Chapter 17

Srusti's POV " So Let's get to know about each other. " Mohit said. " Ok... " " I am Mohit Paul," he said smiling at me. " I know.... " " Go with the flow... " " Hmm ok... Srusti Mehra. " " I am 29 years old. " " 23. " " My favourite colours are black and red. " " Pastel colours... Red and Black too. Actually no preference... " " I like all cuisines. " " I like Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian... " " Hey, can you cook all of them too??" " Yeah... " " Wow !!! " " My favourite holiday destination is Paris. " " I have never been out of India. But I liked travelling when my parents were alive. We went to various parts of India. I feel India is beautiful... " " Yes, it is... Undoubtedly. " " I am a fashion designer. " " Wow !! Seriously?? What do I say?? I cook for a fashion designer?? " I asked and he smiled at that. " I know that tell me something else." " Ok, I sing well and wanted to be a singer. Would have become if my parents... " I said. " Really?? But you can still pursue your dreams. " " Let it be... " I said as I didn't want to talk about it. " Srusti... you said, you would tell me why you left your home in such a haste. " He said all of sudden. " Can't we talk about it later?? " " Please... Tell me. " " I... My... Sister's husband... tried to... to force... himself on me. " I said with my eyes closed. " What?? Why didn't you tell me that day?? We should have complained about him. We should have filed an FIR. " " No, my sister is pregnant and her condition is a bit difficult. I don't want to give her any added stress. " " But you should have at least given her a hint. " " I tried but she trusted him over me. A few days back, he tried to touch me and before I could say or react to anything, my sister saw us. He said that I was trying it. " I said and tears started flowing from my eyes. " Oh please, dear don't cry. " He wiped my tears and asked me what happened after that. I told him everything till I got hit by him. I saw that he was really getting angry. But he tried to soothe me. " Wow !! You are brave... By the way, how nasty was the gash?? " " I think it was bad enough... He cursed loudly. I didn't wait to see him, just pushed him hard and ran to my room. When I thought that everyone was sleeping, I ran away. " " Good !! He deserves that and much more, I would break his all teeth if I ever see him. " He said looking at me. " Thanks... " I said and smiled. " Now go and sleep, I will plan everything and let you know... " " You also take some rest... " " No, I have to do the arrangements for your meeting with my family. " " But you haven't slept a wink since yesterday. You must sleep now. " I said with concern. " You know what?? You are already talking like a wife. All we have to do is a little practice. " He said and flashed a smile at me. " Practice for what?? " " To look like, as if we are in love. " He said with a somewhat naughty but uncertain smile. " How can we practice that look ?? " I asked with an eyebrow raised. " We should be comfortable with each other's touch. They would expect us to behave, how a normal couple do when they are in love. " " How do they behave?? " " Errr... They hold hands or embrace each other or some other kind of romantic gestures like being in each other's arms or even... kissing," he said a bit hesitantly. Has he lost it completely??? Actually, I think so... But no way... " What?? No way... " " No way ??? What ?? " " What?? I can't do all that. I am not comfortable doing all that. " " But then how would we convince them?? " " What do you mean how would we convince them?? I would meet them and we would say that we are in love. As it is who does all those kind of activities in front of their parents or family? That is just so embarrassing. No that is out of question. " " Where did you come from, dear? We are not doing anything abnormal or out of the box. This would be expected from us if we are in love. " " No, but even if I was in love for real, I would rather die but not kiss in front of my parents. No that is out of question. Holding hands is fine and at the most, you can hug me. Nothing more. " " But... " " No !! No way. I can't do that. " " But my family would not be convinced if we don't display our affection. " " No... I am not comfortable with that. " " Ok, we will find a way to make you comfortable. Don't worry. " " What way ?? " " Let's practice kissing. You would be comfortable then. " " What ?? Forget about it. " I pushed and glared at him. I started going towards my room. I didn't want him to look at me as I knew my face was burning. He started laughing like a child. " Ok ok sorry... I was just kidding. Wait sorry..." He said but I went to my room. He came after me. " Please, I am sorry ok. I was kidding. But we need to look as if we are in love. " " Yeah... But I still feel that it is wrong. We should not do it. Family is the most important thing in one's life. We should not lie to them. They are your family, they would want only the best for you. " " But they don't understand what I want... " " Then find someone you want. Get married to her. You are such a nice man, you deserve happiness. Please, give yourself another chance. " I just want them to leave me alone and let me live my life the way I want. But they are forcing me to do what they want. I just love them a lot but hate them for being after my life like this. I would do anything if they just leave me alone. " " I don't know... I would give anything to have my family back with me. Ask me, I lost them in a blink of an eye. I miss them a lot. I would have done anything for them. " I said. " I understand what you are saying, dear... But they are really after my life. They are using every trick to get me married. " " So what's wrong in that?? They want you to settle down and have a blissful and blessed life. If you don't like girls they force you to meet and choose from, then you must find another girl of your choice. " " No, my happiness lies elsewhere. But as much as I want to spend the rest of my life with the love of my life, it is not possible now. So I can't marry another person and spoil our lives. " " But if you feel so strongly for her, why didn't you tell her or your family?" " Please let it be... I don't want to marry anyone. " " But you can't spend your whole life like this. You would need someone in your life at one point in life. " " Maybe but I just need to save my mom and daadi right now and then I want them to be rest assured that I am settled. " " Life gives a second chance to everyone. Maybe you find someone with whom you want to settle down. Let's just say to your parents that we are in love. And we would get married in about 6 months or so and in the meanwhile, you can find someone. " " No angel, I have asked for some time to settle down, many times. We have to get married before this month is over. They won't spare me this time. You don't know how stressed I was. " " Ok, you know your parents better than me, so I would not argue over it." " Thanks a lot, angel. You are a Sweetheart. " " I want to help you, But I am not comfortable... I am not comfortable lying or pretending. I am too shy to display affection or the fact that we would be married for real. "