3 MONTHS LATER
With no more College to attend,Alina woke up early and geared up for IEH's main office. It felt so good after not lying to her parents anymore. They never knew the truth that their daughter was actually being a professor at some university. For those four months when she used to teach at the uni,holding that facade was a lot for her. She used to leave in the name of office and used to actually reach the college. It was seriously tough to include all the workers of their office in this messy lie.She paid a huge sum to keep all of their mouths shut. Whenever her dad used to visit office,The managers, workers..everyone used to make an excuse in name of some important meeting or some other stuff.She joined the office and her position nearly three months ago and took over all the remaining files,meetings and tasks. Taking over such a big empire was no joke.
Everything was turned upside down in the last three months and she didn't know if she was to feel good or bad about it. Having to leave the uni was an absolute mislay of a lot of burden and she was grateful for it but why was she suddenly asked to leave the college? Why did Aviraj asked her to withdraw her lecturer-ship so suddenly? Him asking her to teach in the first place was an utterly curated execution of his plan,Then why did he asked for such a bummer? Anyways,Alina was greatful whatever the reason was.
Around seven in the evening,she left her cabin. Her whole day was jammed pack just like all the other days these past months.Handling a whole billion dollar firm was way too big transition from lecturing scholars. Her conception of it being exhausting came crashing in her face when she started working at Oberoi's headquarters. She didn't realised but somehow all the memories of her time spent at the uni,sent a wave of nostalgia in her body. She felt insides of her stomach churning. She never in her dreams thought that she would get attached to that place to this extent. Or maybe someone..
Her phone beeped. "HEY BABES"
Alina sighed looking at the screen. Her hands shivered for a second.
"Hi baby" She texted back
"Want me to pick you up?"
"No it's fine,I have got some work left in the office" She lied
"Well,After an hour?"
"I'll manage,Anyways..Maya is coming for Dinner tonight. Papa Mumma wants me there,I'll head their straight"
"You are not avoiding me again,Are you?"
Her hands unconciously turned into a fist. Her knuckles turning white.
"You know,I'll never do that baby"
"That took you a while to respond"
"My network died for a second there"
She didn't get a reply for a few minutes. Her phone chimed again from the notification.
"When are you going to talk about our engagement with your dad?"
Alina looked at the screen. "He has been busy with everything and-" She recieved another text before she could continue.
"Alina,I'm warning you for the last time & I won't repeat it again,Make it quick.." The three dots bubbled again. "Also make sure to remember,I want a Buggati chiron..A skyscrapper in California,A villa on the outskirts of delhi and a vintage exclusive collection of Solitaire jewellery. That's it for the engagement,I'll let you know about the Marriage later"
"I'll make the arrangements soon"
"Once Mr Oberoi hands over the contract of Oberoi's new land construction to my dad,Everything will be mine anyways,Still make it quick"
"Yeah..Understood"
"The body is still hidden ,But I can unhide it anytime you know..So take your decisions wisely"
Alina's throat tightened.
"Okay baby..I'll keep it all in mind"
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"I love you"
"You should"
Aviraj,her boyfriend,turned out to be a very big help during these past months. He helped her in diverting her mind or more like sex helped her from diverting her mind. These past months consisted more of calmness and a lot of sex. Not that Aviraj knew what was going on in her life but still Sexual desires of both of them helped them in landing the same path. Alina needed it to deal with her own shit,to redirect her thoughts and Aviraj was just a horny guy. He always is. Everytime he brought up a significant conversation,Alina used to kiss him intensily..leading them to something more fierce. There sex was never passionate,It was just enormous desire. Aviraj never ran out of Serious topics to brought up and Alina never missed a chance to shut him up. It was easy to make him hard,Every man always has been. Alina never wanted to sound like an attention seeking,People - using whore. She always tried to be honest,Do good to this society,Be a genuine companion to her family,a helping hand to his father and a supporting figure for her sisters. But guess what,She was different now,She was changed.
And what all did it take for such a major change?
A complete abandonce by her parents,Infedility committed by her partner various times,Losing someone she genuinely liked after a long time and Just a MURDER.
After a heated argument with her parents three months ago,Alina moved out of their home. She was living on her own. Her friends had a lot on their own plates as well. Shanaya taking over her Dad's printing press, Kashvi looking over her baby startup and Ragini managing her Modelling career and raising her two sons. All three of them offered their help but Alina knew she wanted some peace now. Other than her three friends,she cut ties with everyone. Her work and sex were the only two things which kept her going.
After the argument with her Parents,the urge to prove herself grew a lot more.
She wondered why was she working this hard. After Maya came back and chose to literally ignore her presence as a whole,she had no more motto. Maya had her own apartment to live at when she came to India but Alina's parents urged and forced her to stay at their home. Maya used to visit her apartment for some ten days every month and then used to come back to live with them.Alina had no issues with it,It made everyone happy and also highlighted the fact that Alina's lack of presence didn't bothered them at all. Maya was now the owner of her own clothing brand,Her label doing rounds on internet. Her piece of clothing were worn by many bollywood celebs and quite a lot of significant figures. She made a name for herself and that was fine by Alina until yesterday. Ever since she moved out of the house her dad never initiated a conversation ever. Her mum came to check on her once or twice a month and Aliya daily dropped a trail of texts. Alina has muted her chat long ago, She was being annoying. Aliya tried to reach a lot but Alina ignored it all. It may sound ridiculous but Alina doesn't feel a thing for them or her now. Aliya or anyone else doesn't matter to her at all.
Yesterday,her dad dropped a text and when Alina ignored it..He called her this morning. Apparently,it was an important 'Family' meeting which she was supposed to attend at all cost. No matter how much she wanted to ignore them all,it was better to get over with it already. Also she was hungry.
As she was about to enter the house through the main gates,she saw a stray mother dog with her pups. She glanced at them before moving towards the house. She parked her car,her shiny audi e tron gt in the driveway and made her way towards the entrance.
Loud barks followed as soon as she entered. Rocky,her shiny..sorry,their shiny golden retriever leaped at her. Alina bowed down to pet him and sat on her knees. Maybe,he was the only one she missed. She was playing with him when a white young labrador came wagging her tail behind him. They surely didn't have her before. Alina started patting her as well.
"That's Rani,We got her recently from Ruhani's farm"
Ruhani,she heard that name after a long time.
Alina looked up and Aliya's face came into view.
"Hi..Didu,You look beautiful..as always" Girl said with a weak smile
Alina could see that she was nervous to hold a conversation. It would be better if she didn't held any. Alina didn't gave a reply to her.
"Didu..uhm..Are you free tomorrow or maybe day after it or..or..whenever you find some time. We can go to a waterpark or somewhere camping or a..Beach or anywhere you like you know–"
"I ain't free...at all" Alina cut her bluntly
"I was just hoping that..we..we can hangout a bit"
"Don't hope for anything,I don't have time for all this nonsense"
Aliya got shut,she looked at Alina for a short while and lowered her gaze. Was she about to cry? If she was, Alina hoped she did it somewhere else..She was way too exhausted to deal with this shit.
Someone came and placed their hand on Aliya's shoulder,comforting her gently. Aliya looked up and smiled at him. Who was he now? God,who else is she supposed to meet. A guy ,no a boy looked at Alina with a cheeky smile. He maybe was same age as Aliya but looked younger. He moved his hand for Alina to shake. No sign of anger or curiosity on his face,just pure happiness and that flashy cheeky smile of his which made him look charming and cute. His messy trimmed hair and clean shave radiated his sharp features.
"Hello Didi,Hridaan this side" He said with his hand still hanging in the air.
DIDI?
"I wanted to meet you for so long,heard a lot about you from Aloo baby & -"
Aloo, Baby ? Cringe
The guy, sorry the boy continued without waiting for Alina's reply. "Oh yeah you may not know me,I'm Aliya's boyfriend. You have met me a few times but I guess it's hard to remember everybody when you meet so many people a day"
Oh yeah,he was one of Aliya's friends. Alina remember meeting him earlier. If he is dangling around this house so casually,it must be serious of a relationship this time. What is the matter with his smile,Why is he so happy. Absolutely annoying.
Alina passed an uninterested "Hello" and moved passed them. She took her seat on the dining table and yawned at the sight of empty chairs. A light kiss on top of her head grabbed her attention.
"Thanks for coming" Her mother said
"Ofcourse mother,Wouldn't want to miss it for the world" She faked excitement
Amrita didn't said anything and rather took her seat next to her daughter. Aliya sat in front of them followed by her boyfriend on one side and Maya on other side. Maya gently kissed Aliya's forehead and fist bumped her boyfriend. Where was the Fiancee today?
Speak of the devil. The man entered in a black button up exposing a lot of chest and black pants unevenly matched with, 'White boots'?
Maya looked at him. Her eyes widened. "Baby don't tell me you went for your meeting like that"
"I did baby,Aliya asked me to..How could I not"
"You know I was joking ,Vi" Aliya said
"You dared me"
"And Men never back from a challenge" Aliya's boyfriend replied
Both the Men,Sorry a Man and a boy shaked hands. "EXACTLY" said the fiancee and both the sisters looked at each other,breaking into a laugh. Alina could read both of them transmitting STUPID MEN through their eyes.
Another reason,Alina didn't liked coming back here. The feeling of being left out,Not being important to others,getting her expectations broken from the only people she thought loved her back.
Did she missed them? She did. Will she accept it? Never. Cause she finally learned to live without them and came to terms with reality. She won't let it all go to waste for these stupid feelings.
Alina tried to ignore all the bickering in the background when her eyes met the fiancee. He smiled at her. Again. Just like the last time. Followed by the previous bow as well,with a hand on his chest and flashy portrayal of his shiny teeths. Alina unconsciously smiled as well. All of their eyes moved when her dad entered the room in his black two piece suit. That tall,intimidating man broke into the most heartwarming smile as soon as his eyes landed on Aliya and Maya.
"How are my Daughters doing?" He came and wrapped each of his arm around both Maya and Aliya from back,placing a kiss on each of their heads.
"Awesome as always,Papa" Aliya replied.
Her dad took his seat on head of the table and smiled back,handing over his coat to the servant next to him. Her mom stood up and placed a quick peck on his lips before moving into the kitchen.
"And Did the shopping went well,My princess?" He asked
The fiancee broke into a snort at that. "Dad,I'm almost twenty eight now,Can you stop calling me that" Maya frowned.
"I swear,you were sixteen up until yesterday" Her dad replied
"That makes me what,Six?" Aliya asked.
"You are really bad at maths,Aliya" Fiancee chimed in
"She is good at other things" Aliya's boyfriend passed his comment.
Maya choked on her water. She regained her composure a second later and gave Aliya's boyfriend the most deadly glance to ever exist. He lowered his gaze nervously. But..But Why was Aliya blushing? STUPID TEENAGERS.
"Do you want water...Prin-cess?" Fiancee teasingly asked Maya. He felt someone tapping on his shoulder. He was met with a very intimidating pair of eyes who also happened to be of Maya's father.
"You dare call my Daughter that again & this would be your last day on the earth,Understood?"
"Ye...Yes..SIR"
It was Maya's turn to snort now.
Anyways,Food was served at the table and Alina delved in without waiting for anyone else.
"Where are your manners,Alina?" Her dad asked.
Great! As much as she wanted to avoid a conversation,This is the first thing her dad said.
"Dad,I'm not in mood for any kind or argument today. Please let me eat"
"Wait for the your mom and the whole platter to come Atleast"
"Don't worry,I'll leave food for the rest."
Her dad sighed,moving his gaze away.
"Why did you called me again,Today?" Alina asked.
Her dad didn't replied. Alina stopped chewing and started waiting for her mother. As soon as her mother joined and they all delved in their plates together,Alina asked again.
His dad started. "Maya is getting married"
Alina knew it already. Three months ago,when she used to live here..she heard everyone talking and preparing for the same but no one included her back then. Finally three months later,they decided to break the news. Alina was so glad, "Oh my god."
"Aage?" Alina asked
"The wedding is in Jodhpur. Wedding will last for twenty days,consisting of Mehandi,haldi,Prom night,Bachelor's night,Palace tour ,Dance night,Mushaira and Qawalli night and other pre wedding festivities"
Her mom continued this time. "It would be a big fat wedding,We have invited Birla's, Ambani's,Adani's,Poonawala's,Mittal's and nearly the entire buisness world as well as Bollywood"
Her father took a sip of his drink while her mother continued. "Billie Eilliesh and Khan's would be performing as well"
Alina sighed at it all. "And what am I supposed to do with this information?"
Her dad hardly striked his knife on the plate. He was about to shout when Maya held his hand from across the table. He looked at her briefly before moving towards Alina.He composed himself.
"All we are asking is for you to be present there during the whole wedding and all the rituals..And pretend to be happy" His dad asked
"And why will I -"
"I'm not asking you Alina,I'm telling you. Everyone is going to be present there. They all know and recognize you. Everyone would ask about you. Your lack of presence would cause unnecessary stimulations and assumptions. I don't want my daughter's wedding to be ruined and to it be in news for something negative and odd. Just hold a facade and be there"
'Holding a facade?' Alina was pretty good at it.
Her mother continued from the side. "The wedding is in three weeks,Go and buy high end jewelley,accessories and clothes. You can get your fits custom made as well. I trust your taste,so choose anything you want. We have sent invites to your every single friend and their family's as well. You can invite anyone you want to."
"I have work at the office –"
"I told the headquarters that you won't be coming for next three weeks" His dad said without looking up from his plate
"You can't do that" Alina screamed at him. As much as Alina wanted to miss this wedding,she knew can't. She isn't sure if Aviraj's family is invited or not but if the wedding is happening on such a big scale,he and his family would want to join it any cost. Aviraj being there as Alina's boyfriend would introduce him to everybody and would be easier for him to establish his image as her fiancee. If Alina missed it,It would only invite trouble on her part.
She sighed. "I ain't spending a single penny"
"I'll pay for everything,Just –"
Alina stood up and left her plate. She shouted towards the kitchen to their househelp. "Shalini,Agar ghar mei chicken ya mutton hai..toh pieces pack krke dedo. (Shalini,if there's chicken or mutton in the house..Then pack some pieces in a box")
Before leaving she moved her hand towards her father,palm facing upwards. He looked at her and placed his infenia credit card into her hand.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x–x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Alina kneeled down on the roadside,patting those dogs and feeding them those chicken pieces she asked for earlier. Little paws of those pups getting tangled with Alina's fingers. It surely relieved something in her.
"I didn't know you liked and patted strays as well"
Maya's voice hit her ears. This is the first time she initiated a conversation ever since she came back.
"You don't know a lot of things about me" Alina was still having her back faced to the other woman's front. Something in her didn't wanted to meet her gaze.
The other woman took a pause. She kneeled next to Alina and started patting the dogs as well. "Yeah..you are right about that" She moved her face to look at Alina. She opened her mouth slightly but closed it again. "You have grown a lot Alina. Grown up into such a pretty and mature woman...I..I am proud of you"
Alina felt her eyes becoming glisery. This was so silly. A woman who hasn't spoken to her in nearly three years holds the ability to make her cry from nearly ten words. She stood up and moved towards her right,her back again facing Maya's front. None of them held any eye contact yet.
"Can I help you with anything?"
"You are coming to the wedding,right?
"I don't remember being provided by a number of options"
Alina felt Maya standing behind her as well.
"I have a request for my wedding"
"And that is?"
"You can invite or call anyone you want,no matter how many but make sure.." She took a pause. "Make sure that boyfriend of yours..what was his name again? Avi.."
"Avi..raj?" Alina finally turned to face Maya,their eyes finally meeting.
Maya took a deep breath. "Make sure that Aviraj definitely comes for the wedding"
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