《¤》

❝girls like me are  s i n i s t e r ...
... we delude you by giving you a glimpse of us ❞

girls like me;
diabolo-
(azura)

||CHAPTER 30||
《¤》

Switching off the A.C., I slid open the windows beside the couch. The clock on the nightstand flashed 3:26. I couldn't sleep no matter what I tried. Maybe it had something to do with the weather. Maybe it had something to do with the temperature. Maybe it had something to do with the bedding.

Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was still not okay with this whole deal, and yet I had arrived here, trying to be camera-ready for my mother's wedding.

Just my luck, no breeze grazed my presence. This Saturday was going to be long, hectic, and unforgettable.

And I had no option of escaping this dreadfully awful event. My father's words kept ringing in my ears, reminding what I was really here for, besides of course, the good publicity. People seemed to thrive on what could've happened.

Slipping on the silk night pullover, I opened the door to my room and got out. The wall opposite my door that led to the stairwell from both sides was decorated with pictures, and I started my nightly tour.

Most of them had Raman Oberoi with reputed people and a background that screamed show off. It's not like we didn't do the same, but my angst was rooting for an outlet. Moving from pictures to pictures, my eyes landed on the one where he stood with my mother.

Let's just say that even teenagers aren't that pathetic as they were to frame that moment. Maybe the wedding wasn't wrong; they did deserve each other.

Sighing, I climbed down the staircase to roam into the kitchen and get myself some chilled water.

And was met by quite a pleasant sight in the kitchen.

Clad in his humongous-ly printed night wrap, Mr. Raman Oberoi was as shocked as I was on seeing him. The only difference? He couldn't mask his emotions.

He was sipping on a glass of alcohol when I went near him.

"Wedding jitters?" I said, standing near the table top on which his alcohol rested.

"One would think it's easier the second time."

"Lucky you, you have a conscience."

Mr. Oberoi tilted his head to the side, a smirk forming on his face. "I want to break the ice between us, Arvika. I have a feeling that you don't like me."

"I can promise you that it's not just a phase."

He laughed, taking a sip of his liquor. "I should be thanking you for not making a scene yesterday then, but you probably have a personal stake there."

Now we're talking. "You know what, Mr. Oberoi? I don't know about your honesty, but I like how candid you're being right now."

"I'm always candid around my family. I care about them."

It was difficult to smile after all. "Of course. You certainly are generous with your gifts."

His ears perked up. "Look, Arvika. Maanyata wants what is best for you-"

"She's my mother, it's not her intentions that I doubt."

"I'm not marrying your mother just because of some business negotiations, I really love her too."

"How adorable," I placed a hand over my heart. "The fact that my mother has my custody which gives you enough incentive to hide the skeletons in your closet is just a bonus."

It was at this point that he started taking me seriously. Ice clinked in his glass as he brought it up and finished it in one swig. "You're just like your mother."

He was patronizing me, I could sense that. But I played along, "Then you sure know what you're signing up for."

"I'll say this once only, Arvika. You're young. Don't be stupid."

I reached forward and filled his empty glass. "You're older than me, possess worldly knowledge I can only dream of, have experiences that shaped you as a person. Hence, you'd know when I'm bluffing."

"That is correct. So, what's your point?"

"Don't let me be stupid," I pulled a chair out. "If we're going to be a family, we have to be on the same side. We can't let the media think that our family is built on frauds."

"I'm listening."

"Let's make a deal then, Mr. Oberoi. I'll be eighteen in a year and a half, and I want you to give me the best gifts ever."

He eyed me skeptically, before mumbling, "You want generous returns for using the likeness of your name."

"It's staying in the family, isn't it?" I grinned at him. "Now, that's the father-daughter bond we need. Mumma would be so happy."

He could only smile back. Out of frustration that is.

"I'll think about it."

I extended my hand forward. He had a long night to think.

¿¤?

When I finally woke up at six, which was pretty early if you ask me, I was greeted with seven missed calls. Fear didn't wash over me, giddiness surely did.

First one, at the crack of the dawn, was from Vansh Mehra, though I have no idea what made him call me. Unless, he too had a sob story to confess.

Second one was from my stupid brother, and he could rest in hell, because I was definitely not calling him back. He had ditched me, and though I was on the verge of letting him inside my walls after seven years, his recent felony of not accompanying me got him back into the trust-issues zone.

Third one was from my father... and I'd probably call him back, when I'd be feeling like it.

And the last three? From the bride herself.

My phone buzzed, and I received a text from my mother, but before I could tap on the notification panel, the knocks on the door distracted me.

My mother entered the room before I could step out of the bed.

"Why are you still sleeping, Arvika?"

Behind her, the outfit designers were entering the room, their hands full of bags which probably contained articles of dressing made to suffocate human beings.

"Good morning to you too, Mamma," I smirked, before frowning. "Oh, or should I say, Bad Morning, considering you're gonna go through the whole process of settling down again."

She was furious, but hey, what I said was hilarious. Rhyming and all.

"You were supposed to be at the Marriott an hour ago-"

"At five?!" I widened my eyes. "Aapki shaadi me jaa rahi hoon, ya taarein ginne?"

Her fists clenched around her phone, and I knew she was now difficult to tread around. Good luck dealing with her, Oberoi.

"Arvika, be ready by seven. Tumhari gaadi tumhara neeche intezaar kar rahi hogi, you have to attend the photo-shoot as well," she breathed out.

I walked towards her, placing my hands on her shoulders, "Calm down, mamma. Unlike what you think, I care about Mr. Oberoi's image around media as well, in fact more than you could possibly imagine."

She glared at me, but I had to have my last words before hugging her. "Mai koi scene nahi banane wali. Just make sure ki is baar aapka driver ye jaane ki kaun Oberoi hai aur kaun Deewan."

"You need to stop poking on Raman for that. He was just trying to give you a warm welcome," she squeezed my arm.

"And my response should be a bucket of cold ice for him. Stop taking his side, he isn't as innocent as he makes you think."

My phone rang before she could speak, and I flashed the caller ID in front of her face. "Guess who's calling?! I think Papa wants to give you some best wishes, though I think your Ramen Noodles would require it more."

She huffed before leaving the room to me and my stylists. I swiped the screen to accept the call.

"Don't worry, Dad," I said, smiling at the three stylists waiting for me. "Bandhan tho bas abhi juda hai."

_____

Namoshtaii!

The lines in  the beginning of the update are from Girls Like Me, by diabolo-. I am not a poetry person, but er poems are  so amazing, it has got me hooked, and are probably the lines Vika can relate too. On a spiritual level. Go ahead, read it and vote for her guys!

Did anyone read b/w the lines in the Arvika-Oberoi conversation? What r ur speculations about it?

So I'd been wondering if you guys would like a precap of the next chapter at the end of each chapter? Like a small sneak-peak? Lemme know what you think in the comment section!

We completed thirty chapters guys. And there are many to go, so please stay tuned, and share this book with your friends. I know I have been loosing quite a lot of readers, and the read rate has decreased. For those who still read my book, a BIG THANKYOU to you guys, you are the reason m still motivated to update.

P.S.: do you have any questions for #diljannachahega round 2? Tag this line for replying!

Anyways, read, vote, comment and promote!

~chaashnee.