A Loveless Alliance

Chapter-16 [The pancakes]

SIDDHARTH'S POV

"Ohh btw, They are planning our marriage for the next month only."

"What!!"

I shouted out loud in surprise, the serving spoon almost slipped off my grip. My eyes extended to the size of a candy and the fact that Myra looked way calmer than me added more to my shock. She just shrugged her shoulders and placed the glass down.

"Why so early? I mean, next month is too soon."

My voice dimmed down towards the end, it came out barely above a whisper. Strings often get tangled badly when we rush to tie them and there are already enough invisible knots between us.

A sigh left her mouth mingling with the bizarre air surrounding us. Her shoulders moved up and down as she placed the glass on the kitchen counter while speaking without meeting my eyes.

"Because, Poonam is going to New York in september and she said, she might not be back till next year, January."

"Ohh.." was all I managed to utter.

September was the best time to visit New York for a fashion enthusiast. Who wouldn't want to attend the world's biggest fashion week? I had no idea that planning this trip for her would end up with us having to marry early.

I had only booked her departure tickets from here, the rest of the trip was all hers to decide about.

"Well, we had to marry anyway. Sooner or later, I think we will manage."

Myra's voice brought my attention back to her. She was tracing the lines of the kitchen counter marble while saying so. Those words sounded more like an assurance for herself than me.

I swallowed, ignoring the sudden tightness in my stomach. My hands were occupied in arranging all the needed ingredients for the pancakes as I spoke. My words barely managed to sound like a joke though they were followed by a light chuckle from me.

"We don't have any other option but to manage this."

"Do you need some help?"

She asked, pointing towards the batter of the pancake I was preparing. Clearly, trying to change the topic. A sigh escaped my mouth, as I attempted to deny her offer.

"If anyone sees you working here, I would be doomed."

I exclaimed sarcastically as both of us stood next to each other with an arm in the distance. My eyes wandered around the counter trying to find the measuring cup I just placed there a second ago.

How can things just disappear like that-
Myra passed me the measuring cup while speaking.

"Everyone's too distracted to notice."

"Why? What's happening there?"

"Your uncle is recalling his college days, he won't let anyone move an inch."

Myra answered as she closed the lid of the flour box. A relieved laugh echoed in the kitchen. I couldn't be more lucky. "Recalling college days" was more than enough of an introduction, I needed to know who she was talking about.

My mother's brother had an odd routine of boring everyone in a gathering by chanting the same four incidents from his college. They wouldn't be free for at least an hour.

The atmosphere around the kitchen felt lighter, a slight smile formed on my lips as I poured two drops of oil in my mixing bowl. Myra placed both of her palms against the corner of the counter and leaned forward observing my every moment.