I'm All Yours Read online

  Index

  Prologue

  Chapter 1-Meeting His Family

  Chapter 2-The First Encounter

  Chapter 3-The Marriage Arrangement

  Chapter 4-Something Fishy

  Chapter 5-The Big Day

  Chapter 6-First Conflict

  Chapter 7-The Talk

  Chapter 8-My Life's New Turn

  Chapter 9-Our New Home

  Chapter 10-Jealous, was he?

  Chapter 11-Does he care?

  Chapter 12-My Crazy Best Friend

  Chapter 13-He's Mine

  Chapter 14-In His Arms

  Chapter 15-Kabir's Visit

  Chapter 16-Realization

  Chapter 17-They were friends

  Chapter 18-No Answers

  Chapter 19-Learning to Trust Him

  Chapter 20-My Adorable Wife

  Chapter 21-His touches

  Chapter 22-Sexual Tension

  Chapter 23-You Call It Guilt

  Chapter 24-Honeymoon Plans

  Chapter 25-My Bipolar Husband

  Chapter 26-Twisting the Knife

  Chapter 27-The Silent Treatment

  Chapter 28-The First Kiss

  Chapter 29-His Legion of Ex-girlfriends

  Chapter 30-A Bolt from the Blue

  Chapter 31-The Backfired Plan

  Chapter 32-Back to Square One

  Chapter 33-What do I feel for him?

  Chapter 34-Maintaining Distance

  Chapter 35-In Love

  Chapter 36-More Complications

  Chapter 37-His Wrath

  Chapter 38-Discoveries

  Chapter 39-Resolved or maybe not...

  Chapter 40-Making Up

  Chapter 41-The Enthralling Dinner

  Chapter 42-Coming in Terms with Reality

  Chapter 43-The Bygone

  Chapter 44-One Soul

  Chapter 45-Surprsing Him

  Chapter 46-Promises

  Chapter 47-The Lost Life

  Chapter 48-Painful Revelations

  Chapter 49-The Lost Souls

  Chapter 50-It's Just a Little Too Late

  Chapter 51-The Divorce and?

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  "How long will this go on for?" I asked, desperate for him to explain why he’d been so cold.

  "What are you talking about?" he replied, moving towards the bedroom.

  Why was he treating me like a piece of trash? I blocked his way into the room.

  "Please! Tell me!" I pleaded.

  "Just get the hell out of here!" He moved away.

  I tugged at his wrist and he turned towards me. His silvery grey eyes never ceased to make my heart beat rapidly. His gaze carried nothing but hatred and I wanted to know why.

  I stood on my toes. "I won't," I whispered in his ear and crashed my lips against his.

  Chapter 1-Meeting His Family

  Shakthi's POV

  I just finished the day's work and opened the door of my navy blue Skoda Laura. My phone rang. It was mom.

  "Yes, mom?" I asked, answering the call.

  "Shakthi, where are you? Have you left your office?" Mom seemed tense, her voice panicked.

  "Mom, relax!! I've just left," I replied, turning the ignition.

  "Go home, wear a nice saree and come to Kabaleshwar temple," she commanded.

  "Why?"

  "We have chosen a guy for you," she paused.

  Ooh God!! Please help me! I silently prayed.

  "Hello? Shakthi! Hello?"

  "Uh… Mom…" I tried to hide my nervousness.

  "Shakthi, listen! Be a brave girl, take deep breaths and you will be alright. Okay?" she sounded convinced but she had no idea what I was thinking.

  I took a few deep breaths. "Okay Mom! I’ll see you soon." I hung up.

  I drove, lost in my thoughts, not noticing I was above the speed limit. I had never imagined or seen a man from the perspective of a husband.

  My parents had been trying to get me married for a long time. I kept making excuses, because I wanted to focus on my career before I committed to someone. But, they kept pestering me, and so, I gave in a month ago.

  Good background research of the family and verification of the match in all other aspects was usually followed by the step of making the girl and the guy meet. So the last step to fix the marriage was the approval from us and that was going to happen today. I totally trusted my parents in this. I was sure they wouldn’t make a dumb ass of a man, my husband, would they? Would I like him?

  When I reached home I had a quick shower. I opened the closet and stood before it. I was just so confused about what colour saree I should wear.

  Maybe a blue..yeah..no..

  Maybe a red..no..

  I then settled on my favourite colour, purple.

  I grabbed it and neatly draped it. I wore my accessory, which was nothing more than a big jhumka earing that went matched my saree. My neck was always adorned with a necklace that had a small heart shaped pendant, a present from my parents on my sixteenth birthday.

  I side braided my long black hair, stroked the waterline of my eyes with kajal, and glossed my lips, my usual routine.

  I was sure about one thing, I was not going to change myself for anyone. If he doesn't like me this way, then that will be it!!

  I had one final look at the mirror. My saree was neatly draped, sticking to my curves, revealing a bit of my flat stomach. I adjusted the pallu one last time and left after grabbing my phone, wallet and car keys.

  I arrived at the temple and called Mom. "Mom, where are you?" I started searching for her.

  "I see you, Shakthi! Wait..." she answered, hanging up. I looked around and she was walking towards me.

  "Shakthi, the guy hasn't arrived yet. But, his parents are here. They said he will be here in a few minutes."

  "Huh! Okay! "I said. At least that gave me time to calm my nerves.

  "And listen to me carefully! They are not your clients and this is not your audit assignment, so just be careful while talking to them and be polite," she advised.

  I smiled, nodding. But unfortunately, politeness and me don't go hand in hand. But, today I’ll do my best for Mom.

  She handed me a strand of jasmine flowers to keep on my braid.

  I clipped it neatly to my braid and took a selfie to check if it was okay.

  We walked and entered a hall built especially for social gatherings, where his parents and my dad and nineteen year old brother, Arun were. I felt all their eyes on me, making me more anxious. I greeted everyone and took my place next to my dad.

  His parents seemed to be around the same age as mine. They looked nice and greeted me with smiles stretching to their eyes.

  His mom looked simple and she was elegantly dressed in a blue silk saree. His father was dressed in a traditional silk dhoti and cream shirt, just the way my dad had dressed.

  I smiled half-heartedly and waited, scanning the room to avoid any awkwardness. I heard the woman in front of me talk, "So, what is your name, dear?? she asked.

  As if she doesn't know! They would have done a thorough search about me, starting from my name to my salary. That was why I hated these kind of meetings! It was just for the sake of formality.

  Be polite!! My mom's voice rang in my ears. "My name is Shakthi" I answered

  “What are you doing now?” she asked.

  Answering your stupid questions! I swallowed the word before they could leave and cause trouble. "I am working as a Chartered Accountant at the Auditing Sands." I smiled.

  "Auditing Sands? Oh really?" she asked, astonished.

  "Yeah, why?" I asked. What problem did she have with my company?

  "My son also works there," she pointed out.

  What?? Was
it some guy whom I hate? What was his name? I was frightened to ask.

  Just then, my dad asked for me. "Oh! Gautham also works there? Sounds great!"

  'Gautham.' I haven't heard his name in my company ever before. Oh wait, wait!! If we share a profession at least we have something in common at the start, and I do love intelligent people. He’d started to turn me on and we hadn’t even met yet.

  My mind raced. Thoughts of building our own audit firm together, one day. Maybe after a few years of experience, it might happen. What was I thinking? I should wait and meet him before dreaming!

  My dad then asked me, "Have you met him, Shakthi?" I shook my head.

  "There wouldn't have been any chance of Shakthi meeting him. He rarely goes to office. He loves traveling, so he is always on some outstation audit."

  He loves traveling? That's a nice piece of information! It was not that I didn't like out station audits. I do! I've also been on several, but I get homesick.

  Then his dad started a boring conversation and my mind wandered off.

  I tried to plaster a smile on my face during the whole ordeal. My dad could sense I was drifitng away.

  "Shakthi and Arun, why don't you both go pray," Dad said. He was such a saviour.

  "Okay!" I agreed quickly, sliding my flicks behind my ear.

  After a fifteen minute prayer, we returned. Still the man hadn't come! Does he even value this meet or his parents? Was he even interested in this marriage?

  "Is Gautham coming? Did he say anything?" Dad questioned.

  "He just sent me a message, he has entered the temple," his mom sounded happy.

  Finally, here comes the President! I rolled my eyes mentally.

  "Yeah! There he is!" his father said, getting up.

  Chapter 2-The First Encounter

  Shakthi's POV

  "Yea! There he is!" his father said, getting up.

  I refrained from turning. I didn't want to show that I was desperate to see him.

  No, Shakthi! Don't look! I repeated to myself.

  I also made sure that the look I had on my face was not misunderstood for shyness.

  His father excused himself to go towards him.

  Maybe, I could have a glimpse of Gautham on the pretense of watching his father walking away.

  What did I just see?? I mean, whom did I just see?? He looked like a model from the cover of a magazine. Suddenly, I wished I had dressed better.

  No Shakthi, this is you! Be yourself! I kept saying.

  I couldn't help but stare at this Greek God.

  He was tall, maybe six feet, where I stood only at 5 feet 5 inches. His broad, well-built shoulders went down to his narrow and thin waist. His white sleeves, folded up his elbows, moulding his taut muscles were enough to make me drool. I just knew he had a delicious six pack under that shirt! His nose was sharp and defined. His square jaws and five o’clock shadow made him a blend of fierce and sexy. His lips pleaded to be kissed.

  How did he escape my eyes at work??

  He looked a bit exhausted. It seemed like even he had come directly from his (my) office. But, how on earth did he manage to look so dangerously handsome?

  While he spoke to his dad, his peculiar silvery grey orbs caught my chocolate brown eyes. Bolts of electricity ran through my veins. I didn't know why, but I didn't look away. I could stare into those eyes forever. I noticed they held some sort of pain or maybe, I was just hallucinating!

  It was rare to find silvery grey eyes in India. But maybe, it defined his character. Was he a confused man, by nature? Would he be bipolar?

  Shakthi! Stop being judgmental!! I told myself.

  His lips curved, creating the most cocky and sexy smirk I've ever seen.

  Arrogant jerk!!!

  I quickly started fidgeting with my phone, avoiding his gaze.

  I never thought my parents would find such a match for me.

  After a few minutes of personal conversation between him and his father, they walked towards us and sat.

  He greeted my parents and wait, me?

  "Hello?" his voice was deep and husky.

  My breath caught in my throat. I should get my stupid voice out of my mouth, right now.

  "Uh..hi," I croaked like a frog. Why was his presence affecting me so much?

  My parents questioned him. "What is your name?"

  Now it was my parents' turn to conduct his interview. As if they didn't know his name. This was really stupid!

  "Gautham," he answered with a polite tone. Good that I didn't judge. This man was turning out to be okay-ish, actually more than okay-ish!

  My dad started, "So, your parents were saying that even you work at Auditing Sands?"

  "Yes uncle, I do."

  "Have you seen Shakthi there?" my dad continued.

  "No uncle. Actually I attend only outstation audits. I go to office very rarely, which happened to be today and I am really sorry for making you all wait.”

  "No problem! It's really fine," mom interjected.

  It was not fine mom!

  "So when did you complete your studies?" Dad asked him.

  "Three years back, when I was twenty-two."

  Okay, so we were the same age! He might just be a few months older. It looked like this journey together might be interesting.

  Suddenly his mom chimed in, "We will go home and let you know what Gautham feels. It is actually that, today is our niece's wedding reception. So we need to hurry. We are really sorry about this," she mused and all of them stood up from their places, getting ready to leave.

  My parents also nodded, understanding the situation.

  This can't get more annoying! Why were they doing this? What about my feelings?

  How will he decide without us speaking? How will I decide?

  We all left.

  Throughout the drive, neither of my parents pondered over this topic of marriage. It was weird.

  It was almost ten minutes past eight when we reached home.

  The first thing I did was to barge into my room and remove my saree. I was not great at managing a saree. But, I loved the way I looked in them. I loved traditional clothing. I quickly got into my t-shirt and pajamas and joined everyone else in the hall.

  I was anticipating a talk about what happened in the temple, but everyone acted as if nothing really happened.

  ***

  The next day was really hectic. I had so much work to complete at my office. So I decided to leave early.

  I chose to wear a saree today as well.

  I went in a blue chiffon saree today. After doing my usual makeup, I was ready to go.

  As I was entering my office, my phone went off. It was my mom. I quickly answered the call, getting into the elevator, "What do you think about Gautham?" she asked without the usual pleasantries.

  "Mom!! How can I answer that now? People are there around me!" I whispered into my phone.

  "It's fine, Shakthi, tell me," she pressed

  "Fine! He is apparently good looking. He was polite when he spoke. He respected you all and I know that if you make a choice for me, it will never go wrong. If you and dad have chosen him, then he will be a good man. I trust you all," I explained.

  "Is that a 'yes' from you, darling? Are you sure of the marriage? There is no pressure, sweetheart. We can always look for another guy," she suggested, but hopefulness shadowed her voice. I didn't want to disappoint them.

  "Mom? I am sure about it!" I convinced her.

  "Shakthi, I am really happy!" she squealed.

  "But, why are you bringing this up now?" I asked.

  "His parents just called up and told us that Gautham was ready to get married to you. We wanted to know what you feel and now that we know; consider that your marriage is fixed." Those words made the hairs on my neck stand up.

  I didn't answer for a few seconds, "Shakthi!" my mum called out.

  I cleared my throat. "Okay mom. I will meet you in the evening. Bye." I quickly hung up.

  He was ready to get marrie
d to me?? How did he decide, when we hardly spoke? Maybe, just the way like how I decided! I just trusted my parents on this! My gut feeling said that my marriage wouldn't be that bad after all!

  The elevator dinged at the next floor and I just had seven more floors to my cabin.

  "Hey!" A familiar deep and husky voice caught my attention.

  It was Gautham! Why was I becoming nervous??

  Relax! I tried telling myself.

  "Hey Gautham," I said, trying to sound calm. But, only God knew how tense I was.

  "Both purple and blue suit you," he said, commenting on my saree.

  I tried hard not to blush. I managed to hide it with a small tight lipped smile. "Thank you. So, what brought you to office?" I asked curiously.

  "Just came to submit the audit report," he replied

  "Hmm," I said, simply playing with the phone.

  "So, looks like you are a traditional girl!"

  I couldn't help but laugh at his question.

  "Did I ask something wrong?" He looked confused.

  "No, no! This is just the second time that I am wearing a saree and you saw me on both the days and trust me, I never fall into the traditional category. I like traditional clothes, but they are tough to manage," I clarified.

  Someone, please come and glue my unstoppable mouth! I just gave too much information about myself!

  Shut up! Just shut up!!

  "You look nice in them." He winked at me.

  My heart literally skipped a beat. How adorable he looked when he winked.

  He looked even more handsome today, all fresh and fine.

  Just when I was checking him out again, the elevator's ding interrupted me and I had to get out.

  "See you soon," I said and I left mumbling a "wow" under my breath.

  The day at my work ended well.

  All my colleagues congratulated me for the news that I broke.

  When I revealed Gautham's name, the room was filled with gasps. So weird that only I didn't know him!

  So many girls went crazy listening to the news. Some of them started cussing at me calling me names, asking me how I trapped Gautham! I just shrugged it off.

  But, this thought kept swimming in my head. What if he had previous girlfriends? I wouldn't mind much since it was his past. But I would be shattered if the past started to affect his future.

  ***

  I came home extremely exhausted and the news that my parents broke didn’t do any good.