writing camp+ A Fake marriage

It smelt like home

Sam

Anxiety started to rise within me.

Has she left, like for real. But her eyes were telling me something else yesterday night.

I shook off my head and called her, "Sandra, are you there?" I searched in the bathroom and then in the balcony but the room was empty.

Where can she go? That too early in the morning!

Maybe she has gone to kitchen to fetch some water.

I ran downstairs towards the kitchen. The kitchen was empty.

Now I was starting feeling nervous.

What if she has really left? What I will tell my parents? Hell I can't even call her name. I don't know about her whereabouts either!

I ran my hand through my hair. With nothing coming to my mind, I started to search everywhere around the house for her.

I searched in the living room, dining room, library, gym... What she can even do in the gym?

I was about to turn, after opening the door of the gym, when something caught my attention.

I turned again and focused on the window in front of me. There she was!

Relief washed over me like a new life.

She was sitting quietly in the garden in the pose of meditation.

So she is doing meditation so early in the morning!!

I was amazed. She was sitting so calmly, her face was so relaxed. It was glowing and radiating. I found myself entranced. The dawn has just started to appear at the horizon and it was giving her face a heavenly glow. I can't stop myself from staring at her. I started to feel so many emotions, all at once. I felt relieved, happy and astonished at the same time.

I shook off my head and started my workout in the gym. But I cannot concentrate on myself. My eyes automatically roamed again and again towards the beautiful sight in front of me. After some time she stood and started doing some exercise. Oh my God! She looked too sexy doing all those stretching. But again I shook off my head. I just cannot think about her like that. She is nobody to me.

To concentrate on my work out, I plug in my earphone and started listening to music.

I should not be thinking about her.

I finished my work out after about an hour. Unconsciously, my eyes again wandered around to see her but she was not there. I sighed and again cursed under my breath.

God! stop thinking about her you stupid brain.

I went to my room to grab my clothes & made a mental note to transfer my wardrobe to guest room in which I was staying for now. She was again not in the room but the sound of running water from bathroom was telling me that she was taking a shower.

I went to my room and took a shower. I got changed in my office attire and jogged downstairs towards the dining room for breakfast.

As I entered the dining area, a heavenly aroma hit my nostrils. Mmmm.... I can't help but moan. What is so special today that Christina is making such a mouth-watering breakfast in the morning. I wondered.

Mom and Dad were already there and Sandra was arranging the table with the help of Christina. Wait! By any means is it possible that Sandra had prepared this breakfast? There is no need for that. She knows that, doesn't she?

I decided to talk to her about this in the evening.

I greeted mom and dad good morning and took my seat.

She glanced towards me and gave me a bright smile. Her smile was so natural and sweet that I was taken aback for a moment but recovered fast and realised that mom and dad, both were looking towards me. I reciprocate her smile equally.

Now they both looked pleased.

Great Sam!

Sandra took her seat beside me and everyone started having their breakfast. I took a moment to glanced towards Sandra and she was looking so natural and unbothered.

She is a damn good actress, I must say.

I shook my head and picked my sandwich to have a bite.

All of sudden my mom shouted "Stop Sam!!"

What the hell! I glanced towards mom questioningly. My father also raised his brows. But instead of answering me or my father she asked Sandra, "Honey, have you added peanut butter in these sandwiches?"

Oh crap! I cursed mentally. I have to think some excuse fast.

"Yes mom! I always use peanut butter in sandwiches. It make them taste better and it's healthy also. What's the matter?" She asked confusingly. Her gaze shifting from me to mom nervously.

"Sam is allergic to peanut butter! Don't you know that?" mom asked her concerned.

Sandra's eyes turned wide. I can feel her nervousness.

"Well mom, We haven't discussed our allergies yet." I shrugged it off jokingly and instantly felt her getting relaxed.

Mom also smiled.

Good! She seems convinced.

"Er ... I will make some more sandwiches for you without peanut butter then." Sandra was about to get up when I grabbed her hand and make her sit on her chair.

"It's okay. I can have these pancakes. They look equally delicious." I said softly to her.

I glanced towards my parents from the corner of my eyes and they were smiling. I felt relieved.

After breakfast, I was about to get up when my father's words halted me.

"This is your wedding gift." Dad handed her a black credit card.

What! My dad never ever given his card to me. He always said that I have to earn and now he is giving his card to her. I felt a little jealous.

"But Dad I can't take it. There is absolutely no need for it." Sandra protested.

"I know. But this is a tradition in our family to give a gift to daughter-in-law. So this is my gift to you. Anyways, Dads can gift anything anytime to their daughters. Isn't it?" Dad said smiling.

"Oh..kay. Thanks Dad" she accepted it.

"Hey Sandra, it is a golden opportunity.We will go shopping and empty his account. What say?" Mom clapped her hands.

Typically my mom!

I shook my head and left for office.

I was about to climb in my car when my father patted my shoulder and asked, "Will you mind giving me a ride today."

I nodded," Of course Dad."

I hope I am not inviting any trouble.

Halfway through the drive, Dad faced me and said, "Sam, I am happy for you. For once you have made a right decision in your personal life. Sandra is the right girl for you. I can feel it. And you should cherish her. Why don't you take a break and go on a vacation with your wife."

Oh no! He is trying to send me on a honeymoon.

I sighed.

"Dad, I can understand. But I want to go slow on that. You know this marriage is really very sudden for me and for her also. We need some time. I hope you understand." I told him sincerely.

He nodded in understanding, "Okay, I respect your decision son. It is really very thoughtful of you. But one thing need to be done today only." he said and I raised my brows. "And what is that" I asked.

"You need to give her a ring. Ideally one have to propose and give a ring before marriage but in your case its going to be opposite." My father said.

"Yeah! I just forgot Dad. Don't worry, I will sort it out today itself." I replied.

Rest of the ride was silent but it felt so peaceful to talk to your father. It seems it has been ages since we last talked like that. Most of the time, it is either business that we talk about or we argue on whatever matter possible.

I reached office on time as always. All of my employees wished me and I nodded and strode to my office. I realised that there was a weird expression on their faces.

They must be thinking that I may be taking a long break.

I sighed. I can't do anything for that. Can I?

I shrugged and started my work. There was so much work to catch up now that I have taken a break for one day. How can I even think to take a long break?

Evening came in a blink of an eye and I remembered that I have to buy a ring for her.

I wrapped my work fast, cancelled the remaining meetings and left for Shanaya's, the leading brand for jwellery in the city.

There were so many beautiful rings in the store but I wanted something exclusive for her. Though it is a fake marriage but she still need to wear it for one year as Mrs. Samuel Carter.

After around half an hour and rejecting hundreds of rings I found a simple yet elegant ring. It have a big stone in the centre and many small stones surrounding it forming the shape of a heart. It was perfect. I bought it immediately and headed towards my home.

I reached home at around 6:30 in the evening, a little earlier than usual and a delicious aroma welcomed me. Sandra was again in the kitchen and was baking some cookies. Mom was also there. They both were giggling like best friends.

I can't help but reminisce the time when Mom used to cook.

At that time, the same aroma welcomed me everytime I entered the house.

Around 8 years back, Mom's hands started shaking and trembling and she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She wasn' t able to hold anything properly and she was forced to stop cooking.

It has been so long to have this heavenly aroma in this house.

Today it again smelt like home!

It felt like home!!

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A/N- Hello my dear readers. How are you all. I hope everyone is happy and healthy. today's update was about Sam. I hope you liked it and haven't missed other characters, but the story will move like this only. Sometime Sam and sometimes Sandra. Please let me know through your comments if you are liking the plot. Please keep on commenting and supporting me. Happy reading.