Chapter 18 - Meeting my friends (2/2)

”They aren't dear to me. This idiot here is the reason I learned Italian as Aunty as in his mother is Italian and for French, Ayush is born and brought up in France as Uncle's business was there. Because of these two, I am well familiar with the languages,” I told Innaya the reason behind learning the languages.

”You never told me about them.” She referred to the fact that I never talked about my friends.

”Hi-Fi! Same here, he did not tell us too, about you,” Sameer sarcastically commented last part looking at me.

I sighed knowing they wouldn't leave it until I tell them everything. ”You remember on 22 of March, Mom called me to Delhi urgently and you all had to leave for London regarding the project of Mr. Hunt.”

I continued once I saw recognition flashing in their eyes as they nodded, ”Well, then Mom informed me regarding her talk with priest regarding my marriage date. We left for Bangalore to fix things in hurry. I thought we had time and the trip was for deciding things but then everything happened in a rush. When we reached there on 23rd of March as per priest, we got engaged on the same day and two weeks later got married. I so wanted to inform all of you but I knew the importance of the project.”

”So you decided to hide the facts?” Barun was first to react.

I was about to answer him when Innaya softly asked, ”Can I say something?” Once they nodded at her, glancing at me, she continued, ”You know Eshan more than me, so I am not taking anyone's side here. As much as you all were not informed, if it helps, I too got to know about everything just before an hour. While he knew, he had to get married to me, until my engagement day I was not aware of any Eshan Sighaniya's existence.”

”What the-” shocked at her words I stared at her with my jaw almost dropping to the ground.

”Che diavolo (what the hell).”

”que se passé-t-il (what the hell).”

”Unbelievable.”

Apparently, I was not the only one to get shocked at her as simultaneously all of them gaped at her words, surprised. Innaya just shrugged her shoulders in response.

The soft footsteps approaching towards us broke the stunned silence and I saw Amma making her way towards us.

Amma was in her mid-fifties with the little wrinkles on her little dark face. Her brown eyes that had seen many shades of life were full of love and she was kind-hearted soul. I had found her five years ago when her son had left her on streets of Mumbai taking her money after the demise of her husband. I had convinced her to come with me and that was one of the best decisions, I took in my life as I had found another mother in the form of her. ”Amma. Thank God! Here you are.” I stood up before engulfing Amma in a hug.

”Where were you? Don't you want to meet my bride?” I asked as I pulled away from her. She smilingly shook her head at my complaining tone.

”Innaya, meet Amma. She is like my second mother. She takes care of everything, including me and these monkeys,” I introduced both important women in my life to each other.

”Beautiful. May god keep you away from evil eyes.” Amma smiled at Innaya while Innaya blushed at the compliment. ”Now onwards she will be taking care of you, right Madam?” I frowned when Amma called her Madam and I was about to correct her when Innaya beat me into it. ”Innaya, Amma. I hope you don't mind me calling you Amma?”

Innaya touched Amma's feet silently asking me to do the same with her eyes.

”God bless you both!” Amma wished caressing her hand on both of our heads.

”I am famished Amma. Can you please set the table for us?” I declared as my stomach growled in hunger thankfully no one noticed.

”Yeah sure, just give me 5 minutes,” Amma answered as she walked away towards the kitchen for arranging our dinner.

”Ok, let's go guys.” I turned to others hoping they would follow and they weren't mad at me anymore as I cleared the matter.

”Wait.” Arjun stopped me.

”Now what?” I angrily turned towards him while Innaya too stopped beside me.

”Sister-in-law, this is for you, your wedding gift.” He came forward while handing the bags.

”This is from me,” Sammer said giving her the box wrapped in gift paper.

”This one too,” Barun butted in with four bags in his hand.

”Sister-in-law, don't forget mine,” Sahil smiled as he held more bags than others did.

”There was no need for this.” Overwhelmed Innaya looked towards me for help while struggling to manage all the gifts and not knowing how to reply them.

”Thank you!” She thanked them all while I took bags from her and kept on the sofa beside me.

”Where's my gift?” I questioned once I kept everything away and realized they gave me nothing.

”It's your punishment. We brought gifts for our pretty sister-in-law only.” They all answered in unison before walking away to the dining table.

I shook my head in disbelief. Wrapping my hand around my amused wife's back, I reciprocated her smile while I lead her towards the way other went.

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