3. Chapter 2

For the first time in my life, I couldn’t decide what to wear. I don’t usually dress to impress but today felt different. I was excited. I wanted to make an impression but deep down I had a feeling that maybe he wouldn’t come. Still, I dressed in a cute red kurti and denim jeans and wore a pair of denim half-shoes. I left my hair down. After that, I put on a little lipstick but ended up cleaning it.

I picked up my bag and car keys and ran outside the room. Mom was setting up the breakfast. She eyed me and softly said, “You should put on some makeup and earrings.” I ignored her and drank my glass of juice and picked up a toast. “It doesn’t matter, mom. No one cares for my makeup.” I replied giving her a hug and leaving. “Mitali, eat some more that’s too less.” She shouted from behind. “I am not hungry.” I replied and got in my car.

Truth was that I was extremely nervous. What if this Vansh guy comes out similar to the other guys. I shouldn’t be giving him such high points without even meeting him. I reached college on time and went straight for my class. Today I had only two lectures. Also, I had to meet Vansh at Café Holiday at 2 p.m. This day would surely be one to remember.

“So, I want you all to read this act and prepare a small essay about Shakespeare’s use of comedy.” I said ending the lecture. Soon the class was empty. I was also packing my stuff when Rahul Sir came in. He is a professor of Maths but he is my age and so we get along well. “Good afternoon Miss Mitali.” he greeted me. “Hello! Rahul Sir! Good afternoon.” I said finally packing my bag ready to leave.

“I was wondering if you are hungry. We can have lunch together.” He asked. He has asked me that quite a few times but I always find a way to wiggle out of it. Still a man can hope. I know he has feelings for me but I couldn’t return them ever. “I am sorry, Sir. Actually, I have some plans with my mom and I am leaving now. We can do this some other day.” I apologized. His face went from sad to bright on hearing the last words. “Sure, have a great day.” He smiled.

I swiftly reached my car and started the engine. I drove fast but still reached the café 5 minutes late. I swiftly parked the car and went inside. It was a cozy place to hang out. The interior was mostly of wood while the walls were painted baby blue. The curtains on the windows were white giving the whole place a calming effect. I had been here before to meet No. 4.

But No. 8 was nowhere to be seen. I scanned the whole area but couldn’t find him. Maybe he is late; I thought and grabbed a seat at the corner. As time passed my mind started wandering to all my options like if he doesn’t come? If he doesn’t want to meet me?

10 minutes had passed when suddenly the café door opened and in came the devil. He was wearing a dark blue summer coat with white shirt and dress pants. His hair looked messy as if he just woke up, but he still rocked the look. How can someone look so handsome in simple formals? His eyes scanned the whole café and landed on me making my breath hitch.

He came to my table and extended a hand “Miss Mitali Sinha?” he asked. “Just Mitali, please.” I replied a bit dazed. “I am so sorry. I was in a meeting and it took a bit more time than expected. I promise you it will never happen again.” He replied smiling.

"Again" I thought ”Are we going to meet again?” The shy girl inside me was dancing with joy. “It’s ok. I didn’t had to wait that long.” I replied with a smile. He gave me a grin and started, “Ok, I have a lot to talk about but why don’t we order something first.”

He called the waiter and asked me to order first. “I ordered veg noodles with Manchurian balls and a coke while he ordered pasta and coffee. “So, Mitali, I hope you don’t mind me calling you that?” I won’t mind anything you do to me, I thought. But I pulled my mind out of the gutter and replied, “Of course not.” “Great so Mitali, I want to be truthful to you. I can’t marry you. I am sorry.” He replied feeling embarrassed.

I knew that a guy like him would never marry a girl like me. I knew it won’t happen. But still nothing prepared me for the heartbreak. How can you just fall so deeply for a guy when you haven’t met him before. My heart was breaking and it took all of my control to not start crying in front of him. Putting on a brave face, I just looked at him and asked, “Then why did you even come here? You should have said no for this meeting?”

“Because I wanted to meet you, Mitali.” He said looking in my eyes and making my breath hitch. “Why?” I asked. “Because I want you to say yes for our marriage.”

Have I got some ear problem or is this man in front of me stupid? Didn’t he just say that he can’t marry me and he himself is asking me to say yes? He is definitely out of his mind. “Excuse me, do you even know what you are saying?” I glared at him. IDIOT.

Before he could answer the waiter returned with our food. But my appetite was lost. Why is my life so difficult? I should have gone to lunch with Rahul Sir. That would have been a better choice. Finally the table was set and the waiter left with a slight bow.

“Mitali,” He held my hand and my whole body felt like it was on fire. “Please say yes to the marriage. My mother won’t stop until she gets me married and I can’t do that right now.” he begged me. Ok, so he didn’t want to marry now. He needed time for marriage. Same problem, I guess.

“You don’t want to get married now?” I asked feeling a slight bit happy. “Yes, actually my girlfriend has signed a modeling contract and she can’t marry me till the year’s end.” There goes my good mood again. He has a girlfriend. What am I even doing here?

I picked up my bag and stood up. “Mr. Vansh, I think you are wasting both of our times. This is your personal problem. I can’t help you with it.” I was about to walk away but he held my wrist softly. “Mitali, please let me explain. Give me 5 minutes. What I am saying will be helpful for us both.” He looked at me with big puppy eyes.

I sighed, “Ok, 5 minutes” and sat down. He started his big story. “My girlfriend’s name is Jenny. She is a model. And to add to the fire she is Christian by religion. You know our families never accept girls from other religions easily. So, I tried to break the news slowly to my mother. She was too angry but she agreed to accept Jenny if she left modeling and got married right away. Jenny, being Jenny refused plus she also had signed a contract with one of the big fashion companies. So we agreed to the fact that she will complete her contract and then we will get married. But my mom is no ears to us know. She wants me married to a girl of her choice soon. So, I want you to say yes so that she won’t force me to marry or meet other girls.” He completed his story.

“I still don’t understand how I can help you and what’s in it for me anyways?” I questioned him. “Mitali, I want you to say yes to the marriage. In that case my mom won’t pressurize me to meet any more girls. I will get a lot of time and when we will be ready, I will tell them the truth and they will have to accept my decision. After that I and Jenny will get married.” He replied smiling on his great plan.

Is this guy mad? Is it not enough to reject me on my face that he wants me to play this game with him. What will happen to me after this? What about my family and my life? “Are you crazy? Do you just think about yourself? Do you even understand what you are saying?” I felt like throwing his coffee which was ice cold on his handsome face.

“Mitali, listen it’s a good option for you too. I know you have met seven other boys before me, all because of your family.” He started but I cut him. “How do you know?” I asked though I had a clue. “Sheetal aunty told my mom. She told how you don’t fit well with anyone and have been rejected by 7 men.” Ouch! Exactly talk of the devil. “So what are you actually trying to say?” I asked even more angry now.

“I am saying that even you won’t have to meet a no.9. You too will have 4 months to yourself and you can find a guy of your choice by then. Think about it. I will even help you in your relation with him and will also support you.” He pleaded.

His words sounded true. I was fed up with meeting a guy again and again. But this is too much for me too. Four months of act will be too much. They will have us married by then. But if I say no and leave now, mom will surely find me another idiot. There will be new gossips about me and mom will have more to worry about. But staying with this handsome devil for 4 months won’t be easy either. Also, there is the point that he makes me nervous and weak in my knees.

I must have gone crazy because I heard my own voice saying, “Ok, I am in.”