Threads of Silver (indefinite hold)

A Losing Game

"To win, one must not play the game but the player"

Silence had enveloped the room like a thick blanket. The awkward tension was palpable and suffocating. Tejo sat there, eyes wide and mouth open. She in a million years could have never expected such an absurd proposal from such a sensible man. 

"No, absolutely not Mr Virk" Tejo said jumping to her feet. No sooner had the words properly registered in Tejo's head she was refuting the idea. 

Fateh too stood up, shaking his head profusely 

"This is too much, we rather just clear the misunderstanding" 

Fateh couldn't the tolerate the woman for 5 seconds without losing his sanity. There was no way he was going to agree to this ridiculous idea. 

What Fateh was finding harder to believe that his father was proposing this idea. But then again, he was getting old. Age sure does have a way of catching up, he might have lost a few screws because of it. 

Khushbeer sighed, convincing them is going to be harder than he thought. 

"Sit down. Let me explain." He requested and the both of them seated themselves again. 

"It's a simple plan. All I am asking both of you to do is continue this charade a little longer, let the media and the people believe what they want to believe." 

Fateh rolled his eyes. How was his father so casual about this situation? He opened his mouth to argue but was swiftly cut off by Khushbeer. 

"All I am asking for is 6 months. All you have to do is a pretend date and a pretend engagement. We will hold a press conference confirming your relationship, we will announce the wedding date to be 6 months later and the engagement 2 months down the line. After the elections which is in 3 months pretend to grow apart. You guys won't have to marry, we will just say that you both no longer want to be with each other...simple. "

Khushbeer finished, smiling at the duo in front of him. 

Fateh and Tejo wordlessly looked at each other. There had already been four rounds of refusals, this wasn't going to end until they agreed was it? 

Tejo desperately needed an out. She desperately needed the man to listen and she desperately needed him to accept no as an answer. 

"Mr Virk, even if I agree to this my family..." 

Her voice trailed off but her eyes did not move, they were fixated on the MLA. She was gauging his reaction, she needed him to back off. But to her surprise the older Virk smiled. 

"I know your family Tejo, do this for me and I will talk to the embassy myself to remove the travel ban on your father. He will finally be able to fulfil his dream for Canada" 

Though Khushbeer hated doing this, he was left with little choice. He was always a man of principle, a man who hated people like the Sandhu's and their obsession for Canada. He could never fathom leaving his birth country, his Punjab behind. But politics had taught him the importance of leverage, and that is exactly what he needed to coerce Tejo into doing this. 

He had spent years building a reputation, a name, a career and he wasn't going to ruin his chances because the media decided to play a little game. If it meant he needed to get his hands dirty he would. 

"You know what, there was this boy, young and intelligent. He left with his family to go to Canada. When this is over I can put in a good word. You can get married to him and move to Canada" 

Tejo smiled 

"Unfortunately for you, Canada is not my dream but my family's. I am extremely content here."

Khushbeer frowned. This woman was smarter than he thought, manipulating was going to be an uphill climb. 

"What do you want?"

Tejo's smile faltered, there was this voice in the back of her head, it hissed and it clawed. Taking in a deep breath she chose her next words carefully. 

"There is something I want." 

and with those words hope had reignited in the older Virk's heart 

"I have been offered a spot to pursue my phd in psychology. I deferred it last year since I couldn't afford it. The deadline is nearing but..." 

She was cut short

"Money it is. How much?"

Khushbeer was excited, it was obvious. He was the only one truly benefitting from this deal. A politician playing a dirty game? Nothing new to Tejo. 

" No, I don't want money. I know you are friends with the dean, request him to allow me to defer for another year. I'll have the money by then." 

Tejo would never use someone else's money to pursue her phd. She just needed to teach for one more year and then she would have enough for her course. 

Khushbeer's eyebrows rose in surprise. Not many people refuse money and very few people know that the dean is his childhood friend. 

"You are not the only one who does research Mr Virk" 

And it was then that Khushbeer realised that the woman before him was wittier than he had given her credit for. Not only was she a woman that did not chase dreams of Canada but a woman who had an ambition of her own. She had a familiar fire in her eyes to do something, to prove herself,  it was the kind of fire he had seen in his own eyes when he was younger. She had a strong sense of self respect to refuse money and unwavering confidence. 

It was not everyday that people could sit in the same room as him and look him in the eye. She had the confidence to challenge, she had the strength to play his game. 

"Done" 

Tejo smiled. She didn't know what she signed up for but she had just come a step closer to her dream and she would do anything for her ambition. 

What none of them knew was that this game is neither the media's nor Khushbeer's. It is the game of fate, and when fate holds the reins everyone loses. Tejo had just signed up for a losing game. 

***

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