Lost And Found

19. Trouble in the paradise.

P.o.v. Riyan

How do I do it?
How do I introduce Sarah as ?
Well they already know her but...
Will they be able to accept her as my girlfriend?

No. No. i shouldn't take risk about this.
I need to be firm and assertive.

They have to agree.
They will be here first thing in the morning and they may come across Sarah and her family.
It cannot go awry.
Their meeting has to be planned and neat.
This isn't something that should go wrong.

I dwelled in the dilemma for quite  a while tossing on my bed. It was four in the night.

Today was the big day. Amish's nikah was in a few hours. I had to be alert then.

I tried sleeping.

It was useless.

I opened the door and let myself take in the new morning air.

There was some rustling and  I saw someone running towards the wall of the hotel.
A thief perhaps?

A ran ahead and grabbed the feet of the thief and pulled him down.

He fell with the heavy bag he was running away with.

Well it was...her.

'Amisha. What are you trying to do?',I asked flabbergasted.

I gave her hand and helped her get up.

'Amisha. Riyan.',Sarah came forward from the dark.

'What are you two doing together?',Sarah looked at our hands suspiciously.

This was not something I wanted right now.

I let go of her hand instantly.

' I'm just as confused.',I told them and looked at Amisha.

'Do the explaining.',Sarah looked at elder sister authoritatively.

Strangely she was timid and looked as fierce as a kitten would but when time asked for she would act brave.
I remembered the time when she was with me fighting off the gangsters in the brothel even on the street few days back.

Amisha burst into tears when we quietly brought her into my room.

'What's wrong? Are you not happy with the marriage? Did you fight with Amish?',Sarah asked trying to comfort her sister.

Amisha went on crying for a good few minutes.

I handed her a  glass of water.
Her sobs died away and she sipped the water like a child.

' What's wrong?',I nudged for some information.

'They...they asked for dowry. How can they? How could Amish...?',and she started sobbing again.

Sarah and I exchanged glances.

I pulled Sarah aside.

' She looks pretty shook.', Sarah spoke looking over my shoulder at Amisha.

'The Nikah is supposed to happen today. We cannot let her go. Let's go find out what's wrong.'

We both nodded.

'Amisha, I told her.
'I know you are angry and upset but would you mind telling me the whole story?' as gently as I could.

I knew I could come across as indifferent and rude.

'I heard Amish's father and my father talking about money. Amish's father was asking for ten lakh rupees. I couldn't believe it. I don't want to believe.'

This was grave.

'Sarah you stay and comfort her. I'll find out.',I said still thinking about how was I supposed to figure this out.

'No I won't marry him. I cannot...like this.',Amisha spoke in between her sobs.

' Please atleast give me an hour.',I requested.

'Okay. But then if I'm right, you'll help me run away.'

Sarah immediately spoke,'No, that's not happening. If you don't want to marry, no body can force you. Just say no. Don't you run away like a coward.'

'Sarah is right.',I told her although I felt uncomfortable about the whole deal.

' I don't care. If I stay they'll make me marry him. One hour Riyan.',She spoke looking directly at me.

One hour. To save the marriage.

I looked at Sarah and she spoke through her eyes.
I'm sure she was saying, 'Go get the truth. I'll wait.'

I gave her a final nod and left the room.

Nobody was going to tell me the truth if I asked. The truth had to be sought.

If things went wrong, the divide that'll be between the two families would disturb Sarah and I too.

It concerned us too.

I went to Naseer Uncle's, Amish's father's, room.

He opened the door in his night robe.

'Uhh... Uncle there is a small problem...The caterers had called at the reception saying they won't be able to serve us today.',I started and made up things.

'What! Oh!my! good grief. I'll have to go and see.', saying so he left the room without a backward glance.

I opened the door and sneaked inside.

His wife was sound asleep.
Without trying to make noise, I went through the papers lying on the table. There were lots of bills, menu, contact numbers all arranged systemically.
Great.
I went through all of them to find nothing.

I had to be quick before he realises what was going on.

I had asked Sarah to call at the reception using an extra sim card I had to keep uncle engaged.
I couldn't believe I was doing this to my own blood.

So much for principles.

Nothing. I found nothing.

Next I went through the drawers and there I found a cheque, signed and authorised.

I could hear his footsteps. He was back.
I put the cheque in my jacket and moved away from table.

Everything at table looked untouched.

'Why are you here?',he asked me questioningly

'Oh I was waiting to hear from you.'

'Oh. Okay. It was a wrong call. It was meant for another function held at this hotel. Thankfully everything is under control.'

You wish.

'Then I'll leave.'

'Riyan.'

What now?

'Yes uncle?'

' How did you know about this call though?'

Oh oh.

'I was passing by the receptionist. The girl knew I was a relative. So she asked me to inform you.'

' Good good beta. You have to be alert. If it was meant for us, it would have been a huge problem.'

I walked out of the room to look at the cheque praying it was not valued 10 lakh neither was it from bride's father.

Both of my wishes weren't true.

Amisha was going to be disappointed.
So was Sarah.