chapter 6

Chapter 6The lies and the laughterShe pressed her hands to her ears, trying to block the sexy voice that still rang in her head. What was the matter with her! He enjoyed riling her and she was nothing but a plaything to him. Then why did she become weak at his mere touch; why, even a mere glance was enough to make her melt… This had to stop. “No, I will not make a fool of myself anymore!” she vowed to herself and looked up at the mute ceiling. She paced up and down the room, ready for a fight. She heard her mobile ring and answered it to hear the chirpy voice of Namita, her sister-in-law. “Hi Ishq, how are you? Akash and Rabia are missing you badly! How is Ved? I am so happy for you, but also a bit upset! Why didn’t you tell us about him, Ishq? And for him clear all our debts! Such a good man! I want to hear the full story of how you guys met! No more secrets ok!” Namita gushed.Ishiqa was caught unawares. “I…” she mumbled. What could she tell her sister-in-law? “I will tell you when we meet,” she replied weakly. Hopefully she would have a convincing story ready about how she was caught in this trap.She ended the call and felt fresh anger surge through her. Furious, she picked up her purse, stormed down the stairs and walked out of the heavy gates of the house. She took a cab and marched straight into the Kashyap hotel and into Ved’s cabin, even as the receptionist tried to stop her. She kicked the door open and found him waiting for her, sitting coolly on the edge of his desk. The receptionist must have alerted him, she realised. “Yes, my darling, to what do I owe this surprise visit? Surely you are not feeling lonely without me already! We haven’t been apart for even a couple of hours!”  “What do you think you are playing at?” she asked as calmly as she could, controlling the rage sizzling beneath her composure. “Forgive me, but I don’t understand,” he said, his face assuming an exaggerated quizzical look. “Don’t you play the innocent with me, you cheat! You have paid all my brother’s debts and you have told them about us, without even consulting me. Do you have any idea how I’m supposed to explain it all once I go back? What will they think of me when they hear the truth?” Calmly, he placed a glass of water in her hand. She knocked the glass away. “Keep your sympathy to yourself!” she shouted, spilling the water on the carpet.“Enough is enough, Ishiqa! Do not forget that you are working for me and I am your boss. No need to create a scene here in the hotel, calm down and be seated.” He pushed her into a chair and bent down; placing his hands on either side of her on the arm rests. “Now listen to me, I met your brother and Namita and told them about us. I told them it was love at first sight and that we have agreed to marry. But since my granny is not well, and she has taken a great liking to you and wants you by her side, you will be staying at my house to comfort her. I have promised your brother that I will not touch you till an auspicious date is set for the marriage. They were very hesitant but they were happy for you, so they agreed. And about the debt, they needed help and I offered. It needed a lot of persuasion, but they finally agreed. And now, darling, if you run out on me, I don’t have to spell out the consequences to you.” The even tone with which he delivered the last line was enough to make his intentions clear. She imagined the trouble her brother would be in, all because of her. After his newfound happiness, that would be hard to bear! Come to think of it, they were now all puppets in Ved’s hands. She looked up to meet his eyes squarely. “Don’t you think even once that you have bought me, Mr. Ved! By telling all those lies, you can fool my brother, not me. It would do better for you to remember your promise and keep your hands off me. And yes, I will fight you every inch of the way, if you try and hurt my family. Now move! Thanks for your precious time.” In response, he put a hand to her temples and smoothed down her hair slowly, then caressing her flushed cheeks gently, he whispered with a naughty glint in his eyes, “Whoever said that girls look more beautiful when they are angry, full marks to him.”“Let me go,” she snapped at him. Then she murmured sarcastically, “Sir, I am sure you have other important things to attend to.”  He laughed softly and straightened, giving a mock salute. “I’ll see you in the evening, my dear. The driver will drop you back home.” She returned to the Kashyap house after conducting the tuition classes and slipped into her room quietly, only opening it when Anita called her for dinner. She stepped out and squeaked, startled as she walked into Ved. Awkwardly she stepped back, her colour rising. “Feeling shy, are you now, dear Ishiqa?” his voice caressed her. Her head shot up and she retorted defiantly, “Shy of you? In your dreams! Now get out of my way. I am feeling hungry.” She squeezed past him down the staircase into the dining room, and he followed. They sat down to have dinner, and quietly polished off the soup, avoiding any conversation. Ved broke the silence and asked in an authoritative voice, “Where did you go this evening?” “To take my class.” “What class? I thought I said no more classes from today.” “You aren’t serious, surely? My students and I look forward to these evening classes,” she said, throwing the spoon down on the plate angrily. He studied her doe eyes and the flush of red on her cheeks. “Okay, you can go, but that does not give you the right to break cutlery in my house.” She blinked in surprise and both of them started laughing. She said, between giggles, “I am sorry, sir,” and broke out into fresh giggles. He chuckled throatily, the tension between them diffusing suddenly.He looked so charismatic as his lips parted to reveal strong white even teeth, and his eyes sparkled, touching her heart strangely. She wished this dream would never end and that they could live happily ever after, truly married. She wondered what it would be like to love him with all her heart and be loved by him. She came crashing down to reality when Anita repeated a third time, slightly loudly, “Ma’am, would you like some dessert?” “No. Umm, sorry Anita. The food was very good.” She stole a glance at Ved and their eyes met. Embarrassed, she excused herself and ran up to her room.