Chapter 3 - The First Day
Sharon woke up with a start when she realized someone was gently shaking her shoulder. She had dozed off on the couch last night. She opened her eyes to see a young girl, maybe the same age as her, smiling at her. She hadn't seen her before but this girl could be family, for all she knew.
"Hello Ma'am," the girl chirped, "I am Neha. I work in the Shekhawat House. If you need anything please let me know. Anjali Ma'am has assigned me to you."
Sharon rubbed her eyes, half yawning, "Assigned to me?" She uttered in disbelief. Neha nodded. Sharon was not used to personal help. They had help in the Singhania House too but since Sharon had spent most of her life away from her family, she had learnt to manage on her own quite well.
Sharon saw the bed. It was undisturbed. The flowers were still in place. Swayam hadn't slept in the room. Neha's eyes fell on the bed and for some reason Sharon felt embarrassed. Now she will know too the farce that this marriage is, Sharon thought to herself. Neha started removing the flowers and arranging the bed. Sharon's suitcases were already in the room. She opened one and took out a fresh pair of pyjamas and top. She made her way to the bathroom.
Like everything in the house, the bathroom was luxurious too - made of black and white marble, she guessed as her hand touched the cool surface. There was a bathtub too and a heavy floral fragrance. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was still wearing her wedding saree and jewellery. Her mascara and eyeliner were smudged as she rubbed her eyes earlier. Her hair was all tangled. She looked like a mess. She quickly got in the shower and let the cool water drain her tiredness.
By the time she came out of the bathroom, Neha had already cleaned and arranged the room. "It's almost 9," Neha said looking at the clock, "The family will be in the dining room for breakfast. I will take you there as soon as you are dressed Ma'am."
"I am dressed for breakfast," Sharon pointed to her top and pyjamas.
Neha hesitated before speaking, "Ma'am, no one dines in such clothes here. Please let me," Neha led Sharon to another door in the bedroom. She opened it. Sharon was expecting a closet but to her surprise, it was a room for closets. It was much smaller in size than the bedroom but there were many closets. Some had shoes, some shirts, others had trousers, jeans, watches and ties. Sharon's eyes widened as she saw the vast amount of accessories and clothes. But the biggest shock was when Neha opened a few closets and told her it was Sharon's. There were sarees and suits and gowns all neatly arranged accompanied by casual dresses, jeans, tops, shoes of various styles.
"Anjali Ma'am arranged all this for you," Neha replied knowing the doubts that were rising in Sharon's mind. Neha took out a short sleeved navy blue dress that fell to Sharon's knees and paired it up with a pair of cream colored pumps. Sharon changed into it. Internally she was thinking who wore casual dresses for breakfast! In Delhi she was lucky if she ever got to eat breakfast before running off to her classes. In Singhania House, Rey and her father never really bothered about what she wore for breakfast. Normal people don't do that, she thought.
Neha then guided her down to the breakfast table and left. The table was empty. She sat down on one of the chairs, waiting for the family. She turned her head when she heard some voices. It was Swayam with another guy. The other guy was saying something to Swayam but he looked bored and was hardly paying any attention. The guy stopped talking when he saw Sharon.
"Hey," he said extending his hand, "I am Vicky, Swayam's cousin. Our fathers are brothers."
Sharon stood up and took his hand and smiled, "Nice to meet you Vicky, I am...,"
"I know you, Sharon," Vicky interrupted before she could complete, "I know you Singhanias very well."
He had not let go of Sharon's hand and his comment made her feel uneasy. She wriggled her hand out of Vicky's. Swayam was standing next to them, engrossed in his cellphone. It was their first day as a married couple and he hadn't even acknowledged her. Vicky noticed the same and comprehended it as some sort of go-ahead signal.
"I must hand it over to you Singhanias," Vicky snickered, "Never seen anyone stoop that low. Dealing in the daughter to save the business"
Sharon rolled her fist into bumps, anger swelling inside. She didn't have any opinions of the Shekhawats yet but Vicky had crossed a line. She was about to shout at him when Swayam suddenly grabbed Vicky's collar and pushed him against a wall.
"Don't you dare speak to her like that," his voice was cold and sharp.
Vicky, pinned against the wall, red in face spoke, "I... I wasn't...meaning to... I am sorry."
At that moment the family walked in - Rishi, Anjali and Taani. "Swayam, let go off Vicky," Rishi bellowed.
Taani came running to Swayam's side and pleaded, "Please bhai."
Swayam took a deep breath and stepped back. The moment he let go off Vicky's collar, Vicky immediately took off from there. Anjali called after him to join them for breakfast- thankfully he didn't. Everyone sat at the dining table as the help served the food. Once they left Anjali spoke, "Don't let him get to you like that Swayam. You know how that family is. They are after us and won't leave any stone unturned to take us down with them. You have to be in control."
Great, Sharon thought, business politics was not enough that now she was in the middle of family politics. From what she could make out from the conversation was that Vicky and his father, Raj (Rishi's younger brother) held very small share of the company and felt cheated. They had in the past taken the Shekhwats to court but couldn't succeed as the court didn't rule in their favour. After this, they tried to get back in Anjali and Rishi's good books by apologizing and flattering them. They knew they didn't have any other capability and whatever share they had was their only source of income so they bent before them. However Vicky, who was a year or 2 elder than Swayam always tried to rustle his feathers, tried to put him down, in some way or another, hoping someday to get the reigns of the company.
Anjali asked Sharon about her stay and if she needed anything. They made small talk about the weather and other topics. After breakfast, Sharon caught up with Swayam.
"Thanks," she said, "for stepping in back there."
He raised an eyebrow at her.
"For ... you know... what Vicky did..." she trailed off.
He smirked, "I didn't do it for you. Vicky was trying to take a dig at me by using you and I don't let people mock me. So I didn't do anything for you. I did it for me. You are my wife."
Swayam left a shocked Sharon. My wife, the way he said it sent chills down her spine. He didn't make it sound loving or endearing. It was more like she was his property, his possession. She looked at his retreating back, thinking if this was day 1, what her entire life would be like!
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Sharon spent the rest of the morning in her room flipping through tv channels. She was bored out of her mind. Neha came at 1pm to take her to the dining room for lunch.
"You don't have to keep escorting me all the time Neha," Sharon politely told her, "I can manage on my own."
Neha, always hesitant before speaking, spoke timidly, "It is my duty Ma'am. I have been told by Anjali Ma'am to help you get accustomed."
Sharon nodded, "At least stop calling me Ma'am. I feel like a school teacher. Call me Sharon please."
Neha's eyes widened in horror, "I can't do that Maam."
Neha's reaction made Sharon feel as if she had asked her to commit a crime.
"Tell you what," Sharon spoke cheerfully, "When it's just the 2 of us, call me Sharon?"
Neha slowly nodded her head, "Okay," she said with a smile.
Anjali and Taani were in the dining room. Swayam and Rishi would have lunch outside. Anjali smiled as Sharon took a seat but Taani showed no reaction. She had already started eating. Like brother, like sister, Sharon thought.
Over a short chat with Anjali while eating, Sharon told her of her plans to pursue MD in Caridology.
"That is a great idea, Sharon," Anjali beamed at her, "I'll talk to the Dean of IMC, Mumbai, one of the best colleges in India and get you admitted there."
Sharon was surprised, "IMC? That is too much ...," she stopped, thinking of what to call her. Mrs. Shekhawat was too formal, Aunty did not seem nice and Mom was awkward.
Anjali sensed her dilemma and spoke, "Call me mom, Sharon."
Sharon blinked, "umm... mom." She hadn't said that word in years. Sharon didn't get any maternal vibes from Anjali, even though she was the sweetest among all Shekhawats till now, who made her comfortable and showed an effort. The other 3 hadn't even so much as spared a glance at her. Even though she didn't feel like calling Anjali mom, she suppressed her feelings. The important topic here was her MS, not how she would address her in-laws.
"Mom," Sharon spoke again, "Thank you for the offer but I'll have to decline. I can get in a good college in Mumbai on my own credentials. I don't want to go through the Dean."
Anjali was about to take a bite from her food, stopped and looked at Sharon, "Sharon dear, the thing about power and connection is that you don't have to toil yourself. Why to bother with such menial task when you could be spending your time with other important engagements." Sharon wanted to say something but Anjali continued, "I know you are good and you can. Just think of this as a small gift from a mother to her new daughter."
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Taani rolled her eyes at the drama going on in front of her. New daughter! Her mom really had a flair for theatrics. Sharon was not brought in the Shekhwat house as a daughter, but as an asset. An assest which helped them take down the Singhanias. However, Taani knew not to express her feelings, especially in front of her parents. She had learnt numerous lessons on not to get on the bad side of the power couple.
She was, nevertheless, surprised at Sharon. Anjali was offering her an easy route to one of the best medical colleges and Sharon declined. Did she make a mistake in judging Sharon too quickly - thinking that she must be like the rest of the Singhanias and Shekhawats? Taani watched as her mother reasoned with her sister-in-law about the college issue until Sharon gave in and accepted Anjali's help. She did put up a fight, Taani thought.
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Anjali spoke to Sharon after lunch, "Since college will start after 2 months in September, you need to be busy by familiarizing yourself with our friends, guest and lifestyle in general. I have the perfect work for you. I wanted to invite our closest friends, a small gathering of say 70-80 people to a party, in a couple of week. Why don't you plan this one?"
Sharon choked on the water that she was drinking, "Plan a party?" She coughed the words.
Anjali nodded, "Usually we have party planners for big occasions but for the small and intimate ones, we like to look over it personally. Don't worry, I'll send you all the files and color cards, food and drinks menus. You can choose whatever you want. It will be your first party as a Shekhwat, after all."
Sharon had no experience of planning a dinner for 3, let alone a party. But she had a lot of time to kill. Since Anjali would send her all the files and everything, how hard could it be. She agreed after a minute.
As agreed, Anjali did send the files to her, but it was not just 2 or 3 as Sharon expected but a dozen of boxes. Few boxes only had colored cards. There were 10 shades of each color. 10 shades of the same color which she would call blue but here it was labeled as - indigo, navy, sky (she recognized) and then cerulean, teal, lapis, azure, Aegean and what not. Then there were boxes which had small pieces of different materials. The food and drinks menu had about hundreds of items.
She held her head in her hand and sat down. Won't be that hard, she gave herself a mental slap. What had she signed up for!
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After dinner Swayam came to the room. He looked at all the boxes and cards lying on the floor. Sharon gulped. She knew Swayam was getting angry. She was expecting some lashing out but instead he picked up some clothes from the closet and went to the bathroom to change.
Swayam came out wearing a white shirt and black pant. The shirt gripped his body tightly. Sharon gave a sideway look and thought - he's been working out. She looked in another direction immediately when Swayam turned to face her.
Sharon thought Swayam would now go to where ever he had slept last night, but to her surprise, he crawled in the bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Sleeping," Swayam replied, as a matter-of-factly.
"I can see that. Why are you sleeping here? Why don't you sleep where ever you were last night? And speaking of last night, where were you?"
It didn't even strike her once that Swayam was missing on their wedding night. Where was he? Was he with someone else?
Swayam shot a look at her, "Not that it is any of your concern but I was sleeping in one of the guest rooms. Moreover last night there were guests and everyone was busy, so no one noticed. We have to keep up appearances. I can't be seen sleeping in guest rooms every night and more importantly, it is inconvenient for me."
"Where do I sleep then?" Sharon asked.
"Couch, bathtub, floor - pick your favorite," he replied, indifferently and turned off the table lamp near his bed stand.
Sharon stood there, not shocked though. She was expecting this Swayam Shekhwat - obnoxious and arrogant!
She took a pillow and blanket to the couch. Before sleeping, she bolted the door of the bedroom, lest someone walk in and observe this. She cursed Swayam in her mind the entire night.
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Edited by BrinaS10 - 8 years ago
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