Page 116 of One Hellish Desire

“Sabrina also has an account there. I’m sure you know.”

“I don’t,” I answer seriously. I don’t have time for such things. Now she looks surprised.

“You’re not on Instagram?”

“Nope.”

She rolls her eyes and takes a deep breath.

“I hope you at least know that your friend is posting pictures of you two together on her account.”

Now it’s my turn to be shocked. We do click pictures together at parties, but I never knew she was posting them publicly.

“You know what, Prince Pompous?” Maahi breaks my stance. “You’re not as smart as I thought you would be.”

She swipes the screen of her phone and shows me Sabrina’s Instagram profile, where Sabrina has posted a few pictures of us. Though they are very normal and friendly, I’m shocked by the tags on some of them.

“‘Mine,’” Maahi reads out one tag, putting me in an embarrassing zone.

How could Sabrina post something like that? I have to talk to her and make her stop before she frames a different picture of our relationship.

“This is ridiculous. I had no idea she was doing this behind my back.” I rub my tight jaw, thinking how to amend this situation. Maahi watches me intently, and I hope she trusts my innocence.

“I think she loves you.”

“I don’t,” I snap hard.

We’re still at the Statue of Liberty, strolling through the place.

“She’s just a good friend to me, and if she’s building any hopes, I should clear it out once and for all.”

As if my determination clears Maahi’s misunderstandings about me, she holds my hand.

“I don’t understand when she started taking me as more than a friend,” I continue. “Sabrina and I have always been close since our college days, but I never gave her any mixed signals. She has seen me date other girls and…”

“How many?” Maahi interrupts.

“Excuse me?”

“How many girls have you been with before marrying me?”

Shit! Not this. I definitely don’t want to start with this topic.

“A few.”

“Quantify it, Prince Pompous.” Her face swells with anger, and I see what’s coming.

“Four,” I reply.

She lets go of my hand and swallows hard. No, no, no. I don’t want her to think I’m bad! I might have been the wrong guy for her then, but now I know my limits, and I’m only hers! I pull her closer and cup her face.

“I can’t change my past, Maahi, even though I wish I could. I had a different upbringing here. If I hadn’t met you, I might have continued that lifestyle because that’s how I was brought up. I…”

Words choke in my throat. For the first time in my life, I’m speechless. I want to explain, but my mind doesn’t support me with enough words. I drop my hands away and turn around. Never in my life did I think I’d see such a day where I’d repent over my past flings. Damn!

MAAHI

Well, I knew Vikram had his share of girlfriends before marrying me, but hearing it from the man himself today pinches my heart. Jealousy sweeps through me, realizing other women have touched him and vice versa. It's horrible that none of us can change that. But is this really his fault? I don’t know if I have a big enough heart to ignore his past. I’m aware he hasn’t been with any woman ever since we met, and that’s enough for now to move ahead with him. Despite having an inkling of all this, I was the one who proposed our marriage for Devki Estate.

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