12 The Proposal

Samaira

His one hand rested on my waist while his other held my hand. Our moves were in sync as we were dancing along with the rhythm of my favourite song.

He twirled me around and pulled me closer to him, not leaving an inch of space between us. The palm of my hand rested on his chest, such that I could feel his hot breath fanning my lips.

I looked up at him, to find him holding my waist with one hand while his fingers slipped into my tangled mess. He tilted my head, his eyes falling to my lips and I knew what was coming.

I could see the love as well as lust in his eyes. I squeezed my eyes shut and held him tightly. . . but nothing happened. I waited for his soft lips to engulf mine but instead, he started shaking me.

Wait, what the hell is he doing? Then I heard a feminine voice, that certainly wasn’t his.

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“Sammy Di, wake up!” I heard Simran yelling. I opened my eyes only to find myself on my bed and Simran and Sonia sitting on either side. I sighed in relief thinking it was just a dream.

“Why were you yelling, Simmy? You could have woken me up without yelling!” It was the weekend and I wanted to take full leverage, by sleeping in more.

“We have been trying to wake you up for the last fifteen minutes. Simran started yelling, thinking of it the last option to wake you up and it worked.” Sonia, my cousin said shrugging her shoulders at the last part.

“Why do you guys have to wake me up this early? It's the weekend and as far as I know, you both don't get up before ten on weekends.” I asked them in confusion because seriously waking them up before ten on weekends had always been unattainable for everyone.

“It's eleven right now. You woke up late, we are on time.” Simran corrected. I instantly grabbed my phone from the nightstand only to find number eleven written on my home screen.

“Shit, I overslept,” I muttered, my eyes involuntarily moving to the ceiling. In a very long time, I had finally slept without nightmares. Only a dream with Mr. Richie Rich, I wonder why I saw him that way, but I couldn’t disagree that it felt good.

“Di get ready and come down, everyone is waiting for you downstairs as uncle wants to talk to you about something very important,” Sonia said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“What is it about?” Stifling my yawn, I questioned.

“Well, uncle will tell you that,” Sonia replied and grinned. I didn’t find her mischievous grin a mere coincidence because Simran mirrored Sonia’s expression as well.

I prayed it would be something good, given their expressions.

I got up grabbing my towel and darting to the bathroom, not before telling them I would be down in thirty minutes.

When I went downstairs, I greeted everyone before taking a seat beside Ishaan Bhai.

“Dad, you wanted to talk about something?” I asked him and he nodded.

“Sammy, you do know that we all love you and we will never do anything to hurt you? That we only want the best for you?” He asked, leaning forward, clasping his hands together.

“It's about your marriage.” He added further and I really didn't want to have that discussion.

Firstly, my past wasn’t letting me move on and secondly, l met a guy about four months ago. It was purely mom’s convincing but that guy turned to be a douchebag. I didn’t even know why my marriage was of utmost importance to my family.

“Dad. . . please you know I don't. . .”

Before I could complete, Rishabh Uncle, dad’s younger brother interrupted me saying, “We know Sammy. . . we know very well. But first, listen to your dad. We already talked about it and after listening to your dad, I was convinced. I think you should listen first.”

“I know dear you are scared, we just want you to be happy. But please listen at least.” Dad said and I nodded.

“A proposal came for you last night when we were at the party. I was also shocked when we got to know that the proposal came from none other than my old business associate Naveen Khanna for his son Namit.” Namit. . . Mr.Richie Rich? To say I was shocked to hear that would be an understatement. Was that why he was so concerned?

“Remember we went to the charity event last month and we met Naveen and Mitali there?” Dad asked and I nodded remembering that event.

“They liked you the first time they saw you and thought you were fit to be Namit’s better half. But, they wanted to wait for Namit’s agreement. Namit agreed, but I wanted to check for myself. I saw Namit yesterday and he was a gentleman, someone I can trust my daughter with. Although there’s no hurry and the final decision will be yours.” What managed to get me curious, Rishabh Uncle had agreed as well, who had always supported me in all my life decisions. Curiosity was evident on my face which didn't go unnoticed.

“Well, there is more to it.” Ishaan Bhai said and he asked dad to continue.

I looked towards dad and he continued, “They don't want an answer instantly. They want you to meet not only Namit but all the members of their family and then decide if you are happy with the proposal or not. They said you can take as much time as you want.” That piece of information was something unimaginable. It was for the first time, where someone apart from my family and friends cared about my preference. It was like none of the proposals I received before. I liked how thoughtful the Khannas were.

“So what do you think Sammy? Are you fine with this?” Mom pipped in.

“If you are not fine then just say it, I won't allow anyone to force something on you like I did last time when I convinced you to meet my friend's son,” Mom added further. She was hurt after what had happened and she also stopped talking with her friend after that.

I padded towards her and hugged her, “Mom let's not talk about that incident. That was not your fault it was his. So stop stressing yourself please.” Mom pulled out from the hug and kissed my forehead and we both smiled.

“So Sammy are you ready for this?” Sheetal aunty asked. I didn't know what to say, all of it was so sudden. The Proposal was one of a kind, but still, it was a marriage proposal. I needed to think first.

“I need some time. It's not that I am denying it but still I need some time.” I said hesitating and everyone agreed.

I went back to my room, sat on the bed, and was trying to grasp the situation. I still didn't believe what just happened a few moments back. A lot happened in just two days. First the meeting and then the encounter with Mr.Richie Rich at the party and at last the proposal.

And the dance the preceding night, I just couldn't get those thoughts out of my mind. How was Mr.Richie Rich able to match the steps with me so easily on that song when we never danced together before. It was the same as masquerade held back in college, but how and why did he call me Sama. Only one person used to call me that. I tried to find him, I wanted to meet him but he never showed up. Why?? Why Mr. Stranger never tried to find me. He knew about me more than I knew about him then why?

Mr. Richie Rich was giving me a lot of reasons to think about Mr.Stranger only. Could they both be possibly the same, a vague thought crossed my mind that left me appalled. Straight away, I doffed the doltish thought out of my mind and texted my friends, forthwith, for they were only people who could clear my mind off in a jiffy.