The Malhotra Bride (8 page)

she keep quiet.

When they got out, Akshay walked casually towards Gokul Rishi to say, “Good Evening Uncle.”

No self-respecting man would treat his son-in-law
with disrespect. Gokul Rishi replied in a low

tone, “Good Evening to you, Akshay. Hope you had a good time. It’s rather late, son. I was getting

bothered.”

Sunita watched the two of them, fascinated by their exchange. Her mother was standing beyond in

the hallway, anxiously wringing her hands.

“I’m sorry, Pappa. Sunita told me that. Then, you know how late it is when I get out of my office.

I’m sure you understand that we need to spend some time together to understand one another. But

women!” he rolled his eyes dramatically, “She nagged me so much, going on about getting late that I

brought her back in a hurry.” Smart move!

“Oh, I understand what you mean. Sunita, you’re not being fair to Akshay. I don’t want to hear any

complaint the next time you go out. You should know how hard he works and gets home so late. What

if there’s a delay? You need to learn to adjust,” he insisted in a weary voice. Talk about hitting two

birds with one stone! Akshay was a genius.

Sunita nodded her head demurely, her lips tightly shut to stop a grin from splitting her face. She

looked at Akshay from the corner of her eye as he winked at her.

Grandpa stood listening to the exchange and was glad that his Sunita was in safe hands.

“Okay then, I’ll be seeing you,” said Akshay, all set to leave.

“Akshay, please come in and sit for a while, son. I heard you left without having anything in the

evening either. You must have something to eat,” insisted Gokul.

Akshay looked at Sunita as she mouthed, “Please.”

“That’s true Uncle. I wasn’t hungry then. I’ll have something now. Come, Sunita, I’m sure you’re

also famished.”

Sunita glared at his back as Gokul escorted Akshay into the house. This huge hunk could possibly

eat a full meal after those delicious kebabs, but she couldn’t swallow another bite. She followed them

quietly as she didn’t want to argue with Akshay in front of her father.

Her mother was relieved at the averted situation. Grandpa patted Akshay on his back, showed him

the ‘thumbs up’ sign and winked at him.

What was with the two of them— behaving like old friends? Sunita felt envious.

“
Dadaji
, I hope it’s not past your bed time. Will you join us please?”

He was like a breath of fresh air in the stiff and formal household.

They all sat around the dining table with Leela rushing up and down to serve the meal. Sunita went

to help her.

“Oh, Mamma! I had such a wonderful time. I hope you weren’t too worried.”

“I wasn’t worried about you, dear. Only what Pappa would say. But all the anxiety is worth seeing

the happy smile on your face. And Akshay—looks like your father’s met his match.”

Sunita smiled at her mother and carried a few dishes to the dining table.

“You too sit down, Aunty. Mm— everything looks delicious. You must have gone to a lot of

trouble.”

Leela looked at her daughter’s betrothed and almost blushed. It was the first time she received a

compliment for her efforts. “That was no trouble at all, son. I hope you like it.”

Akshay polished off the
Roti, Sabzi, Dal
and
Rice
served on his plate. Gokul eagerly took part in

the general talk at the table. It centred around the garment business and its export. While the women

were used to the shop talk and kept silent, Akshay had other ideas. He wanted to know what they

thought about everything. While Leela continued to remain quiet, Sunita was vociferous in her

opinions. The scene took on the makings of a debate. Akshay looked at the grandfather clock in

surprise as it chimed midnight.

“I’d better rush,” he said, smiling at everyone. He shook Gokul’s hand, “It’s been an interesting

evening. I think we should do this more often. You all must come over to our place soon. Thank you

for the lovely meal Aunty. And
Dadaji
,” he put his arm around Grandpa’s shoulders, “I’m sorry to

have kept you up so late.”

“Not at all, Akshay. I wouldn’t have missed your visit for anything.”
Dadaji
was too happy with his

newfound grandson.

“Well, see you all soon then. Sunita, will you walk me to the car?” he asked.

The patriarch spoke, “You do that, my dear and lock up after. We’re going to bed. Come on, Gokul,

Leela. Good night, Akshay, Sunita.” The ever tactful Grandpa wanted the youngsters to have some

privacy.

Akshay was reluctant to leave Sunita. She didn’t want to part with him either. In just one evening,

she felt she had found a friend for life. He added cheer to her dull life. She wondered if she would

meet him the next day, but was too shy to ask.

“It’s quite late, Akshay. I’m sure you have a full day tomorrow.”

“Yes damn it,” he angrily hit his right fist on his left palm.

Sunita was shaken at his vehemence. “Hey,” she said in a shocked voice, “What’s wrong?” She

touched his arm hesitantly.

He immediately guessed that she was disturbed. He covered her hand reassuringly with his, drew in

a deep breath and smiled at her. The smile transformed his face. Sunita stared in fascination.

“Nothing wrong—just that there’s so much to do at work and I want to spend all my time with you.”

A deep sigh shuddered through him as he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow same time.”

“If you’re sure.” Won’t he find it tiring after a full day at work?

“That I am,” he whispered in her ear, pulling her into his arms.

Sunita braced her hands on his chest and looked up at him. The moonlight lit his sharp features as he

gazed down at her. Her breath caught as she saw the desire in his eyes. She tried to move away but he

refused to let her go.

“I think you should leave, Akshay. You need to rest.”

“Are you trying to send me away? Well,” his lips took a downward slant, “if you’ve had enough of

me—” his eyes were downcast.

“It’s not that,” Sunita walked into the trap set for her, “Of course I haven’t had enough of you. I’ll

miss you in fact,” she admitted.

Akshay raised his laughing eyes to hers. She realised she had been tricked into admitting that. She

gave him a shy smile, glad to have said it.

“But I still think you should leave, Akshay.”

“I know,” he growled into her neck, “just give me a minute.”

Silence reigned in the portico as Akshay pressed his lips against her petal soft cheek. ‘Was that

allowed?’ she thought. ‘Weren’t they going to sign a contract?’

“Goodnight Sweetheart,” he turned her head to kiss her other cheek.

Sunita blushed prettily, “Good night, Akshay, sleep well.” She left his arms and waited for him to

get into the car.

Akshay got into the driver’s seat reluctantly. She bent at the window to wish him, ‘goodnight’. He

pulled at her arm, “Don’t I deserve a goodnight kiss?” he asked pathetically, “it’ll at least tide me by

till tomorrow evening.”

She almost laughed out loud at his sorrowful expression. She pressed her lips to his hard cheek, her

lips tingling at the contact. “Call me when you reach home, Akshay, please.”

He left and Sunita locked up the front door. She went to her room and had a swift shower, wearing a

cotton nightie. She waited with the mobile in her hand, looking forward to hearing his voice again.

Akshay had befriended not only her, but her whole family. Even her taciturn father was taken up

with him. A small smile played on her lips. Life was such fun suddenly. She looked forward to the

three years with Akshay.

She picked the phone on the first ring.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Sweetheart! I already miss you.”

“I miss you too,” she admitted.

They spoke for a couple of minutes before saying ‘bye’. Sunita slept the moment her head touched

the pillow.

Ten

The next few days were like a dream for Sunita. Akshay picked her up in the evenings and they went

to quiet places where they could talk without being disturbed. They got to know each other well. She

so looked forward to their time together as she found in him a kindred spirit with whom she could talk

about anything under the sun. And they laughed a lot!

The
Panditji
came home one day to discuss the wedding date and
muhurat
. The engagement

ceremony was fixed for Sunday. Another four days to go. Should she call Akshay and tell him about

it? Maybe he’d find her silly. He was so busy with his job while she had nothing to do but sit at home,

thinking about him.

She waited impatiently for the evening to come as she ran through her wardrobe for something

suitable to wear. Should it be jeans and top or another
churidar
set? It took up a couple of hours—

quite surprising for a person who was usually decisive. But nowadays she dressed to please Akshay,

she realised. A secret smile danced on her lips while Sunita hummed a popular tune as she took out

the midnight blue jeggings and fluorescent green top. She matched it with a denim jacket. Her hair in a

high ponytail, she could have passed off for a school girl. Her eyes sparkled under pale green eye-

shadow while her lips glowed with a trace of natural colour. A dash of perfume and she was ready.

She ran down to Grandpa Ratan’s room. “
Dadaji
.”

Surprise! Akshay was there sharing a cup of coffee with Grandpa, totally relaxed.

“Come on in, my dear. Look who’s here. You’re late, my child. Akshay’s been waiting for a while.”

“No, I—”

“No,
Dadaji
, Sunita’s not late,” his eyes were admiring the length of her legs encased in the

jeggings as a broad smile broke out on his lips, “I came early. Sunita’s before time too. An admirable

quality in a lady, eh,
Dadaji?
”

Sunita’s eyes promised murder at his mischievous comment while she couldn’t but admire his

dashing personality. The beige corduroys and black t-shirt complemented his tall figure. Her eyes

caught the vee of his collar and moved away in a hurry. Akshay enjoyed her confusion as his grin

grew wider.

“And Good evening to you too, Mr. Akshay Malhotra,” said Sunita in an extra polite voice,

obviously peeved.

“Good evening, Sunita,” he raised his hand in a mock salute. “Ready to leave?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, her ponytail bouncing.

Dadaji
watched in amusement. He looked at Akshay and said, “Bye, son. See you later and you too,

Sunita.”

“We’ll be late as we’re having dinner out,
Dadaji
. Please don’t wait up for us.”

Sunita was confused. This was the first she heard about dinner. Won’t her Pappa hit the ceiling? She

gritted her teeth. She had clear instructions to keep Akshay—grr—happy. It wasn’t her problem.

She walked stiffly out of Grandpa’s room into the corridor. Akshay followed her and closed the

door carefully behind him.

“Which is your room, Sunita?” He asked.

Sunita gave him a fiery look as she pointed to the door across.

It happened in a flash. Sunita found herself in her room with Akshay, the door firmly closed. She

walked away from him and stood on the other side of the bed.

“Hey Beautiful! What’s biting you?” asked Akshay, pretending ignorance as he walked towards her.

“I’m sure you’ve something on below that tightly buttoned-up jacket.” He went to her and gently

started pulling the buttons one by one.

Sunita gasped. She put her hands on his to stop him. Akshay took her hands in his.

“Look at me.”

Sunita’s eyelids felt so heavy that it was too much of an effort. She felt Akshay’s eyes on her face as

colour bloomed in her cheeks.

“Sunita!”

She looked at his face that was too close for comfort. He placed her hands on his shoulders, his

sliding to her waist. “Sweetheart,” he kissed her on the forehead.

Sunita did her best to hold on to her bad temper. She thought it was the best way to retain her sanity.

Her eyes were on her hands, restless on his shoulders. Her fingers caught a few strands of his hair

and she found them deliciously silky.

She forgot her plans to remain angry as the fingers of her right hand played with his hair. She rose

on tiptoe to press her lips to his hard cheek. Was this heaven?

Akshay had managed to unbutton her jacket and pull it off completely as he moved her a few inches

away from him. Sunita wasn’t even aware of her protesting groan that had brought a smile to his face.

Akshay whistled under his breath as he saw the short sleeveless top she was wearing. It fit snugly

on her firm breasts and left a couple inches of her waist bare. His large hands spanned her waist as he

pulled her back into his arms.

He pressed his lips against her ear as he whispered, “Now I know the reason for that jacket.” His

voice lost its amusement as he traced his lips over her petal soft cheek.

Sunita shivered at the sensations that bombarded her. She held on to his neck for support as her

knees turned weak with an unfamiliar need. Akshay’s hands were restless as he explored her sensitive

skin. She felt so good in his arms.