WIFE : BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

SHOT 22

Bhumi's POV!

As we reached the venue, the place was covered by paparazzi.

"Are you nervous?" He asked.

"No," I said, shrugging casually.

Why would I be nervous? I have been in touch with those people for almost a month now, and they are all my friends. What's the need to be nervous?

He got out of the car and extended his hands for me to take.

I took his hands, got out of the car, and the reporters swarmed around us.

"Hey Kabir bhaiyya. How's baby Pari?"

"How did your date go, Karan?"

"Hey when did you come back from your hometown, Sathya?"

"Emily, you didn't show me the pictures of your new puppy yet. Tell me a date; we can arrange for your puppy to meet my Milo. Let them have a puppy date.."

The talk with the reporters went smoothly, with them asking me about my engagement and me asking them about their whereabouts.

But the talk was cut short because Aryamann pulled me inside the venue with him.

The reporters aren't allowed inside the venue.

"That was very rude," I said in disapproval.

"I don't know what to feel about you being all buddy-buddy with the reporters," he hissed at me.

"Come on. What's wrong with that? They are also humans like us," I said.

"Whatever. We will have this talk another day. I don't want any problems today. So just smile at everyone, okay?" he said, and I nodded.

I saw Rey walking towards us.

"Rey, all set, right?" Aryamann asked.

"Yes, Mr. Mehrotra," The man nodded in agreement.

"Rey, will you please take care of the refreshments for the reporters outside the venue?" I asked sweetly.

"Sure, Bhumi," he nodded with a smile and walked out.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is your all-time favourite, Mehrotra, Gaurav. So we are here to celebrate—" I kind of tuned out of everything, wishing how everything was real with my parents here, giving my hands to the love of my life.

Only if they were alive, things would have been different.

Instead of Aryamann, I would be standing next to the man I am in love with.

"Bhumi," Aryamann nudged me, and I looked up at him confused.

"You spaced out again," he said, and I forced a smile, reassuring him that I am fine.

"So let us welcome the guests of honour for the day. Mr. Aryamann Mehrotra and Ms. Bhumika Basu for their first dance of the day," Gaurav announced.

Aryamann stretched his hands forward, and I took his hands as he led me to the dance floor.

A slow music was playing when Aryamann snaked his left hand around my waist, pulling me closer. His right hand guided my left hand onto his shoulder. My right hand, as if it had a mind of its own, made its way to rest on his chest right above his heart. I could feel the heavy thudding of his heart against my palms.

I looked up to see him already staring at me.

And the position and proximity took me to the recent memory of us in the same position, and heat crept up my neck until my cheeks, leaving the room feeling warmer than before.