8– Dilemma

Artha

I watched Dean's smile fade a little when the rose trail led us to his bedroom. He took in the decoration: red ballons hugging the ceilings, their coiled strings hanging over us. He stepped to his side table and picked up the bottle of champagne, reading the label.

“Nice...” He grinned.

He picked up the gift bag from the bed and looked back at me, giving me a warm smile. “Can I open it?”

I laughed at his politeness. “Yes, you may.”

He pulled out the football jersey, smiling ear to ear. “Aw, man.” He walked to me and drew me into his arms. “I love you so much, man.”

I just smiled, hugging him back tightly. Nothing brought me more joy than seeing how happy Dean looked at this very moment. I would go out of my way each time if it meant seeing this joy on his face. He kissed my temple and then hugged me again.

“I love you, Artha-bear.” He said softly at the side of my face.

His warm breath against my ear, made me feel fuzzy inside. He then placed his hands in my hair and made me look up at him. He began kissing me.

We kissed for a while and then I began leading him to the bed, not breaking the kiss. I was eager, and ready. This was definitely going to be the day. The whole set up, the mood, everything was perfect.

I was sitting at the edge of the bed while he stood in front of me. When he broke the kiss, he gave me a smile.

He placed his hands on my neck and then looked around at his room before meeting my eyes again, “I know that look.” He said.

To my disappointment, he stepped aside, going to the side table.

He handed me a glass. “Let's make a toast.”

I got up, watching him open the bottle. Perhaps he just wanted some alcohol in his system, and then he would be ready too.

After it popped, we both exclaimed and then shared a brief kiss. He poured me some, and did for himself too.

“To good life, health and an endless love.” He said.

“To all that.” I repeated, “and our first time.”

He looked amused. “What?”

Nevertheless, we clinked our glasses and drank.

When he went to sit on the bed, I couldn't help wondering if he was thinking what I was. I connected my phone to his speaker and played something soft. Perhaps he just needed a little more convincing.

I took his glass out of his hand, getting his attention. I gave him a soft smile and then placed the glasses on the side table. He was smiling, but not as wide as his smile had been earlier.

I came to sit on his lap and continued kissing him. This time with passion, sending clear messages of my intentions. I was ignoring his subtle attempts to move away from me.

When he lifted me and placed me on the bed, I almost screamed in excitement! He was finally getting the message. After doing all the other stuff, he suddenly stopped.

“Artha...” He called. “I can't.”

I could not believe this!

“Come on, D. It's our second-year anniversary.” I reminded him.

He nodded. “Yeah, but still. You know I am waiting till you turn 18.”

“I am 17, 18 is next year, no big deal.”

He shook his head again. “Then next year.”

“Are you sure this is about me turning 18 or about my brother?” I asked, feeling frustrated.

“It's not about him... okay he kind of plays a part, but the main reason is me wanting you to turn 18 first.”

I wanted to push him away, so I could climb off the bed but he stopped me.

“You upset?”

“No.” I lied, trying to push him off me. I just felt like leaving. After all my efforts, he was just going to turn me down like this.

“Don't be upset.” He kissed me on the cheek and laid on my chest, which made me calm down just a little. “I just feel like there is no need to rush anything. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”

“You are always saying that.” I told him. “I feel ready.”

“I think if I did, Arjun would kill me.” He said.

“How is he going to know?” I asked. “Besides, our relationship has nothing to do with my brother.”

“He's my friend—”

“So?” I responded. “He's not my father. I don't know why you're so scared of him.”

“Still. This is how I think about it, if another guy was dating Anne-Marie, I wouldn't want him to deflower her until she was mature enough to realize—”

“So you're saying, I am immature?”

He let out a heavy sigh. “You know that's not what I mean...”

I didn't respond. I was just sick and tired of Arjun controlling my whole life, even my relationship, without even knowing it.

★★★

Monday. 3.45PM.

Arjun

I was reviewing the orders for KE's warehouse for the month when my phone rang. I had asked Elza to order more steel than we ordered for last month, but I could see here that she had put in the same amount as last month. I shook my head and picked up the telephone and called her.

“Hi, boss...” She sounded seductive. “You want me to come?”

“Did I not tell you that this month we're ordering more steel than we did last month?”

“Uh...”

“Why do I see the same amount as last month on this list?”

“Oh, I must have made a mistake—”

“A mistake? Does it look like you're here to make mistakes?” I scolded.

“No, sir. I am sorry.” She said. “I will fix it now and email you the updated one.”

I sucked my teeth. “Stupid mistakes that can cost the company so much.”

“Sorry, sir. I—”

“Fix it now!” I hung up. I then took my cell phone from my desk. It was my dad calling.

I groaned and then picked up the call. His second time calling me in a space of two days.

“Dad?” I answered.

“The pandit gave us a date for your wedding!” He sounded excited. “We thought it would take a while for him to get back to us. We went to him this morning, and by the time I got back to your uncle's house, I received a call from him—”

“When is the date?” I felt impatient. I was more concerned with getting Elza to fix the mistake on the order.

“This Friday!”

“What?” I couldn't believe him. Sure, he wanted me to get married but what was the rush? I wheeled myself back in my office chair. “Dad, that's in three days!”

“Yes, so you have to fly here tonight, so that we can do the engagement party tomorrow.”

“Woah, woah, it's a weekday, I have work to do here.”

“Yes, but you knew sooner or later you'd be required to fly over.”

“Why do you want an engagement ceremony anyway? It's not like it's a surprise.” I reminded him. “And besides, I didn't pick her, you did.”

“Engagement ceremony happens before the wedding. It's culture.”

Here we go again with this culture stuff... “Look dad, there's work to do here. I have to review these orders before they go out. It's almost 4pm. I don't think I will be out of the office by 6 today.”

“Arjun, you can let Dean handle that.” He said. “For now, it's your wedding. You're getting married. You need to be here and do these ceremonies. Bring Artha with you.”

“The wedding is Friday, right?” I asked.

Just then Dean knocked on my door, stuck his head in and mouthed something which I couldn't comprehend.

“I'll be there by Friday.”

“There's premarriage rituals that need to be done. You can't only show up for the wedding.”

“Father, this is not 1989. All we need is to sign some papers in court, then boom, married.” I gestured for Dean to come in. He looked confused at the new information he had fallen upon.

“Arjun, that is not how we do things.”

“How about this, fly her here and we have the wedding here.” I stated. “Easy. No complicated ceremonies, just a court marriage.”

“Arjun!” Dad sounded angry. “Arjun, listen to me! I want you on a flight tonight to India. This family you're marrying into is a very respectful family, they think you're decent too. Don't ruin this.”

An idea lit up my mind. I smiled and answered. “Bye, dad. I am busy.” I then hung up the phone.

“Marriage?” Dean had half a smile as he sat down opposite me.

My phone began ringing again, dad was calling back.

“Can you believe it?” I asked Dean. “He wants me to marry some villager. He is in India right now. Apparently, he found me a wife, and he wants us to marry this Friday.”

Dean laughed out loud. “Oh my days.”

“Does it look like I want to get married?” I asked him. “He says I need a wife to settle down.”

Dean beamed at me. “There I agree with him.”

I shook my head at Dean. “Nonsense.”

There was a quick knock at my door and then Artha stepped in. When she saw Dean, she halted just for a second and then turned her attention to me. “Oh, so you are aware that dad is trying to call you?” She had her phone in her hand. “Pick up your phone, Arjun.”

I set the phone on vibrate instead. “See, I have an idea.” I told Dean.

“Arjun,” Artha called me.

“What?”

“Didn't you hear me? Dad is trying to call you, pick up the phone.”

“I don't want to talk to him. If he calls you again, tell him that I said that I will only be coming to India on Friday. Period.”

She frowned. “India? What for?”

“Your father found a wife for Arjun in India.” Dean responded. “The wedding is this Friday.”

“What?” Artha was addressing me. “Why don't I know about this...”

“Go, Artha, I am working.”

“So when were you guys planning to tell me?” She asked.

I shrugged. “It's not that serious.”

“It's not that serious?” She looked hurt, obviously whining because she was the last to know.

She walked out of my office, upset.

Dean got up, “I'll talk to her—”

“Nah,” I shook my head. “Don't worry about my sister. She'll get over it.”

Dean looked so concerned like he would still run after her but sat down. His sister Marie-Anne was two years older than Artha, so he treated our Artha like his sister too.

“So, I am here, what's father gonna do? Fly me to India spiritually?” I told Dean. “No. He wants me to get married, then it will happen on my terms. I am not doing those weird ceremonies. I will fly out Thursday night after work, so that I can be there for the court marriage on Friday.”

“And how does the madam feel about it?”

“Which madam?”

“Your wife-to-be.”

“Who cares?” I raised my shoulders. “I am doing her a favour by marrying her. Taking her out of a poor country and giving her a better life. Whoever she is.”

Dean frowned. “Wait, so you're not going to meet this girl first?”

“No need, it doesn't change anything.”

“Do you at least have her number?” He asked. “Are you talking to her?”

“I don't even know how she looks, bro.” I scoffed.

“Then I think you should actually fly out like your dad is asking you.” Dean said and then laughed. “This is wild.”

“Wild indeed...”

★★★

Tuesday. 8.05AM.

Preetah

This morning it was hotter than normal. The sun had risen early.

“See, all good things take time.” Roshni hooked her arm in mine. “Who would have thought that ten years later you'd be marrying that new boy from grade 11?”

“I honestly still can't believe I'm about to marry the one and only Arjun Korana.” I blushed.

“Yup, the boy that made your heart skip a thousand beats in one day.” She added.

We laughed.

“You two...” My aunt turned around to hiss at us. “Instead of talking, look for dresses, we don't have much time, your engagement party is tonight.”

“Sorry, aunty.” We mouthed.

When she turned back, Roshni gave me a smile. “Listen to me saying 'boy', let's not forget he is not a boy anymore.”

I nodded.

“Oh my god, can't believe I didn't think about this.” She exclaimed. “Let's look him up on I***a.”

She quickly pulled out her phone and started typing vigorously.

“No!” I grabbed her phone from her hands.

“Why not? What if he looks ugly now?” She responded beaming at me.

I laughed, turning her screen off and handing her back her phone. “I don't think we should look him up.”

“Let's see how he looks now.” She turned her screen on again, so I quickly grabbed the phone again.

“This dress is nice, hey Preetah?” My aunt was holding a pink and white sari.

Roshni and I shook our heads simultaneously. “I don't like the colour combination.” I answered.

“Then check for dresses instead of talking.” She responded. “At least your husband sent us money, otherwise you would have worn the engagement dress I wore when I got engaged to your uncle.”

Roshni laughed. “Those weird dresses you guys wore in the past? I don't think so, aunty.”

“What choice would we have had?” She replied before turning back and continuing her search as we strolled behind her.

“No... let's not.” I told Roshni as soon as aunty turned back. “Maybe I want to be surprised.”

“I guess you and Arjun were meant to be.” She then gasped and ran to touch a red sari. “Oh my god! What do you think about this?”

I smiled widely as I approached her, nodding. “Definitely this dress. This is the one.”