Unwanted [COMPLETED]

Chapter 4

Third Person's POV

Seated at the dining table, Siddharth, Nishitha, and Vikrant wait for Nandini to bring the sweet dish she has cooked in the house for the first time.

"Mom, is it really necessary for me to taste that dish? I'm getting late for the office," Vikrant asks, tapping his fingers impatiently on the dining table.

"You got married just yesterday, Vikrant. I don't understand why you can't take a few days off from the office so you can spend some time with your wife." Nishitha shakes her head at her son's thoughtlessness. "And to answer your question. Yes, it's important that you taste that dish. Nandini is your wife now, and she'll feel bad if her husband doesn't taste the first dish she made at her in-laws' house."

"Your Mom is right," Siddharth agrees. "And why are you going to the office, anyways? I had told you to take two weeks off after your wedding."

"I can't take two weeks off, Dad. We have many new projects underway, and I need to be present in the meetings with the clients for them to go smoothly without any hiccups," Vikrant lies, knowing he can't give the real reason to his parents.

After all, how can he tell them he isn't taking any day off because Nandini and this wedding mean nothing to him?

"You are the CEO of our company. It's fine if you are not physically present in the office for a few days. Get someone else to handle those meetings and work remotely for two weeks. That way, you'll be able to spend some time with Nandini and remotely supervise the projects, too," Siddharth says, his tone implying that what he said was more of an order than a suggestion.

Vikrant straightens up, trying but failing to devise an excuse to give to his father so he can avoid staying home and spending time with Nandini.

Thankfully, he is saved from doing it when Nandini walks out of the kitchen, carrying a large bowl of rice pudding in her hand.

Keeping the bowl on the table, she fills the smaller serving bowls one by one and serves them.

"The pudding is delicious," Siddharth praises Nandini, putting another spoonful in his mouth.

"Yes. So creamy and flavorful," Nishitha agrees, smiling at Nandini.

Nandini smiles back at them, but her smile dims when she notices Vikrant eating the dish disinterestedly. He was picking at it, hardly putting it in his mouth.

Come on, Nandini. He has made your status in his life clear. Why should you care if he likes the dish or not? Nodding at her thought, she tries to shake off her disappointment.

"Vikrant, won't you say anything? The pudding is delectable, isn't it?" Nishitha probes Vikrant to praise Nandini, but he just shrugs.

"It's alright, Mom. Too sweet for me, actually," he replies, and Nishitha feels terrible when she notices Nandini surreptitiously swiping her hand over the corner of her eyes.

"That's it, Vikrant. This type of insensitive behavior will not be tolerated. You are married now, and you need to understand your responsibilities toward your wife," she berates her son.

"I have decided that you won't go to the office today. Take the two weeks off and go on a honeymoon with Nandini," Siddharth says, his voice solemn and firm.

Getting irritated, Vikrant is about to shout that he isn't interested in going on a honeymoon, but Nandini begins to speak before he can say anything.

"It's ok, Mom, Dad. Vikrant told me last night how important it is for him to go to the office. We can go on a honeymoon some other time."