Page 25 of One Hellish Desire

“Why don't you bring her here then? We can have some quality time. I'll speak to Maa about it.”

“You think I haven't asked? I did. She's willing to spend some time with us in the US, but not until she marries Cub off.”

“Cub?” Dad sounds confused.

Rolling my eyes, I clarify, “I'm talking about Maahi.”

“Ah, you call her Cub?”

I ignore that jibe and he chuckles. “How is she? She must be all grown up now...and wait she's getting married? To whom?”

I tense at the mention of Maahi's impending marriage, but since I brought up the topic, I continue. “To Shyam Trivedi. But they aren't engaged yet.”

And I hope they never will be.

“I see. Give her my regards. And tell Maa I'll call her tonight.”

After agreeing, we move on to other business matters. Once I'm off with Dad, I dial Shukla, the manager of the Devki Estate. He confirms he was present with the lawyer when Daadi signed it over to Maahi.

“I need to see those legal papers, Shukla,” I demand sharply.

He hesitates. “The legal papers? But...”

“Get them ready for me tomorrow. I don't like delays.”

Hanging up, I exhale a sigh of semi-relief, though my heart still hasn't settled. When Maahi walked into my club Leela Mahal tonight, wearing that same maroon dress that I zipped up for her, I was dazed all over again by her beauty. I'm glad I didn't let her spend too much time with that Shyam tonight. Just the thought of his eyes roving over Maahi's skin makes my blood boil. I hope he didn't dare touch her, because I know the feeling of having her soft, bare skin under my fingertips as I zipped her into that dress. Recalling those heated flashbacks stirs me deeply; it's not something I want to dwell on right now.

MAAHI

I'm back home. When Daadi asks how my dinner with Shyam went, I lie. I hate doing that, but I can't bear to hurt her by telling her how her grandson ruined the evening. Vikram returns to Ratna Mahal much later than me, and I ignore him throughout the night until Daadi calls me into her room to show me the exquisite jewelry she's made for me. Tears instantly pool in my eyes.

“Daadi, you shouldn't have done this. You've already given me so much and—”

“You're my granddaughter. How could I not make this for you?” She caresses my face, her smile easing all my stress.

Suddenly her face falls as she seems to recall something. “What's wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing,” she waves it off. “Just silly old thoughts.”

She picks up the bangles she made for me. “Daadi, we promised not to hide things from each other. Even if it's the silliest thought, I want to know.”

She smiles again. “When I brought you into this house and raised you, I realized one day I'd have to part with you. But then I secretly wished you could stay with me in this house forever.”

I don't fully understand what she means, so I let her continue. She cups my face.

“I...I secretly wished to get you married to my grandson.”

I freeze. Marry Prince Pompous? No way!

“I know,” she sighs, seeing my reaction. “You two don't get along, but...”

She turns toward the door and zips her lips as Vikram appears in the doorway. I'm as shocked as Daadi, both of us hoping he didn't overhear those words. He gives me a dark look before glancing at his grandmother.

“You didn't sleep?” she asks as he strides inside.

I shift uncomfortably. How could Daadi ever think we could marry? Though it was just an old thought, it still sends goosebumps down my spine.

“Someone has seized my sleep, Daadi,” he replies, sitting next to her, and I know that ‘someone’ is me. Because I denied giving him Devki Estate, he's having sleepless nights.

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