*Aslesha*

I look through the mehendi design's book and select one design randomly.

Ladke wale allowed nahi hai so Viraj is not here. But subah se dikha bhi nahi vo. Call ya message bhi nahi.

Now I'm sounding like a clingy girlfriend.

I push him away from my thoughts and concentrate on the mehendi ceremony. The ladies are singing and dancing and there is laughter everywhere.

"Aapko lagaye ab?" The lady asks me.

"Mujhe last me lagaao" I tell her.

Mehendi lagana matlab khaane pe asar. Aur utni sehen shakti mujhme hai nahi. Aur waise bhi mujhe Pari ko khana vagera khilana hai. Uska dhyaan rakhna hai. So mai last me hi lagati hu.

"Toh ab tumhari bhi baari aayegi Aashi beta. Mehendi ki nahi, shadi ki" Pari's maasi says, jinko bahot duniyadari rehti hai hamesha. I laugh awkwardly.

"Koi ladka nazar me hai ya mai dhundu?" she asks pulling my cheeks vigorously and I wince as another aunty sitting beside me laughs loudly in a shrill voice.

Kya maza aata hai aurto ko matchmakers banne me kya pata.

By the end of the day, I'm irritated and frustrated with all the aunties eating my jaan. Itne laddoo thuuse gaye hai mere muh me ke kya bataau! Haath me mehendi nahi lagi hoti toh jarur kisi ka galaa dabaa deti. Aur ye mehendi ke wajah se mai sahi se khana bhi nahi kha paayi.

Kuch der pehle Rudra aake Paro se mil ke gaya lekin Viraj nahi aaya. Rudra bola vo subah se gayab hai.

Kaha gaya? Mujhe bataya kyu nahi?

Clingy girlfriend alert!!

Mujhe kya.. jaaye kabhi bhi kidhar bhi. Mujhe har baat batani jaruri thodi hai.

I look at my mehendi and suppress the urge to erase off the alphabet V in the middle of my palm.

Sookh gayi hai toh thoda achha lag raha hai ab. Susu karne me kitni dikkat hui mujhe thodi der pehle.

Gosh I'm so irritated today!

I look at Pari who is giggling on the phone talking to Rudra. "Good night Paro" I say in irritation and she just smiles and waves me off.

So ja bass Aslesha!

~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Aslesha.. Aslesha?"

I groan and put the blanket over my face.

A hand touches my hair and moves down towards my cheek making me smile.

Wait a minute..

I get up in a jerk and I'm about to scream on the top of my lungs when a hand presses down on my mouth.

"Chillao mat! Mai hu.. Viraj" he says and I see blue eyes through the moonlight coming from the window.

I let out a long breath and shove his hand away. I look at Pari who is fast asleep and then at Viraj.

"Kya hai?" I ask angrily.

"Arre? Kya hai kya kya hai. Aaj din bhar tumhe dekha nahi toh milne aaya tumse. Romantic na?" He asks grinning widely and I look at him with a poker face.

"Raat ke-" I look at the clock "Do baje meri neend kharab kar rahe ho jab pure din tumhari koi khabar nahi thi. How is this romantic?"

Pari groans and I hold my breath.

"Bahar chalo na" Viraj says.

"Bilkul nahi. Ja ke so jaao chup chap. Pure din gayab the waise bhi toh abhi bhi kyu aaye ho?" I say the last line under my breath.

He sighs and gets up and I feel a stab in my heart. Sahi me ja raha hai dummy?

I'm about to sleep when he leans down and lifts me up bridal style. I gasp and I'm about to yell at him but shut up quickly when my eyes fall on Pari.

He walks out the room with easy strides like I'm of no weight at all.

"Neeche utaaro mujhe! Koi dekh lega toh kya sochega Viraj" I say and start kicking my feet in the air.

"Itni raat ko koi nahi dekh raha. Shh now! Chillati rahogi toh definitely koi dekhega" he says.

"Arre lekin mujhe neeche toh utaaro! Mai chal sakti hu" I whisper yell at him.

"Mera mann nahi" he says holding me closer and I shake my head, giving up.

Dummy!

He takes me to the big kitchen on the ground floor and sets me down on the counter.

"Achha... Toh tumhe bhuk lagi hai isliye mujhe yaha laaye. So that mai tumhe kuch banaa ke du" I say and my voice sounds a little bit sad even when I don't want it to. I'm about to hop down when he grabs my thighs and stops me.

"Chup chap baitho zara" he says and puts something in the microwave. I'm not able to see because of the dark.

He switches on the light and I squint at the sudden brightness. The spicy smell of schezwan sauce and spice fills the room and my stomach growls in hunger.

The voice echoes through the empty silent room and Viraj chuckles.

"Farid chacha ke yaha gaya tha. Chai-nese corner pe" he says and opens the microwave as the smell becomes stronger.

He directly puts his hand inside and before I can warn him, yelps in pain.

"Viraj tum kitchen ke maamle me sahi me buddhu ho. Hatto yaha se" I say and take his hand and hold it below the running water of the tap.

"Tum baitho na. Aaj sab mai karunga. Matlab waise kuch karna nahi hai. Bass reheat karna tha jo mai kar diya" he smiles sheepishly.

He removes the noodles and the machurian balls and Chinese bhajiya and my mouth waters at the sight.

I sit back on the counter, crossing my legs as he brings the food and stands before me.

"Mai tumhe khilaaunga" he says and twirls the noodles on the fork and brings it before my mouth.

Khaane ke maamle me natak mai kabhi ki nahi. Aaj bhi nahi karungi. I obediently open my mouth and moan at the deliciousness.

He feeds me silently and eats himself. He leans forward and licks the corner of my mouth and colour rushes to my cheeks.

"Vo waha khana laga tha" he says with a little smirk seeing my flustered form.

"Bass ho gaya mujhe" I say turning my head away when he tries to feed me again.

"Ye khatam karna padega tumhe".

"Mai already jarurat se jyada kha li hu Viraj.. bass ab pet bhar gaya" I whine.

"Tum bahot patli ho gayi ho Aslesha. And I know ke it's somewhat because of me" he says looking at the plate sadly and I sigh.

"Fine fine. Kha rahi hu. Rona dhona mat shuru karo" I say rolling my eyes and he grins.

Dramebaaz!

When we're done he wipes my mouth with a tissue and also helps me drink water.

"Mehendi dikhaao" he says once we're out of the kitchen.

"Pehle tum ye bataao ke tum din bhar kaha the? Kisi ko kuch bata ke bhi nahi gaye"

"Kaam se gaya tha bahar baba. Dikhaao na" he says and looks at my hands as a smile forms on his lips.

We're standing near the pool and the cold winter wind makes me shiver. He removes his jacket and makes me wear it. I feel more happy than necessary. He takes me hands again and traces the alphabet V with his finger and looks at me.

I'm still a little angry that he didn't tell me about his whereabouts today. But then, looking into his eyes, I forget all of it.

"Tumhe neend toh nahi aa rahi na?" He asks and I shake my head.

He sits on one of the pool chairs taking me with him and I lay my head on his chest as he circles his arms around me.

Pure din ka irritation or frustration jaise chhu mantar ho jaata hai.

"So how was your day" he asks and starts massaging my head lightly.

"Pucho hi mat. Saari aunties ne aaj mujhe pagal kar diya" I huff.

"Kyu, kya hua?"

"Kya hoga? Shadi ki baate. Agla number tumhara hai, ladka dhund ke rakha hai kya bla bla bla" I say and Viraj's body stiffens.

I raise my head to look at him. "Kya hua?"

"Shadi? Tumhari shadi?" He asks.

"Haa.." I say carefully.

He rubs his forehead and I know he hasn't thought about marriage yet. A little part of me feels hurt because of his reaction.

"I don't want to pressurize you but tumne shadi ke baare me socha hai na? Ya tum kabhi shadi karna hi nahi chahte?" I ask as my heart beat speeds up.

"Of course karna chahta hu but I'm not ready for that kind of commitment. At least not now. I'm on the top of my career right now and I don't want marriage getting in between. Shaadi maybe aur chaar-paanch saal baad" he says and I lay my head back on his chest so that he doesn't see my sad expression.

Chaar-paanch saal! Tab tak toh mere baal safed ho jaayenge..

"I understand" I whisper.

"Of course you do. Tabhi toh mai tumse itna pyaar karta hu" he says and kisses my hair.

We stay silent for a while just listening to each other's steady breathing and heartbeats.

"Parso sangeet hai. Tum iss duniya ki best dancer toh ho lekin tum dekhna, ladke wale hi jeetenge. Mai stage ko aag lagane wala hu" he says.

I don't know what to say. I haven't danced since so many years. I just don't feel like it. I can't.

He grabs my chin and lifts my head up to look into my eyes. "Kya hua? Tumhare ye smart se muh ke paas koi jawaab nahi hai?"

"Nahi hai. Because mai ab dance nahi karti" I say looking away.

He places both his hands on the sides of my face and makes me look at him.

"I know tumhare ye decision ke peeche bhi shayad meri hi galti hai. But Aslesha tum-"

"Viraj mai tumhare saare decisions or choices ko support karti hu bina question kiye. Mai chahti hu ke tum bhi karo. Please" I say and get up.

He stands up too and grabs my hand. I see a mischievous glint in his eyes and I frown.

"Ab kya khichdi pakk rahi hai tumhare dimaag me" I ask folding my hands.

"Mere dimaag me khichdi nahi, biryani pakkti hai. Bass college ke din yaad aa gaye?" He says.

I press my lips as the days of college flash before my eyes.

"Shut up".

"Achha hai. Haar jaao fir. Because tum naacho ya na naacho. Jeetenge toh hum hi" he smirks.

"Jaao jaao. We'll see" I say and his smirk widens.

He straightens his collar proudly and walks away. Suddenly he turns back and comes towards me.

"Good night paglu. Ek chiz bhool gaya tha" he says and grabs my face to kiss me slowly and leisurely. I smile through the kiss and I feel him smile too.

"Bye loser" he says as I'm walking away and I don't bother answering him. Mai kya jawaab du jab mai iss sab ka hissa hu hi nahi.

Pari ke dusre cousins and friends sambhaal lenge.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Preeti left leg aage karna hai pehle, fir right" I tell Preeti who is practicing her dance steps.

I am not going to dance but the least I could do was the choreography. Kal ka din pura ussi me gaya. Aur aaj Sangeet hai. In fact kuch hi ghanto me.

From our side there is a group performance by the elder couples on Chalti hai kya. The kids are gonna perform on gallan goodiyaan. And the girls group where Pari is the lead is gonna perform on London Thumakda and Bole Chudiyaan.

There's one solo performance by Preeti on Nachde ne saare and Cutiepie.

I had promised Pari when the song Bole Chudiyaan had released, when we were really little, that one day we'll perform it on her Sangeet. I smile sadly when I look at her getting ready.

Uska and Rudra ka bhi surprise performance hai which nobody knows about so I'm excited for it.

As I'm already ready, I leave the room and go downstairs towards the hall where the program is gonna take place. Just the decorators are here and I start helping them with the last minute arrangements.

"Aapne vo bouquets kaha rakhe chacha" I ask one of the helper.

"Vo waha almaari ke upar. Mai abhi nikaal ke deta hu" he says.

"Rehne dijiye chacha mai nikaal lungi. Thank you" I smile and lift a stool and place it in front of the cupboard in the far corner of the hall.

I climb on it and remove the bouquets and place them down on another chair.

"BOOOO!"

Just when I'm about to get down, I slip and fall into the arms of none other than the world class jerk who never gets tired of scaring me.

"Viraj!" I hit him on his arm and he laughs kissing my cheeks.

"I just couldn't resist myself" he says and I hit him again.

"Ye sab tab kiya karo jab mai zameen pe rahu. Mai itna bura girrti na ab" I glare at him.

"Mai tumhe girrne deta kya paglu" he says holding me closer and leans down to kiss me.

I turn my face away.

Idiot!

"Baate mat banaao. Utaaro mujhe. Kaam hai bahot" I say and he finally places me down.

I straighten my lehenga and he looks at me from head to toe. And then he just keeps looking. And he looks a little more.

I'm wearing a wine coloured lehenga choli with a netted dupatta.

He on the other hand looks dashing in a kurta and bronze coloured nehru jacket. I can't imagine anyone else pulling off this look as perfectly as he does.

"Tum aaj mere saath sona please" he says, still looking at me like a hawk.

"Kya!" I say looking around to see if someone heard him. Thank god we're out of hearing shot. "Tum bilkul pagal ho Viraj" I say and turn to walk away but he pulls me and lightly pushes me against the wall.

I look around but he blocks my view by placing both his muscular arms on either side of me.

"Aur ye dress utaarna mat. Mai utaarna chahta hu" he whispers huskily and I press my legs together feeling flustered.

"Mai nahi aa rahi tumhare bedroom me" I say and I hate that my voice sounds weak. He smirks.

"Tum Sangeet ke time bhi haarne wali ho aur apni baato me bhi" he says and leans down and kisses my neck.

"Hum hi jeetenge" I state.

"Bet? Hum jeete toh tum aaj ki raat mere saath spend karogi. Warna tumhari marzi" he says and brushes his lips against mine in the slightest of touch.

I'm craving more. So much more.

"Aslesha. Answer me" he demands holding my chin.

I shake away my thoughts and square up. I can't always lose in front of him.

"We're well prepared. Hum hi jeetenge" I say raising up my chin.

"We'll see, love" he says kissing my forehead and then walks away.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Hume jeetna hi hai. Bilkul steps nahi bhoolna koi bhi. Warna mujhse bura koi nahi hoga samjhe!" I shout, pointing at all.

The kids look like they're about to cry and the elders nod their heads like they're being held on gunpoint.

I don't care!

Kab tak loser ki tarah jeeyu mai! Baat ab mere aatma-sanmaan ki hai.

Viraj ke saath reh reh ke mai bhi dramatic bann gayi hu..

My eyes automatically scan the room to search for him and I see him and.. oh my god!

He is holding a little baby is his arms and making cute faces. I remove my phone and sneakily click pictures.

Viraj plus babies is equal to heaven.

My thoughts are broken when I hear a commotion in the background and there is a loud thud. We all rush there and see Preeti on the floor.

"Preeti kya hua?" I ask trying to lift her up but she yelps in pain.

"Aaahh! Haath mat lagaao oww mera per! Mai khadi bhi nahi ho paa rahi hu Aslesha aaahh" she groans and my eyes widen.

"No way!" I gasp.

"Kya hua kya hua" Viraj comes rushing.

"Dekho na Preeti girr gayi aur usse bahot dard ho raha hai" I say as one of Rudra's cousin who is a doctor checks her leg.

"Oww oww"

"Aaram se" I say.

I look at Viraj and he is laughing but he quickly hides it with a cough. Was he really laughing ya mujhe hi aisa laga.

Ab kya? Preeti do performances me thi. Ek girls group ke saath jisme Pari hai aur ek solo. Dono performance pe asar..

"Tum kaise giri? Kya hua?" I ask once she sits on the chair.

"Per slip hua" she answers.

"Offo.. bichari" Viraj shakes his head.

Daya, kuch toh gadbad hai.

I walk away and pretend that I'm busy pouring water for Preeti when I see from the corner of my eye, her sneakily winking at Viraj.

Iski toh.. Gaddaar!

Ek baar bimaar insaan ko thik karna mumkin hai, but vo insaan ko kaise thik kiya jaaye jisse kuch hua hi na ho.

Viraj ko laga Preeti perform nahi karegi toh hum haar jaayenge.. oh boy ab toh meri jeetne ki chaah aur badh gayi hai.

I walk towards them and put on my mask of concern.

"Ab toh tum dance nahi kar paaogi na Preeti" I ask worriedly.

"Nahi naa" she groans in pain.

I nod and look at Viraj who is doing something near the music system.

"Toh aaj mera bedroom.." he says without looking at me.

"Hum nahi haarenge. Preeti ke jagah mai naachungi ab" I say and Viraj's eyes widen.

"Kyaa? Lekin tum toh naachne nahi wali thi na? Tumhe steps bhi nahi pata honge" he says.

I just smirk and walk away.

"Everybody," I announce loudly, "Let's get started with the Sangeet".

~•~•~•~•~•~•

Sorry for the late update fam.. I was just on a writer's block. Also thanks for all the messages asking if I'm okay.. you guys are amazing.
I know this is a really shitty chapter. Next chapter is the last one. I'm too emotional right now to write something more :(
Ily..