Page 99 of One Hellish Desire

“Never do that again,” I snap. “Wherever I am, however busy, I don’t want to miss her call ever.”

“Sure,” Sabrina rolls her eyes, sipping her drink. “I pity you, Vikram. You’re so worried about missing her call, and what is she doing? Staying back in her home country. Which new bride does that?”

“That’s our lookout, Sabrina. I said I don’t like others meddling in my married life.”

Sabrina raises her arms in defeat.

“Okay. I won’t speak a word against her. Happy? Now come on, let’s enjoy this party.”

I meet more people who congratulate me and ask about Maahi. After a while, Mom intervenes.

“Sabrina, your mother is looking for you.”

“Is she? Let me go check. I’ll be right back.”

Sabrina excuses herself, leaving me alone with Mom, who’s still admiring Sabrina.

“What a pretty girl! She’s a thorough party planner. Look how exciting this party is. I don’t think anyone else could have organized it so well,” Mom praises, and I totally agree. I’ve known Sabrina for years and know how hard she parties. Obviously, she’s learned enough tactics by now to turn a boring party into an entertaining one.

“You know, Vikram, whenever I saw you and Sabrina together during your university days, I thought she’d be the lucky one. I didn’t expect you to marry so soon, but I was sure you and Sabrina would announce that you wanted to live in together. But...”

“Mom,” I interrupt her. “Sabrina and I were always friends. That’s it. I still respect her, and I always will.”

“But she loves you,” Mom adds, and this isn’t the first time she’s said that. Since Sabrina never said it openly, I refuse to believe it. Love was never in our dictionary.

“Oh, Vikram,” Mom says nervously. “I wish you had never gone to India again. Look what that girl has done to you. Everyone here might be happily congratulating you on your marriage, but none of them are happy. People are already gossiping about why your wife didn’t come with you. She belongs here and...”

“Mom,” I interrupt again. “Can we not discuss this? I don’t care what people think about my relationship with Maahi.”

“You don’t care about people, but what about your parents? Vanraj and I are worried about your marriage. I don’t think Maahi has any interest in moving to the US permanently, and you’re missing her and hurting yourself.”

That’s right. I wish things were easier between us. I want Maahi to willingly accept me, not for Devki Estate or anything else. I want to be her priority. Deciding to avoid further argument, I walk out of the party and head back to the penthouse. I need sleep badly because that’s the only way I get to dream of my wife again.

CHAPTER 27

MAAHI

I was wrong. Vikram isn't snatching Devki Estate and Daadi's dreams; he's fulfilling what I couldn't due to lack of funds and support. Just as he promised, before I even reached the Boutique yesterday, the project file from the builder was waiting on my desk. Vikram is constructing an old age home on this land, just like Daadi wanted. I read through the entire project file, making sure there were no hidden motives. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I had to ensure I could trust Prince Pompous. To my relief, I didn't find a single shred of evidence suggesting he was profiting from this old age home.

The truth is, Vikram’s intentions are pure, and he’s funding it with his own money, not using a single rupee from their company account. He’s doing this for Daadi, and I’m so proud of him.

When I get home, I find Daadi in the Puja room. As soon as I greet her, she wipes her tears and turns to me.

“You were crying?” I frown.

“No,” she says, but I can tell she’s lying.

“And now you’re lying too,” I mutter. “That too in the temple before God.”

Daadi sighs in disappointment. “I was missing my family,” she mumbles. “This house was so lively when Vanraj, Meera, and Vikram stayed with us, and now that they’re gone, the silence here bites me.”

I know Daadi always misses her family too much. “Someday you too will go and…”

“That’s not happening,” I debate. “I’m never going to leave you alone.”

“Stop being so adamant, Maahi. Vikram needs you.”

“Then he can come here,” I reply in a teasing tone to bring her smile back. “If he misses me so much, he can come here and stay with us. I don’t mind.”

---