Melody Of Love

I’ll Punish You

Michael’s POV

It’s been a month since the last time I saw Rose. Kate was discharged from the hospital two weeks after the operation, and Rose wanted to go back to their apartment to look after Kate. Today I’m going to meet Mr & Mrs. Kapoor. Rose informed them about our marriage. Well, she didn’t say that it was a contract-marriage, instead, she said we knew each other for a while and love was the reason for our marriage. Rose didn’t inform Kate, she thought that Kate wouldn’t be happy about her sister marrying someone when she wasn’t present. She’s going to introduce me as her boyfriend to Kate at today’s dinner.

“I’m not wearing this.” I said putting the suit on the chair beside Rushika. I’m not going to a business meeting or an award ceremony. I’m going to meet Rose’s family, my family.

“C’mon Mike, you're not going there in a plain shirt. You're a superstar.”

“Exactly, I want to meet them as their daughter’s husband, not as a superstar.”

“Okay then, just select whatever you feel is the right thing to wear.” She said, motioning towards the clothes around us.

After ten minutes of looking around all the clothes, I wasn’t able to decide what to wear. I looked over to Rushika with pleading eyes, silently asking her to help me select something.

“Mike you're worse than many women.” Shaking her head, she started searching the clothes while she asked, “Okay, baby boy, now tell me what do you want to wear? Any specific preferences?” She said with humor evident in her voice.

“Well, something simple and elegant at the same time.”

Within two minutes she held up a white shirt along with a white shirt-jacket with sparkles on the wrist area and blue jeans.

“Great!” I loved it, and white is one of my favorites.

“You look perfect!” Diana commented once I came out of the dressing room.

“Michael, I asked Tito to get some flowers, don’t forget to give them to your in-laws. They are Indians, and flowers are considered auspicious.” Diana reminded me while I was getting into my car.

By the time I reached Rose’s apartment, it was 7:15. I rang the doorbell, and suddenly I was feeling nervous about seeing Rose after so long. It wasn’t like we didn’t talk on the phone this entire time, but I missed seeing her. I kinda got addicted to her. The week she spent with me was like heaven. I never felt so happy being with someone.

I missed seeing her beautiful face every morning. I missed having her in my bed every night. I missed her smiles, her kisses. I missed touching her beautiful face, her body. Hell, I missed everything about her. If this continues to be the case, I’m pretty sure living without her is going to be pure t*****e once the contract comes to an end.

The door opened to reveal my angel standing there in a white, halter neck, lace long skirt. She had her hair up using a chopstick.

“Hello, Angel. You're looking great too.” I said noticing her checking me out. A blush crept up on her face, and she looked away. I stepped closer to her, our feet almost touching. She looked at me, her eyes boring into mine, and I removed the chopstick from her hair, letting it fall loosely.

“And now you look stunning.” A small smile played on her lips listening to my words.

“Rose, who’s at the door?” Mrs.Kapoor called out, walking towards us. She smiled looking at me and invited me inside. I sat on the sofa talking to Mr.Kapoor while Rose and her mom were busy inside the kitchen.

“Rose told me that you both knew each other for quite some time, and she said she loved you. But don’t you think marriage is a big thing and you guys kinda…”

I understood where this was going. So I interrupted him before he could complete

“Dad… I mean uncle, please, I know what you are thinking, and I even know that me being who I am, you can't trust me that easily with your daughter. But trust me, I love her so much, I can't even imagine my life without her, and I promise to take care of her throughout my life. I’ll always protect her.”

“I know you must be thinking that this guy is a big celebrity, and he must be having many women in his life. But please, believe me, your daughter is very special to me. And no one can ever take her place in my life. I’ll never do anything that will hurt her. I’ll love her with all my heart. I know it might be difficult for you to believe me but give me a chance to prove myself. Please give our relationship a chance. Please give our love a chance.”

Jesus Christ! I never lied like this to anyone, and somehow I felt I was betraying the man in front of me. Every word I said to him about me loving his daughter is a lie. A big lie. But somehow I felt that these words came from my heart, and it felt right saying those words for my Angel. Can I ever love her? Is this even possible?

He remained quiet for some time as if in deep thought before he smiled at me. “You can call me dad. Just take care of my Rose. Don’t hurt her.”

“I’ll never do anything that could her, in any way.”

I looked up to see Rose standing there, with tears in her eyes. I signaled her asking if she is fine. She nodded her head and wiped her tears before coming towards me and sitting beside me. I immediately took her hand into mine. She smiled at me and looked at her friend who was standing with her mouth wide open, looking at me, as if she saw a ghost. She stood up and moved towards her friend.

“Michael, meet Kate, my best friend, my sister. And Kate this is… well you know him right?” She said teasingly, while her friend was shooting daggers in her direction. What’s going on here?

“Oh my God! You robbed my husband, didn’t you?” She said looking at Rose.

“No. Well, he is your dream husband, only in dreams.” My angel said, hooking my arms with hers “But he is my real boyfriend.”

They looked at each other for a second, before both broke out into laughter.

“I’m happy for you Rose. I know my idol, and he is the best husband a girl could dream for.” She said before offering me her hand “Hello, this is Kate.”

“Hello, this is Michael.” I said taking her hand while she looked at me as if she saw a joker. I raised a brow questioningly, for which she simply shook her head and looked over to Rose, who was smiling ear to ear. Okay, these two are sharing some private joke and I’m sure about it.

“The dinner’s ready.” Mrs.Kapoor called us to the table. But I had something else to do first.

“Rose, where’s the washroom?”

“Come with me.” I followed her into her room and closed the door behind me. She turned around listening to the sound of me locking the door from inside.

“What are you doing.” She sounded tense, well she should be.

I pulled her into me by her wrist, and she placed her hands on my chest while I placed mine on her waist, slowly drawing circles with my fingers.

“Now tell me, Angel, what’s the private joke between you and your friend. I know that it's about me. And don’t lie to me or I’ll punish you.”

She gulped at my words. “Pu-punish?” She stuttered.

“Yes baby girl, punish. Now come on, answer me.”

“It’s nothing.” She answered, not meeting my eyes and biting her lips. God! How much I wanted to do that. Well, now that she lied to me…