Being Your Shadow (Rishbala FF) - Page 9

Chapter 14

Mayuri took her clothes from her suitcase and walked in the huge bathroom. Finally taking off the huge blouse and Lehnga off her, she felt relieved.

She thought of taking a shower. The whole journey had been so tiring that only warm shower can help relieve the shoulder ache she got from the heavy dress...

She wore her simple pink suit salwar and a dupatta on the side...she dried her hair with a nice white towel and stepped out of the bathroom...

Rishab's eyes fell on his simple wife who was bothered to rub her hair with the towel just like any other simple girl would do...

He got up from the bed and walked in the bathroom to open a slider window towards the right side... Madhu was astonished to see the amount of things kept in the wardrobe inside the bathroom... he handed her a hair dryer "use this"

She happily took the hair dryer and started drying her wet hair...

Rishab heard the knock at the door and quickly walked to open the door...

"Daadi..." Rishab smiled at his Grandmother...

Durgeshwari blessed him and scanned around the room in search of Mayuri.

"She's in the bathroom..." Rishab said...

Durgeshwari sat on the couch "are you happy my Son?"

Rishab looked at his grandmother will longing eyes, she wanted his happiness and he wanted his grandmother happy "yes, Daadi...I am"

Durgeshwari smiled "I am sure Mayuri is the right girl for you"

Mayuri stepped out of the bathroom and looked at Durgeshwari standing near the door...

"Mayuri...there you are..."

Durgeshwari looked at both of them "now I want to tell you something important about this ritual...this night is very auspicious for both of you..."

Mayuri nervously clinched her fingers at the back... she got some hint when Durgeshwari started. She recalled her mother telling her the same thing before marriage...

"You both have to be one today, after today there's a period of broken star which we consider as not so auspicious. So you both must fulfil this ritual to complete your marriage..." Durgeshwari kept her hand on their shoulders...

Rishab simply smiled at the old lady who walked out of the room...then his eyes moved at the beautiful girl standing nervously in pink suit salwar ... her hair looked dry. Somehow he could make from her expressions that she was uncomfortable...

Slowly she looked at the bed decorated with flowers...

"You can sleep on the bed...I will sleep on the couch" Rishab said softly relieving her from an unknown burden...

She was relieved but then thought about what his grandmother had advised "but ritual"

Rishab smiled and picked up a pillow "don't worry...just sleep..."

She saw him putting the pillow on the couch and sleeping peacefully... she thanked Gods for making him understand as she wasn't comfortable at all...

She kept her dupatta on the side and took over the blanket. Soon she dozed off to sleep...

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Next morning...

Mayuri and Rishab heard a knock at the door...

"I will open..." Rishab said getting up from the couch and putting the pillow back on the bed... then he looked at the flowers that were on the other side of the bed ... he quickly scattered them around.

Mayuri watched him doing this...

He opened the door to see his grandmother standing outside "good morning Rishab"

"Good morning Daadi." He hugged her...

Durgeshwari saw Mayuri standing up and taking her dupatta than coming to her to touch her feet "good morning Daadi"

Durgeshwari smiled at her "God bless you...how are you feeling?"

Mayuri thought over then looked at Rishab... "Fine..."

"Good... both of you come downstairs for breakfast..."

Once Durgeshwari left Mayuri sat on the bed again...

"I will have a quick shower first, then you can go." Rishab said and she quietly nodded thinking to sleep for some more time... getting up in the morning was always a hassle for her...

Rishab finished his shower and stepped out... his eyes fell on a girl lying on the bed...she slept again. "So you don't have a habit of getting up early" he whispered...

He got all ready and finally thought of waking her up "Mayuri, wake up..."

He said coming closer to her ears...

She opened her eyes and moved away...

"Sorry to disturb your sleep but no one sleeps till late in the house. Get ready we have to reach for breakfast at 9"

Mayuri opened her eyes wide enough to grasp the information that he delivered and nodded her head.

She took out a bright orange sari from her suitcase, Rishab saw the colours but couldn't help. He obviously can't change her color sense but this was the most disgusting color...

Mayuri looked at the sari and gave a worst look. Her grandmother's choice was so bad... she hated the color but had no choice but to wear an old model sari that even the ladies in 60's wouldn't prefer to wear...

The moment she stepped out of the closet room Rishab glanced once and then both left for breakfast...

On his way down, he shook his head over his wife's choice. He was called the best designer and his own wife is wearing something so outdated, not even outdated but completely out of date...

Durgeshwari welcomed her granddaughter in law, kissed her forehead and made her sat next to Rishab on the dining table...

Mayuri saw the food on the table, she loved paranthas and traditional Indian pickles but it was nothing like that on her plate... she saw fruit, cereal and English tea...

However she preferred eating some sandwich with tomato sauce... Rishab looked at her with a raised eye brow... astonished her choices he lacked words...

"Daadi, I have to leave for work" he said.

Durgeshwari frowned at him "which work?"

Maya came walking from her room... "Morning everyone..." then her eyes fell on Mayuri wearing such bright color that she wanted to puke...

After waiting for some time... Maya finally spoke out "I will take Mayuri for shopping today"

Durgeshwari frowned at Maya "no, Rishab will take her" she smiled at the couple who hardly know each other but they couldn't say no...

"Sure Daadi" Rishab added...

Maya wanted to ask Rishab to select something nice for her, but she couldn't say in front of Durgeshwari who was happy looking at the traditional village sari... how these colours can even exist, Maya thought. They were horrible and she was her daughter in law now...

How could she introduce her to her club members and how will she get adjusted in this society... no way, Maya gave up all hopes of considering anything. Mayuri would definitely need a major change.

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Chapter 15

Mayuri looked at the big shop that had so many different designs, it was far from her prospects. On her right side she saw gorgeous designer saris that ranged from different vibrant colours, right in the front she saw elegant indo- western dresses. She felt joyful watching the colours, she clapped her hands in exhilaration but then looked at Rishab who frowned a little "this is our store...you can pick anything you like"

Happily she walked towards one sari to another, she like all of them...

Rishab stood at a distance watching her broad smile while observing the saris...he thought she may not like as none of the saris was matching what she was wearing. Finally he would get a chance to see his own wife in something better.

To his surprise she picked up a lavender sari with a silver blouse... "Not bad"

He was waiting for her while she was helped by the girls at the shop to dress up...

After few minutes of waiting finally she came out...Rishab couldn't believe his own eyes, she looked tremendously diverse.

With fine silver sleeveless blouse, nicely fitted around her bosoms. The lavender satin sari nicely wrapped around thin body made her so attractive that he really wanted to compliment her, but he stopped...

Mayuri with a big smile of her lips came closer to him "how do I look?"

He smiled a little "nice"

The curve of her big smile almost set straight after his cold reply...

"I can get more of these packed for you" Rishab said while Mayuri silently looked at him.

She had never seen so many dresses in real, her only point of shopping was a small shop in Malikapur where her Grandmother would take her and get new suits.

Carrying herself nicely, she felt so much better after wearing the designer sari. She wanted to fly in the sky, grateful to her stars for getting her married to Rishab Singhania she broadly smiled while standing at the elevator. With a small purse in her hand she glanced around the big shopping mall. It was absolutely utterly difficult to swallow the reality that she was married to the Rishab Singhania whom she used to read about in the magazines and always admired him in college...

College, she thought and the smile vanished from her pretty face. How she will complete her studies now when she's married to a rich man who would never let her study, perhaps she shouldn't be even thinking about asking him.

But in the end what was her own identity- nothing, she's branded as Rishab Singhania's wife. Wow she thought last night but now she feels stupid.

"I will drop you home and leave for work. I have something important to finish" he said and Mayuri simply nodded...

He opened the car door for her to step in and himself sat next to her at the back seat "we'll drop you first" he said softly looking at her then giving the same instructions to the driver in the front...

While fiddling with her new designer sari she moved a little when the car suddenly made a steep turn making her fall towards his side. Even the slightest touch of his fingers on her fair arms jerked her and she quickly moved towards the other side, her heart beats were loud but she made it a point to only glare outside the window. No wonder her hands and feet were cold. This was indeed the first time when someone touched her arms...

Rishab looked at her once then checked his phone. He wondered about the stranger girl who never called him ever since his marriage talks started in the house. And who knows where she is because every time he tried calling her, her number was switched off.

While watching the busy roads outside, he never thought his life would end up like this... marrying a village girl who hardly knows about fashion and design, with zero color sense and no art of dressing up. She was beautiful but lacked the factor that he wanted in his wife. He is the Rishab Singhania, the fashion tycoon who married someone whom he can't introduce anywhere.

He thought about the reception tonight, he was all prepared for big laughs from his friends already.

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Mayuri stepped out of the car and walked in, while Rishab had some work in the office.

The moment Mayuri stepped in Maya gazed at her "wow...Mayuri, you look awesome"

Durgeshwari smiled looking at Mayuri who was completely changed...

Maya was little relieved from the fact that may be she wouldn't be able to carry herself properly...

From tip to toe she watched her carefully "everything is sort of ok, but not these flip flops...I want you to try wearing some high heels with the saris..."

Mayuri smiling nodded at her words...

Maya called the best designers, beauticians for tonight to get her daughter-in-law ready for the grand reception

"I want her to look absolutely perfect..." Maya commanded all the ten people standing in the room who immediately started dressing up Mayuri...

Mayuri's happiness had no place...she was smiling at her fate. She was once dying to get designer dress and here she's got the best designers to get her ready.

She recalled Trishna's wedding where the girls were showing off their clothes but here she felt like a queen of the world. All thanks to her lovely grandmother who got her married to Rishab Singhania... but then her smile set straight thinking about the man who used to call her. It won't be fair, he wanted her to be his girlfriend and she didn't gave him any answer.

She must call him once and clear him about her marriage.

"Ma'am, will you please try this..."

Mayuri came out of her thoughts and looked at a pretty girl standing with a designer blouse...

Mayuri smiled and took the blouse. She excused the hair dresser who had put some pins in her hair...

The girl helped her wearing the blouse, Mayuri had never seen such a beautiful red blouse before... the color was so exclusive and spellbinding...

It wasn't blood red, not it touched maroon. It was so different and the moment she wore it...a little red tint came automatically on her cheeks...

She smiled and looked herself while the girls helped her wear the Lehnga... It was heavy indeed but she loved it for its color, design and embroidery. Her mother in law had a good sense she thought. Better than her own mother and grandmother.

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Rishab stood with his friends holding a glass of wine and thanking everyone for congratulating him for his wedding.

"So where's luckiest girl?" Deepali made a face staring at Rishab who knew what she meant

"Deepali, I think you're drinking too much" Neha pulled her arm and took her away...

Deepali pushed Neha away "why? Why should I go away? I want to see that girl who snatched my Rishab away from me"

Neha tried explaining Deepali but Deepali insisted to stay with Rishab when Maya saw this...

Maya approached Deepali "Neha, I want to talk to Deepali..."

Neha smiled and left from there...

Maya glanced around the corner, where no one could hear them "listen to me Miss Deepali, Firstly I wouldn't have even thought of marrying my Son to a model, second if I would have, that would certainly be anyone but not you. So kindly behave properly or leave the party"

"But Aunty, I loved him...and you know this" Deepali tried to shout

Maya angrily looked at her "sshh...lower you voice or I wouldn't mind you throwing out from here. You loved him, what about Rishab?"

Deepali looked with moist eyes "he was my boyfriend"

Maya wanted to slap Deepali "so what? You don't have any copyright on him. Now listen to me, just stay away from my Son. Otherwise you know what I can do"

Deepali stood still watching Maya leaving to attend other guests and recalled when she proposed Rishab but he didn't accepted. She wiped her tears and walked away from the reception...

Neha watched Deepali leaving "I hope she's alright..."

Rohit took another drink "I can drop her home..."

"I think that would be better" Neha suggested

Rishab shook his head as he knew he never loved Deepali, in fact he doesn't even love his wife. The only girl he loved was the one who spoke to him over the phone and now he himself doesn't know where she is.

It was getting complicated for him where he failed to understand women.

First Deepali who tried to force herself when he wasn't interested at all, then this stranger girl whom he wanted to meet one day and somehow he fell in love with her with her mere words over the phone. The way she understood him was amazing. And now his wife whose dressing sense nowhere matches his.

His eyes fell on a girl standing at some distance who looked extremely beautiful from behind, the moment she turned around he was surprised to see it was his wife Mayuri...

Rishab gazed her from top to bottom... the way she carried herself this time was just so opposite... who would think she's from a village.

Few boys at the party mixed high alcohol content in a soft drink that somehow got exchanged among other drinks...

Everyone praised Mayuri for her beauty and intelligence, the way she spoke to all the guests even surprised Maya who thought Mayuri won't understand an E of English.

After another round of drinks Mayuri and Rishab were sitting together

Mayuri took a soft drink "it tastes so different"

Rishab picked up another glass and tasted, it was indeed different but then he already had three glasses of wine, it won't make a difference "no its not"

He frowned a little thinking about his marriage... Mayuri thought she must not behave stupid and drank the whole glass...

Maya looked at Mayuri who behaved very strange... "I think she had alcohol" she said looking at Rishab who was drunk as well

Mayuri ordered the servants to let the guests have dinner and in the mean time she helped Rishab and Mayuri reach their room...

She made sure she closed the door to avoid any scenes in front of the media and advised of the guests that the couple is tired now...

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Mayuri sitting on the bed, started giggling looking at Rishab and clapped her hands...

Rishab stared at her "why are you clapping" he asked almost drunk, he sat next to her...

"Because, I, I am very happy" she said in a dragging voice...and sat closer to him...

"But I am not happy" he said almost crying...

Mayuri watched his sad face and cupped his face in her hand "why, tell me"

Rishab looked into her eyes "I am still waiting for her call...she never calls me"

Mayuri had completely lost her wits by now "call? Which call?"

"I have a girlfriend, who never calls me..." Rishab said almost falling on the bed...

Mayuri fell on the bed as well, both looked at each other "even my boyfriend is waiting, but I don't call him..."

Rishab frowned a little "why? Call him right now"

Mayuri almost drunk slouched herself from the bed and tried walking towards her suitcase "my Lehnga...is is stopping me"

Rishab almost with half opened eyes looked for the knot "open the knot, it will fall off and you can go"

Mayuri tried looking around "it's not so easy, my Lehnga is designer...how should I open"

Completely not in his senses Rishab sat on the bed and touched her Lehnga "I am the best designer... I know how to open this designer Lehnga..."

Mayuri chuckled trying to stand straight "really? You can open"

Rishab pulled her dupatta from the pins around and unclasped the hook on the side making the Lehnga fall down her legs...

"See...I opened" he said with husky voice...

Mayuri looked around "yes," she clapped her hands "you're so nice..."

She tried walking towards her suitcase, only in her blouse and panties... slowly she opened the suitcase and took out her purse that had the sim card... smilingly she put the sim back in her phone...

She came back towards her bed... "See I am calling my boyfriend now..."

Rishab smiled while lying on the bed "good..." and heard his phone ringing... "My phone...my phone's ringing"

After two rings it stopped

Rishab chortled "my girlfriend rang me...just now"

"My boyfriend will call me now..." Mayuri snickered

Both lay on the bed...

Rishab dialled the number

Mayuri picked up "hi R"

"M...I missed you so much" said Rishab

Mayuri's phone slipped from her hand and went under the bed...

"My phone" she started crying...

Rishab got up from the bed... "Let me take out your phone"

He took off her suit and tie to look underneath the bed... both looked under the bed but couldn't find...

Mayuri looked at Rishab "you're so nice, but when you touched me today I felt my heart will come out"

Rishab frowned a little "why? I scare you?"

Mayuri nodded "no" then tried to open her blouse "this is hurting me now"

"Let me help you" Rishab pulled the strings of her blouse and took it off...

Mayuri clapped "you're a genius...you helped me..." she sat on the bed in her bra and panties...

Rishab looked at her "you're very fair...see"

Mayuri looked at herself "really? But I haven't seen you"

Rishab looked at his shirt and started taking it off...

Mayuri looked at his chest "why do you have hair? All over here?"

"Hmm...I don't know" Rishab said confusedly...

Mayuri touched his chest then looked at him "I want to sleep here"

"On my chest?" Rishab asked

Mayuri nodded "yes, in this hair"

Rishab lay on the bed and pulled her closer, she kept her face on his chest. Both closed their eyes and sleep took over...

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