Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Holding out French vanilla for Neelu I took a seat beside him at Starbucks. Opposite to us sat Gautham and his annoying friend, Vijay.

Vijay was the first to break the silence.

Looking at me directly he asked, “Did you call us all here to just glare at us or is there a purpose for this meeting.”

Despite the comment, the intensity of my glare aimed at Vijay just grew. He had no right to be so damn rude. Why did Gautham have to bring him anyways?
Turning my attention to Gautham I asked, “How do you propose we stop this wedding now?”
Looking torn, Gautham replied, “I definitely did not expect my family to corner us like that. I knew they were unhappy with the length of the engagement period and then they got an excuse to use with my grandmother’s ill health. I’m so sorry Sonali.”

“That’s all fine Gautham but seeing as how we won’t get that long engagement we planned to get our parent’s off our backs, how are we going to stop a wedding that is to happen in 3 months?”

Beside me Neelu looked non-committal towards the entire discussion. Out of spite, I pinched his arm to get his attention.

“Ouch! Damn Sona! What’s your problem?” he fumed.

“You are Neelu! If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be in this damn mess in the first place!” I yelled.

“What? What the hell did I do? I don’t recall interfering in your affairs.”

I kicked Neelu in the shins under the table. Or at least I thought I did.

“Hey, watch it!” snarled Vijay.

“Sorry,” I mouthed sheepishly.

He simply glared daggers at me, cursing under his breath. Neelu was laughing uncontrollably beside me.

“Thanks for being the scapegoat buddy,” exclaimed Neelu, looking at Vijay.

Vijay mumbled something incomprehensible.

“You’re not welcome,” he muttered.

Gautham who sat watching us all silently glanced up at me.

“I have a plan Sonali, but it will require your cooperation. Are you with me?”

“First tell me the plan and then I’ll tell you if I’m game or not.”

“Ok sounds fair. So basically my plan is to continue to act like we’re smitten until we draw close to the wedding date and then we put on a charade. I pretend that I have suspicions that your cheating on me with another man.”

“No that’s cutting it too close. If the plan flops we don’t have enough time to conjure up a new one.”

“Yes but that’s why we have to make this plan foolproof. I’ll probably look like a jealous male chauvinistic pig, but that’s a small price to pay to get you out of the sticky situation I pulled you into.”

“I don’t know about this...”
Neelu interrupted us by putting his hand up to stop our conversation.

“I for one vote that you guys drop this plan and get married. Besides you seem amicable enough.”

“Shut-up Neelu. No one asked for your opinion.”

“I beg to differ. If you didn’t want my input why ask me to come?”

“Because I haven’t learned my lesson as of yet and still trust you to help me.”

“I am helping you.”

“Tell that to someone who believes you.”

“OK guys calm down. Neelu, as sweet as your cousin is, I can’t marry her against her wishes.”

Does that mean you’d marry her if she agreed? ” asked Vijay. I looked at Gautham, expecting him to say no, but he kept silent.

After a long stretch of silence Vijay once again broke the spell.

“Ok on what basis will you justify your suspicion that Sonali is unfaithful to you?”

“We’ll have Sonali act like she’s developed a close knit friendship with some other guy, who her whole family gets to know. Her parents will be aware of the innocent friendship that will look less than innocent to me. This will likely cause a rift between our families but hopefully Chandrika and Neelu can patch that up in time.”

“Ok then. Who is the guy Sona is being fixed up with?” asked Neelu.
Gautham eyes fell on Vijay. Vijay’s and my face lost some color.

“I was thinking maybe you could....” said Gautham.

“No!” cried Vijay and I in unison.

“That wouldn’t be such a great idea Gautham, “said Vijay in a calmer voice.

“I’m sorry but we’ll just have to find someone else,” I said.

“I think it’s a great idea. Gautham suspects his dearest friend and fiancé are betraying his trust. It would make for a juicy story. I would be more likely to believe this story than that he suspected a random stranger with Sona,” exclaimed Neelu.

“Shutup Neelu!” I yelled.

“Please guys. It’s easier to have Vijay act than some random guy we have to let in on the charade. Moreover, there isn’t a person I trust more than Vijay,” begged Gautham.

“Ok I’ll do it but only for you Gautham,” exclaimed Vijay.

“Great! Sonali....?”

“I don’t know....”

“Don’t worry Sonali, I promise I don’t bite. Besides I can’t stand you as much as you can’t stand me,” chuckled Vijay.

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Publication Date: 07-07-2012

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