Beyond A Glance

CHAPTER 2

Pallavi POV:

I was looking through documents for our new client when I heard a knock on the door. My assistant informed me that she was leaving for the day. I glanced at the clock and packed my things to head home. As I neared my house, I saw a new car parked in front of it. I knew that one of my relatives had probably come to give an invitation to a wedding and would taunt my mother about how I still hadn't gotten married. I braced myself to face them with a fake smile and parked my car near a tree.

When I entered the house, I heard a voice I thought I would never hear again. I was daydreaming at the entrance of my house. My mother was shouting at my sister, "Nithya, faster, get her ready!" Nithya rushed toward me with a genuine smile. I looked down at my outfit — I was wearing a blouse and pencil skirt. Nithya pulled me upstairs to my room, and I couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with my outfit. When we reached my room, Nithya shoved a grand top and leggings into my hand and pushed me into the bathroom, saying, "Akka (Elder Sister), you only have 10 minutes, faster, freshen up!" I hurriedly got ready and tried not to let my mind wander. I washed my face and put on the clothes my sister had given me.

Nithya ushered me to the vanity table when I opened the bathroom door and began doing my makeup. I just sat there since I'm not much of a makeup person. She gave me a shawl as the final touch. At the same time, my bedroom door opened and my mother, momentarily stunned, said with a few tears in her eyes, "Wow! You look gorgeous, my princess." My mother and Nithya escorted me downstairs. That's when I saw his face clearly and whispered to myself, "Shiv."

My mother introduced me to the people sitting in the living room. Now I understand why they wanted to doll me up. I really wanted to make a scene, but I knew it would be disrespectful to my parents, so I kept silent.

I had a hectic day, and all I wanted was a cup of coffee, but here they were, doing a bride-seeing ceremony for me. After the introductions, his parents asked me some questions, and I answered them truthfully. Finally, came the moment where they asked whether the groom and I accepted the proposal. Both families were happy to move forward, but for the sake of formality, they asked the question.

He said in a deep voice, "Yes, I can marry her right here, right now!" Unfortunately, I answered loud and clear, "I don't want to marry him." Out of all the people, Nithya was the most shocked because she knew I was crazy about him back in university.

He narrowed his eyes, sharpening his gaze, and asked my parents, "Can I please talk to her for a minute, Uncle and Aunty?" He asked politely, without shifting his gaze. I stood my ground in rejecting him, but somehow, my parents convinced me to talk to him. I took a deep breath and escorted him to my room.

Once we reached my room, he locked the door and came toward me with his pupils darkened. I started to feel nervous as he neared me but stopped a foot away.

"Why are you here? What the hell is going on? I thought you couldn't forget your ex! Then why are you making a scene here? Did your parents force you? Just tell me, and I'll talk to my parents and stop this... arrmmm—" I was muffled by his hand.

"Hey, can you breathe for a moment? Just wait. I was the one who asked to talk to you, not the other way around. Then, why are you not giving me a chance to speak? Why are you not answering me now?" He looked at me with a questioning expression.

I stared at him and pointed to my mouth with my eyes, signaling that he was still covering it. He took a step back and apologized.

What does he want now? Why did he come suddenly ? What could be the reason? Any Guess? Let's see in the next chapter with a new POV ;)