Namaste
Chapter 12

Tanushree sat gracefully draped in her exquisite red and golden Banarasi saree, her reflection shimmering in the mirror as the makeup artist worked her magic. "Ma'am, your skin is flawless," the artist remarked, earning a soft smile from Tanushree. "Please, go easy on the foundation. I prefer a more natural look," she requested politely, to which the artist nodded in understanding.

After the makeup was completed, Tanushree examined her reflection with satisfaction. "All done, ma'am. Are you satisfied with the look?" the artist inquired, to which Tanushree nodded appreciatively. "You did a great job, Preeti," she complimented, earning a grateful smile from the artist.

As Tanushree sat in front of the mirror, her husband entered the room, dressed impeccably in a navy blue Armani suit. Abhimaan was struck by his wife's beauty and couldn't help but admire her as he stood behind her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Leaning down, he whispered huskily in her ear, "You look breathtaking, Jaan. I could take you here and now." Tanushree's breath caught in her throat, her resolve tested by his proximity and his words. She clenched her legs together, determined to remain unaffected.

As Tanushree rose to leave, Abhimaan stopped her by her wrist, pulling her closer by her waist. "Maaf kar do, meri Jaan," he pleaded softly. Tanushree looked down, conflicted, before meeting his gaze. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she released a breath and nodded, her anger and hurt melting away. [ Forgive me muly love]

She hugged him tightly, feeling his warmth and the steady beat of his heart against her chest. Abhimaan stilled for a moment before slowly rubbing her back.

Tanushree and Abhimaan drove to the hotel where they were hosting the reception, the anticipation palpable in the air. As they arrived, they stepped out of the car, greeted by the flashing cameras of the media.

Abhimaan held Tanushree possessively by the waist as they posed for the cameras. "Take a deep breath and smile," he whispered softly, his voice a reassuring presence amidst the chaos.

Inside the venue, Tanushree met her parents, her heart swelling with emotion. She embraced them tightly, feeling their love and support enveloping her. Her eyes misted over as her father spoke, "Beta, tu khush toh hai na?" ( You are happy right?)

She nodded, her voice choked with emotion as she replied, "Ji Papa." The warmth of her family's love filled her heart, easing her nerves.

Amidst the chatter of his friends, Abhimaan stood holding a drink, his gaze wandering across the room. Sahil's words caught his attention. "Tanushree bhabhi is gorgeous," Sahil remarked, drawing Abhimaan's focus.

He followed Sahil's gaze and spotted Tanushree standing with his siblings, Hema and Karan, a radiant smile gracing her features. A sense of pride swelled within him as he watched her interact with their guests.

Abhimaan's friends insisted that he introduce Tanushree to them, eager to meet his new wife. However, Abhimaan hesitated, feeling ashamed to introduce her to his friends. He knew she wasn't as educated as the partners of his friends, nor was she from a wealthy family.

"I will introduce her to you all some other day," he dodged, trying to avoid the situation for the time being. Deep down, he felt uncomfortable about his wife's background compared to that of his friends' partners.

Ayaan, a close friend, joined their conversation, his words striking a chord with Abhimaan. "Yeah, mate, God has given you a second chance at love and saved you from that bitch Sophia. Cherish your marriage and wife," Ayaan emphasised, his voice filled with conviction.

Abhimaan's jaw clenched at the mention of Sophia, a surge of anger coursing through him. He nodded silently, his thoughts consumed by the woman who had caused him so much pain.

Karan's voice rang out confidently through the room as he took hold of the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, commanding the attention of the guests. "It's now time for the newlyweds' first dance."

A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned towards Abhimaan and Tanushree, who stood together at the centre of the dance floor, hand in hand. Karan's words were filled with warmth and sincerity as he continued, "Bhaiya and bhabhi, wishing you a beautiful marriage ahead.”

The guests erupted into applause, their excitement palpable as they eagerly anticipated the couple's first dance as husband and wife.

Abhimaan appeared visibly agitated, his expression betraying his desire to be anywhere but at the event. Tanushree, feeling coy and embarrassed, admitted, "I don't really know how to dance."

In response, Abhimaan's tone was cold as he curtly instructed, "Just follow my lead."

Observing his irked expression, Tanushree couldn't help but ask, "What happened? You look mad."

Annoyed by her inquiry, Abhimaan snapped, "None of your business, Tanushree. Stay quiet."

Feeling crestfallen, Tanushree cast her gaze downwards. As the evening progressed, they were called upon to cut the lavish wedding cake, but Abhimaan was conspicuously absent from the dinner.

Concerned, Tanushree's mother-in-law approached her and inquired, "Arey Tanushree beta, where is Abhimaan?"

Softly, Tanushree replied, "I don't know.”

She observed her husband storming out of the venue, his face contorted in anger as he shouted into his phone. "Where would he go at this hour?" she wondered aloud.

Karan, who had been observing the situation, chimed in, "Bhai left for Mumbai. There was some matter."

Her father-in-law, curious about the sudden departure, remarked, "Aisa kya kaam aa gaya ki apna reception party chor ke jaana pade." ( What was so important that he had to leave his reception party?)

"And anyways, I was handling the Mumbai project," her father-in-law added. "It must have been something really important," Tanushree speculated, trying to make sense of her husband's abrupt departure.

After the dinner, everyone congratulated Tanushree before leaving, but they all asked where Abhimaan had disappeared to. She would simply reply, "Something important came up." Feeling down and wishing Abhimaan had been by her side, she accepted her mother-in-law's invitation to stay at the mansion until Abhimaan returned.

As they drove back to the mansion with Hema and Karan, Tanushree occasionally joined in the conversation. "Bhabhi..." Karan began. "Hmm," Tanushree responded.

"Do you have a sister?" Karan asked. "If you do, then please arrange my marriage too," he joked as he drove. Tanushree chuckled and replied, "I do have a sister. But she eloped with someone a few years ago, along with a lot of jewellery and cash money."

"I couldn't go to college because of her. She ran away with all my parents' savings," Tanushree explained, a hint of sadness in her voice.

Hema, noticing the sadness on Tanushree's face, tried to lighten the mood. "Well, it's good that she's gone for good. If you had gone to college, how would we have met? We wouldn't get such a beautiful and lovely bhabhi," she joked, making Tanushree laugh.

The trio settled in Tanushree and Abhimaan's room for a movie night, choosing the classic "3 Idiots." As they watched Chatur's infamous speech, they couldn't contain their laughter.

“He is a great guy really …
Peechle buttis saal se inhone nirantar is college mein balatkar pe balatkar kiye… umeed hai aagey bee karte rahege.. Hamine to aashcharya hota hai ki ek insaan apne jeevan kaal mein itni balatkar kaisi kar sakta hai?
Inhone kadi tapaasya se apne aapko is kaabil bunaya hai… ” Karan recited looking at screen, struggling to contain his laughter.

(He is a great guy really… For the past thirty-two years, he has continuously committed atrocities in this college… we hope he continues to do so in the future… It's astonishing how one person can commit so many atrocities in their lifetime?!")

Hema and Tanushree burst into fits of giggles, rolling on the floor with laughter. "Listen to the next one!" Karan exclaimed between laughs.

"Adarniya mantraji namashkar, aapne is sansthaan ko wo chees di jiski hamein sakht zaroorat thi… sstunn… stunn hota sabi ke paas hai… sab chupa ke rakte hai… detaa koi nai… aapne apna stunn is balatkari purush ke haat mein diya hai… ab dekiye yeh kaisa iska upyog karta hai…" he continued, mimicking Chatur's speech, staring at the screen.

"My stomach is hurting, I can't laugh anymore," Hema exclaimed, holding her tummy in pain from laughing too hard.

"But the best part is yet to come, it's the fart poem!" Karan exclaimed, and they all erupted into laughter once again.

"Utamamm dad datdat padam..madhyam padam thuchuk thuchuk khanishtham thudthudiii padam..sursuria pran khatkam..!!!!" they recited together, struggling to catch their breath amidst the laughter.

"Oh my god! Why don't they make movies like this anymore?" Tanushree exclaimed, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

"True, this is pure comedy gold!" Karan and Hema agreed, still chuckling at the hilarity of the scene.

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Sorry for the late update!
How's the story moving? Where do you think Abhimaan went?

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Hare Krishna