His Brown Bride

27

Anita's POV














"His name was Rajiv all along!" I exclaimed to Akash.

"You won't believe what else he said. He offered a discount because I have a positive aura! Can you believe it? This is the same man who once called me a darkness, a curse, and a harbinger of misfortune and suffering." I laughed incredulously.

He smiled and replied, "I'm proud of you for keeping your cool and handling the situation professionally. That's the spirit! In business, there are no enemies or friends, just interests. No personal emotions should be in your heart. I'm glad you sat through the whole meeting."

"But I was extremely nervous," I admitted in a whisper.

"However, I knew I had to do it because I'm determined to achieve my goals. My mother and siblings are waiting for me to rescue them from our abusive father, and nothing can stand in my way right now. But..."

"If you're really uncomfortable working with him, I can inform the others to terminate the contract...."

I interrupted, "No, it's not necessary. It will only be for a few days or months, and then we'll go our separate ways. I don't care if he's moved to Mumbai. Our relationship has already ended."

"I'm curious about one thing, though," he said, and my brows furrowed.

"How is it that you don't know his name after living with him for so long? Whose name was listed on the divorce papers then?"

I smiled wryly and responded, "Party A and Party B. I never actually knew his name because we never had a normal conversation. It was always strained and tense."

"But let's put all that aside for now," I said, my hand tiredly running through my dishevelled hair.

"I have one more favour to ask, please. I promise to repay you for everything you're doing for me, with interest. Just like I mentioned before, we'll get rich together. I haven't forgotten about that." I began, but he interrupted me with a warm smile.

"What do you need?"

"I am to give my contact information to him tomorrow. I have no phone, so if you have no issue with it, can you give me your contact information, and whatever he has to tell me, he could tell you, then you forward it to me?" I asked, my eyes pleading with stress.

His expression softened. "You really amaze me at times, Anita. You trust blindly. What if I share all the information about your business with someone else?" he asked.

I smiled. "I trust blindly because I believe there are good people in the world, like you. I know you'll not share it with anyone," I responded.

"Give me a minute," he said, excusing himself from the living room and heading upstairs.

I let out an exhausted sigh, my shoulders slumping as I leaned back against the couch.

I closed my eyes to rest for a little bit.

Shortly after, I heard his footsteps descending, and I straightened up, opening my eyes, only to find him returning with a small box in his hand.

My eyes widened in astonishment as he sat down beside me and placed the box in my hands.

I stared, flabbergasted, and after I lifted the lid, it revealed the latest iPhone model.

My jaw dropped while I gasped.

"Where did you get this?" I asked, still in disbelief.

He chuckled, "Well, I was showing my mom something on my phone last week, and it slipped from her hand, causing the screen to crack. Even though I told her it was no big deal, she felt very guilty and then sent this to my office. I brought it home, but since my phone still works perfectly, I didn't see the need to switch. But now, it's coming in handy, isn't it?" He smiled and said, "You can use it. I'm giving it to you. And don't worry about the SIM; I've already ordered one. It'll be delivered soon."

I beamed with happiness. "Akash, how can I ever repay you?"

He chuckled again. "No need for that."

I hummed, my curiosity getting the better of me as I spoke. "Are your parents rich?" I asked, eyeing the phone, which seemed like a luxury item.

However, my question seemed to have struck a chord because he burst into a loud laugh.

"Why do you ask?" he asked, still chuckling.

"The phone?" I nodded, and he replied,

"If my parents were rich, do you think I'd be living here instead of with them? Why would I be working as a driver?"

I felt embarrassed for asking.

Maybe sensing my still suspicious expression, he added, "My mom has been saving money since she was a teenager. Maybe that's where it's from. I don't know." He shrugged nonchalantly, and I nodded, feeling a bit silly for my earlier question.

"I'd love to meet your mother," I said, changing the subject while smiling. "To thank her for bringing such a wonderful man into the world. Take me to meet her someday, if that's okay with you." I asked.

His face lit up, and his joy was noticeable as he nodded enthusiastically. "I will, soon! I'll introduce you both soon," he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement and happiness.

"Should I make you a burger?" I asked, "I was thinking of trying..."

But he cut me off. "I recall you saying you can't make one."

I shrugged. "That doesn't mean I won't ever learn. I'll give it a try, and if it doesn't turn out to be a burger, we'll just call it something else. What do you say?"

He nodded. "Go for it; I don't mind. But aren't you exhausted?"

I smiled. "You're my best friend, and you just gave me a phone. This is the least I can do for now."

"Then let's go!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement as he pulled me up from the couch and led me into the kitchen.

I giggled at his eagerness.

After we entered the kitchen, he asked, "What should we start with first?"

However, before I could respond, the doorbell rang, interrupting my response.

"Your sim has arrived. I'll bring it in," he said, excusing himself to answer the door.

He returned with the sim and my phone, which I had left in the living room.

"I've fixed the SIM inside and saved my contact number in it. I've also saved yours on my phone," he said with a tender voice while handing me the phone.

"Thank you," I replied, my voice scarcely reaching a whisper, and I started to bring out the ingredients.

While I was chopping the tomatoes, he stood beside me and uttered, "What can I do to help?"

"You just watch," I replied. "Your presence is already enough. I'm glad you're keeping me company. No one did that back home." I glanced at him briefly, my eyes welling up with tears as I had a quick flashback, before I quickly looked away, focussing on the knife in my hand.

He shrugged and sauntered over to a corner, where he rested his face on his palms, staring intently at me.

I snuck glances at him while I worked, and every time, I caught him staring back at me with an unabashed grin spreading across his face.

Finally, I had to ask, "What?" because I was curious to know why he was grinning.

And he didn't hesitate to speak. His words spilt out in a heartfelt rush. "No one might have told you this, but you're just perfect. Your sparkling eyes, your bright smile, your voice, your extraordinary cooking—everything about you is absolute perfection." His gaze never tilted.

My cheeks flushed, my smile appearing for a moment before I protested, "No one is perfect in this world."

But he cut me off: "From my perspective, from my world, you are perfect."

His words were like a warm embrace that coerced me to stare into his eyes, and I saw deep affection, which made my own heart overflow with curiosity.

"I came to Mumbai to chase my dreams, Akash," I said, my voice trembling slightly as I tried to clarify my intentions. "That's all."

I handed him the burger I had prepared, and his grin remained unchanged, unfazed by my words.

"So, is it wrong for a best friend to give a genuine compliment?" he asked, taking a bite of the burger.

His eyes closed in thrill as he savoured the flavour, releasing a contented sigh. "I knew your burger would be better than theirs. I was right!"

I forced a smile, trying to hide my discomfort.

He opened his eyes and locked gazes with me, adding, "Honestly, no other intentions here. I just spoke from the heart. If you don't want to hear it, I promise to keep it to myself from now on."

"We're best friends. Only best friends?" I asked for more confirmation.

He chuckled and replied, "Do you want us to be more? Cousins?"

His suggestion was absurd, so I laughed, closing my eyes for a brief moment at his ridiculousness.

Suddenly, he thrust the burger into my mouth, and my eyes widened in surprise. "Eat!" he exclaimed, his tone playful and teasing.

I took a bite, and my reluctance melted away as the flavours danced on my tongue.

I don't want to admit it, but indeed, it was delicious.

••••

It was morning.

I got ready in a saree and then prepared breakfast.

He descended the stairs, looking dashing in his work attire, and joined me in the living room.

"Good morning!" he said, his smile bright and warm, and I returned it with a brief smile.

"Guess what?" he asked, his eyes gleaming.

My brows furrowed slightly as I replied, "What?"

"I'm not going to the office today," he announced with a mischievous grin. "I'll be with you at your workplace, keeping you company!"

"Why?" I asked, taking a sip of my orange juice.

"Won't it be a problem that you skipped work?" I added with my brow still furrowed slightly.

"I'll just say I'm sick," he replied with a shrug. "And honestly, I'm bored going to the same place every day. I need a change of environment. That's why I want to be with you."

I smiled briefly, my eyes sparkling with amusement. "Lying isn't good, Akash."

He chuckled. "If it's for a good cause, it isn't. And besides, would you not like me with you?"

I laughed, my voice light. "Did I say that? Of course, I'd love it!"

"Then let's finish up and leave immediately," he said, his eyes sparkling with more excitement, while he started to eat quickly while telling me,

"The food is delicious, as always. I'm addicted, I swear! I hope I never have to miss it." His enthusiasm was infectious.

I found myself naturally smiling along with him.

I chuckled while still smiling warmly. "You won't have to. Even when I move out one day, you're always welcome at my home." I started,

But he cut me off, his expression suddenly turning serious, "Let's not get into that now. I'm done. Let's leave the plates for the cleaners to handle later. We should go, or we'll be late," he told, getting up from the table almost immediately, his haste and urgency catching me off guard as he gave me no chance to oppose because I wanted to tidy up the table before leaving.

Don't forget to vote and comment!

What do you think of Akash and Anita's relationship? Is it just friendship, or something else?

What do you think of Rajiv and Anita's relationship? Would they sort out all their misunderstandings and give another chance to their relationship?

Stay tuned!!!