My Vulnerary Husband ✔

Chapter 7

|Innaya|

I rolled down the window glass, letting the cool air greeted me. The silence between Eshan and me was comfortable, not the biting one as he drove his white Mercedes towards my college.

I tucked the few tendrils that escaped from my ponytail while keeping my gaze outside as I watched the trees we were passing by. I ignored Eshan's fleeting glances towards me in between. The Mercedes came to halt outside the college gate.

"Thank you!" Meeting his eyes for a brief moment I thanked him and turned to open the door for exiting. Least I get lost in those hypnotizing orbs and do something embarrassing.

"Call me once you are done," Eshan told me before climbing down the car.

"Hmm... Bye," I assured, coming out before walking to his side of the window.

Unsure of why was I walking towards him, when the whole ride I did not even reciprocate the glances his way like he did. I stood beside his now opened window.

"Take care, Tesoro," Eshan said, after staring at me for a while. I did not know why, but it felt nice to know he cared.

His lips curved in an amused smirk, bringing my out of mine lost land. I nodded and with that, the car sped off, leaving me standing at the college gate.

*

The old long trees on both side of the stone pathway, leading towards the management building of our college, was less crowded with students, as exams were nearing.

I walked a little faster spotting the familiar face of my best friend near the benches outside of our building.

"Hey, Innu!" She stood up hurriedly once she caught me coming near her.

"Are you alright? Where were you? I called you so many times. Why weren't you answering my calls?", she fired her questions altogether simultaneously checking me for any kind of harm or injury knowing I was prone to them.

"Vermilion-

I couldn't help but smile at her care, but that smile fell immediately as she discovered the vermilion in my hair that I had covered carefully before leaving the house. Our families had decided to keep the marriage as a secret, until I complete my college as they feared media would create unnecessary problems, especially for me

I decided to calm down her first. Holding her by her shoulders, I looked into her hazel eyes widened in shock, little apprehensive of her reaction once I revealed the truth.

"Siya... Take a deep breath. One, two, thr-"

"Shut up! Answer me, NOW," Siya cut my sentence, shrugging my hands off her shoulder.

"I'm waiting," Siya glared at me, folding her hands on her chest while tapping her right foot on the floor. She always did that, when she was super mad at someone or something. Please God save me.

I raised my hands in surrender stepping back before taking a deep breath preparing myself for answers she wanted.

"Okay, first thing first I am okay and answer for rest of your questionnaire is... I got married yesterday." I finished in a single sentence, knowing dragging would only result in a bad way for me.

"Married? What a joke?"

Joke? She thinks I could make up something like marriage. Like seriously girl? However, who am I kidding, anyone with a sane mind would think like that if they were to be told that their best friend whom they met just two days before had gotten married and that too without any information.

"Siya, it is no joke. I am a married woman now. See this," I thought to take the matter slowly and pull out the wedding chain from my top and pointed, it to her.

"You didn't invite me?" She accused taking a step towards me.

"Were you forced?" She asked concerned.

"Forced, God no Siya," I answered immediately afraid she would assume something more badly about our marriage.

*smack* *smack* *smack* *smack*

Before I could step back, she started smacking me with her hands in-between mumbling some incoherent curses.

Other student stared our way, some laughing, some amused while some shook their heads knowing it was usual to expect such kind of behavior from Ms. Siya Raghav.

Somehow, I was able to hold Siya's hands, stopping her little painful assault on me. Dragging her away from the crowd, I pulled her into an empty classroom. Settling down on one of the benches at the backside, I narrated her everything.

It took a while after shedding some tears, earning some smacks and glares, making of some promises but in the end, she came to an understanding of what I did and why I did, engulfing me in a bear hug.

*

After our conversation in the empty classroom, Siya had filled me on the college activities of last week when I was absent. She told me that Mr. Roy had inquired about me thrice and had asked for my immediate presence in his cabin as soon as possible.

Mr. Roy joined our college two years ago after he completed his post graduation from our college itself. Given credit to his handsome personality, girls had dug about his personal life and thanks to them, everyone knew about him, his single status, and many other details. He was, loved professor because of his knowledge, behaviour, looks, and his age.

He always behaved in a courteous way, not giving any heeds to loving stares, flirting advances thrown in his way. He very respectfully kept everything related to studies only and that earned him my respect.

"May I come in, Sir?" I knocked on Mr. Roy's cabin door that was already open, wondering about the reason behind calling me.

"Innaya, oh yes come inside." Mr. Roy rose from his chair once he saw me.

"Sir, Siya said you-

"Where were you? You know how worried-" he interrupted me before I could complete my sentence. I could see the concern in his eyes.

He is worried about me. Nope. Why would he be? He must be talking about Siya.

"Yes Sir, Siya already took my class for worrying her," I answered smilingly remembering our earlier encounter.

"Umm... Sir, you called me for-" I inquired again.

"Oh... hmm... Yes," he fumbled, as if forgot the reason.

He searched for something on his table, turning away from me. I was unable to figure out his strange behaviour. He appeared lost.

"There is the international conference on digital marketing held in Mumbai next month; my paper has been selected for it. I was wondering if you could assist me. I mean it would be a good experience for you and it will help you in your future. Only if you are willing," he explained handing me some papers.

Why me? I wanted to ask that question so desperately yet I refrained myself. 'Maybe he is just being generous' my mind suggested, but the way he rubbed his palms together or the way his forehead wrinkled I was confused about what to make out of his behaviour.

For the conference, he repeatedly inquired about me. That is strange. I shook my head shrugging those thoughts while taking papers from you.

"If you don't mind, can I tell you tomorrow?" I asked making sure to avoid his hopeful eyes.

"No problem, I will be waiting." He smiled.

"Thank you, Sir!" I left after nodding in his direction, too caught up with thoughts of this meeting that I did not return the smile and wait for anything.

*

Tesoro: Darling (Italian)

So what do you think about this part, specially Mr. Roy?

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