The Logical (Wo)Man

Stupefaction

Sia’s Point Of View

Was is a nightmare? Or things were actually this worse right now? My thought process seemed  to be blocked for a while as I heard what this man was saying. He might have this god like presence but his words are that of a Devil. My life path has become topsy-turvy since the day I met him.

The funny part was, I somehow felt that it was a joke. I believed the witch-like-woman could only curse me with her bloodshot lips, but her making my life hell seemed next to impossible. I mean, why would she waste her time on me when she had to man-hunt rich handsome suitors?

“Here’s your order. Enjoy the food!”

Fish and chips was served and it smelled great. I was feeling super hungry and he somehow read it from my face.

“Let’s start, shall we?”

“Sure” I felt relieved. Anything it takes to pause or rather finish this conversation.

We were half way through when I could feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I took it out and saw the caller id. It was mom. Usually she called me if I got too late but it was only an hour since I left home.

“Shourya please excuse me , I need to take this”

“Yeah sure, go ahead!” He was courteous

“ Hi Ma.. Bolo (Say)”

“Babu(Child) where are you?” Mom’s voice sounded serious.

“Kyano Ma ? Ki Hoeyeche?(Why Ma? What happened?)” I was worried already.

“Your pictures are being flashed in all the news channels Beta.”

“What?” I screamed.

“Are you okay sweety? Where are you? We are really worried.”

“Ma I am absolutely alright. And don’t worry I ll fix this”

“Okay Beta. And who is this man ?”

“Which man?”

“The picture shows that you are hugging a man” . So that witch took a snap of us hugging that day and tipped the media.

“Ma he is just a friend”

“The news people are saying otherwise. Me and your Baba are very worried. Please come back as early as possible Sia.”

“Haan Ma.. Don’t worry. I am on my way”.

I put back the phone in my pocket and felt a hand on my shoulders.

“What the..”

“Sia is everything okay?” Shourya looked worried

“No. Not at all. You know our pictures are getting flashed in all the news channels”

“Yes, I got the news today in the morning. Now you know why…”

“You knew about this? Yet you didn’t feel the need to tell me?” my anger rose.

“Sia, it would have complicated things. Besides I already have the plan of action chalked out”

“This is NOT one of your court cases Mr. Datta. It’s my life and thanks to you it got screwed” I never knew I could be so harsh. Maybe my past changed me into what I am right now.

I was about to go out of the restaurant when he took my arm and led me forcefully to a dim lit room with many monitors. This was probably the security control room, but how did he have access to it?

“Get out!” he barked at the two guards sitting there. The two men obeyed his order instantly.

I was astonished by the authority he had over these people including the manager of Chilo’s serving us instead of the waiter. I thought he might be a VIP customer but does that give him the access to this room too?

His grip tightened as I struggled for setting myself free.

“Leave me” I commanded.

“Sia, don’t make this worse than it already is.” He pushed me against the wall and now gripped both my arms. His face was so close that I could smell his mint like breath. His thighs were blocking my legs and I could feel his rise on my right thigh.

“What the hell…” I shouted.

“Please. Listen to me as I won’t repeat this anymore” He gritted.

I was taken aback and chose to keep mum.

“We are getting married tomorrow morning at the Civil Court and will leave for London thereafter. You will resign from your job and buy out your notice period. I have already talked to your higher management. My secretary has done all the required travel arrangements and transferred the amount to your account. Your task is to communicate this to your parents, pack your bags and come with me. Also, I’ll have the lehenga delivered to your place for tomorrow.”

I chose not to speak as I was feeling mad at the moment. My face was red in anger.

He finally let me go. My hands were aching. As we came out and walked towards the car, we got surrounded by loads of people from news channel with their flashing cameras, microphones and astonishing questions. Shourya wrapped his arms around me and made his way to the car. We drove off as soon as we reached it.  

Both of us remained silent the whole way. As we reached a block away from home, I could see the news people gathered there too. Paparazzi were like bees. They would follow you until they have nailed you down. And this experience was completely new to me. I was terrified. He could understand that from my expression.

“Sia, let me take you inside. I know that this is hard for you as you are new to this level of media attention”

“No.. I can manage..”

“For once can you not say “No”?

I couldn’t say anything. It was a lot to process right now. I know my life was not that “happening” before this but it was still normal. And now, all of a sudden, I am the talk of the town dating the most eligible and charming NRI Bachelor. Though, to me it meant leaving my hometown, family, my job, friends, everything and travel to an unknown place with an unknown man.  

We went through our back door to avoid the media crowding the front side of the house.

My mom hugged me as soon as she opened the door. Then she saw Shourya and asked him to come in with a smile. My dad and bro sat on the couch in front of the television and I could hear the news reader speak about us as “Love Birds”. I wondered if they verified their source of information. I hardly knew him for 2 weeks and we got labelled.

We sat in our living room and I began speaking as my parents were anxious already. Shantanu seemed to be cool with all this and offered his hand to Shourya while I was introducing him to my family. To my astonishment, Shourya touched my parent’s feet as a mark of respect (a culture in India). Though he stayed in London for quite some time but he didn’t forget his roots. After the initial introduction, I went on to say about our plan when I was interrupted by him.

He went on to say how we met and fell in love instantly. Our relationship was just blooming when the media got to know and now we have to take all the necessary steps like marry and leave the city) so that we can be together and our families can live in peace , free of media attention. He didn’t mention anything about Smriti or her father.

At the end he quoted :

“Sir, Ma’am , I know this is quite sudden but I can assure you that I will love and protect Sia with all my life”.

This man never fails to surprise me. All he has to do is open his mouth.

“We are thankful to you Beta(child). Please keep her happy always” My father tried to force a smile.

I could see my mom wiping off tears from her face. Suddenly, my heart sank. The thought of leaving my family was worse than anything. On top of that, this man, tried to make them believe things which didn’t exist at all. Are all lawyers like that? It was worse even to think about their pain when they’ll come to know that none of this was true.

“Can I kindly talk to Sia for a moment?” He asked my parents.

“Sure. Sia why don’t you take him to your room?” My father said.

“Come” I went towards my room and he followed.

As soon as we entered, he locked the door.

“What are you doing?”

“Sia we need to discuss a few things before our marriage”

I stared at his face. He seemed anxious.

“I know you might not like it but we need to sign a “prenup” before we get married”

“Sorry what was that?”

“A prenup is the short form for a prenuptial agreement, or a premarital agreement. It is a written contract entered into by a couple prior to marriage or a civil union that enables them to select and control many of the legal rights they acquire upon marrying, and what happens when their marriage eventually ends.”

I felt like one of the law students eager to take notes on what he just said right now. How could he swing his ways from acting romantic and totally in love and then be the badas* Corporate lawyer that he is.  

“I ..” Before I could finish he handed me a bunch of legal papers.

“This is the agreement. You can consult a lawyer for this and propose changes according to your needs.”

“Yeah I would like to consult you. Kindly tell me what’s written in here.”

“Mainly two points. One, this marriage or thereafter will not give you any authority to access my wealth, properties, cash or kind. Two, we will be married for a year, then either of us will have the authority to nullify it with/without the consent of the other. However, I will provide you all the perks of a lavish life forever.”

And this man was “assuring” my parents few minutes ago, about my well-being and how he will love me and all that sh*t. I was unable to speak in despair and felt like smashing the bed side lamp on his head right now. Wait a minute. Why was I getting mad at him? I didn’t love him and this marriage was just for show. Whatever this was, I didn’t have to care. I took the pen that was in his hand and signed wherever my name was mentioned on those damn papers.

“You don’t want to read it?” Now it was his turn to get surprised.

“No” I was calm.

“Sia I..”

“I think we are done here. I need to pack my bags if you don’t mind. See you tomorrow”.

“Okay” He sounded hurt. But I don’t care.

As he left, I locked the door and cried my hearts out. Why was this happening to me? Where did I go wrong? First Arjun and now this man.  My life was doomed.