Hunting Hubris

So much for a dinner!!

"Why would you wear that?"

"Doesn't it look good on me?" He checked himself in mirror again.

As if! This man can't look any less that drool worthy Greek God even if wrapped in rags.

"Why would you wear such an expensive tuxedo? We are just meeting your parents!"

"Exactly Sam! We are meeting my parents"

"Oh I give up!" throwing my hands up, I moved out of the room.

I don't get this man anymore. He flies around the world, charming his clients with the calm-headed aura and dazzling smile of his, effortlessly slides into my mom's heart with his oh-so-innocent nature and wins my heart without much of a hustle. But this same Dhruv gets an appointment to have a dinner with his parents. Imports expensive suits and dresses to get ready. Orders for Champagne to gift them and gets nervous over introducing me to them. I'm totally not sure about his sanity anymore.

After 15 more minutes of glaming him up, Dhruv came out. His personal assistant called to assure that all arrangements were made. Without another word I moved towards the lift. My mind was totally messed seeing his behaviour. If this was how Dhruv meets his parents, then what will his family be like in actual. I know they are The Dara's, a Persian Royal family line who now rule the buisness word. But still do they act this strange while meeting each other.

"This is your family for God sake!! You be carefree around your family. They are not gonna incinerate you if a strand of your hair comes out from the set style!" My voice echoed within the limo. Dhruv blinked seemingly startled by my sudden outburst. He has been nervous since we started from our house contemplating how to greet his mother, eventually making me nervous.

"William!" I called Dhruv chauffeur and my good friend.

"Will you please be kind enough to take us to the beach" 

"But Mam, it's a Saturday eve. The beach will be crowded now"

"And we aren't five year olds to get lost or kidnapped"

"Yes mam"

And the ever-loyal William took us to a very sparsely populated beach area which I haven't seen in my 25 years of life in this city. And I'm a thallosophile's sister who has been dragged to all the mesmerizing beaches in vicinity. Great job William!

Taking Dhruv by hand, I pulled him for a walk along the beach. His sensible protests saying that his family would be waiting for us didn't deter me from my mission. After few more minutes of protest, he fell silent sensing his defeat.

Throwing his hands over my shoulder, he pulled me closer during our stroll. I could feel the pent up stress and nervousness leaving his body as his shoulders sagged and a relaxed breath came out.

"Now tell me what's up with you?"

"I don't wanna meet them Sam"

"And why is that?

If it's about introducing me, then don't worry. We could postpone our..."

"Sam!! I would never worry about introducing you to them. You are the best thing that happened in my life and I wanna make you a part of my family as soon as possible"

A smile tugged at my lips.

"Then what's the actual problem?"

"I don't want to become the Patriarch anymore"

"The what?"

"The Patriarch of Dara's... You know my family's history right? They value power and pride over anything in this world. We were always raised like that, to be the number one, to be flawless, to be the best, to be the one holding power over everything. To be the Patriarch.

My Great-Grandfather was a Patriarch. He was voted to be the Patriarch by every member of the Dara's wholeheartedly. All his brothers and cousins flew from every corner of the world to attend that ceremony. He was such a great man and my family was so united and selfless back then, choosing the best without any misgivings. But people changed, the small greed lurking inside them made them crave for that position as time passed, and they wanted their children  to be the patriarch of the next generation. But again my grandfather was crowned as the patriarch because he was undoubtedly the best among all. But this time there was struggle, misunderstandings, competition and grudges. The legacy was followed by my father, Darian Shanaz Dara. He was so close to loosing the title to his brother due to all the false allegations that were framed against my father out of greed. But then my mother who was the love of his life, also the only heir of 'Gulf internationals' a mighty business empire married him strengthening his stand. And finally he became the Patriarch. Now it's a matter of family pride. The ceremony will be next year and I'm expected to become the Patriarch.

The first question once I meet my parents will be about my plans for the position."

"But you don't want that"

"I don't want any of that Sam" he wishpered looking over the horizon.

"I don't want that title anymore. I wasn't interested in it even before I met you. But I was ready to work for that because my little brother didn't want it. He didn't want to be another hunter in this buisness world. He wanted wings to fly in his sky of dreams. And I stepped in the race to give him his life. I relentlessly ran to defeat my cousins, I ran till the ambitions became the only motive of my life. I became one of the strongest contenders while my cousin Arshad became my opponent.

But then I was struck by a Strom" his graze shifted to me and a smile crawled to his lips.

"I realized how hollow and plain my life has been. So I began painting it with your colours.

Now it's full of beautiful, heart warming dreams." His heartfelt smile morphed it frown.

"I don't want to loose this again by running after that crown" he right hand came up to caress my face.

"Then you don't have to, idiot" I smiled up at Dhruv

"But I can't convince my parents"

"Then don't"

"Sam!!"

Taking Dhruv's mobile, I called his personal assistant.

'James, my man how are you?'

'Yeah, alright... I need a tiny miny favour dude'

'That's so kind of you... Cancel the meeting with Dhruv's parents. This Goof had an ice-cream yesterday and is down with fever now. Such a child!'

'Thanks dude! I owe you one.' I winked at a clueless Dhruv who then shook his head probably thinking about his crumbling image in his assistant's eyes. Poor baby.

I was suddenly off the ground and within a flash, thrown into the water.

Did I say poor baby? Scratch that...

"You are so gonna pay for this, moron"

And that is how his expensive tux and my midnight blue fish cut dress got washed in sea water and rolled in beach sand.

Changing into a simple dress, I thought of having a Ragini-made-dinner while Dhruv decided it would be fun to break our decision to my mum instead. And my mind decided it was for the best. Let's face it, I have been dying with guilt since that night I decided to hide things from her. So it would be the best to tell her about my proposal and our decision to get married soon. At least a little burden would be off my heart.

A peaceful dinner is what we need now

And as Dhruv pressed that obnoxious calling bell to my house I was ready to yell surprise and burn mom's ear off.

"Surprise!!"

But it was Arjun who yelled this on opening the door. Looks like he thought to take a break from his work and give us a surprise.

So much for a peaceful dinner!!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

And that is from where Dhruv gets his beauty genes.
Persian boy!

Do checkout 'Ties that bind' and 'Defying destiny' by @tashudd  Breezy and poetic love stories by a wordsmith.