Yours Accidentally by Madhur Nevatia

not trust him whom could she trust ever again? Life was
offering her a second chance and it was up to her to seize it. “I have to go,”
she said, dropping the brush on the floor.
    Tanya gave
her a tight hug and held the door open for her.
     
    ***
     
    Once
outside, she did not know what to do. Mustering all her courage, she dialed
Gautam’s number. “Come and see me at Bay point. NOW.”
    The seconds
passed very slowly. She strained her eyes till they hurt. Her throat was
parched. Just when she thought she would faint with anxiety, she saw Gautam. He
was running—tuxedo and all—a full-bodied dash towards her.
    As soon as
he reached her, he scooped her in his arms in one fluent motion. She remained
within the circle of his arms, not seeking release. He kissed her softly on the
cheek and once again, the same soft, melting sensation engulfed her.
    “Do you love
me?” she blurted.
    “Wow. That’s
direct.” He put her down and held her hand.
    She
repeated, “Do you love me?” He put her hand on his wildly beating heart and
held her gaze.
    “Always
have.” His voice was deep and husky, choked with emotion.
    “What about
your ‘love-at-first-sight girl’ at the airport?” Her brow creased theatrically.
    He neither
blinked nor moved. “That was you.”
    “What
rubbish. You met me for the first time at Sanjay’s farmhouse.”
    “Correct, I met you there for the first time, but I saw you at the airport taxi stand,
negotiating how to load your luggage. You were wearing a pink floral dress.”
    “Oh my God.
Where were you?”
    “In the taxi
queue.”
    “But you
were so rude and indifferent towards me after that.”
    “That is how
hot-blooded males display their love.” He cocked an eyebrow. “It must have
worked or else we would not be standing here now.”
    “Bullshit.”
    “Strategy.”
    “Investment
banker or romance strategist, Gautam?”
    “I promise
there is much more to me. Hang on and you shall see.”
    Her voice
fell into a whisper. “My mom has to approve of you.”
    “First tell
me if you approve of me.” He drew her closer, wiping the tears as they rolled
down her cheeks.
    “I do.” She
sniffed.
    “So does
she. I’ve met her. Had to meet her after Tanya told me everything.”
    She was
amazed. He had cared enough to even meet her mother. He cares. He cares. The words kept repeating in her head. “How long have you been plotting and
scheming behind my back?”
    “It seems
like a lifetime. Don’t know how much longer I can carry on wooing.”
    She puckered
her face in a mock frown. “Wooing? You will have to be more romantic than
this.”
    He put his
hand in his pocket and brought out a small red, velvet box. He opened it,
revealing a sparkling diamond solitaire hanging on a thin gold chain that he
clasped around her neck. “Your neck drives me wild. You cannot imagine how many
hours I have spent dreaming about touching it, caressing it, kissing it. This
diamond is actually a warning: Private property. Hope you like it.”
    Sameera felt
a lump in her throat. This was too good to be true. She’d found her knight in
black tuxedo and white shirt; her heart thudded at the love brimming in his
eyes. The wind blew a speck of sand into her eyes. As she squinted, he caught
her by her waist and blew into her eyes. Their lips brushed. It felt so right.
This time he would not let her go. He kissed her, on her forehead, cheeks,
neck, eyes and finally, her lips. Sameera kissed back and they stood entwined
for an eternity. Gautam did not want to let go; he picked her up in his arms
and walked towards the wedding venue. Sameera clung to him happily and smiled.
The setting sun had an amber glow, her peach lehenga was blowing in the
wind, and her Adonis with molten eyes was carrying her away to a land of
dreams. “Gautam, this is Tanya’s dream coming true.”
    “No my
darling, this is my dream coming true.”
    ≈

 
    TWENTY-THREE
     
     
    “I love
you,” whispered Sameera into Gautam’s