Chapter 18

Divorce! Even if Aman and Priya hadn’t known each other before they had gotten married, Priya never wanted a divorce.  Ending their marriage would mean so much more than simply leaving America and going back to India.  It would mean being single for the rest of her life.  No eligible bachelor would want to marry a girl who had already been divorced. It would mean having no family of her own.  It would mean leaving Aman.  Priya could no longer focus on the bits and pieces of the conversation Aman was having with her father.  She slowly back out of the room and left.

Aman concentrated on the conversation he was having.  He hadn’t noticed that Priya left the room.  There was silence on the other end of the line.  Aman couldn’t believe that Priya and Payal’s father was actually deliberating on the matter.  What kind of father would ruin one daughter’s marriage just to get another daughter married to a much older, much worse guy?

“Aman, listen to me.  Priya won’t be able to handle a divorce.  How can you break her heart like that?”  Priya’s father countered.  He was trying to guilt Aman into letting the whole thing go!

“Priya will be just fine.” Aman said sternly, “We’re talking about Payal.”

“Payal is mature for her age.  She is ready to get married.”  Priya’s father continued.

“No! She’s barely an adult.  What kind of business deal have you worked out with Rakesh’s father?” Aman asked.

“Why does it matter?” Priya’s father replied.

“My father is your business partner.” Aman said.

“What does that matter?  Your father is my business partner, not you.” Her father replied ruefully.

“True, but when he retires in two weeks and hands over all of our companies’ assets to me, then I’ll be your business partner.  You can’t go making business deals without my approval.”  Aman smiled slyly.  He was the only who knew about his father’s retirement, and he wouldn’t let any deal with Rakesh or his family take place.

“What? No...I’ll...have Priya divorce you.” Priya’s father tried desperately to counter.

“So what? We never wanted to get married in the first place.” Aman said nonchalantly.  Truthfully, he hoped Priya wouldn’t be forced to give him a divorce even if he disliked being a married man.  He’d survive a divorce just fine even if he had to pay an alimony.  What he was worried about was the toll a divorce would take on Priya.

“Aman, you can’t do this.” Priya’s father said hopelessly.

“I can, and I will.  Payal isn’t getting married, not yet.  She should go to school here, but I’ll send her back to India if that’s what you want.  I take full responsibility of her marriage.  As your son-in-law, it’s the least I can do.” Aman said, smiling to himself.

Priya’s father gave in and said he’ll allow Payal to stay there for a little while longer, but does want her back in India.  Aman was skeptical but decided he would deal with anything that might come up in the future later.  After he hung up the phone, he went searching for Priya and Payal to tell them the good news.  He found Payal first.  She was in the kitchen, sitting on the countertop with a worried expression on her face.

“Jija-ji!” she exclaimed upon seeing him.  She jumped off the countertop and rushed over to him.  “How did it go?”

“Your father agreed to let you stay here and to not get married just yet.” Aman started.

“Yes!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Payal shouted with happiness.  She started jumping up and down with excitement.

“However,” Aman said, causing her to stop jumping with joy, “I told him I’d send you back to India soon.”

“Why?” Payal asked.

“Because he misses you.  You still have a while in New York.  And Payal, I’ve taken responsibility of your marriage.  If your father tries to marry you off to some creep in India, you tell me and I’ll handle it.” Aman said protectively.

“Thanks Jija-ji! You’re the best!” Payal exclaimed excitedly.

“Have you seen Priya anywhere?” Aman asked, noticing that she wasn’t around.

“No...Didi went with you, didn’t she?” Payal observed.

“I’ll check upstairs.” Aman said, before turning towards the stairs.

Aman checked his bedroom first.  That was where he’d last seen Priya, but she wasn’t there.  He then tried Payal’s room, but again didn’t find her.  After checking a few more rooms, he began to get worried.

“Priya.” he called through the hallway.  He waited and listen for a reply.  Nothing.  He opened the door to the room at the end of the hallway. He was surprised to see gazing out of the massive window at the back if the room.  Her back was turned towards the door, so she didn’t notice that he’d entered.  The room was immersed in darkness.  The only light was shining in from the window.  Aman closed the door gently and quietly walked towards her.

“Priya.  What are you doing here?” he asked, “Why are all the lights off?”  Aman flipped the light switch on.  He looked over at Priya who was hastily trying to wipe away her tears.

“What’s the matter?” Aman asked.  He quickly made his way to her.  “Why are you crying?”

Priya didn’t answer.  She turned away and stepped closer to the window, breaking away from the slight grasp Aman had on her shoulder.

“Priya, please talk to me.” Aman again approached her.  She didn’t pull away this time, partly because she didn’t want to and partly because there was nowhere else to go.

“You…” Priya started, a tear rolling down her cheek as she spoke.

“Me? Did I do something wrong?” Aman asked, concerned.

“You...want a divorce.” Priya managed to say.  She burst into a silent cry.  Aman took her in his arms and allowed her to cry on his shoulder.

“No, Priya.  Why would you think that?” Aman tried to calm her down.  He pulled away from her and wiped her tears away.

“On the phone...you s-said…” Priya stammered. She fixed her gaze on the ground.

“Those were just empty threats.  I wasn’t really going to leave you.  I don’t want a divorce, honestly.” Aman said quietly.  After he’d wiped away the last of her tears, he pulled her into another embrace.

Priya blushed.  She was so embarrassed.  Here she was, bawling like a baby just because Aman had said he’d divorce her.  She hadn’t known him for long, but she realized now that she couldn’t bear the thought of not having him in her life.

“I’m sorry.” Aman apologized.  He pulled away from her again, and Priya was left desiring his body’s warmth.

“No, I’m sorry for reacting this way.” Priya answered.

“It’s okay.  It’s nice to know you care so much.” Aman replied, “Come on, we better go downstairs otherwise who knows what Payal must think we’re doing.”

“Okay,” Priya agreed.  She silently followed Aman back downstairs.  She felt a slight fluttering in her heart.  Aman was making her more nervous than usual.  His close proximity had nearly sent her swooning.  Priya knew she was falling for him, but she had to keep herself under control.

“Didi! Jija-ji is brilliant! Guess who’s not getting married anytime soon? This girl!!” Payal exclaimed, animatedly pointing at herself.

“You convinced him?”  Priya asked, looking up at Aman.

“Yeah but it was so damn difficult.” Aman replied.  “I’m still sorry.”

“About what? Didi, what did he do?” Payal interjected defensively.

“Nothing, Payal.  It’s okay.” Priya replied quickly trying to diffuse the situation.

“Really, Payal. I’m innocent.” Aman smiled.

“Yeah, yeah. Sure you are.” Payal said sarcastically.

“Jokes apart, ladies, we’re going out tonight.” Aman announced.

“We are?! Where? Where?” Payal asked excitedly.

“A party.  One of the city’s hottest nightclubs has been rented out for the event.” Aman explained.

“We aren’t going.” Priya said firmly, “We don’t belong at nightclubs.”

“Didi! It’ll be so much fun!” Payal countered.

“Priya, it’s not a wild party by any means.  The nightclub is simply the venue.” Aman tried to convince her.  “One of my friends is celebrating his wedding anniversary.   We can’t just not go.”

“Yeah Didi! We have to go, otherwise Jija-ji’s friend will feel bad.”  Payal insisted.

“Okay, but Payal, you aren’t staying out late. And you aren’t drinking any wine or champagne.” Priya reprimanded.

“Didi, you aren’t old enough to drink either!  The drinking age is 25.” Payal countered.

“It’s actually 21 here.” Aman chimed in, “so feel free to drink if you want, Priya.”

“Of course you would take her side.” Payal muttered.

Aman smiled. Spending time with Payal and Priya was always so entertaining.

“What are we going to wear?” Payal asked suddenly, finally bringing up every woman’s concern before attending a major event.

“How fancy is this party?” Priya asked, turning to Aman.

“Not as fancy as the last one.” Aman replied.

Payal’s eyes lit up.

“You’ve already been to one of these fancy New York parties?” she asked Priya.

Priya nodded shyly.  She never went out anywhere when she lived at home.  She would hardly even go out with her friends.  It was safe to say she was a homebody before coming to New York.

“I’m so jealous.” Payal said, still in a daze over the thought of attending the party later tonight.

“Go shopping.” Aman suggested, diverting the topic back to Payal’s wardrobe concerns.

Priya thought back to the last time Aman had told her to go shopping for something appropriate to wear to the earlier party they’d attended and cringed.  Aman noticed her reaction, but didn’t comment on it.  He glanced at Payal, hoping she didn’t noticed Priya’s pained expression.

“We just went shopping.” Priya said.

“But we didn’t buy any party clothes!” Payal exclaimed.  “I’m going to get an amazing strapless dress. I’m totally going to look hot!”

“No you aren’t,” said Priya adamently.

“Didi, this is America.  We can look hot once in a while.  Jija-ji, wouldn’t Didi look hot in a little strapless dress?” Payal said.

Priya blushed.  Aman tried to imagine Priya wearing a short, little strapless dress but found himself unable to.  The thought of his wife in a short dress made him very happy, but the thought of her parading around in that short dress in front hundreds of other men at a nightclub just didn’t sit well with him.

“She would.” Aman agreed.

Priya blushed even deeper.

“Then it’s settled.  Strapless dresses for us.” Payal announced.

“Payal, make sure you’re prepared for the cold.” Aman warned.

“A short dress is inappropriate and you’ll freeze.” said Priya.

Payal pouted.  She had always wanted to come to America and become westernized now that her parents weren’t here to stop her.  She had forgotten that Priya was just as bad as them.

“But Didi!” Payal complained.

“No arguments. Go to your room. I need to talk to Aman.” Priya said sternly.  Once Payal had retreated up the stairs, Priya smiled.  She found great pleasure in taking the matronly role when it came to Payal.  She usually wasn’t as harsh as she was being at this moment, but she really didn’t want Payal to become so engulfed in Western culture that she forgets her Indian values.

“Aman, why did you have to get her all excited? Now she’s going to want to wear such inappropriate clothing.” Priya said, frowning slightly.

“I didn’t know she’d want to buy all that. You didn’t.” Aman defended.

“Payal is different.  She’s more outgoing than I am, but she’s more irresponsible.” Priya replied.

“Payal is a teenager. Let her have a little fun.” Aman said, smiling.

Maybe Aman had a point.  Maybe it’s best to let Payal be how she wants to be here while she’s in America.  Once she’s back in India, she couldn’t even dream of going to nightclubs or wearing short, strapless dresses.  Priya’s heart ached for her sister.  She wanted to be independent and free to do whatever she pleases, but they both knew that would never happen.  The least Priya could do was allow her a little freedom.

“You’re right. I should let her have a little fun, but just a little.” Priya conceded.

“Oh my god! I look hot!” Payal exclaimed as she looked at herself in the mirror.  She was clad in a knee length, deep purple, strapless dress complete with matching stiletto heels.  The bust was a shiny material, while the rest of the dress was silk.  It clung to her body like a second skin.  Priya frowned at Payal’s appearance, but didn’t comment on it.

“Didi, go show Jija-ji.” Payal said to Priya.

Priya’s cheeks flamed.  She was wearing an embroidered sari with a sleeveless blouse that stopped quite a few inches above her belly button.  The blouse was backless, and showed a lot more skin than Priya hoped.  She wore it for Payal, who insisted that they both look hot that evening.

“Maybe I shouldn’t.” Priya said, turning away so Payal wouldn’t see her blush.

“You should!  After seeing you dressed like that, he’s going to fall in love with you all over again!” Payal exclaimed.

Fall in love with her again?  Priya smiled.  If only she and Aman were in love, then that would be able to happen.

Payal practically pushed Priya out into the hallway. Priya, seeing no other choice, went to Aman’s room.  She gently knocked.  After hearing Aman tell her to come in, she cautiously opened the door.  She paused, gathering up the courage to show Aman her outfit.  Would he approve of her wearing such provocative clothing?  The venue calls for it, however.  Priya decided that she should get his approval before stepping out in public dressed as she was.  She lingered in the doorway, still not having found enough courage to face Aman.

“Aren’t you going to come in?” Aman said.  He was fixing his collar in the mirror.  Priya looked up and was thankful that where she was standing wasn’t reflected in the mirror.

Aman turned around.  His eyes traveled from the bottom of the sari, slowly up the Priya’s face.

“Wow. You look great.  I’m having a hard time believing that you’re wearing a sari.” Aman commented.

Priya blushed.  She took a step further into the bedroom.

“Is this alright?” Priya asked shyly.

“Yeah, it’s great. You look beautiful.” Aman complimented.

Priya smiled.

“I mean is it alright that I wear this?”  Priya tried again.

“Yeah, of course. Why? What’s wrong with it?” Aman asked, giving Priya only half of his attention.

“Well...it’s…” Priya said shyly.  She didn’t know how to tell Aman.  Instead, she decided to show him.  She turned around, exposing the backless blouse.

Aman gave her his full attention now.  His eyes widened slightly, surprised that she was comfortable wearing such an outfit. He swallowed hard.   He had to admit.  Payal was one hell of a persuader, and Priya looked amazing.

“Umm…” he faltered,  “I...are you okay wearing that?” he managed to ask.

“Payal wants me to.”  Priya admitted.

“Yeah?  And what about you? What do you think?”  Aman asked.  He slowly began walking closer to Priya.

“I...don’t know.  She wants me to wear this. I don’t want to disappoint her.” Priya replied.

Aman stopped right in front of her.  He leaned in and took the drape of Priya’s sari that hung over her shoulder.  His close proximity made Priya nervous.  She wondered what was on Aman’s mind, but she didn’t shy away from his advance.  Aman took a step closer.  He then walked around Priya, the drape of her sari still in hand.  The long cloth fell over her exposed back.  Aman brought the sari around so that it wrapped around Priya’s other shoulder.  Her back and waist were now concealed for the most part.

“Better?” Aman said quietly, practically a whisper.  He hadn’t moved away from Priya, and still stood close.

Priya nodded.  She took the end of her sari out of Aman’s hand and clutched it tight.  Her breathing grew uneven as she noticed Aman coming closer.  There were merely inches between their faces.  Aman’s nose grazed against Priya’s cheek.  Priya couldn’t help but blush.  She wanted to turn away, but found herself frozen with anticipation.  Priya gasped when Aman’s hand found the small of her back.  He gently shoved her forward so that there was hardly any space between their bodies. Their lips were only centimeters apart.

Aman wasn’t sure what had gotten into him.  Something about seeing Priya dressed in that backless blouse triggered some sort of desire in him.  He suddenly realized the thirst that he’d been feeling ever since he’d gotten married.  Right now, at this very moment, he intended to satisfy his perpetually bothersome thirst.

Oooohhh cliffhanger! Are they gonna kiss? Hmmm….idk :)

Anyways, sorry there wasn’t much progress with the storyline here. I want to speed things along with the progression of Aman and Priya’s relationship so that the real juicy parts of the story can be introduced.  Btw I think I wanna get rid of Payal. She's starting to annoy me haha. Should I?

PLEASE tell me what you thought! It’s nice to get comments and all, but everyone continually telling me to update faster doesn’t really let me know what you guys really think of my story, so try to add a compliment (or even some criticism) in your comment, mmkay?  Cool!

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