Destined by Chance

Chapter 4

Simi couldn't have been more stunned. She was practically sweating since the time the sweet receptionist had told her about her husband who had already checked in. And how lucky she was to have such a charming looker for a husband. The girl had already called up the room and told the man Simi was here. What was going on? There was supposed to be no husband. This was insane. Did they have the right person? Of course, they did. The receptionist had double checked for her. And Simi had wanted to hightail it from there only that would have caused for a lot of suspicion. So she had just smiled and gone off to sit in one of the leather cushioned chairs kept around for guests. In her upset she didn't even notice the beautiful Christmas decorations around her. She hoped Preet hadn't sent someone else too. 

As she sat back in her chair with a firm frown on her forehead another thought took root. What if it was Robbie? And she bolted straight to her feet. Jeez, if that was the case she was out of here. But how was that possible? Maybe he had finally attended his aunt's call and decided to come here and take care of the situation. And Simi groaned out loud. She dreaded meeting the man. What she dreaded even more was the fact that she will have to drive back another seven hours in the snow and approaching storm. She could book another room in the hotel though. Now here was a thought worth cheering for. But would they have a room? Considering it was peak time. And then wouldn't it be noticed that she wanted another room away from her supposed husband with whom she was here on a honeymoon?

 Simi sat down again. She will just have to meet whoever this person was and see what the confusion was all about. But what if it wasn't? Then what was she supposed to do? She wasn't going to share a room with a stranger, that too a man. She just wasn't going to. She was so busy with her own thoughts that she failed to notice the tall man who had gone up to the reception and after talking to the chatty receptionist walked up to where she sat clutching her bag.

"Excuse me," he said and Simi looked up at him startled then forgot to look away.

He wasn't Robbie. And she had immediately breathed easy. But then her breath had hitched in her throat. He was tall and Simi guessed his height to be about six feet two, athletic in build, and casually dressed in his blue polo neck sweater and light blue jeans. The sleeves of his sweater was rolled up to his forearms. But it was his face that captured her attention and interest at the same time. Or was it his eyes? She couldn't be sure. He had the most unusual color. It was a strange mix of brown and green. She couldn't really make out which was the more prominent color. Straight nose, a square jaw, well-shaped lips and neatly combed short black hair completed his look. He looked straight out of a movie. It was rude, came the reminder to be gawking at a complete stranger like that. And she mentally shook herself. The man was disturbingly handsome but that didn't mean she forgot herself. She stood up. Shakily. He had a polite smile on his face.

"Yes," she responded. Did her voice sound okay? She hoped so.

"Hi, I am Neil Roy," the man said and extended his hand towards her.

"Simi Sardana," she replied with a small smile and took his hand in hers.

They were warm. His hands. And hers were cold. Half because of the freezing temperatures and half because of nervousness. If he noticed he didn't say anything. He had said 'Neil Roy'. That made him Indian. Bengali to be precise. But his accent was prominent. Very American. Must have been born and brought up here. Same as her. And those eyes. Who had that kind of color in India? Add to that the fact that he was a bit fair too. She wasn't sure what to make of him. He could easily pass for a European than an Indian.

"Have a seat please," Neil said as he let go of her hand and gestured for her to sit before he did.

Simi sat down again. Grateful, because her legs were feeling like jelly after the long drive and the fact that she was to have a conversation with him.