chapter 7

Chapter 7Be my ValentineShe got up early the next morning and took a stroll in the garden. The air was fresh and crisp and the wind blew her hair across her face. She hugged herself and leaned against a tree, enjoying the greenery around. Ved came up behind her, dressed in a navy tracksuit. “Good morning, beautiful.”  The endearments he used disturbed her. It did strange things to her – it made her want to shout, laugh and cry, all at the same time. But managing to maintain her composure, she coolly looked up into his eyes, “Good morning, sir.” “Why don’t you drop the sir bit? It is Ved to you. Or is it something else that bothers you, sweetheart? Is it that you want to keep reminding yourself that the relationship we share is strictly that of a boss and employee, so that you can maintain a safe distance? I am sure by now you are aware of your own feelings towards me, and of course, you definitely know what I feel for you.” Was he a mind reader too! Had she been so transparent? She felt her body had given her away treacherously, responding the way it did every time he was near!Trying to salvage her dignity, she gave him a frosty glare. “We definitely do not have any  relationship other than that of boss and employee. The whole thing is a sham and you know that very well.” She turned around quickly to walk away. But he caught her by her elbow and said, “This evening, we have to go to a Valentine’s party. So be ready by 7.” Her heart beat quickened, “Valentine’s party?” He smiled, obviously enjoying himself at her expense, but added more soberly, “Yes it is at a friend’s place. They are just married and this is kind of a get together with old friends and their ‘Valentines’.” His eyes twinkling, he continued, “Well, you are my Valentine for today, aren’t you? I cannot take anybody else other than my pretty wife-to-be, can I?” “Look, just stop playing these games with me and stop calling me your wife or whatever. I am not coming with you.” A vein throbbed in his throat as he clenched his jaw. He pulled her close in a tight hug. “You better learn to control that tongue of yours and be ready on time,” he whispered through gritted teeth. “Keep your temper stowed away and behave like my beloved. Understood? And no class today. Happy Valentine’s day.” He plucked a sweet smelling rose from behind him and wedged it behind her ear. Kissing her cheek lightly, he jogged off without looking back.She walked back to her room in a rage. “Who does he think he is, ordering me around like this, the handsome rogue! I hate you, oh I hate you, Ved Kashyap! You can go alone to your damn party, I will not come! Go to hell!” she screamed out in frustration. She plucked a hairbrush from the table and threw it at the wall. She wanted to pack her stuff and leave right away, but only the thought of her brother and his family kept her rooted to the spot. She muttered again, “Happy Valentine’s day. Idiot! But a handsome idiot,” she added weakly. She smiled to herself as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, the rose stuck in her hair. She pictured Ved doing it all over again. “Crazy, crazy, crazy! When am I going to learn?” She stamped her foot in anger. She spent the day in the room, feeling angry and helpless. By evening she was restless. Who was Ved to dictate that she could not go for class? In a defiant mood, she quietly slipped out of the house and went home to take classes. Suddenly there was a great commotion and in walked Ved Kashyap, looking ruggedly handsome in a pair of light blue denims and a black T-shirt. The girls in her class were positively drooling over him. “Hey, listen you are not allowed in here. Please go and wait outside!” Ishiqa pointed a stern finger towards the door. “Nobody else around here seems to have a problem, Ishiqa.” And then he turned towards the group of students and blew kisses at them, sending them into a fit of giggles. “Hey, all you pretty maidens… Can I steal your teacher and my Valentine for today?” All of them fluttered their eyelashes, much to Ishiqa’s grief, “Yes and why not? Have a nice time! Wish I was your Valentine,” replied one cheeky girl. He gave a charming smile, melting their hearts further. “Maybe next time,” and he turned his smiling face towards Ishiqa. “So Ishiqa dear, will you be my Valentine?” Before she could retort nastily, he swung her up in his arms, bowed to the girls and carried her out of the room. Ishiqa struggled to free herself. “I don’t believe this! What do you think you are doing? Put me down, Ved, people are looking!”  He walked determinedly to the car and only stopped a second to shift her weight to a comfortable position.“Don’t Ved!” “Don’t what, darling?” “Don’t! Oh leave me alone!” she said her eyes flashing fire. “Leaving you was never my intention, Ishiqa.” “What?” she exclaimed nonplussed.  He opened the car door and threw her onto the seat, “Put on your seat belt” and he sat himself in the driver’s seat. “Who allowed you to enter anyways?” She fired the question and then answered it herself, “Of course, nobody says no to The Ved Kashyap. Who can be immune to the charming ways of the Casanova Ved?”  He smiled at her repartee, “Nobody, except my beautiful wife-to-be, is immune to my charms.” He changed gears. “By the way, you really are looking sexy in that red hot, hip scarf of yours. And, of course, needless to say that spaghetti top is doing wonders for you.” Self consciously her hand went up to cover herself. Her hair was all messed up, with strands straying out of her ponytail. Her cleavage was showing through the spaghetti top and her thin waist was bare. Tight jeans covered her long legs. Ved whistled slowly, “There should be a law against allowing you to go out wearing clothes like that! You can rouse even a dead man, and I am hardly that!” Instantly her hand came out to slap him, but he caught it with one hand and said, “Silly girl! Do you think I will let you get away with that a second time? Sit still!” He changed gears and drove on fast, leaving a trail of mud whirling behind the car, even as the tyres screeched in protest.Â