Chapter 4

Silence was killing everyone; even a pin fall would make a huge sound. Nail-biting, very considerately performing the important task of his life, he was doing my mehendi design!

Aha, aha, you heard it right, this 6’4”, living Greek god—sorry, edible Greek god—was making the exact design of what’s in my left hand. I am enjoying my view. Yes, he is my view. Actually, we sit in the mehendi room again to do his important task, sorry, not from me, from him.

When he asked to do it, I was astonished at first, because I didn’t expect much from anyone, because expectations kill, but deep down I wished someone would notice and make me happy for these small things. He made me happy.

While I was busily admiring him, he coughed to gain my attention and asked me how it looked. I looked at my hand and both were the same, exactly the same, and he had done it more sharply than me.

I smiled from ear to ear and asked him, “Arey, you have done like a professional artist. If you were in India you would be handsomely paid.” He chuckled and said, “The function will start in 2 hours, let’s go take rest and we will meet there.”

“Shit, you know I am going to dance, I need to rest, otherwise my makeup looks like a zombie. I can’t sleep at night because of…” ok no more details needed, my anxiety hits and I couldn’t face him. Really, that much dumb I am? No, no. When I see his face, his face kind of amused and something I can’t figure out. “Ok, let’s go” and tsk, I couldn’t stand up since both my hands were covered with mehendi and I sat on the stool. I needed support. I know being chubby has this kind of disadvantage too. When I tried, Eolo held both my elbows and lifted me like I was nothing.

He was very close, I could smell him too closely—it had wood and fresh ocean smell, which was addictive. Wow, if he became a prison I could be caged all my life. When I saw his eyes, they darkened. It was very intense, I felt dehydrated, when I licked my lips his breathing got heavy, he came near my earlobe, I felt his nose there, he said, “My designs are exclusively for you only,” I could feel his lips on my earlobes and I shivered like anything. Boom. He made me stand steady in place and left the place.

I was dazzled and felt like I was in MARS for a few minutes and once I returned from Mars, I went to my room and slept like a log and didn’t miss to put the alarm.

I woke up, and as a first job I went to Bhindu’s room to see if she was ready. Since it’s sangeet and she selected a party gown, it’s kind of western look, so the makeup artist did a good job. She saw me and told me to concentrate only on the dance, that’s an issue. I thought with this makeup work maybe I can skip the dance, but god is not on my side it seems. But he is, my mind said. Please don’t remember him.

You guys thought I forgot about that incident? NO, still I feel his lips on my earlobe. I won’t say I enjoyed it. But I am scared like everyone he will just enjoy some time with me and leave me. Yes right, in past years some guys acted with me as though they cared, I too considered them. But when I started to develop feelings for them, they said, I am not right, “you deserve better.” Then what are they—criminals? I won’t say I am innocent and all, we are in a generation where we are exposed to everything. If they want an innocent girl, then they should be like that themselves. However, I am not a saint, I too have wishes and needs, but making someone feel insecure about basic needs is not good. If I start my lecture I will go all day. Yes, every boy says they are friends but they act like boyfriends, once they get a beautiful girlfriend, they leave me like I am no longer needed. I came to the terms that the boy who says he loves me and wants to marry me, only then I will start the feelings otherwise I won’t hurt my precious heart.

However, Eolo is different. Something in him wants to hold me, at the same time makes me want to escape from it. I don’t know. By again arguing with myself I reached my room to do my makeup and dress, here comes my actual nightmare.

Time now 6.15, actually I am done with my makeup, I did simple makeup and wore half saree (South Indian traditional dress), it’s onion pink with golden colour mix, I look terrifically beautiful. I know which colour compliments me. But I can’t enjoy my beauty since I need to do the dance. God, why did I agree? Can’t I run away from here? But I did good makeup, I want everyone to see me, but—ring...

My phone buzzed—it was a call from Antonio’s cousins telling me to take Bhindu down. I was nervous in all capitals, but let’s do it. With new motivation I went to Bhindu’s room. Antonio’s cousins were there, they were literally from all over the world, but they are really sweet even though they are rich like the wealth goddess.

There are four—Maria from America, Harmonie from London, Jennie from Australia and Lily from Sweden. They all are beautiful in their own way but once I reached the room they complimented me like anything. Their mouths opened and closed like fish. I said, “I know I am beautiful, please don’t be too obvious,” with dramatic expressions, they chuckled and Lily came near me and said, “Let’s elope you to Sweden, my love, I will take care of you as a princess.” I forgot to say Lily is bi and she flirts like anything. Truthfully, if I were lesbian or bi, I would surely marry Lily in this same place. But what can I do, god made me straight.

“Lily darling, I wish to but I can’t,” I saw a little bit hurt, she brushed it off and said, “Why? Princess.” When she calls me that it makes me happy. Harmonie said, “Because she is straight, you idiot, before your marriage shall we take care of the ongoing one,” she said with her strong accent. Harmonie is like a mother to them, she is strict and caring at the same time. Lily just rolled her eyes and mouthed to me, it’s not over. I know she is playing with me. But they are really being nice to me as friends.

Bhindu looked like an angel from heaven, I would say really the Antonio buffalo is lucky. I came near her, smudged my kajal from my eyes and put it behind her ear to avoid evil eyes on her. “You look beautiful as an angel,” I said. She replied, “Riya, you don’t know what you are doing, I am happy you are here and you make me feel like my family is here.”

“Arey no crying baba, you are a good soul and now you are going to have a very beautiful family.” I said and pointed to the cousins.

She smiled and they slightly had tears. Maria jumped and said, “Now, now, no tears it’s happy hours.” We agreed, and when we were moving, Jennie held my hand and said, “You are really a good soul, please be careful,” only for me to hear, and she moved. Why she said like that? Oh maybe she was like my mother, thought they could misuse my kindness. But I am not dumb, right.

We reached the area where the sangeet was conducted, near the lake and the same place where they were going to have the Christian wedding. Yes, morning Hindu wedding and evening Christian wedding for Antonio.

Function slowly started, everyone came, I got complimented by dozens of men and women. One real thing I want to say—even though Antonio’s family and relatives are rich and beautiful, they are really down-to-earth persons. I really love this family, no jealousy, no vengeance. This is how relatives should be.

Antonio doesn’t have a mother, she died when he was young seems, his father—ditto Antonio, sorry Antonio ditto to his father. But he has different eye colours, he is very warm to me unlike his son. He said he considers Bhindu as daughter; his eyes carried the same affection.

Antonio has one younger brother, his name is Andrew, he is 2 years younger than me but very tall. From the start of the event whenever he gets a chance he flirts with me like anything. I won’t say I don’t like that, I like attention, especially when I feel beautiful. But now it’s become extreme, he follows me like a lost puppy, giving a tooth-to-tooth smile. From his behaviour I definitely know he is… drum roll please… he is a PLAYBOY.

This is not an issue now, but my dance is the next performance. I started to sweat. Even though all this is happening, my eyes are searching for those ocean blue eyes. Since the function started I didn’t see him.

I don’t know, but I felt comfort around him. I can act freely. “So, guys the next performance will be from the bride’s side, our beautiful girl Riya.” Why god why.

I moved to the stage nervously and when I turned around Bhindu gave me a thumbs up, Andrew too, Antonio just rolled his eyes. Seriously I wanted to pluck that eyeball, but for you Bhindu I am sparing him and doing the dance.

Music started, it was an Indian song “Deewani Mastani,” actually my song is a mix: “Deewani Mastani,” then “Love Yatri” song and with “Kala Chashma” added to show some swag. I started to dance. Gracefully once the song started I forgot myself and danced, when “Kala Chashma” came everyone started to vibe.

Once done, there was applause like anything. Even Antonio applauded me, Bruno showed thumbs up, the photographer, I should get photos from him later. Then I saw the ocean blue eyes in the crowd when he came, and his eyes darkened, angry? Why? I followed his gaze and it was on my waist.

Due to dancing, my pin loosened and it showed my waist area. Once I covered it he looked at my face and left angrily. What had I done now?

It was couple dances now, once solo and group dances were over, the songs layered and everyone danced on the floor with couples and groups. Even though I was enjoying, Eolo left angrily and it made me kind of worried, which stressed me—why should I care about him? What is he to me? I don’t want to break my heart.

To lessen my confusion and stress I drank cool drinks, yes I am a teetotaler, so no options for alcohol. Same time Andrew came and said, “Shall I be the luckiest person to have a dance with this angel?” I just blinked twice, thrice, five times. He was still holding his hand out for me to take. But I was not in the mood, I politely declined. Again, “Oh god, please clear my sins, to hold and dance with this beauty.” Seriously, is he Antonio’s brother? I looked at soon to be groom and bride, they gracefully danced for the song with more love.

Andrew was adamant to dance with me, I thought of dancing with him, because I needed peace and he was flirting but not in a bad way. Before I held his hand, another hand held me. To my surprise it was Eolo. His hand bigger and beautiful than Andrew’s. What the heck, I was admiring hands now. I think it was the cool drink working! And yes, readers, I am dramatic.

Eolo took me, not actually pulled me, to the dance floor. He held my waist and started to move with the music. I was not sure what was playing, again arrested in this beautiful cage! Again, it’s the cool drink. He looked into my eyes, I also gave him the same stare, actually I was angry with him. I don’t know—was it because he was angry with me? Or because he didn’t say anything about my dance? So I asked him, “Why did you angrily leave after my dance, why? You don’t like it?” His eyes held amusement. As I said I won’t keep my mouth shut and imagine things to save my sanity.

He chuckled, “You are a firecracker.” “I am not left because I was angry, but because of… possessiveness!”

“Huh?” I exclaimed. “Me, possessive? Why?” Did I dream what he was saying? DJ played as Cupid, Ishq wala love, this is my favourite love song and he placed it finely. I saw him for his answer, he deeply breathed, pulled me by the waist, I was not aware when my dupatta became loose, so he touched my bare waist!! Oh my god. I shivered. He bent to my ear level and said, “Because, I am a possessive man and I don’t like others seeing what’s mine.” He pulled me very close to him by my waist and his fingers softly yet sensually pressing into my waist.

My breathing stopped, I shivered, if he didn’t hold me, I would have melted on the floor like a floor mat.

He didn’t stop, he slowly licked my earlobe and said, “Be mine.” Boom! The first thunderclap of the day followed by heavy wind.

The day officially storm entered my life.

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