Chapter 2

*James Pov*

“I am Nakul!” Nakul said, nodding at both the girls when I reached near to him along with the girl still holding my hand with the cloth pressed to it.

“I am Maheshwari!” she said and immediately got cut off by the one holding his hand saying, “It’s Maha! And I am Swathi but the people close to me call me Sweety.”

“Hello! Thanks for this Sweety.” Nakul said, taking his hand back, giving that girl a nod and I raised my eyebrow.

Sweety! Really? I thought and stopped myself from snorting before glancing at the girl Maha to see her frowning at him too.

“I am James!” I said, introducing myself and she nodded before removing her hand from mine.

“No thanks?” Maha asked and I shrugged to which she shook her head.

“We will go?” she asked, looking at this ‘Sweety’ who is just staring at Nakul and isn’t looking away.

“Sure!” Sweety replied and smiled at him, but didn’t give me a glance, making me roll my eyes in my head but continuing my blank face.

“Shall we go?” I asked Nakul and he nodded before we both started walking away while he was lost in his thoughts.

“What were the chances to meet your Dad’s rival daughters?” I asked, staring the car but he stayed silent.

“Now, I am the rival.” He replied and I glanced at him.

“Are you missing him?” I asked to which he shrugged.

“I just wish I was there when he passed away or that I spent more time with him.” He replied looking out.

“It was not your mistake. Anyway, you are going to join the company today and take over everything.” I said pointing out the main work.

“And become official rival of Sathish Guptha.” He pointed out back.

“So? Anyway, it is in your hands to continue this rivalry or not.” I said, shrugging and he nodded but again got lost in his thoughts.

“Weren’t they weird?” I asked and he finally glanced at me when we reached his house.

“Weird?” he asked, raising his eyebrow.

“It’s been so long since I got scolded.” I replied and he laughed shaking his head.

“Now, go and get some sleep until I get ready for work. I know you were the one who took night duty yesterday.” He said in a serious tone and I gave him a mock salute before walking to the outhouse.

It was supposed to be normal two room place but he made sure it is turned into a proper house when I wished to stay in this only after deciding to shift to India.

Why do I even need all this place? I thought shaking my head and laid on the bed before drifting off into sleep.

*Maheshwari Pov*

“Sorry, Di!” I said when she just drove tightening the grip on the wheel.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to take that name before me? Can’t you just say your name is Maha?” she asked shouting.

“I can’t introduce myself like that, right?” I asked back, to which she didn’t reply.

“What about our shopping?” I asked when she stopped the car before the house.

“Why do you need new clothes? You are comfortable with the ones you are wearing, right?” she asked and walked off while I stared at her back with open mouth.

Is she serious? I thought and followed her while she rushed to her room, but I walked to the kitchen to see Mom informing the maid what vegetables to cut.

“Already over? Show me the clothes.” Mom said the moment she saw me.

“Why do I need new clothes when I am comfortable with my old ones?” I asked and she gave a confused look.

“Did you reject Swathi’s selection? Why do you do that? She must have got hurt.” Mom said and I sighed.

“Will you laugh if I say the words uttered are her and not mine?” I asked and she indeed laughed.

“Again? Well, you should have got used to her changing thoughts.” She replied teasing me and I frowned.

“Do you want proper ones? We both will go for shopping.” She offered and I smiled at her.

“No! I already have enough and I will buy when I get my first salary. What do you want from it?” I asked her in excited tone.

“I want a nice Saree.” She replied and I grinned.

“Done! I will bring an amazing one and you will get happy tears seeing it.” I said nodding and she twisted my ear.

“Stop all this and help me with cooking.” She said and I sighed.

“You should teach Di. She may get married soon.” I said, shrugging and she chuckled.

“Then she will hire a cook.” Mom said and I frowned.

“Then why should I do this? I will also hire a cook.” I said and she smiled at me.

“Will you?” she asked, folding her arms.

“No!” I replied sulking.

“I wish I can like the food made by the people other than myself and you.” I added and she laughed.

“Do one thing then! After marriage, teach your husband how to do the cooking and then you can like that too. He may do it for you all the time.” She said shrugging.

“Huh! And I have to keep a unicorn in my garden. Come on, Mom! Do you think I can make someone do anything? I can’t even make Di eat the cake I prepared yesterday.” I said sitting on the counter.

“What? Then what happened to the cake in the fridge?” she asked frowning and I gave her a confused look before rushing to the fridge and opened it to see that the cake is not there.

“Did they both have it? Or maybe one of them?” I asked smiling.

“See? You made two impossible people who hate sweet eat a dessert.” Mom said in a proud voice but I know she is teasing me.

“Very funny! Just see one day they will do everything I ask them to.” I said, smirking and she sighed before continuing her work while I stomped my feet knowing well she thinks it is impossible.

Hell! Even I know it is impossible, but what is wrong with thinking it as possible. I shook my head clearing all the thoughts and started talking about the incident today while she listened calmly.

“That’s why your dupatta is like that? I thought you again got it caught in the car door or something.” She said and I immediately removed it to see a part of it is not there at all.

I shrugged and walked out of the kitchen to change the dress seeing the dirt on it only to meet Father on the stairs.

“Where is Sweety?” he asked and I answered him smiling to which he walked away while I walked to my room.

For the next three days everything was normal along with the whispers between these two rising with each moment and the raising of confusions for both Mom and I.

Finally, I got the answer for it when I was sitting at my secret place in the house which is actually near to Father’s study room, but he can’t see me with me sitting out of the house.

“Mr.Nakul! Yeah, my daughter told me about the incident.” His voice broke my thoughts and I pressed my ear to listen more.

“Is it possible for you to come to my house for dinner tomorrow?” he asked I frowned.

He knows that man? And I already thought it was weird at the way Di introduced us as his daughters instead of directly the names.

“Sure! I have an important matter to discuss.” He added.

“He will be here.” He said and I frowned, thinking who else will be here.

“I am so excited, Dad.” Di said in a happy tone making me realize he is talking to her and not in the phone.

“Go and inform your Mom.” He said while I slowly stood up and walked away.

Why is Di so excited? I thought, frowning and then realized what is happening. She likes him and even told Father about it. And he is calling him home? Wow!

“Mom! Even I will help with the food tomorrow for guests.” I said walking inside the kitchen.

“How do you know guests are coming?” Mom asked and I know I got busted but I gave her a frown.

“Just like how you know.” I replied, for which she stared at me before shrugging and walked out along with me.

“Okay! Tomorrow guests will be really important.” I added not able to stop myself and she frowned again at me.

“Why are you both sisters excited about these specific guests?” she asked folding her hands.

“I am not, but she is and I am for her.” I replied and she gave a confused look.

“I can never understand your words. You talk so normally before them both, but why do I have this special language?” she asked shaking her head.

“Because I love you.” I replied, shrugging and she smiled.

“Good to know that my daughter loves me.” Saying that she walked away while I decided to do something to keep this boredom away, which will be just for the next nearly three weeks and then full busy life.

“They are here!” Di said, standing up when we heard the door bell and she reached the door.

She opened the door, but her smile slipped to see James near the door. She glanced outside and then glanced at him.

“He got a call and will be here within a few minutes.” James replied and she shook her head before walking back and sat beside Father.

“Go and check about the juice.” Mom whispered and I nodded, walking to the kitchen to see the maid bending on her knees.

“What happened?” I asked, kneeling before her.

“I hit myself to the cupboard corner.” She replied and I winced imagining the experience.

“Okay! I will give you some ice and you just be here.” Saying that I did as I said before walking out with the tray.

I served my family and glanced around in search for James only to see him still standing near the door looking outside.

“Will you ever stop working?” I asked, reaching near him.

“It’s my job.” He replied like it is obvious.

“How are the wounds?” I asked offering the juice holding the tray.

“His wound got healed by night.” He replied and I sighed.

“I was asking about yours.” I said and he just shrugged.

“Well, is there juice for me?” I turned to see the main man for the event and offered him the remaining glass which he took.

“Are you both brothers?” I asked, realizing he too didn’t thank that day and not even now.

“College friends! Why?” Nakul asked and I shrugged before walking inside with them following me.

“I am glad you accepted the invitation.” Father said and Di stared at Nakul smiling while Nakul and James sat down.

I sat beside Mom to see her frowning at me and then at the tray. I smiled and leaned near to her to whisper.

“Our maid leg toes smooched the cupboard’s corner.” I whispered and she immediately laughed, but covered it with a cough and then cleared her throat.

“Dinner?” she asked and we all moved to the dining area.

It was a kind of affair or I can even say awkward. Finally, when it is over, we all again moved to the living area and sat in the previous places.

“I will come to the point, Mr.Nakul.” Father started.

“You can call me just Nakul.” He got the reply.

“Okay! I have been your father’s company rival for the past many years and I don’t want that anymore with you. And I am sorry for your loss.” Father said and until now I was having some other thoughts in my head not concentrating on the conversation, but now I just stared at both of them alternatively hearing the surprising news.

“Even I don’t want all this.” Nakul said, to which he got a smile from both Di and Father.

“I want my elder daughter to be married to you. And with that you can even get my company Maheshwari group of industries.” Father dropped the news and I stared at him in shock along with everyone except Di and also James who has same blank expression.

“But why?” Nakul asked, frowning breaking the silence.

“My daughter likes you.” Father replied and I looked down to roll my eyes.

He is not asking about the marriage because he had a normal expression, but he was shocked with company news.

“The company!” Nakul pointed out.

“Who else can take care of it better than you? I have seen your father’s principles and even your work. I would be more than happy. So, take your time and let me know your decision.” Father explained.

“Yes!” Nakul said sending another wave of shock, but also something else through me.

Well, I knew that Di likes him and he also seemed to be interested with the way he used her favorite name. But I don’t know why it feels weird. However, I brushed it off before smiling.

“We will talk about the wedding details soon.” Father said with a satisfied smile.

“We will take our leave then.” Nakul said, getting up along with James and they both walked to the door.

Di and I followed them and stood near the door until they drove off. I turned to see Di staring at the car with a grin and then smiled at me before walking inside.

“That was something.” Mom said and I nodded feeling tired with everything and walked away to my room ro call it a day.