Chapter 3I rummaged through my suitcase for the gift I brought for Rudra when my phone rang.
Mom. I took a deep breath before answering the call.
"Hello Mom. I-" I hadn't told anyone except Daadi that I was coming to Delhi.
"Shivaay. You went to Delhi! Without telling us. You're not my Shivaay anymore. You've changed. Pata nahi Tia ne jaate jaate kya jadu kiye tujh par." Mom said loudly into the phone. I rolled my eyes. This was something I got to hear everyday from my mom. Initially it annoyed me, but now I was used to it.
"Mom, please. I informed Daadi and Khanna about it. And I've come here for Rudra's marriage. Remember I told you about it last week?"
"Yes, Shivaay. But you told me that you weren't attending it. Anyway, that is not why I called." I knew it.
"Yes, tell me mom. Is everything okay?"
"No Shivaay. Everything's not fine. You've gone to Rudra's wedding, don't you feel bad that you're not married."
"Mom please. If you're going to talk about this, I'm going to hang up."
"Hang up matlab. Tu suicides kargega Shivaay?" She gasped. Ugh.
"MOM! Hang up. I'll cut the phone!" I said exasperatedly.
"Oh." She let out a nervous laugh. "Shivaay, Maine na tere liye ek ladki dekh li hai. Aur tu ussi se shaadi karega. She's in Delhi only. I was thinking that I'll send her to Rudra's marriage, so you can-" Before she could complete I cut the phone and threw it away angrily, shattering it into pieces.
I clenched my fists angrily and slumped down on the bed. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I had told them that I wasn't ready for marriage yet. I needed time. But no, it's like everyone is my enemy back at home.
~"Di, can I borrow these earrings?" She held it up showing them to me.
"Yes, but why? They won't match with the outfit you're wearing. It looks good with eastern s-"
"Haan, di. I know. Can I wear this?" She held up a light yellow-brown coloured kurta.
"That's my favorite one!" I exclaimed. "Please Di." She showed me her cute puppy dog eyes.
"Fine. But be careful. Like last time, don't drop food over it and hide it in a corner of your closet." I smiled remembering her shocked reaction when I had found it.
"Okay, di. I'll be carefull." She said sheepishly.
"Kahan jaa rahi hai?" I asked when she came out of the washroom all dressed up.
"Di, how do I look?" She asked nervously.
"You're looking pretty as always, Gauri. But why're you all dressed up right now?" I saw her cheeks turn a light shade of pink. Was she blushing? I quickly brushed away the thought.
"Di, I'll tell you later okay. I gotta go now. I'm running late." She hugged me and then grabbed her phone and left. I looked at her confused and then got back to the work I was doing.
Just then the phone rang, Maa. My lips curved into a smile as I picked up my phone.
"Hello Ma. How're you?" I asked.
"I'm fine, Anika. How're you? And how is Gauri? Did you take your medicines?" I bit my tongue. I had forgotten to take them. I rummaged through my bag and took out my box of medicines.
"We're both fine, Ma." I said as I put the capsule in my mouth and took a few gulps of water.
"I'm missing you, beta. Where's Gauri? I want to talk to her."
"Gauri went out for some work. She'll be back soon I guess." I bit my lip.
"Kya hua Anika? You sound stressed?"
"Ma, just one week is left for the wedding functions to start and so many works are still pending." I said slightly worried.
"Okay, you do your work. I'll talk to you later."
"No Ma. It's fine."
"Actually I forgot to tell you why I called. Tere liye na ek rishta aaya hai. So-?" I could sense her hesitation.
"Ma, I told you na if the guy is good and he doesn't ask for dowry and create some problem, it a yes from my side. Aap jisse kahenge, main unhi se shaadi karungi." I smiled.
She let out a sigh of relief. "Okay beta. I'll talk to you later. Bye."
"Bye Ma."
~I was about to go out when I saw her staring at the picture on the wall. It was one where I had inaugurated this hotel.
"Shivaay." I caught my breath as my name escaped her lips. How perfect it sounded.
"Finally, tumhe mera naam pata chala." I smiled. She jumped.
"Aap. Billuji." She said slightly breathing heavily.
"Darr gayi?"
"Main kisi se nahi darti, Billuji." She smiled relaxing a bit.
"So you're still going to address me as Billuji even after knowing my name?"
"Haan, billuji." She stressed on the word billuji.
I noticed that she was holding a couple of files in her hand.
A young man wearing a suit came towards us and told her, "Ma'am, there is some problem with the menu for the engagement ceremony. So if you could come and talk to the caterers?"
"Okay Rohit. I'll talk to them." She smiled. She looked at me and said, "I'll talk to you later, billuji?" I nodded and she turned around to leave. But she turned back and looked at me. She said, "You have a nice name," I looked at her waiting for her to continue and say my name when she said, "Billuji." My eyed widened and she left laughing.
~"What happened, Shivaay? Kya soch raha hai?" Rudra sat down beside me.
"Kuch nahi." I said looking up to see her decorating the hall. Rohit was telling something to her and she laughed. I must've been looking at her dreamily because Rudra snapped his fingers in front of me. I realised he asked me a question and was waiting for an answer.
"Uh what?" I looked at him.
"You like her?" He had followed my gaze and was now talking about her.
"What! No!" He raised his eyebrow. "I met back in Mumbai once. And then we were in the same flight. Soo, you know."
"Soo I know what?"
I shook my head, "You know her?"
"Yup. She's Saumya's best friend and our wedding planner." I kind of realised that.
"But she came to Delhi now? Just a week before the marriage?"
"Yes, I mean No. She was here last month planning the wedding with me. Saumya couldn't come here cause her boss didn't grant her leave that early. Then she went back to Mumbai for a couple of days and she came now. So now she's taking care of the last minute arrangements."
I nodded still looking at her. I heard Rudra laugh.
"What?!"
"Nothing. Lage raho Shivaay Bhai." Om who had just arrived sat down beside me, "She's a nice girl. Agar tu mera bhai hai, toh woh meri behan hai. Uska dil kamzor hai, todh mat dena."
He placed a card on my hand smiling, "You'll need it." and he patted my shoulder and left.
I looked down at the card, It was her event management company's card. And on top was her number. I smiled and then pocketed it.
~
I stood there frozen beside Om and Rudra as my eyes landed on her. She stood in front of the mirror fidgeting and trying to pull her dress down in an attempt to cover her legs. She looked nervous and was talking to Gauri.
She wore a gold sequin dress which reached slightly above her knees. And her hair left open in loose curls.
My breath hitched as she turned around and our eyes met.
Note - This chapter might've been a little boring, but it was much needed. I have the next chapter ready so will update it real soon. So do let me know your thoughts about this chapter. Hope you all liked it. :)
Edited by -Rhea- - 8 years ago
