Chapter 69 - I kissed him

Innaya's POV

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The sweat beads of perspiration on my forehead threatened to roll down, yet I made no move to wipe them away. Walking my way back home never felt so dreadful. The scorching heat of the sun was making it impossible to stay in his presence. Briskly finding the shadows to dodge myself from being directly in contact with blazing sunrays, I walked alongside them, even though I could easily hail the taxi to avoid the current discomfort. I pushed back some hair stands that escaped from the messy bun I have tied them in before leaving the college. 

"Anger is never a solution to any problem. So always, understand the situation first before reacting, Innu."

Grandpa's words floated in my mind and before I could realize I was slowing down my steps. Few deep breaths with closed eyes helped me cool down the bubbling anger but more than anger, it was the frustration of sudden arrival of the unexpected alliance.

I was in college enjoying the break we got after extremely long lecture of Prof. Verma when mom called, asking to return as soon as possible, as the person chosen by my late Grandpa and my to-be-in-laws were visiting us to decide the marriage date. They wanted the engagement of us to be done as soon as possible and marriage within the span of a month, as after that they didn't have any auspicious date for next two years.

I had my own reasons. I never wanted to get married. To start with, I just couldn't get it how my family, who supported me in every step, had stood with me always and somewhere they had an idea about my opinions on this topic still wanted me to get married to him, refusing to listen to my reasons.

On top of everything, that person without meeting me for once, not knowing me personally, agreed to this alliance only because he knew my Grandpa. God! In this 21st century people like 'Eshan Sighaniya' even exists, seriously.

I increased my pace as the familiar mansion with the cream and maroon color came into my line of sight.

"Mom... How could you do this?" I asked in rage, to my mother entering my home. Even though I tried calming myself but it did not help as I witnessed all the preparation, going on outside and from my peripheral vision I saw same was going inside the kitchen.

"I have every right to do this Innaya. He is best for you. Moreover, your Grandpa wanted this," Mom answered giving me a glass of water. She must have noticed me visibly fuming. My eyes locked with the very same chocolate one from which I have inherited mine.

"You are aware that I don't believe in all of this, aren't you?" I questioned getting frustrated with the sudden shocking news of my marriage with the chosen groom.

"Innaya, come here," Granny called me while extending her hand towards me.

Taking the hold of her outstretched hand, I settled beside granny on the couch with the gloomy face.

"Sweetie, do you trust me?" asked Granny making me look at her. I stared at her face, she was in her late sixties, and she looked super cute with her spectacles riding down on her nose.

Without a doubt, I nodded positively.

"Then, do you think, I will take any wrong decision for you? I know him, Innaya your Grandpa knew him, and he is perfect for you. I only want to see you settled before I die," Granny confessed, cupping my face to one side, getting emotional.

"Granny... please," I admonished, hugging her immediately.

"It's not like that. It is just - just that it is too early. I... I don't know him and don't you think, I'm too young for this? I am just 21," I fumbled after some moment of silence, still hugging her. I could never hurt her voicing my reasons even if she was aware of them.

Granny smiled at me, as if she could read my thoughts at the moment and was certain, only Eshan would be able to solve them.

Caressing my hair softly, she continued in tone, depicting her motherly warmth, "Sweetie, I knew, you will be thinking this, that's why I have called him so that you both could talk without any third person and decide. I want this marriage to happen, however, with your consent Sweetie. Just give one chance to him for me, for your Grandpa and I know he won't let me down."

"Mother, but—" Mom interrupted granny, her anxiety visible about the new turn of event when everything was about to be decided.

"Naina. It is Innaya's life. Let her decide," Granny dismissed in the final tone.

"Go, Innaya, he is waiting upstairs in your room," Granny smiled while pushing me from my place.

What, he is in my room? I stared at both the women with an are-you-serious look.

Both of them just shrugged, and sent me in the room but not before warning me, to not do something inappropriate, knowing me very well, if wanted I could try to break this alliance.

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I entered my room, taking a deep breath, thinking how to face this. I loved Grandpa very much and I so wanted to fulfill all his wishes. However, this one was not I ever wished for.

The door of the room was wide opened and there, he stood looking the wall, which held pictures all over it, from my childhood to till now with my family.

He, who was busy in observing those photos, turned around at the sound of my footsteps,

"Handsome." That's the first thought came to my mind.

"Beautiful." He mumbled looking towards me taking a good time to observe god knew what.

"Huh?" I asked perplexed. It was not that no one ever complimented me earlier but he made me feel the way no one ever did with that one look, and I hated to admit that.

Something in his eyes stopped me from being rude, his honey brown eyes turned darker or the light played the trick, I was not sure, however, that beautiful shade engraved in my heart. His eyes captivated me in such a manner that despite me wanting to run my eyes on his whole frame I felt myself drowning in the ocean of emotions his eyes presented.

"Photos, they are very beautiful." He answered after a while.

Surely, he tried covering up as his gaze gave away the secret his lips tried webbing.

I grew nervous under his intense gaze, but surprisingly not uncomfortable though.

"Hi, Innaya... I'm Eshan, Eshan Singhaniya." He extended his arm for a formal handshake. He might have mistaken my nervousness, as discomfort in his company.

"Hello" I replied, relieved that my voice came normal, accepting his hand. His skin felt warm, welcoming against my cold one.

"Come sit," Eshan said, still holding my hand and leading me to the bed as if we were in his room and not mine.

I sat, taking my hand back and keeping some distance between us, lowering my gaze to my entwined fingers in my lap. His touch made my skin tingle and his eyes, God they gazed as if they knew something I had no inkling about.

I was grateful for the silence that prevailed between us for some time, it gave time for gathering my wandering thoughts. Eshan started conversation breaking the silence in the deep husky voice that demanded my full attention not the case I was denying for.

"Innaya... I know this is not you are wishing for. You do not want to marry me and you have your reasons. Frankly speaking, I am also not expecting you to be ready for this marriage." I looked suddenly at him, surprised at his declaration. He just smiled in response, an enduring smile providing warmth I never thought any guy was capable of.

"I know it's difficult to get committed for the lifetime to someone whom you are meeting for the very first time, without knowing anything about him. That is the reason I'm here, to know, what you want... I expect you to be honest with your opinions about this alliance." Eshan continued in his deep soft voice looking in my eyes, putting me at ease unknowingly; implying that he does understand me.

I silently listened to him. He gave me the chance, to express what I wish rather than having me feel obliged about Grandpa's wish.

"Thank you for thinking of me. I...I-" For the first time, I not knew how to explain things to someone. Having him, a complete stranger place my comfort above everything felt overwhelming.

"Innaya" I looked up at his face from my lap hearing his strained voice as if it emotionally unsettled him to frame his next words.

"Grandpa was the one from whom I learned the  business. He was like a father figure to me. I respect him a lot." Eshan admitted staring ahead, his face expressing sincerity of his words. The faraway look in his eyes had me thinking about his bond with my grandpa.

"He always kept talking about you. He loved you very much." Eshan added, a small smile playing on his lips.