His Brown Bride

4

Rajiv's POV




I deposited the money into my bank account, but I'm still uncomfortable for accepting such a large from him.

It doesn't feel right, because it wasn't earned through my efforts or my salary. I'm keeping the transaction to myself and will not share the news with anyone at home.

As the morning sunlight streamed through the windows, my so-called wife in name only entered my room with a slow and deliberate gait, her face hidden behind the pale green pallu. I could sense her reluctance to face me, yet she carried on anyway. Still keeping quiet, she started to pack her belongings, carefully picking up her clothes, which I had thrown out in my anger and frustration last night.

I smiled, waiting for her to say she was leaving, which would solve this unwanted situation. But instead, I watched in surprise as she placed the luggage by the side and muttered, "Breakfast is ready." She then proceeded to remove the bed sheet, folding it slowly, deliberately trying to prolong our time together.

I hissed in frustration and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. After I had bathed, I came out and saw her writing in a diary after making the bedroom spotlessly clean. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her stereotypical girlish behaviour.

I exited the room and went out. My mother's warm words greeted me as I reached the hall. "I'm glad you're here, my son." My gaze briefly met my sister Rashi's, who was carrying a plate of food towards me.

"You and your wife will visit the temple today to offer your first prayers and express your gratitude as a newlywed couple," my mother asserted.

I raised an eyebrow. "Gratitude for what, exactly?" I asked, not remembering any good that had happened in my life recently.

"Your grandmother's wishes; it's her order," she replied. I opened my mouth to protest, but my wife's arrival in the doorway silenced me for a moment before I blurted out, "We can't go and pray together." I slid down onto the mat, my gaze fixed on my food.

"Why is that?" my mum inquired.

"She's menstruating," I interjected authoritatively. I know that traditional beliefs prevent women during this time from engaging in religious activities.

However, almost instantly, my wife attempted to clarify, "I'm not..." but before she could finish, I cut her off curtly, "I'm going to work." I made a move to leave, however, she stepped in front of me, her face concealed by her pallu.

"You must eat breakfast first before you leave," she whispered.

Biting back my frustration, I muttered under my breath, "Did I not already ask you to stop these attempts at acting as my wife?"

My mother also sternly intervened, "This is an act of disrespect—standing before your husband and blocking his path. How dare you behave so insolently?"

"It's for my sake," she whispered. "I haven't eaten in days; I'm starving."

My brows furrowed with confusion, her words perforating through my cold soul. "That's not my concern," I retorted, my tone still callous. "I never stopped you from eating. Go and satisfy your hunger."

I moved past her, the door creaking shut behind me as I escaped into the bright sunlight. I mounted my bike and pedalled towards the company, the wind whipping through my hair. At last, I arrived at the company, appearing before the crowd of people with gloomy faces, their eyes hazed with worry. I reached them and spoke. "What's going on?" I asked, but my question was met with silence. I still tried to seek an answer from a few of them, but they merely shook their heads, their lips remaining sealed.

I stepped into the elevator, my mind still reeling from the thought of why there was a crowd. My boss had insisted last night that I meet him the moment I arrived at the office today. After I knocked on his cabin door, I heard a stranger's voice telling me to come in.

I opened the door and saw four lawyers waiting inside. One of them asked me, "Are you Mr Rajiv Pandey?"

I hesitated momentarily before nodding slightly. "Where is the boss?" I inquired.

"He's dead," the words dropped like a bombshell in my chest. "He died in his sleep last night and has named you his successor." My mind teetered, struggling to comprehend the weight of the news. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision as grief and shock warred it. "Me?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, with disbelief etched on my face.

"Yes," he said curtly.

"His family? Why not them?" I asked.

The lawyer's expression turned sombre, and deep sadness also appeared in his eyes. "He has left a letter for you to be delivered after his death. It seems he had foreseen his departure from this world." His words sent a shiver down my spine while he retrieved a worn envelope from his file and extended it towards me. I hesitated to take it, but my curiosity ultimately prevailed. I accepted the letter, my hands trembling slightly as I broke the seal and unfolded it. My eyes scanned the words, penned in familiar handwriting.

"When you read these words, it will be because the enemy has triumphed and I've been killed. I entrust you with my most precious legacy, my wealth, my family, and my trust, Rajiv. In a world filled with treachery, you are the only beacon of hope I can rely on. My stepmother's greed has driven her to madness, and she will stop at nothing to claim my wealth, even if it means sacrificing my sister and me. I cannot entrust my wealth to my sister because it would only seal her fate with death. That's why, Rajiv, I entrust you with this responsibility. Your dedication and unshakeable integrity make you the only one I can rely on to shield my sister from the clutches of our ruthless stepmother. I beg you, Rajiv, to accept this as a sacred duty, and a payment for your protection. Take up the responsibility, assume control, and defend my sister against all harm. My life may be lost, but with you, my legacy will live on."

I sighed, my breath trembling with the weight of the unexpected fortune that had befallen me. The project we had envisioned together and the dreams we had now lay in tatters, reduced to nothing more than a memory.

Also, now, in the blink of an eye, I'm about to transcend from a low employee to the owner of an empire, a multi-billionaire firm.

"Sign this," the lawyer's voice echoed through the silence, presenting me with the deed to his mansion, his company, his cars, and his properties across the states—the entire legacy of a man I had admired and respected.

I gazed at the document, my eyes scanning the fine print. "How can my life change in a day?" I stammered. "If I sign this, I will own a mansion, a company, and cars. Why? How?"

"It's God's will," he intoned, his eyes piercing mine. "But remember, he has entrusted his only sister to your care. You must protect her with your life, if need be." My heart raced as I reached for the pen, my hand trembling, the scratch of the nib on paper parroting through the silence like a vow.

My eyes then glanced up at the luxurious cabin that now belonged to me.