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By the time it was morning, I was too anxious to stay at home. I was about to let my parents know that I was leaving for the boutique when I overheard Dad talking over the call. The one-sided conversation was enough to give me an inkling of what it was all about, and further pushed me into the storm, if that was even possible. I needed to confide in someone. Rewa. Though I had given her an off, I couldn’t handle this situation alone.
Despite feeling guilty about it, I called her. “Rewa?”
“Mmmm?”
The grogginess in her voice made me feel even worse. “Ummm… sorry to call you up on your holiday.”
She must have heard the worry in my voice and inquired, “Hey! All okay?”
I was fiddling with the strap of my purse as I urged, “Can you please come to the boutique before the customers start pouring in?”
“Sure. I’ll be there in a jiffy.” And I disconnected the call.
“Are you really going to do this?”
I pull my attention away from the documents to look at Rewa who is sitting opposite me at the boutique and studying me intently. She is aware of my mental state, as I have filled her with the details.
“Can you suggest anything else?” I open my desk drawer, tucking the papers away.
“Maybe take a loan?”
That was my first plan, but since when had things started going as per my wishes? Before coming to the boutique, I did stop at the bank, but they refused to grant me the loan, saying that the loan ratio was high compared to my income. “The bank showed me a red flag.”
“But why marriage?”
“Because that is the only option.” Who am I kidding? I am just as fretful as she is; difference is, I am left with no option.
This morning, I overheard Dad’s conversation with Mr Rajesh Seth to whom Dad owns the debt. Mr Seth suggested he would waive off the loan if I marry his grandson. Without asking for my opinion, Dad refused him. That’s my dad, always giving priority to my happiness before his. But I can’t risk losing our house and causing Dad more stress than he already has, so I will do what I have to.
Rewa huffs an annoyed breath. “I know you can never be selfish.”
She’s right. One look at the documents, and my mind was made up. I know I have to save Dad and will do whatever it takes. “It’s for my parents.”
“So, you okay with living the rest of your life with a stranger? To top it off, I believe he is a player, a Casanova, to be precise.”
A sharp pain pierces my chest at the thought of my marriage to such a man, but I ignore it, knowing I must take the risk. There is no way I can go on with my life knowing Dad is going through hell.
“I will be fine.” I shrug. There is always a price to pay; this is mine.
“What about your parents?”
“That won’t be a problem. There is no doubt they will be upset about it, but hopefully, I will convince them. And if I say it’s my choice and what I want, it will even soften them a bit.”
“I truly understand your motive is altruistic. But Alisha, please give it a thought before throwing yourself in front of the bus,” Rewa puts her hand on the desk.
Turning a deaf ear to her advice, I inform her. “I am meeting Mr Seth today.”
Rewa’s face tightens. She’s going to give herself a heartache if she doesn’t take it easy. “Why?”
“To tell him I have agreed to marry his grandson and also to discuss the terms.”
“Think about it again.” Blood seems to drain from her face as she peers into my eyes full of determination.
All I’ve done is think about this. “I need to clear the loan.” I say, without averting my gaze and my voice firm. I will go through hell every day if the house is taken away from my parents; not to mention, it will break them as well.
Rewa closes her eyes, taking a deep breath as if talking to me is exhausting her. “I see there is no talking you out of this. So, what time are you meeting him?”
“He has messaged me his home address and asked me to meet him in the afternoon.”
