Chapter 2:
1 month ago...
April 20, Saturday, 2024
Anika's POV
Straightening the white dupatta over my right shoulder, I glanced at my white anarkali suit. I had simply matched the outfit with a pair of small oxidised jhumkas and had left my hair open. It didn't matter if I didn't like the people I was gonna meet. Getting ready made me happy and I'll do it.
Spraying some Dior perfume on myself, I walked out of my room making my way to the ground floor.
Dadi and mami are here in my mansion in New York because they are going to see the boy they had selected for me.
He was— Arnav Rai Mehrotra.
7 days ago...
"How much is this car?", I asked the salesperson standing near me, pointing at the black Rolls Royce Phantom.
"Ma'am it's 10.48 Crs only", he replied.
These people added 'only' like the car cost nothing but 10.48 rupees.
I liked its design and I needed to replace my current one. Taking off my sunglasses, I walked around the car scrutinizing its design and its built up style.
My obsession for Rolls Royce was never-ending.
It shone under the showroom lights, highlighting its beautiful shadow black colour. It was just so polished that I felt like tracing my fingers over it for the whole day.
"Bring me the papers", I asked the boy who nodded and was about to get the documents when not the interrupting voice but the words definitely annoyed me.
"Bring the documents to me", it was a deep voice, that came from my back. Is have ignored it, but something in me compelled me to turn around.
Turning around I faced the man and inhaled a sharp breath. Handing over my purse to my secretary, I walked over to him.
He was well dressed in a dark blue suit and pant which was very much similar to the newest piece of Louis Vuitton, I had seen at the shopping mall a few days ago. Hair styled back and a golden Rolex rested around his wrist. The red tie around the white shirt's collar was tucked under the deep blue waist coat.
He stood there in his shining black boots with his hands tucked in his pockets. A man dressed in a light blue suit and pant was standing at the back, holding his boss's bag and a file.
I looked up at his eyes. But for the very first time, my breath was stuck at my throat after looking at a man's eyes.
He had deep grey orbs. His face was indeed well proportioned and sharp but they lacked any emotion.
I shook away my thoughts and said, "Excuse me, don't you know it's highly impolite and unprofessional to meddle in someone else's business?"
He turned his gaze from the salesperson to me. I felt slight shivers for I don't know why.
"Do I look like I care Miss?", he questioned back.
That's why I hate men of such type. Their ego would be so high and they were really good for nothing.
"I don't care what you look like but I have already decided to buy this car and you can stay out of it. You look decent, wealthy and professional enough to not stand and argue about a mere car. Aren't you?", I said, holding onto my straight face before turning towards the salesperson.
This is how I got my work done as per my wish.
"Bring the documents fast", I asked him and walked over to the counter.
I'd bruised the ego of many such men and trust me, it was really satisfying.
The sound of my heels clashing against the white marble floor echoed in the whole room gaining each and every person's attention. And that's what I love ever since my childhood—attention. Why wouldn't I when I was known so well?
I could feel a burning gaze on my back and I knew who was that man staring so fondly at me.
Settling down on the chair, I signed the documents and paid for the car before walking out of the showroom once they told me that it'll be delivered at my mansion by this evening. On my way back, I didn't see that arrogant being but some worried expressions on everyone's face.
Tilting my head towards Ryle I asked, "What happened to everyone here? They look so uncomfortable or tensed".
"I don't know ma'am", she replied. I liked the way she was so composed and professional even if I hadn't shown it to her. I didn't appreciate it so easily.
I nodded and we walked out.
Back to 20th April
That day was the first day I had seen him. Neither I knew his name nor I knew who he was.
But who knew he was going to show up after one week with his damn family? He didn't come but his family did.
It was really hard for me to digest the fact that he was a complete stranger. I never knew him and now his family was planning to make me their daughter-in-law.
Any girl would wonder and have the familiar fear within her when she's going to spend her life with a man who had been a stranger to her all her life and now suddenly he was going to carry the tag of 'her husband'.
I have never been into serious relationships. When I was in high school and college, I dated around four to five guys but it ended on mutual terms.
My main focus was to be independent and strong and that's what I am today.
To get this, I sacrificed love and romance because my father used to say, "To achieve something, you need to sacrifice something".
I don't know how his family found my family to fix his marriage with me. Why were people so annoying?
Now I was getting ready to see them.
Forcing the white stone bindi on my forehead, I glared at my reflection on my phone's screen.
As soon as I entered the main hall, I just forced my professional smile.
"Lijiye, aa gayi humari beti" spoke mami.
(Here comes my daughter)
I smiled at her and looked at the people sitting in front of mami and dadi.
Dadi is a world-class fashion designer. My mami is a gynaecologist and my mama is a neurosurgeon.
Arnav's mother, clad in a deep green silk saree and a cream coloured elbow length high-collar blouse, Neha Rai Mehrotra, was the only person I knew. She was wearing beige studs and her hair is tied up into a low bun. She was simply dressed but the attire proved her as an elegant lady. Mami had shown me her picture yesterday with her son standing by her. She told me his mother ww a professional writer.
Bowing slightly with joined hands I spoke softly, "Namaste".
"Aao baitho", Mrs. Rai Mehrotra said, patting the empty space beside her.
(Come sit)
She was here with another woman clad in a salmon pink silk saree with a light pink blouse of the same style as Mrs. Rai Mehrotra. She seemed to be of almost the same age as her and two men whom I presumed to be their husbands and a young girl was present too.
I smiled at her, warmly. I don't know why I did that but she just felt like my mother.
Walking over to her, I sat down beside her when she spoke, "I had just seen you on TV and social media but you're much more beautiful in reality".
I smiled widely and maybe I blushed. I didn't know I could blush too. I was known for my strict and cold nature but what is happening to me today?
"Thank you Mrs. Rai Mehrotra", I replied.
She nodded with her soft smile.
"So what do you like to do?", she asked.
"I like to read a lot", I replied. I liked a lot more but it'd be far from being professional.
"Okay. Do you prefer cooking?"
I glanced at dadi and mami who were smiling at me.
"I don't, to be honest. I do cook at times but it's just not my cup of tea", I replied with a smile. I saw the young girl through my periphery smiling at me so admiringly. Is this family insane? I'm called a monster by my employees and many people but here they're admiring me.
"So what do you expect from your husband? Like any ideal type?", this wasn't a question I was expecting. I expected the typical questions asked to girls by her soon-to-be-husband's mother or family members.
When I got to know her son's name was Arnav Rai Mehrotra, I realised that he was none other than India's richest Law Firm Owner. He came in the tenth position in the top ten richest people in the world. I knew his name but since I'd been staying in Paris since 2017, I never saw his face.
"I want a loyal partner who'd respect the boundaries I'd set and be supportive. It's just that I like people who know how to carry themselves and are smart", I replied trying to be free because I couldn't be harsh on such a soft and kind woman as her.
"Then bhai is perfect for you, bhabhi", replied the young girl.
Bhabhi? I wanted to cancel this marriage and this girl, who was for sure his sister, had already considered me as her sister-in-law?
I just smiled at her.
"I have raised my son who'd respect women and be a gentleman, I believe. He might be cold and ignorant at times but trust me dear, he's kind. Just something had happened in the past that changed him", she spoke. I could see the pain in her eyes and behind that smile.
The Rai Mehrotra family was known worldwide for their family business and their success had something that no one knew. Isn't it?