To be honest, I did want to look good tomorrow. For him. I owed him that. And, then, maybe instead of worrying about things I couldn't control, I could just enjoy a good-looking man’s attention. Smiling to myself, I quickly shot Ryan a text andI stepped into the store to look around.
Fingers met satin and soft fabric everywhere and I found myself clutching my handbag tighter. There was a real risk of me handing over my credit card for more dresses than I needed.
“Anshi?” I would recognize the silvery voice anywhere. I tensed, turning around slowly. “I didn’t expect you here.”
I gave Sara a tentative smile. Dressed in an elegant white silk blouse and black skirt, she stood gracefully with a couple of shopping bags hanging off her arm.
“Hey…” I said. She stepped forward and I hugged her awkwardly. “I was just looking.” I clasped my hands in front of me, and looked behind her at the door praying Ryan wouldn’t walk in. “You look busy.” I said, pointing to the shopping bags.
“It’s Gramma’s birthday next week.” She moved the bags to the other hand. “She is here, by the way. Been very upset since you left home.”
“When did you know?” I peeked around the rest of the store for a glimpse of Gramma.
“The very night you left.” Guilt laced every word of hers.
“You never tried contacting me.” I couldn’t keep the hurt from my voice, and I hated that.
“Look. I wanted to but then...I thought maybe it's for the best. Maybe...you needed to get out and explore,” she said, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. “You are okay, right? Right?”
I was shocked. Of all people, I worried Sara would pronounce judgement on my apparent lack of respect for Dad. And yet, she was encouraging me to explore.
“I am okay...but what happened to you? I thought you would be disappointed in me again.” She smiled sadly, the kind of smile that made you wish you could fix whatever was bothering her.
“I have recently come to the conclusion that life is better lived on your own terms. I am glad you are trying to live yours.” A sigh escaped her. Tired eyes, and a smile that didn’t really feel happy were not among the things that you would notice about Sara Jain if you didn’t know her intimately. The beauty, elegance and perfect poise of a heiress shadowed the real her every time. “Where are you put up now? Maybe I will visit you this weekend.”
“Um...about that.” I shifted from one foot to another. She narrowed her eyes at me. I opened my mouth to respond when I stilled. Ryan entered the store, looking around, evidently searching for me. Our eyes met and he smiled. When Sara noticed me looking beyond her, she turned and gasped.
“Anshi Jain, don’t tell me you are seeing this man,” she whispered urgently.
“I’m not,” I whispered back. “I am living with him.” She gasped and turned to me, her eyes comically wide.
“Are you craz -”
“Sorry, that took a while. Did you find something you like?” Ryan asked.
Sara gaped, her head swiveling between me and Ryan. I laughed with a touch of hysteria. Sara wasn’t known for subtleties when she didn’t like someone.
“I just got started and…,” I swallowed, nodding at Sara, who was on the verge of a meltdown. “Have you met my sister, Sara?” Ryan turned to Sara and broke into the signature smile that made women forget their own names.
“What a surprise! Nice to meet you, Sara. You are every bit as perfect as Anshi described you,” Ryan said sincerely. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a pang of jealousy hearing him praise another woman. I had to remind myself that that other woman was my sister. Sara’s mental breakdown seemed to pause as she blushed.
“Are you sure she meant that in a good way?” Sara cleared her throat, giving me a meaningful look. Ryan looked confused.
“Sara is known for many things...especially modesty,” I said, coming to his rescue. Ryan dragged a hand through his hair, giving me a grateful smile. “I think we should go now. I want to explore other stores.”
“You sure?” I nodded, even as Sara’s narrowed scrutiny unnerved me.
“Okay. Give me a minute then. I will be back.” He disappeared into the back of the store. I gave Sara a tight smile when she finally tore her eyes away from Ryan’s receding back and turned to me.
I winced. “I know I am in trouble over this living arrangement, but -”
“Anshi beta” We both turned to see Gramma behind us, her eyes shining. I rushed to hug her, bending slightly to take her petite frame in my arms. Her soft body was like cool balm to my aching heart. Tears ran unbidden down my face and I felt her hands soothing my back as I shook. “Are you okay?” she said. “You didn’t call at all. Just that one small text. I know you are all grown up and can take care of yourself, but can you do this old, pretty woman a favor by calling her daily?”
I laughed through my tears and wiped it with the back of my hand.
“I will. And I am sorry. I just needed some time.” She ran her hands along my shoulders, bringing back life in my heart. I didn’t realize how much I missed her unconditional love.
“Come home when you are done thinking,” she said, softly. Her eyes shone with unshed tears but I had never seen Sohni Jain break down. “Are you here with someone?”
“No, she is alone.” Sara butted in suddenly. “Shopping for an office party. Right?”
“Yes, yes.” I joined in. Sara gave me a knowing look, and I hoped Ryan didn’t reappear now. My grandmother was known for being surprisingly modern, but even she might not be on board with my live-in situation. And if Dad came to know of it, I could very well forget about ever returning home. Not that I planned to. But I didn’t expect Sara to come to my rescue. Maybe things weren’t always what they seemed.
“We should go now, or we will be late for dinner,” said Sara, picking up a few more bags from Gramma and hurrying her out of the door.
“Okay, beta,” Gramma replied. She turned to me, and kissed me on my forehead. Her hands left my cupped cheeks reluctantly. “I expect you to call me and tell me all about the office party.”
“Yes, Gramma. I will,” I promised. When Gramma moved towards the door, Sara turned to me. She looked slightly better, and gave me a hug that wasn’t as awkward as before.
“Take care of yourself. And I don’t approve of your situation with Ryan…,” she sighed, and continued, “but I think...he makes you happy.” Wistfulness washed over her. “He reminds me of someone who I lost touch with a very long time ago. And I regret…” She bit her lower lip, a distant look on her face.
“What do you regret, Sara?” She looked at me, startled, and cleared her throat.
“Never mind. Just...do what you think is right for you. And don’t forget our lunch next week. I expect details. Real details.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” I asked, pinching her cheeks. She yelped and jumped back.
“Never do that again!” She rubbed her cheek dramatically and turned to leave. She looked back one last time and gave me a smile that finally reached her eyes.
17
Ryan
I weaved my way back to the front of the store where Anshi was standing alone. She had a soft smile on her face, her fingers caressing a turquoise dress absent-mindedly.
“Are you sure you don’t like it?” I asked, startling her.
“I do.” She fished the tag out of the dress and sucked in a breath. She dropped it like a hot potato. “Maybe not that much,” she said, grinning. I knew better than offering to buy it for her. The little box in my pocket felt heavy but I would worry about it later.
“Let’s try somewhere else then,” I said, as she glanced around. After a couple of other stores, she finally found a dress. It was a simple, deep blue ensemble that was perfect for her budget apparently. It was a cheaper version of the turquoise dress, but I was glad she recognized her limits. I could afford that and more but I would rather have her poor and proud than rich and irresponsible..
We picked up
dinner from an Indian street cart on our way home. As soon as we reached home, Anshi seemed to be in a hurry. She finished her dinner in record time, then rushed to her bedroom with the paint cans.
“Are you going to paint now?”
“Yes,” she said without looking back. “Some color here would be great.”
I strolled over and leaned against the door of her bedroom. She deposited the cans on the floor, rubbing her palms against her skirt. Those metal handles did sting.
“Need some help?” I picked the newspapers on the bed to spread them on the floor next to the wall.
“I think I can handle it,” she yelled from the closed walk-in closet. She came out wearing a ratty tee and the shortest shorts I had seen on her so far. I swallowed. She wasn’t particularly tall, but in mid-thigh length shorts, her legs looked great. Thankfully, she paid no attention to my shameful ogling and proceeded to mix the paint.
“Wow - that smell,” I said, my eyes stinging a bit.
“It’s good right? I love the smell of fresh paint”. I nodded, glad I didn’t say more. She looked excited to paint walls. Who was I to judge?
I picked up another paint roller, wet it with paint in the tray and rolled it on the wall. Anshi had already begun with the roller on her side of the wall. It looked easy, and I mirrored her actions. She turned to smile at me and I returned it. We worked in silence, the only sound between us the soft, sticky sound of the brush on the wall smearing it with the color.
“You paint walls like a pro,” I remarked. She chuckled from the floor as she carefully poured the paint into the tray again.
“I have painted quite a few.” She sobered up and added, “I was part of a group that helped to build homes for underprivileged communities. I mostly ended up painting the walls, windows, doors. They even let me draw wall murals.” She stood again and rolled fresh paint on the wall. “That’s when I decided to go for a career with color and designing.”
“That’s pretty cool. Did you go to a design school in Chicago?” She paused for a second and picked up the pace again.
“I took an online course. I am a high-school dropout, remember?” There was a subtle bitterness in her voice. I continued painting as if I didn’t notice it, even though it rattled me. The silence stretched out until she let out a heavy sigh. “I have to confess something, Ryan.”
I turned to find her staring at me, everything about her indicating a conflict that was tearing her apart.
“Hey...nothing can be that bad.” I stepped closer, cupping her face. Her face softened at my touch, but it was as if the pain just dug in deeper. She took a deep breath.
“There’s a reason why the media pays me more attention.” She held my wrist and gently pushed my hands away from her face. Then she stepped back out of my grasp. “I was trouble for my family. Unlike my sisters, I checked all the boxes of a rich, spoiled child. I was news fodder for the tabloids.”
“Okay.”
She raised her head, her big eyes shining.
“I wish it stopped at that.” Her chin wobbled slightly but she drew a deep breath again. “I...There was a video, an intimate video that got leaked somehow.”
My hands curled into fists. I felt like someone punched me in the gut. I stepped closer again. She didn’t move back this time. “It was everywhere. That was when my Dad sent me to Chicago.”
I gathered her in my arms, and she rested her head on my chest. She sniffed and we stood there in silence for a few moments.
“I was my dad’s favorite. He was grooming me to take over his empire. Not Sara or Nisha. Me. And then mom died.” She shook in my arms and I held her tighter. “I was very close to my mom and her loss was devastating. But my dad...he just turned off. I felt so lost. I didn’t even know that I had this rebellious streak in me.” She faded away again, the occasional sniffling more painful every time. “I guess...I just wanted to say that tomorrow, if the media recognizes me, there are going to be slanderous comments in the paper and you might be dragged into it for no reason.”
“You mean to say they might accuse you of using me for your carnal desires?” She gasped and pushed me back playfully. I pulled her back into my arms, not willing to let her go when she was still hurting. “Thanks for sharing your pain with me, Anshi.” She didn’t respond to that, but I felt her softening slightly in my arms. “And I really don’t care what the papers say. It’s not as if I have a clean record either.”
She untangled herself from me, pushing her hair off her face. Her eyes were trained on the paint on the floor.
“That doesn’t make it better, you know. You have an established career here, a reputation in the business world. I have nothing to lose. You have everything to lose.”
I rubbed my neck, hoping it would release some of the tension.
“Speculations of my romantic life had been colorful, to say the least. But the media cannot define my life. I won’t allow it.” It was as simple as that. I had been in tabloids plenty. And yet, it was a whole different experience for Anshi. Her life got upended by the media.
She looked taken aback. “Doesn’t that bother you?”
“Not much so far. They’re a nuisance, but people who really know you...they don’t judge you for any of that.” Her shoulders relaxed a bit and she bent to pick up her brush roll.
“Have you ever googled my name?” She looked at me sideways, her voice a soft whisper. Strands of hair had come loose, marking territory on her face. I turned her towards me, raising her chin with my hand.
“No. Do you want me to?” She shook her head, a tad too fast. “I won’t. It doesn’t matter to me anyway. I know you and that is enough.” I paused and moved the rebellious strands of hair off her pretty face. “As for tomorrow, don’t let the media spoil it for you. We will get through it together. Okay?”
An hour later, we stepped back to look at the wall, so far that the backs of our legs almost hit the bed behind us. The color transformed the room dramatically. Even though it was a bit much for my taste, it did bring in some character to the room.
“A few pictures and it will really pop.” Anshi started cleaning up. I stretched, rolling my shoulder. The arms really start hurting after a few minutes of painting. I cringed again at the smell.
“It really stinks in here,” I said, closing the tops of the cans.
“Well...not stinky but yeah...the smell is stronger now. I guess I should have done this in the morning,” she said, crinkling her nose. “Maybe if we leave the window open for a bit.”
I held her wrist pulling her back to me.
“Just sleep in my room.” Her jaw dropped in shock. “I don’t want you to be smothered by the harmful fumes.”
“But...but we can’t!”
“Get your head out of the gutter, woman! You sleep in my room. I will sleep on the couch.” Her face turned a beet red.
“Okay,” she whispered.
I fixed my bed, fluffing the pillows extra-hard and looked around the room one last time to ensure it looked decent enough for Anshi. I stood staring at the massive bed. I couldn’t stop imagining Anshi curled up in it. I shook my head. Never in a million years had I imagined her here, in my bedroom.
I heard a soft knock. I found her waiting outside the room. She looked around curiously. Biting her lips, she looked at the massive leather bed frame. I looked away when she turned to me.
I hurried to pick up one of the pillows and started for the door before I did anything stupid.
18
Anshi
I paced around the room, unwilling to sit in my new dress.. It was a simple v-neck sleeveless dress, cut to embrace your body in all the right places. The blue of the silk shone under the bright light in the room. I looked good in it, especially with the way the color complimented my skin. I smoothed it out, my fingers reveling in the soft fabric. Letting out a haggard breath, I moved to stand at the window overlooking tall buildings in steel and concrete.
Ryan should be here any minute, and that added to my stress. My
hand moved to my tightly set bun, ensuring not a single strand of hair came off. The click of the front door alerted me that he was here. I took a deep breath, and smoothened my dress again and turned to the door.
He knocked, and I froze. Why was I so nervous? Oh, yeah, I hadn’t dressed up in anything fancy for a long time, and I’d especially never done so for Ryan. I felt self-conscious and ridiculous in my dress, but also hopeful that he might like the way I look. No, I was not confused by my feelings at all.
I opened the door and stilled. Ryan stood on the other side, looking breathtakingly handsome in his black tux. His short, dark brown hair was combed neatly to the side, revealing his high cheekbones and chiseled jaw. The blue of his eyes shone. He held a bouquet of red roses in his hands.
He was quiet as his hot gaze trailed all over me. I felt my body heating up under his scrutiny.
“Wow. You look...gorgeous,” he said.
“You don’t look bad yourself.” I took the flowers from him, laying them on the dresser in the room. He stepped closer and his hand grazed my tattooed arm. Goosebumps tickled me and I sucked in a breath. Tension crackled in the air around us.
“Wild child,” he said softly. It was hard not to hear the wonder in his tone, and I looked away.
“Trouble-maker.” I whispered hoarsely. He shook his head, his hand resting at the crook of my neck.
“Just...perfect.” His thumb rubbed the base of my neck. My fingers itched to touch him.
“Are we ready to leave?” He hesitated and the moment was lost. He ran a hand through his well-coiffed hair and breathed out softly.
“Almost,” he drawled. He pulled a small, blue rectangle velvet box from his pocket and presented it to me in his open palm.
“What is this?” I eyed the box, my heart hammering away.
“For you. Something to go with the dress.” I took the box reluctantly. It clicked open with just a little force and I gasped. A pair of sparkling dangle-drop diamond earrings were wrapped in luxurious velvet. I immediately knew it would look expensive and perfect with the dress.
Love by Surprise Page 10
