My Dream Marriage

The phone rings again and I pick it up. “How dare you hung up on me when I am still talking to you?” Edward asks. “You are talking as if I have committed a criminal offense. I asked you, why are you monitoring me? Am I some criminal?”

“Don’t use that tone on me Neera. I gave you specific instructions that you should not leave the house without telling anyone. What did you do? You go out with Brian Aniston without telling me. Who is he to you anyway?” “Are you jealous?” I ask him because he seems to mention Aniston’s name in every statement he is making. “Oh Neera, you should know me better. Why would I be jealous of that man?” “I don’t know Edward. Now, can I go home in peace?” I need to rest now.

“So you are bound on staying with that man. I told you Alex is coming to pick you up. Why are you hard headed, especially at a time like this?” “I am not far from home now, so this should be the least of your worries,” can’t he just hung up? We can talk about this later. “It seems you have your freedom from your end. When are you planning to come back? Infact, you are coming back today,” he says shocking me. “Not today Edward. Not because I don’t want to come but I haven’t packed anything. Can I come tomorrow please? I had even told Alex to make arrangements for my departure tomorrow so it would only be convenient.” He sighs from the other end and says, “let me think about this but just know that everything has its consequences. This is entirely your fault.” “Okay, talk to you later,” I say and he hungs up.

“You seem to be in trouble,” Aniston says to me looking down at my phone. “Not really. Someone must have told him about me going out,” I say. “Or rather about us hanging out together,” he says and I am taken aback. “No, it’s because I went out without informing him or anyone.” “Did you two have a fight?” He asks. “A bit. He went back to Sura City without taking me along.” “And you are upset about that. That sounds like an emergency. Not that I was eavesdropping on your conversation but I heard you talk about not being ready to leave today. So he wasn’t wrong in leaving you behind for a day.” If only he knew that he left without me knowing about it, but I am not going to tell him that. “Edward is a business man so he is bound on making emergency trips here and there,” he adds. “Yeah, you are right.”

“Is he spying on you?” What? Why would he even ask me something like that? “Aniston you are in no position to ask me things like that. Besides he was worried about me,” I say that, a little bit upset.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just concerned that he can’t let you enjoy yourself,” he says. “Not you again Aniston. He wasn’t and this topic is done. Anyway I am more worried about the photo that was taken. He could leak it to the media and my quiet like will get ruined like that. I don’t know what to do now,” I say. “I will do my best to make sure that doesn’t reach the media.” I will have to let Edward know about that. I don’t want him to be informed about it by the media.

“Thank you, I must say I enjoyed myself before that guy interrupted. I guess we shall see each other again probably in Sura City,” he says after we arrive at the gate of my villa. “Yes, thank you for dropping me and thank you for taking me to that amusement park, although the enjoyment was cut short,” I say, give Michael a small smile who fixes his glasses smiling back and enter the compound through the gate. I don’t think I will see him again after this drama at the park. Edward seems to not like him too.

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“Michael, do you think Edward might have someone to sniff in my business. I have been caught in multiple occasions by people who doesn’t seem like paparazzi because I haven’t seen any of the information on media on where I was or on whatever I was doing. So I think this is a spy sent by a person with personal gain.” “Yes sir, from what the young lady said, I think Edward might be watching you through her encounters with you. He might also be on your tail to find out whatever you are planning to do so yes, he might be the one doing this.”

“He has taken more than he can chew. Him getting into my personal business might prove the beginning of a serious rivalry, not just in business but personally.” “Sir, do you mean he thinks you are after his wife as well?” “If he thinks that then so be it. It’s not like he loves his wife anyway. Their marriage is only a planned one.” Michael laughs and looks at me through the rearview mirror, “haven’t you read about arranged marriages succeeding? They might fall in love later.” “I know all that but before that, he should know better than to mess with me,” I say. “Now we know that he went back to Sura City, why would he leave abruptly?” Michael asks. “I have no idea why he left so suddenly but let us finish this deal with Mr Lee first. Let’s go. We shouldn’t be late,” I say.

*****

“Where have you been?” Grace asks the moment I step into the house. “I had gone for a walk as usual. You know why. Someone in my position would have done worse,” I say. “I know, Neera. Even though I don’t support Edward’s action but you have to understand him.” “I know his job needs him. I am sorry for leaving unannounced earlier. Have you prepared anything in the kitchen? I am so hungry I could eat an elephant right now,” I say. “Yes I have. Come before you eat me first,” she says and I laugh at her sense of humour.

“Thank you Grace. Let me freshen up before I start packing. I will be leaving tomorrow,” I say after I am done eating. “Oh okay. Do you need any help?” “No thank you. I don’t have much to pack anyway,” I say. “Just call me if you need any help.” “Alright.”

I jump into the shower and the warm water feels great on my body. My hair needs a proper wash after all those activities at the amusement park. After I am done I pick up a loose fitting dress from the wardrobe. I wonder if I should pack some of these dresses or I should just leave them here. I mean, all of them are new and I haven’t even worn some of them. Edward was considerate given that I didn’t carry any cloth with me. Maybe I should carry some of the new ones then the other ones I can use them when I come back, although I don’t know when I will.

I pull out a small suitcase and place it on the bed. I open it to start filling the clothes in. I had taken enough to my satisfaction not forgetting my freshly laundered lingerie that I wire the other day. What am I forgetting? Ah yes! The drawers. I open the first one to get the album but it isn’t inside. The jewelry box is not inside too. The second drawer doesn’t have them too. Where could they be? I remember I placed them back here after I took a look at the. I go to the book shelf and look through the books but I can’t find the album. Could it be that it was Edward who brought it and had to take it back? I choose some random novels together with ‘the river between’. I put them securely in the suitcase.

I am done and I think this is the right time I should talk to Edward. I call him and he picks on the second ring.

“Edward, I need to tell you something,” I say. “What is it Neera?” He asks. It looks like he is busy with something.

“Some paparazzi took a photo of me and he ran off before Aniston could get him,” I say. “What? Why are you telling me this now? Do you know the repercussions of what you have done?” “I am sorry.” “You should be. Now you have given me more work to do that you should have. Now hung up this phone and let me get to work.”I hung up.

Now mom and dad. “Hey mom, how are you guys doing?” “Hey Neera, I am fine but your dad.” “What happened?” This is starting to worry me. “He got serious after his usual physical therapy sessions so he is admitted now,” she says her voice breaking. “Is he okay now?” I ask. “The doctor says he is better than he was when I brought him in,” she says. “Please take care mom. I will be back tomorrow and I will come to visit you guys. Tell dad I love him.” “I love you too baby. Have a safe journey home.” “Okay mom, inform me if anything arises, bye,” I say.

Dad’s condition really worries me sometimes. He can be okay this minute and the next minute his condition worsens. I wish I had planned to go back today. This day couldn’t get more worse.

I walk to the dressing mirror to do some facial routine. I should have done this before I took a shower but it’s okay. I can do it anyway. There are no rules for this. After scrubbing I apply some clay mask on. It pulls on my face just the way I want it. My phone rings for the millionth time today. I can’t talk right now with this mask on my face I have to remove it first.

“Hey Azila, sorry I had put some mask on my face earlier that’s why I couldn’t talk to you,” she is the one who was calling me earlier. “Hey Neera, it’s okay. I wanted to check up on you. You really sounded so off in the morning. I could not end the day without talking to you,” she says. “Oh. It’s just that I was pissed off when Edward left back to Sura City,” I say. “Have you calmed down now. Did you talk to him?” She says. “Yes I did talk to him. I am not really okay though, when I went out I got photographed by some paparazzi. When I got home after that I called my mom and she told me that my dad is admitted,” I say and I feel so emotional right now. “Oh Neera, am so sorry. Are you okay?” ” Yes I am, just a little bit shaken but yes, I am good.” “So what are you doing now?” She asks. “I am just packing for my journey tomorrow morning then I’ll have to visit them after I get there. I don’t know how I’ll sleep tonight. Today was a hectic day for me.” “He will be fine Neera. When you get here call me then I will take you there okay?” “Thank you for checking up on me. I will call you the moment I arrive.” “Bye, take care. I’ll call Jackie and tell her about this too. Don’t bother to call her, you are exhausted as it is,” she says. “Thank you, bye, see you tomorrow.”

Azila is right. I feel like I have been carrying loads and loads of heavy objects from one place to another. A little rest will do. I just have to pray that time moves on fast. I move to the mirror again to check myself if I cleaned my face properly. A piece of paper falls down when I place the tube of a toner back and in the process pushing it down. I stoop to pick it up.