Of Lies & Love | on hold

2 | RIHAN

"Rihan!"

I groan and apologize to my students before ending the virtual class on Google Meet. I am not going to subject myself to embarrassment by letting my students watch the drama unfold. I know I should have taken a leave from the university before I returned home, but when my students insisted on continuing the classes, I opted for remote teaching, and here we are.

"Rihan!" Ma calls again, barging into my room. Her eyes hold disbelief when she finds me in front of the laptop. With an exasperated sigh, she shuts it down and snatches it from my grip when I try to stop her. "That's enough. Your students aren't going anywhere. But you have your wedding in a month. Take a break and relax."

"Exactly, Ma!" I say with a charming smile. "A month, not tomorrow, so let me teach until then."

"You can't be serious."

"Ma, please."

"Have you forgotten about your bachelor party tonight?" she asks. "Why don't you get ready for it?"

"I still have three hours." I frown, eyeing my laptop. "Let me be productive."

"Hmm, all right. Go with Veer and check the fitting of your sherwani."

"That's boring. Ask him to do it for me."

"Fine!" She glares at me, her tone hinting at her annoyance. "He can also sit in your place during the wedding ceremony."

"Don't joke about it," I say, feeling my stomach churn. "I really like Mira."

"Glad to know." Her face grows soft and a warm smile forms on her lips. "Now, go. And take the much-needed break."

"Okay," I concede. "I'll submit my application."

"Wonderful!"

She is about to leave when I call her. "How am I supposed to send the application without my laptop?"

"Use your phone."

"Ma."

"You can't fool me."

Once she leaves, I fall back on the bed and close my eyes. I don't think love at first sight exists but Mira makes me want to believe in it. Her eyes hold the depth of the ocean, and her smile reminds me of stars floating in the charcoal sky. I want to keep gazing at her. It would be too soon to admit that she lights up my world, but it is the truth.

I was in Mysore while Mira had gone to Bali with her friends when the wedding proposal came. Our parents sat down and finalized the wedding date. I agreed because there was no reason not to. I had interacted with her parents via video call. They were wonderful, and I was certain she wouldn't be anything less. When we finally met at our engagement ceremony, I nearly lost my breath. She entered the room wearing a peach-coloured full-sleeve lehenga, looking more stunning than words could adequately express, that had everyone enamoured.

I am so lost in my thoughts that I don't notice the door opening and closing until someone grabs my ankles. My eyes narrow at Ryan who tries to drag me off the bed. "What the heck is wrong with you?"

"Ma asked me to."

"I am sure." He keeps forgetting that with being three years older than him, I am also stronger. I kick him in the stomach, and he topples to the floor, landing on his back.

"Are you my brother or enemy?"

I chuckle and extend my hand. He gets up and walks to the mirror. "Can't mess up my hair. I am meeting Olivia later."

"Olivia? What happened to the other girl?"

"She broke up with me last month."

"I can understand."