Chapter 7

Chapter#6

In Vihaan Agarwal's arms was the last place Sareena would have expected to find herself at by the end of the night, and particularly not when the lyrics of the song being played only added to the havoc already wreaking her senses as a direct result of their closeness. On recognition of the ballad that the upbeat music had given way to, she had attempted walk away. Only he hadn't let her.

"It's just one last dance between friends; what can it hurt Sareena?"

*********

"Aunty Reena, are you not ready yet? Papa said we are leaving in exactly seven minutes!"

Sareena leaned back from her vanity mirror, where she had just applied one final touch of gloss to her bottom lip to achieve the dewy look she was going for, and then turned to face the youngster who had unceremoniously barged into her bedroom. The beginnings of a smile on her lips, she turned to greet Sanjay before she remembered her role in their relationship. She then cleared her throat discreetly, in a message to the young lad.

"Oh... Sorry Aunty," Sanjay replied sheepishly before returning to the to the door and belatedly knocking on it.

Sareena fought to hold back her laughter: more so at herself than at her nephew.  In this regard, she was hopeless, and she knew it. Left up to her, Sanjay would  probably have been well on his way to growing into quite the spoilt brat in the course of the last four years, for in truth, she was hardly as perturbed as she let on by his exuberant entry. As a matter of fact, she loved his enthusiasm, to the point that she never found fault in anything he did. However, since it was preferable that the growing boy be governed by good manners, for consistencies sake she had to follow through with the discipline Kabir and Rachna were instilling in the high-spirited child. Not for the first time, she thought how idyllic things had worked out, that the youngster had such steady guidance from the experienced parents.

"Come in, Sanjay."

The youngster began his spiel again. "Papa sent me to fetch you; we're leaving in..."

"Six minutes," Sareena offered cheekily.

"Haan Aunty." The handsome lad looked properly at his aunt. He was over the moon to have her back home with him for good. "You look really pretty; Papa did a good job."

Adjusting the gossamer pale gold dupatta over one shoulder, Sareena couldn't agree more. The ivory silk lehenga, with its earth tone floral print paired with a backless black choli was an edgy choice for the ring ceremony, but Sareena had loved it from the first time KT had shown her the design. It was special enough for the festivities yet not as overwhelming as to take attention from where it should be: the beautiful bride-to-be, who would be wearing something exquisite, designed by her boss, and friend. Grabbing her small evening clutch, Sareena took one quick look  round to make sure she wasn't missing anything and then turned smiling to Sanjay who awaited her.

"And if I may say, Sanjay, you are looking most handsome this evening as well," she mentioned as the exited. Reaching the landing, she took her nephew's hand. "I am so happy that you agreed to be my plus one for the night, beta" she added as they began their descent down the staircase.

"What's a plus one, Aunty?"

"Well it's the special person who you can count on to accompany you to the best parties, and events, when you feel the need for company or have an extra invite."

"You mean like a date?"

Sareena stopped mid-way on the staircase. "Aacha, and what exactly do you know about dates or dating young man? Do you have a girlfriend that I need know about," she teased him.

The precocious child just laughed before darting down the remainder of the stairs, escaping to the front entrance, where the rest of the family waited.

***********

Vihaan took in the arrangements for the ring ceremony, while Rajeev concluded his telephone call. Listening while bhai spoke lovingly to Bhabhi, ensuring that she was settled for the evening, and more importantly not in need of his attendance, Vihaan couldn't help but smile at what a complete family man his brother had become. But then again, he had the most perfect of excuses; having found and married his dream-girl. He could only hope that the same could be said for him once everything was sorted. Maa was quite enthusiastic now, in her quest for her Choti Bahu, and Vihaan expected that sooner rather than later the situation he was now a witness to, he would be an active participant of.

Finally it looked as bhai was done.

"All well with Bhabhi and our prince?"

Rajeev smiled. "We marked a major milestone today: his first successful solo feed. As long as he keeps that up and puts on a bit more weight, then there stands the chance that both of them will be released very soon."

"Aacha, well that's the best news I've heard today," the soft feminine voice responded.

He would not gape at her like an adolescent, Vihaan vowed, disbelieving that the one person he had constantly been on the lookout for could have happened on to them so stealthily.

************

The Agarwal brothers were both looking extremely handsome, Sareena noticed right away, although her eyes had automatically strayed to the younger of the two, as she and Sanjay headed in their direction at his insistence. Of course, she should have expected such, after all her nephew had a natural affinity with his hockey coach, and further was just plain excited to see Vihaan back home for a visit after so long. And so she stiffened her spine and went over to meet the pair.

Proudly she watched as, without any prompting, Sanjay folded his hands and greeted the two men.

"Namaste Rajeev Uncle; Namaste..."

Vihaan held up one finger and squinted. "Hmm you look awfully familiar. Do you work with Dr. Arora, or should I know you from somewhere else?"

"Uncle, it's me: Sanjay," the child answered his eyes wide with mirth.

"Impossible," Vihaan responded. He held his hand at stomach level of the boy. "Sanjay, is about this tall; At least the Sanjay I remember."

"I grew, Uncle."

"I would say you have," Vihaan responded laughingly, before patting the child on his shoulder genially. "How are you buddy; and more to the point, what are you doing here with all of we old folks. Rumor has it that there is quite the bash happening next door to  your home."

"Too many little ones, Vihaan Uncle," Sanjay replied, referring to the gathering of his younger siblings as well as Agarwal twins over at his Nani's that evening. "Sometimes you just need a break," he lamented. "Besides, Aunty Reena needed a date."

Vihaan studied the woman in questions whose cheeks had taken on a rosy hue.

 "A plus one," she corrected hastily under the scrutiny of the two brothers. She sighed deeply, "As of tonight, I've lost my go-to-guy, but I couldn't be happier, since I've managed to score the most handsome guy available as a replacement."

*********

The evening progressed smoothly, and the ceremony was beautiful. The couple's love and affection was evident for all to see and quite naturally everyone was in the mood to celebrate with them afterwards. Breathlessly coming off the dance floor with an enthusiastic Sanjay, Sareena joined table that the Tripathi's were sharing. Very soon after Rajeev and Vihaan stopped by; the former  confirming that he wouldn't be able to stay long as he would need to leave to collect his daughters.

After that, the group made small talk as they observed the eclectic gathering of locals and overseas guests in attendance in celebration of the first of the pre-nuptial ceremonies for two people who meant so much to all of them.

"Take note, and learn Vihaan, since it looks as you are going to be next. Just make sure that the shaadi is here in India and not in London. It will be much easier on all of us," Daadi stated.

"Naturally Daadi, I wouldn't dream of going through with this without my dream girl there."

Everyone's attention turned when Sareena suddenly stood, banging her hip on the table in the process.

"Excuse me," she grinned. "I will be back momentarily."

**********

She grabbed some tissue out of the box on the counter of the hotel ladies' washroom, and quickly raced into an available stall. She would not cry she thought uselessly, as she began making excuses for her emotional state. Her best friend marrying was just cause for her feeling like this: nothing else and certainly not the topic that had been raised just prior. "Breath Sareena," she whispered as she fought to control the angst building up in her. Closing her eyes she purposely  inhaled deeply, hoping that it wouldn't take long for her to pull herself together

"So what do you think of my would-be-husband?"

"So you say."

"Nahi, it's a done deal I tell you or  at least, it will be in a few days. Mom got someone very reputable on the case as soon as word got out this his family was looking for a bride."

"I think his brother is killer fine if you ask me. Too bad he's already married. Come to think of it wasn't there some scandal surrounding his wife, that foreign girl? I'm surprised that your family is willing to overlook..."

"Oh hello, do you have any clue what the net worth of the Agarwal family is? Do you think that scandal or not, any family would not make a big deal over that ? I mean truthfully, I think the brother is hella good looking too, more so than Vihaan to tell the truth, but the word is that it will be the younger brother chosen as heir apparent to the family business. And he's not that bad looking either, so it's not like I would be ashamed to be seen with him or anything."

The woman's companion giggled. "It seems that it will be the best of all worlds for you then, a nice- looking husband, the wealth of your in-laws, and that hot coach as a brother-in-law too boot. Just remember that you will be married to one, so no making moves on the other brother... that is if you can pull it off."

The sound of water running, partially obscured the conversation, but only for a minute. "Trust me, I know how to hook a man, and this one here: let's just say he's off the market as of tonight."

 

Frozen by what she was overhearing, Sareena realized that if she stayed where she was, that she would miss seeing who these vile characters were who were loosely speaking of her friends. Jostling with the stall's door lock, she rushed out to the sink area, only to see the washroom door swinging from a recent exit. Rushing to it, she forcibly pushed it in hopes of catching sight of the pair. Instead, all she managed was to see the backs of the two women exiting.  Unfortunately, hard on their heels, she had forcefully pushed on the door, almost, as it turned out, exactly at the same time someone had been entering. The momentum of her push had the wood panel crashing into the teenage girl, who  had immediately shrieked in pain and grabbed her elbow.

"Oh, my God, I'm so sorry," Sareena cried, having to quit her pursuit to attend to the young woman's injury.

 ************

Deliberately, Vihaan scanned the hall in a thorough and methodical fashion. When he was done, he shrugged indifferently and then raised the champagne flute up to his lips.

"Vihaan, you shouldn't be taking this so lightly."

After a sip of the effervescent beverage, he lowered the glass, "Are you sure you wouldn't like some, Sareena; somehow Jack has managed to get his hands on an excellent vintage."

He saw the frustration on her face grow, and finally addressed her worry. "Aacha, so perhaps somewhere in this crush of people my potential life-partner is here today, what of it, Sareena? I would think that this would bring a certain air of destiny to things and remove the clinical aspect from the whole process, don't you think," he asked her with the compelling grin that she found so attractive. Except for right at this very moment.

Sareena stared back at the man, who, despite his happy demeanor had, via his response spelled out his disdain at the decision that he was willing to abide by for his family's sake. "Why, Vihaan? Why have you agreed to this if you aren't..."

The grin on his face turned rueful. "Why not Sareena, it's not as if I was doing a bang up job at settling down myself. Besides I completely trust my parents' decision for me. If it turns out that she is the one, then..." he shrugged nonchalantly.

Sareena closed her eyes, sure that her frustrations were showing. After the chance encounter had exposed more than the anonymous woman would like to have publicly known, her first thought had been to take her concerns directly to Rajeev, but he had already left. With no choice, she had asked to speak to Vihaan privately, thinking that, at the very least, after hearing her out,  he would have taken the matter seriously: of course he hadn't. She decided to try one last time to get him to see reason.

"Vihaan, as your friend..."

"Are we friends Sareena; it doesn't seem that we are."

The physician was taken aback, but then averted her gaze from his. "I've always cared for you, Vihaan..."

"Liar," he interrupted her, causing her attention to sway back to him. He sent another smile in her direction. "If I recall correctly, you merely tolerated me at my office, and once we really began interacting, you didn't care for me the slightest. Isn't that so, Dr. Arora?"

She blushed. "Purely circumstantial, Vihaan. Since I didn't know your brother, I could only lay fault on you for his misdeeds."

Vihaan smirked. "Understandable; plus I expect you thought bhai was as arrogant as his younger brother?"

"Yes," Sareena answered succinctly recalling their first true encounter. To her the unknown man who had looked to have deserted his pregnant fianc was no-one she wished to know, and by default this prejudice had spilled over to Vihaan. Thankfully she had soon come to know the truths of both the Agarwal brothers, and she was happy to do so. They were each wonderful in their own way: Vihaan especially. Which was exactly why he needed to heed her warning. "Vihaan..."

He surprised her by quickly draining the rest of his wine glass and then after placing it on the tray of a passing waiter, grabbing her hand and leading her towards the crowded dance floor. "Chalo, Sareena. Perhaps on the dance floor, you may be able to point out this characterless woman who has her sights on me. Or if not that, hide me from her. It's what  one friend would do for another," he added, throwing her statement back at her.

************

Vihaan used every opportunity at first keep her close to him on the crowded dance floor, and intentionally directed them towards the affianced couple, knowing that Sareena wouldn't dare betray her uneasiness around Jack on such a special occasion for him. He even manipulated a switch of partners with Jack and Arpita, watching the newly-understood amiability of the life-long friends with a smile. At the same time he also used the opportunity to once again express an apology to the beautiful bride-to-be, who in her happiness gladly accepted it. He then sent Arpita back to Jack, receiving his own reward in form of a much more relaxed Sareena ready to groove some more. "She is everything, and more," Vihaan thought, and somehow he needed her to understand how very much she meant to him.

The fates: it seemed were feeling kind towards him.

***********

On recognition of the ballad that upbeat music had given way to, she had attempted walk away. Only he hadn't let her.

"It's just one last dance between friends; what can it hurt Sareena," Vihaan stated as he drew her into his arms.

When the rain is blowing in your face,
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.

Noticing the crowd was thinning out , Sareena spoke again, "I think this song may especially be for Jack and Arpita: their final dance,"

Vihaan increased his hold on her. "I don't think so, Sareena. Relax, and follow my lead. Stop panicking. It's just a dance, right?"

When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.

 

Of all songs, why would it be this one, Sareena groaned. And Adele's version of it, no less. Someone definitely had it out for her to be torturing her like this. The firmness of Vihaan's  hold increased a bit more, and she shyly glanced at him, a reckless move, as she immediately got lost in the depths of his dark eyes.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet,
But I will never do you wrong.
I've known it from the moment that we met,
No doubt in my mind where you belong.

I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue,
And I'd go crawling down the avenue.
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love.

 

Intentionally, he kept silent, allowing the lyrics to speak for him, and convey what needed to be said. Why she couldn't see or understand that with one bit of encouragement that he would even go against his parents' plans for him, he could not comprehend.

The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret.
The winds of change are blowing wild and free,
You ain't seen nothing like me yet.

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.
Nothing that I wouldn't do.
Go to the ends of the Earth for you,
To make you feel my love
To make you feel my love

 

Sareena's eyes were closed and her lips invitingly ajar by the end of the song: temptation personified. This close to her, Vihan could see her pulse throbbing in her neck. She had to be feeling the same as he was: the intense connection between them that had absolutely nothing to do the physical longing that Vihaan couldn't help but feel with her in his arms. But right now, that was least important; he could and was very willing to overlook the fire raging inside of him for something more meaningful. The need to confess his feelings was an urgency that took everything in him to deny. He needed her to want to take the next step on her own.

Besides, if she didn't have an inkling of his love for her now, then his entire cause might as well be lost.

[NOCOPY]

crtkelly2017-01-27 02:05:24