The Logical (Wo)Man

Love Actually

Sia’s Point Of View

Our first kiss was a sudden event and I was not really ready for it. Though I know this man secretly adores me but never thought he would be that spontaneous. Honestly, it was like kissing the soft cheeks of a baby. Soft, sweet, passionate, mildly intense. In short, I liked it.

Well I had to get the funds for our foundation and in London only one man could arrange for such an amount on such a short notice. The devil himself. Again, I had to make a deal with him so I thought of cooking something good for breakfast on Sunday while I spill the beans.

So, I prepared the sumptuous Bengali breakfast and he seemed to like it and then placed my terms of the deal. Initially he tried to talk me out of it but finally agreed to my relief. Then he tried another of his romantic advancements on me and I could escape well before he could do anything, much thanks to his phone.

I went to take a shower as I was all sweaty due to the breakfast preparation. It was a lazy Sunday and I decided to take a short nap after that. But to my surprise, I saw him standing outside the bathroom as I came out.

Suddenly he grabbed me by my waist and thrusted me against the wall with his nicely build stature towering on me. Then he grabbed my hands with his palm and placed it on both sides. I could feel my cheeks turn pink as I was just wearing a towel and could feel his erec*ion grazing on my right thigh as he glued himself to the mounds of my chest.

“So, where were we?” His voice was seductive. His lips caressing and kissing my chin.

“Amay chere dao Shourya (Leave me Shourya)” I begged.

“Nah. Never” He sounded like an adamant child.

“Please. It will be better if we stay apart.” I retorted.

“Which shampoo did you use by the way” he asked me as he sniffed my hair “You smell divine”

“Leave me now” I tried hard to come out of his clutches.

“I thought you liked the kiss” he now looked into my eyes.

“Who said I did?” I tried hiding the truth

“You’re lying” he could read my mind.

“Shouryajit Datta, let me remind you that I am your contractual wife and you cannot do anything you please without my consent. I am here for 6 more months and after that we go our ways. Hence, its highly recommended that we stay away from each other as I don’t appreciate this ‘friends with benefits’ bu*lsh*t!” tears rolled down my eyes as I finished the sentence. Wow, my tongue was actually becoming more like him, skeptic and hard.

“Oh, it’s about the contract then. I thought so.” He was calm as he softened his hold.

Then he tried to wipe the tears as I tried to free myself.

“Sia, I’ll nullify the contract. I have already drafted the..”

“Oh no. I don’t want you to pity me. I am fine with it.” I didn’t want to listen to any of his ‘terms’ and ‘conditions’ anymore.

“And if I say that I want to nullify as I wish to and it’s nothing related to pitying you at all?”

I looked away as I knew he was playing his cards again.

“I don’t believe you” I snapped

“Just give me sometime” he pleaded.

“Leave me, I am drenched” I was starting to shiver as water dripped down from my hair on the shoulders.

Suddenly he opened his sweatshirt and made me wear it. I could smell his seductive scent and my body was instantly comforted by his warmth.

“Now listen to me please”.

“No. Leave me!” I mumbled

“Just this one time Sia. Please” he sweetly pleaded.

“What?” I could feel more emotions trying to escape through my eyes.

“I love you” it was an instant confession out of his mouth.

“Sorry?” I couldn’t believe what I just heard.

“Don’t be. I am confessing it” He had a naughty smile on his face.

“Stop it. ” I knew he was playing it hard to get me on the bed.

To my surprise, he released my hand and turned around to leave the room. As, he walked out, he suddenly turned around and said :

“I don’t want your response right now. Take your time. However, I will remind you about it every day until I get an answer. Also, going forward, I will never come near you or make you feel uncomfortable” His voice was calm and I could feel from his face that he actually meant it , word to word.

“Although I cannot vouch for my actions if you come to me voluntarily” he winked as he completed his sentence and went out of the room.

Why can’t this man use simple words? Everything seems like a court case to him. ‘Voluntarily my a**’ I thought.

After I changed into my T's and pajamas, I was lost in deep thoughts. Though I missed my family pretty much but life in London was actually good. I felt free and alive after a long time, in spite of the devil trying his tricks to control me. Honestly, Shouryajit, though being my contractual husband, never tried to make me uncomfortable from any angle. He has taken care of all my needs and has personally made sure about my safety. Yes, he was a control freak and pretty good at striking profitable deals, but somewhere he also considers the person in front of him. And the kiss we shared that day was purely incredible. It made me want for more.

But I was annoyed with the contract we had. My mind couldn’t tally his current words with his past actions. It seemed so real when he confessed. I could feel tears rolling down again. People say that “Love” destroys a person but maybe to build someone better out of it.

I remembered my mother saying “Ja hoye bhalor jonne hoy (Whatever happens, happens for the good)”. 

And for now, only the good Lord knows what is going on in His mind. I am sure He is currently watching over my hilariously confused situation with an amusing expression on His face.

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Hastings and Ferguson Associates was located near Trafalgar Square, Westminster and was a 20 minutes’ drive from our place. It was my first day at office and I didn’t want to get late. I had to reach there by 10 am in the morning and after that Stacy would brief me on my assignments. So, I had a quick breakfast deliciously made by Jina and changed into my formals. Then I collected the required documents that Shourya had asked me to carry along with my handbag and mobile and rushed to the main door. He had already left as he had to attend a court hearing.

I stepped out for the bus stop and saw an Audi parked right in front of the house. I knew Shourya left for the court early in the morning and won’t be back so soon. Moreover, he usually rides the Royce. Hence, I ignored it and walked past, when I heard someone call me:

“Mrs. Datta, a word please” It was an old man, dressed as a chauffeur.

I felt an I instant blush on my cheeks on his addressal.

“Yes?” I recognized him as the man who picked us from the airport.

“Good Morning Ma’am. My name is James Macmillan Jones. I have been given the responsibility by Chief Datta for providing you safe transport to Hastings and Ferguson Associates this morning.”

“Thank you! But I can go on my own. There’s no need for you to take the trouble”. I replied courteously.

“Ma’am, it is my humble request that you reconsider the same, as Sir usually doesn’t approve of defiance”.

He handed me a note signed by the devil.

Does he give “How to speak in jargon” classes to everyone around him? I tried to hide the smirk as I took it.

It read : “Sia, please let Macmillan take you to office today. We don’t like late comers. He is trust worthy and will ensure your safety. Love you, Shourya”. It was authentic for sure as I could recognize his signature.

“So, husband dearest wants to keep an eye on me all the time” I smiled in my mind.

“Well then, we’ll go for the hard way.” I murmured as I boarded the ca.

I chose to take it as I didn’t want this old man to get into trouble because of me. But I would ensure a sweet revenge on hubby dearest for all of this. It was time he should learn a lesson or two.