Randeep's Pov

I get up feeling slight hangover, I roll on the bed to get up and as I take a step forward my foot hit against something, I look down to see a bottle of brandy, huh? How is it here and empty? Who drank this? I throw it on the bed and go to freshen up.

I come out and see my jacket on the floor, I'm sure I kept it outside on the sofa, and memories of last night come to me, I was the one drinking that brandy and there was someone on my bed a woman.

My head starts pounding as I try to remember so leaving it I go to prepare myself a coffee, this is why I like penthouses, they are practically an apartment and still better.

I sit near balcony to have my coffee, I dont know why but I like balconies, I go to check my phone, I see its just 9 in the morning and I have some emails and a call from my P.A. so I call back.

"Mr. Singh?"

"Good morning sir"

"You called, what is it?"

"We have a problem"

"You cannot keep an office together for a week" I seriously have appointed donkeys

"No sir thats not it, your brother is creating a ruckus in the entire office" what does he mean? Why will any of my-

"Sid?" I ask hoping I'm wrong, my kiddo is very well behaved

"Yes sir" shit!

"Get him on the line now!!" I yell at him and a moment later I hear shuffling, and something breaking, o god I hope its not my artifact, I love it. This boy is in trouble

"Sir we are on speaker he can hear you" and another noise follows, maybe someone fell then I hear a 'Ms. Rihana'

Enough, "Siddarth Oberoi!! Stand down right now!" I shout and it goes silent, "you better come on the line boy, or I will personally ban you from the office"

A moment later I hear a huff and 'this is not fair', "okay, kiddo what is going on?"

"You are getting married" huh? So what is it?

"Meaning?"

"I wasnt invited"

"It was last minute, kiddo"

"So? I should be there"

"You have exams"

"Its not even considered"

"So you come and attack the office"

"I do"

I grunt this boy has gone mad, "what do you want?"

"To be there"

"Come with your parents"

"They already left, bhai before you convince me, I still can see your favorite artifact"

"No kiddo"

"Yes bhai, so I'm coming or not?"

"Give the phone to my secretary"

"Yes sir?" I hear my secretary

"Prepare my jet and escort Sid, and let the staff have off today I'm sure he must have worn them out"

"Yes sir"

I hang up and flop down, Sid sure is trained by me, I was exactly same in my teens I will shift my artifact to my house, and he has blackmailed me into bringing him here. Its nine in the morning, one hour and this guy turns my office upside down. I really am vulnerable to him.

Sid did all that to come to my wedding, wait, I'm getting married, I raise my hand and see the ring, that man is my nightmare and still controls me, its been years and he is still punishing me, suddenly my phone rings, and I see its Mr. Raichand, speak of the devil.

"Hello?"

"Randeep, I hope you are up"

"To the point"

"Its your ceremony in the evening, go and meet your bride"

"Why?"

"To discuss, if any of you need anything it will be arranged"

"Do what you want, not like we will not like it"

"No you are going, also Oberois are coming, and you will be receiving them"

"When?"

"11 and go to Singhanias, I'm not asking"

And he hangs up, what the hell I'm getting married is it not enough, asshole. I see I have more than an hour, so I go to have shower, I need to finish some work, which is a lot, given I was not doing anything yesterday, whole day we were preparing my outfit for engagement, my designer flew from Bangalore for this wedding. Everyone is excited for this union except for the ones being united, great, right?

By 11 I was at the airport, its good Indore is a big city, there is a different runway for private jets, I was leaning against my car replying to the clients emails when their jet lands, it was gold painted with large Oberois written in black, a moderately big BBJ1 is one of the three they own, I only have one of this, these are not too cramped and this is their smallest. They own BBJ max and a Gulfstream G-650, not something big for them given they are in oil business. Well Mr. Raichand also has Gulfstream G-650 in his collection of 3, I own only BBJ max other than this, long way to go, if I have to compete with Divine.

A moment later Mr. and Mrs. Oberoi come into view. Raj Oberoi is a well built man of my height 6'2", his look is hard but he is a friendly man, a father figure for me.

Nina Oberoi is a petite woman of not more than 5'5", warning she is a hugger, but she is sweet, her mother Side will come out without warning but she is a smart woman.

I start walking to them and he comes with open arms, well he is not a big fan of hugs, I do the same and hug him

"Uncle, glad you could make it"

"Wouldnt miss my boy's wedding" he smiles and his face softens

We part and he claps my back, and let me tell you it hurt I'm sure he must have left prints. Nina comes and hugs me, barely reaching my shoulder

"Nice to see you aunty"

"You are getting married" she says and parts, "time flies"

"Yeah....come on" We walk to the car and leave for the hotel.

"Sorry, Sid will not be making it" aunty says

"About that.... he is coming"

"What? When?" uncle asks

"Today by 6 maybe"

"And how is he coming?" aunty asked "I hope not by flight"

"No, my jet"

"Why may I know?" uncle says

"You see, he was sad and upset, so... I called him"

"He has exams Randeep, why did you call him?" aunty says

"Dont worry aunty I assure you this will not affect his grades, at all and its not like I get married everyday"

"You spoil him you know" uncle comments

"Sorry, I promise he will not drop"

"Dont worry, I know that, I wanted to bring him, it was your aunt who didnt allow"

"Because he has exams, raj"

"Let the boy enjoy a little Nina, he is just a kid"

"Please, if we by your plans, all he will ever do is enjoy"

And they start bickering, I know uncle is just teasing her, its plain as day; he will die for his wife, let alone listening to her. She has him wrapped in her fingers and he admits it proudly. Thankfully we reached the hotel and they stopped, its cute but real ear bleeding, I went to my room and see a man near the door. I was walking in when he stopped me.

"Sir, I'm Rahul Singh"

"How may I help you?"

"I'm here as your assistant"

Assistant, oh "Mr. Singhs son, right?"

"Yes sir"

"Ok, come on in"

He follows me, I asked for someone in Indore and my secretary said his son is in town, I already had him checked. You never know who is here to take you down and can backstab you. I go inside and turn to him "you know your job?"

"Assist you throughout the wedding"

"good, so 1st my special guests are to be taken care of, next my brother will be here by 5 or 6, you will receive him and no one will disturb me except my designer", no media is there so it should be easy, "also prepare a car for me, and let it be a good one I will leave in 15 minutes, make that known to my fiancée"

"Yes sir" he left and I was going to get my laptop when he came back

"Sir?"

"What is it?"

"Congratulations on your wedding" he said and ran away, why does everybody keep reminding me? I grunt and get my laptop.

I sit and work and wait this boy to complete his 1st task, after 15 minutes he knocks and informs my car is ready, I go down to see a Porsche waiting, not bad.

I see a driver and get in, telling him the address I get back to work, when we get there I was surprised to see it like always, shouldnt it be decorated for their princess wedding. I get out and was greeted by Nancy

"Welcome sir"

"Nancy right?"

"Yes sir, do be seated, Ill call ma'am"

I sat down and waited while replying emails on my phone, I swear they just keep coming, I only do important ones, rest my staff handles. When I was done with some, I heard sounds of footsteps, Ashi was descending from stairs, in jeans and top, her hair in a bun with flicks running from it, her face without makeup and her flip flops made no noise like heels. No girl has ever dared to come in front of me like this, even in night encounters I have seen them plastered with makeup, at 3 in the night.

She sat in front of me on the other sofa, good morning, "what made you come here?"

"The fact that you dont have a mobile"

"I cannot help it, now to the point"

Nancy came with coffee and snacks, her tone suddenly changed, "I am so confused"

"Huh?"

"The colors" she said glaring at me, oh little princess is acting for her nanny.

"Dont worry let the coordinator do it, well see the dress for you" as I said Nancy left, smiling. "Ms. Singhania"

"Call me Ashi"

"Ok, Ashi do this fiasco I dont want to be involved, put in anything you like"

She threw the booklet she was holding as if it tastes bitter, "let the coordinator do it, and I dont want sangeet ceremony, hope it is fine"

"Okay, I will let my parents know, I am leaving"

"Okay" she nodded and followed me out

I sat in my car and went back to hotel, I have hell load of work to do and time is being wasted, I was here for 2 days and now its been over a week, because of old man, he wants me to personally go for everything, that man really is a devil for me at least.

Rest of the day was spent with laptop in my suite preparing presentations, reviewing strategies conferencing with dealers. My designer came twice and third time he entered with my outfit, it was okay, he knows my taste so no problems, I told him to prepare an outfit for kiddo and he is on that right now.

By 5:30 in the evening, somebody knocked on my door, I opened it and was attacked by my brother congratulations, bhai he hugged me

I picked him up on one shoulder upside down and started bouncing him "what the hell were you doing in my office?"

'Bhai bhai its spinning' I heard and put him down on the bed folding my arms, "what? I'm allowed to be here"

"Why were you in the office and not school?"

"Because my chauffer is an idiot"

I sat next to him, "kiddo, you cannot do that uncle aunty already think I'm spoiling you"

"So? Isnt it true?"

"Sid" I sternly start

"Bhai I get it, but I wouldnt come if it wasnt so important, its your wedding I will not miss it for boards these are some drill tests" he interrupts me.

"Let it not happen next time" I warn

"I promise" he gets up stretching "let's get ready"

"You arent tired?"

"From what I was sleeping the entire time, now lets go"

He dragged me to get ready even though I still have an hour, 2 more days and I will be out of here, I reminded myself and went along.

By 6, we were ready for my Mehendi ceremony, throwing and passing things, he liked his outfit, a Sherwani kurta, like my own and it was in the garden area of the hotel, so really I dont have to go anywhere, I know since I'm in no. 5 Ashi must be in the next room, "kiddo, Ill meet you there" I say going out and he stops me rushing in front of me

"I want to meet bhabhi"

"Won't you downstairs?"

"No bhai, before that"

"Kiddo" I grunt

"Please"

"Look, we are already late; I will make sure she meets you there ok?"

"1st thing"

"1st thing now let me go"

He moves aside and I go to next room, as the door is opened a girl stands in front of me "my gift"

I frown, "what gift?"

"To let you go to your bride"

I give her my poker face and she is already scared, I bet she will pass out if I show her I'm angry, I want this over and here she is delaying it, "Roshni, its stuck" I hear Ashi and she rushes back inside, as soon I step in the room I see Ashi tilting her head to one side, and that girl is doing something with her earring, must be entangled

"You ready?" I ask irritated

"Just a minute"

I sit down and take out my mobile and review my presentation I have after the day of this drama. I hear repeated 'ouch' irritating me more." Stop it!" I say when I see the girl tugging her hair, "move" and she does.

Ashi is still struggling with it, I go and take the earring off and she sighs, right you take this off first to prevent hurt, stupid girl is a stylist, and I untangle it easily and give to Ashi, "you done?"

"Yes, thank you" and she puts it on and I offer her my arm, she takes it exhaling deeply. I turn to the girl, "next time use your brain" I say and we walk off I know Ashi turned to her and mouthed something.

We walk to the garden which is lighted and a roof of blue and gold drapes is made, I hold her waist entering and we take our seats, I know this ritual, both our hands will be covered with henna. And first one to apply it will be mothers.

I see the henna cones and pick up one turning to Ashi, "apply for me"

Huh? is she deaf?

"Apply it on my hand" I say irritated

"But your mother-"

"Do it" I say and put it on my index finger tip, writing R

"Now me" she says, what does she mean? Is she taking it seriously I'm not playing groom with her, maybe she read my confusion, "stop thinking absurd and apply" she says and I do it, what's it to me if she wants it anyway

Her mother comes first and I didnt miss surprise in her eyes when she saw the henna on her hand, she looked at Ashi who smirked, confusing me, why is she so cold, I mean I have a reason but what is it with her? Did princess not get her I phone back or what?

My mother came and she was disappointed to see henna on my hand, I am happy to see her like this, she doesnt deserve the rights of mother. "This?" she dared to ask

Ashi put it I say not facing her, Ashi’s smile present as she looks at me and is unfazed by the scene going on. My mother nods and applies on other finger; even before she gets up I wipe it with a napkin and throw it on the table.

She was disappointed but so was I years ago, payback is never nice. Soon all were done gifting us and the artists started applying henna, and the princess did even ask if it organic, she really is picky.

Here I am then after two hours, henna on my palms is dried and is wearing off, while I'm drinking, I am also hungry but I will not eat here for if I do, all will tell me to feed Ashi and then gush on us as we eat, these people have no manners whatsoever, specially my so called cousins, some came to me to talk, I waved them off. If you are wondering, this is something bride and groom are forced to do on wedding, and if we are to pretend its real, it is likely to occur in every ceremony.

I see kiddo wandering about; I still havent introduced him to Ashi. He sees me and storms to me "Where is bhabhi?"

"Must be here somewhere"

"Bhai, you said 1st thing will be letting me meet her"

I see my drink is finished, "okay, well search for her, first please bring me a drink"

"Bhai" he whines

"I promise, but drink first, I said please" I say as he glares, I give him a nudge and he stomps his feet.

"fine" I smile as he leaves, I know I can go but I really am hungry to even move, also kiddo can get it, as he was approaching me, Ashi blocks him at a distance, he makes a face so I go closer to hear

"Where do you think you are going? I am not done "Ashi says, her hands half in the air and painted in henna till a little above than elbow

"Look, ma'am I dont know you, please move"

"No you dont look 21, so you are not drinking"

I can see he is annoyed as he is eager to meet his bhabhi, but I am enjoying Sid being scolded so I am going to wait, a waiter passes and Ashi stops him, "he is not allowed take it" and the waiter does and starts coming to me, I pick up my drink and tell him to go, while Sid is still stuck with her "you are not drinking in this party kid, go" she says and he strides to me while Ashi is seeing him.

"Bhai I didnt get your drink" I lift my whiskey showing

"Dont worry I got your drink, you want to try?" I tease knowing well she is watching him and put the glass near his mouth when Ashi almost runs to us

"Randeep!" she shouts at me and I know why

"Yes?" I play innocent

"He is a kid" she turns to him and you, "if you are not allowed doesnt mean you will drink by others'"

"Maam it was his drink I was bringing and I can, I'm 18"

"I dont think drinking age is 18, so you cannot"

"Bhai lets go I want to meet bhabhi"

"There she is" I raise my glass to Ashi and he frowns at her which slowly turns into a smile

"Ashi my brother, Siddarth"

"Bhabhi I swear I wasnt drinking" he explains

"Then why did you have the drink?"

"He told me to bring" he points and Ashi glares at me

"What?"

"Didnt anyone told you we keep alcohol out of childrens reach"

"He doesnt drink, he doesnt even like brandy"

"You are hopeless"

"But you still love me" I say and she gawks but soon realizes Sid is there

"Unfortunately"

"So bhabhi, what do you like in bhai?" kiddo asked

"Whats there to not like?" I ask in amazement, I mean girls are floored seeing me so theres a reason right

"Actually nothing" he says and I frown, Ashi laughs at us, a genuine one, but sobers up seeing me amused.

Soon Sid was interrogating her and she played well along, I walked off getting bored. I glanced at Sid and he looked so happy, I just hope he doesnt get attached, I really wont be able to handle him sad, I mean I couldnt before, so surely I will not be, now.

*

My torture for today ended late, at a point I snapped at two of my cousins, I was hungry and they were not letting me go, and it was after the ceremony ended. Not my fault, they wanted to drink, I am not friendly with my cousins and I already had four whiskeys, I really want to be not drunk around kiddo.

As I left he insisted on taking his bhabhi along, so I dropped her to her suite, and finally was able to eat, I dont like anyone when I'm hungry and when they pick on my food, as it is I eat once a day.

I didnt drink tonight for I didnt need it; I slept peacefully, without those haunting memories.

*****

I'm late but it's worth the wait sorry and keep reading tell. Me in comments how is it so far