Episode eight

************************************Kabir's Graduation Party.

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The sun had started coming down, and the evening breeze could be felt on the skin.

The party was already in full swing, guests were mingling and making acquaintances.

Kabir's father Salman took hold of the microphone to make an announcement.

"Thank you all for coming to my son's graduation." He began smiling towards the guests who were now focused on him and paying attention to what he had to say.

"Today my son Kabir has officially become a medical practitioner as a licensed obstetrician and gynecologist, I couldn't be more proud as a father."

He motioned for his son to come to where he was standing.

Kabir walked to his dad and gave him a hug, to his surprise his father called Clara to join them.

"I wonder what this old man is up to again," Kabir grunted to himself. He knew his father loved intruding into his personal affairs.

"As we celebrate my son's graduation, I want you all to join me as we officially announce the engagement between our children Kabir and Clara."

The guests stood up and clapped for the new couple, Salman flashed a smile towards Clara's parents. 

Kabir was dumbstruck as he gazed at his mum who looked at him with pity and a telling eye of "I warned you."

Clara on the other hand was 

ecstatic "finally he is mine and mine alone." She said to herself as she bit her lips to avoid screaming out loud.

Kabir's respect for his father stopped him from canceling the engagement.

He believed his father would not hurt him or make decisions that would be detrimental to him.

His mother tried to persuade him to take a stand and reject it if he wasn't happy about it.

"Kabir, you can still say no, it's still early and nobody would be hurt."

"Marriage is not something you enter into especially when you are not in love with the person."

"Mother, I understand 

but the father's decision has always paid off, this won't be any different."

Kabir had so much faith in his father that he agreed to the engagement with Clara.

Clara, however, was the mastermind behind the whole engagement, 

She had requested her mother to meet up with Kabir's father who was her plastic surgeon to fix their marriage.

Her parents relented and agreed to her request when she whined and complained non stop even threatening them with suicide.

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Salmans office

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Salman was going through some documents in his office when she walked in.

Susan was a beautiful woman, though surgery had helped enhance most of her look. She was never satisfied though, there was always a part of her body that she felt needed reconstructing.

"Susan, what a pleasant surprise." Salman greeted her that faithful rainy morning.

She had ignored the heavy downpour to ensure she got her plans in motion.

And she won't take no for an answer.

"Do we have an appointment?" He said while going through his file for her appointment.

"No we don't, can't I visit my friend again." She laughed as he kissed her cheeks.

"That's surprising Susan, now off with it." He knew her too well, she doesn't waste her visits, as she was always up to something.

"Well, I came over so we can discuss our kid's relationship "

"Hope no problem, has Kabir broken up with Clara." 

"Nothing of such, and even if there's a breakup, Clara would be the one calling it off.

"That daughter of mine can have any man she wants. Her beauty is unmatched."

Salman just smiled, Sarah was a vain woman and he knew Clara was the one that was in love with her son, not the other way round.

He however let the issue slide.

" I want us to make their relationship permanent."

Salman stretched his hands over his head towards his back and yawned. 

"What exactly do you have in mind."

"Kabir is graduating soon and he made it to the top of his class, and we know he will become one of the most desirable bachelors in town."

"Go on, you have my full attention."

"I want us to get them engaged at Kabir's graduation party." She looked at him eyeball to eyeball.

Salman laughed out loud at her suggestion and how she wanted to intimidate him with her stare.

"The idea is not a bad one, but I would have to ask Kabir of his opinion first. Since it is his life we are talking about."

"What nonsense, the boy literally worships you, or do you not have a final say to things that involve him anymore." She said it to pinch his ego

"I used to think he does your bidding without argument." She ruffled him more.

It worked because his eyes narrowed a little and trying to salvage his ego he agreed to the plan.

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At the graduation party.

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"These children grow up so fast Veronica, just yesterday they were riding bikes and climbing trees," Susan said immediately as she joined Kabir and his mother where they stood.

"Now we have a wedding preparation on our hands." She tried to act as if she didn't have a hand in all this.

"Congrats once again Kabir." She lifted her hands towards him which he took and placed a light kiss on them.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Clara is over there with some of your friends so why not join them so I can chit chat with your mother.

Kabir kissed his mum on her cheeks and walked away but towards another direction, he didn't have any plan to go to Clara. Not now anyway.

Both women stood staring at each other, Susan and Veronica had never gotten along.

Susan found her superficial and didn't hide it.

Veronica tried to smile at Susan but she knew how manipulative she was and knew she was involved in this arrangement.

However, she kept quiet and didn't stop the engagement or show her displeasure because her husband never cared or listened to her.

Salman was a man that likes having his way whether it's ok with you or not.