After many hours, I heard the door creaked open. I was digging my nails in my own palm. His amber eyes laid on me. Tann was behind him. What were they both doing here? What if they hurted me? I picked up a filled bowl from the tray to hit them. In case, if any one of them tried to get me. I saw a wry smile on his face. I bit my bottom lips and glared at him angrily.
" You wanna meet your friends. " Tann asked.
I looked at him, then Tann, " Yes. " I whispered. I felt a surge of happiness. I wanted to smile but I crinkle my lips together.
" Good. " Tann paused. A man came and gave him a shopping bag.
" Here, your friends selected it for you and it's your daily used stuff." he put the bag on the bed, " There is a bathroom. Get ready. You have thirty minutes. Don't change in the room, there are cameras. Get ready like a new bride otherwise you aren't meeting your friends. " he threatened me, beholding his watch on his wrist.
I ran my gaze around me and found a camera. They began to take their steps out of the room. His rare eyes were staring at me. I returned his stare without blinking. When the door closed behind them. I moved from my place and picked it up. I was hoping they had sent a note or something for me. Did he go to my place? Was he lying to me? There was a new red gown for me and my personal stuff. I stepped down on the floor and opened the door of the bathroom. He made the condition to meet them. It wasn't difficult. It was bigger like my room back in my home. I checked it to find a camera but luckily there wasn't. He gave me thirty minutes. I took fifteen minutes to shower. I guessed the time as the room kept no time teller. I was thinking of it as my escape opportunity. There was a mirror in the bathroom. I saw myself in the mirror wearing a red gown. It was a beautiful red dress. It was exposing my shoulders. This dress wasn't suitable to wear here in front of such people nor my golden gown which I recently removed. I didn't wanna face their greedy eyes, measuring my body with there's evil eyes. I straightened my hair, spreading it on my bare shoulders. I put light makeup, red lipstick, mascara and eyeliner. I was hoping they would send me home. I got a knock on the door. I instantly walked out of the washroom and opened it.
Tann was standing out of it. He didn't run his eyes on me. I thanked God for it. He was alone this time, " Follow me. " He said.
I followed him. I reached a new part of this house. Huge dining table was resting in front of me. Amber-eyed was already sitting in the head seat and eating his food. He was looking well dressed as a dapper in black formal dress and his white shirt was showing his muscles. My eyes fell on the mark which I gave him, biting yesterday. It was still red. He caught me staring at his mark. He smiled at me. I bit my bottom lip and pulled it a bit looking down the marvel. I sat as far as I could sit from him. I travelled my eyes on the table. When I was sure, they were eating the same food laying on the table. I filled a glass of juice and picked two pieces of bread. I put jam instead of butter on it. I started with my juice. I was so thirsty. I drank full glass in one sip. I looked at him to check and he was smirking while glaring. I pursed my lips, glaring at him back.
" When you will finish your food. We will leave to meet your friends. " Tann said slowly, filling my glass again.
I wanted to go home. So I briskly finished my breakfast and stood up from my seat. I heard the squeal of my chair sliding on white marble floor. " Ready. " I said slowly.
" Alright. " Tann said but was making eye contact with him. He patted his mouth with white handkerchief and stood, keeping it on the table back. He didn't break his gaze with him. I turned to the door to get free from this cage. His six and half feet bulky muscular men stood in front of me, blocking my way. I backed steps from them and bumped into someone. I swiveled my head to see. His amber eyes were staring at me. He turned me toward him touching my back and pushing my back from one side. I was rapidly breathing. He held my hand. I was pulling it back. His grip was so strong. My watery eyes were making his look blur. I blinked to shed the tears. I was watching him carefully. He put his hand in his coat pocket and travelled it back near my hand. He put a ring in my ring finger. I felt it heavy on my finger. He lost his grip. Astonishingly, I glared at my hand and then at him, " Diamond! " I exclaimed in a slow voice. I didn't need it. I nodded my head left to right in No.
He just gave me his small smile and went out of the door.
Why was he giving me a ring? Wasn't he sending me home?
" They must be waiting for you. '' Tann said, tugging me away from my thinking. I followed him as all doors were locked. I stepped in the elevator. Tann pressed the button on it. Elevator opened with a sound and the ground floor was in view. It was full of working men in formal dress. It put me in thoughts of what an office was doing here. Did he hire the whole building or just the tenth floor? Who was he? I didn't know. When they beheld us coming out of the elevator. All stood on the spot. They were staring at me as they hadn't seen a girl ever in life. It was weird for me, I hadn't seen any girl in this building. Their glare was making me uncomfortable. I stepped back behind Tann figure to block my view. Tann gave his cold glare to them and all at one shifted their eyes on the ground. " Good morning, Sir. " All greeted Tann. It was echoing in the office hall. Getting out of the building under the blue sky morning breeze hit me, it was an amazing feeling as freedom. Bird was ready to fly.
" Wait here. " he said and went toward the group of cars. I was damn sure he was dear to him or some relative. Well, that wasn't my business. I want to go home.
He came back with a splendid black jeep. His one man opened the door for me. Muttering thank you, I got in. He drove through Necklace road, I had visited here with my family and friends many times. I still remembered we crashed our car on this road and Mini broke her arm. Rose and I had done her assignment and homework until she got well. I was smiling, recalling our lovely time. He cleared his throat. " You should sleep last night, Eveleen. '' he said.
" How do you know my name? " I asked frightfully.
" Nothing is impossible for us. " he smirked.
I wanted to ask him many questions. I didn't know how dangerous they were. I chose to zip up my mouth. I shivered hearing the sudden ring of my phone. I touched my pocket. I was in a gown. It didn't have a pocket. Indeed I don't have my phone.
" It's mine. " He said.
"Yeah." I whispered. I didn't even bethink, where I abandoned my phone. It was in my hand before rushing out of the hall. I glanced out of the window. I will party with my friends after reaching home.
" For you. " Tann said, picking a box and offering it to me. I gave him questioning look. He didn't remove his hand. Unwantedly I took it from his hand and I unfurled it's wrap. The small box was screaming IPHONE. It was an iphone latest one.
" It's not um.....my phone. " I was hesitating to say the next word to him.
" Nahaa.... You'll meet your wedding gift in the evening. Your phone was destroyed under crowd' steps. " He said, digging his eyes on the road. He halted in front of a big gate. He pressed the button on a small remote. The iron gate started to open. He drove inside and pulled over. Why did he bring me to the private property? He unlocked the car door, " Your friends. " he indicated with his hand, bending ahead on the steering wheel.
I ran my gaze. Red swift was standing near the house. I moved out of his jeep. I ran to the car. It was empty.
" They're waiting inside. " he said coming at me.
His bodyguards were available here too. I avoided them and walked inside. I saw them. They were arguing over something. They went quiet beholding me. I was nervous thinking they would be the same with me after this fuss.
" Hye. " I shouted in joy.
" Evie. " they returned the same warmth in the tone. Both embraced me. I wrapped my arms around them.
" I miss you both." I said with tears.
" We missed you like hell. " Rose said.
" Did they hurt you? " Mini asked, holding me and examining me. Her eyes dropped on my ring finger. She gaped, " Then it's true. You are married. " She astounded.
" Yeah, I'm. " I said slowly under my breath. I tried to remove it the whole way but it was fixed in my finger now.
" You have.... um, you know. " Rose wiggled her eyebrows.
" She means s**. " Mini casually said.
" Ew.. gross! Are you insane? You both are jerks. " I grimaced. I heard laughter from behind me.
" Both have fabulous night together. Her husband got a love bite on his shoulder." He smirked.
This was so embarrassing. I hid my face in my hands, " Can we be serious? " I annoyed.
" Sure Bride. " Rose said and passed her best smile to me. She was looking happy with my wedding.
" Whatever. " I shouted. I took a deep breath, " How are my parents? " I asked. He didn't drop me home. I was assured that it was a short break from my prison. My heart plummeted and sadness enclosed me.
" Auntie was weeping badly. They captured us for a while and then set us free. Your dad, Our dads and we had found you the whole evening. Your husband came at midnight and declared your wedding with him. He stayed for just two minutes. No one is happy with it. " she sadly replied.
" And.... " Mini trailed.
" And what? " I asked nervously.
" They thought you were in love with him. It was all planned and they.... " She stopped.
" They hate me. " I completed it with a heavy heart.
" We love you. " Rose smiled.
" Ain't our love enough. " Mini made her puppy face.
" It's more than enough. " I grinned, hiding my pain.
" Good morning everyone. " Familiar voice came from behind me.
I turned, " Professor Agarwal! " I exclaimed.
" He will teach you here, three days a week. I'll see you in three hours." Tann said, leaving me with my friends and professor. It was clear I wasn't going home. He stopped at the door.
It was both disappointing and shocking for me.
" Really. We can meet her. " I heard from Mini.
He smiled and nodded. It was unbelievable. He shifted my whole college classes in this farmhouse. I loved my friends who were here with me when my own parents didn't seek urgency to ask me the truth once. They believed what they were guessing. I concentrated in my class. I was going back to him. Why did he do this and now trying to be nice. Being with my friends made me happy as nothing bad happened with me. Time was running. Three hours were on its last stage. Tann's presence declared that happy hours had ended.
" Can't we get more time together? " Rose asked him.
" No. We've to go. " He said, looking at his wrist watch.
" Shit! I thought we were getting this entire day. We shouldn't study. " Mini gloomily said.
" It's just twelve o'clock. " Rose said.
" It's not the last time. " Tann said in his solid voice.
" We can talk on the phone." I waved my new phone in my hand.
" Yes, if our parents will not interfere." Rose said.
" See you tomorrow, girls. " I tried to cheer there's mood. I hugged them. Rose tightly hugged me back and Mini placed a kiss on my cheek. I said goodbye to them and walked out of the building. I got in his jeep and he ignited the engine.
" When am I meeting them again? " I asked, looking out of the window.
" Depends on your husband. " he said.
" That husband must have a name. " I looked at him now.
" Why don't you ask him. " He said.
" Why can't you tell me? " I snapped.
He laughed, " You're the only person on this earth, who touched him and is still breathing. " He chuckled.
Who is he? But I bit the words as I was sure I'm not getting a reply from him. My mouth gaped and I glared at him in awe.
" Who's he? " I asked. It slipped from my mouth.
He smirked but didn't reply to me.
I was back in the elevator and it stopped on the tenth floor. It scanned his eyes and the door wide opened of my cage, inviting me in. I accepted the invitation. I walked toward the same room where I spent the last horrible night.
" Not there. " Tann stopped me.
I turned to see him. He pointed at the new door. I paced at it and turned the knob to open it. It was another great hall with a lot of doors. Tann locked it behind me. " See you around. " he said and disappeared into one of the doors.
I heard the beep of my phone. I was holding it in my hand. My heart skipped its beat when my eyes caught the name on it.
" Husband. " I sighed a deep breath with fear. I swiped to open it.
THIRD ROOM FROM YOUR RIGHT.
I saw my right side and counted the door. Should I reply to him, I didn't want him to come. Tann's words reverberated in my mind. Gingerly I took steps, it seemed difficult for me to reach there. I knocked on the door. I didn't get any response. I was glad, there was no need to go in now. I turned to go away. I felt a strong hand on my wrist. My heart was running on the treadmill. Awfully I whirled to see him. I pulled my hand away and he allowed me. He held the door for me. I paced in his room. It was his office. He pulled out a chair for me. I took it. He sat on my front seat. There was a table between us and I was grateful for it. I was sitting quietly. I was feeling his gaze on me. I was smashing my dress from my knee. I didn't dare to look at him.
" You wanna know my name." He asked.
I raised my eyes at him. He looked in my eyes. His coat was gone, his cotton shirt was clinged to his curved body, showing my bite. I thought about texting Rose and asked her what I should do. She had dated many boys but I didn't. He stood up from his seat and sat on a table beside me. I immediately plucked myself from the seat. I stuttered on my feet, instantly he caught my hand and saved me from falling. He was so fast and strong. I was holding my breath.
" Breathe. " he said. He was still holding my hand. He was pressing his strong fingers in my palm. He got up and brought his second hand on my back. I was so close to him. Our last night kiss played in my mind. I took a step back. He halted me.
" You're delicate like flower petals. " he whispered.
" Wh who are yo u? " I stumbled over my words.
He smirked, " Is this you wanna know? " he asked.
I took a deep breath as I was nervous, " Why did you do this? " I asked him.
" Do you wanna marry him? " he asked.
It put me in thoughts. Then I remembered who he was talking about. " No. " I squeaked bluntly.
" Arranged marriage is common in your family." He asked.
" Yes. " I nodded.
" Take it as an arranged marriage. " He suggested.
Door creaked open and Tann came in. His Amber eyes were still glancing at me. Tann handed him a file. He took the file and went back to his chair to pick his coat. He passed by me and stopped. He glanced at me.
" Duante Rego." he said and went out of it. I was staring at his back dumbfounded. His words were running in my brain but unable to comprehend.
" His name. " Tann said, " Let me show you, your room. " he said with a smile.
" He's not Indian nor do you look Indian." I astonished.
" Yes, we ain't. Your husband was born in Goa and I'm in New York." He replied.
It was irritating to hear my husband. It was telling me my free life had ended. I sauntered out of his office and he opened the door of a new room. I could smell fresh paint in the atmosphere. It was a different room from the entire building. Its back wall was blue in color, the front wall where the door was attached, there was a beautiful scene of my childhood painting in which I stood first in my fifth grade. It was a beautiful lake, white Swan was swimming in the pond and the upper was blue sky and plants with beautiful pink flowers and lemon green grass. " Who did this? " I was more than shocked and astonished.
" Guess, who? " he shrugged.
I bit my bottom lip. It was Duante, I thought. But I couldn't make it in words.
" Yes, your guess is right, your husband, with the help of your friends. '' he guessed it right without my answering, " There are more surprises for you. You've to explore them yourself." he said.
I smiled to see a picture of my family on the nightstand, I was happy to see my painting over the wall. My parents didn't think to do it for me. They loved me the most still they didn't.
" See you in the evening. It's your house too. Welcome to the family." he said with a smile as he left the room.
I was astonished at him. It hadn't been twenty four hours yet. He printed my painting on my new room wall. He couldn't be a normal person. He must be more than special. I should deem highly of him now. He wanted me to take it as an arranged marriage. What if he would be a mafia. I wasn't sure of anything. I moved my eyes on the other stuff in the room. I opened the cupboard door. It was another room but filled with dresses, shoes, high heels, hand bags and jewelry. It couldn't be real. I pinched on my hand, I felt the pain. Why was he doing all this? Life had changed itself on a 360° angle less than twenty four hours. I was sure about one thing, money couldn't buy my happiness, maybe for a short period. It was perfect around but I was missing my life, my happy normal life. Tears dropped from my eyes.