A Scandalous Proposition by MM George Read Free Book Online

ago.”
    “In the event, we can hardly refuse to help Mrs. Dewan,”
said Dhiru Mausa. “And Ranbirji has come up with a solution to the problem of
Reema being all alone. He says you should also move there with her. We have
been worried about how long it takes you to travel to Gurgaon every day. Well,
it seems that problem, too, can be solved if you go with Reema.”
    “No, Ma, this is impossible! Who will look after you? And
all those visits to the doctor and the hospital? You and Mausi will tire
yourselves out. We can’t both leave you and go away.”
    “No matter, beta ,” said Ma quietly. “We will manage.
I am much better now. I don’t need as much looking after as before. And maybe
this is what I need…to get up and stop being such a burden on all of you.”
    “You have never been a burden, Ma!” exclaimed Reema, while
Mira bit her lip, looking unconvinced. Ranbir seemed to have covered every
loophole very thoroughly, but there was a catch somewhere in this. She just had
to figure it out. Why else would the Ranbir Dewan of the Dewan Group of
Industries take time out from his busy schedule to compel Reema and her to stay
at Dewan Kutir? It couldn’t be just brotherly love. Even though he’d agreed to
help Tarun and Reema, he’d already voiced his doubts about the relationship.
She had no choice at the moment but to agree, now that Ma was looking at Ranbir
as if he were her personal savior.
    “Well, if you’re sure, Ma?” she said at last, unwillingly.
    “Good,” said Ranbir, unfurling his length from the sofa. “So
you’ll call Dadi and tell her you’re accepting her offer, Reema? And now, Mrs.
Talwar, I must go. I have an appointment in half an hour.”
    ≈

 
     
    FIVE
     
     
    Mira and Reema moved into Dewan
Kutir over the weekend. Ranbir sent a car to fetch them. As she waved goodbye
to her mother and her aunt and uncle, Mira felt a sense of unease grip her.
They looked so well-intentioned and trusting. And she would wager her new
turquoise muqaish -embellished dupatta that well-intentioned and
trustworthy were two adjectives that could not be applied to Ranbir Dewan. Not
in this situation at least.
    The room they were shown into was on the top floor. It was
large and spacious with an attached bathroom and a desk in the corner near the
window. The window looked out onto a small balcony from where a short flight of
stairs led to a larger terrace. There was even a bookcase filled with books.
The wardrobe was so large that all their clothes together occupied a mere half of
it. They had reached the house in the early evening, so they had a couple of
hours to unpack and put their things away.
    Mira was just putting a framed photograph of Ma and Baba on
the desk, when a knock sounded on the door. A young girl looked in. “You are to
come down for dinner. Mrs. Dewan’s orders.”
    Reema gripped Mira’s hands tightly. “Go downstairs for
dinner, Di? Eat with all of them? How can we?”
    “Relax, Chhoti, you had to meet the Dewans some time. Why
not now?” Mira wished she felt half as confident as she made herself sound. I
can do this , she told herself. I can do this for Reema.
    The family was already at the table when they went
downstairs. Tarun smiled broadly at them. Mrs. Dewan inclined her head
graciously at Reema and said, “I hope the room is comfortable? You have
everything you need?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” said Mira.
    Ranbir looked up from his plate with a frown.
    Mrs. Dewan proceeded to introduce the rest of the family. “I
thought you should eat with us instead of by yourselves in your room,” she continued.
“Of course, from tomorrow, you will be with me wherever I am, Reema. But this
floor is the common family floor and both of you are welcome to use it as you
wish.”
    Mira and Reema sat down on two vacant chairs and the
hovering maids moved to serve them.
    “I believe you cook at the office cafeteria, Mira,” said
Ajay Chacha in a kindly tone.
    “Yes, sir,” said Mira. “I