The Malhotra Bride (3 page)

hunk hanging out at the gate. She checked him out from the corner of her lovely eyes.

But he was too attractive! She had met her share of good-looking men. This one was a class apart.

He was obviously a couple of inches over six feet and broad-shouldered with a tapering waist. God

seemed to have been in an extremely benevolent mood when he created this particular specimen. A

very broad and intelligent forehead, dark wings for eyebrows, dark eyes, a long, sharp and prominent

nose, chiselled lips, the lower one slightly thicker than the one above and a square jaw. Sunita

noticed all this in a flash.

And here she was stuck with Akshay Malhotra. She sighed in frustration. Her chin jutted out

stubbornly. She had her plan and was quite confident that she would send Malhotra packing.

Four

By 4 pm that evening, the hall at the Rishi bungalow was teaming with people. Sandhya and her

husband Raghu had arrived quite early along with their kids Shubha and Shyam. Raghu’s parents had

accompanied them. Gokul’s sister, her husband, his younger brother, his wife and niece had also

arrived.

Sunita gritted her teeth as she heard them from her room. It was just the way she had feared. Her

father didn’t have a single sensitive cell in his body. Her meeting with the Malhotras had turned out to

be a circus instead of being private.

Sandhya entered Sunita’s room and hugged her sister. She smiled at her exclaiming, “Sunita, what

are you doing in that simple cotton sari
?
You look like an angel of course, but wouldn’t a silk sari be

better suited for the occasion?”

“Why
Didi
? I feel so comfortable in this.” The sari in question was shimmering cotton and mauve

shot with pink. It had a border and
pallu
in a deep shade of mauve, both embroidered in gold thread

with exquisite taste. The colour added to Sunita’s beauty.

Her jewellery was subtle; the earrings were of gold with a single amethyst surrounded by tiny

diamonds. A thin gold chain with a matching pendant graced her slender neck. Glass bangles of

mauve and pink interspersed thin gold ones, creating a tinkling sound whenever she moved.

“But Sunita, not today. A silk sari,
Hahn
, the parrot green one with maroon border Mamma bought

for you last
Diwali
, would be perfect. And where are your diamonds? You need to wear a couple of

thick gold chains and diamond—”

“Listen
Didi
, I’m not a mannequin. It’s an important occasion for Mamma and Pappa may be. I’m

just a piece of merchandise,” said Sunita, her face turning red in anger.

“What’s up Sunita?” Sandhya asked in a shocked voice. “What’s wrong with you? You should be in

seventh heaven that Pappa got you such a wonderful proposal. The Malhotras are even better in

business and finance than Raghu’s family.”

Sunita’s well-shaped eyebrows met in a scowl. “If I’m lucky, they’re equally so, wouldn’t you

say?” she challenged her sister.

Sandhya smiled as she placed her arm around her younger sibling’s shoulders. “Of course my dear!

Akshay is surely a very lucky guy. Believe me when I say things will work out perfectly. Our parents

know what’s best for us. Look at me now, I’m married into an affluent family, Raghu is an affectionate

husband and I have two lovely kids in Shubha and Shyam. Raghu’s parents shower me with love and

affection. What more can a female want?”

“But,
Didi
—” Sunita cut herself short. It was no use. They were on different wavelengths. She

could see her career plans going down the drain with the kind of future mapped out by her parents.

“
Didi
, I’ll go meet
Dadaji
.” Saying this she left her room, escaping a feeling of claustrophobia.

Grandpa Ratan’s suite was bang opposite Sunita’s room. She entered the sitting room and closed the

door. Grandpa looked resplendent in a white
dhoti
and
kurta
. Looking up from the book he was

reading, Grandpa’s face lit up with a smile when he saw her.

“Sunita, my dear, come and sit here,” he invited affectionately.

She sat on the floor placing her head on her grandpa’s lap. “
Dadaji
, I feel quite nervous, will you

help me?” Her voice was wobbly.

“What’s it, my child? You look so beautiful, just like your Grandma.” He hoped to calm her down

saying that.

Sunita smiled at him with a tinge of sadness. “
Dadaji
, I’m petrified of meeting Akshay Malhotra

with the whole family hanging around. Will you arrange for a meeting in private? Please.” She did not

quite meet Grandpa’s eyes as she said this. Ratan Rishi presumed his grandchild felt shy. He could

see the logic in her request. He smiled, pleased that she had accepted the idea of at least meeting the

boy.

“Righto, Sunita, you wait here in my room. Leave everything to your
Dada
. I’ll personally bring

Akshay Malhotra here, and you can get to know each other without interference.”

Hearing the sound of a car parking on the portico, Grandpa Ratan left to greet the guests. Sunita

stood there in her grandpa’s sitting room for a few minutes, quite nervous with what she was

planning.

With a determined set to her chin, she took out the small box of kohl she had hidden in her blouse

and rushed into her grandpa’s bedroom. She stood in front of the mirror. She was quite indifferent to

the beautiful reflection as she took out some black kohl on her index finger and smeared it in a thick

line around her eyes and brows. She also blackened her front teeth for good measure, looking quite

bizarre. She draped her sari
pallu
over her head to cover her lovely tresses. She did not want

Grandpa to notice the change in her face.

Five

Akshay, Tanuja and Raj Malhotra stepped out of the car to an uproarious welcome. Gokul Rishi led

them into the hallway along with a couple of other male relatives, and introduced them to Grandpa

Ratan. They all greeted each other with a
Namaste
- their hands together in front of their chests.

The atmosphere was festive—noisy and cheerful—what with such a big crowd of relatives

thronging the sitting area curious to catch a glimpse of the ‘Boy’ who had come for Sunita. Benarasi

silks vied with Mysore Crepes. Sparkling precious gems shone in the lamplight as women walked

hither and thither, talking in hushed voices.

Raj and Tanuja entered the melee wholeheartedly. Akshay’s feelings were mixed. He had come here

to meet Sunita. Where the hell was she? What was he doing amidst this crazy crowd sitting like ware

on display?

Tradition demanded that snacks and sweets be offered to the guests.
Jamuns, Rasagollas
,
Pedas

along with
kachoris
and
samosas
were served. Then came the coffee, tea and fruit juices.

Akshay eyed everything impatiently, but it was bad manners to refuse to partake in the refreshments.

He nibbled at a couple of things and sipped his coffee. He looked around the room. Grandpa Ratan

caught his eye and gestured to him to come forward.

Glad to do something, he went to Grandpa and touched his feet out of respect. Grandpa hugged him,

speaking softly in his ear, “Come with me, my boy. Utter confusion reigns here. I’ll take you to meet

Sunita in private.”

At last! Akshay smiled.

Grandpa was impressed. Akshay’s face lit up with the smile. He was so handsome and endearing

that the old man sent up a small prayer to the Almighty that this smart looking, intelligent ‘Boy’ should

become his grandson-in-law.

Those who saw the two of them going up the staircase did not offer to comment since nobody

questioned Grandpa’s actions. Sandhya and Leela were glad of the breathing space since they

couldn’t find Sunita.

“I hope the silly girl has not taken it into her head to go out of the house. I’m so worried what your

father will say, Sandhya.”

“Don’t worry, Mamma. I’m sure Sunita will not let us down. Maybe she’s in the bathroom. Or—”

Sandhya brightened up, “maybe she finally saw some sense and decided to change into her silk sari

and diamond jewellery.”

Both were relieved to see Grandpa Ratan leaving the room with Akshay in tow. They were glad of

the respite—little knowing what Grandpa was up to.

When they reached the first floor, Grandpa took Akshay aside and spoke to him about Sunita. “My

dear boy, I don’t quite know how to put this to you. Sunita is extremely nervous and fidgety about this

arrangement. Do treat her with patience. I hope you understand.”

Akshay nodded his head vigorously. He recognised a kindred spirit in Sunita. “Don’t worry,

Dadaji
, I’ll be gentle with her.” He also got the impression that the woman he was going to meet was

timid by nature.

Grandpa entered his sitting room with Akshay and saw Sunita standing at the window, her back to

the entrance.

“Sunita,” he called out. “Come here, my dear.” Sunita panicked. How to show her face to
Dadaji?

She pulled her sari
pallu
down over her eyes, clamped her lips tightly shut and went forward.

“Akshay, this is my grandchild, Sunita. She is very dear to me and Sunita, this is Akshay.”

Akshay could not take his eyes off Sunita. Seeing her in the morning had not prepared him for the

lovely vision in front of him. She looked gorgeous in the sari. In a dazed voice, he said, “Hello,

Sunita.”

Sunita gritted her teeth in frustration. What kind of man was he, she wondered, that he was ready to

view a strange woman with the idea of wedding her? She gritted her teeth when she realised that

Grandpa planned to leave her alone with this monster. Yeah, monster! Who else will want to enter a

marriage with a stranger as if it was one more business deal?

Grandpa turned towards the door. “I’ll leave you children to get acquainted.”

Sunita clutched his arm in a vice-like grip and spoke urgently, “Please don’t leave me alone,

Dadaji
.” What a soft, sexy purr! Akshay’s skin broke out in goose pimples.

“You won’t be alone, Sunita. Akshay’s here with you.”

Sunita couldn’t even gaze at Grandpa in the eyes and plead, thanks to her garish make up. Grandpa

left, closing the door quietly behind him.

Sunita refused to glance in Akshay’s direction. She was suddenly struck by a bout of shyness and

felt unusually tongue-tied.

“Come Sunita, let’s sit down.” Akshay walked to the sofa and waited for Sunita to take a seat.

She sat on the edge of a sofa. He put out a hand, saying again, “Hello Sunita, pleased to meet you.”

Sunita pushed her sari
pallu
away from her head and looked at him.

Wham! You couldn’t make out who was the more startled of the two.

Sunita recognised the young man she had seen outside her computer institute that very morning. She

couldn’t believe it had been Akshay Malhotra waiting to catch a glimpse of her. Instead of feeling

flattered, her temper flared at the sneaky way he had gone there to see her.

Akshay burst out laughing. Under the circumstances, his sense of humour made Sunita angrier. She

glared at him, “I don’t see anything funny.”

“Your expression was priceless when you recognised me,” said Akshay. His face turned smug on

knowing that she had noticed him that morning.

The thought flashed in Sunita’s mind that it was not fair that such a face and body should come along

with that deep baritone. She shook herself to get rid of that. Her hair shimmered and danced in the

evening light coming through the windows, catching Akshay’s scrutiny. He was floored by her beauty!

Was it possible to fall in love at second sight?

If he had not seen her in the morning, chances were high that he would have been put off by the

horrid make-up—childish but effective. Smart girl!

While she felt foolish about what she had done, Sunita was still determined to get rid of him.

She sat up straight to look at him defiantly. He could see the light of battle in her sparkling eyes.

“Mr. Malhotra, I—”

“Let’s not be so formal. Call me Akshay. I’d rather call you Sunita—what a lovely name!” he

exclaimed, much to her disgust.

Things were not going the way she had planned. Her bosom rose and fell in agitation, drawing

Akshay’s eyes, adding to her discomfort.

Fascinated, Akshay stared at the movement of Sunita’s breasts with each rapid breath she took. The

sari enhanced her curvaceous figure and made her all the more attractive. Realising that he was not

helping the situation, Akshay raised his brown eyes to look at her reddened face.

It was not easy meeting those bold and knowing eyes. For the first time in her life, Sunita felt

tongue-tied.

Akshay watched the many emotions chasing one another on her face. He waited patiently for her to

utter the words that were struggling to get past her vocal chords. Sunita cleared her throat and

declared baldly, “I don’t want to get married.”