Chapter 3 The Challenge

LOVE WITH BENEFITS

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Episode 3

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ADI

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"But what if your parents don't like me Adi? what if they don't approve of our relationship. what if they think that I'm not good enough for you?" I asked for the umpteenth time.

"Samaria–"

"Just call me Sam" I interrupts

"Fine. Sam it doesn't matter what they think because I love you and that's all that matters" he assures me

"Of course it matters what they think. they're your parents and they practically have a say in your life and plus I need their blessings on our marriage. that's the more reason I decided to follow you down here to India. damn I've never been this nervous in my entire life" I shut my eyes trying to process everything.

OMG what am I going to do if they don't accept me as Adi's fiancee. I really love Adi and I can't bear the thought of being away from him.

He snakes his hand around my waist and pulls me closer to himself as I place my head on his chest.

"trust me, everything will be fine. just think happy thoughts" he whispers into my hair and kissed me.

Adi And I come a long way back.

I met him in London after I left Singapore to continue my studies.

I was born in India but I was raised abroad so I've never been to my hometown or should I say country in a while.

We met in college and I fell hard in love with him. I don't know if it was the looks or probably the fact that he was Indian.

He swept me off my feet and I didn't waste a second to say yes when he asked me to be his girlfriend.

I was caught in the web of love, of his love actually.

We dated for six months before he asked me to marry him.

I simply said yes but when he told me that he'd like to have the wedding with his family, I simply lost it. not that I was mad but my mind kept wandering.

don't get me wrong, I really wanted to go to my country but I was scared because most Indian women would love to have their son married to a proper, cultured Indian girl and believe me I was far from it.

I couldn't even boil water properly so how am I going to manage?

I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't even notice that we are already at the airport in India.

OMG

we boarded a cab and headed straight to Adi's house.

"Do I look okay? how is my outfit?" I asked Adi who I guess was feeling exhausted from my unending questions.

"you look great Sam trust me" he gave my palm a light squeeze

"OK" was all I managed to say

*

We arrived home and everyone came outside to greet us. it was like we were being welcomed by the entire village. it was such a warm welcome.

"Adityababu" an old woman who I assumed was his grandma came to hug him.

"Grandma" he screams and hugs her.

"Adi my son" another lady who I assumed was his mom came to hug him as well.

"Aditya" another called him again

"Uncle Kushaan, Payal" he bent down to touch their feet.

"Bless you my child. welcome home"

I looked around and noticed that it was a full house. I've heard from numerous foreigners in London that Indian families live together and I doubted it but seeing them together like this, I believe every word. although I don't like crowded families cause anyone can meddle in your business but seeing the love they share, I could give that a second thought.

I feel someone's gaze on me. I turn around to see his mom staring at me. I smile "Hi" I say waving my hands at them.

"I'm Sam"

"Um mother, this is Samaria and Samaria this is my family, that's my mother Ganga, my grandma Gauri, Uncle Kushaan and his wife Payal" he introduced them to me.

"it's so nice to meet you all. Adi has told me a lot about you" I said with a smile.

"Adi who is this?" his mother finally asks, glaring at me in the process

He holds her hands "let's go inside mother and I will explain everything to you okay" he adds and pulls them all inside

"so how is London?"

"very nice uncle. you should've see it yourself." he responds with a smile

**

ADI

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"We're so glad to have you back Adi" My uncle tells me again and I only smile.

It's really good to be back home. Aunt Payal came out of the kitchen holding a try containing food, tea and sweets I guess.

"Maharaj, please bring some juice for Adi" She instructed the a man who I assume was the help. He shook his head and left to do as he was told.

I looked at Mom and grandma only for me to see that their eyes were all on Sam while she shifted uncomfortably on her seat. She felt nervous and insecure at the same time.

"Adi could you please show me the restroom" She requests holding my hand. I looked at her pleading eyes and they told me everything.

"Sure I'll take you" I say but my mother stops me.

"Adi sit down. Maharaj will show you to the restroom" Mother said stopping me in my tracks.

Maharaj placed the juice on the table and mother instructed him to show our guest the restroom which he quickly did. Sam stood up and quickly followed him.

"Now are you finally ready to tell us who she is?" My mother asked immediately Sam was out of sight.

"Sure, Sam is my fiancee" I blurt out and I saw mom's face go sour.

"you were already engaged and you didn't bother to tell us? What if we were against it?" She asked

"I simply followed my heart. I love Sam so I did the needful and it was her idea for us to come and see you so that you would bless our Union. Because it wouldn't be right to get married without your consent" I told her and mom scoffed. Anger visible in her eyes.

"Adi there are other girls that you could've chosen from here in India, why her?"

"Because I love her mother. And dad could've chosen any other woman but he chose you too" I tell her

"I do not accept this union and you won't have my blessings for this shameless act–" Mom stopped talking when her eyes caught Sam standing there. She has been listening to our conversation.

She came and sat down next to me. She was feeling sad and disappointed at the same time. I hated seeing her sad.

I noticed mom take a glance at her from head to toe and shook her head disapprovingly.

"Why are you dressed like this?" Mom asked again

"Um...i didn't know–"

"Oh forget it" Mom cuts her short

"Why do you keep doing this ma" I asked suddenly feeling angry for every single thing she says about Sam.

I mean it's not even up to an hour that we got here and now this?

"You know what, I think it's a mistake that I had to come back here so Sam and I are leaving. We're going back to London. I can't be in a house where she won't be treated nicely" I rant

"adityababu listen to your mother, she only wants what's best for you"

"No granny. You only want what's best for yourself and your reputation. If anyone cared the slightest about my feelings then you would at least give me this. I'm leaving" I said standing up as I took out my phone to make a phone call. I walked outside the house only to be stopped by Sam.

"Adi please... " Sam begs holding my hand "don't go. We just got here"

"I know but I feel like we're not welcomed here either"

"Listen to me" She cups my face in her hands "you can't just expect her to agree on a matter this sensitive. You'll have to give her some time to think it through. And that's why we came here in the first place right? To make them see reason. I don't think what she said there was wrong. She doesn't know me and she obviously wants what's best for her only son. She doesn't want him making mistakes and regretting them. And besides marriage is such a long time commitment. And if you leave now then you'll break her heart so please " She pouts giving me puppy eyes.

"But what if she still doesn't accept you?"

"have faith. Someone once told me to be positive" She said with a smile and I laugh.

"OK. But if she doesn't accept then we are leaving. No questions asked"

"Alright then"

***

We both walked back inside holding hands.

"Adi my son" Mom said as she rushed to hold me. "I got so scared. I thought you left"

"Well Sam stopped me otherwise I could've gone" he replied and her eyes fell on our locked hands.

"OK then." She said and turns to me "I'll accept your marriage to my son but only one condition" She said and my insides started shaking

"You'll have to stay in this house for thirty days, that is one month and if you are able to learn the core values of a proper and cultured traditional Indian girl then I'll bless your marriage and the both of you will get married but if you can't learn the values then you'll have to leave my son after thirty days" Mom said and Adi almost said something but i stopped him.

"OK aunt. I accept your challenge. I love Adi and I will do anything for him" I said utterly shocked not knowing where this courage is coming from.

She gave a half smile before extending her hands at me "So do we have a deal?" She asked. Everyone looked on to see what Sam's answer will be and I foolishly said " Yes Aunt. We do " taking her hands in a handshake much to Adi's surprise.