Page 115 of One Hellish Passion

Maya lowered her gaze. It was too much to digest. He was breaking their deal only to ensure she was safe. She was already tired of lying to people, faking things and making it more unreasonable for her own self. But in return whatever Ranveer was offering her was not what she expected out of him. Making this relationship official?

“You are out of my league, Ranveer,” she murmured. “I don’t believe in Prince charming theories. And I will never settle down with someone whom I am myself scared of. I don’t know what your next action to a particular situation would be. I don’t know anything about you except that you have a bad temper. Your Daadi gave me a glimpse of your childhood but that is not enough. It is not enough for me to make any decision about you.”

Ranveer gulped hard.

“I have so many questions for you. And you hide so many important things related to me. How am I supposed to give you that benefit of doubt? I don’t like being controlled. I have my own brain to take decisions and I hate people sneaking into my private life and twisting it as per their needs. You do exactly the same to me. And even if you promise me to not do any of this henceforth, how am I supposed to believe you? What if you cannot follow it forever? What if you demand things from me which I don’t wish to fulfil at this stage? I don’t know how you will take it then and I am afraid to think if you will hurt me or my mother in that process. I can go on and on with this rejection theory about you. I am that confused.”

Tears pricked her eyes. Ranveer clenched his fist. Poor girl, she was so much disturbed by his actions.

“I have to go call Mom, excuse me.”

She got up and left to her room. Ranveer watched her as she locked the door, shutting him out. This was really not what he had expected. Any other woman if had even a little idea that he planned a serious relationship, she would never behave the way Maya did today. That's why she was different. Her choices were simple, her likes were discrete from any materialistic pleasures. She wanted a normal life, a normal relationship which was so far from his imagination. He had blended his life with his own set of principles and Maya was not ready to follow any of them. Now the question was, since he wanted her so much, would he renegotiate his principles? Would he change them for a woman he desired so desperately? And even if he did this, would he be able to stick to it for his entire life? Would that change him as a person? Would he survive living on common terms which Maya wanted him to? What about his anger? Could it really hurt Maya? How was he supposed to work on all of this?

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An hour later

Maya came out of her thoughts and decided to actually call up her mom and check how she was doing. That would give her a short break from Ranveer's proposal of getting engaged.

“Mom,” she rubbed her nose, trying to sound normal. It would be tough to explain her mother otherwise why she was crying.

“Maya, how are you doing there?”

“Fine, Mom. What about you? Did you have dinner?”

“I did. Don't worry about me. Laura is there to look after me here. She is a nice woman. Did you know she is Irish?”

Maya smiled. Her mother was so opposite to her. She made friends easily and had vivid skills to mingle with people and know more about them.

“No, I didn't know she is Irish.”

“Oh. Never mind. How did the auction go? I heard Ranveer bought a car for his grandmother.”

Maya got confused. “How do you know he has a grandmother here?”

“He told me. You know what, he is better caretaker than you,” Garima chuckled. “He called me thrice today to know if I have any issues here being alone, without you both. That is such a sweet gesture, isn't it? Who looks after girlfriend's family otherwise?”

Maya was surprised. Ranveer really did that? This was so unexpected. Why didn't he tell her?

“And I took his grandmother's number from him. Doesn't look nice if I don't talk to her when I know she exists.”

“Wait,” Maya interrupted. “You talked to Daadi?”

“Yes, Maya, I did. She seems to be a nice woman. She was praising you. She also told me that she has asked you and Ranveer to think about getting engaged and was asking my opinion.”

Maya shut her eyes. “What did you tell her then?”

“I said yes, I am absolutely fine with you both taking this step forward. And every relationship has to start somewhere to make it more constructive. I think this is going to be a beautiful step in your lives.”

Maya sighed in disbelief. Everyone thought so except her.

“We haven't decided yet, Mom. But I will let you know our decision.”

“I will wait. And I hope you decide it soon because there is nothing to lose in it, Maya. Ranveer seems to be tough but he is a nice man. He knows how to protect his people. At least he has that courage to stand up and take the responsibility of a relationship. I wish Vivek had those guts too.”

“Mom, don't,” Maya snapped.

“Yeah, I just...anyways,” Garima decided not to divert Maya from the main subject. “Sleep now baby and I am missing you both. Waiting for you to come back.”

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