Rebel Hard (Hard Play #2)(62)

Nayna had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

“However, the problem is that he has just tonight been informed that he must take up this position in two months’ time rather than the six months that was initially agreed. He also needs to go over earlier to set up his living situation. As a result, he’s asked my permission to have the wedding in the next six weeks.”

Everyone gasped now—Madhuri included.

To their father’s credit, he did glance at her and got her nod before continuing. “Sandesh has a good friend who owns a large hotel that’s used for weddings, and this friend is willing to squeeze us in on a date five weeks from now. The hotel ballroom is more than large enough for our guests, and Sandesh tells me that he also has friends and acquaintances who will step up for the decorations and catering.”

Gaurav Sharma shifted his attention to the man who sat in a chair beside Nayna’s end of the sofa. “Raj, we might have to ask your help in moving things here and there, and perhaps with building the mandap if we can’t hire a nice one in time.”

“That’s no problem,” Raj said at her father’s reference to the wedding pavilion in which the bride and groom would sit with the Hindu priest. “Anything I can do to help.”

“What about Madhuri’s wedding suit?” Nayna asked, well aware of her sister’s priorities; Madhuri was nearly bursting with horror at the idea of being married in anything but the latest fashions, but for her to ask now would make her look bad in front of her future in-laws.

Her younger sister asking was another matter altogether—siblings got a much freer pass in such things.

Madhuri shot her a grateful look, mouthing, “Owe you, Ninu.”

It turned out Madhuri’s doctor was ahead of them. “I’ve asked a business acquaintance of mine who owns a sari shop to organize a special shipment of designer saris and wedding suits from India,” he declared. “You’ll be able to choose whichever one you want from among them, and it will be fitted exactly to you.”

Madhuri beamed at her suitor. “Oh, Sunny, you’re so wonderful,” she whispered.

Sunny?

Nope, Dr. Sandesh Patel didn’t strike Nayna as a Sunny, but it intrigued her that he was that to Madhuri. The entire Patel family, meanwhile, broke out in huge smiles, utterly charmed by Nayna’s sister.

And so it went, until he and his family left.

The rest of them relaxed, talking over the events of the night—with Aji relaying how Madhuri had first shocked them all with the news of Sandesh’s proposal. “I nearly fell down dead,” their grandmother said, one hand on her heart. “And now the excitement of a wedding so soon!”

“It’ll be good practice for Nayna’s and Raj’s wedding,” Shilpa Sharma commented with a laugh. “We’ll know what not to do by then!”

Nayna looked at Raj. She couldn’t stand it anymore, had to clear the air before this went any further or she might find herself in the midst of a double wedding. “I have some news too.”

The laughter morphed into Cheshire cat smiles—she knew everyone in her family expected her to announce that she’d formally accepted Raj. “I’ve decided that before I make any decisions about the rest of my life, I need to find out who I am.”

A scowl replaced her father’s smile. “What were you doing these past days? Did you not figure all that out already?” A huff of air. “You modern girls. Look at Madhuri. So well settled now.”

Nayna didn’t even bother to roll her eyes at how quickly her sister had been turned into a paragon. Beside her, Madhuri bit off a squeak. At least her sister found that comparison a little over the top too.

She swallowed hard and continued on into the silence, very aware of Raj seated in the chair next to where she sat on the sofa. His presence gave her confidence as she continued. “I’ve decided I need to move out and live on my own for a little while.”

Chaos erupted. Everybody started talking at once. Her sister, her father, her mother, even her grandmother. The tone was incredulous in general, and shocked beneath it. Even Madhuri, wild girl that she’d been, looked as if Nayna had dropped a brick on her head.

“No.” Her father’s voice cut through the din. “This is ridiculous. You’re a good girl. You’ll get married and have a respectable life.” His tone made it clear that was that.

But when he rose as if to leave the room, Nayna said, “I’m sorry, Dad, but I have to do this.”

Her father spoke not to her but to Raj. “I thought you were going to talk some sense into her.”

Raj got to his feet. “Sir, I don’t want Nayna to be my wife if she doesn’t want to be my wife. And she needs this time.”

Her father’s jaw tightened. “Are you telling me you’re supporting this nonsense?”

“I’m supporting Nayna,” Raj said, still polite but refusing to back down.

“Get out,” her father snapped. “I thought you had some spine.”

Raj stood his ground. “I’m here for Nayna. I’ll always be here for her.”

Her father shifted his attention to Nayna, his hard eyes meeting her own. “If you do this, you’re no daughter of mine.”

Though Nayna had expected as much, it was a kick to the heart nonetheless. Nodding, she rose to her feet, so grateful for Raj’s big body right next to her, her shoulder brushing his arm. “I’ll pack my things.”