The Malhotra Bride by Sundari Venkatraman Read Free Book Online Page B

needs us. By the way, I’m planning to take her out today. She’s had a raw deal
    with too many restrictions at home, I feel. She’s worried her father will not let her go with me as we
    aren’t even engaged yet.”
    “What kind of nonsense is this? How else will you get to know each other? Should I ask Dad to talk
    to Mr. Rishi?”
    “No, Mom. I’ll handle that. I need a favour from you.”
    “What favour, Akshay?” That was Raj Malhotra. He came and sat beside his son at the table. “Good
    Morning,” he smiled. “How do you like the idea of marrying Sunita?”
    “Love it Dad. Am I glad that you insisted that I meet her! I’m in love.” Akshay’s face turned red as
    he said this.
    Raj threw back his head and laughed. He clapped his son on his back and congratulated him.
    “This is great. Tanuja, pass me the sweets.” Raj took a peda from the tray his wife offered and fed it
    to his son.
    “Now tell me, what do you want done?”
    “Dad, let’s forget the engagement and directly have the wedding—as soon as it’s possible. And
    Sunita brings nothing with her when she comes to our house. I’ll provide all her needs as she’s my
    wife.”
    Raj heard the possessive note in his son’s voice and smiled. “By all means, Son. I’m proud of you.
    But we need to have a betrothal function, Akshay.”
    Tanuja smiled, “Like father, like son.” She hailed from a poor family and Raj had provided
    everything for her at the time of their wedding and borne all the cost of the ceremony as well.
    “Okay then. I’ll see you guys in the evening.” Akshay got up to leave.
    “Just a minute, Akshay. You said Sunita’s not too keen on the wedding. Does it make sense to rush
    into it? Maybe we should give her time to know you more?” asked Tanuja.
    Akshay shook his head. “No mom. I’m not even sure Mr. Rishi’s going to let us go out together. It’ll
    be an everyday tussle. Sunita gets to live a full life when she gets out of that house. Marriage is the
    only option and she knows that.”
    “In that case, we need to rush the wedding.”
    “Exactly,” said Akshay before he stepped out of the dining room.
    Raj looked at Tanuja, his eyebrows raised. “So early?”
    “I don’t think he’s going to the office,” she replied.

    AKSHAY WAS ON HIS WAY TO GOKUL RISHI’S WORKPLACE. He knew the address and
    timings thanks to Grandpa Ratan. He was an ally, the old man.
    Gokul Rishi arrived at his desk at 8.30 every morning and gave appointments only after ten. Akshay
    was confident of catching him alone so early in the morning.
    Rita, the receptionist of Rishi Enterprises, was just settling into her seat when she saw the tall,
    handsome hunk walk in.
    “Good Morning! I’m Akshay Malhotra,” he charmed her with his smile. “I’d like to meet Mr. Rishi.
    I don’t have an appointment, but it’s urgent.”
    “Good Morning,” she smiled back. “Please take a seat, Mr. Malhotra. I’ll just check with Mr.
    Rishi,” she said, reaching for the intercom.
    Akshay put his hand on hers to stop her. “I’m engaged to his daughter Sunita. If you’ll only tell me
    where his office is, I’ll get myself there. I’d like to give him a surprise.”
    Rita knew this to be unusual. But the Chairman’s daughter did not get engaged every day. She
    directed Akshay to the fifth floor.
    “That’ll be the door on the right, Mr. Malhotra.”
    Akshay smiled his ‘Thanks’ and left for the fifth floor.
    He stepped out of the cranky lift that was as old-fashioned as Mr. Rishi. Looking through the glass
    window on the door at the right, he could see Gokul Rishi at his big desk checking some files. Akshay
    knocked on the door and heard him say, “Come in.”
    Saying that Gokul Rishi was surprised is an understatement. “Good Morning, Uncle.” Akshay
    greeted Sunita’s father.
    Gokul Rishi got up from his chair and rushed to greet Akshay. “Good Morning my boy. And
    welcome! This is a surprise indeed. Your father called me