CHAPTER 44
MAAHI
I don’t get much time with Vikram today because it’s Preet’s Haldi, and my presence is needed there. I wear a yellow Anarkali, the one I designed specifically for this occasion. Vikram drops me off at the venue but doesn’t stay; he’ll be there only for the wedding tomorrow, which is fine by me. At least in my absence, he can focus on his work.
I meet all my old friends who I haven’t seen much since marrying Vikram. They greet me first and then the teasing begins. I wish Preet could come and support me, but being the bride, she’s busy with her family.
“So, how’s married life?” Pooja asks.
“Great,” I reply, not giving them any more details. It’s all over my face that I’m happy being married to Vikram Singh Grover.
“You’re blushing,” Heena elbows me as I fiddle with my phone. “He must be really good. I’ve seen his pictures. Very handsome.”
I shift nervously on my seat as they start discussing my husband.
“One of the top 100 sexy billionaires in the US too, I heard,” Pooja mentions. “Does he work out every day?”
“Yeah, he has good muscles,” Kriti adds.
“Girls,” I snap. “Enough. You’re talking as if I don’t exist here. He’s my husband now.”
“And we are his Saalis (sister-in-laws),” Pooja replies. “And Saali is half gharwali.”
I laugh too. “In your dreams. He’s mine for the next seven births.”
“Aww,” they begin to tickle me, and I keep laughing. Finally, after all the teasing is over, we hug each other. I’m so glad Vikram isn’t here today to witness this madness. It would boost his ego to know my friends are swooning over him.
After two hours and almost at the end of the Haldi ceremony, Preet finds some time for me. I help her untuck the pins from her hairdo while she stares at me in the mirror.
“So, you finally got your Prince Charming in the form of your Prince Pompous, huh?”
I frown. “Not you too, Preet. The girls have teased me enough today.”
“That’s because it’s written all over your face. You seem very happy with Vikram. And he came here for you. That’s a great sacrifice.”
I nod. “But he’s not the only one making sacrifices. I’m going to do it too.”
“Oh yes. Have you told him about your plans with Elise to start your own boutique in New York?”
“Not yet,” I mumble. “I want to finish all my preparations first before surprising him.”
She hugs me. “I’m so happy for you, Maahi. Who knew your Prince Charming was right in the same family that adopted you? That’s destiny, isn’t it?”
I nod happily. “Yes, and I’ve found mine.”
A message beeps on my phone, which I quickly check.
‘Done? I’m missing you, Cub. Should I come to pick you up now?’
‘Yes,’ I reply and shut my phone.
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” I pinch Preet, who understands.
“Good you didn’t stay in this hotel. All the girls would have needed your time, which means your Vikram would have got very little of you.”
“He’s smart to make a separate booking.” I grin. “Bye.”
I’m waiting in the garden before the resort for Vikram to pick me up when someone taps my shoulder. That touch is familiar. I instantly turn around.
“Hello, Maahi.”
“Shyam?” I snap. “What are you doing here?”
He laughs. “Preet’s family and my father are friends too. How could I miss this wedding?” he replies. While I process this, he adds, “Especially when you’re going to be a part of it.”
My jaw hardens. “I have nothing to do with you anymore. We’re not even friends now, so I suggest you stop having any expectations from me.”
“Oh, please,” Shyam grins. “Stop showing me my place in your life. I know I’m irreplaceable, unlike your contracted husband.”
I want to slap this man, but I don’t want to touch him, so I curb those desires and exhale.
“You know what, Shyam? Either you’ve lost your mind or you’re pretending not to notice how happy I am. The contract you’re talking about no longer exists between us. Devki Estate doesn’t stand a chance to break the relationship Vikram and I have now. We might have started on the wrong note, but now we love each other. So, whatever happens, this marriage is going to last as long as I live.”
I see his face paling at my revelation, and he’s about to argue when suddenly I hear my husband’s voice. Vikram is here. I turn sideways and find Vikram striding toward me, a little hurriedly. He doesn’t like seeing Shyam with me.
“Are you okay?” Vikram asks as soon as he reaches me.
I nod, tangling my arm around his. “I’m perfectly fine. Let’s go.”
Vikram nods and turns to Shyam before leading me away. “Hi, Shyam. Thanks for keeping my wife company until I arrived.”
Shyam fists his fingers, which doesn’t go unnoticed by us.
“Let’s leave,” I say, but Vikram is still glued to the spot. He wants to say more.
“Next time I see you around my wife, be ready to face the consequences.”
Shyam clenches his teeth, but that’s all he can do. I’m aware that if we stay here one more second, Vikram is ready to punch him. So, I drag Vikram away, back to the car he drove to pick me up.