Chapter 46

"So much anger? What's wrong with you? I just asked you to apply balm," she said, standing up to leave. "I'll ask Veera then."

Frustrated, I said, "Wait!"

Geet stopped, unzipped her top, and I noticed a cute mole there—I hadn't seen it before. As I applied the balm, my hands were trembling and cold. For the first time, it felt like I was committing some sort of sin. Afterward, she zipped up her top, changed into a different dress, and came to lie down beside me.

I opened my laptop again, but I couldn't write anything. I felt like I had become an even worse writer than before. Still, there was a smile on my face because I had enjoyed it. I turned off the laptop and set it aside, and a memory flashed in my mind.

"Be my pillow." Geet had once said. She had a habit of sleeping while hugging someone. Having spent her whole life in loneliness, the only thing that had ever embraced her was a pillow. Remembering those words, I got angry at myself. But a little while later, I found myself inching closer to her. While sleeping, I moved toward her, her eyes closed, her face turned to me. My face showed tension. Suddenly, Geet shifted, and I thought she was going to embarrass me again. I decided to go back, but as I turned to leave, her hand fell on my stomach, and I froze. My breathing stopped for a moment, but strangely, I was happy. Maybe being her pillow wasn't so bad after all.

The next morning, when Geet woke up, she saw that her hand was still on Payal stomach and one of her legs was draped over Payal. She had been sleeping with me as if Payal was a proper long pillow. She noticed that Payal was lying completely straight. Seeing this, Geet gave Payal a hard push out of irritation, and Payal fell off the bed. The shove was harder than intended because she was angry, and it jolted Payal awake.

God! This girl pushed me off the bed! Who does she think she is? I was just trying to help her! I exclaimed angrily.

"What was that for?" I snapped.

"Why do you keep trying to come closer to me?" Geet retorted, clearly annoyed.

"When?" I lied.

"You... keep..." Geet trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. Maybe she was too angry or shy? I couldn't tell.

"Keep what?" I probed.

"Never mind," she muttered and walked away.

"I said! Earth has agreed to sell that company to you," I told her.

Geet stopped and asked, "Wow! So, you're ready to accept my conditions?"

"Yes," I replied, standing up from the floor and sitting on the bed. I was overjoyed, and it seemed like Geet couldn't handle my happiness.

"I have one more condition," she added.

"You're piling on condition after condition. Looks like you don't actually want to marry me," I teased her with a grin.

"No, it's not that. I just didn't expect you to agree so easily. You'll have to join the company as an employee and work for me."

Is she crazy? If I become an employee in my own company, my employees will mock me. What dignity will I have left? She's lost her mind! I was furious but thought, Dignity be damned—loneliness is worse. I didn't want to stay in my room alone anymore. Even if Geet argues with me all the time, at least she'd be with me.

Without showing my anger, I stood in front of her and said, "I agree."

Geet smiled and asked, "When should we seal the deal?"

"Whenever you feel like it," I said casually and walked out.

The next day, Earth and Moon got married. Watching their wedding rounds reminded me of my own wedding—when Geet came into my life. I couldn't stop my tears, remembering the emptiness I felt when she left. I took a deep breath. We were all showering flowers on Earth and Moon.

Two days after the wedding, Earth signed the papers. I asked Moon, "Where are you two going for your honeymoon?"

Moon started coughing nervously.

Earth replied, "We haven't planned anything yet."

Geet chimed in, "How about Paris?" I started coughing because, well, if you know, you know.

After signing the papers, Geet handed Earth a box. Earth opened it to find sweets, lots of chocolates, and tickets to Paris. Earth and Moon exchanged confused smiles.

Earth took the box outside, and I stayed inside to finish signing some papers. Moon asked, "Is there something we need to...?" She looked quite nervous.

Earth said, "No, not at all. But we can still go on a trip as friends." Earth said it in a way that made Moon feel at ease, though deep down, Earth wished Moon would look at her with the same love she had for Moon.

Moon smiled and got into the car. The driver started it, and Moon said, "Let's go pack our bags."

Earth just gave a formal smile.

Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out what kind of trouble Geet was planning for me now that she wanted to make me her employee. Geet sat at the table while I stood in front of her. She picked up the papers and said, "Shall we get married? The court will do, right?"

"My wish?"

If she's asking for my opinion, why should I miss the chance? I was ready to fulfill any condition to stay with Geet as long as no one got hurt. Now my turn to deal with her, I owed her that much for all the trouble she's given me.

I said, "I want a wedding with all the rituals. This time, you'll be the — Meri Gharwali (a proper bride)."

Geet didn't show much expression, but I was sure she was freaking out inside after hearing that.