The Veil Of Vengeance

4. I'm getting what?

[Sorry for the short chapter. Next chapter will come soon. Also thank you again to those who wished me on my birthday, yesterday❤️.]

Sara sat at the ice cream parlour, tapping her spoon against the glass bowl of her sundae. The cold treat was slowly helping to cool the heat of frustration from her encounter with Shubman Gill, but the annoyance still lingered. She took a small bite, letting the sweetness melt in her mouth.

Kanika, noticing her friend's brooding expression, leaned forward. "You know, you should’ve thrown your ice cream at him instead," she joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Sara chuckled, a small smile forming on her lips. "Maybe next time," she replied, rolling her eyes. "I was just so annoyed by his attitude. Like, who does he think he is?"

Kanika grinned. "An arrogant prince, clearly. Forget him! We’re here to have fun, remember?"

Just then, Sara's phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen and saw it was a call from her mother. "One second," she said, picking up the phone. "Hi, Mom."

"Sara, beta," her mother’s voice came through with a sense of urgency. "I need you to come home early tonight. Your father and I have something important to discuss with you."

Sara looked at her watch; it was nearly 6 PM. "Okay, Mom. I’ll be home by 8 PM. Is that okay?"

"That’s fine," her mother replied. "Drive safely, and see you soon. Bye."

"Bye, Mom," Sara said, hanging up the call.

Kanika, who had been sipping her milkshake, looked at Sara with curiosity. "What’s up? You look a bit tense."

Sara sighed. "Mom wants me home early. She said they have something important to discuss with me."

Kanika raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, sounds serious. Well, if you’ve got to head back early, how about we grab an early dinner before you go?"

Sara nodded, her mood lifting a bit. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Let’s go to that restaurant we talked about earlier."

Kanika smiled, “Great! I was thinking the same thing. I’m starving.”

They left the ice cream parlour and headed to their favorite restaurant, a cozy place known for its delicious pasta and comforting ambiance. As they settled into a booth by the window, they ordered their meals and continued chatting.

Sara’s mood was visibly better as she sipped on her drink. "You know, I’m glad we did this today," she said to Kanika. "I really needed a break from everything."

Kanika nodded. "That’s what best friends are for, right? To distract you with food and gossip," she teased.

They both laughed, and soon their meals arrived. Between bites of pasta and slices of pizza, they talked about everything from Kanika's latest work drama to Sara's future plans.

After dinner, they hopped into Kanika's car, feeling full and content. Kanika connected her phone to the car’s Bluetooth, and soon their favorite songs filled the space. They sang along, the music and laughter easing away any lingering tension from the day.

As they approached Sara's house, Kanika slowed down and pulled over by the entrance. "Alright, ma'am, your destination has arrived," she said playfully.

Sara smiled, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Thanks, Kanika. Today was really fun. Drive safe, okay?"

Kanika gave her a thumbs-up. "You bet! Call me later if you need to talk about whatever your parents have to say."

"Will do," Sara said. She stepped out of the car and waved as Kanika drove off. Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked towards the entrance of her house, wondering what her parents wanted to discuss.

As soon as Sara stepped into the grand foyer of her house, she noticed her parents seated in the living room. They were waiting for her, a serious expression on both of their faces. She could sense something important was coming up.

"Mom, Dad," she greeted, walking towards them with a soft smile. "What’s up?"

Her father, Mr. Tendulkar, gestured for her to sit down. "Sara, come, sit," he said, his tone more formal than usual.

Sara took a seat opposite them, her curiosity piqued but also a hint of nervousness creeping in. She watched her father’s face, trying to gauge what was coming.

Mr. Tendulkar cleared his throat. "Sara, you’ve grown up now," he began, his eyes fixed on hers. "It’s time to start thinking about your future… about settling down."

Sara’s heart skipped a beat. She had an inkling of where this conversation was heading. She remained silent, choosing to listen.

Her father continued, "Your mother and I have found a suitable match for you. Someone from a good family, who we’ve known for a long time. Raghav Desai, the son of my old business friend, Mr. Desai."

The room seemed to get smaller. Sara felt a sudden tightness in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to stay composed. "Dad," she said slowly, choosing her words carefully, "I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t want to marry Raghav. I’ll marry anyone else but not him."

Her father's face hardened slightly. "Sara, listen," he said, his voice firmer. "This marriage is not just about you. It's also about the family and the company. There is a significant deal on the table, one that is crucial for our company’s future. Marrying Raghav would secure that deal."

He paused, his eyes searching hers for understanding. "I have never asked you for anything, Sara," he continued, his tone softening, "but today, I want you to do this for me."

Sara felt trapped, her mind swirling with thoughts. She had always known that her father was a man of business, but she never thought he would involve her in it like this. She looked down, her voice almost a whisper. "I… I need to meet him first."

Her father’s face softened a little, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Of course," he said, nodding. "You’ll meet him tomorrow."

Sara nodded, feeling defeated and overwhelmed. She stood up quietly, not wanting to say anything more, and headed towards her room.

Once inside, she leaned against the closed door, taking a deep breath. She could feel the weight of the last few days pressing down on her — first Shubman, now this. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

She decided to take a long, hot bath, hoping it would help calm her nerves. The warm water did little to ease the tension coiling inside her, but she tried to relax. After a while, she changed into her nightdress and climbed into bed.

Staring up at the ceiling, she replayed everything that had happened over the past few days — the unexpected run-ins with Shubman, the strange feelings he stirred within her, and now this sudden marriage proposal with Raghav.

"Why is everything happening all at once?" she muttered to herself. She sighed deeply, feeling the exhaustion of it all wash over her.

Deciding she needed to shut her mind off for a while, Sara closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep, hoping that tomorrow might bring some clarity.