Page 79 of One Hellish Desire

“Excuse me? What did you just say?”

I dislike his intimidating tone, but I hadn’t expected him to be calm about my decision either.

“I can’t leave Daadi here at Ratna Mahal. She’s unwilling to travel, and neither am I prepared to leave the country.”

“A wife stays with her husband. I’m sure you know that,” he snaps. “You were going to leave this house if you married Shyam Trivedi.”

“Yes, but I’d still be in the same city,” I argue. “I planned to see her every day. I wasn’t going to isolate her.”

I hear him groan in disappointment.

“Then convince her to come with us. She’ll never deny you.”

“I know she’ll never deny me, but I don’t want to force her against her wishes. Didn’t you hear what she said yesterday? She has memories of Daadu attached to this place. She’ll never leave Ratna Mahal, and neither will I.”

He takes a long pause, processing my reply as I continue.

“I run my business from here, Vikram. No matter how many boutiques I open elsewhere, I can’t wind up here. I have clients I can’t ignore.”

“You should have thought of that before proposing to me,” Vikram shouts. “I thought you were willing to do anything for Devki Estate.”

“I am, but...”

“No, Maahi Awasthi,” he shouts again, scaring me this time. “You’ve said enough. Now listen to me. You knew you weren’t leaving from the moment you proposed. You should have told me sooner. I can still change the game, Maahi, and I will.”

I’m horrified. What will he do? The call disconnects.

“Vikram, hello? Vikram, listen to me.”

I rush to the door to talk to him personally and clear it out but the moment I reach the door, Daadi is standing there.

“Good you came. We have to leave for the court. The car is ready,” Daadi says holding my hand.

“Daadi, I... I have to meet Vikram first.”

“You can see him at the court. He left long back. He’s not at home.”

Not at home? Where is he? And what will he do now that he knows I’m not going to the US with him?

***************

We reach the court and wait for Vikram. Vanraj uncle and Meera aunty came in another vehicle. Initially, I thought Vikram was with them, but he isn’t. They’re equally surprised he’s not here yet.

“We have fifteen minutes before the registrar calls us inside. Why isn’t Vikram here?” Daadi expresses her concern.

“I think he changed his mind,” Meera aunty smirks. “I hope so.”

“Meera, enough,” Vanraj uncle snaps. “I’ve tried calling him, but he’s not answering. Why is he ignoring my calls?”

Daadi’s panic worries me.

“Daadi, please sit here,” I say, helping her to a chair and giving her some water.

“Where could he be?” Daadi mumbles, sipping water. “I hope he’s fine.”

I don’t know what to say. Will he not show up? Is this what he meant by changing the game? Has he decided not to marry me because I’m not going to the US? I rub my temple to ease the tension.

“Maahi, try calling him,” Vanraj uncle suggests. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, but I nod and am about to dial when Vikram’s car parks in front of us. He steps out in an off-white suit, looking ready for the occasion, but I still feel uneasy.

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