Read Online The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal by Adite Banerjie - Free Book Online Page B

hysterically happy dog under control. ‘Enough now. Calm down. Okay, good dog! Stay, Baloo! Stay!’ A few more commands and the dog quietened down before turning his attention to Maya. If it weren’t for Krish’s restraining hand on the dog’s collar, she was certain he would have launched himself on her and given her an equally enthusiastic licking.
    â€˜Maya, this is Baloo…he is an excitable goof. Has a habit of knocking people down…but is the gentlest soul ever born on the face of this earth.’
    And then he suddenly looked at Maya as if the thought just crossed his mind. ‘I hope you’re not scared of dogs.’
    Maya shook her head. ‘No…I am not. What breed is he?’ She sat down on her haunches. ‘Hey, Baloo!’ That was all the encouragement he needed. Pulling away from Krish, the dog was soon slobbering all over her. And she was laughing and wrestling to keep him away from licking every inch of her face.
    â€˜Irish Setter.’ Krish grinned. ‘That does it…you have got yourself one slobbering devotee for life.’
    â€˜I think I can live with that.’ She laughed.
    Krish felt his heart twang yet again. She was definitely one hell of a surprise package. What would she surprise him with next? he wondered uneasily.
    A young woman in her early twenties came rushing out and rescued them both from Baloo’s crazy antics.
    Krish led the way to the cottage. Just as they were about to cross the threshold, the same woman came forward with a traditional
thali
—a brass plate holding an earthen lamp and assorted colourful condiments and a pot full of rice grains. ‘
Bhaiyaa, Bhabhi,
one minute.’
    She placed the shiny brass pot bearing the auspicious sign of ‘Om’ in vermilion on the threshold. It was filled to the brim with rice grains. ‘
Bhabhi
, this is your first time in your new home.’ Maya knew what she had to do. She had to topple over the pot of rice with her right foot, an act signifying that the new bride would never want for anything in her marital home. As she crossed the threshold, the girl put a tiny mark of vermilion paste on her forehead and on Krish’s before stepping aside. Krish smiled and pushed some money into the girl’s hands.
    â€˜Maya, this is Rani and if you need anything, just ask her.’
    Rani bobbed her head enthusiastically. ‘Yes,
Bhabhi
,’ she said in broken English. ‘I help. You ask only.’
    Krish winked at Maya and said, ‘Rani only talks in English.’
    Rani beamed at Maya. ‘I bringing mango
lassi.
You eating?’
    Maya smiled. ‘Thank you, Rani. I would love to
drink
some mango
lassi.
’
    Rani slapped her forehead with her hand. ‘Ah, yes, drinking
lassi
, eating
roti
, no?’ And, before Maya could reply, she whizzed off towards the kitchen.
    Maya looked around the large, bright, airy living room. Even without air-conditioning, the room was cool and comfortable. There were indoor plants everywhere and a stark simplicity about the teakwood décor. Krish gave her a quick tour of the two-storey house—which included, apart from several bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a modern gym, a library stacked with books, a work station, a TV room leading to a sitting area on the veranda overlooking the gardens and a kitchen stashed with every mod-con imaginable. Every creature comfort that she could dream of was available. Finally, he led her to her suite of rooms, overlooking the gardens. Looking at the comfortable double bed, she wondered where his rooms were. And, in a flash, he had read her thoughts.
    â€˜I am just across the corridor.’ And then, with a hint of mischief, ‘You’re most welcome to share my rooms, if you like.’
    A hot blush crept up her face. ‘No, thanks, I will be perfectly fine here.’
    â€˜It’s an open offer. Feel free to change your mind…any