The Malhotra Bride (9 page)

With great difficulty, Sunita tried to bring a semblance of sanity. “Akshay, are you aware where

we’re?”

“Hmm—yeah, your bedroom.” He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her perfume, his lips playing havoc

with her blood pressure.

“What if Mamma turns up suddenly?” Her hands kneaded his shoulders, revelling in the muscles.

“Your mother’s gone to the market and your father’s still at work,” said Akshay as he explored her

collarbone with his lips.

Devil!

Akshay’s lips traced the beginnings of her cleavage when he suddenly raised his head. He wanted

her too much! But she was such an innocent. He was sure she wasn’t even aware of what she was

doing to him. He removed her arms from around his neck and put his hand under her chin. “Shall we

go?” His voice was hoarse as he noted the disappointment in her eyes. “You look good enough to eat,

Sunita. I can’t trust myself with you,” he declared, bringing colour to her cheeks.

She gave him a small nod before donning her jacket once again and going along with him. It took a

while for her heartbeat to calm down.

Gokul Rishi had just got out of his car as they stepped out of the door.

“Hello Uncle.”

“Oh, hello, Akshay. On your way out? Have a good time,” he smiled at the pair of them.

“Sure. We won’t be in for dinner. Please don’t wait up for us.”

Gokul Rishi looked at the young man standing tall and proud in front of him. ‘It’d be best to get the

wedding performed as soon as possible,’ he thought as he saw them off.

“Will you now get out of that bloody jacket?” he growled, having correctly guessed that it was for

her father’s benefit.

Sunita was only too glad to take it off.

“I wish I’d brought my motor bike.”

“You’ve a bike?” squealed Sunita in delight.

“Would you like a ride on it?”

“I’ve never ridden on one. I’d love to.”

“Let’s go home, leave the car and take the bike.”

“Are you sure, Akshay?” She didn’t want to be a bother. “We can take a ride some other day.”

“Will you or won’t you like to take a bike ride?”

“Love to. But if it’s too much trouble—”

“Not for you, Sweetheart,” said Akshay, giving her an adoring look.

Sunita glowed with pleasure. They went to Malhotra Park and Akshay took the car directly to the

garage.

“I’ll get the bike. Why don’t you go in to say ‘Hi’ to Mom and Dad?”

Sunita walked over to the bungalow. She knocked on the open door, her steps hesitant.

“Who’s that? Oh, Welcome, Sunita dear. Tanuja, see who’s come.” Raj Malhotra swept her in a

warm embrace, touching her heart.

Tanuja came out to see who it was and hugged her too. Sunita was overcome with shyness. She

hadn’t expected to meet Akshay’s parents in a skimpy top. But they didn’t seem bothered about it.

“Welcome home, Sunita,” said Tanuja. “I’m glad Akshay brought you over. We didn’t get to meet

you the other day. Sit down, my dear.”

Tanuja drew Sunita down on the comfortable sofa. The latter accepted the fresh lemonade she was

offered and sipped it with relish.

Her shyness disappeared in the warmth of the older couple. Soon, they were discussing everything

under the sun. Sunita was astonished to hear that Tanuja ran a successful boutique that sold designer

wear for women. That’s when she told them of her dreams of becoming an Interior Designer. Her eyes

sparkled as she spoke of her favourite subject. Both Tanuja and Raj hung on to her every word,

making her feel treasured.

Akshay had come in a few minutes back and stood at the entrance, watching his three most favourite

people getting along like a house on fire. He walked over to sit with them.

“We’re glad you brought Sunita home, Akshay,” said Raj. “Gokul
ji
called to say that the

engagement’s to be held on Sunday.”

At the mention of her father Sunita’s head came up in alarm. “Uncle, Aunty—please don’t mention

to my parents that I visited you,” her voice was full of strain, “I shouldn’t have, not before the

engagement.” Her face had paled.

It pained Tanuja to watch the panic stricken girl. She warmed the Malhotras’ hearts. They had

yearned for a daughter and now their prayers were answered. Tanuja felt angry with her parents.

Putting an arm around Sunita she said, “Don’t worry, darling, we’ll say nothing to let you down. Just

relax.”

“Yeah, you go ahead Princess, and enjoy yourself.” This was Raj.

Sunita was thrilled when Raj called her ‘Princess’. She hugged them both warmly kissing them on

their cheeks and left the room on Akshay’s arm.

“Akshay,” Tanuja called out to them, “Why don’t you both come back home for dinner?”

Akshay turned to Sunita for confirmation. Seeing her smile, he told his mother, “Okay, Mom, we’ll

do that. Bye! See you both later.”

The motorbike was a sleek BMW. Sunita looked at it in awe. “Wow! Are we riding that?”

“Wow!” Akshay was looking at her. “Yes.”

“You’ve a great bike.” Sunita snapped her fingers in front of his eyes. “Come down to earth and

let’s go for that ride.” Giggling, she watched him sit astride the bike.

“You look sexy in that outfit. I’m having a tough time keeping my hands off your bare midriff.”

“Do you think I should wear my jacket?” Sunita asked shyly.

“No way,” said he, shaking his head vigorously.

Sunita swung behind him and held on to his shoulders for support. He pulled her hands and

wrapped them around his waist. A shiver ran through Sunita when her body came into contact with

Akshay’s hard back. Akshay felt the tremors and smiled with pleasure.

“Ready?”

“Hmm.”

“Hold on tight,” Akshay started the bike and they roared away. Sunita didn’t have to be told. She

held on tight, for her life. She was rather scared in the beginning. She slowly relaxed and loosened

her death grip on Akshay’s middle. He drove fast and it was exhilarating. Sunita relaxed against him,

her cheek pressed to his back and gave herself up to the momentum of the ride.

Mumbai is a group of seven islands and a few miles in any direction leads to a beach. Akshay rode

to Marve Beach. They were travelling against the evening traffic and reached the beach soon. Akshay

stopped the vehicle not far from the water and waited for Sunita to get off. It had been a wonderful

ride. Sunita was ecstatic. She hugged Akshay and said, “That was just awesome.”

His arms went around her slender body, his hands caressing her waist. She shivered as he pulled

her close and pressed his lips to hers. Silence reigned for a long time as Akshay buried his face in her

neck, taking deep breaths to calm down.

He sat on the ground and pulled her down beside him. Sunita squatted, sighing in contentment.

“You liked meeting my parents?” asked Akshay.

“You’re a lucky guy.” There was envy in Sunita’s voice.

Akshay put an arm around her shoulders. “They’ll be your parents too, once we’re married. How’d

you like that?”

“I think it’ll be fun. I liked talking to them today. Akshay, you never told me your mom’s a

businesswoman.” Her eyes sparkled green in the twilight.

“Would you like to go to her boutique tomorrow? We can pick up some clothes for you there.”

“But Akshay, I don’t need clothes. I’ve too many,” she protested.

This was the first time he came across a woman who didn’t need more clothes.

“Sweetheart, you’ll socialise a lot more as Mrs. Malhotra. You’ll need loads of clothes, especially

ethnic formals. And of course, you need a trousseau for the wedding.”

“Yeah, I’m sure Mamma must have planned something."

“But why involve your Mamma? Lemme take you shopping.”

Sunita nodded. “Okay, I’ll ask Pappa to give me some money tomorrow.”

“Why take money from your dad?” A frown gathered on Akshay’s forehead.

“Who else then? I haven’t earned any.” Sunita sounded bitter.

“What the hell do you mean?” Akshay’s voice was too soft. She could sense the anger in it but

couldn’t understand the reason. She looked up at him in surprise as he continued, “I’m going to be

your husband. I’ll foot all your bills.” Was that hurt behind the anger?

“What nonsense, Akshay! Of course you’ll not buy my trousseau. My father—”

“Enough. I don’t need anyone to look after my wife, you hear? I’ll buy what you need. I earn

enough.” ‘Enough’ was actually a few crores a year. This did not include the perks he enjoyed as the

Managing Director of Malhotra Garments, over and above the 20% shareholding he had in the

company, the value of which ran into 100 crores. He was also the only heir of Raj Malhotra, whose

wealth ran into billions.

“But,” Sunita spoke in a soft, pacifying tone, “that’s maybe okay when I become your wife. Right

now, I’m my father’s daughter.” Both of them had obviously forgotten for the moment that theirs was

to be a contract wedding.

“A trousseau’s something you use after the wedding and that makes it my business,” said Akshay,

adamant in his views.

“I think you’re just being difficult, Akshay. Are you suggesting that I come to your home without the

clothes bought by my parents?”

“No clothes, no jewellery—nothing from them. It’s a great sacrifice for them, giving their daughter

to me. I don’t want to strain them more.”

“But, Akshay—”

“No more buts, Sunita. I refuse to hear anything more on this.” His tone brooked no argument.

Sunita was astonished by his behaviour. She had only seen Akshay’s gentle side so far. This facet of

his personality, so determined to have his own way, was completely new to her. She thought over

what he said. It was logical. Why argue? Thinking of it, she quite liked the idea of a guy taking care of

his woman’s needs. The arm holding her was tense, the muscles bunched up. He was obviously

holding back his temper on a tight leash.

A naughty smile hovered on Sunita’s lips. This could be fun. “Akshay—”

“Sweetheart, I told you no more arguments. I’m not giving you a choice in the matter.”

“But who says I’m arguing? I’ll do whatever you want, My Lord and Master!” Sunita’s voice shook

with laughter.

“Phew!” Akshay’s let out his breath noisily. It took him a few seconds to adjust to her sudden

change of attitude. He pulled her closer. “Your brand of magic drives me crazy, sweetheart,” he

growled in her ear.

“Oh!” her right brow went up in query, “that didn’t seem to be the case a few minutes ago,” she

teased.

Red ran up his masculine cheeks. “I’m sorry that I came on so heavy—”

“No, that’s okay. You were only being your macho self.” Sunita took a dig at his ribs.

“Thanks for the compliment,” Akshay winked at her as she grinned up at him.

“Shall we go to Mom’s boutique tomorrow?” asked Akshay.

“Sure Your Highness.”

“One of these days, my Sweetheart, I’m going to put you over my knees and deliver the beating your

parents’ missed out on.”

“Do you just make empty promises or—”

It happened so fast, like lightning. Akshay got up threateningly, while Sunita ran away in a flash. She

ran like a gazelle, Akshay not far behind her. She was breathless by the time he caught up with her.

She collapsed against him, bracing herself with her hands on his chest. She was a mite worried about

having gone too far.

“No, Akshay, don’t,” her voice was shaky, her eyes closed.

He gripped her arms to hold her steady, “please don’t what?”

“Don’t beat me, please,” said Sunita in a small voice.

“Do you believe I’ll raise my hand on a woman?” asked Akshay, his voice laced with temper.

“Promise me.”

“Of course I’ll never beat you.” He was disgusted that he needed to make such a promise at all in

the first place.

Sunita slowly opened one eye and then the other. She didn’t come across as a frightened girl

cowering from a man’s raised hand—just the opposite, in fact. “You little devil,” he roared and the

two of them rolled on the beach doubled up in laughter.

“Woman, you’re bad for my blood pressure,” grumbled Akshay, standing up, pulling her along with

him. He dusted the sand from his clothes and helped Sunita. When his hand connected with her lush

bottom, he dusted rather harder than was necessary.

“Ouch, Akshay, that hurt!”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. Do you think I should kiss it better?” Akshay pretended to look innocent.

Her small fists connected with his hard chest and Akshay received a shower of blows before he

could stop her.

“Hey, Hell cat! What’s wrong? I did offer to kiss it better,” he caught hold of her fists in a tight grip.

“Now it’s your turn. My chest’s hurting like crazy.”

“No way,” Sunita did her best to pull her hands free.

Akshay shifted both her hands to his left hand and brought her body close to his with his right arm.

His hand played havoc with her bare waist. He tried to kiss her as she turned her head this way and

that. Akshay’s lips found her ear. Her pulse-rate shot up as his tongue played with her lobe. She

couldn’t face this assault on her senses.

“Kiss me, sweetheart,” commanded Akshay, his lips pressed to her ear.

Sunita turned her head away from his lips. Akshay swooped low to capture her lips. He let go of