Married To My Nemesis

CHAPTER 9 - THIS IS FOR THE BEST

Ever since he was a kid, hundreds of people had sent thousands of presents for him through his magnanimous father, Mr. Amarjeet Surya Shetty, yet nothing had quite instilled his interest and curiosity like this brown little packet he had been dying to tear open since morning.

It was already 12 am, he was late again, yet something inside him was pleased with the thought that now he would get to open his little present amid the much-needed privacy of his own kitchen. He begged internally for all of the staff to be asleep, for he didn't want to waste a single moment carrying the packet around – enclosed within the clutch of his hand.

He unlocked the back door of his mother's grand kitchen and tip-toed in like a burglar in his own mansion. Funny, it was, but he didn't care. Anything to get himself upstairs as soon as possible – was the mission at hand. He carefully maintained his secretive stance and ambled across the dark kitchen, hoping to not collide with anything or anyone, alas, his luck was not in his favor.

"Amartya?!" He heard her dulcet voice as she switched on the lights, and for the first time, he felt agitated listening to something that sweet.

"Why the hell can't people leave me alone?" His insides screamed.

"What are you doing here?"

"Trying to look for some peace, to be honest."

She stood there at the threshold waiting for a response as Amartya stared at her. She pulled a few messy strands of hair behind her ear, red hue rushing across her cheeks under his intense gaze. Only if she knew he was calculating how he should run through the little space that was now left as she stood blocking the door to his freedom.

"Amartya?"

"I didn't want to disturb anybody coming through the main door, so...Now if you'll excuse me." He strode through the distance between his and the door, making her a puddle of nervousness as he stepped closer to her.

"He didn't want to disturb me? Silly boy doesn't know I don't go to bed until he's home." She felt her cheeks set ablaze as she thought of his geniality.

His broad muscular shoulder roughly brushed against her fragile one, sending jolts down her spine, making it difficult for her to not hold onto his arm for dear life.

"Oh, I am so sorry." Is he sounding husky to her or is it the dim kitchen at 12;30 am that is making her feel all kinds of dirty things?

"It's – It is okay." She whispered meekly. She didn't mean it when her arm reached backward as she scuffled her stance, and her lithe palm landed into his larger one.

Amartya drew in a deep breath, closing his eyes as he prayed for the lord above to provide him with some patience since he didn't want to come out as rude to his childhood friend.

"Amartya, there is something I need to tell you."

"Not tonight woman." His lips parted to only seal against each other.

"Hmm?" He took a step back to meet her eyes, as he realized her palm into his.

"Please make it quic-"

"I love you." She batted her dense eyelashes down as Amartya's lips left a quiet gasp. He hadn't been expecting this! THIS!

"What?" In all honesty, the poor man was left dazed.

"I love you. I – I love you. I love –" She squeezed his palm as her eyelashes fluttered to look up and meet his eyes. Her lips sprawled into a bright smile as she saw him looking at her.

"Ooh he looks so cute when he is nervous," she thought.

She rested her head lightly against his arm, as she closed her eyes embracing the moment. He, on the other hand, felt his throat similar to the Sahara desert.