Page 5 of Forged By Fate

“Make that three tickets, Sufi,” replied Viren, rolling his eyes.

“Three tickets to what?” demanded Aisha, bouncing into the room.

I wondered how he was going to explain the change in plans to Aisha. She had been looking forward to her movie night with her uncle. Viren had always put her needs first, and I was worried she’d be upset.

“You can’t cancel your plans with Aisha just because something better’s come up,” said Tahira slyly, playing her trump card. “Besides, she’s too young to go clubbing after the fireworks.”

Everyone knew Viren’s niece trumped his fake wife, and that was how it should be. Too bad Tahira didn’t know that I would never try to get between Viren and Aisha. Not even for an evening.

“That’s okay, Tahira,” I said softly. “Viren can bring her home after she sees the fireworks while Sufi and I go to the club.”

“Fireworks?” Aisha piped up. “I’d love to see fireworks!”

“It will be very crowded, beta,” said Tahira shrilly. “Trust me, you’ll enjoy your movie night a lot more than the fireworks display.”

Aisha shot her a scathing glance.

“I’m almost eleven, Aunty Tahira. Not seventy. Of course, I’ll enjoy the fireworks more! And if I’m going, Chachu has no excuse…I mean…no reason to stay home.”

For fuck’s sake, I thought with exasperation. Aisha knew exactly what was going to happen within the next few months, and she was doing her best to throw me and Viren togetherto prevent our divorce. Just like Daya Bua and Sufi. But you couldn’t force a relationship where none existed.

Tahira looked like she had bitten into a lemon.

“That’s settled then. You’re all coming with us. Chop, chop! We need to find a vantage viewing point, so Shorty here can enjoy the fireworks. You guys have ten minutes to get ready while I scrounge up two more tickets,” said Sufi, waggling his eyebrows at me meaningfully.

When the three of them raced out of the room to go and change for an evening out, Sufi turned to me.

“Told you he was going to come with us, gorgeous,” he whispered, his eyes dancing with triumph.

“That’s only because he wants Aisha to see the fireworks.”

“Uh-huh,” he replied, rolling his eyes at me as he called the limo service.

The limo ride to Ally Pally was fraught with tension. Tahira was sulking in her seat next to Viren, who sat directly opposite me and looked exceedingly grumpy. I, on the other hand, had to sit on my hands to make sure I didn’t haul off and punch the bitch every time she leaned over and whispered in my husband’s ear. Aisha and Sufi were the only cheerful people in the car, oblivious to the vibes coming from the rest of us.

As soon as the car pulled to a halt in the cobbled parking lot of Ally Pally, I hopped out and stomped ahead, wanting to get away from the sight of Tahira slobbering all over my husband, who looked sinfully gorgeous in his polo-neck sweater and a pair of jeans that cupped his ass lovingly.

I had scarcely taken two steps when my pencil heel stuck in a crevice in the walkway and my ankle twisted sharply.

I let out a cry and fell on my face. Well, almost fell on my face. Because a pair of strong arms caught me before I hit the ground and pulled me upwards. I didn’t need to see who it was thatcaught me because I could recognise that familiar mix of Versace perfume and his unique scent with my eyes closed.

“This is exactly what I was talking about,” growled Viren in my ear. “How are you going to walk all the way to the top?”

He let me go before I could savour the feeling of being in his arms, although he made sure I could stand on my ankle before he let go. I tested my ankle and was relieved to find it fine.

“I’ll be fine,” I replied curtly, shrugging his hands off my arms.

He was okay with Tahira clinging to his arm like a limpet, but he couldn’t bear to touch me for more than a few seconds. Viren couldn’t have made his disinterest in me clearer, and I wanted to make it equally clear that I’d crawl to the top of the viewing point before I accepted any help from him.

“Hold on, guys,” said Sufi as he caught up with us. “I’ve ordered a couple of golf carts to take us to the top.”

Aisha came to check on my ankle, and Tahira took the opportunity to plaster herself against Viren’s side for the duration of the ride to the top of the hill. The golf cart dropped us off at the entrance to the viewing area, and Tahira made a face when she realised that we weren’t going to the VIP viewing platform on the terrace, but we were joining the crowds on the hill.

“Ugh! Viiiireeeen,” she whined. “You know I can’t stand crowds. I guess Sunaina is used to them since she grew up travelling by crowded local trains, but I’ll get crushed by all these people.”

“Stay in the car if you’re worried about your safety, Tahira. Or better still, wait in the restaurant in the Palace,” he replied bluntly, which silenced her complaints once and for all.

“Oh no! I wouldn’t dream of missing the fireworks,” she said hastily as she hurried to keep up with him.

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