Page 74 of One Hellish Desire

“Do you remember our first meeting, Daadi?” My voice stutters with pain.

I can never forget the day I first saw Daadi at the orphanage. She had come to distribute sweets for Diwali. The moment we met, we knew we were going to bond. When I extended my arm to take the sweets, she gave me two Ladoos’ instead of one, unlike to the others.

“I remember,” she nods, her eyes clouding with tears. I caress her face.

“That’s the moment I started living for both of us,” I reply.

“Marriage is a big decision,” she swallows painfully. “Vikram has told me he has feelings for you, but do you feel anything for him?”

I'm taken aback. Vikram has confessed to Daadi that he feels for me? What kind of feelings are those?

“Is this your final decision?” Daadi breaks into my thoughts. I give her an assuring nod.

“You know I’m always sure when I decide something,” I say, hugging her. “I thought you would be the happiest person to know your grandson and I are getting married. Isn’t that what you always dreamed of?”

The smile on Daadi’s face returns. “A part of me is happy, but I don’t want you to sacrifice your happiness for me.”

“You think Vikram is not the right man for me?”

She gazes at me thoughtfully and then kisses my forehead. “He is the only man I can be assured will keep you happy forever, Maahi. I don’t know how, but I know it. My heart says so. He is my grandson, and though I haven’t raised him, I know he has the traits to love unconditionally, to protect his family, and to keep them safe.” She cups my face. “And you, my dear, you are going to be his better half. He will do anything to keep you happy.”

I refrain from commenting and hug her again.

VIKRAM

I’m marrying Maahi in two days, and this is not a dream or a hallucination. She’s going to be with me forever, in every sense I’ve desired her, and that thought keeps me awake for most of the night. She’s always had an effect on me, and now my whole being craves her.

The next morning, I’m awake much earlier than usual. I haven’t seen Mom and Dad since last night, and I know they’re still not convinced, especially Mom. I’ll have to work hard to make her accept Maahi as my wife, and I know that won’t be easy.

I head to the kitchen for a quick coffee and find Maahi there, the reason for my restless night. She’s in one of those salwars that always stirs something in me, but this time I don’t make any sudden moves. I stop at the door to watch her. She doesn’t notice me and hums a song I don’t recognize.

The lyrics tantalize every fiber in my body, and in no time, I’m compelled to make a move. Maahi has the power to bewitch me in every way. She sips her coffee, licking her lips to savor the taste, then senses me behind her. When she turns around, we lock eyes, staring at each other for who knows how long.

“You have a good voice,” I praise.

“Don’t misunderstand, I was not singing for you.”

“You weren’t?”

“I wasn’t,” she says, taking another sip of coffee.

When she’s done, I take the cup from her and sip the same coffee. She’s bewildered. Her thoughts turn into a crazy rumble as she watches me drink her coffee and soon she tries to snatch the mug, but I don’t let her succeed.

“That’s mine,” she frowns.

“And you are mine,” I declare in the same tone. “What’s yours is mine now.”

“Except the Devki Estate,” she adds.

I take another quick sip of coffee without breaking my gaze before passing the mug back to Maahi. She takes the mug, making small talk, but seeing her share that coffee with me makes me want her even more.

“I spoke to Daadi. She’s convinced this marriage is real. But we have to be careful. We cannot give anyone a reason to become suspicious,” she mentions.

I’m hardly listening. My fingers inch closer to her lips to wipe that coffee drop, but she flinches away before I touch her.

“Vikram, you can’t just... do this.” I already dislike her warning tone. “I know I’ve assured you all these rights, but we still have two days until the marriage happens.”

“At this pace, I don’t see the marriage happening.”

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