*Usha Pov*
Next day, started as usual with their normal fighting’s and they didn’t even utter a single word about my marriage. Maybe they will forget about my marriage if I stay away from them and let them fight as much as they want.
That’s what I decided and left the house feeling a little upset still about the way they talked about my marriage to some stranger.
I reached the café to see Abhay sipping his coffee with a big frown on his face. I reached the table and sat in front of me. He didn’t acknowledge me at all.
“What happened? Is your company in debts or something?” I asked him, snapping my fingers.
“My company is more than fine than me.” he replied still not looking at me.
“Ok then I will go and ask Mr.Raj for a date.” I said picking my bag.
“What? Then what about me?” he asked holding my hand.
“So you finally decided to look at me?” I asked back smirking and ordered some coffee.
“Usha! My parents are behind me about my marriage. I don’t know what to do.” He replied.
“No way! A similar thing is happening to me also. But they didn’t utter anything about that today so I think I am safe.” I said, smiling at the boy who placed the cup.
“Dad too didn’t say anything today, so maybe I am also safe.” He said smiling back.
We both started talking normally and then left the café. I stopped him when he started walking away and asked, “So today you will not stand me up right?”
“That is not going to be the case. And shall I pick you up?” he asked.
“I will be there by 7.” I replied and walked towards Raj Industries.
Our meeting finished successfully so we all left the office at 6:30. I decided to reach the restaurant and wait for him. He already told me he reserved for both of us.
After looking at the table booked for us, I went inside the washroom to freshen up a little. After doing that I saw Abhay sitting at our table.
I looked at the time to note that it is already 7. Why not I just have some fun? I thought and sat at another unreserved table from where I can have a clear view of him.
I ordered some juice and started drinking it drop by drop literally. After half n hour he started calling me. I kept my mobile in silent mode, so there was no problem.
After ten more minutes, I lifted it and said “Hello?”
“Usha! Where are you?” he asked, looking at the entrance.
“Oh I am very sorry. Mr.Raj and I just sat talking generally, and we forgot the time.” I replied in a low tone.
“What? So will you come now? I will wait for you.” He asked, and I see him rubbing his temple.
“Sorry! I don’t think I can come there now. Shall we do it some other day?” I asked getting up and paid for the juice.
I looked at the waiter to see him sighing in relief that I got up from there. Why is he behaving like I just made him lose a big order by sitting there? I mean half of the restaurant is empty.
“It’s ok Usha! We will do it some other time.” he replied and I hung up bidding ‘Bye’.
He leaned his head on the table and just laid there. I went to the table and cleared my throat after taking the seat.
“I am leaving!” he said and then looked up.
“Sorry about that. I just wanted to see how you will behave.” I said smiling.
“You mean you lied to me on the phone?” he asked shocked.
“Yeah! I actually reached before 7.” I replied and told him what I did.
“So you did all this as a payback for what I did that day. I thought you forgave me already.” He said frowning.
“Sorry! I didn’t do it like a payback, but just for a little fun. I know I shouldn’t have done it.” I said pleadingly.
He still didn’t budge and just kept on frowning. I sighed and got up from my seat, and he immediately said, “Wait!”
I went near the empty table beside ours and took the rose from it calmly. Taking a deep breath I turned around and said, “Abhay! Will you be my boyfriend?”
He stood there stunned. I looked around to see no one saw this actually except another couple at the other side table and some waiters.
“Did you just ask that?” he finally opened his mouth.
“Looks like that only.” I replied shrugging.
“But I wanted to ask you that, and you stole the chance from me.” He said frowning again.
“That’s it!” I said and turned around to leave, but he immediately reached my hand and held it.
“Yes! Yes, I will be your boyfriend.” He said, turning me around.
“Good! Because this is the first time I asked someone and was always asked by someone else.” I said smiling.
We both sat again at our table and ordered our food. He took the rose from my hand and placed it near him.
“Why didn’t you take the rose from ours?” he asked, looking at the rose present in ours.
“Well, I didn’t want to steal another chance from you if you wanted to give me that one, and also I wanted to do this as a surprise.” I replied, and he gave the rose to me.
We started talking, what are our likes and dislikes. And even had great food along with a wonderful dessert.
“So what is your big dream?” he asked when we were having our dessert.
“That’s so easy. I want to eat ice-cream in front of the Eiffel tower.” I replied.
“What?” he asked laughing.
“Don’t laugh! When I was a kid, I always went to an ice-cream parlor near our house every Sunday. Then there is this big poster of the Eiffel tower on the wall, so I always eat mine looking at it. Then one kid teased me that it is not real so I can stop my staring. At that time, I decided to eat ice-cream at least one time in front of the real Eiffel tower.” I replied explaining.
“Thank god! At least, you didn’t decide, not to eat ice-cream at all until then or something.” He said teasingly.
I hit on his shoulder, but laughed along with him. It was time for us to leave, but I actually didn’t want to leave him and watch another fight at my house.
“So what should we do now? I mean should we say this to anyone?” I asked him when we came outside.
“I think it is better not to tell anyone and not even to “Mr.Raj”.” He said double quoting his name.
“Then not even to “Shruthi”.” I said looking at him.
“But…” he started to say, but then nodded.
“Anyway she is still sad and even took one-month leave to go for some vacation, so I will not even have a chance to tell her.” he said, and I smiled at him.
He dropped me at my home, and then I ignored as I decided their fighting’s going inside my room.
Every day we called each other and meet each other even though secretly, but it was fun. And then I got used to the company too.
Mr.Raj taught me so much by passing each day. He became a very good friend to me.
I shared almost everything except my boyfriends name, of course. I and Abhay became the couple customers at the café and many small restaurants.
We decided not to go to any fancy ones as we have numerous meetings over there and any company members may see us.
We paid each other bills for all the dates alternatively. So that it will not be a burden on both.
“So we have to go right?” I asked him while walking outside the theatre.
“Yeah!” he replied but didn’t leave my hand and actually pulled me closer.
“So?” I asked him letting him pull me, and he said “So!”
“I love you, Usha.” He said holding my face in his hands.
“I love you too. This one month was an amazing month in my life.” I said and he immediately pressed his lips to me.
I smiled and kissed him back. We left each other feeling some ones gaze on us. We looked around to see some people gathering around us.
We immediately left the place rushing towards his car. When we left the premises, we both had a good laugh.
He dropped me and left for his house. I am just in a dreamy state, so I didn’t observe my parents and went inside my room.
“Hello!” I lifted my phone when it started to ring.
“I just reached my room.” He said, and I heard some shuffling.
I asked him to give me a call everyday whenever he reaches his home. We talked for a few minutes, and then he suddenly stopped.
“I am coming, Dad.” He shouted.
“Hey dad is calling me. I will talk to you later.” He said.
“Ok bye. Love you!” I said, smiling.
“Love you too.” He said, and we hung up.
“Usha! Come here, dear.” I heard Mom calling me.
I left the room and went there to see both Mom and Dad sitting on the couch with smiling faces.
“What happened?” I asked them confused.
Then I heard the most dreading words about which I forgot completely.
“One month is over!” They both said at a time, and I wish they didn’t at all.
*Usha Pov* I think I am about to faint, so I sat on the couch and took a few deep breaths. I put a very sweet smile on my face and looked up at them. “Mom! My answer is still ‘No’.” I said sweetly. “We will not hear your answer until you meet him. Tomorrow you can decide clearly after meeting him.” Mom said even more sweetly. “Ok! I will reject him when I meet him then.” I said getting up. “We even need the reason for your rejection.” Dad said making me flop on the couch. “But that’s unfair. This is my first proposal and you guys are acting like if I don’t get settled with this, then I will never get married in my life.” I said glaring at both. “That’s because this is the best proposal.” Dad said with a hard expression. “Maybe not best for me.” I said shrugging. “Usha! His father is our college best friend. We got together with him after so many years and that too for your proposal.” He said and I actually don’t understand what he is trying to tell me. “So?” I asked him conf
*Usha Pov* After the marriage date is fixed everyone started discussing what they are going to do except us. I looked at the corner of the room to see him leaning on the wall, but his gaze is on me. I sighed and turned to see Deepu rushing towards me excitingly. She turned towards Abhay and said, “Jiju! Come here, please.” We both looked straight at her shocked. Jiju! Seriously Deepu? He reluctantly walked towards us and stood beside me. “I actually thought you were going to be mad at me, but I am happy that you are not.” Deepu said smiling. “Why would I be mad at you?” I asked her confused. “I told you one month back right, I got a proposal, and he rejected me. Well, that person is none other than Jiju.” She replied. “What?” we both asked her shocked. “What Jiju? Didn’t you see my picture?” She asked him confused. “Uhmm... I didn’t even know your name. I just know your age when I got your proposal.” he replied rubbing his neck. “Oh! So this is your general forte then. Rejec
*Usha Pov* “Usha! Are you ready?” I heard Deepu asking me entering the allotted room. “No! I am not ready.” I replied, placing my head on the mirror. “I know! It must be the nerves right. Mom said that it happens for every bride.” She said holding my shoulders. I snorted and just wanted to shout that ‘No! These are not at all the nerves.’. But I didn't, and the reason for that is out of my mind. This one week passed like a one day. The same-day Mom, Deepu and her mom reached the house and started all the preparations. I waited for him to at least call me or at least cancel it if he is so unhappy with this idea just like me. But am I? Why am I even having this question? As it is in the village, all the rituals are conducted at separate places because of which I didn’t see him again. Is he going to elope? Or should I just elope? Then I felt someone shaking me, and I came out of my thoughts to see Deepu looking at me worriedly. “I am fine! So let’s just go.” I said and started w
*Abhay Pov* When I heard Raj’s voice I glared at the poor window in front of me. Then I heard her rambling continuously so I turned around to see her face with a frown, and she is rambling so cutely. I couldn’t help but laugh clutching my stomach. Then I heard him saying that he is going to miss her, and she laughed at him. Then she continued smiling at the mobile. She didn’t smile at me during the whole wedding, but now she is smiling for him. I turned around and hit the wall in front of me with my foot, making me shout with the pain. “What happened?” She asked, coming near me when I bend to hold my feet. “Nothing!” I replied groaning because my feet are throbbing badly. “What nothing? Just come and sit down.” She said and pulled me towards the couch holding my shirt with her fingers. When I sat down, she took the ice from the ice bucket on the table containing champagne and placed it on my feet. “Oh, God!” I said, closing my eyes. “Is it hurting?” she asked worriedly. “Yea
*Usha Pov* “Wake up!” I heard him, saying in my ear. “If you say that word again, I am going to run away from you.” I threatened him mumbling on his chest. “Where are you planning to? Just let me know I will come with you too.” He said hugging me tightly. “No way! I am getting bored by watching your face for these five days.” I said snuggling closer to him. “That’s why I am asking you to get up so that we can see some other persons face other than each other.” He said but not at all loosening his hold on me. “What are you saying? I saw other peoples’ faces in these five days.” I said, looking at him in shock. “Oh yeah! Who are they?” he asked smiling. “The people who are bringing our orders to our room. Did you forget that you too saw them?” I asked him again to lay my head on his chest. “You know what I am talking about right.” He asked, holding my one hand in his and kissed the knuckles. “I am a lazy person Abhay. Just deal with it.” I said yawning. “Why are you lying to
*Usha Pov* “Usha! Usha, get up.” I heard someone shaking me and it felt like déjà vu. “What?” I mumbled, opening my eyes. “Your phone is blazing for the past half an hour.” He replied and sat up on the couch. “Who is it?” I asked him yawning. “Mr.Raj!” he replied in a hard tone. Then I was looking at the time to see it is already 8am. I took the phone from him and lifted the call when it started ringing again. “Usha! You finally lifted the phone.” He said sighing. “Sorry about that, sir.” I said getting up. “It’s ok. After two days, we have another important meeting so you need to be here.” He said in a serious tone. I know I already took so many lineages, and I shouldn’t anymore. I mean, even though he treats me as his friend, I shouldn’t ignore my work. “I will be there on time sir. I apologize for the inconvenience you had to encounter this past week. I assure you that it will not happen again.” I said in a confident tone. “I know Usha. And don’t feel so bad you didn’t
*Abhay Pov* I reached our home at 7pm but saw that she still didn’t return from her office. I sighed and went inside the kitchen to have some snacks. I looked into the cupboards to see that my favorite snacks are also there along with her’s. I smiled because she still picked them out even though we fought. I was waiting for one hour and then called her. After a few rings, she lifted and said, “Hello!” “When will you come?” I asked her looking at the clock. “One minute!” she replied and then I heard her saying, “Is it enough, sir?” “It is more than enough Usha. I don’t know that you could pull this off in just two days.” I heard Raj asking. “Thank you, sir.” she said, and I can so feel her smiling. “What is it?” she asked after a few seconds. “Like I already asked you when will you come?” I asked her little harshly before I could stop myself. There was a pause and I didn’t hear her saying anything at all. She took a deep breath and asked, “Why? Did Shruthi didn’t invite you f
*Abhay Pov* When I stopped the car in front of our house, she immediately got out of it and walked inside. I parked the car and went inside to see she is waiting for me at the door. After I unlocked the door, she slowly walked inside and directly towards our bedroom. I went inside the kitchen and placed the food on a plate and walked towards her room. When I entered the room, I saw that she is sitting on the bed silently lost in her own thoughts. I sighed and sat beside her. “I would have bought the food with my own money for the kids, but I don’t have my purse that’s why I asked them to bill you. I will give you the money tomorrow.” She calmly said. “You don’t have to Usha. It is your money too.” I said and then she looked at me. “I know you didn’t have anything for the whole day. So, eat this.” I said, showing the plate. She shook her head and began to get up, but I stopped her from moving. She frowned at me, but I ignored her and began to feed her. As usual, she protested,