Leap of Faith

Disadvantages of being a jerk

The first thing I felt when I woke up was my throbbing head. It was as if somebody had put a weight on my head. Through all the pain, I managed to pull myself to sitting position. When I tried to see through barely opened eyes. The sunlight blinded me ruthlessly, another pain shot towards my brain. Damn.

"Hey take it easy!" Aayan whispered from somewhere near me. I searched for his hand with shut eyes. At the sudden warmness of his touch, I was calmed. Tentatively, I opened my eyes, his figure sitting by me with a glass in his hand.

"Have this pill and orange juice," he placed the glass in my hands and put the pill in my mouth. I gulped the pill, though the pain was not subsiding.

"Why did you drink so much?" Aayan spoke coming beside me taking me in his arms. I rested my head on his hard chest. The rhythmic beating of his heart was comforting and welcoming.

"I am sorry. I was mad at the whole situation. Then there was Alina in her slutty dress trying to claw her attention towards you. I felt helpless," I replied, clutching my left hand on my head.

"That is an inexcusable thing to do Trish! I will not hear it. You have never been drunk like that. Your body cannot take it. Please don't do that again," he said, calmly, rubbing his hand on my back in soothing circles. I was racking my brain on the last image on my latest memory, but it appeared blank.

"I know," I agreed, buried in his chest. "But what happened?"

"You don't remember anything?" he replied with a question.

I looked at him confused. Because all I could remember was Alina with her provocative dress and Vikram with his weird glances.

"Well, you called me a jerk in front of all and also shouted not to touch you!" he spoke with a slightly troubled tone.

I gulped the lump in my throat as the whole night's event came crashing before my sight. The heaviness of my head shifted to my heart. Oh god, help me. He cared for me, despite that. I looked at his golden green eyes, and I saw all the sincerity and love.

I sighed covering my face with my hands unable to meet his eyes. I felt ashamed and guilty. But I did not want Vikram to haunt him all his life, or kill him. I winced at that thought. I felt compressed and pressured from both sides.

"I...I am... sorry," I murmured, looking through my fingers. "I am feeling terrible by just imagining how you must have felt at that time. I can't even ask for your forgiveness now."

"Apology accepted, my sweet lady!" He murmured taking my face in his both hands. "And I appreciate it." His statement flooding me with instant relief, well for just a bit. Though I knew, I was deceiving him with half-truths or omitting truths. Soon it will be over soon. Very soon! I will get married when I will see the devil behind the bars!

I started thinking about Daniel for a moment if he had mirrored Vikram's laptop yet. Why was he taking all this time? One solid proof against his whereabouts at the time of Aayan's dad's death, and I would see to it that it goes to the police.

"Come now get fresh and I will order something here. You are looking like you have been through a physical fight!" he murmured, putting the lock of hair behind my ear.

***

The Dorchester Hotel was looking like mini India with people from every ethnicity wearing vibrant and bright colours on them. The women were parading in sarees, Salwar Kameez, and men with khadi kurtas. It was unlike they had ever seen before, different shades of orange, red, yellow and blue coloured bathed the interiors on its dull English façade. Whole of the hotel was booked for wedding guests. There were major movements of wedding planner's team arranging the flowers, drapes and other decorative items in the background, the day was fast approaching.

I could not talk with Shweta for the whole morning as both her families surrounded her. It was looking like a big Indian Family reunion. Except two or three awkward encounters with Alina and Vikram, rest all was going smoothly.

"Trisha, please save me! I am exhausted mentally and physically. There is a constant bombardment of information of rituals and activities that I think tomorrow I will sleep in my wedding," Shweta mumbled with a forced smile plastered on her face. I was sitting beside her as she was smiling at nodding to the relatives coming and giving their blessing.

"I will get you kidnapped soon to get you a good afternoon nap my darling! I already talked to Nikhil and his parents. After lunch, I am taking you to my room. I have arranged a spa for us," I mumbled in reply.

"My true friend, my saviour." She giggled and threw her arms around me. "Hey, I almost forgot about our mission! Did you hear from Daniel?" She whispered in my ear.

"Not yet. But its matter of time. He might be finished with his work by now."

"That's great. What about you and Aayan? Everything alright?" she asked in a worried tone.

"For now," I whispered back.

"He was really worried about you. Not at all, mad at your made up drama. You really came out of the situation unscathed, Trish. Just count your blessing!" she murmured drawing serious lines on her face. "There was another thing which was worrying me from yesterday. I overheard a conversation between Vikram and Nikhil yesterday before dinner. He was saying that he had planned a surprise for our wedding and that will be his gift. I am getting a bad feeling about this."

"You are worried about nothing! It is not like he is not going to stop the wedding or do some kind of show. He is not against you or Nikhil," I reassured her. However, it had already clawed my brain, definitely adding up to my distress. What are you going to do Vikram?

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