Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters from India Box Set (The Malhotra Bride; Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom) Page 8

  “Great then, let’s go.”

  They went to Lotus Café at JW Marriott. They had a corner to themselves as they placed their orders and sat back looking at each other.

  Akshay held her hand as he spoke, “You look lovely.” She was in jeans and a t-shirt, her hair knotted at the top of her head. “But where are your earrings and noisy bangles?” he asked.

  “Didn’t feel like,” she shrugged. “Do my bangles disturb you?”

  “Oh they do that alright.” The mischief was back in his eyes. He turned serious as he said, “They’re so much a part of you.”

  The waiter brought their coffee as Sunita hid her blushing face behind the menu. She added sugar to hers while Akshay had his without. He watched avidly as she sipped from the mug, his brown eyes devouring her lips.

  She caught his look and wrinkled her nose at him.

  “Listen, I’ll send Kamat to pick you up at four. You come to the office and we’ll go to the boutique as its closer from there. Is that okay with you?”

  Sunita nodded, suddenly weary.

  He lifted her hand to press it against his lips. “Do get your beauty’s sleep. You’re looking tired,” he said considerately.

  He dropped her outside the bungalow gates and left with a wave.

  Sunita was walking on clouds, not quite able to relate to her surroundings. She nodded and agreed to everything her mother told her, not really listening to what she said. She went to her room and lay down on her bed, happy thoughts crowding her mind. She fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.

  Her euphoric state lasted through lunch. It’s a good thing nobody asked her what she ate. She couldn’t have replied to save her life.

  She knew what she was going to wear. The Gurjari salwar kameez in yellow, green and maroon put together in a typical Gujarati style. The hand-woven cotton was printed with vegetable dyes and had a richly embroidered border on the neck, hem and sleeves. She wore gold earrings etched with meenakari work of red and green enamel. A thin gold chain with a matching pendant embellished her slender throat. Wooden bangles of matching hues graced both her wrists. She carried a Gurjari pouch with draw-strings that complemented her clothes. A thin and long maroon tikli decorated her forehead while her eyes and lips were made up lightly. Her hair fell down in shimmering waves as excitement added sparkle to her eyes. Slipping on maroon sandals with high heels, Sunita went to Grandpa’s room, looking anxiously at the clock. She knocked on his door and heard him say, “Come in.”

  “Hello, Dadaji.”

  “Hello, my dear. Looks like Akshay’s taking up all your time.”

  Looking at her blushing face, Grandpa let out a happy sigh. “You remind me so much of you Dadi. You look exactly like she did when she first fell in love with me.”

  “But, Dadaji, I’m not in love,” protested Sunita.

  “Says who?” he challenged.

  “I do.”

  “Then you’ve not understood the meaning of love, my dear child. Anyway, time will tell,” he continued on seeing her panic. “Come, sit down and tell me where you went yesterday.”

  Sunita sat beside her beloved Grandpa and told him about meeting Tanuja and Raj and having dinner with them. He was glad to see his beloved granddaughter so happy.

  She got up to leave when it was time. “Bye, Dadaji,” she kissed him on his cheek before running out eagerly to the waiting car. Kamat opened the back door for her reverently.

  She smiled and thanked him sweetly as she got in. Her cell rang and she picked up to find Akshay on the line.

  “Hi,” her throat almost dried up in excitement.

  “Hi, sweetheart, has Kamat come to pick you yet?”

  “Yeah, we’re leaving just now. I took your advice and went to sleep.”

  “Lucky lady,” he grunted. “Well, see you then, bye.”

  “Bye.”

  She looked forward to the evening. The morning had been a turning point in her relationship with Akshay. She felt much closer to him now.

  She arrived at the plush office building of Malhotra Garments, went to the reception and gave her name. It worked like magic as she was whisked by a private lift to the tenth floor that housed the offices of the Managing Director and Chairman.

  Her grey-green eyes shone in anticipation as Akshay’s assistant greeted her. She was in her late forties, with a motherly figure and benign smile. “Welcome to Malhotra Garments, Ms. Rishi. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m Sara Thomas, Akshay’s PA,” she said, shaking Sunita’s hand heartily.

  Sunita gave Sara a wide smile and said, “Thank you. And please call me Sunita.”

  “Sure, my dear. Please go on,” she pointed to the door on her right, “Akshay’s expecting you.”

  Sunita pushed the door open and walked in with a lilt to her step. Akshay was sitting behind a large desk that dominated the huge office. His swivel chair was turned the other way as he faced the windows, talking on the phone. He didn’t hear Sunita enter.

  She walked to him, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. The minute he put the phone down, she went behind his chair and playfully covered his eyes with her hands.

  “Guess who?” she asked in a loud whisper.

  “My Sweetheart?” asked Akshay as he dragged her in front of him. She lost her balance and fell on his lap in an undignified heap. She squealed only to have it stopped by Akshay’s kiss.

  He kissed her thirstily as if his life depended on it. She held on to his broad shoulders, revelling in his embrace.

  He lifted his head and gazed at her with satisfaction. She was a sight for sore eyes. She felt too shy to look him in the eye and buried her face in his throat. His coat and tie were off while his shirt was open at the collar. The top of his hair-roughened chest tickled her face. She sighed in pleasure, snuggling close.

  “Sunita.”

  She raised her head at that and was shocked to see his haggard face and the dark circles around his eyes, highlighted by the evening light streaming from the floor-length windows. She jumped down from his lap.

  “Akshay, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing that a cup of coffee and wash can’t cure.” He turned his head away.

  “Look at me.” Sunita put her hand under his chin and pulled his face towards her own. “All those late nights and full days have finally caught up with you,” she declared.

  “Don’t fuss. I’ve survived on lesser hours of sleep.”

  “What’s the plan today?”

  Akshay got confused by the sudden change of subject. But then, his wits had obviously deserted him.

  “We’re off to Mom’s boutique for shopping and then dinner at The Taj Mahal Palace. I’ve a table booked for nine o’ clock at The Zodiac Grill.”

  “Okay.” Sunita lifted the phone and spoke to Sara on the intercom. “Sara, will you connect me to Mrs. Tanuja Malhotra, please?”

  “Sure, Ms. Sunita, please hold the line.”

  “Hello, Tanuja here.”

  “Hello, Aunty. It’s Sunita.”

  “Darling, tell me. I thought you and Akshay will be on your way here.”

  Akshay sat there in a daze wondering what Sunita was up to.

  “Aunty, we won’t be coming today. Please don’t wait for us.”

  “But why, my dear?”

  “I hope you don’t mind my saying that your stubborn son’s been burning the candle at both ends. And he refuses to see reason. I’m sure you’ll agree that we all need at least six to seven hours of sleep.”

  “Of course, dear,” said Tanuja, realising what Sunita was getting at.

  “I’ll pack Akshay home immediately, Aunty. We’ll come to the boutique tomorrow.”

  “You do that, dear and bye,” chuckled Tanuja, feeling quite sorry that she wouldn’t be around to witness her son being ‘packed’ off home.

  Sunita lifted the phone again. “Sara, please cancel the dinner booking at The Zodiac Grill for tonight.”

  “Sure, ma’am.”

  “I suppose the pa
rcel has no say in the matter,” Akshay spoke from the chair, his temper flaring.

  Sunita turned around, “What?”

  “How dare you cancel our plans without consulting me?” he asked in a hushed voice.

  She knew that tone now and quietly waited for him to continue.

  “My dear Sunita,” his voice was heavily sarcastic, “Do you maybe think I’m as old as Grandpa Ratan? I told you I’ll be okay and you still cancelled everything. You’re crazy, Woman. Call Mom immediately—”

  “No way.” Her chin was set in a determined fashion.

  Akshay was amazed. “But, sweetheart—”

  “Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me and listen for once.” Akshay’s jaw dropped. No one spoke to him like that, never. “We aren’t going shopping, period. I’d rather you went home and slept. Tell me if you’ve a better idea.”

  “I’d like to put my head on your lap and go to sleep on that sofa there,” Akshay pointed to the huge, comfortable sofa at one end of the room that was reserved for informal conferences. He thought that he would shock his shy fiancée into falling in with his original plans. But she was like a tigress out to protect her mate, albeit from himself.

  Sunita nodded her head vigorously. “That’s perfect. Let me massage your head and shoulders first to help you relax.” She didn’t wait for his answer as she removed her bag, dupatta and bangles and set them in a pile on one corner of the table. He watched in growing astonishment as she pulled her flowing hair into a low knot.

  “Sweetheart, listen to me—”

  “Shh!” She went behind him and used her hands and fingers to massage his scalp, nape and shoulders.

  Her fingers worked magic as she tugged his hair gently applying even pressure on his scalp. Akshay groaned in relief. She moved to the front and continued her ministrations. He buried his face in her soft breasts. Sunita held his head close to her body and realised at that moment how much she loved him. Dadaji was right. She had grown to love Akshay. It was a relief to finally acknowledge it.

  She waited for him to get comfortable as he turned his head this way and that, before she rubbed his nape and shoulders, relieving them of tension. His breathing turned even as he went into a semi-sleep state. After fifteen more minutes of kneading and pulling, Sunita touched his shoulder, “Akshay.”

  With no response from him, she shook his arm, “Akshay.”

  She felt quite sorry when he opened his bloodshot eyes. But he would be in pain if he continued to sleep on the chair.

  “Come and lie down on the sofa.” She led him over and made him lie down with his head on her lap.

  “Just what the doctor ordered,” Akshay gave a weak smile, buried his face on her lap and promptly fell deeply asleep.

  Sunita looked down at her sleeping boyfriend, a gentle smile on her lips. She ran her hand through the silken strands of his jet black hair and smoothed back the lock that fell forward on his forehead.

  There was a knock at the door. It opened and Sara put her head in. Sunita placed a finger on her lips as she beckoned the older woman closer.

  “Switch off the phones, lock up and go home, Sara. Just inform the watchman so that he doesn’t lock up,” she instructed.

  Sara smiled her approval and nodded her head at the young lady. She left the office with a whispered good night.

  Akshay did not stir an inch. He was bone tired. It was more than a week since he had slept well and last night had been a nightmare.

  He opened his eyes and looked around, completely disoriented. He turned on his back and opened his eyes wide to see better in the darkness. He saw Sunita’s smiling face and everything came back to him.

  Sunita switched the light on the side table. Akshay rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock. It was a few minutes past eight. He had been out for almost three hours.

  He got up abruptly and looked at Sunita. “I’m sorry.” He felt stupid.

  “Hey, don’t be. You needed the rest. If you hadn’t slept after that massage I gave you, I’d have been sorry,” she smiled.

  “Ah, the massage,” Akshay smiled in remembered delight. “It was awesome.” He touched Sunita’s cheek. “Didn’t you get bored, sitting in the dark all by yourself?”

  “Says who? I’d my boyfriend with me.”

  “Yeah, fast asleep, some company.” His voice was irritated.

  “You’re too hard on yourself. Don’t you feel better? Or do you generally wake up like a bear with a sore head?” she laughed.

  Akshay looked at her affectionately. “You are a sweet young thing. I wonder what I ever did to deserve you.”

  Both thrilled and embarrassed by such open praise, Sunita shooed him, “Go have a wash. I’ll make some coffee.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he saluted smartly and got off the sofa.

  He suddenly swooped down and pressed a kiss near her earlobe. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Sunita dimpled at him. “I’ll be ready in a jiffy,” so saying Akshay stepped into the bathroom next door.

  He had a bath and dressing room fitted adjacent to his office when he took over as Managing Director.

  Akshay was ready soon after a shave, shower and change of clothes. Sunita couldn’t take her eyes off him as she walked into his arms.

  She pressed her lips to his in a swift kiss before saying, “The coffee’s ready. Help yourself. I won’t be a minute,” as she went into the bathroom.

  Akshay realised he’d fallen for Sunita some more that evening.

  Twelve

  The days leading up to Sunday went away in a flurry of shopping. While she looked forward to getting engaged to Akshay, a small niggling doubt lingered in Sunita’s mind. She was fast losing her freedom.

  The engagement ceremony was to take place at Malhotra Park. When Sunita got out of the car, it was as if a Goddess had descended from the heavens as all the eyes of the hundred-odd crowd turned in her direction. Feeling shy, she hung her head low.

  She was dressed in a traditional ghagra choli. The skirt in pale lavender silk billowed down to her ankles with a rustling petticoat. Her blouse of the same material fitted over her breasts, enhancing their shape, leaving a few inches of her midriff bare. Both the skirt and the blouse were embroidered with gold thread and pearls. The dupatta hanging from her left shoulder was the same shade of mauve and was made of gossamer thin chiffon, edged with fine off-white lace to match the embroidery.

  She wore dangling pearl earrings set in gold and a matching necklace. Gold bangles jingled on her forearms, interspersed with mauve-coloured glass bangles. Gold anklets graced her slim ankles.

  Her face was artfully made up. There was a tikli of pearl and gold on her clear forehead, pearly white eye shadow on her eyelids and black eyeliner under her eyes. Mauve lipstick completed her make-up as her blushing cheeks required no highlight. Her hair was caught in a thick braid and decorated with jasmine.

  Akshay and his parents came out to welcome Sunita and her family into their home. Luckily, no one spoke about her earlier visit.

  Tanuja carried a round silver tray bearing flowers and a lighted silver lamp. The tray was circled in front of Sunita three times in a clockwise direction and Tanuja placed a tikka of rice and vermilion paste on Sunita’s forehead. This was to ward off the evil eye and greet the bride-to-be into her future home for the first time.

  The spacious hall was decorated flamboyantly. Fresh marigolds were strung together and hung on all the four walls. These were interspersed with huge bouquets of asters. The furniture was arranged against the walls while a red carpet was spread in the centre. Guests from the groom’s side sat on one side and those from the bride’s side on the other.

  Sunita and Akshay sat on a twin sofa, watching the ceremony. Tanuja and Raj Malhotra sat at the front of their group facing Grandpa Ratan, Gokul and Leela Rishi.

  The panditji arrived along with his assistants and performed a brief Puja. He then read the announcement that had been written in consultation with both the families. It was a contract between the Malhotras and t
he Rishis to marry their children – Akshay and Sunita – on September 13. The guests bore witness to the signing of this contract. While Raj signed on behalf of his son, Grandpa Ratan signed for his grandchild as he was the eldest.

  Sunita was startled to hear a date that was less than a month away. She looked at Akshay for the first time that evening. He’d been frustrated with her lack of attention, unaware that she was feeling too awkward in this crowd of so many strangers who had them both under a microscope.

  He raised an eyebrow in query. She nodded imperceptibly towards the panditji and his announcement. Akshay shrugged a smile on his face. It was no surprise to him as it had been his father who had pressed Gokul Rishi for an early date.

  Sunita noted the traditional churidhar kurta made of off-white raw silk that he was wearing, looking so handsome. She ran her eyes over the loose, collarless kurta falling down to his knees, the three gold buttons shining brightly. Akshay wore a red tikka on his forehead and sported tiny diamond studs on his ears. Sunita marvelled how such a good-looking, rich, man-of-the-world was marrying someone like her.

  The panditji was finally through with all the formalities and now it was time for the betrothed to exchange rings. Tanuja came forward with the ring boxes. Akshay removed the cluster of small diamonds set delicately in gold from the box. He lifted Sunita’s left hand and placed the ring on her finger. Red colour ran up her cheeks while she refused to look up at him.

  She took the other box from Tanuja and opened it to remove a ring with a large diamond. Her hands shook with a fine tremor as she lifted his to place it on his ring finger. He refused to let go of her hand. She pleaded with her eyes, only to receive a smug smile in reply. By now, the two of them were completely unaware of the cheering relatives and friends.

  The engagement ceremony was over and people thronged around Akshay and Sunita to convey their congratulations and best wishes. Sunita stood glued to Akshay’s side, her hand trapped in his.

  There were heavy snacks served buffet style and guests invaded the dining area with relish. The people from the bride’s and groom’s sides mingled together to have a gala time.

  It was nine by the time all the visitors left. The last to leave were the Rishis and Lalwanis. They thanked the Malhotras profusely and started piling into their waiting cars. “Thank you once again for everything, Raj. I’m glad the function went off so well.” That was Gokul Rishi at his most pleasant.