Enchanted Love

Caroline remembered her conversation with the groom’s mother. It made her shiver even today.

Flashback

“Wow, you have topped the class?” A lady exclaimed as Caroline’s eyes twinkled with pride.

“I have always wished to study computers,” Caroline replied to express her wish to study more.

“What will you do after studying? We have everything in our home” the lady’s words made Caroline stop her words and she received a glare from her mom.

“Did I say anything wrong?” The lady asked again.

“Not at all. Our Caroline is good in studies and we are proud of it. But you said it right. What is its use? She will be like a princess in your home” Geetha cooed the lady as she gave a smile.

“But yeah, ask her not to take this topic in front of my son and husband. They might get offended” the lady finally spoke while she left the place.

Caroline sighed, recalling the worst meeting. Did she think that she would be going to such a place where there is no respect for studies? In short, no respect for girls’ education. She looked at Lincoln, her fiance. Should she just ask him about his opinion on this matter?

“Are they your friends?” Lincoln asked, glaring at Edward, Alina and especially at Jason.

“She is my sister and he is her husband” Caroline introduced them as they all left the room for them to talk.

“And that joker?” Lincoln asked again as Caroline flinched with his choice of word.

“Doctor. Jason. my friend” Caroline wanted to know if he is also like his family or not.

“Huh?” His expressions themselves told her how he didn’t like her being friends with any guy.

“I have few friends but Jason only could come to the function.” Caroline thought of this new way to piss him off so that he calls off the engagement.

“Whatever. After marriage, you will be too busy to even talk to your family and how can you maintain a friendship with anyone.” Lincoln mumbled under his breath which is audible to Caroline for sure.

“I just wanted to tell you that don’t ignore my calls from now on. Yesterday you didn’t even call back to me” Lincoln’s voice carried some dominance, making Caroline fear for the first time literally.

“I will be meeting your family now.” Lincoln left the place abruptly after throwing a glare toward Jason who has no idea why this guy is now angry. Is it not enough for Alex and Edward’s anger and jealousy toward him?

“Did he eat something bad? Why does he have to look at me like that?” Jason asked, unable to process the hatred of a new man.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“If everyone is looking at you like this, the problem is not with everyone,” Edward said and left the place as Jason pouted with his words.

******

“Are you here?” Clara asked from the washroom hoping that he was not there and she could come and change her dress.

“I am coming.” She announced again she didn’t hear any reply. She peeped out to check and got out slowly when she was sure that he left the room.

Shit shit shit, she muttered under her breath when she stood there in just a bathrobe in front of him.

Alex removes his earphone and turns to get ready for the function. He dropped his phone, and earphones on the floor as he opened his mouth wide.

Holyshit, he is shamelessly scanning her from top to bottom. Can he be a little mature and shift his gaze away?

Clara stood there in a full red tomato face which was covered by her wet hair. Can this be worse? Alex gulped visibly as the droplet from her hair fell.

“If you are done checking out, why don’t you leave?” She asked, yelling at him.

“No, I am not done” he replied instantly and both froze to give the same conversation back. Did she blush like the same before?

“No, I mean. I was on the call. I didn’t notice” Alex added as he turned away abruptly. Why should he forget the fact that she is not that Clara whom he used to love. Why does he have to stare at her shamelessly?

He entered the washroom slapping his forehead. But he is ready and why does he have to go to the washroom now?

“Don’t come out till I am done” Clara yelled again as she locked the washroom from outside. He cursed his fate as he stood there for her to change her dress.

She took her saree and started draping it.

Once she is done, she ties up her hair in a big bun which suits the heavy saree. Looking at herself, she realised that she did give a little importance to getting ready today? It felt weird as she forgot to even dress up nicely. Shrugging her thoughts, she opened the washroom and again left to touch up her face.

A soft gasp startled her as she turned to see Alex. Damn his eyes. Why is he so expressive? She felt like changing into a normal dress. But it’s too late now.

His costume did match her dress in some sense, maybe as a contrasting view.

“By the way, I thought you would have added something to the breakfast.” Alex broke the silence which was getting so awkward in the room.

“That’s the problem. You always assume things and judge accordingly” she snapped at him coming to Clara mode.

Alex rolled his eyes. She always takes every topic to that particular segment. What does she want to prove by this? Should he ask her directly about it? But he chose to remain quiet as he doesn’t have to spoil his mood at least today. There will be more chances to get his mood spoiled.

“Guys ready?” Their little fight was stopped by Alina.

“Omg. Did you guys take this drama so seriously? Couple dress? Matching dress. Wow,” Alina commented and bit her tongue in reflex. She shouldn’t have said that.

“I mean. You both look so beautiful and cute” she added with an awkward smile.

“Shall we go?” Clara asked, ignoring everything.

“Of course.” Alina grabbed her and left the place.

**†**

“Is it the party they mentioned?” Jason asked glaring at Alina. Alina controlled her giggle.

“It’s not a party but a small traditional ritual where they will serve the guests food and the priest will conduct a small event to cast the evil eyes” Alina told them about the function in one line. They have dressed up in a cool dashing western-style whereas the function is extremely traditional and everyone is dressed up according to that.

“It’s hot here” Jason loosened his tie when the ritual began. The priest glared at Jason as he shifted his attention again to the ritual. Which idiot will dress up in a coat for this event? As for Alex and Edward, they are very grateful that they have chosen a simple shirt with jeans. But Jason is in full mood to enjoy the function and now he is alone suffering.

The priest was in full form as he was reciting Sanskrit slogans while blessing the groom and bride who was not in a pleasant mood of course. Who will smile while sitting in front of the fire with that heavy costume?

“Is it finished?” Jason asked as the priest glared at him with so much annoyance.

“Stop it.” Alina nudges him to stop making any sound as all look at him as if he is the one spoiling the ritual.

Nathan walked to Lincoln with a prideful smile.

“I know that you wanted to have a modern function for your engagement. So I have arranged for you and your friends to enjoy once the ceremony ends here.” Nathan spoke gently to Lincoln who smiled instantly hearing that.

“I don’t know much about city parties. But I have tried to please you. Hope you like my arrangement.” Nathan added with a hopeful smile.

Just like that, the function ended with so many slogans and blessings. Even though they felt suffocated, they do like how the elders followed everything. Every ritual has every meaning and one should know that to tell the next generation about its importance.

Everyone settled to have food as everything was served to them.

“Aunty, please don’t serve Alex” Clara spoke all of a sudden as everyone turned to her side.

“Did you prepare anything for him again?” Edward asked, grinning like an idiot. That paneer gravy was magic and he wished he could eat more.

“No. He has kept fast for me” Clara’s words made Edward cough suddenly with the news as Alex and Fast are just like parallel lines.

“He had morning breakfast, right. Now it’s a full day. He will drink juices only. He won’t have food.” Clara added with a shy smile. Alina controlled her giggle seeing Alex’s clueless expression. Did he expect this coming?

‘The more you annoy me, the more you will suffer’ her words made sense now.

“Yeah, he cares for Clara like anything.” Jason added as Alex and Edward looked at him with a ‘is it necessary’ look.

“That’s really sweet. Every girl should get a husband like you.” Charlotte became emotional as she blessed both. How was she wrong about them? How does she wish Nathan to see this side?

Will Lincoln be like Alex?