''Nervous!'' Sheela asked Kajal when she found her daughter frozen opposite to mirror.

''I am mom.''

''Why?''

''I am again going to be among same people who made me walk out on Tarun. I don't know if it was right to accept this invitation.'' Kajal fidgeted. She had been all excited about the upcoming engagement of Praveen, with the thought spending time with Tarun. Now, when day was already here, she had turned cold feet. Dressed in a bold red net saree she looked beautiful, yet felt nervous. She kept staring her reflection trying to figure out if it would be enough for Tarun.

Sheela turned her daughter around, ''You shouldn't be Kajal. It's not your but Tarun's test today. It's him who has to prove you right.''

''What if he fails me mom?'' Kajal asked, a little worried

''Then go ahead with the decision you took while walking out on him. You are an independent girl, you don't need a man's approval about yourself. You have a name in your field, people envy you. They secretly wish to be you. You  have nothing to lose.'' Her mother's words pumped in some confidence in Kajal. She was determined not to take any kind of nonsense from anyone. She had decided to show them what real Kajal was made off.

''Kajal, Tarun is here.'' She moved out into the hall to join Tarun. Dressed in a three piece he looked dapper. He smiled locking his eyes with her , she blushed. The parents looked from one to other witnessing the silent exchange of emotions.

Arun cleared his throat to bring the two out of their world, ''We will leave.''

''Drop my daughter back home safely and smiling.'' Arun added

'I just want to take her back' Tarun thought, but refrained this thoughts taking the shape of words. With a nod to his father he turned his eyes to his wife, Kajal silently walked out and Tarun followed.

''She blushed! That's a miracle.'' Sheela said once the couple was out of sight.

''She is in love so is he. Lets just wait for dumb heads to realise that.'' Arun replied making himself comfortable on the couch.

''What if he fails her? Again''

''Then its his bad luck. Kajal deserves to get her choices, I will stand by her whatever she chooses.'' He concluded the discussion lifting the already read newspaper between them Sheela hummed and walked off to check on the dinner in kitchen.

***

They drove in silence till they reached the venue, not sure what to say to each other. Kajal was surprised at her silence, she had never been the shy kinds. She openly faced the guys who checked her out, but there was a strange bubbling feeling in her heart when she found Tarun's eyes on her. It was exciting yet scary. She didn't know how to react or what to expect. With a sigh she decided to let the things go as they are, secretly wishing the evening to get over fast.

''Here, Praveen's gift. You carry on , I will park and join you.'' Kajal nodded and left the car. Traun wiped his forehead, 'Why the hell am I sweating in a ac vehicle?'

He took quick steps to join her in the gathering . He didn't wanted her to land in any uncomfortable position because of him. As he walked towards the entrance , his legs halted as smile stretched his lips. Kajal stood at the entrance waiting for him, ''You could have gone inside.''

''We came together, we should go in together.'' She replied. He smiled, the reply was simple yet soothing to his ears. Together they stepped into the gathering which looked nothing less than a colourful fest, ''WOW!'' She exclaimed looking at the crowd

''I didn't tell you Praveen has a large family, both maternal and paternal.'' Tarun informed

''Seems like fun to me.'' She replied a little excites

''Don't say that to Praveen, he will readily exchange the position with you.''

Tarun led and she followed, he seemed to know all Praveen's extended family as he made introductions to her and them without halting for a minute. ''You should breathe.'' She suggested

''Can't , otherwise one or the other member of his family will feel offended about me not introducing you.''

''You guys are close.''

''Yes, we are.'' He replied with a smile. After all the introductions he led her to the place where Praveen sat with his head in his palms, ''All good!'' Tarun asked

''Yes, till my aunts refrain themselves from pulling my cheeks every now and then, reminding me about running naked around as a kid. I hope they don't do this in presence of bride's family.'' Praveen's tormented words made Kajal laugh.

''Its okay buddy, Preeti will understand.'' Tarun tried calming him

''She is already pulling my leg over all the stupid nick names she has heard. I am sure she will blackmail me all my life over all the little stupid secrets my relatives have filled her with.'' Tarun tried looking serious, he couldn't control as Kajal was hardly able to hide her amusement. Praveen gave them both a pitiful look, they controlled but again bursts into giggles as one of his aunt performed a ritual to ward off an evil eye of Praveen while narrating how the time flew by, as he would run naked in the house few years back and now getting married.

''Please make me meet that one person who made me run naked then. I am going to kill him with bare hands for cursing me lifelong humiliation.'' Praveen bellowed all irritated.

''Its fine Praveen, theses small things will make your life more exciting.'' Traun tried to console his friend

''Really? Fine, then let me tell Kajal about some of your not so shining moments.'' Before he could utter a word, Tarun covered Praveen's mouth with his palm, ''I know you are irritated but that doesn't mean you spoil my life.'' Traun scolded his friend. Turning to Kajal, he pulled her along, ''Kajal, lets go and meet Preeti.''

''Praveen, I will call you personally to get details on Tarun's not-so-shining moments.'' She said over her shoulder, Praveen answered it with a thumbs up. Tarun took Kajal to Preeti's room and made the introductions, the function was yet to start so he decided to let her bond with Preeti as he wanted to calm his burning friend.

Preeti was impressed with knowledgeable Kajal, it took her seconds to make introductions to her family making Kajal feel at home.

The ritual was to being at 6:30 PM, as suggesting by the priest. Kajal accompanied Preeti to the main hall and joined Tarun after escorting her to the dais, ''You look tiered.'' She said noticing Tarun.

''I am! I personally requested all possible aunts of Praveen not to discuss any of his adventures, atleast for today.'' She chuckled at his words.

The couple exchanged the rings between the flower shower, mantras and blessings. One by one guests approached to convey their wishes and hand over the presents.

Sejal stood with Zenab at a distance, her eyes just on Tarun and Kajal. She burned inside every time they smiled at each other, ''You deserve better. Stop punishing yourself thinking about him.'' Zenab tried soothing her friend's burning nerves.

''I request both of you not to create a scene. If your stupidity costs me my friendship with Praveen or Tarun, you will have it bad from me Zenab.'' Her husband warned

Since the Goa incident, he had turned strict on Zenab. Initially he had agreed to go separate from his parent's house as his wife wasn't comfortable but after witnessing her never changing venomous side he had decided against it. He was no longer bending to her tantrums making her blame Traun and Kajal for her ordeal.

''Preeti is a lecturer, she is also perusing her PHD.'' Kajal informed Tarun

''Good for Praveen, he needs someone with patience or that childhood incident will make him and his partner go nuts..'' Tarun replied wiping his forehead. It was their turn to wish the couple, Tarun did with a tight hug, ''This from me an Kajal.''

Praveen shook the box, trying to figure out what was inside , Preeti nudge him glaring at him angrily. ''Its okay Preeti, its just his lost underwear from childhood.'' If situation permitted, Praveen would have bashed  Tarun up. But he couldn't, he decided to extract the revenge later.

Tarun led Kajal to the buffet area, they ordered a drink each, ''Don't irritate Praveen more, its his day,''

''Fine, but it was fun. Wasn't it?'' Kajal just smiled she sipped her drink when the unwanted voices greeted them, ''Oh, I wasn't expecting you two together after she walked out all dramatically.'' Sejal commented as Zenab smirked

Kajal's grip on the glass turned hard, immediately Tarun's palm was moving up and down her arm to sooth her. He smiled at her before turning his eyes to Sejal, ''Even I never expected you to walk shamelessly to me after I kicked you out of my apartment. Have you no shame?''

''You can't talk to us like that Tarun.'' Zenab warned

''I am not interested in talking to you two, its you who disturbed us. Now, just scoot.'' He was polite yet rude.

''I understand Kajal's need to be with you, where would she find better than you but what made you stick to her?'' Sejal was hell bent on avenging her insult by insulting Kajal.

Kajal just took a sip and smiled, her eyes locked with Sejal. She was opening insulting Sejal with her eyes without even speaking a word. ''Have you no shame, aren't you affected?'' Zenab tried to add more

''Are you aware about the world population?'' Kajal asked the dumb duo. When she received no response , she added, ''Its about 7.6 billion, out of which only 10 or max 20 matter to me dearly. While others are kind of non-existent. Their lives decisions or pain won't affect me. You 2 are defiantly not in that 20, so if your existence doesn't matter why would your brainless words matter to me. People like you prove themselves dumb at every instance, just like now when you couldn't get through Tarun you targeted me to get insulted in return.'' She smiled taking a sip. Tarun scoffed

''I guess you two should leave, the party is over for you.'' Praveen said,  he had seen the duo approaching Kajal and Tarun, he had decided to bring Tarun's life on track as he had understood his feelings for Kajal.

''I am sorry Praveen.'' Saqib intervened 

''Saqib, you will always be my friend but here on please excuse your wife when ever you are invited by me.'' Praveen then turned to Sejal, ''And you, I never invited you. I don't remember you being adopted by Saqib that you tagged along, have some shame before gate crashing a party.'' Sejal was left red faced, her hatred for Kajal multiplied as she was getting insulted by people whom she had known for years. Smashing the glass on hard floor she walked off, ''Hey come back and pay for it.'' Praveen shouted to irritate her more. 

''I am sorry you had to deal with that.'' Praveen apologised to Kajal

''No worries, that was handled well. Its late we should also leave.'' She said her eyes on Tarun. They had dinner with the new couple and took their leave after that. The drive was again silent for few minutes, ''Thanks!'' She whispered

''Why?''

''You stood up for me.''

''I should. I am your life partner and that was right thing to do.''

She didn't say a word after that. Her heart rejoiced, it had been dancing since the time Tarun confessed having thrown Sejal out of their home. She smiled, she wasn't regretting giving him a chance. Leaning on the head rest she closed her eyes, it was definitely a good day. ''We have reached.'' Kajal opened her eyes to realise that they were right outside her house,she quickly moved out but halted when he called out her name, ''Did I leave something.''

''Me!'' that came without he even thinking. She blinked, not sure what to say. Tarun took few steps and stood closer to her, ''You looked beautiful today.''

''Do you mean it Tarun or...'' The flow of words halted as Tarun's palm cupped her cheek. She stared at him wondering what was coming next. He took another step closer, placing his forehead against hers, he whispered, ''I meant each word I said.'' She didn't move, neither did he, his eyes focused on her painted lips. Their bodies wanted to erase the distance but mind was confused, none of them wanted to take the first step yet the heart wanted it desperately. She licked her lips nervously, not sure if she was ready for this. What Tarun did next not only surprised her but gained him another point, cupping her face with both palms he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead, ''Thanks for accompanying me.'' With a smile he turned and walked off, leaving Kajal frozen at her place for few minutes. Later, she grinned wide, he understood her discomfort, with a deep sigh she walked back in filled with a new hope.

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