Chapter 44

“Not only our anniversary but our first anniversary.” Aman corrected.

“We can always celebrate afterwards.” Priya suggested.

“Priya you’re the woman in this relationship.  You’re supposed to be telling me that our first anniversary is special and I should be planning something amazing.  Yet here you are, completely fine with going to an award ceremony instead of spending a romantic evening celebrating our anniversary.” Aman complained.

“It is a special day, Aman, but you have to go to this awards ceremony.  If you need a whole day to celebrate whatever you’re planning, and I  know you’re planning something big, we can always do it the day after.” Priya said calmly.

“It’s not the same.” Aman pouted.

“Aman, don’t be a child.” Priya said.

“Let’s skip it.” Aman said.

Priya rolled her eyes.

“You can’t just skip it.  They’re awarding you for your contributions to society.  It won’t look good if you don’t accept your award in person.” Priya reasoned.

“But Priya, I don’t want to.” Aman whined.

“Aman,” Priya said seriously.  “Please attend the award ceremony.  For me.”

Aman couldn’t argue with her after that.  He had to go now.   He’d do anything for Priya.  He sighed in defeat.

“Fine. Whatever you say,” Aman conceded, “but I’m not happy about it.”

“I can live with that.” Priya said, pecking his lips quickly.

She finished making the bed and was about to head downstairs to have some breakfast.  Aman grabbed her from behind unexpectedly just as Priya had approached the stairs.  She let out a surprised gasp and instantly grabbed the banister.  Aman spun her around and practically dragged her back into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Priya looked at him, clearly annoyed by his actions.  She waited for him to explain himself.  Aman took a step closer to her.  Priya stiffened but didn’t move back.  He leaned in closer.  His eyes traveled from her face down her body and up again. Priya’s gaze followed his. He started walking around her, making a full circle before facing her again.

“I don’t like what you’re wearing.” Aman stated.

“What?  I always wear sarees.” Priya defended.

“Take it off.” Aman demanded, smirking.

Priya gasped at Aman’s bluntness.  She took a step back, hoping he wasn’t planning on helping her take anything off.

“Aman,” she said, unsure what to make of his demand.

“You’re too covered up.” Aman said, referring to her long sleeve blouse and skillfully wrapped turqouise sari that revealed absolutely no skin.

“I…” Priya said nervously.

“I want to see more of you.” Aman said, enjoying Priya’s discomfort immensely.

“Umm…” Priya was at a loss for words.

“I thought I told you to dress sexy for me.  Are you really going to disobey your husband?” Aman challenged.  He stepped closer and trapped Priya between his body and his bed.  He placed each of his arms onto the bed and leaned forward, kissing Priya’s cheek and then her neck.

“Aman,” Priya said quietly.

He stopped to look at her. She was smiling mischievously.

“I’ll dress in something sexier.” She stated.

Aman was surprised she’d actually agreed.  He was just teasing her.

“Just remember one thing.” She said.  She brought her lips closer to his ear.

“You aren’t the only person in this house.” She whispered wickedly.

Aman cursed under his breath.  He had countless members of his staff in his house today.   Priya knew that Aman’s jealousy would get the best of him.  He wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of others seeing her dressed more provocatively.

"Dammit, Priya.  You've gotten so good at this." Aman commented on her fiesty remarks, moving back so Priya could have more room.

"I think I'm spending too much time with you." Priya giggled, walking away from Aman.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her backwards.  She slammed hard against his body.

"I beg to differ. I don't think you're spending enough time with me." He said quietly.

Priya smiled at Aman.  He let her hand go, allowing her to finally go  downstairs to have breakfast.

"Let's take a trip abroad for our anniversary...like a late honeymoon." Aman suggested at the breakfast table.

Priya frowned and shook her head.

"I don't want to travel." She said.

"We could always to go a restaurant, but that's boring as hell." Aman said flatly.

"Aman, whatever you plan will be great." Priya smiled.

"I could buy you a restaurant or a hotel or a sports car." Aman suggested, grinning widely.

"There's no need to be extravagant." Priya said.

She didn't like the thought of Aman spending so much money on her.  She liked when he did simple things.  Their first date in a forest, and their night on the beach were exactly the types of things Priya liked best.  She loved being with him, just the two of them.

"Priya, I'm a multi-millionaire.  Being extravagant is in my nature.  It's my lifestyle!" Aman defended.

"I'm going to feel guilty if you spend a lot of money, Aman.  You wouldn't want that, would you?"  Priya pouted slightly.

"If you keep making faces like that, I'm going to have to come over there and kiss you in front of everyone.  And I don't mean just a peck.  I mean a lingering, passionate, wet kiss that'll make your heart race." Aman smirked, eyeing the maids, who were just out of earshot.

Priya's eye widened and she couldn't stop herself from blushing. She came up with a fiesty response that she could've thrown back at him,but she was afraid that he'd actually come around the table and kiss her in everyone's presence.

"I think you're late for work." Priya said, getting up from the table.

"I can never be late for work. I own the whole damn company!" Aman smiled.

"Bye, Aman." Priya said, in a hurry to go back upstairs.

"Where's my goodbye kiss?" Aman said, sadly.

Priya stopped immediately.  She slowly turned around to face Aman.  She looked around.  There were so many people around them, doing various chores.  Aman took her hand and led her into the kitchen.

"Leave." he said simply.

The people in the kitchen looked confused.  They paused for a moment, unsure whether to continue working or just drop everything and leave the kitchen.  The chef started shouting for everyone to get out.  He looked at Aman and then Priya, trying to hide a faint smile.

Once they were alone, Priya was the one to take control.  She pushed Aman back a few steps so that he was against the counter.  She stood on her tip toes and pressed her lips to his.  He leaned a little lower so she wouldn't have to strain so much to reach him.  His arm went around her waist, pulling her closer.  Priya felt Aman get ready to deepen the kiss and broke it immediately.

"Bye, Aman." She said with a smile.

He looked pleadingly at her, wanting to kiss her again.  Priya simply walked away, out of the kitchen and back upstairs.  Aman watched his wife go, knowing that if he followed her upstairs then he'd have to break his promise to Hiten.  He looked down at his watch.  Hiten must be waiting for him.  Aman sighed and left for his office, wanting nothing more than to stay at home with Priya.

"Finally, you're late." Hiten declared as Aman stepped out of the elevator once he reached the highest floor in his office.

"I'm here though." Aman countered.

"We need to plan!" Hiten started whining.

"Hiten, do you honestly think the caliber of your proposal is going to have that much of an affect on her answer?" Aman asked.

"I don't know. I want her to be impressed.  Don't you do big things for Bhabhi just because...you're you?" Hiten replied.

Hiten had a point.  Aman had just offered to buy Priya anniversary presents that cost a million dollars without any hesitation.  He paid a fortune to rent out a private beach for her without a second thought.  Aditi better get used to grand gestures and expensive outings because Hiten and Aman are exactly the same when it comes to how to romance women.

"Well, yeah, I guess." Aman said, knowing Hiten was right.  "Did you ask her father for her hand in marriage?"

Hiten's eyes widened.  He froze in shock.

"People still do that?  I didn't think people still did that!" Hiten started to freak out.

"Hiten! Breath! Calm down." Aman said calmly.  "Have you met her parents? Do they live here?"

"I've met them.  They visited her once.  Damn! They live in another state. Should I fly over and ask permission?" Hiten asked.

"Uh...yeah." Aman answered.  Obviously, asking permission was a considerate gesture.  Hiten would have no problem flying  to whatever state Aditi's parents lived in.  Something like this shouldn't be handled over the phone either.

"Great! Another thing to do." Hiten sighed.  "Doves!"

"What the hell?" Aman responded to Hiten outburst.

"I can have doves fly out after I ask her." Hiten explained.

"Why the hell would you do that?" Aman said.  "What if they attack her or you or fly in the wrong direction?"

"Okay...no doves. Decorations for sure. Flowers?" Hiten replied.

"Definitely." Aman replied.

"White..maybe red?" Hiten asked.

Aman and Hiten paused her a second, looking at each other.

"Both." They said in unison.  Why not? Hiten could afford it.

"How are you going to ask her?" Aman asked after they'd planned a few more details about the venue.

"Aditi, I love you. Will you marry me?" Hiten replied without looking up from his plans.

"That's a load of shit! Come on, Hiten. Be more romantic.  Tell her how much she rocks your world, and you know you can't live without her." Aman said.

"Oh. My. God.  That's the main thing! These plans, flowers, decorations, and whatever mean nothing if the actual proposal sucks!" Hiten realized.

"Calm down, you'll be fine, and she'll say yes." Aman said calmly.

"I should get an arranged marriage like you did." Hiten pouted.

"Hiten, I got lucky with Priya. I love her now, but when I married her, I dreaded being with her.  We lived apart from each other despite being under the same roof.  Not loving her and being forcibly married to her drove me to make the biggest mistake of my life.  Now that I realize that I've fallen in love with her almost a year after we got married, I couldn't be happier, buy you're luckier than I am.  You're going to marry the woman you already love.  When you see Aditi as your bride, you're going to fall in love with her over and over again.  Right after you get married, you're going to be unbelievably happy that you get to spend the rest of your life with the woman you know you can't live without.  I didn't get with Priya.  You have no idea how lucky you are."

"I think I'm going to cry." Hiten commented, acutally looking like he was holding back tears.

"Man up!" Aman punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"Aman," Hiten said, "am I going to end up as sappy as you after I get married?"

"Hiten, you're going to be much worse." Aman replied, laughing.    Hiten gave Aman an offended look, but then broke out into laughter himself.

"Gimme your phone." Hiten said, reaching over and taking Aman's phone from his coat pocket.

"Well, okay.  I guess you're taking my phone." Aman comment,  not even trying to stop Hiten.

"Hello?" Hiten said into Aman's phone.  "Bhabhi, it's Hiten. I need a favor."

"Why the hell are you calling Priya?" Aman asked, a little too forcefully.

"Aww thanks, Bhabhi.  Looks like Aman can't keep a secret." Hiten looked at Aman and stuck his tongue out childishly.

"It wasn't a secret." Aman replied even though Hiten wasn't talking to him.

"Well since you know about the proposal, I could really use your help." Hiten said.  "Can you invite Aditi over and ask her what her dream ring would look like?"

"Using my wife for your gain." Aman commented spitefully.

"But Bhabhi, be subtle.  She doesn't know anything, and I want it to totally be a surprise." Hiten continued, ignoring Aman's comment.

Hiten listened to Priya's reply.  He looked unsurely over at Aman.

"Of course he's helping me plan." Hiten said into the phone.

Hiten's mouth dropped open.  His eyebrows shot up.  Whatever Priya said had Hiten completely shocked.  He regained composure after a moment.

"Thanks, Bhabhi! You're a life saver.  Talk to you soon. Bye." Hiten said. He hung up and handed back Aman's phone.

"What did she say?" Aman asked, wondering why Hiten looked so surprised a moment ago.

"She said she'd love to help, and I have nothing to worry about." Hiten said casually.

"Why'd you looked so surprised?" Aman asked, skeptical that Hiten was leaving out some details.

"She asked me if you were helping me plan out my proposal, and I said of course." Hiten continued.

"And what did she say afterwards?" Aman asked.

"She said if you're helping me plan, then Aditi will never see it coming because you're the king of surprises.  Aman, what kind of surprises is Bhabhi talking about?" Hiten asked suspiciously.

Aman knew Priya was hinting at their dates an celebrations along with the surprise presents he'd periodically given her.  She saw none of it coming.

"I don't know what you mean." Aman answered slyly.

"Surprises...like turn the lights out and hide behind the plant surprise birthday party kind of surprise? Or ten surprising ways to heat up your sex life kind of surprise?"  Hiten said wiggling his eyebrows.

Aman couldn't even keep up with that sentence.  He thought for a moment about what Hiten was insinuating.

"No! The first one, definitely the first one! I took her out and where we were going was a surprise.  God! Get your mind out of the gutter." Aman chastised.

"I was just asking...geez." Hiten said, trying to hold back his laughter.

There was a knock at Hiten's door.

"Come in." Hiten said, trying to sound serious.

"Sir," Hiten's secretary opened the door.  "These papers need your signature and yours as well, sir." She said, turning to Aman.

Hiten sighed and made a face at Aman.  No matter how much they hated it, they had to get back to work.

Priya called Aditi as soon as she got off the phone with Hiten.  She was ecstatic that Hiten wanted her help.  She wasn't sure exactly how to go about asking about Aditi's perfect ring, however.  Aditi said she was free today itself and was on her way over.

There was a knock on the door, and Priya rushed forward before the butler could even make a move.

"Aditi!" Priya exclaimed, hugging her friend.

"Hey, girl. How's it going?" Aditi greeted.

"Terrible." Priya lied.

"What happened?" Aditi asked, taking a seat in the living room.

"It's Aman." Priya blurted out.  Where was she going with this?

"Did that jerk cheat again?" Aditi spat angrily.

"No! I forgave him for that...but this morning...."Priya continued.

"What happened?" Aditi grew nervous.

Priya hesitated.  Aman had been fantastic this morning.  What should she say?  Priya looked around her, hoping for something that would inspire an idea.  Her eyes landed on Aman's credit card that was sitting on the table.

"He...he...called me fat." Priya said, pouting.

"Priya, you are not fat! You're skinnier than me!" Aditi exclaimed.

"I'm so mad at him!" Priya tried to fake her anger.

"Get him back! Call him impotent! It'll hurt his ego!" Aditi said enthusiastically.

"I have a better idea." Priya said wickedly.  "I think I'll buy myself some diamonds, courtesy of Aman." She said, standing up and picking up his credit card.

"I doubt Aman will care if you spend his money. He has millions that he could live without just fine, but I'm down for some shopping.  Maybe I can convince Hiten that I'm mad at him and won't forgive him until there's a pretty diamond ring on this finger."  Aditi mused.

Priya smiled widely.  This was going to be easier than she thought.

OMG!! What is Priya getting herself into?!?!  Aman most certainly did NOT call her fat! Lol!!

Awwwww aren't Aman and Hiten such cuties? I LOVE writing about them!!  The awards ceremony/ Aman and Priya's anniversary is coming soon!

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