Chapter - 3: What do you want then? A date?

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Kaira's POV:

"Cheeky, get up its already 11. Your father is really pissed get up!" Someone was shaking me to hell and back.

Huh! What the hell was that! Earthquake?

Oh... just Arav bhai.

"Yes, just 5 mins Bhai, I'll be there." I groaned rubbing my eyes.

He went out of sight and came back in a minute with a pill and a glass of water. I tried to get up but my head felt like someone had brought down a load of granite on it.

Arav Bhai handed me the pill and ordered me to consume it. Not taking any chances of getting on his bad side, I followed. He just stood beside my bed arms folded, looking at anything but me.

After I've taken medicine, I calmly ask "What is all this Bhai? I had just slept."

His brown eyes snapped to me furiously and I jerked at attention, still sitting.

"Just slept?! Kaira it's 11 in the morning! What were you thinking last night? You went out with your friends, ok, you girls went to the club, ok, you took shots, ok, but you weren't careful enough and That's not acceptable! You didn't feel well enough to drive you could have called me! Do you even remember how you could have crashed?"

I hung my head low and nodded slowly.

Damn it Kaira! You are milkshake's sober driver, how could you not be careful?

"I'm sorry, Bhai, I really am. I will never do that again, you know I don't usually drink..."

"Yeah, like it's going to change the consequences." He snorted.

Consequences?

"What consequences Bhai?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

He sighed frustrated "Your father saw the crash last night. He was furious and we had an argument, not a biggie but I couldn't get you out of the demon's wrath."

That was kind of normal in my house, then what is this consequence he is talking about?

"Bhai... What happened? Just come to the point!"

"He thinks it's time for you to stop your carelessness and take responsibility so he has looked a husband for you." He muttered in one breath. My heart stopped.

A what!?

"Wait. What!?" I jumped to my knees on the bed, eyes wide in shock.

"Yeah it's the son of his old friend. He is in business as well, doing..."

"I don't care what this guy does Bhai! Dad declared this marriage thing and you listened?" I snapped as my brother eyed everything but me.

"Your brother doesn't have a say, Kaira, I'm your father and I know what is best for my daughter." My dad's cold voice came from my door.

I met my dad's cold eyes head on "My brother had and will always have a say in my life's decisions, dad. About your decision of marrying me off, I'm not interested, please send my apologies to your friend to keep their son's hand for some other girl." I announced.

By the time I was finished, dad was standing in front of me, my brother shifted and leaned against the wall while my mother and Shreya came by the door listing to all the commotion.

"It's not a matter of your interest Kaira. I've decided you are going to marry with my choice, not like other people." For a moment he throws a look over his shoulder towards my brother "You are going to get married before this year ends and that's final, no more parties and carelessness, it's time to take responsibilities now." His cold eyes glared down at me.

"No! I'm not marrying with your choice. Neither by this year nor ever..." My voice cut off and instead a bang sound reached my audience's ears.

Oh yeah, so he can slap me.

"Mr. Shetty you want my sister to get married this year, I'll take responsibility of it but I dare you to ever touch her again. Had you been anyone else, you would have been in hospital by now. Leave us alone." My brother snapped furiously at my dad.

Dad's jaw clenched as he shot a glare at Arav Bhai and turned on his heels to go out of my room, mom followed. Shreya was going to step in but on an indication from her husband took a step back and closed the door behind her.

"You okay cheeky? Did he hurt you m.." Bhai was in front of me, grabbing my face in his big palms tilting to see the fingerprint of my dad's fingers.

I jerked off his hand "Please Bhai, that's usual. Do you want to know what hurt me? You did! Do you actually agree with dad for marrying me off? Oh No, you actually are trying to be his agent to convince me."

"Cheeky, I don't agree with that person for your marriage just like that. I've counted the pros and cons perfectly. I've met the boy a few times and know how he is, it's not going to be bad. Plus, you get a ticket out of this hell hole, happily married."

I snorted "Happily married you say? I'll be very happy staying in a house like a proclaimed doll and used as a ragged doll on occasions is it?"

"You think your dad found someone like him for you, don't you?" He sighed "Listen to me cheeky, your dad found him in the business world, no doubt, but he decided on the basis of his parent's and his own work. He is good at what he does but it doesn't mean he is like your father."

"What do you mean?" My head blogging with so much information this morning, especially with that hangover at help.

He chuckled, simplifying "I'm just saying don't judge the book by reading another book. This will turn out good, trust me. If ever he tried to hurt you, I'll have him by his balls, okay?"

"But Bhai..." I whined, still not liking the idea of getting married.

"Just think about it cheeky. Give it a thought. I'll wait for your decision. We won't do anything until you respond positively." He patted my cheek and walked out of my room shutting the door behind him leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I lie on my bed looking up at the fan rotating, all conversations going through my mind, messing with my own thoughts.

It wasn't the concept of marriage that poked me, nope, I do want to get married at some point of time...

Exactly, its the time that is messed up. It wasn't supposed to be right now! It was supposed to be after 2 bloody years!

2 years... After 2 years, when I'm settled with a proper job, own a house, vehicle and stuff. When life was perfect to share it with a partner.

But... now what?

This bomb has exploded 2 years prior. What do I do? Arav bhai sounds so sure about it...

Can this really turn out good?

'Nah! It's dad's choice after all.' My conscience reminded.

But still, Bhai wouldn't let anything bad happen to me.

'It's dad's friend's son Kaira, a businessman, what is the guarantee he isn't like dad?'

Bhai is also a businessman Kaira, is he like dad? What if he is like Arav Bhai and not dad?

My mind and conscience argued back and forth with pros and cons.

Ahhh! All this is so confusing! Why do I have to make a decision like that!?

Who can help me out now?
Milkshake!

I immediately dig into the bed searching for my phone and speed dial the only person who can help me.

"Bunny... it's bloody Sunday. Call me later..." his lazy voice speaks up and spikes up my anger.

"Get your ass out of your bed right now milkshake and to my home in less than 2 mins! Trust me you'll not like what I do if you are not here on time!" I warn coldly through the phone and feel him jump. He whines yet promises to be here in no time.

Within mins, I feel him climbing up my window.

Yes, though he has full permission to come through the main door, even though he has keys to my house he decides to climb my window like a creep.

"What's wrong?" he shoots at me and I just jump forward burying my head in his chest. He immediately wraps his arms around me soothingly.

"Hey Bunny. What happened? Are you okay? Did anyone say anything to you? By god I'll..."

"I don't know what the hell is the wrong milkshake! I wake up to listen to dad's announcement to marry me off, like... just like that! So sudden!? Does he even think of us before saying anything?" I snap sniffing in his chest and he stiffens.

"Hey hey, listen to me." He pulls me off him and cups my face into his palms "There must be something going on if he is saying it so suddenly. What did he say exactly?" he asks softly and I move away explaining him everything that happened since I woke up this morning. He patiently listens.

"You should talk to Badi ma." He exclaims after I finish.

He calls my mother, Badi Ma. Long story, I rather not go there now.

I almost laughed "Mom? Really? Do you know what she is going to say? Just do what your father says Kaira, don't disrespect him. You want me to do that?"

He sighs "Bunny... No. Maybe there is more to this, you are taking it one way, try to know what is the whole story behind this. Know what they want, what do they expect..."

"Their wishes? Their expectations? That's what I'm going whole my life milkshake! Do they even care for me? You know my goals, all of them! How could you talk from their side? What if this so-called husband of mine is an actual dick and wouldn't allow me to do anything? I don't want to be tied down just yet in marriage!" I snap it all out furiously.

He sighs again "Bunny... it will be nothing like that! Talk to Badi Ma..."

"Have you seen this guy as well? Think he is good for me?" I interrupted as I realized where this was going.

"Well... I have met him but mind you..."

"When? From when do you know about this?" I don't let him complete.

"Bunny... That's not important. What important now is that..." I don't listen to anything more of this individual and drag him out of my room and slammed the door shut in his face.

"Bunny! Listen me out! Bunny please!" He kept shouting and banging my door but I ignored anyway.

So he knew much earlier than me huh? And he didn't even think of informing me?

Why is everyone suddenly behind marrying me off!?

●●●●

2 weeks later. Wednesday.

I haven't gone out of my room since that morning. Why should I? How is it going to matter to them anyway?

These two weeks were messed, more like, my head was a mess. In actuality, I was just lying in bed, reading books, listening to music and dancing to get my mind off the mess of decision I've to make but couldn't get myself to do it.

Milkshake left messages after messages, calls after calls that went missing as I ignored him. Bhai left me alone for 3 days before he kept coming back to me, trying to talk to me, getting me chocolates and all. Shreya was not good either, she hardly left me for 2 days  before she barged in with dinner and chatted about anything and everything, times with her made me forget the mess for some time but as soon as she left reasoning something about Arav Bhai, I would be reminded everything again.

I eyed the watch in my room, 8:30 pm. Shreya would come here anytime with dinner for both of us.

I opened my phone and checked out the milkshake's messages.

Bunny get up!
Out of your room Bunny.
I'm waiting.
Did you talk to Badi ma yet?
Now you know why she asked me to keep my mouth shut?
Bunny!!!!
Do you know what is going on?
Okay, check out these memes.
Bunny, enough now. Open this window or that door.
Are you opening or not!?
Bunny!
Talk!
To me!
To Arav Bhai!
To Badi ma!
Bunny!

What would there be so much that he is so stuck on it? Could there really be something behind it or another one of dad's crazy decision to expand his business?

I lie down on my bed staring at the ceiling and like every time dad's words, bhai's words, milkshake's words, rewind in my mind, my palms ball into fists with my heart cringing.

"Ding Ding! Dinner is here!" Shreya announced as she walked in with a tray. Smiling I sit up as she hands me a plate, sitting down beside me she started eating from her own.

"Shreya..." I started halfway.

"Hmm?"

"Do you know about this sudden decision of dad to marry me off?"

She stopped eating and looked up at me confused.

"Milkshake says there must be more to the decision that they are not telling me. I don't know what I should do. Do you have any idea what it could be? Bhai knows, milkshake knows... There should be something you know, tell me please."

She sighed keeping her plate down and pulling my palm in hers and gave a squeeze.

"I didn't know anything until that Sunday. After Arav came back in the room I asked what was all going on and then he explained it to me. Actually, your marriage was already decided, far before you could imagine." She started.

"Meaning?"

She nodded "Like the typical old culture of child marriages. You were hardly one when you got polio, dad's old friend's wife is a doctor, a well-known surgeon, that time she was a child specialist so your case was handled by her. It all happened too quickly, dad's business wasn't running that well that time and he couldn't pay anything for your health, nonetheless, the doctor treated you. So, in the end, to pay back doctor's fees dad suggested a type of business deal to them. Which consisted of you getting married to their son. As they were against child marriages, they decided to marry you when the right time. Well, for them the right time was when you turn 23 and him 25."

I stared at her bewildered "What? Seriously? My dad thinks that old!? For God's sake! The doctor was just doing her duty, damn it!" I snapped.

"Arav was furious as well, he was totally against it for many years, as he told me. Then he met the boy and that one made quite an impression on your brother it seems. It's not like Arav is not furious at the reason behind your marriage but he is cool with the boy and his family."

I kept numb taking it all in. Slowly I picked my spoon and started eating again.

"See Kaira, I don't know how the boy actually is but I trust Arav more than my life and his opinion is enough for me. Of course, it may not be for you. Think about it, Arav and Abhi both think you should give it a thought, they are the ones you trust most and they want the best for you always. Do you think they will bend for anything less? I don't think so, at least not where you are concerned. I suggest, you meet the guy. Know what he is like. How he thinks? Do you guys have chemistry? Do you like him? Does he impress you in the first meet and all small details. Then decide what you want. Okay?"

Shreya gets up with our empty plates and walked out of my room. I drink water as I think.

The whole night I processed my conversation with Shreya and by the morning I had my decision.

It was 6 in the morning when I put on my badminton clothes and walked out through the back door of the house to the backyard where Bhai was doing his regular morning workout.

I joined Bhai at his abs section, doing crunches like him I greeted morning.

"Cheeky! Good morning. How are you up today?"

"Just like that, it was so long we didn't work out together." I said and he smiled "So how many do we do these?"

"60 at least."

I frowned inwardly. I shouldn't have joined his abs section. He makes us do abs like crazy and this was half of minimum he made us do.

"So... Yesterday I had a talk with Shreya." I started continuing crunches.

"I know, she told me what went on between both of you last night."

"Hmm... In that case, I was thinking..." I started.

"I'll fix you an appointment." He grunted as he shifted to pushups.

"Wait, no. What are you talking about?" I asked finishing crunches and shifted to pushups as well.

He gave me a side glance "You want to meet your fiancé, don't you?"

"Well, I do. But not as an appointment at the doctor or interview. Duh!" I rolled my eyes.

He raised an eyebrow teasingly as he shifted to sit-ups completing his share "What do you want then? A date?"

I shifted to sit-ups as well "For the first time, yes."

"Uh-huh." he smirked at me.

"Don't give me that look and don't make me remind you of your times with Shreya." I shot right back.

"Fine!" He jumped to his feet for stretches "I'll tell you by evening about your date."

Grinning I finish my stretches as well and run up my room to gather my badminton bag.

When I was back by 9 that morning, I take a quick shower before updating milkshake about the morning talk with Bhai.

I had my breakfast in peace as everyone had already left for their offices and then head to my room. I open milkshake's chat to see him sending me a big message, and few pictures attached at the end.

My best friend! Damn, what am I going to do of him?

Is that my fiancé? His information?

Let's see what fate has for me though.

It read:-

Name: Mr. Sidharth Digvijay Khurana.

Age: 24 years and 9 months.

Birthdate: 21st of September.

Occupation: CEO of Sunrise Corporation ltd.

Achievements: 95% in 10th boards, 92% in 12th boards, 5th rank in graduation and 3rd in masters. 5 trophies in inter-college football competitions, 3 silver medals, 2 bronze and 6 gold for other sports along with football.

Hobbies: Go and ask yourself! Why do I have to do everything for you!?

I rolled my eyes at that one.

You didn't need to get anything like that for me either. Idiot!

His picture came up next and I waited for it to load. Let's see how this person looks like.

Hm, he isn't that bad. At least, I'm thankful that this son of my dad's friend doesn't look too old for his age.

Black hair, dark chocolate brown eyes, a perfect nose and jawline and a smile that'd melt you at the first sight.

Don't think like that Kaira, you still haven't met him, you never know how he might turn out to be the worst —Like, dad.

But Why

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