chapter 4

Chapter 4Forced to give inNext morning, at sharp 10 ‘0’ clock, Ishiqa looked at the chauffer driven Benz, mortified. She could see her neighbours staring at it curiously. With a heavy heart she realised that not going was not an option now, as it would only set tongues wagging. Going would too! It was a Catch 22 situation!What choice did she have? “Damn the man!” she muttered aloud. Slinging her purse on her shoulder, she stepped out. She hadn’t exactly taken care to dress up, but she had on a smart skirt with a pretty top that flattered her svelte figure.When the car slid to a stop at the wide porch of a massive bungalow, she was ushered in by a stout lady into a grand living room. She sat down on the edge of the sofa and clenched and unclenched her hands nervously, finally clasping them tightly in her lap. She heard footsteps descending the staircase and the unmistakable fragrance of the tangy cologne wafted across as Ved entered. She turned and stood up rather too fast, almost losing her balance. “Take it easy, dear! Have you had breakfast?” he asked solicitously, touching her elbow gently.She slapped his hand away and took a step back. He smiled knowingly. “I take it your answer is no. Please be seated, I will buzz for breakfast to be brought in.” She sat down slowly and willed her furiously beating pulse to slow down. ‘Why doesn’t he just say his piece and let me leave!’ She caught his assessing glance and felt self conscious. He cleared his throat and grinned. “So we meet again, sleeping beauty, and good morning to you too. I am sure you want me to get on with the details of my proposal quickly.” He turned to give instructions to the lady who was waiting by the side of the room, and when he turned back, he caught Ishiqa imitating him slyly. “I am impressed Ishiqa,” he said unfazed. “Your acting skills are definitely going to come in handy in the next few days. Well, as I told you yesterday, my grandmother wants to see us together, so I will get on with a few details…” Ishiqa shot up from the sofa and stood up in a no- nonsense pose. “Mr. Kashyap! Get this straight into your head: I am not going to sleep in your bedroom.” He laughed heartily, making her feel like a silly child. He looked her up and down, slowly taking in her heaving breasts as she breathed hard and fast. He shook his head and reached for some papers from the nearby table.“How you jump to conclusions! At least wait to be asked, sweetheart! Before you interrupt again, let me clarify that I have no designs on your virtue, however ravishing you may think you are. This façade is only for my grandmother. You will stay here in my house, in a separate bedroom.” He looked at her pointedly and continued in a firm tone, “And you will do as I ask you to. You may have to accompany me to some social dos, if required. Please sign the contract, the amount for your job is mentioned here,” he said, placing a pen over the paper.“Mr. Kashyap, what makes you think I am going to take up this offer? Have you even considered that I may not be interested?” She smiled sweetly. His jaw tightened in anger. “Your interest or lack of it does not come into this. You are being given a job and you better do it and do it right. Understood?” “No, you can’t make me! Go find some other girl, Mr. Arrogance,” and she made to leave, when he blocked her exit. “Let me go, Mr. Kashyap,” she said clutching her purse tightly. He smiled, “Say my name first.” “What?” He smiled again, making her want to hit him on his head. “Okay, Ved it is. Now move out of my way,” she said coldly. “I am sure you can say it much more sweetly than that!” His tone was dangerously sensuous. She closed her eyes in frustration and gritted her teeth, “Oh you…! How I hate you!”“Loving me was never a part of the deal, sweetheart.” The voice dipped lower.  Her eyes flew open and she saw desire smouldering in his eyes, making her aware once again of her own treacherous body as it reacted hungrily. She wanted him to touch her but sanity prevailed. She took a quick step backwards. “By the way, do you know your brother is in huge debt? He was unable to repay a loan on time? Just for your information, the bank manager is a good friend of mine,” he stated, suddenly switching to a business-like manner. His words were like a bucket of cold water poured on her. She stood still, her face betraying the shock. The hidden threat in his words was unmistakable. He grinned smugly. She hissed, “Surely, you wouldn’t stoop so low?” He picked up the pen and paper. “Take it or leave it. Grin and bear it either way.” He was merciless. She snatched the paper and the pen from his hand and signed the contract furiously and held it out to him. “That’s a good girl. Come I will show you to your room.”He led her up the winding staircase. She could see there were four doors, each one elegantly fashioned in wood. He opened one of the doors and she gasped aloud. The room was stunningly beautiful, overlooking the luscious lawn below and lavishly done in baby pink with a huge mirror on one wall and a door leading to the bathroom.He opened the door to the closet. “All your clothes are here and a lot more things you might need, in this drawer.”Stupefied she stared at the closet and then turned carefully. “Mr. Kashyap, I think you are mistaken, these are not my clothes.” Smiling, he said, “They are. They’ve been bought according to your size. And before you ask, it was an easy job finding out your size.” He took out a key from his pocket and held it in his palm, “Is this yours by any chance?”“Keys to my flat!” She tried to take it out from his hands. He closed his palm tight. “Your landlady is very easy to please, you know? And before you say another word, I did not rummage through your clothes, Anita did…that lady you met downstairs?” She hissed, “I don’t believe this!” The arrogance of the man! He had been so sure that she would say yes to his proposal.Â