Married To A Stranger

Sreesha Pov:

“I’m getting married to Arjun for baby”

“What the hell did you just say?” I half-yelled.

This must be some kind of a sick joke. How can someone marry for a kid who’s not even hers?

“Sree, stop yelling, Aadhya will be awake if you start talking that loud” Veni said shaking her head.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and said: “Are you keeping her tonight?” She nodded; my guess was right.

Try to stay calm Sreesha, talk to her without bursting out like a volcano.

Do remember she’s the sane one, not you! My stupid brain offered.

Yeah, like she just took the world’s best decision.

You don’t know what she went through, so shut up and listen to her. Who knows she might have a reason for all the things she was doing? My brain chided.

I’ll listen to her because I love her, not because you said.

Whatever!

“Okay, you can take the room next to yours, it has a crib and a bed too” I said and added, “We need to talk about this with Anju and Niya too”.

“Thank you. We’ll talk to them tomorrow, but I want you to support me when I talk to them. Let’s take this conversation somewhere else” she said looking at the baby.

After settling the baby in the crib, I dragged her to the balcony to talk to her, we can’t go too far as we need to keep an eye on the baby in case she wakes up.

“Tell me everything” I demanded.

“Sorry for being rude all these days Sree” She apologized, so she knew that she was hurting me “I never intended to hurt you, it is just I was missing Aadhya so much when her father didn’t allow me to see her. He was adamant about his decision saying he doesn’t want me to be anywhere near her” I frowned.

Why would he do that, when she was trying to help him?

“Arjun h-he is my cousin’s husband and my childhood crush” she mumbled.

“What?” I whisper-yelled.

“Are you trying to say that he was the same guy, your first crush? Your Aunt’s son who married your cousin? The same Arjun for whom you cried your eyes out?” I started my ranting.

“Yeah, he’s the one” she mumbled looking at her feet, I smiled.

“I’ll help you,” I said smiling.

“Please Sree, I- wait you will help me?” She whispered. As if she can’t believe what I just said.

“But you need to be sure about your decision Veni. I get it, it’s your life and all but I’m your best friend and I have a right to worry about you. If marrying him makes you happy, so be it. But just think about the consequences. Just be sure you won’t regret your decision later. “I said worrying about her future.

“Do you love him?” I added, she stunned at my question.

“I-I d-don’t know Sree. I-I used to li-like him but I don’t th-think I l-love h-him. I just want to be there for Aadhya. She means a lot to me.” She said stuttering a little.

“Before you ask me, no, he doesn’t love me. I was always his Uncle’s daughter who used to annoy him. He agreed to marry me for the baby, He changed many nannies, but he has to fire all of them because they can’t make her stop crying. So, he had no other choice than to marry me. She only stops crying when I’m with her. I was shocked the first time you took her in your arms, and she didn’t cry. I was so jealous that she already took a liking towards you”

“B-but there is another choice Veni, you can work for him. I mean to say as a nanny for the baby or something that keeps u around the baby. Marriage is not the only solution” It’s a better idea than marrying someone.

“Dad wants me to marry Arjun. When Di asked me to take care of her daughter, I said yes but she added one more thing to it, she wants me to marry Arjun. Arjun doesn’t know about it, she tried to talk to him, but it was too late. So, dad made it clear for Arjun that if he wants me to take care of Aadhya, he should marry me in the first place.”

I gasped about this arrangement. What in the world is she talking about?

“And you’re okay with this arrangement?” I yelled.

“I love her like my own Sree. I tried to stay away from her from the start after listening to my sister’s words, but it is impossible not to love her” she said shrugging.

“I don’t know what to say Veni” I mumbled.

“Then don’t say anything, just help us to get married. A registered marriage.” She mumbled looking at her feet.

“And Uncle doesn’t want a big marriage for you?” I asked her confused. As far as I know, Veni’s dad will not allow Registered marriage as he always talks about her marriage highly. Like he wants a big fat Indian wedding for her.

“Arjun doesn’t want a grand wedding Sree. Me neither… it is not like we are marrying for love. So we’re not informing anyone other than friends. Let dad find out it later. Arjun said he’ll talk to dad after our marriage.”

“What the hell Veni? You want to marry him without your parent’s blessings? They love you so much, how could you do this to them?” I yelled again. I just hope Aadhya will not wake up because of my shouting.

“Mom knows about this, Sreesha. She was disappointed but okay with the arrangement. I want you to help with our friends and Tej.”

“Let’s hope Tej will not rearrange Arjun’s face” I murmured under my breath.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Please talk to them for me Sree” she pleaded with her eyes.

“I’ll try” I said before leaving, I heard her sigh in relief.

“What took you so long and what are you doing here?” A familiar voice startled me. I didn’t go to my room after leaving Veni’s. I went straight to the upstairs to clear my mind.

“Nothing Karthik, I was talking to Veni until now,” I said not looking at him.

“So, the problem is big then?” I heard him mumbled placing his hands around the waist from behind.

“How do you know?” I asked him, leaning into his touch.

“You called me Karthik. You wouldn’t call me Karthik unless we’re with someone. So, tell me wifey, what makes you think this hard? Is this about the baby again?” I nodded.

“Sree, I told you not to-” I cut him off by saying “Veni wants to marry Arjun for the baby.” I expected some reaction from him but all he said was.

“About time!”

What the hell does that mean?

“What do you mean about time Karthik? She was trying to ruin her life. What if he doesn’t treat her well?” I mumbled turning around placing my head on his shoulder. I’m tired thinking about everything from my stalker to Veni’s marriage. I hope everyone takes it well especially Anju. She can be a handful to deal with.

“Sree, Veni is not a kid. She knows what is good for her and what makes her happy. If she thinks that baby makes her happy then so be it. Who knows? Maybe they both will fall for each other hard, maybe they will learn love and respect to each other?” It sounds good when we listen to these kinds of things but…

“Don’t think too much wifey, let them deal with it. I know Arjun Raizada from years. He’s a nice guy. He’s a business acquaintance” he said burying his head in the nape of my neck.

“I hope he treats her well,” I said sighing.

“Everything will be fine Dree, let’s get you to bed, you need a lot of rest” he mumbled still not moving.

“I want to spend some time here,” I said, he nodded walking me near to the swing that is arranged here. Mom said, it is Karthik’s favourite place to think.

He took a seat on the swing and pulled me on his lap. I placed my head on his shoulder and started thinking about today’s events.

“Ask me” he whispered into my ears.

“What?”

“I know you want to ask me something Sree” I raised an eyebrow at him. I didn’t even make a move to ask him, then how the hell did he find out? “You’re playing with my shirt button. That means you wanted to ask me something” he said as it is the most obvious thing in the world.

“Why do you think I still love Manoj ?” He cringed at the mention of his name.

“I was jealous” he whispered. I would’ve missed it if I was a foot away from him.

“Jealous?” I teased.

“Hey, don’t blame me. Yes, I was jealous at the mention of his name. I used to kill him in my each and every dream when you both were together with God only knows how much I hated him” he said tightening his grip on mine. I giggled.

“So, forgive me?” He asked hesitantly.

“Only if you help me convincing our friends about Veni’s marriage most importantly Ved and Tej. They’re protective of her. I think I can handle others” I said pressing a small kiss on his cheek.

“That’s not the right way to kiss your husband ” he whined like a kid.

“Uh-huh this is all you get for pulling that stunt earlier” I whispered slipping away from his grip.

“Take the couch tonight, hubby” I said running towards our room.

“You” I heard him shouting. After reaching our room I made sure to keep an extra blanket and pillow on the couch just in case he forgets about it.

“You can’t be serious” he mumbled.

“I am serious hubby, now turn off the lights and sleep on the couch or else you’ve to sleep there for a week,” I said winking at him. I know he’ll listen to me without making a fuss. Because he can’t spend a week of a sleepless night. Even I can’t sleep without him beside me. He slipped under his blanket mumbling a string of curses.

“Don’t sneak in bed in the middle of the night or else remember one week” I warned him.

I tossed and tossed in our bed. No use. This idiot makes it hard for me to sleep alone without him beside me. I cursed under my breath and make my way towards him and adjusted myself beside him on that small couch.

Next time think about some other punishment which will not make you suffer by brain said groggily.

“Goodnight” I whispered placing my head on his heartbeat.

After a few minutes, I can feel someone lifting me in their arms and placed me on comfortable material. A bed. I sighed feeling the soft material. A few seconds later my head was placed on a rock-hard thing.

What is it?

And it started beating now. The sound was so soothing to my ears than any other music in the world.

Just like that, I slipped into a dreamless sleep.