Chapter 10
Kartik
Honestly, I didn't anticipate her agreeing to this proposal.
But now, I couldn't help but wonder what she might ask for in return.
I sincerely hoped it wasn't something as drastic as making the fake marriage real; that was a door I wasn't ready to open.
My heart was firmly closed off, and I had no intention of letting her or anyone else fall in love with me. That would spell trouble.
With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, I went to sleep with a hopeful smile on my face.
Next day, Starbucks
Oh, damn it! It was already 10:50 am, and I was still at home. The Starbucks that Samaira had suggested meeting at was a good 30 minutes away, considering the traffic. If I was any later, she might leave without giving me a chance to explain. I was in deep trouble.
I hailed a cab as quickly as possible, fortunate that I managed to get one promptly. I reached Starbucks at 11:05 and rushed inside. Scanning the cafe, I spotted her sitting in the corner. I approached her, praying she'd be willing to hear me out.
"Samaira," I began, my voice carrying a mix of anxiety and hope.
She looked at me and offered a hesitant smile. I smiled back, my nerves barely contained. I was here to make an unusual proposition to someone I barely knew, and I hoped she wouldn't take it the wrong way.
"Hey," I finally said as I took a seat in front of her.
"Hey," she replied quietly.
She was nervous too, which was somewhat reassuring. At least I wasn't the only one feeling this way.
"So," we both started at the same time, and we chuckled. Alright, Kartik, here goes – this is your one shot.
"What's your proposal? Are you really my prince charming, or are you a villain in disguise?" she asked, mischief twinkling in her eyes.
"I'm more of an anti-hero myself," I replied, prompting her to laugh and nod, urging me to get to the point.
"So, I need a favor, and in return, I'll be willing to do you a favor..." I began, and she raised an eyebrow in response. But before she could say anything, I quickly added, "Within limits, of course," which brought a smile to her face.
"Okay, let's hear it," she finally said after what felt like an eternity.
"I should get us some coffee because this is going to take a long time, as it's a long story. What will you be having, princess? A cup full of diabetes?" I teased, hoping to ease my nerves a bit.
She rolled her eyes and got up with me. "I don't trust you yet, which means I don't know if you might mix something in my cup.
So, we both are going to get ourselves some coffee and actual coffee, not your black one, even though I'm sure it matches your soul," she retorted as she walked ahead of me to go to the register.
I was half impressed by the fact that she didn't easily trust people and half annoyed because her lack of trust could complicate things.
I really needed her help right about now.
Just as I silently appealed to the universe for assistance, someone shouted Samaira's name.
Both of us turned toward the register where the person who had called her stood.
Samaira looked pale as a ghost, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of something bad about to go down.
Samaira
"What in the world?" I exclaimed internally. Hriday Mathur, of all people, was standing behind the cash register at this Star bucks. This was the same guy I had gone out with two years ago, and the very person who had broken my heart. Why, oh why, did the universe choose to put him here?
"Uh, hi, Hriday," I greeted hesitantly, praying that Kartik wouldn't ask any questions or say a word.
"What a small world! Are you alone here like always?
What can I get you?" Hriday rattled off everything in one breath with a smile, not giving me a chance to respond.
That jerk. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, Kartik stepped forward from behind me, his chest barely brushing my right shoulder. I shuddered.
"Hey, can you get us one hot cocoa with mini marshmallows and... what will you have, babe?" Kartik turned to me, anticipating my order. But I was too dumbfounded by his gesture, and all I could manage was a mumble of the same order. He responded with a kind smile that warmed my heart.
"So, that's two hot cocoas with mini marshmallows for me and my beautiful girlfriend," he said, with a wonderful smile while looking at me as he says the last three words, I nearly swoon at that, the way he emphasis on my girlfriend is everything even though it’s just an act which I didn’t ask him to do but now the least I can do is hear him out about his proposal without being a bitch.
I watched in surprise as Hriday fell uncharacteristically silent, seemingly at a loss for words. It was probably the first time in his existence that he had been silenced like that. Hriday clenched his jaw tightly before aggressively punching in the order on the cash register.
"Enjoy," he said with a fake smile as he handed me the receipt.
But before I could take it, Kartik placed the money in his hand and, with a broad smile, said, "Keep the change.
" That seemed to be the final straw for Hriday, who clenched his jaw so tightly that I was surprised it didn't break some of his teeth.
Hriday opened his mouth to say something more but Kartik quickly guided me towards our table, and I followed him, still dumbfounded by the whole exchange.
I never expected to run into him. Last I had known, he was working as a social media manager.
Me, Aria, him and a few other of our mutual friends had graduated from the same college.
I hadn't heard from him in a long time. Although there were no lingering feelings, I wasn't prepared to see him.
As we settled down, Kartik finally began to speak.
"So, here's the thing," he said, leaning in, "I need a fake wife..."
Kartik
As I began to speak, Samaira's eyes widened in surprise. But before she could say anything, and especially before she could decline, I rushed to explain.
"I need a fake wife for six months," I blurted out, "to secure my inheritance from my grandmother.
She's adamant that I have to be 'settled' in life, meaning married to the love of my life.
Now, I've only got nine days to find someone who won't fall in love with me.
Honestly, I'm not the settling-down type, and you seem perfect for this because, well, I think you kinda hate me, and that's perfect because you'll never fall for me, right? "
I said all of this in a single breath, anxiously awaiting her response. Samaira sat there, speechless, and my worry grew with each passing moment.
"Please say something," I pleaded, adding quickly, "I mean, I did just help you back there."
"It's just six months," I added, then couldn't help but tease, "Seriously? Is the sight of my face that repulsive?"
"No, you're quite pretty to look at," she replied hesitantly.
I couldn't help but smirk. "You think I'm pretty? Was that a compliment?"
She rolled her eyes at my antics. Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke, "Fine. But If you want to ask me out on a date, just ask me out on a date. There's no need to orchestrate a whole fake marriage just because you're too afraid to admit what you want," she responded straightforwardly.
It was my turn to roll my eyes. As if I needed a convoluted plan to ask a woman out. But hey, "fine" was definitely better than a "no." I couldn't help but smile, but my relief was short-lived when she raised a finger, signaling that she had conditions.
"But I have some conditions," she stated, and I nodded, wary but not surprised. I knew she wouldn't agree without setting some terms.
"First, when I say I want coffee, I genuinely mean coffee.
That act, up there was cute because you helped without knowing the situation, but when I say coffee, I mean coffee.
Hot Cocoa is strictly reserved for situations of mental breakdowns and cold weather.
" she emphasized, clearly not joking about her coffee preferences.
"Two, I don't want to hide this from my best friend. We share the same brain cell, and if I am even agreeing to this means she has the braincell. And three I'm not getting physical with you."
I listened carefully to each condition, realizing that she was setting clear boundaries and expectations for our arrangement, which was actually great as it zeroed the chances of any intimacy.
She paused, seemingly waiting for my response, probably expecting some protest. Fair enough. I chose not to reply immediately, letting her continue. The prospect of getting physical in this fake arrangement was definitely something I wanted to avoid, so her condition seemed quite reasonable.
Four, my parents can't know it's fake," she added after a moment, and I nodded in agreement. "Hell, no one apart from us can know it's fake—only you, me, and my friend Aarush will know...and as you said your best friend too" I added.
Excitement surged through me at the prospect that she might say yes to this incredibly bizarre and crazy idea. She rolled her eyes at my enthusiasm and then mentioned, "My best friend will know too. I can't lie to her."
I recalled meeting someone the day before. "The one I met yesterday?"
"Yes" she clarified, taking a deep breath. I nodded in understanding. Then, she asked if I had any conditions.
"Just one," I replied, and she urged me to continue.
I leaned in with a cocky smile and said, "Promise me one thing."
Her expression turned bewildered as she asked, "What?"
“Don’t fall in love with me” I say with a cocky smile.
She initially gave me a bored look, but then her expression transformed into a smile that sent a shiver down my spine.
She crocked her finger gesturing to lean in, so I did.
But before I could say anything, she playfully commented, "I'm not the one you should be worried about; it's you," and she winked.
Yes, she actually winked. As if I would fall head over heels for her.
Don't get me wrong; she was gorgeous, had an appealing personality (at least so far today), and could certainly dish it out when required.
I cleared my throat, attempting to regain control of the situation. "So, are you saying yes?"
"You want to be married to me, you'll have to ask nicely," she replied after a brief pause.
"Oh, for Pete's sake!" I exclaimed.
"Hey! This might be my only chance to get married ever!
So ask me nicely!" She retorted defensively.
I couldn't help but wonder why she would think this might be her only opportunity.
She was stunning, intelligent, and worked for my mother, which was impressive considering my mother's hiring standards.
With a resigned sigh, I got up from my seat and knelt in front of her. "Give me your hand," I whispered-shouted, trying to keep the attention we were attracting to a minimum. We were, after all, in a Starbucks, and I was on my knees.
“Why” she asks confused and a little taken aback
“I’m trying to ask you to marry me so give me your damn hand” I whisper-shout again, so we don’t gain a lot of attention but at this point, it seems impossible because we are in a Starbucks with me on my knees, geez.
She hesitantly gave me her hand, and the moment our skin made contact, I felt a surge of electricity pass between us.
I was sure she felt it too because her expressive face couldn't hide the sudden change.
Her eyes darkened at the touch, and somehow, I knew that asking her to be my fake wife was either the best or worst decision I'd ever make.