Married To A Stranger

Sreesha POV:

“Oh my god!! Girls look at the entrance it’s Karthik Shekhar” she said in her overexcited tone.

My heart skipped a beat listening to my husband’s complete name. I turned my gaze to the entrance and my eyes bulged like saucers while my heart broke into million pieces making me numb.

There stood my husband with a woman, who is clinging to his left arm and whispering something in his ears.

The word betrayal couldn’t justice to the feeling that was hovering me. I stand there numbly looking at the perfect couple.

Whoever the girl, she is the perfect fit for the word beautiful. The way she carries herself like a dove, gracefully with her head held high. Her every move oozes confidence. Perfect was the one word I wish to describe her. And she is perfect for Karthik.

What the hell am I thinking?

I almost forgot that my friends were standing a foot away from me, I slowly turned my head to only to meet with their teasing smiles except for Veni, for some odd reason she was frowning.

“What happened to my husband is so hot speech? Well, I don’t blame you thou, he is such a piece of art, isn’t he?” Anju teased winking.

“Who is he exactly? How do you know him?” I asked the questioned that has been eating me.

Maybe he is working under either Anju’s dad or Veni’s. They both were from rich families but not snobs. Anju, Niya and I were best friends from childhood but Veni joined us when we were in Post-Graduation. She was a lonely girl back in college. I know how much it hurts to be alone, so I befriended with her. She resisted our interference at first but gave up on her stubbornness after a strong lecture from Anju.

“Sreesha! Are you living under a rock?” Anju asked sarcastically.

“Can you blame her? She has been living under her father’s wing for years. Cut her some slack girls” Niya came to my rescue. Anju rolled her eyes at us.

“Really though, we can’t blame you. He strictly prohibits Paparazzi on his premises. It’s a miracle to get to see him in person except for Veni ” Anju said sending a teasing smile at Veni “He, my sweetheart, is Karthik Shekhar, the heir of Shekhar ‘s businesses all over the world and fortune. A few years ago, he started hotels and resorts with the name SreeKar and quite successful in both. He is a freaking heartthrob billionaire and single. For the first time, Google could not help you to search for his images. You can only get a few which were secretly snapped of course” Anju explained in one go.

Billionaire?

Heir?

Only Veni can meet him in person?

Why?

SreeKar?

Did she just say SINGLE?

“Did you just say single, Anju?” I asked her, gritting my teeth.

“Of course, he is one of the most eligible bachelors in the world,” Niya said excitedly.

“Isn’t that Anvika Sharma? Why is she clinging to him like that?” Veni mumbled worriedly “Please tell me they are not dating” she squeaked.

And please tell me my best friend is not in love with my husband!

Wait for a second! Who’s Anvika freaking Sharma again?

“You don’t know her too?” I shook my head negatively “That girl there clinging to him like a leech is Anvika Sharma, Sharma’s heiress. Don’t worry Veni, I’m sure it must be a passing cloud” Niya diverted the last sentence to Veni who was still frowning.

Veni mumbled something incoherently under her breath.

“It’s just my father was trying to make a deal with him through marriage. I did not know that he likes her. I’ll ask my papa to stop whatever he was trying” Veni mumbled.

A marriage deal?

Maybe he’s not our Karthik, Sreesha. Remember he works in an MNC and not a freaking owner of god knows how many companies. Our FIL owns a small business which only can suffice their needs. Karthik owns a comfortable house and car, not extravagant ones. If he is a billionaire, he would never marry you leaving all those beautiful girls who can offer anything and everything.

He is not my Karthik!

Maybe he is my husband’s long last twin!

Maybe my FIL has another family!

Maybe…

Could you please for the second act like a freaking normal human being? He lied to you! He lied to you, get that through your thick head and accepts the reality before you go insane! Everyone lied to you including your god damn brother who you think to love you unconditionally.

Don’t listen to that stupid brain, Sreesha. Look at him; he gave you everything you deserve. He respected you may be a tiny part of him even likes you. Don’t jump into conclusions, Sreesha. Talk it out with him.

I agreed with my heart again.

I glanced at them, again, ignoring the pain rippling in my heart. I can see him rolling his eyes at her. His face was cold, emotionless. He did not even smile at her as he does around me. He ignored her completely tapping on his phone furiously.

She seems to be less interested in him though, she was glancing at the entrance every few seconds. Her eyes lit up and her grip tightened around his hand making him scowl at her. She hissed something in his ears making him roll his eyes.

I glanced at the entrance when my friend’s half yelled ‘TEJ’.

What the hell is he doing here?

He scanned the area and scowled when his eyes met with Anvika who smirked at him. He makes his way towards them.

What if he thinks that Karthik is cheating on me and do something harsh?

So, I followed him ignoring the calls of my friends.

He literally broke them off by snatching Anvika away from Karthik and swing a hand to punch him but stopped. He looked at Karthik who was as bewildered as him and bursts into fits of laughter pointing a finger at Anvika.

When his eyes met mine, his laugh seized, and his eyes bulged like they were about to burst.

Karthik, who was still confused, followed Tej’s eyes and his eyes landed mine.

His eyes widened in realization.

I gave him an emotionless look at turned back to meet my friends half way ignoring his calls.

“Sreesha, listen to me. It is not what it looks like. We’re not what you think we were. God, this is so messed up. Sree, please believe me. I swear she’s just a friend” his rant was cut off by Veni.

“Karthik, how do you know her?” for the first time Karthik looked at my friends and at very confused Veni.

“Veni? What the hell are you doing here with my wife?” he bluntly said, confused.

“Wife?” the trio gasped.

Karthik POV:

I woke up to my cell phone ring. I told my assistant not to disturb me today. Who in the hell was disturbing me right now? I turned to my other side; Sree was nowhere to be found. She must be in the kitchen or backyard.

My phone started ringing again. Can’t they get the clue? I sighed taking my phone.

It’s Anvika.

Why is she calling me now?

“Anvika,” I said accepting her call.

“Karthik, I need your help,” she said frantically.

“What? What happened to you? Are you okay?” I asked worriedly.

It is not every day she asks for help.

“Yes, I am fine. But I want you to come to my house and we need to be somewhere in less than an hour” she said nervously.

“What? Where? Anvika, at least tell me the reason” I asked her worried.

“Please Karthik. I need your help. Please meet me at the entrance of my house” she said disconnecting the call. I shook my head; she could be dramatic when needed.

After all, she and my mother are good friends despite their age difference.

I got ready as soon as possible and reached downstairs to find my wife stressing about something. I snapped my fingers to get her attention.

Later I told her about the emergency and apologize her for cancelling our plans. She told me about her girls’ day out and of course, I told her to enjoy.

Tej called when I was a minute away from my destination and asked about Sree’s whereabouts as she was still mad at him for not stopping our marriage.

I wonder if she still is mad because she regrets marrying me.

I told him about her girl’s day out and disconnected the call.

The moment I stopped the car in front of Anvika’s house, she literally jumped in my car claiming the passenger seat.

“What is it? Why are you so nervous? And tell me why in the hell you need my company to go somewhere” I asked her, expecting an explanation.

“I want to make someone believe that I already have a boyfriend/fiancé. So, I want you to act like one in front of him” she said checking herself in the rear mirror.

“What in the world going on with you Anvika? Why do you want to make someone believe that you had a boyfriend? Why me? Why not Nihal?” I said glaring at her.

“It’s important for me, Karthik. I won’t bother you again. Just this once, okay? And did you just say Nihal? Who doesn’t know about that certified player who doesn’t do girlfriends? Just yesterday I found him all over the news with a blonde and today with another girl with jet black hair and I don’t even want to know about tomorrow. Who will believe if I say he’s my boyfriend?” She half yelled, making funny faces.

“In case you forgot I am married! What were you going to do about it?” I stated calmly.

“Your marriage is not public yet, Karthik. So, don’t worry” she said looking through the window.

“Who is this person that you hell-bent on fooling?” I mumbled.

“You will meet him soon. Just act like a boyfriend okay? “She said sternly.

We reached our destination; she reached me clinging to my left arm.

“Is it necessary?” I asked gritting my teeth. Sure, we’re friends since childhood but what if Sree sees us like this and think I was cheating on her?

“VERY” she stressed the word, gritting her teeth.

There is no way Sree would find out, she is somewhere with her friends now. I’ll explain everything to her in the evening.

“Smile a little, there are people looking at us. He must be somewhere here. Drop that cold attitude for once in your life. Nihal said that you were smiling like a fool in the office, why can’t you make a fake smile for me?” Anvika hissed in my ear, I rolled my eyes leading her to our table. I could hear a few girls squealing my name but as usual, I didn’t pay a heed to them.

Suddenly someone yanked Anvika from me, a hand swung towards me but stopped before it reaches my face.

To my utter shock, the hand belongs to none other than Tej.

Sheesha’s brother.

He was as bewildered as me.

When he put the pieces together, he started laughing like an idiot pointing at Anvika who was too shocked to utter a word.

When he gets a hold of himself, he glanced around the place and smirked.

Why in the world is he smirking at me?

I followed his gaze and met with a pair of furious soft brown eyes.

Sreesha.