Must Read: The Silent Lover - Season 1 - Episode 29

7 years ago

Must Read: The Silent Lover - Season 1 - Episode 29

‘Sikander Riza, the ruler’, as her father privately dubbed him, was second-in-command of the company her father had built into one of the largest in U.K.

Well bred, educated, and well off in his own right, he had joined it from one of their main competitors, and had qucikly became Managing
Director. He had eyesight fixed on the stars. Getting to the top was his prime ambition, and he was intelligent and hardworking enough to be well on the way there.

“I thank the day Sikander joined me,” Her father often used to say. “It will be hard replacing him if he leaves.”

If her father hadn’t thrown him at her as a suitable husband from the time she was sixteen, she might have found him tolerable.
But knowing he was regarded as a surrogate son had made her react against him.

How and when it had all started?” She could still recall very well. After all, it was her sixteenth birthday

Now, that was another thing that had turned out to be ‘bitter sixteen’ for her instead of a ‘sweet sixteen’ one.

“Hello Komal, enjoying yourself?” He had asked in a typical, casual voice. Impeccable in grey dinner jacket and black trousers that emphasized his physique, his pale grey eyes regarded her unblinkingly.

“Very much, and you?” She asked back
formally.

He nodded.

“May I have a word with you in private?”

Short of being rude, she couldn’t refuse, and stifling her impatience, she preceded him into her father’s study.

What on earth did he want? Impatiently she tapped one small foot as he went to standby the fireplace.

“You’re leaving for college on Monday, I believe.” He said conversationally.

“Yes.”

“Then I’m glad I can speak to you tonight.
I’m going abroad for a while, and this is the only chance I’ll have of seeing you until your holidays.”

So what?” She thought irritably. She hardly saw him anyway.

“A little birthday gift,” He said, holding it out. “I didn’t want to put it with the others in the hall.”

Taking a flat, square black box from his hand, Komal opened it slowly and gasped.

On a bed of black velvet lay an excellent necklace of real, true pearls all arranged evenly. Involuntarily, Komal brought a finger to touch the brightly colored pearls.

She loved it at first sight, although hated the fact that Sikander was giving it. However, she didn’t let her feelings reveal through her face.

“Thank you, it’s a nice one.” She said.

“I’m glad you like it,” He said tonelessly.

Komal was about to turn away from him when his voice gripped her feet.

“I’d like you to accept it as a combined birthday and engagement present.” He went on. “To me, it seemed premature to buy a ring until you’ve given me your answer.”

Speechlessly she stared at him.

“I’m asking you to marry me.” He added.
He couldn’t be serious!

But his expression showed he was, and the very idea infuriated her into replying.

“We hardly know each other. I’ve never even been out with you!”

“We’ve known each other for two years;
I’ve seen you most times I’ve dinner here.”

“Karim, our butler sees me everyday.” She rejoined, referring to their servant. “But I don’t expect him to propose to me!”

He swallowed but said nothing.

“I know exactly why you want to marry me, and it’s got nothing to do with love.” She said firmly without much expression.

“You’re sure about that?”

“Actions speak louder than words, and yours can hardly be called lover-like!” She railed.

For several seconds Sikander remained silent, the increasig dark complexion of his skin being the only sign of anger. “I don’t need to marry to secure dynasty, Komal. I’m quite capable of securing my own.”

“Come off it,” She retorted. “This company is ready made for you.”

“What makes you certain I don’t love you?” He countered, ignoring her comment.

“They way you behave, as I said, you’ve never even asked me out before.”

“A mistake, I agree. But only because I thought you were too young to…..”

“But mature enough to be your wife.” She cut in sacarstically.

He took a very long breath and then said,

“But I’m honest…..”

“Yes, no doubt about that. You’ve always been honest to your business, an excellent businessman and I’m just another piece of business to you! Only there’s one thing you’ve forgotten.”

“Which is?”

“That I can’t be bought or taken over! Now if you don’t mind, my friends are waiting for me.”

Turning in her heel, she stalked out.

She hoped she had not come across too flat.
But she had to be honest with him, and with herself. She glanced at Sikander as he came to join the guests once again; his face again spotless and without any expression, like nothing had happened at all.

One never knew with him. He rarely showed much expression, while she was an open book.

Same night, her father had announced in
private that he’d want her to marry Sikander.
He didn’t actually force his decision but it was
clear that Sikander was his only choice, and then it was not very easy for Komal to ignore or reject him specially when she had no one else
in her mind.

“I’d want you to consider Sikander as the first man in your list, when the time comes.”
Her father had said.

“We’ve nothing in common.” She protested.

“Sure you have, he likes this country. Like you, he is not conservative, and he’s interested in art; same as you.”

“You must be joking Dad! He’s never even talked about love to me.”

“When have you given him the chance? As soon as you see him, you rush off as if your tail’s on fire.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning is clear. Spend time with him; try to understand each other. That’s what a
successful marriage needs.” Her father said finally.

Komal tried picturing being married to him, no highs, no lows, no quarrels and no passion.
How boring!

Not that she had ever actually fancied him! They were too disparate: he was cold where she was warm, analytical where she was intuitive and reserved where she was impulsive.