Five Weeks by Shruti Omar (any book recommendations .txt) 📕

"I also have known him since his childhood. That's why I know he's the best guy."

Anahita knew it was totally waste to argue with her baba regarding Yuvraaj because apparently, Mr. Maurya had a shine for this boy since he was four and if it was not the way it was, Anahita wouldn't be cuffed with someone as arrogant, as manipulative, as teasing and as unapologetic as Yuvraaj.

"Okay fine! He is the best guy but why ain't you meeting Mukund? What's wrong with him?" She complained.

"I don't want that boy to nurture the thought of being with you when I am not all going to consider him for you." Mr. Maurya said casually, including a shrug.

"Dad, it's totally wrong." She rapped out. "You're imposing your decisions on me. I agree that you like Yuvraaj and he's the best guy out there but I don't like him. I don't fancy him. I like Mukund and you're not being considerate to my wish at all."

Mr. Maurya frowned, beginning to get irked with this. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to meet Mukund. Just once dad. I'm sure you will like him, he is a good guy." Anahita urged, dropping to her knees and annexed her father's hand in hers, acknowledging him with sanguine eyes.

"Anahita.." Mr. Maurya began, redeeming his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What is this? You have known it already that Yuvraaj is the one I've selected for you. Then why do you have to involve yourself in a relationship that has no future. Yuvraaj is the best match for you, I know it. Don't you have faith in me?"

"Dad, I've faith in you but," Her lips quivered as she lowered her glossy vision to the carpet. "Don't you have faith in me?"

"Look at me, Anu!" Mr. Maurya tipped her chin to raise her face and fondled her, smiling softly. "I've full faith in you and that's why I know that you will never defy my decision. Trust me with this, Anu, Yuvraaj is the a good guy. He will keep you happy. I've seen him growing, I know how he is nurtured and I trust him with you."

"But, I don't like him dad." She mumbled, resting her head in her father's lap, like old days and sniffed, "He is arrogant, snobbish, unapologetic and bossy. He...he is a jerk, dad. He's a control freak."

"You're judging him wrong, baby." Mr. Maurya stroked her hair.

"I don't care. All I know that I will never be happy with him. How can you promise me to someone without asking my consent, dad?" She asked in low voice, unable to keep the disappointment off her voice.

"Chaitanya also didn't ask Yuvraaj but the boy is taking it nicely unlike you. You're making me embarrassed." Mr. Maurya chided.

"Dad..."

"I am doing what all fathers do, Anahita. You will get married to Yuvraaj and that's final."

"But..."

"No more discussion. You're getting engaged to him in a week and next month, it's your wedding. It will be nice if you prepare yourself for this because I'm not considering to break this marriage off." Mr. Maurya said sternly and Anahita watched her world collapsing with each word he said. It was evident that she would never be able to get herself out of this alliance which was forced upon her.

Without a word, Anahita stepped out of the room with tears in her eyes. More than Yuvraaj, it was her family and their obstinacy that made her so reluctant to accept this relationship.

She rubbed her forehead and broke the string of flashbacks. Her gaze flickered on her ring finger where her engagement ring was twinkling proudly. A big diamond carved in hexagon, studded in plain platinum band, fitted in her ring finger perfectly. "I hate you, Yuvraaj. I will never be your puppet. I will never be your customized doll."

"I've to do something." She bit her lip anxiously and rose to her feet, grabbed her cellphone and impatiently punched Mukund's number. Her supple lips turned red as she chewed on them and her trimmed eyebrows inclined. The nasty habit of biting her nails hit her like a thunderbolt.

"Pick up the call, Mukund." She chanted, restlessly pacing in the room.

"Did you think of something?" It was the first sentence that left her mouth when Mukund picked up her call after tenth ring.

He hushed, "Anu. I am busy."

"Mukund, do something. You're my only hope." She sobbed desperately.

"Anahita please. I am busy yaar." He stressed every word. "I will call you later and please don't disturb me. Bye!" He hung up without waiting for her reply. Annoying beeps of disconnected calls poured into her ear.

"Hello! Hello! Mukund." Anahita blankly stared the screen and stomped her feet. "Argh! All fucking men are same."

"I'm different than those you're talking about." A deep raspy voice interrupted her and Anahita sighed, correctly recognising whom that very voice belonged to. She turned to witness Yuvraaj leaning against her door languidly, donned in V neck t-shirt and jeans.

"Manners!" She breathed in annoyance.

"Tsk! This green and red dress is not suiting you at all. Are you color blind?" Yuvraaj mocked, progressing in and Anahita rolled her eyes, acknowledging him with a tight lipped smile. "I presume you're not my personal stylist."

Yuvraaj took a full glance of her from head to toe and twitched his lips. "But you badly need one."

"Yeah. As if you're a Greek God!" She muttered under her breath and Yuvraaj chuckled, winking at her. "That I am."

She watched him getting comfortable on her bed. He rolled up his sleeves up to his elbows and swept his hair back, weaving his fingers through the thick mass. Anahita frowned at herself for noticing him, she immediately turned away, indulging herself in the task of tidying her room. This was a bane - his acclaimed male beauty. Blessed with six feet height with well proportional limbs and delicious amount of flesh in his frame, he was quite popular amongst her cousins. His athletic physic, recently sported textured Pompadour cut and notorious grey eyes only marked up his following. Every female relative of hers envied Anahita for getting lucky enough to secure an Adonis for her and Anahita would always scream inwardly, allowing them gleefully to take Yuvraaj with them as soon as possible. His eminent beauty contributed zero in her interest for him.