She gave his arm a well-aimed punch and his only reaction was to howl with laughter. But she had a sneaking feeling that this sudden decision to fly down to the island for a lazy weekend was far from an impulsive move. ‘You planned all this…right? Come on now—tell me you did!’
He winked at her and grinned. ‘You’ll find out soon enough.’
The speedboat approached the jetty. Rayna’s mind was whirling with scenarios. When Neel had proposed they spend the weekend at the island she had been delighted. They had checked into a different hotel as Nirvana on the Beach was fully booked for a business conference and the guests would only leave the next day. It had never occurred to her to question him on that and now it seemed as if it was just a ruse for a surprise wedding.
Neel anchored the speedboat and helped her onto the boardwalk. She stood her ground. ‘I’m not budging until you tell me what’s going on!’
Neel grabbed her hand and, in a mock solemn tone, said, ‘No can do. It’s a surprise.’
‘Come on, Neel, please!’
He pointed to the shore. ‘Look there!’
He could have knocked her over with a feather. Coming towards them were Mi lee and Chris, Agra Aunty, Robi Da, Sudha Bhabhi, Meera and Neel’s mother. They were all there. As well as the entire Agra gang. Waving and shouting out her name. Neel had pre-planned the wedding and had made sure that all her nearest and dearest ones were there to celebrate with them.
Her heart filled with love and happiness. ‘Oh, Neel… You have everything planned! The wedding, the guests… Oh, my God!’
She was close to tears. Neel bent down and picked her up in his arms. ‘Sweetheart, just tell me you’re happy. That’s all I want to hear.’
‘You know I am. The happiest woman on earth. Can’t you tell?’
The smile on his lips spread to his eyes, which twinkled with love and happiness. ‘That’s what I want you to be every day of our lives together. Deal?’
‘Deal!’
And the best rule of them all. Rule #3: There is no better deal than Happily Ever After!
* * * * *
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© 2014 Adite Banerjie
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eISBN 978-93-5106-505-0
Trouble Has a New Name Page 16