• Four •
Prerna was really excited about the engagement. They had planned a small ceremony with the family members and some business people of Basu Publications. She was gazing at Anurag's picture when she felt a sudden tap on her back, which scared her a little.
Shivani laughed at her reaction, "Since the day you have met that mysterious man, you behave as if you are in some horror movie."
Prerna immediately hid Anurag's photograph under her dupatta, which the hoodlum Shivani searched out, "Dekh rahi ho Anurag ko aur yaad kar rahi ho us XYZ ke baare mein,"
Prerna mischievously smiled, "Zyada films mat Dekha kar, Shivani, who was obeying the job given to her by Anurag, decided to drop the topic.
"Priyu Di, today is your engagement, and you are late for the salon appointment," Shivani remarked to her sister about the appointment, for which Prerna was not ready.
But when Shivi pressed on Prerna's last frayed nerve, she gave in to her demands, "Okay, fine!" Prerna replied while picking the lehenga bag.
Shivani and Prerna bid goodbye to their parents, and Prerna rode the scooter off when Shivani started her constant chit-chat, "Why did you pick magenta; red is a beautiful color, too."
"Anurag has chosen it," Prerna answered her and tried to concentrate on her driving.
Shivani teased her, "Oho! and why lehenga, not saree, because Anurag chose it?"
"No, I wanted a lehenga, not saree," Prerna frustratingly irked out.
They were about to reach the salon when Shivani uttered the last question, but the frustrated Prerna ordered her, "Utar...I said jump down from the scooter", stopping the scooter near the salon.
"Hun..." Shivani exclaimed.
"Tu bahut bore karegi; I have an urgent job to do, tu salon ja, I will join you later," Prerna decided, and announcing it to her in front of the salon, and drove off.
Shivani entered the salon after she had failed to ask her sister what has happened, but she was long gone, messing with the schedule for the day.
Shivani's phone buzzed. It was Anurag's call which she was disheartened to receive. "Hello Anurag...", and then narrated out what has happened.
After a long time, but just before few minutes of the ceremony, Prerna reached the saloon and surprised her, "Di! Apne dara diya tha, mujhe laga bhag gayi sagai se! Now get ready, quick!"
In the Basu Badi, Everyone was waiting for the lady of the day, Prerna Sharma, especially Anurag, who almost believed that she will not come, but she did. Prerna walked down the stairs, dressed in a purple and magenta banarasi lehenga with golden border and pearl jewelry. She had tied her hair in a curled bun. She had a beautiful smile too, which mesmerized everyone.
"Your daughter-in-law is beautiful, Mohini, you are so lucky, Mrs. Banerjee complimented, but Mohini was too angry to listen to any praises for the low-class girl.
Anurag held out his hand when she reached the last step. The rituals took place with no disturbance, but when Anurag was about to slip the ring on Prerna's finger, Anurag's assistant came and whispered something in his ear. Anurag felt agitated and left for his room, and Prerna followed him.
Prerna was expecting some questions from Anurag after all that Shivani has told him, which might shock him, but he did not ask. Instead, he worried everyone, leaving without completing the ritual.
"What happened to Anurag?" Rajesh asked, concerned about his future son-in-law's sudden departure.
Moloy calmed him down, "Everything is fine, Rajesh," to which Rajesh nodded.
Mohini pleasantly thought, "The ceremony has either been postponed or cancelled,"
Prerna followed Anurag to his room, "What happened, Anurag? I am sorry if you're angry at me,"
"No, I am not upset with you, just tell me, do you trust me?" he held her hands and compassionately asked her. He was expecting a yes from her, but she gave more than that to him.
"More than my life," she committed with pride.
"I have to go out for some time; can we postpone our engagement?" He asked for permission from the most important person to whom the decision mattered the most, with a heavy heart.
She smiled, though tears trickled down her cheeks, "Sure. We love each other; that what matters. The engagement and its date do not matter."
He embraced and pecked her forehead, "Thank you," he whispered.
But she held his hand tight when he was leaving, "Will you please tell me, why are you going?"
He sighed, "Basu publications is dealing with a huge financial problem; someone has stolen the important documents from the office,"
She was shocked. Anurag left after announcing that the engagement has postponed.
----
The next day, police arrived at Rajesh's house and announced that they have an arrest warrant for Rajesh. Prerna questioned the police officer, "Why are you arresting my father?"
"Mr. Basu has filed a complaint against him. Rajesh has been pressed with charges of fraud at the Basu Publication," the Inspector announced and took Rajesh away.
Prerna, dumbfounded, couldn't believe that her Anurag can do this to her.
She knelt in defeat as if someone has taken away her entire world from her. She has never expected this from Anurag.
Her Baba is her pride, but so is Anurag. She has never expected this from Anurag, "Why did you do this to me, Anurag?" she cried.
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