Page 16 of Always With You

“I’ll be right back,” I say and leave them to talk.

Walking away from the prying ears, I make my way to the guest room that’s at the other end. I shut the guest room behind me and take the call.

“What do you want?” I groan.

“Someone is grumpy.”

“Do you have a reason you called or is it to torture me?”

“I wanted to check whether after meeting your wife, you have changed your view on marriage or not.”

My voice is controlled as of now, though if he continues this, I won’t be able to keep my cool for long. “I am still maintaining my stance that this marriage is nothing but an unwanted onus in my life. And soon, I will get rid of my unwanted bride.” Yes, this is what I want, I remind myself.

“All the best with that,” he laughs, which irritates me further.

Not wanting to hear his crap, I hang up the call. It takes me a few minutes before I decide to head back into the living room. I take a step when I see Alisha walking out of the washroom.

“What are you doing here?” I almost yell.Did she eavesdrop on my phone call?

“I had to use the washroom and your staff pointed out to this door,” she replies, her expressions saying that she is speaking the truth.Damn, her voice is so angelic! Angelic? Really, Ranveer.

I study her. Maybe she is telling the truth, as her face doesn’t show otherwise. Also, she was in the room before me.

My troubled gaze paces from her eyes to her lips. I see her quiver under my intense stare. My mind starts wandering about how inviting they look. The innocence on her face is unlike the predators in the name of women I have met so far. Not trusting myself with her in the same room, I walk out without a word and join everyone in the living room, followed by Alisha behind me. Soon, we fall into an easy conversation about the wedding dates. After an hour, they leave. That’s when I let out a breath of relief.

Grandpa and I continue to sit in the living room.

“What do you think about her?” That’s the first question he asks after they leave.

All my thoughts are messed up, and I don’t have the right words to answer that. So, I say the only thing that sounds correct. “I will marry her.”

“Son,I know right now you must be confused and maybe a little unhappy with my decision. I bet you must hate me for doing this to you. But trust me, Son, Alisha is pure gold, and you will never regret marrying her.”

I just nod my head and don’t answer.

“You need to meet her in person and tell her the truth about your past.”

I shake my head. “I will, but not now.”

“Ranveer, she needs to know.”

I don’t know why all of a sudden it matters to me to hide my horrible past from her. Is it because I am scared that after hearing about it, she will refuse?But that is what you want.This will be a win-win for me. I will escape the marriage without hurting Grandpa. Then why am I not following my brain? Damn! One look at her and I am all messed up.

“And I will tell when I feel the time is right. Right now, all you have to concentrate on is that I am agreeing to marry her. I have kept your end of the bargain, now I want you to keep mine. I am not ready to share my past with her. Not yet,” I say and get up. Grandpa gets up too and tries to argue, but I storm out of the house, without hearing what he has to say.

Slipping into my car, I drive to my house, lost in thoughts. Although my would-be wife is ravishing, that can’t be the only factor I should consider in a wife, can I? I am still not hundred percent sure if this marriage is what I really want.

Chapter 6

Alisha

I have been staring at the tall steel and glass building in front of me while a barrage of questions shoots through my mind. It has taken me a lot of effort and will to convince my parents despite having doubts about whether my decision was correct or not. Heaving a sigh, I know I can’t spend all day, standing here. So, I tap on my courage to walk through the entrance.Why am I even here?I mumble to myself. Pulling out my phone from my pocket, I re-read the message.

Ranveer:Meet me at my office. I need to have a word with you regarding our marriage. I’ll explain the details in person.

He wouldn’t have asked me to meet him unless it was important. Last night, when I happened to overhear his conversation while I was still in the washroom, it shook me to know that he hates me. I close my eyes and think back to the moment I saw him for the first time. He was quite intimidating, towering over everyone in the room at six feet. His broad shoulders made him look all the more powerful. Though his face was clean-shaven, his black hair was thick and unruly, probably reflecting his personality. The jerk even had sexy black eyes that held me captive against my will.

Ugh! Stop daydreaming about him. I have already burnt my hands once. I would be a fool to allow myself to go through the same pain. The fact that I decided to stay single after I broke up with Siddh taught me that it’s far better than being with someone who doesn’t love or respect you. The feeling is liberating. And that is what I am ready to let go of, knowing well I may end up in a worse situation. Nonetheless, it doesn’t deter me; it’s for my parents’ sake after all.

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