Shael
It had been a week. I didn't answer Sammie's call. Life was draining me. Tiniest thing was taking more effort than required. I wake up like normal but with a lot of problems. People would see me mostly smiling, but no one knew the inner pain. I was eating my breakfast alone. I received a knock on the main door. I was alone at home. Mom went to visit grandmother.
"Momma must forget something " I thought and opened the door.
It wasn't momma. I cursed myself for opening it without peeping. I wanted to bang door but she's my bestie. I couldn't do so. I was disappointed with her. But I'm not a bad person. She's still my friend.
" If you wanna meet momma, she ain't available. You may leave or come inside. Have tea/Coffee/juice or you may come tomorrow." I said angrily.
She came inside and closed the door behind her.
"I'm her to see you. " she said
" Whatever you did, it didn't affect me. So watch me carefully, have you seen? Please leave me alone now. " I almost attacked her with my words.
" Please, listen to me. " She pleaded.
" Fine, Spill it. " I squeaked. Yeah! I know I was being easy on her but that's what friends and family do.
" Look at me, Shael. It happened hurriedly. I'm really very sorry. Please try to understand me. " She said.
I didn't say anything. I was happy for her. I had already planned a lot of things for her wedding, but all puff now. I didn't want to look at her. This will weaken me. I know myself, glancing at her, will melt my anger down.
" I'm sorry. " She started sobbing.
What the crap! "Alright! Alright! I can't see you crying. Just stop it. I'm not upset with you. " I told her.
" Swear of your mother, that we're still friends. " she whimpered.
Of course! We're! I was upset with her, doesn't mean. I'll break our friendship, " I swear of my momma. I'm not angry with you and yeah!! Friends. Happy now? " I said to her and folded my arms around my rib cage.
" Oh! ! Great. " She said with a huge smile.
" What the. .. . .. . ! you liar, Dramebaaz! " I scolded. She was only pretending to cry. Uff! She knows my roots.
" You can't backup now. You swear of your momma." She smirked.
I glared at her with agitation and blew out an exasperation breath. "Youuuuuu... . .. . . " I pointed my first finger at her, " I hate this! !! ! ! Cunning lady." I narrowed my eyes. She was smiling. " How could you? " I questioned her.
She shrugged her shoulder, " Because we are BFF. " she said it and hugged me tightly.
I couldn't stop myself from hugging her back.
She pulled back, "Anyway, it's time to complete our PROMISE. " she charmed.
I raised my brows, " What promise?" I asked with confusion.
"Ooooooo, you forgot. " she said.
I was still confused and glancing at her like an idiot, " I'm not getting it, what are you talking about? " I told her.
" Our promise to one another. that if you will get married out of India, I'll come with you. and if i'll get married out of India, you'll come with me. So it's time to keep my words." she cheerfully said.
" Really? I mean, yeapp! I remember that promise, when we made words to each other, then we were in college. " I said it, placing a big smile on my face. I could not believe it. Was it the day, which would change my life entirely. I was waiting for this opportunity like a freak. "You still remember?!. " I asked her.
She frowns at me, "But you didn't seem to remember. " She glared at me. "Soooooo, you are coming with me NOWWW!. " she said.
"No, not now. without momma's permission. You know momma. She will not allow me to go anywhere more than two days and with digging the whole matter. " I told her.
" Wait, your mom is with me. We've planned everything. let me call her. " she said.
She called her and put it on speaker. She answered it on the third ring . I was nervously watching her to be another pretending of her.
"Hye, so you guys pachup." Momma asked.
I raised my eyebrow. " Ohhh! " I could manage to say only this.
"Yes, Auntie, we have. Now give her permission to come with me. " Sammie asked.
" Permission granted. Your luggage has been packed. Take care of her Sammie. " She said.
My jaw dropped on the ground. I was really annoyed, hearing this, " Excuse me. " I said angrily.
"Shut up. " Sammie ordered.
" What the.. . . . . . . . . " I opened my mouth and shut it.
She disconnected the call. and glare at me. She folded her arms, it bulged out her chest. She was looking a bit meatier than before.
" What??? ? " I snapped again.
" Are you getting ready? Do I have to haul you? " she seemed serious.
" But..." I started but she cut me off. Then she held me from my shoulders and said, " Let's go. I will explain everything to you on our way. We have two hours. I've something for you. " She winked at me.
" My luggage! " I exclaimed.
" My driver will carry that. We have some serious matters to discuss. " She tugged me with her.
I glanced back. Main door was open, " Sammie I can't leave the house for robbers. " I said to her.
" You say in the car. I'll do it myself. " She said leaving me near her car.
I was still in shock. Do really hear me. I say to God watching over my head in the sky.
Sammie came back after locking the door and handing the key to our neighbor. We sat on the back seat of her car. I'm glad. Her husband is taking care of her. She hasn't told me anything about her husband yet. When I ask her about her husband and new life. She holds my hands and gleefully tells me about her husband. It is the best feeling to see family and friends elated in their life.
She wants me to do a sham marriage with her husband's boss. It shocked me when I heard her first. I didn't expect it. " I need some time to think. " I told her.
" It's the best opportunity. Nobody gets such chances. You have to pretend in front of his family, that's it. " She said.
I nod at her. We were almost near her house. I stepped out of her car. We were in Chandigarh. it's a beautiful city. You will find greenery all around. It's a lovely place. After all, it's the capital of Punjab.
"So you live here. " I broke the silence.
"Yes, for a short time. Then shooooooo London. come inside" she said and held my hand and took me inside.
I put my steps in her property. My eyes witness a huge garden. There are different kinds of flowers. I always feel a strange connection with plants, I couldn't get it.
In the center of the garden, there was a two story building." Wow, your house is splendid. " I praised him.
"Thank you, Shael. I knew it, you would like it. " she claimed.
I give her a huge smile. She returns it immediately.
"Sammie is that you. " We were interrupted with a male voice. He comes in sight. I recognize him immediately. He is the same guy in the picture sent by Sammie, at her wedding. It's her husband, if I'm not wrong. Sammie rushed at him. They both tightly hugged and he, her husband leaned down to kiss her. I instantly shift my gaze on my feet. I could hear their moans.
" Gaurav! meet my bestie, sister Shael. Shael My husband, Gaurav Khanna. " she introduced us.
He extends his hand and I take it instantly
" Nice to meet you. I heard unstop from my lovely wife about you. " He said.
" Umm Good Or Bad" I smiled and asked. I don't know how to talk to boys. So I kept my gaze on the ground.
"Obviously, Good. She is Shy. You were right. " Gaurav said to Sammie. His arm was around Sammie's waist.
"Yes, She is. " she replied to him, "Shael, you have an hour to get ready. I hope Sammie has explained everything. " Gaurav asked me.
I was getting nervous thinking how will I face his boss, "Yes, She has. " I replied.
" So, your answer is? " He asked me, looking in my eyes.
I can't lose this opportunity. I've to fulfill my dream. It's just a sham marriage, I told myself, " Um, yes. " I nodded my head.
" That's great. Get ready. We have no spare time." Gaurav smiled and looked down at his wife. Both were looking made for each other. Sammie was of the same height as me, white skin, black hair and black eyes. On the second side, Gaurav has a long face and sharp features. I like the way he looks at her. It shows their love.
" Come, I should show you your room. " Sammie said and held my hand, took me in.
It is more beautiful than outside. I'm not good at praising stuff. So I hadn't any need to say anything. She knows me very well and I thanked God for this, "I will knock after thirty minutes . " She pecked me on my cheek and went.
I look back at the room and then her. My luggage was already in the room. I unzipped my bag and chose my clothes. Taking a quick shower, I donned my clothes and little makeup. I don't wanna hear from anyone that you're not beautiful.
I go out and find Sammie in the kitchen. The noise of my high heel makes her swivel to look at my direction.
"Oh! mine mine. you are looking adorable. " She said with happiness.
"Umm, I'm just looking okay. " I told her.
"You are more than okay, love. " She came out of the kitchen and said,
"What was the lie? Which you told momma? " I asked her as I wasn't ready to trust it. How did she do it so easily? Of it would me. I know I would never be able to have yes from momma.
"I told her, My husband has a restaurant in London. Which is not true. My dear husband is offering a job to my bestie. She can stay with us or on her own. it's totally her choice. and and I added some more things. I assured her that you'll be safe and then she agreed. " She smirked.
"What did you think? that. . . mm I'll agree with this proposal. " I grimaced.
"We are childhood friends. I know the meaning of your every expression, love. You love Jazz, more than anything else in this world. He claimed to love you too, which is not true. You will see his true color one day. And Somewhere, your wit knows this, too. Although, he doesn't respect your feelings. But you will still love him. Most important, You are not having.. . . umm you know, um s** " She said.
" Yeah, I'm not allowing anyone to touch me except him." I completed it for her.
"I know you'd accept my idea. Because Jazz is a fake one, not actual. Somehow you know, he's a big liar and cheater. You've caught him red handed many times. " she claimed.
" I don't know if Jazz will marry me or not. He can cheat me at any time. I can't trust him. He must be with a girl right now. Uff.... don't wanna think it. It has been more than six months. he hasn't seen my messages yet. I think it's a great idea to accept it. I don't wanna live my life on momma's spend. I guess it'd be right." I thought and did not share it with her.
"By the way, you can wear something sexy, you know. " she wiggled her eyebrow.
"As you said before, it's fake, not the real one. Genuinely, It doesn't matter to me. What he is. What he has. I agreed because I wanna secure my future. I can't get it on my own. Teacher's job only pays my phone's bill. In India private schools charge huge amounts from students but pay less to teachers. " I told her.
" I know. " She nodded. Someone was blowing the horn of his car, " Wait." Sammie went out to check it.
"Time to go, Shael. Driver is waiting for you outside. " she confirmed it and passed her best smile.
I hug her tightly and climb in the car. It takes us thirty minutes to reach the destination. Many thoughts were running in my mind during the ride. ' Do I really wanna do this? I was wearing my favorite green suit, with golden color embroidery on it's hem. I loved it's dupatta. It is made of net, with the same golden color embroidery on all it's hem. My long dark brown hair touches my lower back. I have natural curls at the ends. Everyone loves them and found it beautiful. Even my momma too. I kept them straight. I put on mascara and kajal. It was hot outside. But the car's air conditioner was on. But not so high that it would make my hand cold. My cold hands are showing, I am nervous. Hell yeah! I'm. I wanna run away. I will do a teaching job. Before I could think further. Someone opened the car's door. Gaurav showed his smiling face.
I cursed my mood swings.
"Hey! Have you changed your mind?. " he asked with a smile.
"No!! ! I was just.. . " I hesitated.
"It's okay. I can understand. Well! You don't wanna be late. Right? " he asked.
I passed him my little assuring smile and got out of the car. "Believe me, I wanna run away from here. " l told myself. I muttered it, so he couldn't hear it.
I entered the building. It had white marble and mirror 's work all around. This place...... beautiful. All were busy with their work. Àll was in a hurry.
" Don't worry. You'll be fine. My boss is a kind hearted, reputable, prestigious man, tycoon and most eligible bachelor. " He said with the same smile.
"Hm. " I gave him my best smile.
We halt for the elevator. At a sharp beep's voice, it opens and he goes in. I follow him. Indeed I was following him all the way.
Everything was new for me. I could see cameras all around, even in elevators too.
I really don't know how this works, but last time, when I was kiddo. At my sister's wedding. I enjoyed it with my cousins in the elevator more than my cousin's wedding. We had ridden the elevator like a riding toy, that was an amazing day, no worries, just eat, play and sometimes study.
I was already nervous and this Elevator was making me suffocated.
The door of the elevator opens at the Eleventh floor. It seemed busier than the ground floor. Gaurav asked me to have a seat, My gaze went on other girls. All were so pretty, with Minnie dresses, western dresses. I was the only one with punjabi entire life.
' If all of them here for the same task, believe me! I'm out.' I thought.
After fifteen minutes, A man with the same black suit as Gaurav was dressed, but wasn't Indian. Tip-top came and announced, " My Boss has selected one. If anyone still wants a job. On the sixth floor, You can apply for the Office's Staff. " He announced in his british accent, " Thank you for your time." He completed.
"ਹੁਣ teaching ਦੀ job ਹੀ ਕੰਮ ਆਉ। " I told myself.
I stood up and started to walk toward the elevator. Before I could, That guy, Tip-top who dressed up like Gaurav came and halted me, " Not you ma'am. " He said.
I dropped my jaw. I swear! I skipped my heart beat, " Why? Did I make a mistake? " I asked him with fear.
" No ma'am. You've been selected." he declared. It makes my body numb.
"Really!!!!" I was shocked,
"This way ma'am." he guided me.
I was still numbed on my spot, " Ma'am!" He said. I nodded and followed him like a robot.
He opened the door for me. It was a big room. One long glass table and finest wood chairs around it, covering the glass. On my right hand, it is made of full glass, no brick wall. I can see me on it. I looked around. Gaurav was already sitting on a chair and a woman sat next to him. She was looking like a business woman.
Gaurav passed me a smile and I returned it back. Business woman was not showing any expression. Tip-top pulled a chair for me and asked me to sit.
I hesitatingly sat on it. I narrowed my eyes at Mr. Tip-Top, ' Is he that proposal guy? ' I asked myself, recalling it.
' No no, he can't be. ' I corrected myself.
He will not say to me, "Ma'am."
"You know, Why are you here? Ma'am. " First time that businesswoman spoke.
I nodded my head in saying " yes".
" Good. Any query, doubt, conditions. You wanna apply or discuss anything." She asked.
I looked at them in bewilderment. It seemed to me like a interview.
"Anything Ma'am?. " This time she asked me with a smile to ease me.
My mind is blocked with the news that he selected me, "Wi.. will I be safe? means no harm. Means no one will physically and mentally harm me. " I stumbled over my words." Crap!! ! ! Sorry I didn't mean to." I immediately apologized.
"Yes, Ma'am. You'll be absolutely safe. Everything will be under contract. Most important, you haven't any need to feel sorry. I am here to help you. " She assured me.
I nodded as approval and nervously smiled.
" Do you have any demands, ma'am?" She asked.
I thought for a second. nothing came in my mind. "I don't know. " I replied and shifted my eyes on the ground.
" Gaurav has informed us about your demands. If you want something else. We can add them later, ma'am. Sir wanna sign a contract now. " she said.
" Now!! " I screamed with shock.
"Yes, ma'am. now. " she replied calmly.
I cursed Sammie under my breath. For putting me in this situation. But on the second hand, She said it was true. I don't trust Jas. Three were watching me like I'm there's favorite show's display runner. I took almost twenty minutes to reply to them.
"Okay, yes, um let's sign it. " I finally replied.
Business woman gave me a pen and contact paper. I read it properly. I never thought I would do so. I pursued my lips. I turned around and looked at the door. " Where is he? " I asked her slowly.
"Sir is busy, ma'am. You will meet him tomorrow at the court during your wedding." Business woman replied.
My wedding! I've gone mad. " Oooo " I could manage merely it.
I thought about it one more time. I don't know what he looks like. But it's fake, so it doesn't matter to me. I held the pen and I signed it.
It was still unbelievable that I'm going to tie up in this marriage. It is a new day in my new life. I was hiding it from my mother. Silent tears slipped from my eyes. Sun was still not up. The Truth is, I couldn't sleep all night. When I came back from his building. They gave me a file which looked like a question paper for the exam. He wanted to know everything about me, my height, food habits, likes, dislikes and my size. Ridiculous! When I refused to fill it. Sammie filled it for me. It was good to have such people in your life who understands you, cares for you. I don't know how he looks, with the passing time it was troubling me. I am sure, I'll take this wedding as a job.
" Shael, didn't you sleep? " Sammie asked me, coming into the room. I didn't glance back at her.
" No, have you seen him? " I asked her.
" You mean, your future husband. " She said in a mocking voice.
" Yes, I don't even know his name and am going to be his wife within a few hours.
" Guru, his name. He's handsome, don't worry. " She rubbed her hand on my upper arm, " Well! Your dress is here. " Sammie said.
I run my hands on my face, wiping tears marks. I turned to face her. She hung the dress in front of me.
" Wao! It's beautiful. " I ran my fingers on it. It was cream colored lehenga with blue flowers and green leaves printed on it. It's a dream dress. I was in shock. Did he select the dress after reading the file or someone else did it on his behalf.
" Hello, bride. " I snapped my head at the door and the same business woman was standing there holding some boxes and there were two more ladies behind her.
" You are not going to get sleep now. " Sammie whispered. I ran my gaze from Sammie to her, she was still in her business suit.
" Hello, " I smiled and thought, Why is she here?
" Love, she's a mehndi artist. It's midnight. But hoping, your mehndi will get dark color. " Sammie said.
I don't know what the time was. ' life is going to change. ' I told me.
There was unknown fear somewhere in the corner of my heart.