Page 140 of One Hellish Desire

“There he is,” Dad exclaims, seeing Maahi and me step into the living room. Mom looks nervous, but I know she still supports Dad.

The Patel couple and their daughter Sabrina don’t smile at me, but I’m not bothered by it. Dad gets up and reaches me. “It is so kind of the Patels to accept our invitation for evening tea. It’s just a get-together, and we can also sort our differences with them.”

“Sure,” I smile.

“I will check if Jack is ready with the tea and snacks,” Maahi says, instantly leaving my hand and heading to the kitchen with my approval. A typical daughter-in-law wanting to be a good host.

I greet the Patels and take a seat on the single couch opposite my parents.

Patel uncle interrupts, “Look, Vikram, our families have known each other for a long time, which is why we didn’t take this too much to heart. Sabrina is my only daughter, and I can do anything for her. She told us how you insulted her at your office.”

Insulted? I glance at Sabrina, who looks poised and very clear about why she’s here.

“To be honest,” Sabrina’s mother continues, “we always wanted you and Sabrina to end up together. Ask your parents; they know.”

I turn to Mom and Dad, who nod approvingly.

“But you suddenly married that orphan.”

“Careful, Mrs. Patel,” I snap instantly. “Choose your words carefully before you speak about my wife.”

She stiffens at my adamant statement.

“Vikram?” Dad shouts. “What kind of tone is that? And she didn’t say anything wrong. Whether you believe it or not, Maahi is an orphan.”

“Was,” I glare at him. “Now she has me.”

Dad is about to argue when Mom holds his hand.

“Vikram,” Mom interjects, “this is not about Maahi. We all know she is your wife and on what conditions you married her. This is about you and Sabrina.”

“There is nothing between me and Sabrina, Mom,” I mutter.

Maahi comes out with Jack, who keeps the tray of tea and coffee kettles with the cups and saucers on the table before us. Maahi is about to assist him serve, but I pull her arm and make her sit next to me. Since it’s a one-seater recliner, Maahi sits on the armrest while I curl my arm around her waist. That pose and the way I stroke her waist doesn’t go unnoticed by Sabrina. I’m glad she’s burning with jealousy. Despite being such a good friend for all these years, if she can’t see me happy with my wife, I’d rather stay away from her for my own good.

“Agreed, there was nothing between you and Sabrina,” Patel uncle continues, “but you have no right to insult her. I can tolerate anything but not anyone doing this to my daughter.”

“If protecting her dignity and showing her the right path is what you call an insult, Uncle, then yes, I insulted Sabrina, and I don’t regret.”

Sabrina fumes, but I don’t care.

“Now that we are discussing this, it’s high time we are all on the same page,” I add. “Sabrina proposed having an extra-marital affair.”

The Patels turn angrily toward Sabrina, who is dumbfounded as I expose her.

“Sabrina, is this true?” Sabrina’s mother shoots up the next question.

Maahi is mostly aware of all this, so she isn’t surprised. She’s proud I’m handling this conversation decently and not walking out without proving myself right.

“Yes,” Sabrina answers, not at all embarrassed. Sabrina’s father is highly annoyed.

“Do you even know what you are talking about, Sabrina?”

“I know, Dad,” she shouts. “I know what I’m asking from Vikram, and there’s nothing wrong with it. You all are foolish not to notice that Vikram’s marriage is a scam just for that Devki Estate. Maahi is using him, and Vikram is willingly falling into that ditch with her. She might be giving him some rights as a wife, but do you think this will last? Maahi’s life is in India, and Vikram’s soul is here. How will they work on their marriage?”

“That’s their headache,” Mom interrupts this time. “You don’t have any right to break their relationship, Sabrina. Let them decide if they wish to continue this marriage or end it at some point.”

Maahi and I are both surprised that Mom took our side. Dad is still quiet and disturbed.

---