His Brown Bride

36

Rajiv's POV








My father-in-law's voice broke my trance. "Don't worry, I won't rest until she returns to you." He spoke with determination.

We have been following them all the way to the bridge.

I couldn't believe Akash was willing to give up his vast empire to reduce himself to nothing more than a poor man, all for her.

As her father began to approach her again, I caught his arm, holding him back. "Let's go to the station. I'd like to try to bail grandma out."

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded.

After we turned to leave, I couldn't help but glance back at Akash again, his figure etched against the fading light, while his eyes stared at her with love and devotion that made me seethe in rage.

••••

"If you're Mr. Akash Kapoor, show your ID or get out of here!" The inspector barked, his tone being so rude.

"She's my grandmother..." I began to explain, but he cut me off abruptly.

"Someone filed a complaint against her for abuse. Domestic violence. I don't care what relationship you share, but that's a serious offence for someone her age," he exclaimed.

I sighed, feeling frustration simmering inside me. "Can I at least see her?" I asked, hoping for some understanding from him.

"Not permitted. Visiting hours are over today," he replied curtly, not even bothering to look up from the file he was reviewing.

After we left the station, her father's anger boiled over.

"I'll never forgive Anita. I pray her life is cursed!" he exclaimed.

"I'm not going home, so I've booked a cab for you. We'll meet up in the morning!" I said, trying to sound casual despite the unrest brewing inside me.

He nodded, his expression unreadable.

But then, a sly grin spread across his face, and he sneered, "Tomorrow will change her life forever. And that man's life too—Akash Kapoor, right? They have no clue what's in store for them."

I eyed him warily, unsure why he was being so cryptic, but I shrugged it off.

If whatever he had planned would bring her back to me, I didn't care.

....

I returned to the bridge where I had left them.

He was sitting wide awake, scratching his neck to ward off the pesky mosquito bites, while she sat beside him, a sachet of medications lying next to her.

"I'm starving," he said, breaking their silence. "Should I order us some dinner?"

She looked at him and said, "Who's stopping you from ordering? Go ahead and get something for yourself."

He paused, then asked, "And what about you?"

"If I let you buy me food tonight, how will I learn to survive without it? I need to beg...."

"I'm ordering us dinner." His expression softened more, and he cut her off while pulling out his phone.

"Just for you," she replied stubbornly. "I'm not eating. I'm certain many others here haven't eaten either."

He smiled charmingly and asked, "Then I'll treat us all to dinner? Will you join me then?"

The others, who had been sleeping just moments before, suddenly sprang up. "Thank you, Boy!" they chimed in unison, their faces lighting up with happiness.

I clenched my fists, my eyes tightening as I watched him try to win her over with his generosity.

"Let's see what my father-in-law would do, or else I don't care how he will stop me. I'll make sure I take my wife back, even if it means including our village representatives in this matter." I snarled angrily.

••••

It is morning.

The persistent knocking on my door woke me up.

I got out of bed and lazily made my way to the door, where I found my father-in-law standing with a broad smile. "Is there a TV inside?" he asked, and I nodded.

He walked in and headed straight to the TV, turning it on to the news channel.

The news anchor's voice filled the room. "We have shocking news about Anita Deshmukh, a young woman and a wife in a respected family. She allegedly left her happy home and loving husband to start a new life in Mumbai, tarnishing her family's reputation. Rumours have been circulating about her involvement with prominent figures, including Akash Kapoor and his influential friends. Recently, they launched a restaurant recruitment portal, sparking speculation about the ownership. Sources suggest a partnership between eleven individuals, with ten confirmed to be Akash Kapoor's friends and one unidentified woman. A mysterious video obtained yesterday appears to show Akash Kapoor spending the night on the streets with this woman, Anita Deshmukh. Could she be the secret partner in the restaurant venture? And how did she, from an insufficient background, manage to partner with India's business elite?"

"Now let her respond to this," her father said with a smug expression. "She'll either return back home, her head hung in shame, and beg for our forgiveness, or explain to everyone how she managed to gather the funds to partner with such influential men."

I stared, horrified.

Dragging Akash's name and his friends into this was a big mistake. If they find out he is behind this, they could sue him for defamation of character, and even I wouldn't be able to help him come out of it because the potential consequences are bad. They could ensure I go bankrupt once again.

"I'm going to work," I said, my mind preoccupied with the thoughts.

"I hope Akash and his friends won't react harshly to this," I added, before heading into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

Today is an important day.

We're finishing up the partnership with the restaurant—just some last-minute details left to conclude everything.

I appeared from the bathroom in my suit and found my mother waiting in the room.

"Son, your grandmother?" She began, her voice filled with concern.

"I'll bring her back today; don't worry," I reassured her. "I'll speak to Akash again, hopefully..." I paused, uncertainty creeping in.

Would he even be willing to talk to me after the news broadcast?

And where will I find him? Will he be at his company, the restaurant, or wandering the streets?

****

I pushed through the hive of the press crowding the restaurant and managed to reach the upper floor.

My eyes widened in astonishment as I saw Anita again.

She was seated in the midst of a meeting with her partners, Akash still by her side.

She looked spectacular in her elegant English attire, her eyes lined with kohl, while her lips painted with a radiant red lipstick, and her hair cascading down her back.

After our gazes met, she paused mid-sentence, and her eyes locked onto mine with a gleam of surprise.

"I thought you'd never show up again, but I'm glad you did," she said, forcing a small smile.

"I've seen the news. You can tell my father that I'm aware of his antics. If I wanted to, I could go to the press right now and share some very interesting stories about him too. But that's not my style. Please convey to him that his actions have proven he's not the father I deserve. A real father would never try to tarnish his daughter's reputation like that."

She paused, her expression hardening.

"Tell him I'll respond to his allegations, but not now. He thinks his news will stop me from working and come back? He thinks I've slept with all these men." She let out a sarcastic giggle.

"Then let him think what he wants, but I'm not backing down. This restaurant will be a success, no matter what." She slammed her hand on the table, her eyes blazing with determination. "I'll make sure of it. And when it is, my silence will speak louder than any words. He will try to be my father, but I'll never give him that chance. I promise."

She exhaled a deep sigh, looking away from me.

"Oh, and by the way, your grandmother is being released from jail. Please go get her. And finish your work here as quickly as possible. Working with you has been a terrible experience, so I hope we never have to collaborate again."

I was about to speak when Akash's voice interrupted me, "Do what brought you here and leave."

I looked at her, who was now avoiding eye contact, and spoke out, "You're my wife. If you don't return, our village representatives will get involved...."

She interrupted me with a dismissive giggle, her expression unbothered. "Your grandmother couldn't bring me back, that man couldn't bring me back, and now you're threatening me with village representatives? I used to be scared by them," She met my gaze, shaking her head. "Not anymore. I wanted to stay; I wanted to compromise, but you mentioned divorce. Now that you've lost me, you won't even get my corpse back. I'm not going back to you."

I clenched my fists, ready to retaliate, but she cut me off again. "Do your work quietly and leave," she said, her voice firm and commanding.

Her eyes bored into mine with a fierce intensity that made me seethe.

It was demeaning to be addressed in such a manner by my own wife—the woman who was once submissive, who is supposed to never be brave to meet my gaze.

Yet, here she is, looking me straight in the eye, her expression rigid.

•

Sorry, I was meant to update yesterday, but I've been very busy with my school stuff.

Another update! How is it?

I replied to a comment that I would be introducing another female character right? Well, I don't think that's necessary anymore.

Don't forget to share your thoughts.