CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Scarlett's pov

"C'mon Scar, we are already so much late. Hurry up" Kat shouted while starting her car.

Oh god!! Why do I always get late?

I mean, why do I always have to be late?

I want to be like those punctuality loving people. How the heck do they get on time?

"Yeah, yeah. Done. let's go." I told her the moment I sat on the back seat.

She again gave me a look.

I knew that look certainly. It's always about my habit of sitting on the back seat.

"You and your back seat." Shaking her head, she revved the car around the turn and went our way towards the college.

During the ride, I thought about what Maya said to me at the wedding.

When everything was done and it was time for her vidaai , she came to hug me and whispered,

She looked so beautiful in her wedding lehenga. Her pink and golden attire made her look so pretty like an angel.

She came to me to hug before going away to her new house.

"I'll miss you." I said, my voice almost breaking.

"I'll miss you too kiddo." She said pulling my cheeks a bit.

"I know about your marriage."

I looked at her shocked. How did she know about it? I thought no one except me, Xander, Maria and my parents knew.

"Don't be shocked, aunty told me. She was worried about you. And to be honest, I'm worried too." She said, concern lacing her tone.

I knew she was worried, I knew my parents were worried. I knew the reason behind it. But I can't do what they want me to do. It's just too much. I can't.....I know I can't. I can't risk it. I don't even want to consider it.

"Promise me?" She asked, holding my hands in both of her hands.

I gulped. I don't want her to make me promise something that goes against my will. I don't want to promise something that I know I'll never do. Something that I don't want to do.

Something that scares me.

"Promise you'll give this marriage a chance." She asked looking into my eyes.

I just nodded. I couldn't promise her, regarding this.

I already knew I won't give this marriage a chance, never at all. It's just to change, change Xander from his workaholic ways.

And nothing else.

But I know, it's also because I want to somehow repay Maria. It's to give her back somehow what all she gave me.

She helped me so much. I need to do this for her. And for that, I'll try my best.

I'll try my best to make Xander more lively and loving. I'll try my best to know why he's like this, this reserved, cold and heartless.

But I will never , not even try to make this a forever type of marriage. I'm certain about it.

"A fair chance Scarlett. Promise me." She held my hands more tightly this time. As if to convey the heaviness of this promise.

I sighed. I know I'll regret it later on. But it's her wedding day. She can't be sad or upset on this day.

That girl chose a great time to ask me for something. I can't even refuse her.

"I promise." Those two words. Those two words left my mouth, seemed so insignificant, of nothing much importance, as a formality.

But I knew, my heart knew, it was far from that.

Taking my little finger, we did a pinky promise.

What? Don't laugh, okay? I'm not a kid, it's the only promise I trust and abide by.

I initially thought of not following with the promise I just made.

But the feeling, the gut feeling I had inside warned me, telling me the opposite, screaming at me that I'll end up going through with the promise, I'll end up breaking my rules.

Her last words still echoed, "Don't lose him in your childishness."

___________________________________________

My thoughts were interrupted by a screeching sound. I realized we reached the college and Kat was out before I could even blink.

I got out the same minute. But I didn't rush.

I seriously wasn't in a mood to attend any classes.

Today in the early morning, I got a call from Maria saying we're going shopping today for my engagement day after tomorrow.

Like what? I didn't even know when my engagement ceremony was going to be held.

But I don't understand, we haven't bought any rings. Though if she herself bought any rings for us on her own, then that's okay. I wouldn't have to worry unnecessarily.

Ughhhh!!! Why did I say yes again to being married?

___________________________________________

A few minutes were left for the last class of the day to be over.

I was looking out of the window to pass the time when a paper ball hit my head.

I immediately looked up to my teacher if she noticed but thankfully she didn't.

I wandered my eyes around to see who hit me with that paper ball when my eyes landed on a tall, dark haired boy.

It was Sean.

He gestured me to read what was written on the paper ball.

I pressed the crumpled paper on my desk.

Meet me in the basketball court after class gets over:)

Why would he want to meet me? He could have simply talked to me as usual.

Or if he did so much effort of writing on a paper, I'm sure he wouldn't mind using a little bit more ink to tell me what he wanted to say or ask. Boys!

As he asked, I went to meet him there.

He was sitting but got up when he saw me coming, waving at me, he came towards me.

"Hi, you said..." I started but he didn't let me complete.

"Yeah, I mean .....uh..I wanted to ask you something." He said.

"Yes, what ?"

He looked around. He wasn't looking at me. It was like he was unsure of asking me what he wanted to ask.

Him being like this was making me nervous.

"What did you want to ask Sean? Just say."

Taking a deep breath, he asked me,

"Do you have a boyfriend, Scar?"

My eyes widened.

Wait......was this what he wanted to ask?

And here I thought it was something bad.

I laughed out.

"Oh my god.....Sean.. haha.. I thought, I thought it was something serious.."

Looks like he didn't appreciate me laughing, he face still held that serious expression.

"Okay, don't be so serious." I said pouting at him.

"Scarlett, I need an answer." He said determined.

"No, I don't have a boyfriend,Sean." I answered but I was curious. Why did he ask?

"Why do you ask anyway?"

He had a relieved smile on his face on hearing my answer.

"Uhh.. nothing. Just some guy was bluffing." He answered.

"What? Who guy? What did he say?" I inquired.

"Oh, nothing you need to worry yourself with." He chuckled.

I shrugged

.

__________________________________________

The next day

It was 9 at night. I didn't have dinner today. I wasn't feeling like to have it.

Running a hand through my hair, I sighed.

Tomorrow is my engagement ceremony at Maria's house.

A lot of people aren't invited. This isn't going to be a real marriage, so I asked Maria to keep it a closed ceremony.

Only family members and a few close friends.

From my side, my parents are going to be there along with Kat, Mia and Talia.

From his side, Maria will be there. His friends would be there too, maybe. I don't know. I have never seen him saying anything about his friends.

Does he even have friends? He looks too unapproachable.

Why am I even thinking about it?

Ughhhh!!

Just go to sleep Scarlett, nothing you can do to stop the engagement. It's your decision and now you have to face the consequences.

I wonder what Xander might be doing right now. Is he also worrying about tomorrow's engagement? Is he also overthinking?

Or being the workaholic he is, he is even working now? I huffed.

Don't what tomorrow is going to bring for us.

I don't know what I'm feeling. It's all different and new and I don't know.

I just hope I'm doing right.

I just hope I don't regret my decision.