Page 49 of Entangled Vows
Mahika hesitated. “Because of everything. The family pressure, the way he…” She trailed off, biting her lip. “I’ve spent my whole life hating him.”
“Not your whole life,” Ishika countered. “What about that not-so-tiny crush?”
Mahika narrowed her eyes. “What crush?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Ishika shrugged dramatically. “Maybe themortifyingone where you were obsessed with Dr. Doom for years. And now you expect me to go fullGhajiniand erase it from my memory? Newsflash, babe. I remember everything, even if you don’t.”
Mahika scoffed. “It was not like that, and you know it. Besides, that was a lifetime ago. I don’t feel anything for him. Not since a billion years.”
Ishika raised an eyebrow. “Not even a little?”
Mahika shook her head. “Not even a tiny bit. He was… I don’t know, more like a horror fantasy than a real crush. But that’s long dead. Now, when I see him, I feel nothing.”
“Interesting,” Ishika murmured. “So, if Vikram suddenly confessed his undying love for you, you’d—”
“Ishika, I swear to God, I would push him off a cliff.”
Ishika burst into laughter. “Okay, okay! So… that means the field is wide open for a little no-strings fling with your temporary husband? No emotions, only sex?”
Mahika groaned. “You’ve seriously lost it. That man makes me want to commit murder, not hook up. Just because he looks like sin wrapped in a suit doesnotmean I’m desperate!”
“Mmm-hmm. Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart,” Ishika retorted, her expression unreadable.
“No. I’m serious.”
After a beat, Ishika nudged Mahika’s arm. “Even if he still has those stupid, stupid muscles or that dangerously sexy glare?”
“Yup,” Mahika said without hesitation.
Ishika folded her arms and with a dramatic sigh. “You do realise I’m going to be alone in this house while you go playMrs. Khuranain that ridiculous mansion of his?”
Mahika gave her a flat look. “Oh, please. You’re acting like I’m moving to another country. I’m just twenty minutes away.”
“Youmight as well be.” Ishika threw her hands up. “That place basically has its own postal code. What am I supposed to do here all alone? Who will binge-watch bad reality TV with me at 2 a.m.? Who will order absurd amounts of momos just because wecan?”
Mahika smirked. “We can still do that. You could come over there or I could come over here.”
Ishika frowned. “Hmm. Wait. What happens to my rent now? Am I about to go broke funding my own loneliness?”
Mahika rolled her eyes. “Ishika, this ismyhouse. I never even wanted you to pay rent in the first place.”
“Yeah, but I insisted,” Ishika said, lifting her chin. “I haveself-respect.”
Mahika sighed. “Seriously, though. Please save it up for your own place. Ireallydon’t want you to keep paying rent anymore.”
Ishika tilted her head thoughtfully. “Honestly, I should be chargingyourent now. For abandoning me and for emotional damages.”
Mahika gave her another eye roll. “See, there are a few benefits of marrying Grizzly Khurana.”
Ishika’s face broke into a sly grin. “Speaking of benefits… Youdorealise you’ll have to share his bedroom and his bed.Please, I expect full updates on how insanely hot he looks in his home clothes. I don’t think I have ever seen him without a suit.”
“Ishika!!”
“Oh,come on.” Ishika nudged her. “The man isobscenelyhot, and now you’re going to live with him.Under the same roof.Might as well take advantage of the situation.”
Mahika crossed her arms. “Not happening.”
Ishika gave her a pointed look. “Yet.”
