Playing With Fire

Chapter 26 - A Mukherjee

If she hadn't already been sitting down, Kajol probably would have fainted. A heavy ache filled her chest. Her blood pumped vigorously through her veins as tears pricked her eyes. It wasn't as if she couldn't handle being around Amir. Yeah, the guy was a world-class jerk, but she could deal with him. What hurt her was her parents' lack of concern for her feelings. No, their blatant attack on her and Shahru. They didn't care that Amir had hurt her, cheated on her. All they cared about were their ties with Amir's family, and they wanted her to marry someone with money. And they were willing to hurt her to try and get what they wanted.

"Ma?" she called out as her mum rose to answer the door.

Her dad replied instead. "Don't make a scene, Kajol . You know Amir and Rakesh are friends of our family. They share dinner with us often. Do not be so vain as to think this is about you."

Shahru pushed to his feet. "Now wait a damn minute."

Her father stood too. The anger on Shahru's face shook her to the core. He cared about her. It was plain to see. If she'd let him, he'd give her father a piece of his mind on her behalf, but no matter what they'd done to her, she couldn't bring herself to disrespect them. It just wasn't who she was. "Can I talk to you for a minute, Shahru?" She tried to pull him toward her, but he held his ground.

"Calm your boyfriend down. We'll be in the dining room. Five minutes, Kajol ."

Her dad followed the path her mother had taken, closing the door behind him. With the click of the door she let a single tear drop down her face. That was all she would give them. Reaching up to wipe it, Shahru stopped her with his callused hand, wiping the tear away for her. "Let's get out of here," he told her. "Now."

She'd never heard him sound so demanding, so authoritative. "I can't."

"Like hell you can't, Angel. All they've done is attack you and cut you down the whole time we've been here. If it weren't for you I'd be telling both your parents just where they could stick it right now." And he would. She knew that just as she knew she'd be a mess right now if it weren't for him. Somehow his strength made her hold it together. "I'm not going to let Amir send me running. Daddy is right about one thing, they are family friends and he will be in my life. I'd better learn to face him now."

"As your parents they shouldn't have set you up like this. I know this is about me and I hate that. Maybe things would be easier for you if we called off this whole fucking thing."

"No!" She snapped the word out. Stupid as it was, she wanted this to be real, not a game and she knew if they called it off she wouldn't have any hold on him at all. At least this way she could experience what it was really like to have someone who really cared about her. Someone who didn't want anything from her. Her parents always wanted something from her, and it wasn't ever what she wanted. Amir wanted her for the firm, for the clout. But Shahru ... he didn't want a thing. He wanted to take care of her, and even though she didn't need to be taken care of, it still felt too darn good to let go of just yet.

"I want to keep this going if you will, Shahru. If they think we've broken up, It's only going to make them feel as if they've been right about me. As if I don't make good decisions for myself, and they'll push even harder for me to get back together with Amir. I wouldn't do it regardless but..."

"Shh." He touched his finger to her lips. "Whatever you want to do. I gave you my
word and I'll stick to it." He gave her a smile. "Maybe we'll get lucky and Amir will give me a reason to knock him on his ass."
Shahru winked at her, but she had a feeling he was far from joking. "Thanks, Shahru. I don't know what I'd do without you."

His eyes turned distant for a moment before he stepped back. "Come on, Angel. Let's get this show on the road."

Kajol grabbed his hand, not willing to let him pull away. Every time she got too close he backed off. Tonight she needed him close, and she'd find a way to keep him there. She pushed her hurt aside, locked it in a little chest to deal with later. Right now she needed a strong front, and she needed Shahru by her side. With their united front, she'd find a way to make it through this night without losing it.