late night, sometimes after she fell asleep and left before the sun rose. Luckily, her grades were unaffected by our relationship, which kept her father satisfied and proud of her.

Coming to the intimacy our relationships. We definitely slept together during nights, but nothing ever happened. We snuggled, cuddled and I loved spooning her. Hugging her small frame from behind while she was fast asleep was something that made my heart flutter, every single time. She didn't kiss me, though I stole a few kisses here and there, she never initiated a kiss. Never! And whenever I asked her for the reason, she said the same thing, that my kisses weren't innocent anymore and she didn't want to complicate our relationship yet. I agreed to it. I never pushed her. Truth to be told, I never wanted more from her. I was more than satisfied with what I have.

But from a past few days, insecurity caught up on me. Even though Pari was still a fresher, she managed to stay on the good side of the lecturers with her scores and intelligence. I keep a track on her in college, so I get updated every time something big happens. And one such thing that happened was that one of her professors suggested her to apply for a scholarship in a literary course, at a foreign university. And according to the information I received, Pari is willing to apply for it. When I confronted her about it, she brushed it off saying that even though she did apply, she would never consider leaving her father and me and her country.

I didn't bother her again asking about it. But the thought of her leaving me, or the thought of her even considering the idea startled me. I grew more possessive of her. And I was not shocked that she found out about my birthday plans. I was being too obvious these days, being too much intimate than I was before and even talking about s*x.

"I would never force you," I said, my voice unsure.

"I know" she sighed. "I know that you would never force me. But honestly, you don't even have to force me. I love you too much to resist you. And I don't want to do anything for which I would regret later. I want to get married first. I don't expect you to pop the question right now, because I know, you aren't ready, even I am not ready yet. So, please, be a little patient, will you?" she said in a slow soothing voice.

I understood what she was trying to say. But I was not ready to accept it. It has been more than six months, I had any action. I was a man of needs. I loved her and respected her; there was no ounce of doubt in it. But having friends, who talk about nothing else but s*x, all day, is more than frustrating. And the fact that my gang is still in an assumption that I have been banging Pari every night I spend with her, isn't helping me too.

"Fine," I said and hugged her, "I am leaving", I said.

"Okay, but meet Papa before you leave, he has been asking for you," She said and started back on her gardening.