Chapter 6 Part 5.

Aarti...(past)

"Wow! This is amazing Aarti!" Sakshi beamed at her best friend, happiness brimming in her round face "I can't believe you got engaged so soon!"

Aarti blushed slightly, a trait she had found out to be endearing these days, thanks to her fiancee "I can't believe it myself too, it feels like a dream!"she squealed like a little girl who had won her first prize and too happy to flaunt it with her friends.

"It's a good thing girl" Haya, her second best friend after Sakshi quipped "but don't you think you're moving a bit too fast?"

Haya, like Aarti had been in Dubai all her life. Although born in Jordan, she had hardly been to her hometown, just like the others.

"What do you mean?" Aarti raised a quizzical eyebrow "it's not like love at first sight, we met a couple of times before deciding to tie the knot with each other".

Sakshi caught Haya's eye "what she means is..how well you know this guy..besides him being a multi millionaire heir to a real estate business..and dashing and irresistible with oozing masculinity?"

Aarti laughed at her choice of words "I know you guys are worried and concerned..but trust me..he's the one" her eyes blinked dreamily "I can tell.. and my subconscious hasn't been wrong till now".

Haya rolled her eyes "you're infatuated girl! It's natural to get attracted to a guy like him..but this is marriage..you need to think clearly and use your brain, not heart..don't weaken your resolve by his physical traits".

Aarti scoffed "I'm not just seeing his outward appearance..he's got a golden heart beneath..all those times we met alone..not once did he try to push me to the edge..and we haven't even..kissed like that" her cheeks heated up "only those occassional touches of hands...that's it...".

Sakshi grinned at her "wow! Sounds like an old fashioned movie to me". Haya joined in "if you're happy, we are too..just be careful that's it".

"I'll be fine guys, believe me" Aarti got up from her bed "let's go see what's cooking for dinner". They headed downstairs towards the kitchen.

Aarti's phone beeped and she saw a text message, from Viraj...where are you? Her eyes glowed with happiness as she read his text message..it had been a week since their lavish and grand engagement and he hadn't texted her..only called.

The engagement had been in the Atlantis, and all important people had been invited..her grandfather had been the happiest. Her uncles had been happy too but she couldn't say the same about their wives. They had hugged her sweetly and congratulated her but their face said something else entirely. She ignored their jealousy as it was her day.

At home, with friends..she texted back, thinking about him. I'll be there in an hour, I'm taking you out for a surprise drive..

Her heartbeat rose rapidly after reading the last message. Her friends could only guess looking at her reddish cheeks "it's him isn't it? Your love?" Haya teased, pinching her arm.

Aarti nodded vigorously "he's coming here! Oh my God! He said something about a surprise". Her friends looked at each other and laughed "she's so whipped!" Haya squealed "come on, let's get you prepared".

After a lot of time had been spent on makeup and dressing, Aarti was ready and looked at her friends "what do you think?" Sakshi beamed "you look fabulous!"

He came as promised and her grandfather welcomed him "it's nice of you to drop by beta" he said sweetly.

"Actually I've come to take your granddaughter for an outing, if you don't mind" Viraj gave a flirtatious smile at her and she could feel her insides melting away in pleasure.

Her grandfather stared at him "we'll be back soon, I promise" he added hastily. The old man smiled "it's not that I don't trust you...you're a public figure and I don't want anyone to talk behind our backs".

Viraj nodded "I'm not afraid of anyone..but I respect your wish...I won't allow any gossip to fall on us". Aarti looked at her grandpa and pleaded through her eyes.."okay, come soon" he relented.

"Your grandpa's really something" Viraj laughed, as they drove silently in his Range Rover, "I thought he wasn't so traditional".

"Oh he isn't" she smiled, defending him "he's just worried about me..he's all I have in this world..of course I have my uncles but I know they only care about me because I'm the heiress to his fortune".

He turned briefly "is there a reason why they behave like that with you?" She shrugged "something happened, and naanu wouldn't tell me...I respect his privacy...but I'm curious".

He placed his hand on hers "don't ever say he's all you have..I'm there.. and from this day on, I'm your world". She couldn't miss the possessiveness in his tone but she liked it; it suited him "yes, you're my world indeed" she smiled brightly "but please tell me where are we going? I'm so puzzled right now".

He grinned "a little curiosity won't hurt". They reached Jumeirah and he turned towards one of the largest residential areas.

He suddenly stopped the car "close your eyes, and don't cheat please". He sounded so genuine and childlike that she didn't even think of blinking as she closed her eyes shut.

He helped her out of the car and took her hand as they walked inside the gate.

A little later, he whispered in her ear "open you eyes". She felt goosebumps erupt on her arm but opened her eyes anyway and gasped at the sight of the scene in front of her.

"Our new house, we'll be living here after our marriage" he said, observing her shocked expression "you like it?"

She laughed "like? Are you kidding me? This is...amazing, and so lavish!" Almost everything in the room was designed in an ancient architecture and there were lots of antique furniture and even the stairs were adorned with beautiful paintings and nice carvings.

"Wow!"she squealed "it's so beautiful Vir!"she giggled. He smiled and held her hand "come on, let's take a tour".

"Everything here is so beautiful" she whispered after they reached their master bedroom which was the most beautiful room in the house and gigantic. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her to his lap "it's all for you".

She blushed and buried her face in his chest "this is awesome, I love your surprise". He cupped her face "and I love you" he placed his lips on hers softly.

Startled, she pushed him away and he blinked "what's wrong?" She moved a little farther "we..shouldn't be doing this" she got up. He caught her hand "we're getting married in a few days.. what's the problem?"

"Naanu trusted me...we can't betray him" she said softly, feeling awkward. He raised his eyebrows "you're acting as if we were about to sleep together.. I was just kissing you..".

She could feel his intense gaze on hers "I know...but I'm afraid..". He smiled and held her hand "I understand..we can wait till our wedding...and then you're not going to stop me" his eyes glinted with mischief.

She didn't realize the impact of those words..until that night..

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Aarti ate the last piece of her sandwich as the bell rang. She washed her hands and walked towards the door to let him in.

"Hope you made breakfast" he drawled, sitting on one of the chairs. She glared "I didn't ask you to starve".

He shrugged "I know..but I thought it would be good to have a change for once". She gritted her teeth as she knew he was simply irritating her but there was no time to dwell on it.

She walked into the kitchen "tea or coffee?"she yelled. "Coffee, with one spoon sugar" he yelled back. Cursing, she kept the kettle burning and made him sandwiches.

"Finish fast"she ordered "we have an appointment in half an hour". He looked at his plate "I need ketchup". She stared at him menacingly "I'm out of ketchup" she said, not to give him the satisfaction.

"Fine, mayonnaise then" he quirked his eyebrows. She slammed the mayo on the table "you're really enjoying this, aren't you?" He smothered the mayo over the bread "I love my breakfast".

She clenched her fists..not now Aarti, once you're done with him. He removed his glasses "coffee was good.. can't say the same for the sandwich though".

She knew she was a bad cook, in fact she hadn't cooking anything at all "that's because your mouth is distasteful, like you"she sneered. "Or because you're a lousy cook" he stated coolly.

She scoffed "I take it being disrespectful is one of your many virtues". He wore his glasses back "that among many other things".

"If your highness has finished his food, maybe we can move our asses, I'm really running out of time here" she said through gritted teeth. He licked his spoon "say please".

She wanted to punch him and the feeling was stronger than the coffee she had prepared but she needed him now "fine..please Prithvi.."she pressed his name a little longer.

"Alright...if you insist" he washed his plate as she watched him with frustration "where are we going? Or is that a mystery too?"

She took her handbag and the sunglasses "why can't you act normal for a few minutes?" He threw his hands in the air "this is me being absolute normal..what are you hiding from the world Aarti?"

She gave a lopsided grin "why do you want so much money Prithvi? Are you a con artist?" He stared at her "I would have told you..if you told me everything".

She walked with him to the door "I'm going to meet my lawyer..but first we need to take the provisional certificate from the registration office".

They reached the elevator "why do you need it now?"he asked as they entered. She gave a stern look "legal purposes". He didn't ask further as they reached the parking lot.

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They reached her destination and she got down from the bike. He gazed at the building in front of him "this is the place?" She nodded "come on" she motioned him towards the entrance.

He was puzzled but didn't say anything. She knew he had many questions but only kept quiet because she told him so.

Dr Sumesh Tyagi, a big board hung in front of the office and they walked in. "Aarti Bhargav..I have an appointment" she told the receptionist who dialled from her extension phone while they waited. "You can go in" she said after hanging up.

Aarti looked at him "I need you to act like everything's normal between us" she whispered "like a normal couple".

Even though he looked like he wanted to protest, he simply nodded.

They stepped inside the office room and an elderly man in his late fifties was seated on the cushion chair. He looked up and tried to figure out "Aarti is it?" She gave a bright smile "yes".

"You have your grandfather's look" the older man said and ushered them to sit "I was wondering if you had forgotten about our meeting".

"I haven't..I have been busy" she said and earned a scoff from Prithvi who pretended to cough. She ignored him and turned to her lawyer "I almost forgot...this is my husband Prithvi..".

He looked at the younger man seated in front of him "it's a pleasure to meet you" he said. Prithvi gave a brief smile "what do you do,young man?"

Prithvi opened his mouth to answer when Aarti piped in "he's a software engineer". Her lawyer beamed "that's great...".

"Can we talk about the will..I have to be somewhere" she said, trying to be calm but her heartbeat rising inside.

The old man nodded "of course..there are few papers you have to sign..and there's a meeting with your grandfather's estate manager after which you can take over".

Aarti listened patiently "okay..I have the documents with me" she opened her file and showed him one by one.

He looked satisfied "I think they're just fine...let me get the stamp paper" he called his assistant through the extension phone.

They waited while the assistant returned with another set of papers. She signed them and they got up "thank you so much for your time". He smiled broadly "it's a part of my job"he said "is it okay if I talk to you alone?"

She looked at Prithvi who nodded "I'll be waiting outside"he said walking out of the room.

As soon as he was out of earshot, the lawyer gave a scrutinised look "are you okay?"he asked. Aarti gaped at him "yeah..of course" she said, puzzled by this question.

"I've been practising law for almost two decades..and your grandfather was my oldest clients here when he visited India...he even invited me to your wedding, in Dubai" he stated calmly.

Aarti felt ice cold chill at that statement, not knowing what to say "I..didn't know you guys were close" was all she could blabber.

He shrugged "all the best..but if you have any trouble...don't hesitate to approach me..I wish you're doing the right thing".

She wished the same too; the future looked so uncertain but she didn't care "I'll be fine..thank you" she said.

She came out of the room to see Prithvi chatting with the receptionist "so..how long you've been working here?"she could hear him asking the girl.

"Let's go" she said before the girl could answer. "Sure darling" he beamed at her and held her hand. "What are you doing?"she asked, alarmed as they made their way out.

"Me husband..you wife" he rolled his eyes. She pushed his hand away "don't bother..he knows". He snorted "so much for the hard work". She didn't answer.

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He was unusually speedy, she noticed as the bike zoomed through the narrow streets.

"Can you be a little slow?"she yelled enough for him to hear. He didn't seem to have heard her as he zoomed even faster.

"Are you deaf?"she yelled, unable to hold herself as her hands went on to hold his back "I said slow down!"

The bike came to a halt at the deserted road "get down" he demanded. She got down "what the hell's going on? Have you lost it?"

He removed his helmet and cast a dark look at her "what the hell Aarti? Did you kill someone?"he asked.

If the situation wasn't so gloomy, she would have laughed out loud at this allegation but he sounded so serious that she just stared at him "you're a pro at asking dumb questions".

He didn't smile "I can't do this with you anymore..." he said shaking his head. She lost her humour at that "what are you talking about?"

"I know you're planning something big and you're doing all this to get your grandpa's inheritance" he said flatly.

She bit her bottom lip "you don't understand how complicated my life is". He gave a derisive snort "really?you want to talk about complications? You just got yourself a freaking estate!"

"You've no idea what I've been through!"she yelled "and you're suddenly acting like a saint now?"her words cut deep "you just sold your soul to me..you know what does that make you? A man who.."

"Shut up!"he snapped, clenching his fists "I did that because I have my own reasons...I'm not an opportunist like you! You're all the same! Materialistic and selfish! You would go any lengths to assure your security!"he sneered "and that makes you a whore as well!"

The slap on his face was swift and sharp as she glared at him with venom in her eyes "how dare you?"

"Wow!"he clapped "you can name call me but I can't! Double standards at their best!"

She realized the full impact of what she had done...tears filled her eyes "I'm sorry..I don't know what came over me.." she sighed "I'm so done with everything" she sat on the edge of a small milestone.

He stood close to her "I'm sorry too.. even I don't understand why I reacted that way". She looked up at him "I married you because of the will..that's all I can tell you...there's nothing shady going on..you can have my word on that..".

He nodded "and I married you because..I need the money..I'm not a con artist..you can have my word on that!"

She gave a half smile "okay..and there's one more thing". He gave a puzzled look "I have a four year old daughter..I'm a divorcee"she said.

He raised his eyebrows in stunned silence and she had expected that reaction "you're kidding right?" She shook her head "I wish I was..but I'm telling the truth".

He frowned "where is she?your daughter?" She got up "with her father...it's a long story and I don't want to talk about it"she took the helmet "can you drop me off at Seema's? I don't feel like going home right now".

He nodded getting in his bike while she did the same. The drive back to the city was a silent one as no one spoke a word.

He stopped near an old building "this is where she lives?"he said and she got down "you don't want to come in?"she asked.

He shook his head "I've to go..my brother's waiting". She raised a quizzical eyebrow "you have a brother?" He shrugged "yeah...he's stays at a hostel..he's on vacation".

He started the ignition "Prithvi?"she called out..."you're not really an orphan are you?" He rolled his eyes "not literally" and sped away as she watched.