Chapter 8

• I walked towards him; he looked at me and smiled. He is not angry, that's weird he should be angry for what I did before. Maybe he likes the girl.
• He paid for the dress with his credit card.
• "Sir would you like me to help you with the bags," a young man asked.
• Mr. Rodgers nodded and handed him the bag. We walked to the car. I thanked the man as I opened the door to sit. He smiled brightly.
• "Thank you ma'am for shopping here. Please do come back."
• I smiled back, "welcome."
• Just then Mr. Rodgers said harshly, "are we done sweet talking, we still need to go to other places."
• I looked at him, "What's wrong with you? I was just being kind; he carried those bags for us."
• "Whatever."
• The rest of day, we spent buying shoes and sandals, he selected some high heeled sandals, and insisted that I should wear those and not flat sandals. I was so annoyed that he was deciding what I should be wearing. I felt as though my life wasn't mine anymore, I felt as though I had no right to decide what I want. But I wouldn't let this continue for long. He would regret taking me to his family dinner. Especially in these high heels that he insisted on, I don't even know how to walk in heels. Maybe he'll then let me go on my own way. I'm ready to get embarrassed if that's the price i have to pay to get my freedom back.
• Thank god we did not go for lunch in a fancy five-star hotel, I argued that I would only eat if he took me to a small restaurant, at least he agreed and didn't argue more.
• The day was so long and tiring. He drove me back home.
• "I'll pick you up at 7:30pm. Don't be late."
• I laughed, "I know you will be here before then, but I promise, I will only leave my home once it's 7:30, not before then, I don't care if you'll be here by 6. But you're welcome to my home if you get bored sitting in the car alone."
• "That's time management. I always manage my time-"
• "Time management is being on time not before time... Bye sir."
• "Wait one more thing."
• "Yes?"
• "Call me Neil, my family would doubt our relation if you call me that when they are around. And if they ask you anything about our relation, tell them we are engaged and going to marry soon."
• "Okay sir. Anything else?"
• "And by that I mean start practicing from this minute."
• "Okay, umm can I just not wear a dress today? I would wear it next time please sir."
• "No excuses. I want you to wear it today."
• "But sir-"
• "Neil"
• "Yah Neil sir"
• "Neil only."
• "Okay... I get it." I rolled my eyes at him.
• I was happy to be back. I missed home; I was tired of trying on clothes and shoes.
• Lucy was on the couch, with a bowl of popcorns, watching some romantic movie. She liked romantic movies, and then dreamt about having such love stories.
• "Hey you finally back. How was your day with your lover?"
• "Okay." I said sitting on the couch. "I am tired and I need a shower."
• "You are going for the dinner?"
• "Yap..."
• "Yeah... I'm doing your makeup." She shouted. "You know I love doing your makeup. Go shower hurry."
• "Don't you want to see what I bought?"
• "Oh yah, I forgot that."
• I showed her everything I bought.
• "Oh my gowdd... Ree... this is amazing. He really likes you."
• "As you say Lucy." I didn't want to argue with her. She would doubt if i had disagreed.
• After shower Lucy did my makeup. She did light makeup, with winged eyeliner. And loose curls each stripe fell so perfectly. She knew I didn't like make up and so kept it to minimum.
• I still complained that I didn't like the dress but she scolded me saying it was fine and nothing was wrong. It was still fifteen minutes to 7:30 when I was all ready; he still hadn't shown up, maybe he'll just be on time today and not before.
• Just then my phone rang, it was grandma.
• Ding dong
• "I'll get the door maybe it's the pizza boy, I was craving for pizza today so I ordered." Lucy laughed as she went to open the door.
• I laughed at her as she ran to the door; I received the call and switched it to speaker mode.
• "Hello nani." I was so happy she called.
• Then I bent down to look for my shoes, which ones should I wear. Oh right... I had to wear the ones we bought today.
• "Hello dear. How are you?"
• "good nani. How have you been? And how is jiya" I said excitedly, sitting down besides my bed. Jiya is my little sister two years younger than me.
• "Oh the old lady is just fine, don't worry about me."
• "But I am not fine. Coz we haven't seen you for like decades." My Lil sister complained.
• "We just met like a couple of months ago stop over exaggerating."
• "Just say you don't love us anymore. Couple of months has so many days in it. You are so busy that you even forget about us." She just likes complaining even though I call her every week.
• "Could you please let nani talk. I've heard enough from you. I know you have nothing but complaints."
• I felt someone in my room so I turned around to see. Mr Rodgers was already here, I looked at the watch to see if it was already late but no he was early again.
• I rolled my eyes and continued with my multitasking; talking on the phone and at the same time trying to put on the shoes. These stupid shoes were hard to even put on let alone walking around with it on. I breathed out and he came near me. He sat down and helped me put on the shoes. I was shocked... And now he thinks I can't even put on my shoes.
• "I can do it" I said nastily but he didn't bulge. I tried to stop him by placing the hand on my feet. He caught my hand with his hand. He held it high so that I would not stop him
• " who are you talking to? I told you right nani she's trying to ignore us now... She doesn't want us in her life. She's found someone " she said dramatically on the other end of the phone
• "Shut up. There's no one... And stop over reacting."
• "Fine talk to nani, she's found you another companion, here talk to her."
• "WHAT?"
• "Yup. You already know she's set her mind to get you married."
• "Now let me talk to her you've talked enough." My nani interfered.
• I rolled my eyes. Mr Rodgers was now pressing my hand a bit more than previously.
• "Hey dear.."
• "What is this nani?!! I thought we've decided about this. I don't want you finding a guy for me."
• "You've all grown up... Now is the time for you to get married. Plus the man I have seen for you is such a dear, he is so sweet and gentle. He has a phd-"
• "Nani I told you not to look for any guys right?"
• "I don't look for them. They just come and ask me... How am I supposed to say no. Please rhea give it a thought. The family is also really good. They have seen your photograph, they like you and the boy too likes you. Just agree to meet him and see for yourself. If you don't like him. it's fine."
• Sometimes being at this age can be really hectic. Especially for Hindu ladies. Anyone could just show up asking for the hand in marriage.
• " no nani , I am done and tired of discussing this with you. If he is that good get jiya married to him. She's of right age to get married "
• "RHEA... I don't think you are taking any of the things I say seriously. I am old now I want someone to look after you when am not there"
• " I can look after myself I don't want anyone babysitting me. Bye I have to go now " I said angrily
• "Rhe-" I hanged on the call before she elaborated more and dragged on the topic.