Chapter 01

Anahita

"Ma'am Mr. Raichand has called for you in his study."

I jerked, sitting straight from my previous state of lying idly on the bed, on my side, staring ahead.

"Which one?" I asked Leela, the house help of Raichands. She's a young woman in her mid twenties and has been working for the Raichands after her graduation.

It simply cannot be my husband. So surely his grandfather, I thought.

"Bade sahab" she said.

And I was right. In the entire duration of our marriage, my husband has never once willingly spoken to me. Whatever he has to say or rather I say inform me about is done by the house helps.

But why would Anant Raichand call for me? I turned my head sideways to glance at the clock. it was seven in the evening, just before his dinner time.

"Ma'am he said it was urgent." She added hurriedly.

"Alright I'm coming, give me a minute." I told her to wait outside while getting up from the bed.She nodded her head and

Exited my room. I strided towards the vanity and looked at the mirror, there I stood clad in a loose kurta and Palazzo. Hair twisted in a loose bun with the help of a hair prong at the nape of my neck, face devoid of any makeup apart from a small black bindi.

I quickly tucked some of the loose strands escaping from the bun behind my ears, and turned to leave. Glancing at the bedside table, I saw my phone and taking it with me left my room.

Leela was waiting for me.

"This way ma'am." She gestured for me with her hand as soon as she saw me walking towards her.

Descending the majestic stairs we reached the ground floor and started towards the hallway at the side. I've never been to this part of the house. Who am I even kidding, I've never been to any of the part apart from my room on the far end of the first floor, which was one of the guest rooms before and to the kitchen along with the lawn. Now that I'm walking in this hallway that I notice the beauty of this place. My room here is undoubtedly beautiful with beige walls, a large window, and an en suite bathroom which is bigger than my bedroom back in my home in delhi and custom made furnitures. But I haven't had the chance to see other parts of the mansion. Now that I see it , it's truly magnificent, the perfect blend of traditional Indian interior with the hint of modernity. Ornate walls which held beautiful art, ivory marble flooring. High ,coffered ceiling with crystal chandeliers which probably costs more than average people can afford. However that's the thing, the Raichands aren't your average people, they're the royalty of business world, as the commoners like to call them.

As we were walking Leela stopped in front of a room and knocked twice before stepping back.

"Come in." Came a strong but old voice from inside.

Leela motioned for me to go inside. I reached for the doorknob and twisted it. The door opened and I stepped inside. The way I see it this portion of the mansion seemed more traditional with rich wood panelling. One wall at side had a large floor to ceiling window adorned with rich emerald curtains where I caught sight of alluring roses from the garden. A large mahogany desk sat at the centre, on top of which some old books and a table lamp was kept. The other side of the room had a vast wooden bookshelf. This room exudes the aura of Anant Raichand. There he was sitting on a large high-back Chair near the bookshelf. one of his hand held a framed photograph and the other held a cigar. A table sat infront of him where the ashtray was kept.

He looked up from the photograph at me and his expression of fondness vanished from his face.

"Ahh Anahita. Come have a sit." He said in a commanding voice, putting the framed photograph back in its place and gestured for me to sit on one of the couches. I strided towards the couch and sat there waiting for him to say why he has called for me.

"Adhira is coming with her husband and kids this weekend.Shashwat has some work here to take care of, and with an infant and a four year old he did not want to leave her in dehradun. Of course they have his parents and servants to help her but it has been so long since I last saw my grand daughter and great-grandchildren, so I told them to come and stay with us for somedays." He told me.

Adhira, my husband's younger sister by four years. At twenty seven she is happily married with the love of her life shashwat Goenka and has two beautiful children. I've met Ashna during our wedding, but haven't had the chance to meet little Arush as he wasn't born by then. He'd be six months old by now. It's Tuesday so they will be coming in three days from today.

"Alright Mr. Raichand." I said and waited if he had something else to say.

He started "As you know they are unaware of the circumstances in which you and Adhrit got married, and I would prefer it, if it stays that way." He finished and looked at me.

"You don't have to worry about her finding out from me, I won't tell her anything."

"It's not about you telling her, she has eyes and she will ask questions as to why you sleep in a guestroom."

"You surely aren't implying that..."

"Shift your things and yourself to adhrit's room for the time being."

"I can't do that"

"And why not?" He countered.

I couldn't possibly tell him that it would be a nightmare sharing a room with my husband. Not that he is ugly to look at. No, he is the most beautiful man I've ever laid my eyes upon with his piercing brown eyes that are so dark, they almost appear black. Chiseled jaw, dark stubble and those beautiful lips, thin upper lip and slightly thicker lower one. Thick raven hair which makes me want to rake my hand through it. He is simply the human embodiment of the word handsome. However his cold persona makes up for the beauty he is bestowed with. As the saying goes "no one is perfect".

Instead I asked, "What about Adhrit? Doesn't he has anything to say about this new arrangement ?" I asked him calmly but inside I was starting to feel agitated. It took me months to adjust to my room here, the only place I can call mine and now I have to leave it. Even though it is for mere weeks but still.

"I've already spoken to him and he's okay with it"

"He's what?"

"I said he doesn't have any problem with it Anahita, How many times do I have to repeat it to you." He said rhetorically. "My grandson knows what is best for the family."

"Of course. If that's all I'd like to take my leave."

"Yes." He said with a flick of his hand. I got up and started towards the door but stopped hearing the voice behind me and looked back.

"Don't think you can have him. If not for this marriage he wouldn't even spare you a glance."

"You don't have to remind me how dreadful this situation is, believe me the feeling is mutual."

The hallway was empty. Walking towards my room I kept thinking about the conversation I just had. I have to share a room with him. It's alright, this arrangement is just for somedays. We'll hardly have any interaction. I'll stay out of his way and he won't have to concern with mine, just like it has been for the last ten months, right?

Sitting on the Ottoman chair in front of the mirror in my room I was thinking about looking for a job. It would be best for both of us if we stayed out of each other's hair, at least for the day. And about the night, I'm sure I'll figure something out.

With this thought I jerked up from the chair and strolled to the kitchen.

"Good evening ma'am. You haven't called for dinner. It's pretty late, are you feeling alright."

I looked at her and then at the clock behind her head. It's half past nine.

"Yes. I'm ok."

"Would you like me to serve you dinner or shall I send it to your room upstairs if you'll like to have it there?"

"No. I'll have it here tonight." I looked at her and said taking a seat on one of the chairs near the quartz countertop. The large dining table was massive and for only one person it felt lonely therefore I prefer eating here in the kitchen or in my bedroom. Anant Raichand often takes his meals in his room in solitude. So the only person who uses the table for its purpose is my husband but I've never seen him during any of the meals so I'm not entirely sure.

"Sure ma'am."

I need to talk to him about my job. I used to teach in a primary school back in delhi. But had to leave it due to my marriage.

She felt me looking at her and asked."Do you need anything else ma'am?"

"Huh, no. I just wanted to ask, is my husband home?"

"No ma'am. Mr. Raichand hasn't come back from the office." She replied serving me the chapattis and curry with cubes of cottage cheese, just the way I like it without any further questions.

The world doesn't know that our marriage is not a normal arranged marriage, that the vows we took on our wedding day infront of holy fire is nothing but a sham.

The true nature of our relationship is not known by the people apart from us and both our families which consists only of my father, his grandfather. Even Adhira isn't aware of this. And as for the people working for this family, they've signed the NDA. They are paid well to keep their mouths shut and to keep their thoughts to themselves about this whole facade.

Nonetheless, she didn't seem to mind about the fact that I don't know about my husband's whereabouts.

I nodded hearing her and start eating. I don't know how long it will take for him to come back. He has a habit of working late nights. If I wake up early tomorrow then I could catch him in the morning before he went to his beloved office. Yes that would do. That's exactly what I'm going to do.

As for the job, I'll surely find something to do. I have a bachelor's degree in business administration, and I'm not in dire need of money. So whatever job they'll offer, I'll accept it.

Scooping out the rest of the gravy with the last piece of chapati I savoured the delicious goodness. I started to get up after drinking some water when Lalita served me a small bowl of gajar ka halwa. She smiled when I looked at her.

"Thank you. I've been craving something sweet lately and it's one of my favourites."

"It's my job ma'am. And please let me know whenever you need anything. She replied with a nod.

I take the spoon and start eating. The richness of the sweet reminds me of my home and my eyes welled up just thinking about my father. I quickly blink the tears away and finish the dessert.

Taking a jug of water with me I reached my bedroom and put the jug on the bedside table. I strolled to the window and looked outside, the coldness of the night air was freezing. I closed the window and latched it before going to the en suite bathroom to get ready for bed.

Coming out I removed the hair prong from my bun and threw it on the vanity table and laid in my bed.

He leaves for the office at sharp eight in the morning. So if I put the alarm for six thirty then I'll have plenty of time to get ready and have a conversation with him. And the conversation would barely take ten minutes as I simply have to tell him about me searching for a job. Yeah that's it, Six thirty is fine. I set the alarm and dozed off.