Married To A Stranger

Karthik Pov:

After their banter and insulting each other with a lot of animal names here we’re in our meeting room waiting for my uncle. Dad’s arrival put a semicolon to their bickering. I knew it was not the end of their fight. It is going to be fun.

“I apologize for the wait Gentlemen” a familiar voice pulled me out of my thoughts. It’s my uncle. After exchanging greetings and introducing Anju to uncle we’re ready to talk about the current problem.

My wife’s safety.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I cleared my throat to get the attention.

“Anju, do you know this number by any chance?” I said handing her the unknown number. She took it and searched for her contacts on her phone.

“No Karthik. I’ve no clue. Why are you asking me? Whose number is this?” She asked confused.

“Are you sure Anju? Please it’s really important”

“I’m cent per cent sure Karthik,” she said confidently. I really wish it was her who was messaging Sreesha. If it’s her, I don’t have to worry more, but life doesn’t work like that, does it? So, I explained everything to her and asked her to not to mention this to anyone. Not even to her close friends which include Sreesha as well. I don’t want her to worry about anything.

“What? And you’re telling me this now? Is she mad to think that I was the one who is pranking on her? When did I make a prank on her? Okay, maybe I was a prankster, but she could’ve asked me right? Is she playing some detective role or what? I’m going to kill her. Why does she always think positive? This girl needs a brainwash. Wait! What is the use when there is no brain except clay in that stupid head of her…” she was ranting. No one dared to interrupt her. Not even dad or uncle as they’re enjoying her ranting.

I wish I had a little sister like her. A cute, stubborn little one. I always wanted a little sister, Nihal was like a brother, so I didn’t crave for a brother’s love. But sister, I always envy Tej and Sreesha’s bond. The way he wanted to protect her, the way he threatened me if I ever hurt his sister, the way he always put her safety first than his. All these things make me jealous of their relationship. I wish I had someone, a sister to protect her, treat her like a princess, threaten the boys who dare to come near her.

“Hello, mister! Are you listening to me? I don’t know what you will do about this, but I want my best friend to be safe. If I find a scratch on her consider you’re dead” she threatened me, making everyone chuckle. Even Nihal was enjoying her rant or should I say enjoying too much? He’s looking at her like she was some angel fallen from the sky, like admiring her every feature keenly.

As if on a cue she snapped her fingers in front of his face. There is no movement from him. He was looking or should I say ogling at her with his mouth hanging open. Only drool is missing. Then she hit his head with her clutch making him jump on his seat.

“What the hell? Y-you? What did I do now? Karthik, you’re encouraging violence in your office?” I sighed. Maybe he was spending too much time with my mom. He was always a drama queen.

“Stop being a drama queen” I muttered.

“You’re calling me a drama queen? Me? A hotshot like me. Bro make an appointment with an eye specialist” he said feigning a gasp until something hit his head again.

“Woman, stop hitting me with that thing. Are you insane? How do you think I will run my company if something happens to my Einstein’s brain?” He added more dramatically.

“More like a peanut-sized brain” she muttered “stop insulting Einstein comparing his brain to yours. He would have died again if he was still alive” she added muttering a string of curses under her breath.

“What? You- you- argh what is that word again?” He asked scratching his head where she hit him covering his wince while talking.

“Beautiful? Pretty? Gorgeous? Stunning?” She offered.

“Oh please! You’re not even pretty. I was telling you; you look like a monkey. Yeah, you look like a monkey” he said smirking.

“Jerk” she mumbled glaring at him.

“As much as it is entertaining us, shall we look into the problem now? It is about Sreesha’s safety. My advice is, let her meet this so-called secret admirer” the uncle said leaning back in his chair.

“No way”

“No! I will not put her life at risk” both Tej and me yelled at the same time.

”Who said she was going alone?” Uncle said smirking. “Her bodyguards will be there with her and I’m sure you both will be too,” he said pointing at me and Tej. He knew us too well.

“Why do I feel that this secret admirer was not the real devil?” I heard dad mumbling. I too have the same feeling. But I can’t risk her. She’s my wife, love, and life.

Dad and uncle left us to discuss this issue. Later, my personal assistant, Lekha informed me about a meeting. The moment she entered my office Nihal started flirting with her ignoring Anju. One look at her, you can tell she was beyond annoyed by his behavior.

“Karthik, I need to leave now. Call me if you need any help and kill that prick who dared to threaten Sreesha’s life” she mumbled before standing to leave.

“What no goodbye for me?” Nihal interjected pouting.

“How can I not say goodbye for a prick like you? It is a goodbye, Jerk. Let’s hope our paths never cross” she said.

“Oh, you wounded me, Angel,” he said feigning hurt look. She rolled her eyes at him and smiled at us bidding bye.

“Okay bro, I’m leaving too. Have a company to run” he muttered and left leaving a very confused Lekha behind.

“You can leave now Lekha and Meet me at the conference hall in 10,” I said not looking at her. I know it was rude, but I have a reputation to keep.

“So, Saturday it is! ” Tej said and I nodded.

Sreesha Pov:

Finally! It’s Saturday. The day I finally win Anju’s stupid prank. But I was having second thoughts about it. What if it is not Anju? What if it is someone who wants me dead? What if it is a kidnapper?

Yeah right! You’re some celebrity who is earning a lakh per minute, so someone played this prank to get you… use me at least once a day Sreesha! I pity myself for being as your brain.

Here it goes again!

But it is right. Who wants to kidnap a no one like me? Don’t think too much Sreesha, you have revenge to take.

‘Anju here I come’ I thought to leave for the coffee shop.

I reached the coffee day at around 5 to 5. I took a seat near a window making myself comfortable.

”Too eager to meet me sweetheart” a familiar voice stunned me which definitely doesn’t belong to Anju.