Married To A Stranger

Karthik Pov:Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Karthik, why don’t you let the ladies talk and we go to my study. We have to pay attention to our main branch” dad said making me alert. His voice told me it is an emergency.

“Sure dad, give me a minute, ” I said, dad nodded and left.

There is something odd in his tone. It was like something was bothering him or rather is it, someone? I better go talk to him as soon as possible.

“I’ll be back soon. We’ll leave after having breakfast” I whispered while brushing my lips to her cheek, looking into her eyes. I can spend ages just looking at her eyes and doing nothing.

God, I’m so whipped.

“Don’t you want to be with your parents. I mean umm you don’t want to live here?” She asked me, looking down.

“We’ll shift here soon if you want to, but now I need to sort out some issues, so we need to stay there for a while. And we need some alone time” I said caressing her cheek, her eyes bulged hearing those words.

“I’m talking about getting to know each other Sree” I added kissing her forehead leaving her alone with her thoughts. I need to try more to make her comfortable around me.

I didn’t trust my ears when she confessed that she likes me too. I nearly believed her words when she said I was daydreaming. If it isn’t for her smirk, I could’ve thought she didn’t kiss me and all that had happened was nothing but a dream. It got paid off when I kissed her cheeks though. She was as red as a tomato. I thought of teasing her a bit but got carried away, her alluring scent drives me crazy every time when I was near her. If it isn’t for the sigh that escaped from her lips, I would’ve done something drastic that she might regret later. When I look at her eyes there is uncertainty in them. So, I left her saying something along with the words wifey when all I wanted to do was to continue what I started. I just want to re-live those moments again.

******

I knocked on dad’s office door before entering and stopped in my tracks when I come face to face with the least expected person waiting for me. After many years there was a peaceful smile on his face, not a forced one. When he met my gaze his smiled widened and his face lit up like a 100-watt bulb in a dark room.

“Well… well if it isn’t my favorite nephew.” he started, I cut him off saying “Uncle, I’m your only nephew for now. How are you? Are you taking care of your health?” I bombarded him with my queries.

“I’m fine Karthik, stop worrying about me. You don’t know how happy you made me that my heart might have burst with all this happiness you threw at me” he said patting my back with a trace of tears in his eyes.

“I’ve my selfish reason for doing this, Uncle. So please stop praising me” I mumbled looking away.

“I know your reasons, and I certainly know the risks you are taking,” he said gratefully.

“I love what I am doing, uncle. Don’t stress yourself. What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be at home, resting?” I asked him, wondering what he was doing here.

“Your father called me early in the morning and asked me to join him for a cup of coffee” frowning he added “I know something is wrong, just hope it’s not something major,” he said furrowing his eyebrows. He never shows his true emotions to outsiders easily. Age and health must have to take a toll on him.

“Yeah,” I said running a hand through my hair.

“Let’s discuss this later with your father, now you tell me, how is Sreesha? Is she happy with this marriage and lifestyle? Vinay and Malini were worried when you told them that Sreesha got to know about your identity from others. I thought she would be devastated thinking you guys betrayed her but thank god, everything was fine… for now,” he said the last part in a whisper patting my shoulder.

“Believe me, uncle, she threw a tantrum giving us the silent treatment. If it isn’t for Tej’s explanation and my confession, she must be giving the same treatment until now. She can be stubborn at times just like someone I know” I said smiled recalling those moments.

“Tej. I heard a lot about him from your father. He said that the boy took a lot of risks to make her happy. I want to study him for a while and take him under my wing, I think he is perfect for the job. I just wish he is loyal and not like his father” He said with hopeful eyes.

“If he is anything like his father, Sreesha wouldn’t be here with us, she would’ve been rotting in some hell hole and who knows, her father would have married her off to those drunkards he selected for her. When you asked me to look into the profiles you sent me, I asked my personal investigator to dig into their past. I was shocked to learn they were all druggies, and some went to jail for abusing women” I said running a hand through my hair. “I am glad you asked mom and dad to create a new identity for us with some criminal record. He wouldn’t have said yes if it isn’t for our fake records” I added frustrated.

“she is safe now” he reminded me.

“Yes. And she will be safe with us” I smiled.

“So… are you serious about Tej? I mean, do you want to see if he is capable of that responsibility?” I asked him hopefully. I offered him a job many times, but he rejected my offer saying he will not take advantage of the fact me, his brother-in-law being a billionaire.

“Yes. I would like to train him into one fine businessman. Tell him to apply for a job as an intern in my company ”

“He doesn’t know about you, uncle do you really want this? What if he misunderstands everything when he gets to know who you really are?” I hesitated.

“Don’t worry about me Karthik, I can handle him” he said with a faint smile.

“Sorry for the wait Jayanth” dad said referring to uncle giving uncle a manly hug.

“It’s okay Vinay, what is it you want to talk with me personally?” Uncle asked him with a smile on his face.

“It is about Sreesha” I stiffened, dad, looked at me and added, “There are some notes which are addressed to us… to you warning us to spend as much time as we can with her”.

“What the hell dad? Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier? Who the hell is he?” I yelled slamming my fists on the table.

“Calm down Karthik, I hired a private investigator to catch the person behind all this” dad said trying to calm me down.

“Please tell me it’s not her father,” I asked him in a low voice.

“No Karthik, this is not him. He would’ve sent those notes to your house if it is him, I found those notes here in our home. I don’t think it is her father because he is only aware of your current address. While this person doesn’t know where you live… yet.”

“I made sure to install some hidden cameras around your house and hired a couple of bodyguards for Sreesha who follows her everywhere without her knowledge and a lady helper who is also a trained bodyguard. She will take care of Sreesha 24×7. I instructed all the three of them to meet us at your office today. And their profiles were checked thoroughly.”

“You could’ve warned me before dad. She was out with her friends on Saturday. What if something had happened to her and we’re not even around to save her? How many notes?” I know I was being rude to him, but this is about Sreesha’s safety.

“There are 5 notes with the same message. I thought it was some kind of prank by Nihal. You know that guy was a prankster. I didn’t take them seriously until I found a note this morning with a photo of you both and a cross mark on Sreesha’s face” he said looking down.

“Can I see them?” I said gulping. He handed me an envelope. There are like 5 printed notes and one with a photo of us hand in hand looking at each other. I turned the photo my eyes bulged when I read those lines.

Enjoy with her while you can Karthik Shekhar. I’ll get rid of her as soon as possible.

The red mark suits her well don’t you think?

I wonder how she screams when I slice her throat.

– your (Her) worst Nightmare.

Sreesha Pov:

Karthik was silent throughout breakfast and our drive to home.

When I touched his hand, he gave me a relieved smile and squeezed my hand reassuringly.

I know something is eating him. It must be the main branch which dad mentioned a while ago.

After his meeting with dad, they both were completely closed off. Sensing their mood, mom too had her food silently.

Whatever it is, I want the problem to solve as soon as possible. I want my jovial husband back. Not the moody one who is checking the rare mirror every ticking second.

When the car stopped, I got down first and was about to unlock the door but dropped them when he tugged my hand and pulled me into his embrace.

A very familiar feeling warmed my heart making it jump like a monkey.

“I will miss you, Sree,” he said releasing me.

He picked the keys and unlocked the door and waited until I closed the door… in a daze.

God, I like him so much.

After taking care of a few things I started preparing lunch for both of us, in case if he returns home early.

My phone vibrated indicating a new message.

I’m back, darling.

Ps- I’ll never leave you alone.

Your secret admirer ?