Chapter 4 Harsh Realizations

LOVE WITH BENEFITS

.

.

Episode 4

***

"I can't believe you agreed to such a useless challenge Sam, why would you even think about doing something like that? " he asked and I could tell he was already angry.

"Oh come on grumpy. you know I never back down from a challenge and besides I love Adi way too much to say no. we've been together for almost a year now" I explain sighing occasionally as I placed my hands on my hip.

"You are just too much"

"So are you too. I mean you waited twenty long years to be with the woman that you love. you never even dated. you reserved yourself for her. I just hope you don't find her married" I roll my eyes as I sat down on my bed.

"don't joke about issues like that" he cautioned

"Sorry Grumpy"

"you better stop calling me that. My name is shaurya OK"

"OK Grumpy" I tease and heard him sigh at the other end of the line. he's tired of me but what can he do? he has to put up with my troubles till the day he dies. I even promised to smeer his ashes in the holy water if he dies first.

"So how are you going to cope. cause I know you Sam. you don't even know how to cook properly. last time you made sandwiches, I couldn't actually tell if you really put sand in them"

"No I didn't. it was the broccoli"

"And who puts broccoli in sandwiches. weirdo" he comments making me to laugh.

"Shaurya, my challenge starts tomorrow and could you believe that I have to sleep in a separate room away from Adi?"

"You're in India Sam and not London. here, people take tradition seriously. you're not supposed to share a room with your fiancee before the wedding. it's considered bad luck" he tells me

"Shaurya do you think I'm going to win?"

"No" he says as a matter of fact "But you could try"

"now I'm wishing that I visited India when Aunt asked me too. I could've picked up a thing or two"

"Everything happens for a reason" he tells me

"yeah I know"

"And the reason is that you're stupid and you make bad decisions" he adds

"Shaurya...! "

"finally she gets my name right" he said trying to get to me

"You're supposed to be on my side"

"and who says I wasn't?"

"You know what?" I paused trying to arrange my words so that it hurts him "I shouldn't have called you. I'm going to win this on my own"

"Good luck then"

"Some cousin you are" i said and threw my phone on the bed.

Gosh I'm so stupid. why did I say yes to this challenge. Shaurya was right, I won't last a second in this game I'm about to play. I'm gambling on my love for Adi and I know that his mom wants me to loose at all cost so she would quickly replace me.

I picked up my phone again to call my mother. I had told her I would be coming to India with Adi but somehow she was Against it.

I could remember her words vividly.

"I don't want people making you feel like you're a nobody. without being grounded in culture and tradition, you are nothing. They will never accept you Sam. why not get married to the suitor your dad chose for you?" she had said but I wouldn't take any of it.

"I love Adi ma and he makes me happy" I protested

"Fine but you are on your own young lady" she has told me with finality.

The phone rang but she didn't pick up.

It's getting clearer to me. The harsh realization of life is that, I am on my own.

my third option was the internet.

I browsed on Indian food, drinks, and other norms but it was pointless.

I just dropped the idea and curled up on my bed.

I was about to close my eyes when my phone beeped.

I lazily picked it up and what I saw on the screen spreads a smile on my lips.

it was a message from Adi.

"Good night Sam. just Know that I love you and that they can't tear us apart. we'll run away and get married even if we have to so just be calm and remain positive. Good night"

I clasped the phone on my chest and before I knew it, I've drifted off to Lala land.

*

***

The sun pierced my eyes from the curtains and I yawned stretching myself as I turned to the other side.

My eyes suddenly flew open and when I checked my phone.

it was ALREADY 7:00am

Oh My Goodness.

I Rolled out of bed and got inside the shower to run myself a bath.

when I was done, I wore my clothes and rushed down the stairs to the living room. I almost fell in the process but I kept telling myself that I was doing this for Adi.

I stopped halfway when I saw Payal holding a tray in front of me.

"What's that?" I ask but she only smile.

"It's an offering plate. take blessings and have sweets" she explained to me.

I didn't know what to do but Adi rushed down immediately and placed his hand over the fire, then on his head. She gave him sweets and he bent down to touch her feet.

"god bless you Adi" she told him and I quickly copied whatever he did. I bent down to touch her feet too but she quickly stopped me.

"Bless you Samaira" she said and walked away to do the same to the rest of the family.

when she was done I watched her put the tray in a place where a statue was kept. then she walked back into the kitchen. I followed her immediately.

"Maharaj would you please knead the dough and pass me the pan so I can make the lentils as well" Payal instructs Maharaj who quickly did as he was told.

She placed the pan on the fire and put in some oil. I watched her in awe.

I've never cooked anything in my entire life and seeing her now, I'm just feeling speechless. How is she doing that?

she puts some ingredients and begin to stir fry.

After she was done, she placed it down and took over from Maharaj.

she took a rolling pin and rolled the dough making it flat as she placed on the frying pan to fry.

I walked into the kitchen and that's when she noticed me.

"Samaria, what are you doing here?" she asked still rolling more.

"I came to help. is there anything I can do to help?" I ask

"don't bother. I already have it covered. I've been serving this family for as long as I can remember and they'll sit down for breakfast very soon"

"Oh.."

"But you can help Maharaj set the table and I will make you a glass of milk"

I smile "thank you".

I quickly did as I was told and true to her word, she made me a glass of buttermilk which was the tastiest I've ever had.

***

when she was done, she served the entire family and believe me when I tell you that Payal is a great cook. I've never had anything this delicious in my entire life asides from my mother's food.

" Why aren't you eating?" I asked Payal who was standing there watching everybody eat.

"I will eat when everyone is done eating"

"that's what a good daughter in law does you see. unlike some people without manners." Adi's mother said to me as she continued eating.

Adi held my hand and I managed a weak smile.

"Aunt Payal the food is delicious" I comment and she smiled.

"Adi I feel like having bacon and eggs" I said and everyone looked at me in an annoying manner.

Payal gave my shoulder a light squeeze and said "Everyone in this house is vegetarian. nobody eats meat" she tells me and I gulped down in fear.

I saw Adi's mother stare at me with Hatred.

"See why I said she isn't good for you but you never listen"

"But she wasn't aware of that ma?" he counters

"that's what you'll keep on saying till she poisons us. I'm done eating. I just lost my appetite" She stood up and left the table and everyone else did except Adi and Payal.

"I didn't know" I came out as a whisper but I guess Adi heard it because he pulled me close and hugged me.