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Chapter 12 - Wedding Cancelled

[Ahar's P. O. V.]

"If you don't say anything, I'll throw my chappal (flip-flop) at you!" I warned in frustration.

Shravan and I wasted half an hour sitting in silence in front of the criminal who had a few missing teeth, buzz cut hair, and a dark complexion. His hollow, black eyes stared at nothing in particular.

Thank god, there are police officers around us.

"I'm in jail. I don't know anything that goes on in the outside world," he said, his voice barely audible.

"But who're your partners?" Shravan asked.

Yeah, because every criminal will sell out his friends upon Shravan's request.

"What partners?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I work alone."

"The partners who kidnapped my brother and my girlfriend!" Shravan said sharply.

The lawbreaker shrugged.

We couldn't get anything else out of him. He kept reiterating how he didn't have a gang or partners. Obviously, he'd deny it. If a politician or a group was involved, bringing up their name would create a crisis or a controversy.

Shravan's phone rang.

"Hi . . . What? I--Okay, I'll be home in half an hour . . . Why? Whatever. Bye." I looked at him for some explanation. "Apparently, there's an emergency. Manan did something."

Manan always did something.

Nevertheless, we thanked the officers for letting us visit before leaving. We picked up Rahul and Preet on the way, cutting their shopping trip short. They asked for some answers, but those weren't obtained until we reached the Sethi residence.

Shravan's family was settled in the huge living room, stressed. Manan was even crying on Shivani's shoulder.

What the heck?

"What's wrong?" Shravan asked.

"Sanya's parents called," Mrs. Sethi said. I could already guess trouble. "Manan told them everything that happened and . . . and--"

"They're in shock," Mr. Sethi elucidated. "Mr. Agarwal's health immediately dropped. Mrs. Agarwal just informed taking her husband to the hospital. They want their daughter safe and sound by the time they come here."

I didn't even know what to say to them anymore. This family's worse than the criminal.

Shravan sat down on the sofa and held his face in his hands.

"Why's Manan crying?" I asked confused.

"I thought Shravan bhaiya (older brother) was going to kill me after hearing the news," Manan replied. He had a point. But his cousin had other things in mind.

"You know what?" Shravan spoke up. "Wedding cancelled! I'm done."

What?! All of us stared at him in astonishment.

"Beta (son), what're you saying?" Mr. Sethi said.

"As soon as we find Arun bhaiya and Sanya, I'm taking my girlfriend back to New York. We'll get married there. I love Sanya, and I can't put her and her family through any more danger!"

"But what about your own family?!" Mrs. Sethi demanded.

I felt completely out of place at this family argument.

"You guys are the reason behind the kidnapping!" Shravan shouted. "What kind of people play a sick kidnapping joke on their son? Do you know how frustrated and stressed I am? I haven't slept well since the day I stepped foot in this house. I can't trust my own goddamn family! A stranger is more reliable than all of you." His gaze fell on me at his last sentence.

I couldn't decide whether or not the last sentence was a compliment or an insult. I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

He had his fair share of the misery.

"Shravan, we'll find her," Mrs. Sethi insisted. "The best of the officers and investigators are sent out to find Arun and Sanya."

"Great," Shravan said. "The wedding's still cancelled. I'm not going back on my words."

There goes my first wedding card. Whether Shravan got married or not made no difference to me. According to the priest, helping save Sanya was important. Shravan's parents tried to convince to think rationally, but Shravan stayed obstinated. Silence soon fell across the room. With the way things were unfolding, finding the kidnapped girlfriend and lawyer wasn't happening anytime soon.

"Shubham's coming in the next two days," Mrs. Sethi said.

Preet, Rahul, and Shravan exchanged surprised looks.

"Who's that?" I slowly asked.

"Sanya's brother," Shravan replied before breaking a pretty vase close by. "Shit!"

He stormed out of his own house, kicking, cursing, and breaking things on the way.

Great. Just great.

* * *

"What's wrong with Shubham?"

Shravan hadn't talked to me since yesterday when he threw a tantrum. Fortunately, he asked me to meet up with him today. He needed to talk about our further search for Sanya.

"He hates me," Shravan replied flatly. We were sitting on a log at the back of his house. "Shubham always considered me incompatible for his sister. Watch him land in India tonight and throw a fit." Shravan sighed. "Life sucks. Never have I ever felt so out of power, so confused, and so . . . hopeless."

"If it makes you feel any better, I found out Dilwale is releasing in December."

He looked at me sideways before both of us cracked up. He gave me a high five which we missed the first time but got it the second time. We were literally leaning on each other for support, laughing at our poor luck. Both of us knew how screwed up our lives were and they were only getting worse. I even had small tears at the corners of my eyes. My pulse quickened from the activity. For a moment, I met Shravan's eyes and felt so much at ease.

"Ooh, Shray cheating on Sanya already!"

Shravan and I saw Manan and Preet come into our view. Me and Shravan quickly moved away from each other, half in surprise and half in embarrassment, earning laughs from the two people observing us.

We didn't even do anything wrong.

I turned to Shravan who had a serious look on his face again.

"Meri hassi toh sabse dekhi nahi jaati (No one can accept my happiness). What dreadful news did you both bring now?"

Always the optimist, he was.

Preet sat down between us and put her hands clasped on her knees. "Rahul and I got in a fight."

"Bada kadoo pe teer maar diya (What an accomplishment)," Manan praised dryly.

"What did you and your husband fight over?" I asked.

"I wanted to go visit the mental asylum in Agra but Rahul said he can only handle one lunatic at a time!"

Everyone except Preet laughed. Shravan told her to stop fighting over petty things. "At least you have your husband with you," he added. "My girlfriend is lost somewhere with all strangers."

"Arun will take care of her for you. Don't worry," Preet reassured.

Before anyone could utter another word, we heard a shout.

"SHRAVAN SETHI!"

I turned to Shravan who flinched. Whoever yelled his name didn't sound happy. Even Preet looked afraid as all of us slowly progressed towards the front of the house.

"Shubham's early. Damn!" Shravan mumbled.

"I'll provide backup," Manan whispered. "I know Kung Fu." He made an air chop with his hand, whispering, "Haye ya!"

Ignoring him, I observed Shravan's nervous expression. For once, he didn't look ready to face someone. As soon as we came out of the backyard, there was a six foot tall guy standing, glaring one of the servants. His messy, dark brown hair fell across his forehead. As soon as the anger filled eyes spotted Shravan, the guy advanced, disregarding everything. He was quite good looking as his face into view.

"Shubham, I can expl--" Shravan started, but Sanya's brother grasped his collars. Oh god.

"You told me you won't let anything happen to my sister when you left America," Shubham said through clenched teeth. "Where is she?!" I felt awful for Shravan. He wasn't even fighting back. He had to give answers on his parents' behalf.

"Relax bro," Manan said, trying to help.

"Stay out of it!" Shubham snapped. "You too, Preet!" Preet didn't even get the chance to say anything. She mumbled something about getting Rahul and rushed out of there. Manan looked at me for help. What could I do? These people took advantage of strangers! "Where is my sister?!"

"Kidnapped!" I answered. "Along with Shravan's brother." That caught Shubham's attention. "It's not Shravan's fault, trust me. The situation can be handled much more maturely." I kept my gaze locked with the infuriated, brown-eyed guy.

Shubham pushed away Shravan, surprisingly.

"I'm being a gentleman, right now," warned Sanya's brother. "You better explain everything before all my maturity disappears." He huffed and picked up a suitcase lying a few feet away, and headed inside the house.

Shravan looked at me and mouthed a thanks. I just shrugged. Violence has never been the answer.

"I can't believe he didn't punch! Wimp!" Manan said almost sounding disappointed. Seeing Shravan's glare, he quickly added, "Not that I wanted you to get punched or anything."

We went inside where Shubham sat demanding of answers. Mr. Sethi, Rahul, and Shravan informed him about everything.

"My poor, innocent sister!" came out Shubham's reaction. He sat tiredly, rubbing his temples. His frustration was justified. I knew I'd be pissed if my sibling was in danger because of someone else's carelessness.

"And my brother," added Shravan.

And my mother.

"Well, we've decided it's best if the wedding happens in New York, after Sanya and Arun are found," Mrs. Sethi declared. I wanted to laugh at Shravan's face as he realized his parents took credit for his thought. "We can't afford to take risks."

"Now, you realize that?" Shravan asked, shaking his head in disapproval.

"But what do we do for now?" Shravan's sister, Shivani, asked. "Everyone close to us know about Sanya and Shravan's wedding. She's supposed to be returning with her parents this week."

"We can't bring up the kidnapping. Bahut badnaami ho gayi (We'll face a lot of embarrassment)," Mrs. Sethi said worried. "If we announce the wedding is cancelled, it'll make people suspicious."

Typical aunty's typical worry.

"Then why don't we resume our lives the way they are in front of people until we find Sanya and Arun?" Rahul proposed. "No one needs to know anything."

"But people expect Sanya to show up soon," Mr. Sethi said.

"Find a replacement Sanya for now," Preet replied. Everyone gawked at her. "I mean, no one has seen what Sanya looks like. We can just have someone fill in for Sanya in front of people until the real Sanya's found. The wedding will be in America with just family members so no one will know what happened."

Even I was shocked to hear something like that come out of Preet's mouth. I mean this was the same girl who told us she wanted to visit a mental hospital. While everyone chatted, Shravan remained silent.

"That's actually not a bad idea," Mrs. Sethi agreed. "It'll keep everyone's reputation safe." I sighed, feeling like a misfit. I should've gone home when I had the chance. Shravan family drama happened live everyday. It was a soap opera of its own.

"You people care more about your reputation than my sister?" Shubham asked. Glad he realized soon enough. "But I'll go with it. I don't want anyone here to see my sister or be close to her. Those who already met her put her life at risk." He turned to Shravan. "Find a fake girlfriend until we find my sister."

Shravan looked at everyone. We awaited his answer. I couldn't decide whether the idea would work or not. I mean, wouldn't it put another girl's life at risk?

"But who?" Shravan asked. "I don't trust anyone here."

"Really?" Mrs. Sethi asked, raising an eyebrow. "You yelled at everyone yesterday how much you trusted a stranger compared to your own family."

All eyes snapped in my direction.

Aw snap. I was already waist deep in trouble. No need to dig down deeper.

"But everyone has seen me with Shravan when we go investigating," I reasoned. "He even introduced me to people as 'Ahar Virdee' not 'Sanya Agarwal.'" With a thoughtful expression, Shravan quietly sat. "C'mon Shravan. I don't even look like a model." Shravan simply met my eyes with a helpless glance.

I knew he wanted me to help.

"We can handle that," Preet said, waving it off. "As for the former reasons, we can say you--as Sanya--were trying not to put attention to yourself. So you went under a different name and . . . outlook." All the pressure was put on me. "And it'd be much better to have someone who knows what's going on than hiring a stranger."

Why me?

God was testing me beyond my capability. Helping others always brought good consequences.

Helping through the means of a fraud personality . . . did not. I bit my lip nervously. Shravan saw my hesitation and conflicted thoughts.

"Virdee, can we talk?"

_________

A/N

How was the chapter?

What do you think of Shubham?
Who to cast? (NOT RANVEER SINGH. Sorry, he is an absolutely amazing actor, but I just don't like him).

Do you support Preet's idea?
Fake girlfriend?

If you're enjoying the story so far, please don't forget to vote, comment, & share.
~K-K-Kiran