Chapter Eight

SHAEL

Waking up with the first ray of the sun, I rubbed my eyes. I could feel someone was holding my hand. I twiddled my head and sight blanched me.
"Momma? " I said with excitement and fear. Fear that if I'm not in my dream. She is gonna smother me. Shockingly, I got out of the bed, when I recalled all memories from the last day and my wedding. It scared me more. We both knew that our relationship wasn't good like other daughter and mother, still we tried our best to be good with each one.
She was there, standing in this room with me. I blinked, but she was still there. "Naah can't be! It's a nightmare. How can she be here? She doesn't have any knowledge about it." I told myself. I blinked again but she didn't disappear, " Momma, Are you gonna beat me up?" I was scared.

Her arms were folded over her chest, she was glaring at me but with soft eyes. " Do I look like you have a nightmare?" She sarcastically said and unfolded her arms.
I kept silent. This was the best that I can do. No mother would like to hear herself a nightmare from her kid tongue. But we have different terms. It's not new. I've seen her many times in my dreams, telling her to me that she didn't want me. I trust my dreams because they tell me the reality.
"ਤੇਰੇ ਚੂੜਾ। It had answered my questions. So, you got married. " she pointed at my arms. ( Your bangles.)
I was wearing the red bangles in my both arms which Gaurav fulfilled the ritual of our culture. I took both my arms behind my back to hide my bangles. I couldn't reply to her, I nodded in positivity. She started to move out of the room.
" Momma, wait. Don't go. Ain't you upset with me? " I took steps toward her. " Won't you scold me? " I asked.
She stopped and looked at me, "Congratulations! I'm happy for you. " She said to me.
It caught me off guard. Her words perplexed me. I could not trust it. I was expecting a slap or slaps, " You are? really? You are kidding.. right?" I was astonished at her.
She came close to me and held my hand.
' Okay, now she's gonna slap me brutally. ' I thought.
She brought her second hand on my cheek. I shut my eyes tightly. But she caresses my cheek.
"Am I dreaming? " I spoke out loudly with closed eyes.
" No, you are not. When I asked your husband to meet you. He warned me that you are his wife. " She replied.
" Then you are treating me nicely because I am his wife, not being your daughter. I got it. " I disappointed myself. But not anymore as I was used to it. She never cares for me and loves me. I was nothing for her more than a burden. It hurts, but I love her.
" You should've known this, Shael. I love you the way I love your brother. Now you are married, you will understand this, when you will be a mother one day. " She said.
" Eeeee momma..... I am twenty two now. I still think of myself as a kiddo, when it's about this." I blanched and she laughed loudly. My heart jumped in happiness to hear that she loves me. It may not be true but I'm glad she said it to me as I was going away from her perhaps forever. I don't know if I'll ever see her again or not. That Will be painful but I'll do it.
"Still the same expressions. I thought it would change after your marriage." She said.
" You are not annoyed with me, momma. " I asked her.
She cupped my face in her hands, " You need to know it. I love my both children equally. Yes, I was rude to you, never showed my love for you, left you on your own. But I did all for your own good future. I don't want you to face all that I had. You will thank me one day....... Anyways, I need to go home now. I have duties for my son. He is not married yet and doesn't know how to cook food, you know. " she smiled.
I gave her a smile back, the real one. She hugged me, I hugged her too. She kissed me on my forehead. I don't know what she was saying was true or not but it was making my heart joy.
" May God bless you with all happiness and you... " She suddenly changed her facial movement. I didn't get it. But when I watched, where she had pointed at, I couldn't accredit my eyes. He was here, my husband. He had listened to us.
" You!!! if you dare to harm my daughter. I will kill you, you got that. " momma warned him.
I was proud of what momma said to him. But, I panicked. oh crap!! Momma doesn't know who he is, I don't know him completely, but One thing is clear, he is a strong personality and all-powerful.
But a contrary thing happened. He smiled, the genuine one and told momma, " She will be happy with me. You can punish me if I will treat her badly, which never gonna happen. " He assured her.
I could not believe my ears heard it from him.
" Better. " momma gave him a hard look. Turning my side, she pecked on my cheek, " Take care. If he teases you, let me know. " she said to me, eyeing him.
" Yea momma. Don't worry, he is a nice guy. He cares for me. " I said to momma, ignoring what happened yesterday.
She caresses my cheeks and gives me her prettiest smile.
" I have to go. " she said
I waved goodbye to her and then she made her way out. I was alone with him. Few seconds later, he made his way out, without saying anything, Maybe later.
I took a deep breath, 'I need to take shower.' I told myself.


I circled it. "You boss wants me to wear it." I asked Business Women.
I thought she'd be his business partner. But she was addressing him as boss, " Yes, ma'am. " she replied
" Shael, my name is Shael, not ma'am. I told her. My eyes were inspecting it. It was a beautiful suit, red and green color. It had heavy work with golden thread and stones on it's jumper and on the border of it's net dupatta with hands. I couldn't say not to it, " OK, I'm wearing it. " I said with a smile.
"Very well!! Sir is waiting for you for breakfast. " she said
" May I know your name? " I asked.
" You may call me, Nance ma'am." she replied and went out of the room.
I hissed hearing ma'am again from her.
" She can't live without this word, Ma'am." I guessed.
I was glad, I Shouldn't have to lie to momma as she is aware of this marriage now. I felt guilty because she still knows half truth. Whatever happened tomorrow, I still couldn't believe it. I began to sob. I need to control my emotions. I don't wanna see Sammie ever again. That's all.
I don't know how to do makeup. I never did all this. Sammie always helps me with it. It reminded me of her. But I don't wanna go there. I don't know how to apply lipstick without spreading it out of line. This makeup is so tuff. I kept the makeup kit aside. I fished for my stuff from my bag. I put kajal, eyeliner, lip-Gloss and most favorite mascara, which I know to apply. I gave wings to my eyes.That's it, I'm ready. I saw my reflection in the mirror. I must say Mr. Husband's choice is outstanding. I love this suit. I wanna show it to momma. I picked up my phone. I clicked it and sent it to momma. She replied instantly and a smile drew on my face.
I went down stairs. Mr. Husband was already there working on his laptop. His food was across him. I don't wanna make a noise, but my heel couldn't help it. When I found him staring at me. I put my eyes across on the ground. Frankly speaking, He is strange to me, I am frightened of him. I don't want to make eye contact with him. It is going to make me more nervous.
I sat three chairs away from him. Business woman offered me a seat next to him. I moved my head from left to right. Someone cleared his throat, it was Guru. He was still looking at me. His stare was telling me, 'he wants me to sit next to him.'
"He is watching you, Shael. you have to go and sit there beside him and chew your food. That is all, you have to do. You are not part of his menu. You are momma's brave girl. Come on, you can do it. '' I told myself.
I stood up unwantedly and took the offer, " Oh God! I don't think I can eat. " I murmured.
" Good morning, Shael. " He said, tugging a small smile on his lips. I couldn't understand for two full minutes what I had to say.
" Gu..... Good mo... rning. " I stumbled over my words again. Words did not want to come out of my mouth after seeing him. They also fear him.
" Nice way to say Good morning. " He smirked and taunted me at the same time.
He started to put food on my plate, " I...... .. e.... Vegetar....ian." I said.
" I know. It's vegetarian all here. It would be really nice of you if you will speak with me, you used to talk with others, example.. your mother. " he said to me.
I nodded but immediately I remembered the last scene when I was nodding, everytime he was asking me to speak up. Before he could say that two words again.
" Yes! Yes. " I spilled it out.
He laughed. I could not believe it. So unbelievable things are happening these days. I was glaring at him with big eyes and open mouth. Why was he laughing, I didn't crack a joke. Most strange! This guy knows how to laugh.
He brought his hand close to my chin and closed my mouth. I shivered with his touch.
" You are spending this week with me. " He bombarded this news on me.
It was a pretending role, " Why? " I gushed.
" Because you are not comfortable with me. " he replied.
" It is not true. " I said.
" You stutter, only with me. look! You are shivering too. " He said.
I noticed he was saying the truth. My heart was running like a horse. My hands were shivering.
" Are you afraid of me or am the first boy in your life, with whom you are talking. " He asked me, and stopped eating. He was looking at me. I could feel his eyes on me. Yes! He was the only man I was talking to except my boyfriend. Who has been a historic thing now.
It's the exact time to tell him about my boyfriend, which means x. Although this is a fake one, I will be loyal to him for sure. I opened my mouth to reply, but in the meantime.
" Shael. " someone called my name from behind. I turned and saw. It was Sammie. I stood up from my seat, memories were flashing in my mind. She hugged me. I didn't hug her back.
How can she pretend like this, as nothing happened, in the last 24 hours. I can read anyone's face, why could not I read her. I always felt she was hiding something, but I couldn't fathom. It would be hatred. Finally, my two long pending dreams turned into reality and are in front of me. Deception of my bestie and person with blue eyes is my husband. I was lost in my thoughts, I didn't get what was she saying? All moments and memories are putting me into rage. She held my arm tightly and jerked it with full force. Her jerk brought me back to the present.
"What are you thinking? I'm talking to you, love. " she said.
I could say, my hubby's eyes were on me. He was observing me. I needed to control my anger. I didn't reply to her.
"Hey! I'm talking to you girl? " she waved her hands in front of my eyes.
" Why don't you join us, breakfast? " Guru said to her and Gaurav who were standing behind without saying.
I sat down on my seat. She took the front seat of mine. ' I have to control myself and it is going to be fine.' I thought.
" I'm really glad. you made the right decision. It has been a long time since Gaurav has worked for him. Mr. Browne is such a nice and down to earth human being. " She continued.
Her Voice, her sugar coated words, her face, everything about her, it was pushing me to edge. Her voice was piercing my ears, hurting my heart. She needed to stop now. I fisted my hand. My patience ended here, " You need to stop. " I told her.
" Excuse me. " She was confused. I didn't glance at anyone.
" Keep your mouth shut. " I snapped.
" What's wrong? Shael... you cannot talk to me like this. " She got up from her seat and came close to me. She raised her hands to touch me by arm.
" Don't touch me. You can do anything to me! " I took steps back.
" Shael bu..... " she started to say but I cut her off.
" Shhhhhhh.... I don't wanna hear your voice. " I told her.
"Did aunty scold you? I made her understand everything." she asked.
" My life is none of your business anymore. " I said with anger.
Now she took steps toward me with rage. She held my arm and jerked it with full force. " What the hell is your problem? " She spoke with hatred.
" Yeah!!! This...... this is real you. " I said to her with watery eyes. She tried to approach me.
" Don't try my limits. Get out of my sight. I don't wanna see you. Don't wanna hear you. In short, I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU. There's the main door, out. " I aggravated.
" How dare you. " she screamed angrily.
"How do you manage all this? Doesn't matter! Get out of my sight, please." I said. I was on the brink of bursting out in tears. It was getting hard with every breath.
" You, Brat." she slowly spoke so only I could hear her.
My patience had ended. I unfisted my hand. I strongly cuffed her across her face. The sound of my slap reverberated in the hall. It was the first time in my life, I was behaving so badly to anyone. Tears started to stream from my eyes, partly with rage. I was not alone with her here, I realized it when her husband stormed toward me. He was halted by Guru.
"Out." I screamed with rage, tears were streaming down on my face.
" You will pay for it. " She threatened me. She started to walk with her husband.
" By the way, Congrats to both of you, you have bought a new house in London by bargaining me. " I sarcastically said.
Both were exchanging shocked looks.
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, " Believe me. Never make me pay you back. " I pointed at her.
Gaurav caught her by her wrist and left the house. I don't know what Guru would do to me. I didn’t care about anything now. I was not that strong, I began to sob. My heart was aching.
Nance started to walk at me. But stopped. He beckoned everyone to leave the hall.
He paced toward me. I took one step back. He used long steps, he put his hand on my waist and pulled me to his chest. I bumped into him. He tugged my hair behind my ear. He scooped me up. I could not block him. He took me in our bedroom. He brought me down on the bed.
" Do you wanna talk about it? " he softly asked.
It was a simple question with sweetness. I couldn't deny the offer of his shoulder, " N.. No, I I I want to say yo... u something important. " I sobbed.
" I'm listening to you, say it. " he caressed my cheek and cleaned my tears with his thumb.
" I don't know how much you know about me. One thing...g you need to know is ---- I had a........ " I started to say.
" Boyfriend, It has been a long time. You still love him and he has moved on, without ending this relationship with you." he completed for me.
I was continuously glaring at him. It was my sobs sound pouring in my ears, " I know every single thing about you, which I need to know. " He said.
I lowered my eyes, " I A... m I'm not...... " I fumbled with my words.
" I also know that. It doesn't matter to me. You weren't part of my life then. But now you are my wife. I merely want you to be my present and future. Nothing will happen without your desire, Nothing. So we are continuing this marriage. " he asked me.
Without taking much time. There is no space for any denial. I'm officially his wife. Neither he nor me can deny this fact. Undoubtedly, I said to him, "Yes." I knew Sammie hud things about the contract but still it was me who took the step in it. I wasn't compelled by anyone. Things were hidden. I was hoping to find out the solution to the last clause of his contract or I've to persuade him that I love him and I've no future with him as contract marriage doesn't last forever.