He was sitting across me, and i could surely feel a strong gaze on my head. Someone please tell this man to look away or I am going to melt here like arctic ice due to global warming. And then he'd have no one to blame but himself.

"So Beta? What do you plan and your living arrangements?", Like a responsible father, Papa was questioning this guy, asking him all about his future plans and endeavours. I was hating myself at this moment. Didn't I plan to look eye to eye to this man and tell him that I need a few more years to expand my writing skills? I planned to tell him to go back from wherever he came, shove his proposal in his mouth(as I don't use cuss words), and then never come back. And here I was, like a drenched cat, sitting before him, dressed to impress, clearly conveying that- 'Bring your procession(Baraat) this evening, and i am all yours.'

"I plan to move to Banglore for further expansion. We have not had much reach in the South. And i plan to take it there."

Jaahil aadmi!

He didn't even call my father 'Uncle'. Seems like money and good looks don't compensate for the lack of manners.

I scoffed to myself but when I lifted my eyes, he was already looking at me.

"My Arunima only needs a good room, where she can write peacefully. You know this is the second consecutive year that she wrote a bestseller?"

He nodded, his gaze briefly passing to me before going back to Papa, "I've heard that. Ma told me."

His Ma and Papa, a rather kind and beautiful couple sat on the two seater, smiling at his interaction with my family.

Before i could delve deep into my thoughts, my little sister spoke up, "Mister! My Didi can't make round rotis! So you will have to adjust with maps of different continents."

Everybody found it too funny and they laughed making a smug expression form on her face. The 'Mister' looked amused but didn't laugh.

So I guess I have got a statue for a man as a gift from my father. No manners. No fun. Only plain Jane macho-ness, rooted in nothing.

"I think the kids must talk with each other in some privacy. Aru beta! Take Abhimaan to your library. I am sure you are not going to compromise on that. And he must have a look."

I stood up. Almost immediately. This sitting here, in a saree, like a show piece, didn't sit well with me. Arrange marriages were not my thing. But to have a love marriage, you first need a lover. And all the lovers that I have had in my past, are nothing more than well written characters from the book. The Green Flags. The understanding ones. The quiet but cute ones. The sweet ones. And he looked none of the above.

Being a writer must come with the assumption that I have pretty romantic notions of the world. But very few realise, that we writers are aware that love is a pain in the head. And we only write what it should be, rather than what it really is.

My walk to library is strange and chaotic all at the same time. The chaos of the thoughts in my mind, and then the strangeness of this man behind me. I feel a gaze on the back of my head.

Thankfully the 'Jaahil Aadmi' is not a pervert who'd stare at my behind (if you know you know), because when I wore this saree, even my devil sister commented that I look hot! And it is a lot coming from a girl who has never seen me more than a potato sack, lying in her library.

I open the door to my library, the only place that i always spent an hour in the morning to clean. My parents know this. And that is why they asked me to take my 'future husband ' to my library and not to my room.

"Here it is."

I said, before finally turning to look at him. He was roaming his eyes on the vast cabinet of books arranged according to the colour of their covers.

I folded my hands and stood there, looking at him as he scrutinized my books. No words exchanged.

I don't like people touching my books, but I didn't protest, not because I liked him, but because I plan to clean for two hours tomorrow.

If I stop being ridiculous and admit to myself, then this man is really handsome. Like I may not get a lovely understanding guy, but I'd definitely have an eye candy. Easy to the eyes, and you're definitely attracting attention as he walks beside you. More like an eye candy and an arm candy.

His attention finally shifts to me, "So you want a library of this kind from me?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Not you. But whoever i marry."

He didn't look offended by that, but a amused glint passed his eyes.

"I guess it's settled you want it from me, then. Do we consider it Dahej?" 'Dowry'

Audacity of this man to talk about Dahej the first thing he meets me, but I cannot blame. Because I am the taker here.

I huffed, "Who cares. As long as you can afford it. But well, I'd like to tell you that I am planning to spend a few more years focussing just on my writing. So marriage is not my plan right now. You can say no to them."

This time, he did look offended, not too much though. Because his face was so ridiculously stoic that I can only hope I am pinpointing the right emotion as we talk.

"You have someone else?"

Ugh! The same old question.

"I have no one else. I only don't want to marry."

We stayed silent for a few moments before he spoke up, "If you are worried about change, then know it, your life wouldn't change much with me. My Ma likes you alot, and she thinks I will starve if I leave for Banglore alone, so it is only right that I marry you. The years don't matter. The earlier we are done with it, the better."

"So just because your Ma likes me, you'd marry me? What if your Ma starts liking a cat? You'll marry her too?"

He sighed, staring at my soul, and then answered something which made me want to smack his head between two hard cover books.

"You may be a racoon, but if my Ma likes you, I'll marry you."

Controlling my anger, I smiled viciously at him, "What if I do not like you?"

He shrugged, "I'll get you an appointment for an eye doctor."

*

"So Beta? What have you decided? How do you like our Aru?"

My mother asked, and i internally rolled my eyes. Someone please ask me too!!

I saw him smile, "I like her alot."

My cheeks turned red, at that. Shameless Jaahil aadmi!

"I'd be glad if we get to marry each other."

Everybody seemed smitten at his words. As if he has said some really beautiful masterpiece, and all they want to do is 'Waah Waah'! (Applaud)

Thankfully among all this betrayers and wedding obsessed people, was his mother.

"Arunima Beta? What about you? You know your words are final? Whatever you say goes. If you say yes, I'll have Abhi get you a beautiful ring like right now."

A beautiful ring? Like the good old diamonds? Or some precious stone like ruby? Emerald?

Ugh! Arunima! Stop it! Control your inner material girl! Stop drooling over stones, or you'd get married to one.

I decided to utilise the opportunity, "Aunty...i am actually trying to focus on my career right now."

My voice became low by the end because I could feel sharp gazes of my mom and dad, and not to forget my little sister. And if these three pair of eyes were any less, I felt the fatal eyes giving me a pointing look.

"Beta...i understand your concern. But as much as I know my son, he will never come in the way of your career. You know, it's not difficult to manage the two things- marriage and career if the partner is understanding."

"We tell her the same.", "I told this to her!"

My mother, and my future husband speak up in unison, like they were a mother-son pair, who drifted apart in the Kumbh Mela.

His father, however, takes a different stand, "Uhm...let the kid take time to decide. We cannot force her to accept it. It is her life. Let her decide."

I don't know if I want his son to be my husband, but I definitely want this man as my father in law.

The refreshments continued as I was given time to think. I left the dining room, excusing myself and went to my room. This saree around me was inhibiting my decision making power, so with some deliberation, and preparing myself for my mother's disapproval, I changed into a comfortable suit. It was still indian, so atleast I can argue on that.

A knock on my door, had me wondering who it is because my parents or sister don't knock. They just barge in to catch me making a bomb.

When I said, "Come in.", I was surprised to find him entering followed by his mother. My room was still a mess, so nervously, i greeted her, and removed a heap of clothes from my bed to make space for her to sit.

She did not sit though, but her eyes wandered to the pictures of mine, hanging over the wall. I was still wondering why they were here, and why was her son standing with his eyes focused on me.

I ignored him, and avoided his gaze at all cost before his mother spoke up, "Arunima...beta...I am here to convince you to marry my son. I know he's a bit difficult, because that runs in the genes. But he wants to marry you, and mind when I say it, in the twenty nine years of his existence, he has not even talked kindly to a girl."

I was shocked to be honest. With the looks of that kind, and the money that spoke volumes, he should have girls hanging from his arms. Preventing myself from imagining that, i questioned what was the concern of this moment.

"Why does he want to marry me then? He must have a reason."

His mother shrugged, "I don't know. He wouldn't tell me. And I guess that is because he's himself figuring it out. But what I can promise you is you are never going to regret it. That is marrying him."

She patted my head and then left the room.

'Mr. I will eat you but won't tell you why' was still here, and so i decided to attack him.

.

"So Mr. Rathore? Are you that eager to marry me?"

He pushed his hands in his pocket and looked at me, the earlier seriousness nowhere to be seen. Replaced by the same stoic expression that I can write a paragraph about.

"What if I say yes?"

I smirked and crossed my hands before me, "What do you promise then?"

He lips lifted just a bit, "I don't make promises. I'd rather do it all."

I sighed. Helpless, Hopeless Jerk! Jaahil Aadmi as I said.

*

Back with everyone, my parents staring at me expectantly. His mother, lightly smiling, giving me an assured nod. His father, looking all the more relieved and amused at his son's behaviour, who looked like he was here to crack a business deal.

"I'd marry him.", I said and then I saw a happy chaos settling around me. The parents offering each other sweets. My sister looking way more ecstatic because she'd be the sole owner of my room.

A strange feeling settled in my chest. I wondered if I made the right decision. I will have an arrange marriage, there's no doubt in that. So if I have to marry a stranger, let it be a rich and well settled stranger, who's really good looking and will not bother my work. It's good no? What attracts me more is the mystery surrounding this man? Why is his smile so expensive? And why do I want to make it cheap? Atleast for me. Won't it be an achievement worth boasting that I have made a stoic monster, a peasant under me? I can be a perfect material girl with my money combined with his.

I lift my eyes and they directly meet his, who was already looking at me.

At that moment, all the practical reasoning I did in my mind about my decision seemed to fade away. Because although he said he doesn't make promises, his gaze alone held a lot more firmer promise to me, easing the anxiety in my heart. May be we were meant to be.

*

And that was how, I was sitting in his room today. The humongous room, too big for a single man or a couple even. The distance between the couch and bed was so much, that I'd think twice before getting out of the comfort of the bed to go to the couch.

My elaborated lehnga was already tiring me, and to top it all, my now mother in law has asked me to wait for his highness.

I was lying on the bed, absent mindedly scrolling on my phone. What if he's a creepy guy who can't wait till we finally love each other? Or may be he'll come and say, "Don't expect anything from me. I am your husband in front of the world not in this room."

I can then conveniently smack him on his face because he was the one who begged me to marry him. Yeah, i am exaggerating but he did beg, or something of that sort.

I looked at my suitcase resting near the couch. It had a gift I bought for him. Do I bring that out and offer it as a peace offering, like with an olive branch? But what if he thinks i am trying to impress him?

My family, they already treat him like he is God Shiva incarnated, only to deal with a devil like me. He looks very pleased with the love my parents shower on him, and not to forget, really smug everytime I scowl at that.

My thoughts halt when the door is shut a little loudly, making me look in the direction only to find him standing there with his back to me. Unlike me, he was already out of his wedding attire, wearing a white cotton shirt and pants.

Now if I sit up, he'd think I am nervous, which I'd admit I was . So I kept scrolling on the phone without acknowledging him.

I could hear footsteps coming nearer, and feel that familiar gaze of his on me. Focus Aru! Focus! Focus on how this lady is telling you 'What I eat in a day'.

"You are looking pretty in this lehnga...but I'd prefer my wife more comfortable in her bed."

My eyes snapped to look at him, standing just beside the bed, looking at me, amused.

I sat up keeping my phone aside, and gave a very 'polite' smile, "Dear husband! I am wearing this because your mother asked me to. She said I've to take my muh dikhai gift before I remove this."

He sighed and sat at the little place I had left on the side of the bed, "Tumhara muh mujhe bina gift diye bhi dikh raha hai..nahi deta Mai gift." ( I can see your face even without a gift. Not giving you one.)

Okay! If there was one thing that excited me about my wedding, it was the amount of gifts I'd be receiving. And this man thinks he can get away with it. I raised my eyebrow and shifted to the centre of the bed, effectively spreading by queen sized lehenga on his king sized bed.

"No gift for me. No bed for you."

He looked perplexed at my declaration. Jokes apart, we both were really tired after the five days back to back rituals. So bed was the only safe haven at this moment. I was actually very distressed with this lehnnga. It took hours to wear it. And not to forget the make up, the jewelry.

I sighed to myself but didn't back off. If I am going down, i should atleast take a gift with me.

My distress must have been visible on my face, because he saw right through the smugness I was sporting.

"What do you want for gift? Any preferences?"

His voice was surprisingly gentle. And i was immediately feeling the loss of words. I am comfortable as long as we are arguing.

"You have nothing. Don't you?! Wait... I'll complain to your mother."

I was about to get down the bed, when he stopped me with his hands holding my dupatta. What on earth is this sharukh khan shit?

I turned to him, "Kya?"(What?)

"Gift ke bina manogi nahi?"(I can't convince you without a gift?)

I shook my head, "No! I am a material girl! You get that?"

I attempted to get down again only for him to pull tighter.

"I have your gift. I am only trying to know if it will suit your liking or not."

"My lehnga is really precious. Don't pull at my dupatta like that. First thing. And second thing, give me my gift. I'll decide if I like it or not!"

I am one of those people that if you give me a carefully wrapped leaf as a gift, I'll probably keep it hidden in my books for life. I have done that before. So yes, I love gifts.

Thankfully, after a short staring competition, he grabbed a box from the drawer beside the bed. Oh! So it was kept here only. The box was a rectangular shaped maroon velvet, with a brand logo, on top. I didn't recognise the brand, but I knew it was something expensive.

That caught me a little off guard. And he slowly forwarded the box to me, "Tell me.... how's my welcome gift."

I took the box carefully, as if it was a bomb. And then when I opened it, I saw a pair of anklets. Thick, silver anklets, with about two thousands of small 'ghungroos'. They were beautiful, heavy, something that looked like a wedding gift. And God knows how much I love the rich aesthetic jwellery.

I looked at him, and he was keenly scrutinising my face.

"What?", I raised my eyebrow, keeping a stoic face. Two can play this game.

"You didn't like it?"

I took the box containing anklets and got down the bed, the lehanga making it a bit difficult for me, but I didn't care.

I went to the dressing table and sat before the wall sized mirror. Lightly lifting the lehanga, i lifted my leg, removed the one that I was wearing with the lehnga and wore the new anklet. It was heavy, but it felt grounding. The melody of the ghungroos was beautiful. I went for another one, when he beated me for that.

"Let me?"

He sat on his knee near my leg, and then took my another leg, removed the older one, and made me wear it.

I suppressed the nervousness from his touch, not allowing it to be shown on my face. He is my husband, but we are still in a battlefield. Atleast unless I develop something soft for him.

I walked a little with the anklets, bouncing my feet a little to properly hear their noise, and God knows how much I loved it.

"I like it Mr.Ratho...husband ji. You passed level 1."

For a few more minutes, i examined my newly acquired gift, and then when I was fully sated, I kept it aside already planning on what occasion will I wear it.

Standing in front of the mirror, I started removing my elaborated jewellery, which was already becoming the cause of my headache.

"You need any help?", he asked, and I looked at him through the mirror.

Nodding, "Yes i do. But that's your duty. I'm not asking for help."

His lips lifted just a bit, and then he signalled me with his head to sit on the chair. When I did, we worked in unison to remove the veil, and then he focused on my hair, while I focussed on the jewelry.

After forty minutes of struggle, it was finally over. I felt lighter, and breathed a sigh of relief. I looked at the mirror and he was already looking at me.

"Change into something comfortable and sleep. Ma asked you to take a long beauty sleep because it's your muh-dikhai tomorrow."

"That means more gifts."

He was amused, i could tell, "Yeah! More gifts. I wonder if you only married me for the gifts."

I picked up my discarded dupatta and moved towards the closet, "I am glad that you know it."

*