13 ~ Ill marry Mukti #3
He was literally bent over, one hand clutching his stomach, the other gripping the edge of my desk like his life depended on it.
"Bas kar, Ayaan." I said through clenched teeth, my patience hanging by a thread.
(That's enough, Ayaan.)
But that only made it worse.
"So you mean to say..." he tried to speak between his laughter, wiping the corner of his eyes, "tum Mukti ko dekhne gaye the... lekin wahan Chahat baithi thi?"
(So you mean to say...you went to see Mukti... but Chahat was sitting there?)
And then he lost it again completely.
"OH MY GOD, Kartik!" he laughed louder, almost wheezing now. "Ek ladki ne tumhe bewakoof bana diya!"
(A girl made a fool of you!)
My jaw tightened so hard it hurt.
This was exactly why I hadn't wanted to tell him because this...this humiliation was something I wasn't used to.
Not from anyone and definitely not from a girl.
I shot him a glare that could've burned a hole through him.
He straightened a little, trying to control himself.
"Waise..." he added, smirking now, "Chahat bhi acchi hai."
(By the way...Chahat is great, too.)
My expression darkened instantly.
"Kya lagta hai tumhe?"
(What do you think?)
That was it.
"Ayaan," I said sharply, my voice low, dangerous.
But he raised his hands in mock surrender.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms, trying to ignore the irritation clawing its way up my chest.
I closed my eyes for a second.
Then suddenly he leaned forward, resting his elbows on my desk, his expression turning curious.
"Do you like her?"
I stilled for a split second and then I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping harshly against the floor.
"Shut up, Ayaan." My voice was cold and sharp. "Don't talk nonsense."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by my reaction.
"Nothing like that," I continued, running a frustrated hand through my hair. "I'm just angry. That's it."
Angry wasn't even the word I was furious
"Why did she do that?" I muttered, pacing now. "Why would she sit in her sister's place and pull something like that? It's not a joke. It's not funny."
"Actually," Ayaan cut in casually, "practically... tumne haan Chahat ko bola hai. Mukti ko nahi."
(Practically speaking... you said 'yes' to Chahat, not to Mukti.)
My steps halted midway.
Silence filled the room because he wasn't wrong.
I clenched my jaw, staring at nothing in particular.
If she hadn't been there that day...I would've probably refused the proposal. Ended it right there.
But I didn't. I said yes because of her.
Ayaan watched me carefully now, the amusement in his eyes dimming slightly.
"See?" he said quietly. "I'm not completely wrong."
I exhaled sharply, turning away from him.
"This is not about that."
"Then what is it about?" he asked.
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I didn't have a clear answer myself.
"I don't know," I finally said, my voice lower now. "And don't you dare tell this to anyone."
He raised his hands again. "Relax. Main kisiko nahi bol raha."
(Relax. I'm not telling anyone.)
.
.
.
I reached home.
I had barely loosened my collar when the servant informed me. "Sir bula rahe hain aapko study mein."
(Sir is calling you to the study.)
Of course.
I exhaled once and walked towards Dad's study, already knowing what this was about.
He was standing near his desk when I entered, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. The door clicked shut behind me, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he turned.
"Kartik," he began, calm but firm, "tumhari engagement ho chuki hai. Shaadi ki tareekh bhi fix ho gayi hai."
(You are already engaged. The wedding date has also been fixed.)
I nodded once.
"I know."
His eyes stayed on me, sharp, observant.
"Isliye main seedha pooch raha hoon..." he continued, stepping closer, "koi doubt hai? Koi problem hai? Kyunki abhi bhi time hai. Ek baar shaadi ho gayi... phir wapas mudne ka koi option nahi hoga."
(That's why I'm asking directly...do you have any doubts? Any issues? Because there's still time. Once the wedding takes place... there will be no turning back.)
Of course. I know why he's asking me
He had seen me, the way I was looking at Chahat.
The way things had unfolded at the mall... outside the trial room.
He wasn't a fool.
He had noticed everything.
His gaze searched my face now, like he was expecting me to say something.
To refuse.
To create distance but I didn't give him that.
"I'm ready," I said simply.
His brows pulled together slightly.
"I don't have any problem with this marriage."
There was a flicker of disbelief in his eyes like he hadn't expected that answer.
Like he thought I would resist.
Because the truth was, refusing wasn't an option for me.
Not really.
If I said no now... he would just start again. Another girl, another meeting and another round of this entire drama.
And I was done with it.
Completely done.
Beside I already knew this marriage wasn't going to happen.
My mind drifted back to last night. To that conversation with Mukti.
She had come to me quietly. She looked nervous.
Almost... scared.
"I need to talk to you," she said.