Destiny's Fusion

Hartford Calls

Gotta admit Life's unpredictable..one moment I thought my life would be as ordinary as anyone's but I guess I'd thought wrong, it turned, it changed, screwed up with whatever I had believed so far, led me unexpectedly to Roop, the indian beauty I rescued from the place i'd never thought i'd go..and right now its completely hard to process that she is beside me looking out the window as we drive to my parent's farmhouse,

"I still feel you should have just let me stay back at your place.." she spoke up suddenly "it’s gonna be fine Roop, I know you didn't expect this neither did I, well I mean I knew she was ready to get hitched and all but didn't think it would be so soon,this soon.."

"if she is elder than you Mister, than I feel its the right time for her to get married if she has found the right person.." it’s hard to agree but Roop's right, I may look elder and more responsible but she is the one who has seen me in and out of diapers until I grew up "by the way what are you going to tell them about me? What if they think something bad about us?" Roop panicked, she looks cute when she is all hyper and freaked out, I laughed "Something bad? Like what?" I asked as I smirked

"you know.. what most people think when they see a girl with a guy" she emphasized

"ah really no I don't, what do they think?" I went on with a smirk

"Richard I’m serious.. I just don't think me being there for your sister's wedding is right, its not.." I cut her off

"Roop relax..I’ll handle everything, you just have a great time okay? It’s a whole new experience for you so live it up, it'd be alright..Trust me"

I know it's not easy on her but I couldn't leave her alone not after all thats happened to her, meeting my family after such a while especially with Roop is I dont know, way weird but maybe its meant to happen that way

"i just.. hope they like me" I chuckled at that

"oh believe me..they will more than like you" I smirked coz I knew them, they would go beyond bad about this..

It took us almost four hours including the traffic to reach the farmhouse but it didn't take time for them to come out once they heard my car's engine stop and door's open, I walked over to Roop and stood beside her because I knew she was much nervous than I was, I then slowly whispered into her ear

"Welcome to my childhood, Roop.." she looked at me, contemplating, is this all happening and yes it was, she was truly and physically in my world now

"opie my god! You’re here!" I saw the woman who influenced and loved me the most reach out to me with wide arms

"Hey maa.." I smiled and hugged her tight then kissed her forehead

"Damn! I missed you pretty woman.." I smirked and she hit me lightly

"You have grown taller opie.." she looked at me skeptically

"Have I? Guess my alliance with your protein shakes finally paid off" I chuckled then I heard the bark of the one who couldn’t wait to smother me more with love

"aye, georgie my boy, come here you!" ah I missed this sneaky little devil

"so you finally made it.." as soon as I heard the voice I knew who it was

"well, to see candy mandy in tears is something I wouldn't wanna miss in this lifetime.." the look on her face was priceless but can’t help it sister's are meant to be teased

"Get over here you i***t before I change my mind" I gave a crooked smile and hugged her warmly

"ahh..it’s good to see you big sister" she laughed

"You smell good for a change.." she smiled

"Yeah well, I keep myself groomed, you should try it too, its healthy" I grinned at her

"You self obsessed gooney" she chuckled amusingly

"Richard, introduce us to your lovely friend here" mom spoke up as she stared at nervously smiling Roop

"oh shoot! Maa uhh..this is Rachel gonsalves, she um.. works with me, I mean in the company, uh Rachel, that’s my mother juliana and thats george with the slobber. And this is my sister Mandy"

I had no idea whether my lie would work out or it wouldn't as I just stood there with a smug face clutching my sister from side but it did as my mother moved towards completely confused Roop who stared at me disbelievingly

"Rachel, we'd love to have you with us for Mandy's wedding, its good you came along.." her warm smile at Roop reduced my anxiety and brought a smile on my face as I gave a sigh of relief

"thank you for having me Mrs wilson, and it’s really nice to meet you in person" Roop muttered with a smile

"come on in dear, you must be hungry, I’ll make you something appetizing, Mandy baby, help out opie with the luggage"

she then held Roop's hand and went inside the house as George followed behind,

"she is cute but you being swooned by a mexicano, strange..!" my sister grinned as she rolled the handbag while I carried one in my hand

"she is just a friend c*m co-worker, she wanted to experience an all american wedding so I just thought I’ll bring her along, there's nothing going on between us mands!" she still grinned with leery eyes as she stared at me

"ah I see, but I wonder what she has to say about your generosity and how well she thinks of you as a friend.."

my glare,my words, nothing worked on my sister not when she has made up her mind and that scared me the most because I knew her playful scrutiny would somehow bring out the things that I have been hiding desperately from Roop,

"this is really delicious Mrs wilson, i'd really love to learn the recipe from you" I heard my mother's cheerful laugh as we walked in with the luggage

"why not dear, its opie's favorite too, I always make one specially for him, Richard dear get a plate where are your manners!" I poked my finger into the lemon custard pie and licked it

"mamma mia! I think I just died and went to heaven!" Roop giggled joyfully

"so Rachel where you from in mexico?" Roop's eyes got bigger and she quickly stared at me

"um..uh its uh..it’s in the…"

"she is uh.. from puebla, did I pronounce it right?" Richard asked me but I had no idea such a place even existed in mexico

"uh yes! Thats right" Roop chuckled awkwardly but the look on mandy's face said it all, she wasn't pleased as she didn't show any signs of trust

"uh maa, i'll show Rachel the guestroom so she can relax and change.." I got up quickly and so did Roop

"Rachel can stay in my room if she wants, I don't mind because guestrooms would be occupied from tomorrow" I hope this isn't one of her plans to screw with me, Roop gasped as she weakly smiled at Mandy

"Thank you mandy.." Mandy grinned

"No need, Richard's friends are my friends too so really its fine and I would really love some company before my wedding day" is that the real reason I thought but I couldn’t say it outl oud as I took Roop to Mandy's room

"there you go, her room's much organized than my own apartment, isn’t it?" I grinned looking at all the girly stuff in my sister’s room

"Rachel gonsalves from mexico.? That was your plan for handling everything?" Roop lashed out at me

"Roop, its all under control, you need to stop worrying.." I spoke up softly

"How can I not?! Because of me your lying to your family, what if they find out Richard, this is wrong and moreover I think your sister already knows" Roop panicked as usual

"you know what Roop, I don't care if they find out, let them! but until then, just please stop worrying alright, I made up the lie so it’s fairly right that I face the consequences too" I didn't care frankly about anything except Roop having a great time with me and my family

"Richard...." suddenly we heard mandy's voice

"Richarddd, pops here!" Roop's face was expressionless again, I took her hand and placed mine above it

"it'd be alright..get fresh and change into the clothes I got, see if they fit..I’ll see you downstairs.." I smiled warmly and Roop nodded with a sigh, I then left the room and went downstairs,

"Hey Paa! Where you been?" I hugged him and he patted me on the back

"Richie my boy,your home already, guess I went out at the wrong time" I laughed as he smiled

"look whose back! Juliana's troublemaker!" I looked at the light bearded guy with a moustache

"uncle Jack! Where's everyone? Aunt Marjori?.."

I couldn't wait to see all of my relatives

"ahh..don't sweat it! They'd all be here tomorrow just busy with some special preparation for the bride here" at that Mandy smiled proudly

"oh really but whose the unlucky guy anyway?" I grinned teasingly

"Richard!.." mom grumbled

"of course why wouldn't he be after all he would have to deal with a kiddish brother-in-law like you.." I immediately glared at Mandy

"numskull" I retorted

"Poophead!" she glowered

"you two..! Grow up! Mandy dear, you're getting married day after tomorrow..act like a lady" I burst out laughing so did dad and uncle Jack

"Mom look at them!, it’s pretty clear they need to grow up not me.." Mandy gnarled with folded arms

"Thomas Harold Wilson act like your age and help me with the dinner, opie, honey please behave we have a guest.." I agreed with a smirk at Mandy

"When did I become a guest for you Julie?" uncle Jack asked abruptly with a confused look which made me laugh again

"oh dear! Jack it’s not you I’m talking about..ah! there she is.." I turned around and saw Roop in blue floral dress which I picked coz the color was actually my favourite,

I gasped as my eyes couldn't look away and I continued to stare at her like a hypnotized fool until Mandy cleared her throat and walked passed me pushing me aside

"Rachel,let’s set the table for dinner. Will you help me?" Mandy asked courteously

"uh..sure.." Roop smiled and took the plates after glancing at me

"there's the table..go in and i'll get the rest,by the way thats uncle Jack,mom's brother, and daddy with the shiny baldhead - uncle Jack, daddy this is Rachel, she is from puebla, mexico.." Mandy said as she carried the salad plate towards the dinner table

"ohh the guest I see..holaaa senorita!" uncle Jack took off his scally cap and bowed funnily while dad just smiled then glared at mandy for her funny intro about him

"Nice to meet you both.." Roop chuckled and I just watched her unfazed because her beauty was all that I could see at the moment,

once the dinner was arranged we all sat down, Roop sat across me beside Mandy and I could only make out the actions between them, Mandy whispered to which Roop laughed as they went on but I only hoped that the stupid conversation didn't involve me

"Rachel you need to try this, you'll love it dear" mom pushed the plate of roasted chicken curry towards Roop but I immediately pushed it away at which everyone looked at me weirdly with surprise

"uhh..Maa..Rachel's allergic to meat and stuff..it’s a serious health problem..so just don't give her that or anything meaty" they still stared at me as if I had spoken it all in spanish but I didn't bother and went back to eating

"Is she? oh dear I'm sorry, I didn't know" mom apologized immediately

"it’s really fine Mrs wilson, I should have mentioned this myself, i'm sorry!" Roop spoke up humbly

"Is it true? This is the first time I'm hearing something like this.." Mandy butted in as she stared at Roop

"yes Mandy dear its true and it wouldnt be your first time if you just went out more often and met more people" I spoke in mom's tone against which Mandy signaled her annoyance to mom who reacted again by growling my name

"Richard Harold Wilson!" I looked at dad for back up

"Don't look at me, you started it" dad didn't bother neither did uncle Jack as they went on eating quietly

"Thanks, that’s really supportive gentlemen"

I said sarcastically as I thought that Roop by now would have guessed who had the upper hand in the Wilson family, once the dinner got over I went out with dad to see off uncle Jack while Roop went to bed with Mandy

Roop's Pov

"Hey what’s wrong?" Mandy asked as she watched me ruffle through the clothes Richard got "um.. actually I think I forgot my nightsuit.." which indirectly meant that he didn't get one, mandy smiled

"That’s fine,come I’ll get you one, most of my wardrobe has satin stuff but I think I have the night suit which would do the trick, here try this,it may be a little loose but I think it'll work otherwise we'll go with this one..go on try it!" I came out after few minutes and mandy's smile got wider

"it worked..just perfect! You comfortable?" she asked and I nodded with a smile

“Yeah a lot, thanks mandy" she grinned

"If only you had blonde hairs you would have somehow looked like my twin anyways let’s get some sleep"

my experience with Richard's family was unexpectedly pleasant, they appeared more than welcoming and funny at the same time which reminded me so much of my own family, I missed them and their love, I still wished things would have turned out differently between us and I didn't have to leave, leave them behind, betray them

"Rachel you awake?" my eyes popped open and I looked sideways at mandy who was already staring at me

"Guess not.." she smiled

"pre-wedding jitters?" I asked turning towards her

"probably my feelings are all jumbled, I feel..i can't even describe how I feel..i don't know what i'll do or how i'll react around the person who wants to spend the rest of his life with me" I kept a hand on hers

"its a tricky phase but once you pass that, it'll be a joyful ride for you,just..never let go of what you believe in, you’ll do just fine Mandy" I smiled sincerely

"I won’t, you sound just like Richard when he acts all wise and philosophical but tell me something..you guys like each other right?" I immediately got up

"What?!...I mean no!" Mandy grinned

"You know the caring the staring, bringing you to his only sister's wedding? Richard doesn't do that for every other girl,beleive me I know my brother so lets skip the pretend part.."

my face turned pale "Mandy..that’s not true! Richard doesn't think that way..we are just.. friends" I stated in defense

"okay so your saying I'm assuming things? Hm maybe I’m coz Richard said the same thing you did but I believe things aren't always what they appear to be anyways..let’s sleep, have lot of work to do tomorrow and I’ll need your help too..sleepwell! dear"

I tried to take in every word she said but it only unsettled me as I stared back at mandy who was already off to sleep, I then slowly laid back and closed my eyes too

Richard's Pov

"Look he's smiling! Stop it he'll wake up Nina, Leave it" my eyes adjusted to two similar faces smiling broadly at me

"decorated my face again, didn't you two?" I grumbled sluggishly, at that Nina grinned sheepishly keeping her hand around Henna

"you deserve much worse than that, you Lazy bum!" they both giggled and laughed

"In that case let me return the favor.." I got up lazily

"oh s**t! run Henna!" before I could crush them both with my hulk style snuggle they immediately ran out of the room screaming, I yawned and stretched my arms satisfactorily as I walked over to my window, there was that smell of warmth in the air and stillness of nature which I admired about the mornings at the farmhouse

"George! Go fetch!" on hearing the sound confusion struck me but then my ears followed the voice and directly fell on Roop standing at the corner in jeans and sweatshirt wearing mandy's red jersey cap,

I smirked as I watched her play with my unpredictable dog coz George had creepy mood swings which included reckless biting and barking but with her he looked happy, friendlier, much at ease, it amazed me strangely so did Roop's enthusiasm of handling George so well

"that’s a good boy! such a goodie boy,you are such a goodie good boy aren't you?" George sat down and wiggled his tail in joy which made me burst out laughing but then at realization I immediately hid myself keeping a hand on my mouth as soon as Roop looked up at my window

"What. ARE..you..doing?" Mandy stared at me with folded arms

"what..nothing..why you even here..get out of my room!" I snapped

"i would...with pleasure,just came to remind you, your brotherly duties towards me so just get dressed and come down and please, get rid of the makeup, you look ridiculous!" she spoke up hurriedly

"Yea thanks, now get out!" once Mandy left I quickly looked out of the window but Roop wasn’t there anymore just dad talking to some random guys with lights and other tools in hand,I sighed and walked back into the shower to get dressed for the day,

I didn't need to but still I checked myself once in the mirror and then stepped downstairs

"So the bridal party has already got to work!" I spoke up smugly

"yes and your late opie.." mom scolded

"Sorry maa..sorry ladies..it’s good to see you aunt Mj..where's Roo..uh I meant Rachel?" I correctly asked

"she's upstairs with Mandy and girls..opie honey..Parkman family would be here for dinner so why don’t you help your father and others out there.." mother proposed

"Are you kidding me..is that their last name? Parkman? My sister's in laws are Park people who guard the park or something?.." I spoke with a disgusted look

"Richard! Do as told, go out!" I raised my hands in defense

"Just saying..quite the choice made by prima donna.." I smirked and walked out of the house

"Il n'a pas changé d'un iota" aunt marjori spoke

"tell me about it" juliana sighed..

I looked around the area and shrugged as still lot of work remained to be done to change the place from ordinary to exquisite so I turned around quickly to go back in the house before

"Going somewhere Son? Mind getting over here and being useful"

Pops saw me and called me over, which he did, to handle rest of the work which I had to eventually having no other excuse to back out... There goes my hours of sole tranquility.