Chapter 15: chapter 15

MADHAV“I will marry Madhav.”Never in my dreams did I think that I would hear Sruthi say those words while looking like a heavenly maiden? I blink in surprise. I didn’t mean to intrude on their conversation but I needed to see Vikram. Even if the prime minister is okay with Vikram not coming to receive him, rumors have already started to spread. “Don’t you have manners?” Sruthi snaps but her cheeks turn red in embarrassment. Her words still echo in my mind. I must have heard her wrong. Or else I am projecting my desires that I am starting to imagine things that are impossible to happen in real life. I forget everything else around me as I take in Sruthi. She is gorgeous and looks like my best freaking dream come true. She is wearing a red color silk saree with heavy gold borders. Her lips are painted red with lipstick and I have a strong urge to mess with it. Her jewels are from my shop and I designed each one she is wearing. She looks more beautiful than I imagined. Praveen is one lucky jerk. He gets to know Sruthi in ways I can’t.Someone clears their throat and the reality crashes on me. Dammit! She is getting married today to someone else. I should stop ogling her and put up the act of jerk.  I remember the question she asked.‘Don’t you have manners?’When you are looking like this, manners are the last thing on my mind. This is the answer I want to give her but of course, I don’t say that. There are other important matters than my feelings for her.“I do but the world thinks that it is your brother who doesn’t have manners,” I retort back. I turn to Vikram who is watching us with amused eyes, “It is been ten minutes since the prime minister arrived at the venue. What the hell are you doing here?”“Praveen left the wedding,” Vikram says in a grim voice.“What do you mean by he left the wedding? Did he go out for a walk?” I ask in confusion.“No,” Sruthi answers looking at her feet. Her shoulders are hunched and she looks so utterly defeated. “He left me to be with his ex.”“That sonofabitch!” I swear and fist my hands. “You let him leave just like that?” I ask turning to Vikram.  I am furious at that jerk for putting Sruthi in this tight spot. I am angry at him for betraying Sruthi. Vikram shakes his head, “He will get to pay for sins—”“No,” Sruthi says again giving Vikram a determined look. “You won’t harm him, Vikram.”“What the hell Sruthi? He left you for his ex and you still want to be good to him? Do you love him that much?” my voice comes out bitter. “I don’t know what I feel for him. I am hurt that he left me but I don’t want vengeance.”Of course. Typical Sruthi.“If he is still in love with his ex then why the hell did he even agree to this marriage?” I ask. Vikram points to a piece of paper on the dressing table. I pick it up and skim through it. Red-hot anger courses through as I finish it. I crumple the paper and throw it down. Sruthi looks at me in surprise.  There are no tear strains on her face and she looks perfectly calm and composed. I have no idea how she can maintain her composure when all I want to do is beat Praveen to a pulp. “I still don’t understand why the bastard shouldn’t be taught a lesson?” I say looking at my friend Vikram with a meaningful look.He sighs, “Believe me Madhav, my hands are itching and I love the idea of teaching him a lesson for using my sister like a tissue paper,” Sruthi flinches but Vikram continues, “But I am glad that he isn’t marrying her because Sruthi doesn’t need a cowardly man now. All Sruthi needs now is someone who can keep her safe from the threat to her life. Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to get his hands dirty to keep her safe.”Someone like me! That thought pops out of nowhere in my mind. I mentally shake myself. This isn't the time to think about my feelings for her. I frown at him, “Are you planning to marry her to someone else today?”“Yes,” Sruthi is the one who gives me the answer.“What the hell? Give her a break, dude,” I say in a hard tone to my friend. “She just got her heart broken.”“My heartbreak is the least of my concerns now,” Sruthi answers automatically with no emotion on her face. Her face is blank. A cold mask. “How could that be the least of your concerns? You were so excited about this marriage,” I say fisting my hands. Fury consumes me. How dare he hurt her like this? “Dammit! He left you right before the time to tie the knot. A crappy timing.” I punch the wall in anger. I am angry that he took Sruthi for granted and used her. Can’t he see how precious she is? Sruthi winces at the show of my violence but she keeps her eyes on me, “Yeah! I know that, Madhav. So, don’t rub salt on the wound. I don’t have the luxury to sit and cry my eyes out.”She gives me a look that tells me I am not looking at the bigger picture here. That is when I realize the full extent of the situation. I knew this country’s history by heart. I also know the laws of this country. There exists an archaic law regarding the marriages that would take place in the ruling minister’s family. It was passed a century ago by a dimwit prime minister. It is a harmless and stupid law but it is a law all the same. According to this law, if any direct blood relation of the ruling minister gets married, then, the marriage expenses are paid by the government as a gift for the minister’s hard work to the country. Yeah! It is an amazing law from which many ministers have benefitted but over the years people forgot the other part of the law. The downside to this law is that if under any circumstances, the marriage doesn’t happen, then the minister has to resign from his job because for wasting the government resources. This law was put to prevent ministers from pocketing money by hosting fake marriages. I am sure if Sruthi doesn’t get married today, the media and other ministers will make it a big deal and put pressure on Vikram. It is one of the oldest laws but a law that would become useful to many of the corrupt ministers to remove my friend from his position.Holy Shit! So, I wasn’t hallucinating when I barged in. Sruthi agreed to marry me. My heart thunders in my ribcage as I realize what is finally happening. Praveen ran away and now Sruthi needs someone to marry to save Vikram from the scandals.  The realization should be evident on my face because Vikram nods his head in silent confirmation as I turn to him.“Madhav, you are the only one who can save Sruthi’s life, and my position now? Will you marry my sister?”I am rendered speechless as I look at the sister-brother duo who are waiting for my answer. This is one of my freaking dreams come true.I look at Vikram and a slow smile curls my lips, “You know that I would do it in a heartbeat.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥