••||••||••

There's a moment in life, a particular moment  you feel,  your feelings are, all of yours life's hardwork, achievements, success and gains  are on one side; and the happiness, joy of your own people, family, your loved ones is on another side, an attainment, above all the other biggest achievement of your life.

The similar feeling I experienced watching everyone talking and laughing and loving and breathing with each other, joking about here and there and living as if that's the point they had to reach and, the togetherness of everyone here is  all what they needed, all that they wanted.

It wasn't long, when Mr Oberoi and I reached to all who were sitting and talking, engrossed with each other, seeing us both they all embraced us with warm hugs and questions of worry and yes a lot of teasings from our young notorious gang, throwed in our way. It was a surprise to us and especially to Om who gawked with open mouth when Gauri entered a few moments later. It turns out to be, Mallika has invited her as her own friend after a lot of convincing  Gauri's conservative family for this wedding.  Om's face was a sight to behold, jaw hanging on floor and wide eyes and than the face splitting smile like a kid who got Maggie in lunch instead of green boring brocoli. However I chuckled, gaining suspicious look from all, especially Rudy, as I saw Om's puppy face when he can't even embrace his love instead his family happily welcomed Gauri.

After all our arrival, shortly we were on our way to Obeori's private jet, which was to be true eye-catching model. Although I have went in zizu's and Ryan's jet before but it didn't stopped me from gasping seeing the giant beauty in front of us.  As usual, like their restaurant, office, palace, it screamed Obeori's royalty and taste in every bit.

We went inside, we girls as excited as we always are went for a tour on insistence of Rudy. There were two floors, down one has two lines of seat  and backside has sofa with table and lastly two rooms with a common washroom in between while the upper floor has a large table seems like dining one and sofas and a giant led screen, with two rooms and again a common washroom. Gosh, it seems like one doesn't need a house and could live here for lifetime! It's more of a freaking house, than a jet.

As it was evening and elders might got tired, on Mr Obeori's insistence they were all send to first floor rooms for a quick rest. While bade papa and badi mummy shared a room, another room was shared by dadi and maa. My heart warmed seeing how Mr Oberoi ignored all Maa's protest and made her forcefully take rest.

Soon we young gang and as Rudy additionally says Mr Obeori, settled upstairs at dining table. Meanwhile coming upstairs Mallika and Ryan already interrogated me about the ring. God knows, how hard it was to hide the truth and just stick to the reason-- Mr Oberoi found it out in the car and he forgot to inform me.  Which eventually lead to both of them cursing under their breath owning to the hard time we all went through  to in searching for it.

Laughter, chuckles, chortles, giggling and silence was all that filled the table. Offcourse the last one owns to Mr Obeori and now Prinku too, who I assume seems to be quite seeing so many people together. But that also got solved. How can someone be so quite and nervous when Mallika is there and offcourse I got Prinku more laughing. But still, there was one who didn't bother to say, just a few words of exchange with Rudy and Om and other than that Mr Oberoi ate his food and didn't even try to mingle with us all. He excused himself as he finished his food, going inside one of the room and sometimes later when Rudra, Mallika, Gauri planned to watch a movie, they all seems to have some idea of thrusting me inside Mr Oberoi's room and call him out.

"You guys!" I exclaimed as the door got closed by Mallika and Rudy ordering me to call Mr Oberoi soon. As if, I can't just ask him from the door and need to go close, shout in his ear  loudly 'come out and watch movie with us'!

"What are you doing here?"

My head snapped to the owner of question, he seems to be engrossed in his files and laptop with a black pen in his hand. Goodness god! Is he seriously..? He is working here, on a plane ride and not even it's a ride to some business meeting but to our wedding destination and here he is working as if in five minutes he has his meeting and urgently need to complete his presentation.

What's wrong with this guy?

"What are you doing?" The question came out as baffled as I was and with slow steps I walked towards him. "Mr  Oberoi? Are you really working on your project files on our way to wedding destination?"

He didn't looked up and just continued to mark the numbers on that file, "as evident as it is, Ms Trivedi "

"Mr Obeori!"

He looked up now, "What?"

"Nothing" I rolled my eyes, chuckled a little continue saying, "Whenever I think that you cannot be more impossible, then you do something like this and everytime you prove me wrong."

His eyebrows raised. "Should I take it as a compliment?"

"You're impossible!" I scowled, shaking my head in disbelief. "Kher everyone has planned to watch movie and has sent me here to call you down, come soon the movie is about to start."

He made a face. Oh yes, he gave a expression, as if I told him something in alien language and standing here like an idiot. "Movie? Ms Trivedi, I don't watch films. You may go and enjoy, I am buzy."

He said as if movie was some resentful word. "They wouldn't let me untill you come down with me!" I gritted out the words, having a urgent wish to toe his files and laptop aside.

Again he got engrossed in his laptop, typing something, faster than an average. Perfect as usual as he is, oh yes, he can talk eazy and type furiously without even pressing on delete button, now it's very evident infront of my eyes.  "Okay, you can sit here."

I ignored his suggestion and asked with finality, "I am asking you last time now, are you coming or not with me?" 

He looked up at me, cocking one eyebrow about an inch, "and last time I am clearly telling you, No."

"Fine!" I turned around, muttering profanities under my breath and, saying on my back, "Than face the consequences yourself."

I was about to barge out of room when his strong voice stopped me, "Ms Trivedi, stop right now. Don't you dare go complaining dadi."

A frown following by stupid grin played on my lips, as my devil brain suggested an idea. I turned to him with a big smile, nodding, "Oh! I wasn't Mr Oberoi, but now you gave me the idea.  Now it's even better to tell dadi than  Om Ru."

Mr Obeori didn't seem much happy, his jaw clenched and the pen in his hand had to bear the tight grip, "Don't you dare blackmailing me Ms Trivedi." He gave a death glare, "Don't."

"Oh, so you can threaten me" pointing a finger towards him, " and I can't even blackmail you. Tsk tsk.  Mr Oberoi that's so unfair" I shook my head faking  innocence, than throwing his words back to him while crossing my arms against my chest, "and maybe...maybe telling dadi, might be a lesson for you."

If looks could bury you six feet under ground, it would have done minutes before now. Mr Oberoi tossed the file aside, flipped off his laptop, and  with flared up gaze he asked roughly,  "What do you want?"

Now, now that's some deal. With a sugary smile I shrugged my shoulder. "Simply, come out, watch movie with us."

Something like time waste and fool people thing he said meanwhile standing up from his place.

Standing beside me he growled, "if a word about my file or laptop spread to dadi, I won't leave you Ms Trivedi. Remember that."

Quirking an eyebrow, unsmiling and  earnestly I told him, "And you remember that, Mr Oberoi threatening me won't be advantageous for you."

And saying so I marched outside with a stupid  smile playing on my lips for having a last word on Mr always-had-to-be-last-sentence Obeori.

As I made my way outside, everyone looked behind me grinning, Mr Oberoi stepping here with neutral expression, sat down beside Prinku talking to her in a low voice on which she shook her head, patting his arm with a amused expression.

Laughing, eating, throwing popcorns, throwing commentaries at each other, we passed our time watching only half movie as flight was about to take off and  against our wishes we went down settled down with elders and tucked our seatbelts.

Walking a step outside of flight, the first thing crossed my mind, or more like my body was a shudder,  holy Shit! It's glacier cold! I should have worn atleast a sweater and  jacket, also cap, gloves, muffler, earmuffs, as it's as cold as Mr Obeori's attitude, here at Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport!

Am I really comparing the weather with Mr Oberoi! Cold has certainly freeze out my brain parts. Woosh.

Two SUVs, one overflowing with elders and luggage, other fitted itself with us, remaining eight. For the duration of  two hours, Mr Oberoi at front, last with Om Ru Ryan and in middle, we four girls were sitting- close, tight, rubbing our palms and hands tangled around each other, hugging girlish and warmly,  and I, definitely ignoring Mallika's unsuitable whisperings, how you should  sit close in front, in heated  lap of Mr Oberoi....  It definitely freshen up the temporary forgotten memory of party, making my already raised hair of my entire body to experience another shudder of goosebumps.

No doubt she got so many smacks from me throughout our drive.

Due to darkness outside, all our way and mostly the trucks and traffic this hour, the surroundings was unclear.  I have come to visit Udaipur twice before and as far as I know, right now we left behind most of the forts and palaces that I assume were famous for weddings.  All I know is, Obeori's took the responsibilities of wedding place which is blurry to my mind, while on Maa's strong persistence she took responsibility of other wedding arrangements and reception.

I was afraid, there was woods all around and lone road and darkness we were heading to. When I voiced out my thoughts to no one in particular, Rudra laughed them off, telling me about this particular wedding destination  place more and the things he told me, definitely pushed my curiosity up.

And than suddenly, there were cute post light on our way starting,  driving us to some brighter place, lights outline it as...

Heaven

I breathed out "wow", which really wasn't from just me only, beside me Gauri, Mallika also got stilled, eyes pressed on the heavenly looking palace before us.

We got down, stood, in a blur, all elders got to us, and all the sound and all the coldness became unfocused. Only  focus was on this, breathtaking sight before us.

One's eyes has to experience this picturesque view, rather than  putting into words. This is a imaginary place, almost looks like edited one with some Coral draw and put up here painted...or rather than printed into a large canvas. But, for obvious reason one cannot draw or edit or put here this vast looking surreal palace.

I close my eyes, and let myself go deeper to the most beautiful sight I have scene till date, it's a sunrise. A sunrise I have seen from a place I have gone on my solo trip, a day before I had discovered, not so deep in woods, on a hill. The earthy smell, cuckoo sound of birds, a small stream of river flowing in front and behind all this  the clear sunrise, it's ray falling all over as a cute baby stretches up his hand after a small nap.

That was a sight to behold lifetime and now, now this is a sight  to behold.

Although, it was dark night and all we could see in the lights of palace, outlining it and teasing us to discover at this moment.  Om talked-about this place, which does look like a royal palace but it's a Oberoi's resort. Yes, a resort as I just read out loud in amazement, "The Oberoi Royal Villas".

I was under the impression we are going to some palace, and as same I asked Maa on our way inside, she told me at last moment the venue got changed. I am the bride and I am not even informed we changed the venue. How great it is, isn't it!

As we walked inside, my gaze didn't leave the handicrafts and ethereal painting sculpted on these walls. Suddenly a pair of hand held me through my shoulder firmly and I was being pulled  towards himself.

"What th--" I gasped, as Mr Oberoi was the one pulling me to his chest, aside and as my gaze moved to heavy mirrors and other decorative items, some worker was moving just beside me, I shut yelling on him.

Around us, everyone was already at good distance ahead, talking and chuckling. Stepping back from him, and tucking my hair behind my ear, I looked up in his mysterious blue green orbs.

"Thanks" I muttered, backing up from him at a safe distance. He himself, in a snap moved his hand away from my shoulder, pocketing them and looking other side where all of our family were.

Silently, we both walked, side by side of each other until I broke it down, complimenting, "this place is so beautiful."

"I am aware." Looking straight at our way he said as if I just didn't complimented but stated a fact. "It's Obeori's afterall."

I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief, and increased my speed towards our family, saying loudly on my back, "YOU'RE WELCOME!"

••|••|••

Guests. Rituals. More guests. More creative rituals. Dancing and singing. And than some more guests. Some more baba Adam zamana's rituals!

Eh, so that's the summary of this past week.

When we all came here, discovered this beautiful royal palace cum resort, when this week passed away quickly, in a jiffy,  it was not known. The day we came here, and the next day, it is the only one which has passed away peacefully, the rest of the days, we didn't even realise how fast the guests started coming. Just don't ask!

My maasi, and my mother's cousins, their children, their in laws and than here papa's side family, chacha, bua, tauji, and dadi and their inlaws plus cousins and all my cousins also. Wait! Am I again confusing the relationships? Gosh, forgive me, but these are seriously so confusing!

And than if mine wasn't enough, Mr Oberoi's khandan, twice big as mine, didn't leave me for a second and frequently testing my memory power whether I have memorised and identified them correctly or not. Honestly, even Einstein can't remember that number of people.

However, Mr Oberoi's few relative left their imprint on my memory. Some special people they are. Here is his only maasi, Rinki maasi and his nani ji, who loves Mr Obeori so much that more than their own kids, they respect him and truly care for him and love him so much, more than their life. As they live in U.S. they couldn't come to our engagement due to weather issues but now that they had came the very next day of our arrival in Udaipur and saw me and Mr Oberoi, together,  their eyes held the tears of happiness, eternal peace. They literally pulled us in a hug, in excitement donated money, sweets, gold to workers. Mr Obeori's Nani, she is as cool as my nani. Where his dadi ji is concerned about every ritual and all emotional, his nani is all cool and fun loving.

Secondly, Mr Obeori's bua ji, who  I didn't even know existed. I don't understand, or can't actually pin point but in our, first five minutes meeting, I feel she doesn't like me. You know that vibe or feeling we instantly get when the other person seems to be not so happy by us.  Maybe I am overthinking, but the way she cut me off everytime I tried saying something and didn't even smile, I feel she really doesn't seem to like me.

And  Mr Oberoi, as usual he was different with his family and to his maasi and nani, he treat them with more of respect, calmly,  he never cut them off, he cares about smallest of small thing related to his nani. Her room, her comfort, her medicine, her doctor appointment, her food, her...and every possible little thing. To say I was surprised, yeah that would be the truth.

And than on another side, my dadi has arrived, a few hours ago. Seeing her after a long time didn't stop me from hugging her tight and throwing so many questions at her.

In my childhood days, untill papa was with us, we three would spend a good two months holiday in our village, with dadi and papa's side of family in his big haveli. That were some days, to smile on those memories. But all of a sudden or one can say with time and responsibilities, meeting turned into phone calls and than everything slowly and slowly distanced and it's now, on excuse of my marriage I am seeing my own tauji-taiji, chachaji-chachiji, buaji and all my eight cousins after about nine years.

And here is my nani, as usual in her modern clothes, long kurti and plazo, wearing goggles and always like a fitness freak, she is in her petite waist, came here the very next day of us. And the amazing thing? My nani and Mr Oberoi's nani accidentally banged on their way here, and than their actually funny fight and than laughter forming their new blooming friendship was just amazing. We were actually the audience, witnessing everything, whenever one of them blow thier bomb on other, our all heads would turn left and right and again left.

Now also, our all family sitting under sun on terrace with a wonderful view of mountains and a lake, my dadi is lecturing us all, how it's inauspicious for a bride and groom to meet after haldi. And as my haldi is tomorrow, Mr Oberoi and I are strictly prohibited from seeing each other, as if we are glued to each other all the time! However, my nani shook her head, teasing dadi about her old school views.

My nani actually gives a perfect contrast to my dadi. How? My dadi is very conservative and religious, always wear saree and cover her head, has rigid traditional thoughts, a little hot tempered but my nani would be in latest kurti and pajami, always cool and she usually ask maa to take a chill pill and kick tension out hard.

Debate between the elders went on, our dadi on one side and both nanis on other. The sight is preety hilarious as maa and badi maa tried calming both down, acting as a referee. However Ryan Mallika Gauri Prinku Rudy Om were in their some secret conversation, that I have been noticing is going on for this whole week. Something devilish is cooking in their mind!

And here Mr Oberoi and I were sitting, together, acting as a happy to-be-couple by just smiling. Well that's only me smiling and he, just being on my side. That's what we did the whole week, during small rituals and pooja and whenever some guest come to us.

"It's decided." Bade papa's loud voice boomed out here, silencing others and gaining our attention. "Today, evening is mehendi and sangeet, followed by  haldi function tomorrow. You kids can do whatever you asked for Christmas. But on twenty sixth, no one, Rudy, no one should be up here like a zombie. We have so much preparation to do, you all should be energetically ready."

Rudy grumbled, the special point out on him scowling and making his face but immediately composed himself as bade papa glared him, Rudy nodded hard and with an excuse all of them went for downstairs.

"Ms Trivedi" he whispered, bringing my attention to all.

It seems like my dadi was asking something to me while I buzy trying listening to Mallika and Rudy, whatever secret planning was going on.

My dadi glared me, while his dadi smiled and forwarded a heavy designed dupatta, red coloured with some of bangles, lovingly patting on my head. Giving me so, all elders too, went away in different directions for preparation, leaving me and Mr Oberoi all alone.

I watched the dupatta with a frown, voicing out loud my confusion, "What's this for?"

Mr Obeori looked up from his phone, pocketing it while informing me, "Evening function. Your dadi just told you Ms Trivedi." He crooked his eyebrow, standing up, "Anyway, keep it aside we are getting late for our dance rehearsal now."

Without saying much, I handed over things to one of our helper and we went downstairs for our rehersal. There was our gang, already discussing something, like chair, gift, bomb. Well before I could learn more, they all went quite and under our suspicious gaze, only ignored us and on the contrary, they were scolding us for how long we took.

For almost three hours, the dance practice went on.  There were group dance, boys dance, girls dance, couple dance. Offcourse that was Mr Obeori and me only, intence energetic couple dance, on our gang's insistence. At this moment I heard Mallika swearing zizu for his absence so long. When I asked his whereabouts, she again shrugged that topic off, making me worry.

It was two p.m. and only energetic people here were Rudy and Mallika. All excited to dance more and for the evening. Even Mr Oberoi, didn't seem fazed, his blue shirt and cream pants were still intact, not a single crease formed unlike Ryan, Rudy or Om's who were sweating like pigs, literally.  That too in this cold December.

Finally the elders arrived, my dadi glared in our way, particularly seeing Gauri and Om standing too much friendly for her. However, as Mallika knows well, she, with an excuse get us out.

While making our way out, I saw a red leather wallet on the floor.  Picking it up, my interest piked up seeing a photo in it, peeking out, of a lady so young and beautiful, maybe in her late thirties. She was smiling brightly, her eyes full of energy and life. A small baby was held in her one arm, hand surrounding baby's stomach and held her back against her own stomach, cute chubby baby was smiling mischievously seeing to her side.  And there was a small blue green eyed cute boy glaring at camera, crossing his arm stubbornly, against his red mickey mouse sweater, while his lips held that cute pout.

"That belongs to me." The wallet was snatched off my hands in a jiffy, Mr Obeori's freezing tone sending chill in my spine. His jaw was tightened, and a vein popping up of his neck. "Do not touch it."

And saying so, he pocketed his wallet and started walking out of hall. It was our elders, a few meters away, stopped me from shouting and  giving him a reply.

Briskly, I went after him, it was an empty corridor. I held his arm, turning him towards me and as an reflex action, he just cornered me without even noticing and held me through my shoulder, glaring as if I am one of his enemy. He was ready to throttle me to death.

"You!" He glared me, while I pushed him away putting some safe distance between us, ignoring his heat of the closeness, ignoring his musky scent, ignoring that  we just had a moment.

"Here!" Taking his palm, I throwed his two thousand rupee note and a few coins which I am surprised to see he actually have chillars, along with his aadhar card. His fist gripped around his items, raised up still in front of me. Giving a look, in my own attitude I stepped aside, and while going away I didn't turned back, not even for once but I am definitely aware of the hole digging back of my head.

••|••|••

"Nooo. No more. That's enough yaar. Iamdone!"

"But bhabhi, it's been like," Gauri checked her wrist watch, eyeing me up straight, those eyes filled with so much of competetion-ness, "twenty minutes, only. Come on, let's practice. We have to beat those boys."

"She is right Ani, now drop your tiredness and tighten up your butt. Let's kill some moves!"

"But whyyy! It's you people challanging them, not me."

Both Gauri and Mallika has bonded so well that even they had, both may I add, turned their back to my protest. Eventually, it seems like there is going to be some ladkawala vs ladkiwala competition in the evening, and that too not aera gera nathugera ones, no, it has its own judges too. And that too professional ones. It turns out Rudra's best friend Saumya's Mother is a professional dancer, like she has done masters in kathak. And along with Mallika's dance guru Shri Shankardeva, which coincidentally happenes to be in Udaipur, is going to be another judge.

Now that because of some bluff Rudra and Om had been claiming about their dance skills and as we all know Mallika's fierce nature, they had all set a bet which offcourse it's among Om Gauri Rudra Mallika Ryan Prinku Saumya,  or better to say, except Mr Obeori and me, everyone is being aware off. Now that Om Rudra snatched Ryan with them claiming he is a boy and should be with them, we have Gauri and Saumya and Prinku  with us.

So, yeah the teaming in rather than ladkiwala vs ladkewala is more of boys vs girls.

For two hours, Mallika Gauri pulled me off floor again and again, against my protest of tiredness, and with Saumya and Prinku made me practice harder than it should be. With Saumya, one will think, as she  is small and chubby and all the cuteness filled in her, will be sweet and bubbly. But no. Being a daughter of professional dancer, one can see her maa's shadow as she dances flawlessly, her moves were gracefully attractive. She is all bubbly otherwise but while dancing, turns out to be a strict teacher. So, yes suffice to say these two hours wasn't less than being on a army physical training .

Once according to them, we have perfectly got those moves, without wasting a minute they shove me in a bathroom along with a weird looking saree. Without a shame, Mallika came inside, instructing me to wear that and than one by one other three came in, giving me a beauty bath with milk and rose petals and several salt while talking and laughing and manicuring not even bothering about our situation.

Later on, with a wicked smile on their faces, they claimed that as a ritual and not giving me a chance, looted my whole purse. 

"Now Gauri, you stay with us." Mallika, announced while drying my hair and here I was sitting in a bathrobe, in front of mirror, whole room messed up to another level, while Gauri applied nailpaint to my left hand. "Prinku, Saumya, both of your Mother were asking about you being ready or not, go quickly and get ready. Here, we will manage."

"You sure dii? I can stay here for some more." Saumya asked politely, leaving my dress on bed, arranging all the jewellery.

Prinku who was drinking fruity, paused and looking in mirror pouted at me, "but I want to help bhabhi."

Mallika assured them, still the hot air making it difficult for me to concentrate on their conversation. Later Gauri stood up, looked behind me at Prinku Saumya, smiling, "why don't you come back here after getting ready and help bhabhi. Than in the meantime Mallika dii and I could use that time to get ready ourselves."

And before they all could say anything, I turned to them raising my eyebrows, saying out loud, "Why don't you all go and get ready? FYI, I am a Fashionista, I can get my makeup done myself."

Well, they just saw me, than claiming I am the bride, they ignored me and agreed to Gauri's suggestion.

Another two hours, they flew away like a snap of fingers. Initially, Gauri made me wear sleeveless kurti and skirt, mehendi coloured, sitting on her knees she carefully organized the layers of skirt. Later on Mallika slapped a pound of makeup on my face, mercilessly for an hour, she didn't even let me see in the mirror. It was her, that didn't let us call the beautician.

It's her childhood wish to doll up her cousin cum best friend  when the time will come and as a true friend I supported her jokingly everytime. But now, it's a hard time I am facing. For a girl who couldn't even sit silently more than two minutes, and a girl who couldn't keep her eyes closed more than 3 minutes, it's a tough job for her to do it now for whole of sixty minutes.

Soon, I heard Maa exclaiming happily  "Haye, meri bachi kinni soni lag rahi hia. Thu thu thu. Kisiki nazar na lage!" and felt her putting kala teeka behind my ear.

I scoffed, still eyes closed. "Dekho na maa,  she has kept me sitting for so long like this, not letting me open my eyes" I complained to her, but to my bad maa only took side of Mallika and her laughter filled the room of ours. Near my ear I heard bangles clinking, and than felt my earrings being taken off.

"Gauri, Mallika, beta now you both go and get ready, quickly. The program is just about to begin. I'll take care of Ani."

"But maasi, her hair.."

"Diidi" Suddenly I heard Saumya, her voice getting clearer as she came near us. "Don't worry Prinku and me will now take care of bhabhi now."

It happened so quickly, Saumya took care of my hair and if I thought it to be the best opportunity to finally open my eyes, Man! I was so wrong. The  best friend of mine in form of this witch, let some helper bought her bag and than she started getting ready here itself, here in my room. Gauri too, inspired from Mallika started getting ready here and I wonder externally scoffing but internally smiling hearing these four women, how well they have blended in this short span of time. Prinku was laughing on Mallika as Gauri accidentally ruined her saree pleats, twice. I heard Saumya giggling while doing some last moment touch up on my face.

Last few days were miraculous. Miraculous in forming new relations, new bonds and miraculous enough to cool down Ryan's bitterness towards Obeori's. Well, not in the case of Mr Obeori. Anyway, let's leave it, so bonding I was talking about formed so well, that in phase of preparation for this marriage and among our buzyness, Mallika and I truly found new friend in Gauri and Saumya. With Gauri we were already mingled well and with Prinku too but Saumya, she is like a sugarpie that doesn't need to work special but she herself gets blend with people effortlessly.

These past few days, many and many things came to our witness, now so it with Om and Gauri's chup chupke romance or be it Rudra and Saumya's meethi meethi ladai. Needless to say, our Gauri roamed around with red face the whole time. Though everyone has their doubts building up, but it was Mallika and Saumya interrogated her and we three squeezed out each and every detail out of her. That's another thing, everytime it would be me being centre of their topic as they quote, 'it's your marriage going on'. And than everytime that topic raised, I had to avoid them like a plague, throwing many many tasks upon them.

Mr Obeori, if I had assumed that club night we were being little civil and like normal being, so you all know airport incident screwed over that thought.  And then for the last few days, as I told you earlier we just stood with each other, where I would just smile and he would just greet the guests. Showcasing infront of the world, we are a happy couple. Personally we would avoid each other, as far as we can.

About happiness, I felt the most when I saw dadi and all from my village meeting after so many years. Not to forget my nani too. And there is Mr Obeori, he was being distant and like more of a formal person with his own guests, with his own cousins and relatives. Twice, I have seen him genuinely being happy that was with his nani and maasi and other time with his buaji. Other than that it's like a mask, he wears with rest of the world. A mask to hide his true emotions.

"Oe" my shoulders was being shrugged violently, making me open my eyes in panic. "Hello? Madam? Are you asleep?"

"Are you mad Malli" I exclaimed on the verge of dropping head first on this concrete floor, "Stop shaking me,  I'll fall down!"

"Finally!" She huffed,  "you listened. We were calling you for past five minutes."

"Oho didi," Gauri had that wicked smile playing on her lips, "understand. You know who's dreams are evading our bhabhi these days."

Saumya giggled, nodding and with her eyes having those mischievous glint, "oh yes, and you know bhabhi, we are just coming from Shivaay bhaiya's room." Acting like she had a heart failure, she dramatically closed her eyes, "and did he look so handsome. Oof. I swear you won't able to take your eyes off him."

Mallika also dramatically huffed, "haye, marjania!" Meanwhile she held my shoulder, stating to Saumya,  proudly"Say anything, but today  our Anii is looking no less than any angel."

Prinku giggled, not saying much but enjoying everything. My eyebrows furrowed and shaking my head I scoffed, "hey, but I wasn't thinking about him!"

"Yeah yeah, we know" Mallika rolled her eyes than swiftly she rotated the chair, "now see and praise me darling."

I shook my head, looking up at the mirror, at my reflection. For once, I thought that was my ideal self looking back at me. The look was natural, yet every feature of mine more enhanced. And it perfectly complimented with my outfit.

I smiled at Malli, who was eagerly waiting for me to say. In return I just stood up and hugged her tight. "Thankyou. You have done it perfectly."

My body shook as she laughed  and embraced me back with equal intensity. On other side Gauri Saumya pouted, complaining about their efforts too. I laughed, taking them in a hug and just one girl wasn't here with us. Prinku reflected Mr Obeori's awkward look to us yet smiling. The same look he gave me when I was drunk and started crying. His little sister had the same similarity.   Prinku didn't complained or said anything, patiently stood there, looking at us. Gauri backed out from our hug and pulled Prinku in little space. Saumya laughed, and Mallika patted Prinku's head while I kissed Prinku's forehead lightly and than only her body left the awkwardness, loosing up and becoming comfortable with us.

••|••|••

Mehendi and sangeet function was held down in one of the big hall, facing the garden and pool. It wasn't long when Maa, maasi and Nani came to us breaking our hug and taking buri balaye off us.  At that moment, in corner of my heart, I thought dadi will come too, she will held me lovingly as she used in childhood but she wasn't there. She was already sitting down in the hall.

Soon, for some rasam, Prinku was called off by badi maa.  Nani, maasi, maa, Mallika, Gauri and Saumya, lead me here, and infront of me was two photographer clicking every second, walking back step slowly and steadily. When I felt my heels was about to slip and I am going to lose my balance, a hand came and held me protectively.

Looking up, it was Ryan, giving me a wide smile and holding me by my shoulder. With my eyes I conveyed how thankful am I and in return he just whispered, "by the way, you are looking like a desi girl today, at least the shy girl, you know, that chuimui bride type."

We continued to walk, I was thankful that no one else noticed my slip. Under my breath, for him to hear I muttered in warning, "Ryan!"

And hearing me, he just laughed that off, taking his hands back to him and talking something with Mallika.

"And finally our wait ends as," Rudra's voice boomed loud through the speakers, "here comes to be bride, my bhaiya's hone wali dulhania, my beautiful bhabhiiii. "

My cheeks reddened up, as I felt so many, like five hundred people's gaze upon me. I haven't even stepped in hall and people are turning their back, eyeing me up and down.  I gulped down the forming lump, keeping my eyes on floor for a moment and kept walking. I stopped, when I saw there was a hand infront of me. Looking more up, I saw Mr Obeori, forwarding it, waiting for me to give in mine.

In his blue green eyes, I looked into and gave my cold  hand in his always so warm one and just like that Rudra did some commentary, and everyone clapped and cheered and some even hooted.

Focus! Focus Anika. Just focus on walking.

Soon, we were both sitting on our special seat, with a finger size gap in between us. There was a big stage in front, a red velvet long curtains drawn from both the sides. The seats were all around in semi circular position on three side of the stage. The hall was totally lightening up like a day light and I was thankful for the thermostat working in here or else for the fashion, I would have been died of cold.

"Your net, Ms Trivedi." Mr Oberoi, mumbled looking down in between us. I followed his gaze confused, and there was indeed my net was stuck to his cufflink.

"Oh"  I blinked, looking immediately up as photographer called for our attention. And anybody who will see Mr Obeori and me, will assume he was resting his hand on my knee.

Mr Obeori, as ever cool he is, looked in front, muttering, "If you don't want your net to be torn off, remove it. Now."

Hastily, still posing in front, the hand of mine on that was on side of Mr Oberoi, slipped to his cufflink and trying removing it. But it didn't budge,  cufflink kept knotted to my net.

As photographer went away, I looked up at Mr Oberoi, warning him in advance "I am telling you, do not even try to pull."

"Look up." He commanded a rare and a very very tiny smile playing on his lips, "nani maa is coming here."

In a jolt my head turned up, and the same hand which was trying to seprate net and cufflink, hand automatically slided in Mr Oberoi's hand, finger entwining with his. My mouth parted a little, and my eyes blinked as I felt his finger closing around mine. It was before that his hand was merely touching my knee on skirt but now he completely rested our entwined hand comfortably. On my knee.

Nani maa, as she asked me to call her, came to us smiling and her that already face splitting smile widened, seeing our hand. She was wearing a cream coloured suit, and from a mystery pocket taking out a five hundred note she took our balaye, and lovingly patted both our cheeks.

"Humesha khush raho aur khub mazze karo." She gave us her blessing, with  a wink and laughed, before walking off to another direction.

And than one by one, everyone gathered around us, sat beside our seat. On my side there were both of our dadis, maa, Mallika, Gauri, Saumya, Ryan while Mr Oberoi had both our nani's who were sharing some private joke eyeing our hand that instantly made me red. What to do? I have tried but everytime that I feel it's going to tear my net, I stop and held Mr Oberoi's hand tightly in fear that he might get frustrated and pulled it off forcefully, ignoring all the teasing glaces thrown in our way from all. All means all, gang is already expected but badi maa, bade papa, maa, maasi, even his dadi. Everyone throwed that teasing glances. Om Ru Prinku stood behind him, with their bua.

There was a rasam where Maa, made me wear the same dupatta I was given in the morning, dadi did our teeka while she was roaming some coconut and  money and a dhup bati around both of us while murmuring some mantras under her breath.

Once that was done and everyone awaited for next part, my dadi pointed out, "Now, according to rituals, Shivaay ji ki maa, will apply mehendi to Anika."

It was a moment where we all went silent. I stared at my dadi in disbelief. Despite telling her about his parents the first thing  this morning, she is asking this out. Maa said something in her ear immediately, meanwhile I looked at Mr Oberoi, sitting as he was before with his cold eyes and looking in front of us. It was out of my instinct, I squeezed his palm just like I do with Maa whenever I feel she is tensed. It was than Mr Oberoi's attention came to our hand, to me and for the first time today I noticed carefully his looks. He was wearing mehendi coloured kurta and pajama. His attire screamed the fushion of tradition yet modernization.

Our few seconds eye lock broke as he swiftly pulled his hand off my lap, out of my hand, without even tearing my net cloth off. That swiftly!

"All my mother's part in rituals," he looked at my dadi, cold voice yet with respect which is normal for him, informing her,  "Maasi or Badi maa will do it."

Even if dadi ji wants to retort or say anything, she didn't as according to our custom son in law shouldn't be disrespected, he is above all. She nodded, and as Mr Obeori's Rinki maasi didn't have a son, badi maa forcefully made her perform all the mother's part in ritual.

Rinki maasi sat down beside me, smiled and picked up a mehendi kip, made a beautiful design on corner of my palm. She confessed her fear as she didn't want to ruin my mehendi. I shook my head, smiled and reassured her, she was doing it perfectly. Rinki maasi smiled at me, kissed my forehead and handling that mehendi kip to professional artist.

Four artists, on my all sides applied it on my legs and half of arms. Meanwhile, Mr Oberoi too went to other side with Om Ru. Around me, everyone was having mehendi, Mallika and Gauri were arguing on a design while Saumya was confused in who's side she be on. It was except Mr Oberoi's dadi who just had a circular plain design, as Mr Oberoi himself strictly told her not to apply it, it's not good for her in this cold. My dadi and maa were also having some argument, I can't hear off but my eyebrows furrowed seeing them in a corner, talking with serious expressions. And here both our nani's were hi fi-ing each other, like a good two chuddy buddies they were talking animatedly, applying designs on each other's hand.

Ryan, however I felt suspicious with his that private smile he was having whole day while he was talking on a call, away from the crowd.

"Mam," mehendi artist, Shiela called me out breaking my observation process, "what name would you like to put?"

Designs were completed, only a place in between of both my palm was empty, I looked up at her speaking, the name I am unused to say, after clearing my throat, "Shivaay."

On one hand she drew the name in hindi while on other in english, with most complicated design. I wonder if I myself could have identified his name wasn't I looking at it right now.

Looking at four of them, I smiled and praised them, "wow, you all did an amazing job girls."

They all smiled shyly, nodding than as my legs mehendi started drying up, one of them put some kind of heavenly smelling oil. When I inquired, it turned out to be Laung ka tel, which is good for mehendi to leave enriched dark brown colour.

Once the girls went away, dadi and Mr Oberoi came and settled down either of my side. Slowly Om Ru Bade papa came, they all praising my mehendi and bade papa also gave some envelope on the name of shagun. It was than, when a devilish idea came to me.

With a innocent smile, I looked at my handsome husband to-be, saying loudly, "ji, you didn't apply mehendi?"

His neck jolted to me than for checking if I am talking to him, he has his one eyebrow raised like I am uttering some absurd words, "Me? Why would I do that?"

While fighting back a smile and most innocent expressions, I shrugged my shoulder off, intentionally saying it loud, "you don't know? It's a ritual. Even groom should apply mehendi." Than I turned to dadi and bade papa, "Haina dadi? Bade papa? Isn't it a ritual to apply mehendi on groom's hands."

Dadi as if realised now to remember that ritual, nodded with a big "haa" than saying to Mr Oberoi, "haan puttar, even I forgot it. You should apply mehendi too."

Mr Oberoi gave that disbelieving looks, "Dadi!"

"Shivaay beta," Bade papa gave him all knowing smile, "we know you hate it, but it's a ritual. Even in my time I couldn't escape from these rituals."

"It's ladies thing, bade papa!" Mr Oberoi exclaimed, from corner of his eyes giving me a glare, and almost stood up to run but Om Ru, with a wide grin made him sit down and they took out a mehendi kip, ready to apply on his palm.

A chuckle dare to escape my lips and I gulped it back, having another glare from him.

"Don't worry bhaiya, why fear when we are here?" Rudra excitedly told him, tried opening up Mr Oberoi's palm, which he had enclosed not yet ready to apply mehendi.

"Han Shivaay, your brothers are still here." Om grinned, his mehendi kip ready to apply design even if it's back of his hand. "We will happily complete this ritual."

Bade papa laughed, even some time later seeing here a little commotion, badi maa and Maa came and than Mallika followed by Gauri and both our nanis. Once they took in our situation, they laughed and encouraged Mr Oberoi hard, who had that disgust expressions seeing mehendi.

At last it was Prinku, requested him politely, lovingly "Please bhaiya."

And it did it to him. He saw Prinku, and she made those pleading face that only cute little sister can. And  without any further protest, he opened up his palm, not before sending me a glare and let Om and Ru made scenery on his palm with big letters, my name clearly written down on his hand.  Everyone awed, I awed at the love he contains for his sister. He let her hug him too and at last both his hand now just like me waiting to be dried this mehendi off.

When everybody left our side and he was about to reach for a tissue to rub the mehendi off, I held his palm as my mehendi as almost dried off, telling him, "ahn- han, you can't. It is considered a bad omen to erase mehndi like this."

"Just because of you," he gritted, putting that tissue back, making my smile widened, " I had to bear this!"

"Ary," I blow on his palm, seeing beautiful designs, seems like Rudy drew a sun and a hut with a sports car while Om had drawn some rangoli design, "it's a ritual, And it is my duty that every ritual should be performed in full manner."

When I looked up, he was looking at his palm, and than at me with some sort of emotion that I couldn't decipher. Whatever emotion he had, he composed himself in a second, turning his face as cold as granite like always and glared me more

"Oh really?" He took his hand back forcefully. I pitied as even if he wants so much to turn them into a fist, he couldn't.  "all of a sudden you seem really attentive to rituals."

"Na na." I grinned, picking up a glass bottle and cotton from side table, "I was already paying attention. Looks like you have not paid attention on me being giving attention."

In response, he didn't even tried to reply me. I took some liquid in cotton, forwarded my hand, "give me your hand."

He looked at me suspiciously than at the cotton in my hand, "why?"

I rolled my eyes, took his hand myself, dabbed that cotton on his mehendi, while blowing on it.

"Ms Trivedi!  What are you doing? Leave my hand."

I grinned. "It's a oil. It will enrich your mehendi colour, Mr Oberoi."

"You!" He glared at me, unfazed by him my grin widened but soon be pulled his hand back to himself looking straight at the stage.

"I? Am what?" Pushing his limit seems like fun now, he turned to me with those cold intimidating gaze, that could have burned any other person been in my place, "a Virago?"

He glared me, turning to other side, muttering "A little Virago" than looking in front again, as the light went off.

I chuckled, internally satisfied for the starting of revenge, and excited for more to take. You wait and watch Mr Oberoi, our game has just started!  The more he was watching his hand with irritation, bigger the smile I was having.

On stage, the programme started, first performance, as held by  cute little kids of both our families, dancing on bum bum bhole from tare zameen par . Everyone cheered the kids up, clapping for their amazing performance, however as the dance got over immediately they bowed down and in shyness ran off the stage to their parents. Whole hall filled with awws and guffaws.

The following performances was in pair, first from his dadi and nani and I was more than surprised when I saw my dadi and nani was dancing. My dadi? She can't. Oh my goodness. With grace and swift moves, they danced on gallan goodiyan.

Than there was bade papa badi maa, dancing on kajrare kajrare, the crowd definitely hooted on them, and than there was maa, maasi and Om Ru performing.

Suddenly after that performance, everything went off, there was silence, no more loud music, no more crowd shouting, everywhere there was darkness.

"What's going on?"

"Seems like a powercut."

"Really, Mr Oberoi? Despite we have generator and it's your resort."

"I am certainly not aware of present situation, Ms Trivedi."

The whole hall turned into murmuring and complaints of our guests. And than there was a spot light, someone was standing with his back facing us. Badtameez dill song dialogue, started playing and as the man turned I gasped, in surprise.

"Haider!"
"Zizu!"

We both exclaimed at the same time, I looked at him but he was looking at the stage. On other side, Mallika stood up, all ready to jump his bone off on the stage right at this moment. As light turned on, we both saw Ryan from far, twice raising his eyebrows asking with a smile in signs.

So that was what he was so discreet about?  A big smile on my face, and Mallika's fly kisses to him, was enough for our drama queen have his nose held up high.

There, as zizu performed, Om Ru hooted loudly. It seems like they know him well too. And than I remember Mallika told me zizu and Shivaay is in a business relationship. But it feels like lot more than that.

"You know him?" I asked Mr Oberoi, turning to him, gaining his attention towards me.

In an answer he only supplied with a simple, "yes"

Much expected from this man? Who am I kidding to? I rolled my eyes, as mehendi is dried up now well, I clapped loudly, hooting for my zizu.

"Isn't he Mallika's husband?" This time Mr Oberoi asked with his blue green eyes coldly watching me, as if I have done some sin. Now what put him off so suddenly.

"Yes" as he did back to me, I also answered in one word, watching rest of the performance ignoring him.

Performance after performance, it went out and I can't wait to meet zizu, and scold him for being late, in my marriage functions. Even if I want I can't stood up from my place leave in between, just like that.

It was finally our girls performance,  I stood up went to an newly energized Mallika, who was animatedly talking with Gauri and Saumya. Prinku also reached the same time I did.  Seeing me near her, she hugged me tightly in excitement, exclaiming how happy she feels now that zizu has come. Promising it to be her best dance performance, we all went to stage and hit our performance.

We danced on a remix song of gun gun gunare, from agneepath and dola re dola re, mujhe sajan ke ghar jana hai, ghagra and many more. There the people stood up, the hall filled with applaud, and whistles. For once at the end of our dance, I saw in the way of Mr Oberoi, sitting back comfortably on sofa and his hand for once today was clapping for our performance. Maybe for Prinku, as I saw her, she was waving at his way happily.

Soon, I was the one sitting on his place clapping for Rudy Om Ryan Zizu and his performance. I had to admit I underestimated them and did they dance like some professional ones. That performance now followed by Om Ru and Mr Obeori dancing, in the last they held their bhaiya on their shoulder, hooting in the air. Once and twice I danced, solo and with Mallika, with Maa separately and at last it was being announced final performance by Mr Obeori and me.

The spot light, turned on us, he stood up, like a gentleman forwarded his hand. A smile passed on my lips seeing weird rangoli Om had made and just like that my awareness of being watched by five hundred people went on backside of my mind. Seeing my lips lifting upward he glared me in warning.  I innocently smiled, put my hand in his, stood up by his side and walked on the stage.

'Gerura' from Dilwale started playing, we stood in our position, danced as choreographer made us practice. The surrounding, it felt too quite than was on other performances. Mr Obeori not for once broke our eye contact, held me close, held me at distance. Everytime he pulled or pushed me, it did something weird to my heart. Still the surrounding felt so quite. The last step is where I will jump in his arms, and he will held me up to his chest.

I was about to do that, about to run and jump and happily finish our dance,  but my ankle, it just has muscle cramp suddenly as I was running to him. He watched me, awaited. I tried but I felt if I moved a little I will fall down that moment, and to indicate to him, I can't do it, I just shook my head and because of pain I felt my eyes burning up with tears. It was so quick, he came to me, held me through my waist, pulling me towards him and lifting my one leg around his leg and roaming me in a circular motion. The whole pose he changed in seconds and this one felt so intimate, so close to him, our face was just inches apart that I could feel his breath on my forehead. His musky smell invaded my thoughts, when I felt he just asked me something.

"hmm?" I hummed, missing out what he said a moment ago.

"I asked, what happened?" He asked me in a whisper, against my forehead. Every word he said, I felt the breath fanning over my skin.

I gulped, and tried moving my ankle but it pained, "I-I think," his closeness bothered me, I wetted my lips forming my words, "it's muscle cramp."

The loud applaud, whistles and hootings, made us apart. Everyone of them were standing, clapping. Our performance did made the evening brighter and everyone so happy. And now as light seems to turned on, punjabi dhol songs started playing and just like that one by one came on stage, some came willingly, some pulled off others and started dancing.

Mallika came to me, made me dance but I winced just as my ankle moved. In that moment I felt a hand encircling around my wrist, from behind me, a cool voice commanding in my ear, "Come on."

And just I took my first step, I almost has lost my balance, had not been there Mr Oberoi who held me through my waist on time, I would have fallen down here straight on this stage. Seeing my condition, he just lifted me lightly on his side. His fingers grabbed my naked waist through my kurti slits, making my breath hitched and  if someone sees us like this, will think I am walking by his side closely but truth is I am in the air.

At this moment, I am also not in terms to protest. I let him guide us through the ways.  He brought me to backside where no one was there and than he left me to stand, indicated towards the rocky plateau for me to sit down.

"Lift your skirt" He commanded in no non-sensical tone.

I raised my eyebrows, with eyes widened exclaiming, "WHAT?"

"So that I can examine your foot Ms Trivedi"

"Oh"

"Lift up? What are you waiting for?"

"Uh, I think I'll be fine Mr Oberoi."

He sigh, coldly looking up at me, "Listen, in three days it's our wedding. I don't want any complications due to you being hurt. So it's better sooner you let me examine and sooner we get free from this."

I stood up, in anger to argue with him but due to my ankle I winced in pain, sitting back on my place and unconsciously removing my heels, lifting my skirt lightly and checking for the source of hurt. But there wasn't any. Infact if there was, it's not visible in this mehendi.

Soon I felt, a pair of hand touching my foot, and damn it felt ticklish. Mr Oberoi has bent down a little, examining my foot,  "What are you doing? Please don't touch--"

And as I felt his one plam on my ankle and other on my nail toes, I get the idea where this is going. My breath hitched as I pleaded him, "No. No. No. Please don't. Don't you dare--"

And he ignored my pleadings, in a heartbeat twisted my ankle, and that oh man felt so much mother fricking painful that it's out of world. I screamed, loudly may I add, biting my lip so hard I could feel the metalic taste of my blood.

"Here, now move it." Ignoring my painful state, he just stood back straight, brushed his hand off dirt. His dark pool of eyes, take in my condition but he was standing as if nothing happened. That cruel bastard!

"You billu!" I yelled at him, standing up on my feet, all ready to fight and literally pull his hair off,  and suddenly I realise I didn't felt any pain. For cross checking I rotated my foot. "Wait, it's not paining anymore?"

"Are you telling me or asking me?" And with arrogantly saying so,  he turned his back to me  and started walking towards the way to hall, his back straight and composed.

"Wait!" I yelled, stopping him in his track.

Only his face did he turned towards me, "Now what?"

"How did you know it? Are you a secret doctor or something."

"Everyone must be getting suspicious of our absence." And with that again started walking off taking long strides. "Come soon."

I practically ran after him, yelling once more, "Ek mint, ek mint."

Again he stopped, turned half of his body towards me, "Whatt?"

"What if because of your this stunt, I could get more hurt. Than? Tell me?"

Raising his left eyebrow, he uttered, "You didn't"

"Ruko, one sec." This time I yelled louder than I intended. Biting my tongue I mentally scolded myself.

He  halt in his pace and turn completely towards me, glaring and coldly asking, "Now what is it?"

I frowned. "Don't be so rude."

"Are you done?" He asker me in a dead serious tone.

I shook my head. "No. Not yet."

"I am going." Saying so, he turned around.

I rolled my eyes and in time held his wrist, making him stop in his tracks. It hit me as deja vu, reminding the night at his mansion, the first time we went there for dinner.

"Why are you so in hurry, I want to say something. Listen to me and you are free to go wherever you want." Surprisingly, it all came out polite and soft through my mouth.

In all silence, his gaze went to where I held his wrist. His intense gaze make me freed up his hand and clearing my thoughts and finding my voice, I smiled at him, when I realise he is waiting for me to say.

"Thankyou." The only word echoed in my firm yet low voice was that in this silence. He looked up at me, oceanic eyes searching for something in my eyes, but all would he get is sincerity in my words, in my eyes.  "Thankyou, for not letting me fallen down on the stage, probably that would have been embarassing. " I shook my head thinking about the horrible consequences, "and..."

"And?" Just like mine, his voice dropped to low in this quietness around us.

I smiled, shrugging off my shoulders, saying truthfully to him,  "and now thankyou for healing my foot."

The silence, as usual, I get from him. I waited for him to say something but than we all know unpredictable Mr Oberoi.  I rolled my eyes, realising no more conversation will I be getting from him. I  turned to walk towards hall but a mischievous smirk played on my lips, so I turned towards him, "and oh, one more thing."

He looked up at me, "Yes?"

Surprisingly his tone which is always so cold, distant and icy, that's now also but unlike other time he didn't asked me with a hard and resentment filled voice.

I smirked at him, cheerfully complimenting him, "Your mehendi did really suits you well,"  and his face, god that scowling expression of his made me laugh so hard. "Keep it up, Mr Oberoi!"

Saying so, I briskly walked, more like ran away from there, laughingly,  not before hearing him, growling in anger, my name like a lion roars, "Ms Trivedi!"

••|••|••

EXTRA