Page 78 of One Hellish Desire

“Then it’s better I don’t wear it today,” I sigh. “She’s already unhappy about this marriage. I don’t want to enrage her more.”

“Don’t worry about Meera. She might be upset now, but when she sees how much Vikram adores you, she’ll give up and accept you as his bride. She loves her son too much to ignore anything he wants.”

Daadi hooks the necklace around my neck. Just then the door opens and Meera aunty enters. She’s wearing a black-and-white palazzo suit, which obviously doesn’t impress Daadi for today’s occasion.

“Meera, what kind of outfit is this? It’s your son’s wedding.”

“It’s a court wedding, Maa,” she snaps. “And this is exactly what I would have worn if the wedding were in the US. Not to mention, the bride is not my choice either, so the outfit doesn’t really matter. I’m just attending the wedding for Vikram, and he wants me to give Maahi this.”

She hands me a box wrapped in a satin ribbon.

“What is this?” I ask.

She doesn’t reply, her eyes fixated on the necklace I’m wearing. She then glances at Daadi and back at me.

“First the Devki Estate, and now our family jewels. What else do you have an eye on, Maahi?”

“Meera!” Daadi shouts, but she continues.

“Maa, please don’t come between me and her. She’s going to be my daughter-in-law now, and I have every right to convey my thoughts to her.”

I knew Meera Singh Grover would seize every opportunity to throw her taunts.

“Vikram has met more charming girls than you, but I see how he looks at you. I hope you remain his center of attraction forever because let me give you a piece of advice. If Vikram loses interest, he won’t hesitate to remove you from his life just as quickly as he got you into it.”

Daadi is about to say something, but I stop her. This is my fight now. Not hers.

“Thank you for your advice, Aunty. I’ll make sure you never see that day,” I mutter, glaring at her, who stares back with equal anger before walking out.

“Maahi, don’t take her words to heart. Meera is hurt, but...”

“I’ll handle her, Daadi. Don’t worry.”

Daadi sighs in relief, seeing my confidence.

“Now open this gift. I’ll come back to get you when the car is ready.”

Daadi leaves the room. I stare at myself in the mirror, trying to recognize the woman I’ve become. I’ve taken the biggest risk of my life, and I worry if things will turn in my favor. To divert my thoughts, I open the box Vikram sent through his mother. It’s a wrist watch, its dial circled by delicate expensive diamonds. There’s also a note inside which reads:

‘Our good time starts now. Welcome to my world, Cub.’

I swallow the lump of fear forming in my throat. I’m entering Vikram’s world without knowing how dark it could be. I’ve never tried to know him beyond what I already do. But I’ve walked too far now to turn back. Fulfilling Daadi’s dreams for Devki Estate is my only goal, and I’ll do anything to make it happen. But I feel guilty for not clarifying that I intend to stay here with Daadi and not travel to the US. I know Vikram understands I won’t leave Daadi, but he needs to hear it from me. I grab my phone and dial him. Without exchanging hellos, he gets straight to the point.

“Hope you haven’t changed your mind, Sweetheart,” he teases.

Words choke in my throat. Will he change his mind if I reveal my plans?

“Did you get my gift?”

I glance at the wrist watch on my dressing table. It’s expensive and out of my league, but it’s his gift, and I won’t reject it.

“Vikram, we didn’t have time to talk yesterday. We need to...”

“You sound desperate, and I like it.”

He’s in no mood to be serious. He’s clearly happy about our marriage today. A part of me fears his expectations. He wants me to give him every right as a husband willingly. When he takes me in his arms and kisses me, I melt. But it’s too soon to bond so intimately with a man I hardly know.

“Vikram, I’m not coming to the US with you,” I finally say, loud and clear. There’s a long pause.

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