How to Woo Your Bride

15| A Hot Neighbor

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
― Dr. Seuss

Chapter 15: A Hot Neighbor

   Riya opened her room door, curious to find out who rung the door bell. She spotted Madhan talking to a tall, well built man. She couldn't see his face, but she could tell from his frame that he was a guy who worked out.

   Madhan heard the door open and turned around to see Riya standing there.

   "Come here," he said, not unkindly.

   Riya timidly walked to where he was standing and got a good view of the stranger.

   "This is Armaan Rajput, Riya, and Armaan, this is Riya Roy," Madhan said, introducing the two of them.

   Armaan Rajput was six feet, with ultra sharp features. In other words, he was a greek god. He was, however extremely dark, which was surprising for a North Indian. His face was flawless, and he wore a leather jacket, and brown cowboy boots. A typical gangster look. Dang, why couldn't Madhan look like that?

   "Oh ho ho, so you weren't lying about getting hitched. Can't believe it, man. You got yourself a doll," he said, looking at Riya, sizing her up.

   Riya took and instant disliking towards him. "Excuse me," she said, curtly.

   "Riya make him a cup of coffee," Madhan said, to her back. He saw the look on her face and was eager to get Armaan out of her sight. She looked dumbstruck for a moment, and knew that Riya thought Armaan was good looking. It stung, but he knew it was obvious. Compared to him, he looked like a beggar.

   Riya scowled, but held back a retort, knowing she was in no position to argue.

   Armaan walked inside without any invitation and plopped himself onto the sofa.

   "So what brings you here," Madhan asked quietly.

   "Heard a ton of shouting. Came by to find out if everything was okay."

   "Thank you for checking, but nothing is going on. Can you please leave?" Madhan asked, irritably. This guy was too nosy for his own good. Armaan was his neighbor and friend, but he wasn't someone he could trust. Now that he knew Riya thought he was good looking too, made him desperate to send him out.

   "Nope. Not until I get my cup of coffee," Armaan said. He got up from the sofa and peeped into Riya's own. "Trouble in Paradise?" he asked, raising his eyebrow.

   "No," Madhan muttered.

   "Then why are you both sleeping in different rooms?"

   Madhan sighed.

   Armaan widened his eyes. "Oh, it was an arranged marriage. Right."

   Riya came out of the kitchen with a coffee mug. She handed it to Armaan without looking at him in the eye, and shut herself in her room.

   Armaan left after a few minutes, and Riya came out when she heard the door close.

   "I don't trust him one bit," Riya said, with distaste, looking at the door he just left in.

   Madhan retorted, "I trust him more than you atleast. He's like my brother." Madhan was so furious at Riya that he didn't care that he was lying. "I don't want to hear you say anything about him," he continued, his anger seething. One, he was angry that she lied. Two, he was angry that nothing he can do will ever win her over.

   Madhan went to his room and didn't come out of it until that night. All he could do was think and think about what he read in her diary. Two things kept repeating in his head.