The Malhotra Bride by Sundari Venkatraman Read Free Book Online

special quality that Sunita appreciated. He was chivalrous. A rarity indeed! Then there
    was the charm that oozed from every pore in his body.
    Sunita finally came to the conclusion that she probably had the better deal. A light colour ran up her
    cheeks when she recalled his heartbreaking smile while he gave her his complete attention. A woman
    could feel cherished. She would probably be the envy of all girls her age when their betrothal was
    announced.
    Being the positive soul she was, Sunita began looking at the whole issue constructively. It slowly
    dawned on her that her future just might be an interesting adventure just as Akshay suggested. Her face
    relaxed into a smile for the first time since morning.
    Her mobile vibrated as if on cue. It was Akshay, of course. He was surprised to hear the soft and
    breathless “Hello.” He thought that he might have to work hard at pacifying her. She had been so upset
    that morning.
    “Hi, sweetheart,” he called out cheerfully. “Miss me?”
    “Well, er—, I was just going to sleep.” Sunita bit her tongue. What a stupid thing to say.
    “Oh, did I disturb you? Lemme apologise. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    “No, it’s okay.”
    Akshay grinned to himself. “If you’re sure! Do you have a clue about our engagement? There’s no
    sense waiting. What say?”
    She was startled. Why the rush? She uttered the words aloud without meaning to.
    He was quick to reply, “I thought you want your freedom. The sooner we get married, the faster you
    get to pursue your dreams.”
    “ Hahn —Yeah, but—”
    “You meant it when you said ‘yes’ this morning, right?”
    “Of course—”
    “Leave everything to me. Lemme handle the arrangements.”
    “Akshay, you don’t know Pappa—”
    “Sweetheart, you don’t know me.”
    “My name is not Sweetheart.”
    “Don’t you like it?” His voice dripped honey across the phone. “I find you a sweet heart. Are you
    annoyed that I haven’t taken your permission? Lemme set that right. Please Sunita, may I call you
    Sweetheart?”
    No answer from Sunita. She was not even sure whether to laugh it off or be angry. It just struck her
    that the man she was going to marry was flirting with her. Was that allowed? They had agreed to sign
    a contract. But then, how could she stop him? Or was he just being friendly?
    “Sunita—” Akshay was still waiting for her reply.
    Which sounded sexier, Sunita or Sweetheart? ‘I suppose it depended on the voice’, she thought.
    What was it about his voice that when he uttered her name every nerve in her body leaped in
    response? Was she singing a different tune now that she had accepted that they were getting married?
    Was such a thing possible? He was a natural flirt. Should she fall for that?
    But she was young and had never had a boyfriend. Maybe she could have some fun?
    “Are you there?” The sexy baritone crooned in her ear.
    “Hmm.”
    “Sleepy?”
    “Nope.”
    “What’re you doing tomorrow?”
    “Nothing special—I have my classes in the morning. I don’t have an agenda after that.” She thought
    for a few seconds before continuing, “I should’ve joined the Interior Design course back in June. But
    as you can see, I’m doing nothing,” she ended bitterly.
    “Sunita,” his voice softened to calm her nerves. “Look at this year as a well-earned holiday. You
    must’ve worked hard for your degree. You can get back to the Interior Design course next June.”
    “Do you think so?” She sounded like a child who wasn’t sure of getting the joy ride she’d been
    promised.
    “I know so. This year we’ll get to know one another and travel whenever possible. Would you like
    that?”
    She nodded, forgetting that he could not see her.
    “Sweetheart?”
    “Oh yes! I’d love that.” She didn’t sound too sure. She feared that her dreams may fall apart yet
    again, as they had done so many times before.
    “Hmm—you aren’t too sure. Just wait and watch! I’ll pick you up at