Page 98 of One Hellish Desire

As if someone shook me hard, I stare at Vikram, bewildered by what he just confessed. He’s fulfilling Daadi’s dream? How? I don’t understand. He checks his watch.

“I have a party to attend tonight. We’ll speak soon again.”

“No, wait,” I shout. “You can’t leave this conversation half. I want to know everything right now.”

“Patience, Cub,” he says, putting on his stylish golden cufflinks without breaking his gaze.

I’m tired of keeping patience.

“By the time you reach the boutique, the project file will be on your desk, I promise,” he adds.

I don’t know what to say, but his words excite me. I can’t wait to reach the boutique. The call disconnects, and I stare at the blank screen. If Vikram is truly fulfilling Daadi’s dreams and is on my side, there’s a slight chance this marriage can work.

VIKRAM

Finally, I told her. I told Maahi that I’m on her side, that whatever is happening at Devki Estate is not for me, but for her. Ever since she shared Daadi’s wishes and her own desire to fulfill those dreams, I knew what I had to do. Maahi was waiting for funds to build an old age home at Devki Estate, so I invested mine. I didn’t break my word to her; I just kept my contributions hidden after she refused to come to the US with me. I wanted her to value our marriage for something deeper, not just for what I did to assist her. I want her to feel the same passion and desire for me that I feel every time I think about her. Maahi is the only woman who has drawn a circle of fire around my heart. I never want to cross that boundary between us even if I burn.

With these thoughts swirling in my head, I drive to the party at the Patels’ residence, located in the heart of New York City. As soon as I enter their house, which is on the top floor of one of the coolest and tallest buildings in the city, I reconnect with old friends from university. I had lost touch with a few of them.

“Vikram is here, guys!” Sabrina’s voice echoes in the room. She’s standing in a black gown, holding a glass of champagne. My mother, next to her, smiles happily at my arrival and whispers something to Sabrina, who laughs and hurries over to me. I give her a quick hug.

“I won the bet,” she says excitedly.

“What bet?”

“Your mother and I bet on whether you’d attend this party. Since you were busy on the phone with your wife, she thought you’d skip, but I knew you’d come. Sabrina Patel throws a party and Vikram Singh Grover doesn’t attend? Impossible, right? Thanks for coming.”

She curls her arm around mine and drags me to the other guests. I greet them, take their wishes, and share a drink.

“Where’s my father?” I ask, scanning the place.

“He and Dad are out for business. Ignore them. Tell me, how’s your darling wife?”

I gulp my drink, nodding passively.

“She’s fine.”

“Don’t be mad, but your wife is a fool, Vikram. How can she leave you amidst so many sexy women who have no qualms about your marital status and want to still hit on you?”

A few weeks ago, I would have taken pride in that statement, but now, I don’t feel a thing. I don’t want any other woman. I want my wife, Maahi. Sabrina stares at my dreamy expression, so I snap back to reality.

“She’s got work there; I’ve got work here. We’re a practical couple,” I say.

That’s right. We’re not ready to give up our individuality. When Maahi asked if I would move permanently to India, I instantly wanted to deny it, just like she did when I proposed her to move to the US with me. Now I understand why she did that. It’s hard to give up what we’ve built.

“Are you sure she doesn’t have an affair there?” Sabrina asks suspiciously.

“Shut up, Sabrina. Give your detective brain a break,” I snap.

I recall Maahi meeting Shyam yesterday. But I’m glad she doesn’t like him anymore and has no respect for him either. I trust Maahi completely.

“Fine. When is she coming here? I can’t believe I organized this wedding party for you both, and she’s not here. But since the invitations were out, I didn’t cancel. I hope she doesn’t mind.”

I don’t know if Maahi would mind that I’m attending our wedding reception without her. I never told her which party I’d be attending. That’s when I remember something.

“Did you attend Maahi’s call the other day on my phone?” I ask seriously.

“I did, yes,” she says without remorse. “You were busy in a meeting, and...”

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