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Mili too regards him with a dubious stare. “Did you, Daddy?”
“I am perfectly fine, Sweetheart.” He grins and then his eyes move to mine. “Why is it hard for you to believe that both my girls’ happiness is my priority?”
“Both girls?” Mili’s worried expression turns into a frown as she asks that.
“Why don’t we go and start the movie before Daddy changes his mind?” I chime in before Ranveer can reply to that. He gives me a smirk, sensing my nervousness. Damn! He is such a jerk.
“I agree.” She shrugs, thankfully forgetting her previous question as she jumps from her chair, heading for the doorway that leads to the living room. I follow her, trying to ignore the fact that I can feel Ranveer following behind us.
Throughout the movie, I try to pay no heed to Ranveer’s presence, though it’s easier said than done. His hands are constantly touching me. Luckily, Mili doesn’t seem to observe it, but I do, and each minute that passes by is turning out to be a losing battle to keep up my restraints.
Chapter 21
Ranveer
“You need to go on a honeymoon,” Akshay says from the couch in the corner of my office.
I am pacing in front of him, massaging my right temple. I can feel a headache forming. The months leading to this point had been intense.
“I am aware of that.”
“A real honeymoon. Not a family vacation, tagging Mili and Grandpa.”
I laugh because, in the current scenario, that is an accurate description of how my vacation may turn out to be. Even last evening, I was not able to spend time with Alisha as Mili kept her busy. By the time they were done, Alisha was so drained that she dozed off. As my best friend, Akshay, is aware of my current frustrating situation. He knows that spending some alone time with Alisha that would last more than an hour is no less than an impossible mission. And what’s more frustrating is that the jerk of her ex-boyfriend is striving to make his way back into Alisha’s life, which doesn’t sit well with me. I am exhausted, both mentally and physically. Maybe I can use this trip as an excuse to spend quality time with Alisha which I am craving for. During the next couple of days, Mili can stay with Grandpa, and I can arrange for extra help.
“I agree with you. Taking two weeks off wouldn’t be a bad idea. Alisha and I deserve this much-needed vacation.”
Akshay widens his eyes. “Can you make that work? I doubt Alisha will be happy to leave behind Grandpa and Mili in the hands of house help. She will convince you otherwise.”
I pace some more before walking to the window, which is my favourite place in the room. The floor-to-ceiling French windows offer a generous view of the city.
“That’s true. Alisha genuinely cares for the people she loves, and she wishes for nothing more than to keep their happiness before hers and to make sure they are taken care of the way they deserve to be.”
Making Alisha give our relationship a second chance is requiring a hell lot of a work. And now to convince her to take this vacation, leaving Mili and Grandpa behind will require even more work.
“Ranveer, I am sure Alisha will get it that two weeks away from family isn’t unreasonable. I am here and I will make it a point to keep dropping in to check on them and shall keep giving you both regular updates. We have reliable helpers to make sure that Mili and Grandpa are taken care of. Plus, at some point in your life, you both will need to work on scrapping out some time for yourselves. Also, I have a feeling that these two weeks will be a miracle for Alisha and your relationship, which will take a new turn, bringing you both closer to how you were before.”
I finally stop pacing and focus on Akshay instead. “Are you sure you can handle everything here?”
“Of course. That’s why I am your best friend. I’m your trusted right hand, best friend, and all-around do-gooder.”
I cock a brow. “I can’t tell if you’re fetching for some favour or just fishing for compliments and proving how dependent I am on you.”
“Maybe both or maybe neither.” He smirks and wiggles his eyebrows. “Listen, Bro, you will find it hard to digest my goodness, but the simple truth is, I just want your sorry ass out of Mumbai before you burn out.” I keep looking at him, trying to figure out the whole situation when he asks, “So where do you want to go? Bahamas? Maldives? Bali? Mexico? I will take care of the bookings.”
I shake my head. I don’t need any exotic destination. I know exactly where I want to take Alisha: London, where I can help her seal the deal. It will not be for leisure, but that is where she will want to go. Whether she sells or lets go of the house doesn’t matter to me. Hell, I can buy the house and put it on the market. But I know that won’t make her happy. She wants to do this on her own. She wants closure with that jerk and I will make sure she gets that. That would be important for her happiness, and more than that, for my happiness.
“London is on my mind. I want to help Alisha sell her property there. Once done, maybe we can take a trip to Paris.”
“That’s great. I can count on Alisha to throw you in the Thames River if you try to be a—” Akshay nods encouragingly and makes air quotes as he adds, “— ‘jerk’.”
“Don’t you dare give her any ideas.” I raise my index finger and scowl at him. Of late, Alisha seems to be too worked up with me and has too many ideas on how to get even with me; I don’t want to add this to the list.
Before Akshay can reply, the intercom on my desk buzzes. I reach for the phone on my desk. Before I can answer, Akshay says, “You go ahead with your call. I also need to get back to work. Give me a shout if you need any help in planning your trip.”
“Will do.” I nod my head, move behind my desk as I drop on my chair, and lift the phone to my ears.
Akshay nods at me and then leaves my office.
