11

I awoke with a severe headache and looked around. I was on the couch in my cabin. Rahul and the doctor were talking to each other. They approached me when they noticed I was awake.

"Well, Mr. Kapoor, good afternoon. How are you feeling right now?" the doctor asked. "I am fine, but my head hurts like someone is drilling inside it," I told him, gripping my head.

Rahul was looking at me with concern. Then the door to my cabin slammed open, and in came Sumit, panting as he ran here. I looked at him strangely; why were they so concerned?

"So, doctor, what happened?" I asked him because I could not recall anything that happened after Rahul called the doctor.

"Nothing serious happened, sir. You just passed out due to low blood pressure. When you are dehydrated, this happens. Just stay hydrated, and you will be fine." the doctor advised.

I nodded my head in understanding, but their faces were telling me otherwise. After the doctor left, Sumit and Rahul began questioning me: am I taking my medications on a regular basis, or am I taking them at all?

Which I am not, and they don't need to know.

It makes no difference whether I take them or not because the effects are the same-I still get headaches and dizziness despite taking them. So I gave up on them.

"Guys, my head hurts like hell. So just shut the fuck up!" I told them calmly, trying to keep my temper in check, and I think I'm failing.

"I am going to send you some coconut water. No arguments, Rudra," Rahul said, and they both walked away.

I called Rahul inside after I had rested for a while. "I want you to send some gifts to Chandini. They are at the reception area. Do you know where she lives?" I asked him.

"I know, but why?" he asked, his brow furrowed. "My parents are going to her house to ask for her hand in marriage," I explained.

"For whom?" he asked, and I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration.

"Rahul, just do the work, as I told you," I yelled at the last part as he was about to say something.

He left to do the work, and I began to manage some files and emails. When there was a knock on the door, I told the person to come in, and Rahul came in with a glass of coconut water and said the work was done. I drank the water and resumed my work.

A few hours later

I received a phone call from Chandini. She must have received the gifts I sent her, and maybe she wants to thank me. Nobody can turn down the diamond necklace and earrings I sent along with a saree for her to wear tonight. I answered the phone. "hel-" but was cut off.

"Stop talking! How dare you send these things? I am going to burn them. If you don't take them back!" she said angrily. Did she not like them?

"Do not be mad, darling; all I wanted was for you to look presentable in front of my parents," I explained casually. I told her this because I wanted to see her in that saree.

"Y-you are a piece of crap! Do not dare comment on my appearance; I can look more presentable than you," she said, and I took a sharp breath at her way of talking.

"Darling, you should remember who you are talking to," I said softly, not wanting to yell at her. I fisted my fist in anger. "Oh, I will talk however I want. Who are you to say anything to me? You are a shitty person and a moron!" she screamed into the phone and hung up. I look at the phone, stunned.

What. The. Fuck.

I just wanted her to have those gifts and look lovely, and she became angry. What is the matter with her? How could she not like the gifts? I spent a lot of money on that necklace. I didn't do anything wrong. I called Rahul and Sumit and told them everything that had happened.

"She called you a moron, a piece of crap, and a shitty person," Sumit asked, his lips twitching.

"Yes, and it irritates me when she calls me that or-or when she talks to me like that," I said slowly.

"I would have called you a moron or something even worse. If you had said something like that to me," Rahul said. I looked at him, then at Sumit, who agreed with Rahul with a nod of his head.

"But I wanted her to look good, not that she is not already. That is why I sent those jewellery pieces and only said the truth." I said while shrugging my shoulders. I didn't say anything wrong.

"Bhai, tu sach me pagal hain! Yaha main chandini ke sath hun. Why would you say such a thing to her? She knows how to dress well and look good-I mean, have you seen her?" Rahul said, wiggling his brows. I glared at him, and I was about to throw him out. when Sumit cut in. (You really are an idiot, bro! I agree with Chandini on this one.)

"Or you could have told her that you wanted her to have those gifts. Or what you just said to us. Not that she has to look a certain way." Sumit smacked Rahul in the back of his head.

I closed my eyes and thought about it some more, and he was correct. I should not have said that, but I did not mean to hurt her feelings. When I opened my eyes, they were staring at me with interest.

"What are you looking at? Get out and do some work. Bloody slackers. Sumit, you have company to look after. Get out of here, both of you." I told them. They stared at me with wide eyes and gaping mouths in disbelief.

"Bhai, tu ne hame bulaya tha." Rahul was still stunned.
(You called us, brother.)

"If you want her to respect you and not hate you, you too need to be respectful towards her. You can't force someone," Sumit said before leaving with Rahul.

My phone began to ring, and when I looked down, it was Mom calling. I answered the phone. "Yes, Mom?" I said, and she told me I needed to get home early because we were going to Sehgal's.

"You guys get there, and I will meet you there. I have some work to do," I said, and she hung up the phone, warning me not to be late.

I told her I had some work to do but could not concentrate because I could not stop thinking about Chandini. She slapped me twice, and I did nothing. Then, today, she screamed and cursed-that no one had ever done it before-and I did nothing. I respect and care about her; I just find it difficult to express it to her. And she needs to understand that she can't speak to me in that way.

I arrived at Sehgal's and met my family there. Athwa was ecstatic, jumping and clapping. We went inside and met Mr. Sehgal. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor, and sir, you too. Please come inside," he said, and we all sat down in the drawing room.

I was looking around their house, and it is not particularly large, but it is cosy for three people-with large windows that let in plenty of light. The air feels warm here as if it was made with care and love. They have so many photo frames of themselves on the walls.

A young girl sits with Mr. Sehagl, hiding her face behind his arm. I am guessing she is Taara. My eyes were drawn to a picture on the table beside them-Mr. Sehgal and Chandini are standing side by side, with Taara on his shoulders. They appear to be a happy family, as they are laughing, and it makes me feel like I am intruding and ruining things by taking her away from her siblings.

Mr. Sehgal must have noticed my looking around and said, "Ahh... she is getting ready. I'll go call her."

"Yes, I don't have the entire night," I said as I checked my watch. He came to a halt and stared at me, but then nodded and went to call her.

"Rudra, you need to learn some manners; you do not say things in such a disrespectful way-Jab hum yaha, uski behen ka shaadi ke liye hath mangne aaye hain." Papa expressed his disappointment and anger.
(when we are here to ask for his sister's hand in marriage.)

I lowered my head and closed my eyes without saying anything. These are the only times when my father speaks to me and notices me. But he is right!

Mr. Sehgal returned and sat on the couch, saying, "She is coming."

I raised my head and opened my eyes to look when I heard footsteps. And there she was, looking like a fucking angel, just like Athwa had said. I couldn't take my gaze away from her-it is difficult when she looks absolutely beautiful in that yellow anarkali. This is the first time I have seen her in a traditional outfit.

I want to capture the moment.

She did not wear much makeup and wore her long hair down. Her hair is so long-looking silky smooth-and all I wanted was to run my fingers through her hair. I wish I could stop the time and just watch her.

When I came out of the trance, I wanted to punch myself in the face for being so obvious. What the fuck is wrong with me?

She came to a halt when she noticed me as if she had not expected to see me. I did not want to be here, either. I had no choice but to come because of Mom.

Her friend nudged her, and she moved towards my parents, greeting them. Papa and Mom both smiled at her. She then approached Athwa, who hugged her eagerly, and she returned his hug with the same enthusiasm, kissing his forehead. Athwa said something, to which she responded by flicking his nose and saying something, making him laugh.

I almost smiled, but then I remembered something.

"Before starting any discussion, I would like to speak with Chandini in private."

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