The Malhotra Bride

By Sundari Venkatraman

She is young, ravishing and free-spirited. He is a handsome billionaire. She has fought tooth and nail for things like wearing jeans and riding a horse. He, ultimate among eligible bachelors, has never had a woman refuse him. And both see marriage' as a threat to their freedom! When Akshay and Sunita' s horoscopes perfectly match, announcing them as made for each other, there is little they can do except meet to honour their parents' wishes. Though Akshay becomes curious after one look at her photograph, Sunita has set plans of her own. And when they come face-to-face, she is absolutely determined to get rid of him. But will getting rid of one prospective groom help her get rid of this getting-married business altogether? Equal parts tense and passionately romantic, this tale of love and arranged marriage will not only keep you hooked but will change the way you consider marriages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fingerprint Publishing
• Release date: Dec 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9789358565331

Book preview

No! whispered Sunita in horror. Her beautiful grey-green eyes were round with shock. Her hand rose to her luscious, rosy red lips as she insisted in a louder voice, No!

Leela lifted her eyes from the peas she was shelling in the kitchen for dinner. She felt quite impatient with her daughter. She knew Sunita of old. She could twist her mother around her little finger.

Sunita, don’t make a fuss. You know that this is normal in prominent families such as ours—

Stop it, burst out Sunita. I’m quite fed up of hearing how important our family is. In fact, it’s been shoved down my throat a million times as long as I can remember. Tell me something new, Mamma.

Leela looked at her daughter’s shimmering eyes and smiled sadly. My dear Sunita, in our family, some traditions have been followed for generations, and we can’t go against them even if we don’t like them.

I can and I will, Mamma, said Sunita belligerently. We ape so many western customs—their style of clothing, education, and more. Times have changed, Mamma. It’s high time these traditions were left behind.

"My dear, all that’s fine till the time you get married into another family. There will be your duties as their bahu and you cannot do whatever you please."

Mamma, please, I’m barely twenty and you’re all set to send me off to another home. Don’t you love me at all? Sunita ran her fingers through the shelled peas, looking at her mother from the corner of her eyes, hoping to sway her with some emotional blackmail.

"Pagli! Your father will have our hides if I suggest that you remain unmarried for even a few more months. As it is, the gossip mills have begun to wonder why there has been no engagement announced. The Malhotras are crorepatis running an excellent garment business. Akshay is their only heir. He’s well-educated, good-looking—"

Mamma, Sunita was desperate, Look at it from my point of view. I just hate this nineteenth-century culture. Are you guys even aware it’s the twenty-first century? This is my whole future you’re talking about.

Exactly, my child! That’s the reason your papa has made sure that the boy is from a good family. Your horoscope matches so perfectly with Akshay’s.

What? spluttered Sunita. Words failed her as she felt claustrophobic. Things had been building towards the most important event in her life and she had had no inkling.

The younger daughter of Gokul and Leela Rishi was extremely beautiful with luxuriant dark brown hair framing her perfect oval face. Sunita’s eyes were grey-green pools framed by long lashes that mirrored her every thought. Her nose was slim and sharp while her lips were wide and sensual.

Their elder daughter, Sandhya, was happily married to Raghu, the eldest son of the Lalwani family. She was absolutely content and proud as a housewife and mother of Shyam and Shubha aged nine and two. She had been more than ready at the age of eighteen to marry Raghu Lalwani. She had never thought of questioning tradition. She had never felt the need to rebel against whatever her parents decided for her. In fact, she had never even met Raghu in private before their wedding.

There was an age gap of eight years between Sandhya and Sunita. Although the sisters were friendly with each other, you could not call them close.

Leela continued, Yes, my dear. Akshay Malhotra’s horoscope matches yours on all points, which is rare. He is also handsome, educated in America—

Mamma, do you really think I give a damn because he is ‘educated in America’? I don’t know the guy from Adam. How do you expect me to spend the rest of my life with him?

But, Sunita, Leela had lost her patience by now, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. The Malhotras are coming home tomorrow. You can meet Akshay and find out for yourself how suitable he is.

Sunita’s jaw dropped. She felt steamrollered. What the hell was going on? Do you think I have a fifty-fifty chance of saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’? she asked aggressively.

How can you be so negative, Sunita? Your father and I have taken care of you over all these years. Won’t we choose the best man for you? Can’t you respect our decision?

So, tomorrow I meet this guy and just nod my head before you lead me to the marriage hall like a lamb to the slaughter, snarled Sunita, her face red with anger.

"Hey Bhagavan! exploded Leela, Sunita, how can you talk like this? Look at Sandhya . . ."

"Mamma, I’m not Sandhya, okay? I accept that Sandhya is an ideal child who listens to everything you say. She got married to Raghu jeeja and is quite fine being an ideal wife and daughter-in-law. But I can’t face such a life. You have to understand that, Mamma," she insisted. Her slender body shook with disgust at the thought of marrying a stranger.

I think your father was right when he accused me of spoiling you rotten. It’s high time you fall in with our plans and follow the life of a girl who belongs to a traditional family, said Leela, exasperated with her younger child.

No! Sunita was vehement.

Yes, Leela was equally intense, I know you’re a mature girl who’ll never shame her parents. She left her daughter to brood angrily.

Sunita worried her lower lip, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She was too proud to let them fall as she held her head high and sniffed. Her thoughts ran fast as she looked for a solution to the mess she was in.

Her life had been one long struggle for freedom. Gokul Rishi was a very strict father and strongly believed that women should be occasionally seen and never heard. She had fought tooth and nail for small things like riding horses and wearing jeans. Only because she was a woman! But all that had only made her stronger.

Sunita went to her grandfather’s room. The sixty-seven-year-old giant with snow-white hair adored his rebellious granddaughter. He had always encouraged her to find herself and never treated her differently just because she was a female. The young woman so reminded him of his late wife, Sharda. He was so proud of his Sunita.

Dadaji, said Sunita as she hugged him tight. She felt so secure in his arms.

You’re upset, my dear. What happened? he asked lovingly, running his hand over her head.

The Malhotras are coming tomorrow to ask for my hand in marriage, began Sunita before she was interrupted.

Yes, and—

You too, Dadaji! Papa and Mamma want me married off to a stranger. But how could you? Sunita’s voice wobbled.

But, little one, I’m not getting younger. I would like to hold my great grandchildren before I die.

You do play with Shubha and Shyam when they’re here, and that’s quite often.

"You’re right. But you’re more precious to me than anyone else. Is it too much to ask to play with your kids? What have you got against marriage? Your dadi and I had a wonderful life together."

That’s precisely what I’m telling you, Dadaji. You loved each other from when you were sixteen and she was fourteen. Getting married must have been a joy.

Tell me if you love someone. I’ll get you married to him.

But, Dadaji, I’m not in love with anyone. I’ve been concentrating on my studies and have not had the time to fall in love, protested Sunita.

You don’t need time to fall in love, my dear. Love just happens.

Are you people going to allow love to happen to me? Sunita felt triumphant as she pushed Grandpa Ratan into a corner.

Little one, the last two years haven’t been easy keeping your father from getting you married before you completed your degree. That’s not possible anymore. Grandpa Ratan was firm.

Sunita put her head on his lap. Dadaji, Mamma’s given me no choice. She says that the Malhotra boy has been chosen for me with great care and I can’t refuse the alliance. What if I don’t like him?

Grandpa’s eyes twinkled. It’s like this. You’re off the hook if the boy says ‘no’. But I can’t see him resisting you. Dadaji grinned at her. But seriously, my dear, if you take a dislike to him, anybody who forces your hand will have me to answer to, he promised.

Sunita gave him a relieved smile. See you, Dadaji. She ran away like a gazelle, so gracefully, bringing tears of joy to Grandpa Ratan’s eyes. He knew her docile acceptance to be false. But with the tolerance and wisdom of age, he accepted that ‘man proposes and God disposes’.

Akshay parked his red Audi under the portico and jumped out of the driver’s seat. Whistling cheerfully, he climbed the porch steps two at a time and entered the huge hall through the elaborately carved double doors. His mother, Tanuja, heard the car and came out of the kitchen.

Akshay hugged her close before lifting her straight off the floor and swinging her in a circle.

Akshay! Put me down now, ordered Tanuja, her voice shaking with mirth.

He laughed along with her as he put her down. Ask me how my day was, he insisted.

It was obviously good, declared Tanuja, sensing his exuberance.

Fantastic, Mom, hooted Akshay.

Tell me what the excitement is about.

Mom, I clinched a huge deal with the most reputed firm in Mumbai. It runs to fifty crore rupees. Five other major companies were competing with us for the contract. And I got it.

That’s amazing, Akshay. I’m so proud of you. Does Dad know?

You bet. I came home directly after the conference. He’s on his way from the office and should be here soon.

Akshay’s father, Raj Malhotra, walked in jubilantly and gave his son a bear hug. Both men were tall, over six feet, with Tanuja being a Lilliput of an inch over five feet. She was tiny only in stature. She ran the house and her men folk on oiled wheels. She also had a golden heart.

You’ve really proved your prowess in the business, Akshay. May God bless you with greater success! I’ve got some wonderful news too. Gokul Rishi has offered his daughter’s hand in marriage to you. They are a prestigious family. It would be an honour to find a match there.

Really, said Tanuja. Have you checked the horoscopes? How does the girl look? What kind of people are they?

Wait a minute, are you guys talking about my wedding? Akshay asked in a low voice. Tanuja caught on that he was disturbed by Raj’s news.

Yes, Akshay, said Raj, rubbing his palms together in pleasure. He was blissfully unaware of the undercurrents. In fact, he was extremely satisfied with the way things were falling in place.

Why don’t you freshen up first? We can continue this discussion in the dining room. I have made your favourite pakoras, Akshay. Tanuja hoped to avert the situation by distracting the men from the talk of marriage.

I’m not hungry, bit out Akshay.

Now, Akshay, I don’t think losing your temper is the answer. Why don’t you have a wash and come down? We can discuss this over snacks, she suggested gently.

Right, Mom, be back in ten, said Akshay as he walked to the staircase leading to the bedrooms on the first floor.

The flight of steps ended in a small hall. His bedroom was on the right. It was the ultimate in luxury with an 8’x8’ bed in the centre. A wall-to-wall wardrobe took up the breadth of the room on the left. One of the doors set within the wardrobe opened into an attached bathroom. A full-length mirror was fitted right in the middle of the wardrobe.

The room was decorated in shades of grey, navy blue, and maroon. A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf was filled with Akshay’s favourite books collected since childhood. There was a collection of family photos, and a shelf dedicated to DVDs. An excellent music system had been set up with speakers placed on all four corners.

There were French windows opposite the entrance to the room. These opened onto a balcony, which was about half the size of the bedroom. There was a box grill surrounding the three-foot high wall, which was filled with potted

Reviews for The Malhotra Bride

[sheiladeeth_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sunita’s father was very strict and “strongly believed that women should be occasionally seen and never heard,” which makes Sunita’s dream of real life and independence hard to achieve, especially when father declares he’s found the perfect husband for her. But Sunita’s planned husband is just as independent as she, and fireworks ensue, humorously told in Sundari Venkatraman’s the Malhotra Bride.Filled with vivid and thoroughly detailed descriptions, this short romance brings India to life for its readers, inviting them to share the delights of many flavored foods, the beauties of clothing, the traditions of an Indian wedding, and much much more. Plus there’s danger on these city streets, and not just from an over-protective father.The dialog has a pleasingly authentic feel, and enjoyable humor. Traditions become vividly real, and can be well-imagined from the rich level of detail. A powerfully successful Indian world provides an exciting and enticing backdrop to well-choreographed romance, and the occasional bedroom scene of honest love. Sunita may even feel cherished by the end of this tale, and readers will enjoy the sensation along with her.Disclosure: The author gave me a free ecopy for which I offer my honest review.