The Malhotra Bride (6 page)

announced.

Being the positive soul she was, Sunita began looking at the whole issue constructively. It slowly

dawned on her that her future just might be an interesting adventure just as Akshay suggested. Her face

relaxed into a smile for the first time since morning.

Her mobile vibrated as if on cue. It was Akshay, of course. He was surprised to hear the soft and

breathless “Hello.” He thought that he might have to work hard at pacifying her. She had been so upset

that morning.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he called out cheerfully. “Miss me?”

“Well, er—, I was just going to sleep.” Sunita bit her tongue. What a stupid thing to say.

“Oh, did I disturb you? Lemme apologise. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Akshay grinned to himself. “If you’re sure! Do you have a clue about our engagement? There’s no

sense waiting. What say?”

She was startled. Why the rush? She uttered the words aloud without meaning to.

He was quick to reply, “I thought you want your freedom. The sooner we get married, the faster you

get to pursue your dreams.”

“
Hahn
—Yeah, but—”

“You meant it when you said ‘yes’ this morning, right?”

“Of course—”

“Leave everything to me. Lemme handle the arrangements.”

“Akshay, you don’t know Pappa—”

“Sweetheart, you don’t know me.”

“My name is not Sweetheart.”

“Don’t you like it?” His voice dripped honey across the phone. “I find you a sweet heart. Are you

annoyed that I haven’t taken your permission? Lemme set that right. Please Sunita, may I call you

Sweetheart?”

No answer from Sunita. She was not even sure whether to laugh it off or be angry. It just struck her

that the man she was going to marry was flirting with her. Was that allowed? They had agreed to sign

a contract. But then, how could she stop him? Or was he just being friendly?

“Sunita—” Akshay was still waiting for her reply.

Which sounded sexier, Sunita or Sweetheart? ‘I suppose it depended on the voice’, she thought.

What was it about his voice that when he uttered her name every nerve in her body leaped in

response? Was she singing a different tune now that she had accepted that they were getting married?

Was such a thing possible? He was a natural flirt. Should she fall for that?

But she was young and had never had a boyfriend. Maybe she could have some fun?

“Are you there?” The sexy baritone crooned in her ear.

“Hmm.”

“Sleepy?”

“Nope.”

“What’re you doing tomorrow?”

“Nothing special—I have my classes in the morning. I don’t have an agenda after that.” She thought

for a few seconds before continuing, “I should’ve joined the Interior Design course back in June. But

as you can see, I’m doing nothing,” she ended bitterly.

“Sunita,” his voice softened to calm her nerves. “Look at this year as a well-earned holiday. You

must’ve worked hard for your degree. You can get back to the Interior Design course next June.”

“Do you think so?” She sounded like a child who wasn’t sure of getting the joy ride she’d been

promised.

“I know so. This year we’ll get to know one another and travel whenever possible. Would you like

that?”

She nodded, forgetting that he could not see her.

“Sweetheart?”

“Oh yes! I’d love that.” She didn’t sound too sure. She feared that her dreams may fall apart yet

again, as they had done so many times before.

“Hmm—you aren’t too sure. Just wait and watch! I’ll pick you up at 6.30 tomorrow evening. Do be

ready to go out.”

“Are you crazy?” Sunita was shocked. “We aren’t even officially engaged.”

“I don’t plan to get engaged,” he said firmly. “Let’s get married directly.”

Sunita had the feeling of having stepped on a roller coaster and not knowing when it will stop. He

just didn’t know her father or his bull-dozing tactics. If it was not her life that was involved, she

would have been quite excited to watch this battle of wills.

When she didn’t speak, Akshay said, “Leave your Pappa to me. I can handle him.” Had he read her

mind?

“You don’t know Pappa. He’s very strict. My sister Sandhya had not met my
Jeeja
even once before

they got married.”

“Do you want to go out with me?”

A frown puckered Sunita’s forehead, “Why should we go out?” she asked innocently.

“How else can we get to know each other?”

“But this is not a regular wedding. We plan to part ways after three years.” Sunita was genuinely

confused.

An exasperated Akshay frowned at his cell phone. She was Gokul Rishi’s daughter, after all.

“Sunita, all said and done, we’ll be sharing a home for that period. Doesn’t it make sense getting to

know each other before taking such a big step?” he asked, hoping to beat her with his logic.

Sunita was torn between his reasoning and her father’s strict upbringing. Gokul Rishi will never

agree to their outing. And here was Akshay, insistent that they go out together. What was a woman to

do?

“Sunita,” Akshay’s voice shivered into her ear, sending goose bumps up her body.

Her voice shook lightly when she replied, “Yeah?”

“Will you be ready at 6.30 tomorrow?”

Sunita felt a tad irritated with his persistence. She wondered why her life was surrounded by

dominant men.

Was that fair to Akshay?

He got impatient. What the hell was her problem? Can’t she just treat it as a date? What was the

fuss about? He little knew that Sunita had never been on one before.

“Okay,” was the squeaky response.

“Huh?” said Akshay, not sure he’d heard right.

“I’ll see you at 6.30,” she replied firmly. “And don’t tell me I didn’t warn you about my father,” she

added for good measure.

Akshay couldn’t stop smiling at her words. “No worries. You sleep tight. I’ll see you tomorrow

evening,” he said before hanging up.

A dreamy smile appeared on Sunita’s face as she got ready for bed. Some of her modern friends had

boyfriends and they were all excited about it. She’d never paid attention as she knew her parents

were too strict. But it looked like there might be some thrill in her life too. Will Akshay be able to

convince her father? The smile never left her lips while she slept.

Eight

Akshay was in high spirits when he landed at the breakfast table at eight in the morning.

“Morning, Mom,” he kissed her cheek.

“Good Morning, Akshay. Did you sleep well?”

“And how! How about you? And where’s Dad?” He looked at the clock on the wall. It was 8.05.

That was late for Raj Malhotra.

“Very well,” said Tanuja, answering his first question. “Your dad’s on the phone with Sunita’s

father. Tell me something,” Tanuja asked him eagerly, “Do you like her? Are you ready to get

married?”

“Mom, I’m truly caught, hook, line and sinker,” he grinned at her. “Sunita’s the girl of my dreams,

although—” a frown marred his perfect features.

“Although what, Akshay?”

“Sunita doesn’t seem keen on getting married. It was quite a job getting her to agree. She’s still a

kid, actually. She’s scared of the responsibilities that come with marriage—you know housekeeping

and all that.”

“But we have enough people to run our home.” Tanuja stated the obvious.

“Exactly what I told her, Mom. She also wants to be a career woman—quite unheard of in the Rishi

family.”

“I hope you made it clear we’re different?”

“You bet. I think she needs us. By the way, I’m planning to take her out today. She’s had a raw deal

with too many restrictions at home, I feel. She’s worried her father will not let her go with me as we

aren’t even engaged yet.”

“What kind of nonsense is this? How else will you get to know each other? Should I ask Dad to talk

to Mr. Rishi?”

“No, Mom. I’ll handle that. I need a favour from you.”

“What favour, Akshay?” That was Raj Malhotra. He came and sat beside his son at the table. “Good

Morning,” he smiled. “How do you like the idea of marrying Sunita?”

“Love it Dad. Am I glad that you insisted that I meet her! I’m in love.” Akshay’s face turned red as

he said this.

Raj threw back his head and laughed. He clapped his son on his back and congratulated him.

“This is great. Tanuja, pass me the sweets.” Raj took a
peda
from the tray his wife offered and fed it

to his son.

“Now tell me, what do you want done?”

“Dad, let’s forget the engagement and directly have the wedding—as soon as it’s possible. And

Sunita brings nothing with her when she comes to our house. I’ll provide all her needs as she’s my

wife.”

Raj heard the possessive note in his son’s voice and smiled. “By all means, Son. I’m proud of you.

But we need to have a betrothal function, Akshay.”

Tanuja smiled, “Like father, like son.” She hailed from a poor family and Raj had provided

everything for her at the time of their wedding and borne all the cost of the ceremony as well.

“Okay then. I’ll see you guys in the evening.” Akshay got up to leave.

“Just a minute, Akshay. You said Sunita’s not too keen on the wedding. Does it make sense to rush

into it? Maybe we should give her time to know you more?” asked Tanuja.

Akshay shook his head. “No mom. I’m not even sure Mr. Rishi’s going to let us go out together. It’ll

be an everyday tussle. Sunita gets to live a full life when she gets out of that house. Marriage is the

only option and she knows that.”

“In that case, we need to rush the wedding.”

“Exactly,” said Akshay before he stepped out of the dining room.

Raj looked at Tanuja, his eyebrows raised. “So early?”

“I don’t think he’s going to the office,” she replied.

AKSHAY WAS ON HIS WAY TO GOKUL RISHI’S WORKPLACE. He knew the address and

timings thanks to Grandpa Ratan. He was an ally, the old man.

Gokul Rishi arrived at his desk at 8.30 every morning and gave appointments only after ten. Akshay

was confident of catching him alone so early in the morning.

Rita, the receptionist of Rishi Enterprises, was just settling into her seat when she saw the tall,

handsome hunk walk in.

“Good Morning! I’m Akshay Malhotra,” he charmed her with his smile. “I’d like to meet Mr. Rishi.

I don’t have an appointment, but it’s urgent.”

“Good Morning,” she smiled back. “Please take a seat, Mr. Malhotra. I’ll just check with Mr.

Rishi,” she said, reaching for the intercom.

Akshay put his hand on hers to stop her. “I’m engaged to his daughter Sunita. If you’ll only tell me

where his office is, I’ll get myself there. I’d like to give him a surprise.”

Rita knew this to be unusual. But the Chairman’s daughter did not get engaged every day. She

directed Akshay to the fifth floor.

“That’ll be the door on the right, Mr. Malhotra.”

Akshay smiled his ‘Thanks’ and left for the fifth floor.

He stepped out of the cranky lift that was as old-fashioned as Mr. Rishi. Looking through the glass

window on the door at the right, he could see Gokul Rishi at his big desk checking some files. Akshay

knocked on the door and heard him say, “Come in.”

Saying that Gokul Rishi was surprised is an understatement. “Good Morning, Uncle.” Akshay

greeted Sunita’s father.

Gokul Rishi got up from his chair and rushed to greet Akshay. “Good Morning my boy. And

welcome! This is a surprise indeed. Your father called me in the morning to confirm the wedding. I’m

so glad.” He shook Akshay’s hand hard. “Come sit down. What will you have, coffee or tea?”

“I’ll have some coffee Uncle.”

Gokul lifted the intercom and barked, “Send two coffees to my office.” He turned to Akshay and

asked, “Now tell me, what can I do for you?”

Akshay came directly to the point. “I’d like to take Sunita out with me today evening. We’ll get to

know each other. I don’t want to marry a stranger you see.”

The boy was educated in America and obviously had modern views. While the idea was

completely against his principles, Gokul Rishi was a businessman first. The alliance with the

Malhotras will only improve Rishi Enterprises’ business. And Raj Malhotra had already given his

word on the wedding. He only stood to gain in the long run.

Gokul Rishi shrugged his shoulders. “Why not? When do you suggest—?”

Akshay just managed to stop his jaw from dropping. He’d never expected it to be so easy after what

Sunita said. “Today evening at about 6.30. Will you confirm with her?” asked Akshay.

“No problem at all, Son. Sunita will be waiting for you at six-thirty today evening.
Hahn
, here’s the

coffee.”

Akshay took a mug in his hand and marvelled at Gokul Rishi’s highhandedness. He hadn’t bothered

to find out if it was convenient for Sunita, even if she wanted to go in the first place.

He drank his coffee and got up to leave, “Thank you Uncle for being so understanding. Have a nice

day!” He shook Gokul Rishi’s hand and turned to the door.

“May God be with you, Son, bye!”

The minute Akshay left, Gokul Rishi phoned his wife, “Leela, Raj Malhotra called to confirm the

wedding.”

“Oh really! Thank God!”

“Yes. Akshay wants to meet Sunita. I don’t understand these modern people. Anyway, tell your