LOVE BEYOND BORDERS

Will you marry me...

Ammu didn't had the strength to fight back nor she intended to. Not because she is scared but because she was already in grievance and now got devastated too. She was bullied bitterly, but she accepted it as she wants to end their conflicts forever , it is with that purpose she came to meet Lin.

As Lin said he wants to settle their battle this way she will abide by it. Ammu wiped her face using a tissue. Her scarf and dupatta got wet and she miserably smelled alcohol. She looked at Lin and said in a calm tone.. Lin, can I leave now.

Lin : Leave? , without answering me. Now spit out the truth, are you both getting married.

Ammu : Who told you this lie ,Lin,you can decide whether to believe me or not,but it's true that we are not getting married.

Lin : then for who's marriage that brat is running madly.

Ammu thought about what Fuzhi told her in the evening that her last option is getting married, did he already started the arrangements without consulting her.

She frowned and said, "Lin I don't know anything about that, please drop me home now, you said it will take only half an hour, it's almost 8:30 pm now. Come let's go."

Lin folding his hands sloched back to his chair staring at Ammu for some time .He then rolled the glass of whiskey in his hand and drank it in one gulp and went outside. Ammu walked behind him but could not reach along with his pace and was left far behind. She thought it is rediculous to run behind him so she walked as fast as she could to reach upto him but saw the limousine they came moving out without her getting in. Her eyes blurred with tears and she swallowed in her sorrow and held back her from crying.

Ammu panickly looked aroun, but didnt had the slightest idea of the place where she is in. She didn't know to whom she should ask.,to which bus to board. She can't trust the taxi as she is scared what happens if they try to hurt her.

She walked towards left following some people walking in the street. They stopped at a bus station so did she. They boarded a bus but she sat in the waiting shed without knowing where to go.she thought she will wait here for sometime until she could calm herself . She didn't want to disturb Fuzhi at this time as he was running to settle her issue. Since she smelled alcohol the passerby gents were giving her disgusting looks.

Ammu could no more bear their glares,so she started walking from the waiting shed to avoid them.

Meanwhile in the car Yong told, "Boss, Ms Simi doesn't know that she is in Wu City , she is not familiar with the place ,shall we take her back to the apartment.

Lin remained silent with a grim face.

Yong : Boss, Simi is going in the wrong direction.

After few minutes Lin angrily said "pick her....."

Ammu stood in the next bus station almost for 10 minutes. She thought to call her grandpa and give the phone to some passerby so she can know where she is. But this idea is like killing herself as grandpa would ask why she went outside during late night. As she had no other option Ammu worriedly took the phone and dialed grandpa's number...

She raised her head from the phone as a beam of light blinded her eyes,When she saw a limousine approaching her, She disconnected the call.

Yong came out and told her to get in, Ammu wanted to refuse but as she was exhausted both mentally and physically and was not the right time to uphold her ego, she got in and avoided facing Lin. He stared at her but she pretended as not known and sat their looking out through the window.....

Yong looked through rear mirror to know the movements in the back and noticed Ammu's attitude. He thought this lady is really stubborn and funny too. He told Lin " Boss, she is good at heart and is naive"

Lin : Yes I saw her innocence spilling out in the restaurant, did you forget that she didn't admit about their tomorrow's plan. She is too crooked and cunning .

Yong : Boss may be she is not aware of it. I have personally been to her home with Fuzhi as you instructed. She didn't notice me as I was sitting in the driver's seat then . She is from an orthodox family that still upholds their tradition, culture and custom. As far as I know she is well disciplined.

Yong tried to put on so many words in favour of Ammu to save her from his boss's hatred.

Lin Sneering "hmm discipline, have you ever been called an insane, did she splashed water on your face, did she ever yelled at you publicly. Have you ever been bullied and humiliated."

Hearing this the driver and Yong side glanced each other suppressing their laughter. Their ruthless and arrogant CEO was bullied by this ordinary Indian girl. The driver tried to see Ammu's face through the mirror.

Ammu didn't understand a word that they were talking but she liked them talking as there was no dead silence in the car. While they were coming to Wu City she felt as if stuck in a graveyard,

After half an hour drive they reached her apartment she was about to get down, Yong opened door for her she said thank you to him politely without looking at Lin.

Ammu came to her room and again took bath to get rid of the foul smell of alcohol over her.

She kept away the thought of moments with Lin and prayed to God to help her take a suitable decision. She prefers not to marry Arun,whatever be it she can't surrender her self esteem to him who had cheated on her back and does not have the slightest conscience or guilt in blaming her purposely to hide his wrong doings .

Ammu decided she will marry any jerk in this world or may remain single in her entire life but will not succumb to that scoundrel.Now she has only one thing in her mind , escape from Arun so she didn't think about the collateral problems.

Next day morning she received a call from Fuzhi..

Ammu answered it not even waiting for him to speak " Fuzhi I want to get married. "

Fuzhi( smiles) : are you ready...

Ammu : Yes, Iam .

Fuzhi came to meet her last night and explained to her what he had planned and said to trust him, there is nothing to worry. It's only a marriage certificate and She can lead her life as it is now, and after one year he will make sure that she will get her divorce without any complications. She can return back to her country and move on with her life as she wish.

Since Ammu confirmed her agreement to his plan he asked her to meet at the marriage registration office at 10:00 am.

Ammu got ready wearing a light pink net anarkali suit with matching scarf to cover her scar. She prayed to idol of Lord Shiva kept in the shelf and set for the marriage.

She arrived at the marriage registration office at 9:00 am and waited for Fuzhi. She tried to contact Fuzhi, he answered her call at the first ring " Ammu don't worry Iam on the way, will reach there in 15 minutes." Ammu sighed in relief and waited for him.

Exactly after 15 minutes a limousine stopped in front of her. She recognised the vehicle, it's Lin's. She panicked but to her surprise Fuzhi was there, she stood there smiling at Fuzhi ,he raised his hand and called Ammu... Ammu...

Ammu waved back to him and stood there sweetly smiling at Fuzhi, Yong who was sitting in front seat looked at her with astonishment , she is not as naive as he thought. Boss is correct, she is cunning. Still he had a bit hope for Ammu.

She came near the car since Fuzhi didn't get down, when she looked into the car she saw him sleeping. Yong came to open the door for her, Ammu got in and called Fuzhi but got no response.Ammu without understanding anything asked Yong "what happened, why he is not responding. "

Yong : I don't know ,you can ask...

His eyes followed to the back seat where Lin was sitting and Ammu too followed his gaze ...

Ammu : Lin, what happened to Fuzhi.

Lin : He is fine, just having a small sleep will wake up after sometime, so tell me what help do you want. He told me to help you.

She couldn't believe her ears that Fuzhi asked Lin to help her. So he is here to help me. Ammu's mind popped up with lots of questions and doubts.She looked at Fuzhi and feeling helpless told Lin with embarrassed face " hmm,Lin Actually I need to marry a Chinese citizen to instate my job otherwise I will have to face legal proceedings from the company for violating rules."

Lin : hmm, so what should I do,who is your groom.

Ammu : Lin I... I...

Ammu couldn't tell the truth as she had sworn to Fuzhi that she will not disclose what he had told her in person last night.

He came to meet her at night 1: 00 am to tell his plan in person to avoid any risk and failure of it He even told her that she should not disclose it even to any of his close family members , be it his mother. So she hesitated to tell Lin.

Seeing Ammu hesitating to tell him the truth , Lin got agitated and shouted at her "speak, who is your groom".

Ammu got scared, her face turned pale and felt numb. She cried and tried to wake up Fuzhi by pulling him to and froth.

"Fuzhi please get up, Fuzhi..... Fuzhi.... Fuzhi tell me what should I do now. What happened to you. Fuzhi please open your eyes..... Fuzhi."

Seeing Ammu crying Yong felt pathetic, Lin got down from the car and leaned over to the car lighting a cigarette petitley held between his fingers . .

Yong took this chance and said "Ms Simi , you please speak to boss..."

Lin came close to the car before Yong could complete what he was about to say.

Lin opened the door for Ammu to get down.

After having enough puff of cigarette , he told..

"Ms.Simi, I will help you... I will marry you but you should be willing and request me to.... "

Ammu astonished to hear it, she didn't know how to respond, what to say . She looked at Yong and found that he himself was blinking in shock with his pupils bulging and choking.And her evertime saviour is still in a deep slumber.

She remained silent as was not able to take a decision, she had no time to waste. As per Fuzhi's plan the registration should take place at 10: 15 am and they should get the certificate within few hours so they can submit it to the office in time . She was also tangled with her personal issue. Thinking about Arun she was ready to accept anybody in this world.

She trusted Fuzhi as she know him well but incase of Lin the matter is different ,he is still a stranger for her.And their previous meetings and encounters were not that smooth.

Lin couldn't bear her silence so he told, "okay, if you are not willing let's drop it."

Ammu suddenly held Lin's sleeves to stop him and slowly with a quiver she stuttered"Lin... Iam willing.... Lin. will... will you marry me..." she lowered her head feeling the utmost humiliation.

Lin leaned over to the limousine crossing his legs and stood there as if he heard nothing. Yong understood what his boss wanted. Ammu stood there waiting for his response with expectant eyes,but he was looking elsewhere as if she hadn't made any request to him. Ammu glanced Yong with questioning eyes ...

Yong pointed his index finger towards Lin's legs. Ammu's gaze followed his gesture direction ,yes towards his foot.. And then she understood that he wanted her to beg him ,at his feet...

Ammu felt like a heavy stone being placed over her chest, she looked at Yong pathetically but he responded back with a helpless look, she looked at Fuzhi who was still in a mild concussion,her nose soured and struggled to held back her tears.

If she disagree she will have to face legal proceedings, her career will end here, her family's prestige everything will be ruined. So she had to succumb helself to his order. She knelt down and wrapped her hands around Lin's leg and cried in humiliation and pleaded "Lin please marry me, please.... I beg you.... I beg you...." she lowered her head and laid there at his feet.

He commanded in a cold voice filled with pride "Get up". Ammu raised her head and wiped her tears and stood up with difficulty. Lin gestured to the file Fuzhi was holding,Yong immediately took it and gave to Lin.

Ammu looked at Fuzhi who was still sleeping.. While Lin was checking the documents in the file Ammu stretched her hand to touch Fuzhi trying her last best chance to wake him up, but got no response. Yong saw it and moved aside to cover Ammu so that Lin doesn't see her actions.

Lin said okay you wait here "let's go" He gestured with his fingers to Ammu as if calling a dog. Ammu followed him like a puppet.

Yong: Boss... Do you really...

Lin held Ammu's palm and walked into the office without allowing Yong to finish what he want to say.

In the office when Ammu was asked to put her signature, she hesitated due to fear and dilemma. She sat their staring into the document..

Lin bend down and held around her waist and tapped on the space where she should sign ,"sign here" he said. Hearing this Ammu blankly looked at him and she held Lin's left hand tightly under her left hand as a means to reduce her tension and to get courage. She inhaled a deep breath and signed for her miserable future.

They both came out of the registration office ,one was numb and the other person had an expression as he had accomplished his life long goal.

Lin went to meet one of his client who was waiting for him in a nearby hotel to discuss on some project. Ammu walked alone into the limousine, it was raining mildly when she came out of the office.

She thought, is this rain a sign of her parent's blessings, thinking that she cried. Immediately she received a video call from her grandpa, she got into the car and answered.

Grandma : Ammukutty ,are you okay (kutty means child ,usually add to a name to express more love or caring )

Hearing her grandma calling Ammukuttty, her nose soured and she asked "what happened Grandma."

Her grandma usually calls her Ammukuttty when she is worried or feels more love to her.

Grandma : Are you okay child, what happened, did you cry dear,your eyes are red.

Ammu : It's nothing grandma, I just missed you all.

Grandma : Ammu yesterday I had a nightmare that you are in trouble, also I saw your parents in dream , I got worried and couldn't sleep Ammu.So I asked grandpa to make a call in the morning. Did we disturb you child?

Ammu : Grandma, see Iam all fine other than missing you all there is nothing to worry about.

Grandpa : Ammu, did you made the payment to the company.

Ammu : No grandpa, the issue was solved without paying cash. Sorry to trouble you grandpa. When I was ready with payment the company settled the matter somehow.

Grandpa : Oh, it's good. Ammu is there anything you want to tell us. Child if you are worried about anything just tell me, there is nothing important in this world for us other than your happiness. I don't mind even breaking my word for you. So just speak out your mind.

Ammu tried to hold back her tears, her grandparents are willing to sacrifice anything for her and she just now broke their trust by getting secretly married. Thinking this she could no more talk to them.

Ammu :Grandpa let me hang up now, as I need to go to office, Iam in office cab now. Will call you in the evening, don't worry Iam perfectly alright grandpa.

Ammu cried her eyes out after disconnecting the call , she looked at Fuzhi who was still sleeping.

With Lin's influence they received the certificate within one hour. And Lin brought the certificate after the meeting. When he got into the car Fuzhi woke up from his sleep.Fuzhi saw Ammu sitting next to him, he sat straight and observed the place in confusion and said "Ammu, what... what happened, where .... Are you okay."

Ammu : ""