Hopeful Streaks

Chapter 8

Mitha, chinned up to listen to him carefully. For a moment, her tears paused.

"The Band-aid for this damage is...", he paused and she looked at him with a gaze that expected him to complete his sentence. He cleared his throat, and let his hands inside his trousers' pocket and announced,"Marry me!"

Her heart skipped a beat! She experienced an earth shattering effect. Heart throbbed, as if she was in a marathon. She couldn't help but flush in embarrassment. How could he say this so simply? After all, she knew him for just a couple of weeks. The paused tears, resumed their flow.

"What?!", she freaked out.

Ajay condensed. His furrowed brows were diffusing magma, that ignited her heart. He moved a little forward, and  bordered her closely. His breath fanned her face. He took a long breathe in and on slowly exhaling the air, he gasped,"I said, Marry me!".

"Are you mad, Mr. Rish? You can't do this to me!!", she growled! It was really hard for her to speak this time, because he was close, kindling her.

"This is the solution for what you did to me!", and this time it was not a whisper, instead it was an out cry. He yelled at her.

"Listen! All I need back, are my reputation and recognition. I can't bear, this filthy rumor!", he said.

She stared at him, silently. She couldn't speak up! Even without anything wrong on her side itself, arguing with Ajay was a big battle for her but now, being the cause of this issue; she decided not to open her mouth.

"I know! I am the root cause for this rumor. But, marrying is too much for this! You hardly know me.", She tried to convince him. He moved back a little and turned aside.

"Look!! Wedding means not just another marriage. Just a marriage registration to make everyone believe that we're in love. That's it!!", and this made her breath normally. Because, she herself was not ready for a wedding with Ajay. He was her crush, though!

"You can get a divorce, once Divya is out of her slumber! But for now, I don't have any other ways to make media, shut their lousy mouths.", Ajay said, taking a seat on the couch neatly.

"This is the solution for this. Also, I don't really have any idea of getting hitched. This is purely because of the circumstances! If you've any other idea, to make us prove that we're not in an affair, you're strongly welcome. Think and say!", he said and leaned back to the couch.

What he said was true! She couldn't find any other way than accepting and getting married to him and make everyone believe that they're in love. "I need some time!!", she mumbled and went into the room. There, all she could think about was her dad. She couldn't control her tears, at the moment. She wanted her dad badly, it was impossible though! She went into the water closet and splattered away some fresh, cold water at her face. She couldn't decide anything at that moment . Despite the fact, that she had to do something to show that they had nothing between them.

After half an hour of deep analysis, she came to a conclusion that she had no other go than agreeing to what he said. Letting out an exhale, she moved out of the room. Ajay, was sitting there at the couch without any changes in his posture. His face was still brimming with grief and his eyes were still sorrow coated. She neared him and waited for him to look at her. Finally, when he had noticed her arrival, she was ready to spit out her decision .

"Mr. Rish!!", she called him out.

"Let's get married!!", she mumbled and looked at him with her blurred vision.

"Thanks!! Anyways, you've no other way than making this deal!!", he said and got up from the couch and went into his room. She had nay ideas, on what to do next. Her mind and heart, screamed for an interlude. With that, Mitha decided to take a nap. But it was already eight in the evening, so she drew a conclusion that she would sleep. Mitha, didn't forget to set her alarm for the next day as she wanted to meet Deborah.

The next morning, Mitha woke up even before the alarm could wake her up. She got up from the bed, and prepared coffee for her after refreshing herself. She decided to go out, before Ajay could notice her. She did the same. She also didn't fail to text Ajay, that she was going out to meet Deb. From Éclat mansion, she walked straight to the temple for some peace. After spending some value time at the temple, she decided to move to the bistro to meet Deb and Cassy.

On the other hand, Ajay woke up and did his routine! He crawled to the kitchen, holding his phone which displayed the text message that Mitha had left.

'Hi! I am going out to meet Deb! Will come back soon! Bye!!'-Mitha

'Hi! Yeah, okay! Be careful!!'- Ajay ~ he replied and put the phone on the table and started to go through that day's Deccan Chronicle. Mitha, reached the bistro and barged in, with a disgusting face.

"Hey,babydoll! How're you?", Cassandra was on her usual cheer.

"I do not know how to answer this Cassy!", Mitha shook her head in aversion and satiety.

"Why? What's making so cheerless!?", Cassy held her chin up and asked Mitha.

"I am getting married!!", Mitha said casually and Cassandra couldn't believe what she heard.

"Did i hear it right?", Cassy's eye balls puffed out being open to doubt.

"I AM GETTING MARRIED!! ", She freaked out this time as Deb, gave an appearance on hearing Mitha's voice .

"Excuse Me!!", it was Deb's turn to dilate her eyes balls and react for what Mitha said.

"Ajay Rish, asked me if i could marry him!!...Okay! Now, don't freak out!! It was not a marriage proposal!", she paused while the other two were leaving out a confused reaction as they were unable to understand what Mitha was saying!

"The marriage is not out of love, but because of the crap that i did!!", she recited.

"What the hell did you do?", Deb asked placing the coffee tray over the desk.

"Why didn't both of you watch the idiotic box, yesterday?", Mitha sighed and then she gave a report of what happened, the previous day!

"Oh-oh!", Cassy moaned and hugged Mitha.

"My fate!!", Mitha sighed again.

"Are you sure that you're going say yes to this?", Deb asked handing over a plate of grilled sandwiches to Mitha.

"Too late, Deb!!", Mitha alleged.

"What do you mean? You agreed, already?", Deb waved her hands and howled that the entire bistro paused for a second and laid eyes on Deb. Deb and Mitha, got irked and they decided to move to the private area, inside the cafe which was free.

"I am unable to make sense of what's happening in my life,Deb! Before a troika of weeks, i was just an ordinary girl who was living happily with her dad. My wheel of fortune, was in reverse and it was inescapable. Later, i was designated as a doctor to a bigwig, which was not an easy deed. Within, i could perceive some good vibes, and again this! Within another couple of weeks, I will be Mrs. Rish! I am jaded! I am sick of my life, my fate, Mr.Rish, everything!", Mitha said. Her last few words were a complete whisper. She couldn't handle all those unforeseen modification.

"You could've denied! I can understand Bon-bon, may be you're semi-responsible for the rumor but he can't do this to you! Both of you know nothing about each other!",Deborah being duty-bound, pointed out.

"Deborah Jeremiah! If you're dreaming that it is a wedding between two who're crazy over each other, let me tell you this! This is just an alleged wedding. He wants me to sign in the marriage registration document! Do you even sense how formal it sounds? Like, how i have been appointed as a doctor, i will be given a designation called wife. His wife! That's all what he conveyed! Reputation and recognition, it seems!!", Mitha was flaming out of annoyance, failure, miscalculation and what not!

Deb, decided not to speak anymore and make the situation more worser. She knew that Mitha, needed someone to talk to, at that time. She had always been there for her, whenever Mitha needed someone.

Whilst, Cassandra was speechless hearing what Mitha said. All she could do was to give her a warm hug, soothe her and whisper that everything will get back to normal and time heals everything. With that, Mitha decided to go back to the manor.

"I am leaving Cassy! I don't have much time to spend outside. Divya, is all alone there.", Mitha growled rubbing her forehead.

"Be careful Bon-bon! I will text you now and then! Okay?", Deb convinced her, holding Mitha's arms .

"Bye Deb! Bye Cassy!!", Mitha shrieked and buzzed out.

In meantime, Ajay was busy discussing his company shares to his share holders. On finishing the discussion, he came out of the conference hall and he found Math sitting there at his cabin. It was not a surprise, because he already knew that Math would come on seeing the news.

"Hey! Hi!!", Ajay exclaimed by seeing Math. Whereas Math was highly tensed!

"What's this Ajay? Tell me everything! What happened yesterday ? How did it happen?", Math started to deck up his doubts.

"You're such a b****y investigator! One question at a time!!", Ajay insisted and took his seat opposite to Mathews. Followed by Math's questions and Ajay's answers, the arena was filled with questions and solutions.

"So, You're going to announce that you're getting married?", Math questioned, with a cryptic, evil smile dancing on his lips. Ajay, couldn't understand the meaning of that evil simper.

"Yes! After all, I don't have any other choice."

"What did Mitha say?", Math needled.

"Do you think she has any other way? It was all because of her!", Ajay ossified.

"Okay! Take a breath! Calm down!!", Math convinced him. But however, Ajay's exasperation was extravagant. Slipping away through the day, was hurtful be cause he had to face too many probes, due to the released photograph of he and Mitha, together. Even then, he couldn't stop reminiscing the moment that they had shared last night. He had to hold her for just a wink, though it was just a petite affinity that they shared, he was trying hard to wipe it off his heart and mind. Ajay Rish, was purely obsessed. He was ultimately embracing Mitha Mania!

When Mitha came back home, Mrs. Martina was doing her duty. On seeing Mitha, she managed to let out a chuckle and continued her work. In Fact, Mitha expected something else. Mitha, wondered how  Mrs. Martina didn't ask any questions about the news. With rays of tiredness, on her face Mitha somehow managed to check on Divya. The Sun vanished. Mitha, was done for that day because of crying excessively last night. She decided to cook dinner, it was her turn on that day. She baked few Rotis and Aloo mutter, and settled down at the dining table and waited for Ajay. She waited until the clock struck eleven, but after that she really felt sleepy. She was continuously yawning and had slept laying down on the dining table itself. She felt it was comfortable to sleep on her hands. She didn't care even if it was just floor. All she needed was to sleep. A good, contented sleep.

When Ajay came back home, he noticed that Mitha had slept. The number of Rotis that remained, implied that Mitha hasn't eaten. Ajay, stopped there opposite to her and crashed down to the chair, by seeing her innocent face. She was sleeping contentedly. The contentment that has been sticking to Mitha, since she reached the Éclat mansion. He could not stop himself from adoring her. It was the time for him to savor her beauty, without letting her know. He turned into a stone, without any movement. Ajay, had no heart to disturb her sleep, so he let her sleep and didn't try to wake her up to have her food. He didn't realize that, he had almost spent two hours staring at her. It was his first time, to feel the immobility due to someone's beauty. She looked really beautiful! Without flaws!

The next morning, Mitha opened her eyes due to the aroma of coffee, that Ajay had prepared. When she opened her eyes, she found Ajay opposite to her; sitting with his daily news paper and coffee mug. She had null idea about how to react on seeing him, there. She was half sleepy, already, she couldn't comprehend anything in sleepiness. Mitha, then slowly managed to get up from the chair and went into her room. After taking a shower, she came out and that's when Ajay left! He just said that he was about to leave. This time, there was no apology for his volcanic anxiety. Yes, Deb was right! Ajay, never apologized for not what he did.

Mitha, gulped off the coffee and gobbled up the food. The fear and frustration that has been hugging her, loosened! She decided not to worry much. Anyhow, she couldn't go back and change anything! Rather than, sitting sadly; she decided to be cheerful. She wanted to watch TV, to cognize if Ajay had announced their wedding. She switched on the TV and flipped to the same, second rated, channel that changed her life, in a day. Again, a newfangled broadcast was going on, which flashed Ajay's interview.

Reporter: Mr.Rish, Our channel member has a caught a photograph of you holding your live-in doctor in your arms. The whole city is now burning with a news that, both of you've an affair. Is that true?

Ajay: I don't think there's something wrong in two people who're madly in love with each other, living together. Anyways, we're planning to get married. In any case, this is my personal life, i kindly request you guys not to spread something beside the point! Thank you!!

Reporter: Sir..??

Ajay: No more questions! Sorry.

Mitha, was watching Ajay answering patiently to the TV reporter. When her mind went back to last night, she gasped for air in fear. She couldn't think back, how he roared. And then, to gain back all his recognition he was answering with calmness with much of a muchness. The day passed out, wearily. Mitha, even wondered why didn't Siddhart, come after that day.

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