I am pissed.

Like seriously!! He has the nerve to assume that I may tell.. no, blabber to people how I am getting into a fake marriage, in order to keep my house. I have falsified information and misrepresented my circumstances to gain tenancy in a studio apartment. Yup! I would be totally chuffed to tell people that!!!

His words have riled me up now. Anger has clouded my vision. I am seeing red!!!

I grab the file and pen and furiously initial all the pages. The words are nothing but a blur as I barely control myself from violently shredding the document into pieces. I angrily scribble my signature on both sets of the agreement and thrust the papers into his chest. "Here!!"

Jeet stares at the papers, then at me, then back to the papers, like he can't believe his eyes.

"Wait! Did you read the document? Are you sure you saw what was written in it?"

"Yes!" I lie, "Now you have my written word I won't blabber about it," I add sarcastically.

"I didn't mean it like that!! What I meant.."

I raise my hand motioning for him to stop. "You don't have to explain," I retort.

"Now you understand why I have to do this," Jeet looks at me sadly as he hands one set of the papers to me.

"You have nothing to worry on my behalf. I have no need for these," I shove the document back in his hand.

Jeet gives out a long sigh and gives both sets to Rajiv after signing them. I quickly sign the forms of marriage where Rajiv points out and hand them to him without bothering to look at anything else.

"Will that be all?" I ask. I want to get out of here as soon as I can. Rajiv peruses the document, making sure everything is in order. "It is fine, now let us go to the registrar's office to submit this application." We head to the registrar's office up on the third floor of the dilapidated and crumbling old building to submit our documents. The officer scans the document and Rajiv whispers something to him to which the man nods his head.

He makes some note on a registry book, types something on his computer and looks up at us. "It all looks OK."

"The certificate will be given to you after one week," the officer states.

One week is good. I have enough time to submit the certificate to the Society office. I am so relieved to have this problem, I was battling with, when another thought hits me like a ton of bricks.

I am officially married .............................. to Jeet!!

Good Lord!!!

Once we are outside the court premises, I shake Rajiv's hand. "Thank you for your help," I say and walk away as quickly as I can without waiting for Jeet, my back straight from the anger and tension building inside me. Rajiv holds Jeet back to discuss some matters.

I must have hardly walked two hundred feet when I hear Jeet calling out my name from behind, as he catches up to me without breaking a sweat.

"Why didn't you wait for me?" I don't answer him, pretending I am busy hailing an auto. We get in the auto and ride back home in silence. In Jeet's defense, he did try to speak to me, but I stubbornly looked the other way, not answering him.

"What is your problem?" Jeet bursts out as soon as we walk in the house.

"My problem is that I do not appreciate being called a blabber mouth, especially when it's not true!" I turn around sharply, lifting my face to his, looking at him defiantly.

Jeet puts his hands up in mock surrender. "I am sorry. That came out wrong. I did not mean to imply that you would go spreading the news. I meant, that I really cannot afford for anyone, by that I mean ANYONE, to find out that we are married. Even if someone got suspicious, it could be disastrous for me. I have to ensure that this information will not be disclosed to anyone, even unintentionally. It could lead to a lot of problems. The only way to do that was to sign an NDA, so that neither will forget it."

I want to ask him why, but the ringing of his phone interrupts before I can say anything further. His face turns into a frown as he looks at the screen.

"I have to take this," he says abruptly walking out the door.

When he enters back in, it is with a purposeful stride. "I have to go. Something urgent has come up that I need to take care of. I don't think it is necessary for me to stay here anymore. The society is satisfied with your story and by next week they will have the certificate as proof."

A wave of disappointment washes over me, but I do not let it show. Besides he is right, there is no need for him to stay to convince the society. I can always make up the excuse that he is called away on business.

"Thank you for everything Jeet," I offer my hand for a handshake. He looks at my hand then at me, before taking it. He grasps it tightly. "Promise that you won't tell anyone about me."

I guess he is talking of our marriage. "I signed the NDA, didn't I? Don't worry, I wouldn't have told anyone even if there was no NDA, but I guess you could not trust me enough."

"I...uh.. good night Tarana. I will see you in office tomorrow." He closes the door softly behind him.

-----------------

As soon as I entered my department, I was inundated with visits from colleagues. The better part of this morning has passed answering questions on my absence and well-being. Just as I was starting to plough through my 118 unread emails, Purvi, who came in late today, screeched as soon as she saw me.

"Taruuuuu!!!! So good to see you finally." She gives me a tight hug, squeezing me to my bones. "I am so, so sorry for forgetting to give you your phone last Saturday. I am feeling guilty that it is my fault this happened to you," she frowns regretfully, as she takes my hand in hers.

Oh! you have no idea, I think to myself, but reply, "Its OK Purvi, this is not your fault. I don't blame you." I pat her hand reassuringly. It's true, I have no grudge against her. She did have a good intention and could not have possibly foreseen what occurred later. Unfortunately for me, the events that later unfolded, careened wildly out of control, way over my wildest imagination.

She still hurries to clarify, "In all the activities at the picnic I completely forgot about the phone. In fact, I realized I still had it with me only on Sunday night when I was clearing my bag. The phone battery was fully discharged by then and I didn't have a charger for your phone brand. I thought I would return it to you on Sunday, but then Jeet passed by to inform of your accident."

Just hearing his name makes my heart beat faster.

Purvi leaves after profusely apologizing and my repeated reassurance to her that I don't hold her responsible nor am I upset with her.

"OK, let's start with email number one," I say to myself as I turn my attention back to work. I quickly weed out the spam, unimportant notices and insignificant emails which leaves me with around 37 emails that require my attention and action.

"Hey there stranger!" A vaguely familiar voice calls out from behind me. It's Akshay who has a huge grin plastered on his face. This guy never seems to run out of good spirits.

"Hey there yourself," I answer grinning back, happy to see him.

"I came by on Monday and was told you had a mishap while returning home from the picnic. What happened? Hope you are OK now?"

"Thankfully nothing serious, I had a fall and sprained my leg but am good now," I say nonchalantly.

"Great! So happy to know that. You know? We had a lot of fun on Saturday. If you are ok to go out, what do you say that we all meet up again and go to a pub or a movie this weekend?

"Sure! sounds great. I had fun too and would love to go again."

"Ahem..hmm," Jeet is standing behind us. He looks incensed and restless. His eyes dart from Akshay to me.

"Hi Jeet!" Akshay extends his hands to Jeet, who shakes it giving a brief, insincere smile, not quite reaching his eyes.

"Tarana, I need to discuss the press kit we had worked on. The management requires some changes to be made."

"I will call you later," Akshay waves to me before sauntering off greeting and waving at the others as he leaves. Akshay has such a friendly, charming personality and looks cute too. It is difficult for anyone not to like him. I turn towards Jeet who is scowling at Akshay's back. I didn't realize I was smiling at Akshay, till I turned to look at Jeet and my smile froze.

He turns to me with his same angry look.

"If you have finished socializing can we get back to business?" his voice is dripping ice.

Why is he upset?

Gah! I don't understand his sudden mood switches. One minute he is normal and the next he goes completely cold.

I am pissed!!