I can take care of myself and I don't need any help from him. So, I refused to take the help his attendants offered to me. As we walked in the airport, I regretted my decision of refusing to take the help that was offered to me. I was struggling with my bags but I cannot ask him for help now! Somehow I managed to take my bags to the jet. A flight crew member took both our luggage and loaded it onto the aircraft. The jet was small and compact from the outside like most private jets are, I assume. It was posh and very luxurious from the inside. It had very comfortable seats unlike the economy class seats that I was used to. We sat opposite each other as the flight took off. I saw my beloved home city of Mangalore decrease in size until it was barely visible from my window. When we were at a stable altitude, he took out his laptop and began doing some work on it. I had no time to pack my things properly or else I would have brought a book along with me to keep me company instead of having to stare at his face. He did have a beautiful face, so its not such a bad thing. No, stop admiring his looks Nandini. You did that once and that lead to this marriage. He used an in-flight phone and spoke to the flight crew. "Bring me a bottle of red wine preferably Dal Forno 1967." Soon, a pretty well dressed flight attendant walked into our cabin with a bottle of wine and some cheese on a tray. "Would you like me to serve you Sir?" she asked him very politely. "No thank you. You may go now." He said taking the wine bottle in his hand. The flight attendant left the cabin and then he asked me " Would you like some?" "No thanks. I don't drink." I said. " I wish" he uttered. What does he mean! sensing from my expression he continued "We wouldn't be in this situation if not for your drinking." Gosh how he twists things. He must be getting his way with anyone with those good looks and his choice of words. "As far as I remember you were drunk too when we got married in that Church!" I retorted remembering that night I wish never happened. "Touché" he said in a seemingly unlikely occurrence of accepting the fact that I was correct. "So, now that we have established that you and I have drunk before, would you like to try some wine? Wine is easier to drink than Vodka, if thats what you drank that night." he said to me as he poured some wine into his glass. Why does he want me to drink? Is he planning something else? Like our first night? I made it very clear that I was not willing to be his wife in the true sense of the word. "After what happened the last time I drank, I would prefer not to, but thank you for asking" I said. Why am I thanking him. His dirty mind would have been imagining all sorts of things. The rest of the flight journey was non-eventful. He sat on his seat, sipping his wine while working on his laptop.  I gazed at the skies thinking of how life could have been if we hadn't gotten married that night. We reached Mumbai in less than 2 hours. A really expensive looking car was waiting for us when we arrived at the airport. The driver drove us to a beautiful condo building. I sensibly let the driver help me with my luggage this time when we reached. Manik and I took the lift to the 17th floor of the building, which was the highest. He opened the door to the only apartment on that floor- the penthouse. It was enormous to say the least and it would probably take me a whole day to explore every part of the apartment. "Just a few ground rules while you stay. Everything here is yours too. So feel free to use anything, but do not go to the store room on the top floor. It is out of bounds for you and will remain locked throughout your stay here." I wonder what is in that room, but why should I bother. "Where is my room?" I asked him showing little interest in his 'secret room'. He pointed and said " The second one to the right." I walked by a beautiful open kitchen, a living room, a two dining rooms, one bedroom (probably that arrogant idoits- guessing from the size.), and then I found my room. It was lovely and well decorated. Whoever designed the room had very good taste. There was a large painting hanging from above the bedrest. The bed itself looked very comfortable. The room was set to a theme of white, turquoise blue and rust colours. I loved it. I went to the white curtains and opened them. I saw the most beautiful sight ever. The shore line of Mumbai on one side and the city as the sun set on the other. It was a lot to take in, but it was a pretty sight. As I was admiring the view, I heard Manik talk to his lawyer who I assume had also arrived at 'our common residence.'
I realized that our 365 days, one year of hell being married had begun...

Sorry for the delay in posting this. Update for Timeless will also be up shortly. Thank you ❤️