Part 3 | His Proposal

KARTIK

As a streak of thunderbolt struck the land, a roaring echo filled the air. I felt a tiny fist clutched around my coat. I saw her body shivering, her lips trembling and her legs giving up.

" Naira... Hey, what's wrong?" she leaned into me more and I let her.

"She is scared of Thunders, we need to leave..." Dhruv spoke worried.

" Arjun get the car. We are heading to the hotel now!" I said as I carried an almost unconscious naira in my arms.

" Dhruv I guess you should also stay with us for tonight!" Arjun offered, he nodded after taking a quick glance at naira.

Dhruv and Aditi followed us to the hotel in their car. We reached the hotel and checked in to our rooms. I gently placed Naira on the bed, careful to not wake her up.

With her pink lips slightly parted, She looked so peaceful and untroubled in sleep.

I moved those few strands of her slightly wet hair that was carelessly spread across her face.

" I will never let anything happen to you Ms. Basu.... I promise to keep you safe." I muttered to her sleeping form before covering her with the duvet.

Taking one last look at her I left the room.

NAIRA

" Don't have futile hopes Naira, even he will leave you.. Just like them...all alone! Love isn't meant for you! "

I woke up covered in sweat, my heart beating rapidly as Raghav's words echoed in my mind. Last night's events flashed before my eyes.

Where am I?

I hastily got down the bed and in the process a flower vase from the side table fell on the ground shattering into pieces.

" Ms. Basu, Are you okay?" I saw him at the door step of the room dressed in a body hugging white t-shirt and black jogging pants.

" I... am sorry, the vase... I didn't"

" hey, that's okay." I nodded.

" What happened? Why am I here? Where are we..." I asked.

" you are safe, don't worry. Dhruv and Aditi are also downstairs. Before we have a talk, Why don't you refresh and change into something comfortable? " I nodded.

Just then I realised I didn't have any clothes to change.

" Here... I didn't know what you would prefer to wear but I guess this will be okay for now. " He handed me a bag.

" Thanks " I said and rushed into the bathroom.

That's so thoughtful of him.

I quickly took a refreshing bath and changed into the clothes he gave me. A jean and a plain peach top.

I came out to see him on the phone, his one hand shoved into his pant pockets.

" Yes Tina, schedule the meeting tomorrow." with that he ended the call and walked me to a meeting room, it looked like a private hall. And I saw Dhruv and Aditi talking with Arjun.

Aditi was quick to envelope me into a hug, " You scared me like hell last night. Thank God, you didn't marry that duffer! " I giggled at her dramatic expressions.

" How are you feeling now?" Dhruv asked as he took me into a side hug.

" Perfectly fine! " I smiled at him.

" Mr. Oberoi" There stood a man in his late forties, decked in law suit, carrying a few documents.

" Yes Mr. Patel! Come in..." the man handed him a file and an envelope.

" I would like to talk to you in private Ms. Basu.." He said and I was confused.

What does he have to talk about, with me?

" We will be waiting outside." everyone left leaving behind both of us alone.

" What is it Mr. Oberoi?" I asked as I settled on the couch.

" Dhruv told me why Raghav is behind you. Let me come straight to the point. I have a proposal for you! " I was taken aback.

" The will says that you have to be married by the age of 24 to have access to the property written in your name by your Father and all you have in hand is a time of 45 days...

Mr. Malhotra is your step uncle and his intention behind the marriage looks suspicious to you. So you eloped last night... Am I right Ms. Basu ? " he asked as

" Yes, but how does it concern you? " I raised my brows.

" Let me be frank Ms. Basu.... Will You be my bride? " I was astounded.

What!? To be his bride!

" I'm sorry. Are you kidding me? " He gave me a serious look.

" Right, Not kidding. But Why will you want to marry a stranger like me? " I crossed my arms against my chest.

Of course he isn't behind me for property, he has deep in his pockets and the property dad wrote in my name would hardly be only a quarter of his wealth.

" Well to say in short, I am officially the CEO of Oberoi Industries but there is a legal issue. Unless I don't get married I can't have the monopoly of decision making. So basically I only have the post, but not the powers for which I need to get married. " He leaned against the table in front of me. His body hugging t- shirt highlighting his well built arms.

He forwarded a envelope and asked me to take a look at it contents. The enveloped had a legal paper. A notice sort of.

" It says that just in case, after 6 months from the wedding date, if we are unhappy with this marriage or if things don't work out between us, We can break this marriage right then. If we wish to separate, Divorce will be granted without further delay. " This means I wouldn't be forced to stay in this marriage against my wish, this doesn't look bad.

Just then something struck me, we would be working together for our next project.

" If you don't mind Mr. Oberoi, we will be working together in near future and I like to keep my work professional. I may not be comfortable with people knowing me as your wife, if you understand what I mean..." I shrugged.

" Well then, While you work with Oberoi Industries, you can introduce yourself as Ms. Basu even though you will take my surname.

Our marriage will be kept as a private affair as long as you wish to keep it that way, until you get comfortable with me and this relationship. " Saying he settled on the couch with crossed legs, opposite to me.

He looks so calm as if the wedding is only about me!

" It's quite simple, I need a bride and you need a wedding. A Win - Win deal. " he is right, I can't delay.

Mr. Malhotra will not stop until I get married. At least by marrying him I no longer have to run away or live in fear of Raghav and his dad.

" I don't have much time Ms. Basu. My flight back home is scheduled tonight. If you reply is positive, We will have a court marriage in the evening, all legal procedures will be taken care by my lawyer. " he said impatiently.

Is he real? He wants get married within today. So desperate!

" That's right, I am indeed desperate now Ms. Basu... "

Did I say it out loud?

" What about your parents, will they be okay with you marrying me?" I questioned doubtfully.

He shrugged, "Of course they will be happy if I get myself a girl instead of marrying a random gold digger who is behind me just for my fame and money."

Okay, I really appreciate the fact that he doesn't consider me as a gold digger. Good!

My fingers curled around the legal papers, " okay. "

" Words, Ms. Basu " He demanded in a low husky whisper. I sucked a nervous breath, biting my lower lip.

" I'll marry you Mr. Oberoi "

" Good choice Ms. Basu! " a smirking smile played on his lips.

" This wedding, It's a conscious act and I believe we both know what we are signing for. " He nodded to my words and stretched his hands forward for a handshake. I obliged.

" Be ready, We will be leaving to the court at 5 in the evening. " Saying he left the room.

I looked at the envelope in my hand.

" I will never let anything happen to you Ms. Basu.... I promise to keep you safe. "

Those were his words last night.

" You are a man full of surprises I believe, Kartik Oberoi.... Well I like surprises! "

**********

So.... Proposal accepted!

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