Part 18:Not A Mannequin
Kaira stepped out of the car,in a sharp, royal blue powerjumpsuit, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Aaryan walked beside her,but instead of holding her hand, he was checking his reflection in theboutique’s glass door, ensuring his hair was perfectly gelled.
Aaryan (Checking his watch): "We have exactly 45minutes, Kairu. Garima Garg is the most exclusive designer in Rajasthan. Uskifitting ke liye log mahino wait karte hain. I pulled huge strings to get thisslot. Please, don't be indecisive today."
Kaira felt a prick of annoyance. She wasn't indecisive; shewas particular.
Kaira (Adjusting her sunglasses): "Relax, Aaryan. I’mthe bride. The dress waits for me; I don't wait for the dress. Chalo."
Inside, the studio was freezing cold and smelled of lilies.Assistants fluttered around them. Kaira was ushered into the changing room totry on the heavy, maroon velvet lehenga Aaryan had pre-selected—a piece thatscreamed "Tradition" and "Wealth," but whispered nothing ofKaira's personality.
Ten minutes later, Kaira stepped out onto the podium. Thelehenga was stunning, but the blouse was visibly snug. Kaira tugged comfortablyat the waist.
Kaira (Frowning at the mirror): "It’s... tight. I canbarely breathe. And the embroidery is scratching my arms. I think I need thenext size up."
Aaryan, who was sipping an espresso, stood up. He didn'tlook at her face; he looked at her waist. His expression soured immediately.
Aaryan (Walking around her, critical): "Next size up?Kaira, this is the sample size. It’s the standard. Tumne weight gain kiya haikya? This is why I told you to not eat those Jalebis and Kachoris"
The assistants looked down, embarrassed. Kaira froze.
Aaryan (Pinching the fabric near her waist): "Look at this. It’s bunching up. It ruins the silhouette completely. Engagement photos mein yeh bulge dikhega You need to be disciplined, Kaira. No more carbs until the ceremony."
Kaira’s face flushed—not with shame, but with sudden,white-hot anger. She remembered Nikhil’s voice: "Does he celebrate who youare, or the image you create?"
Kaira (Her voice icy): "Aaryan. Step back."
Aaryan (Blinking): "What?"
Kaira: "I said, step back. You are suffocating me morethan this blouse."
She turned to the terrified shop assistant.
Kaira (Loudly): "I am not losing weight to fit into apiece of fabric. Infact, mujhe yeh color hi pasand nahi hai. It looks likefurniture upholstery."
Aaryan (Shocked): "Jaan! Garima Garg is a brand! Thislehenga costs 8 Lakhs! You can't just dismiss it because you... indulged insweets!"
Kaira (Turning on him, eyes blazing): "Excuse me?Correction, Mr. Poddar. I am paying for this lehenga. Mera paisa, meri shaadi,mera lehenga. If I want to wear a potato sack, I will wear a potato sack. Andif I gain two kilos or ten, woh meri problem hai. You are marrying me, not amannequin with a 24-inch waist. So, stop acting like a Quality Control Managerat a factory!"
Aaryan was stunned into silence. Kaira had never spoken tohim like this in public.
Kaira stepped down from the podium, ripping the heavydupatta off her shoulder.
Kaira (To the assistant): "Take this off. Now."
She looked at Aaryan, who was fuming.
Aaryan (Hissing): "You are creating a scene. You arebeing unreasonable and demanding."
Kaira (Smirking, channeling her inner Nikhil):"Demanding? Oh, Aaryan, you wanted a 'Queen' for your empire, right?Queens demanding hi hoti hain. If you wanted someone low maintenance, youshould have married a houseplant. Status maintain karne ke liye, attitude bhihigh-maintenance jhelna padega. Dealwith it."
Aaryan’s jaw dropped.
Kaira changed back into her blue jumpsuit in record time,feeling lighter and strangely exhilarated. She walked out, ignoring theapologetic designer.
Kaira (Checking her phone): "Cancel the order, Garimaji. It doesn't fit my... vibe."
She turned to Aaryan, who was following her like athundercloud.
Kaira: "We are leaving. I’m going to Nikhil’s studio.He’s designing my outfit."
Aaryan (Stopping dead): "What?! That... that clown?Kaira, are you serious? You are rejecting Garima Garg for a guy who wearspajamas to the airport? He will turn you into a circus act!"
Kaira stopped. The insult to Nikhil stung more than theinsult to her weight.
Kaira (Her eyes narrowing dangerously): "Watch it,Aaryan. That 'clown' understands elegance better than you understand empathy.Nikhil designs for the person, not the mannequin. And right now, mujhe ek aisedesigner ki zaroorat hai jo mujhe saans lene de."
She put her sunglasses back on.
Kaira: "You can come if you want to learn somethingabout style. Or you can go back to your office.Your choice."
She walked out to the car, leaving Aaryan standing on thepavement, humiliated and realizing that his grip on his "trophy" wasslipping fast.
Kaira, Ruhi, and Tanya entered the studio. Unlike thehushed, terrifying silence of Garima Garg’s boutique, this place had upbeatjazz playing and smelled of vanilla candles.
Kaira held up a carrier from a fancy café.
Kaira (Calling out): "Delivery for Mr. Raizada! OneDouble-Shot Hazelnut Cappuccino and a Blueberry Cheesecake. No raisins, extracrust."
Nikhil, who was shouting instructions at a terrified internabout a drape, spun around. His face transformed from 'Creative Director fromHell' to 'Lovesick Puppy' in a nanosecond.
Nikhil (Sprinting over): "Oh my God! You actuallyremembered? Tu devi hai, Kai"
He took the coffee, took a sip, and let out a dramatic moanof satisfaction.
Nikhil: "Heaven. Absolute heaven."
His head assistant, Meera, watched with her jaw dropped.
Meera (Whispering to Ruhi): "Ma'am, he threw a fityesterday because his espresso foam was 2mm too thick. And now he’s acting likea golden retriever?"
Ruhi (Smirking, sipping her own coffee): "That’s the'Kaira Effect'. It’s a rare phenomenon. Take notes."
Nikhil wiped his mouth and clapped his hands.
Nikhil: "Okay, ladies! Welcome to the sanctuary. Tanya,darling, go crazy in the fusion section. Ruhi Di, the lounge is yours. Kaira...come with me."
Instead of barking orders at his staff to fetch clothes,Nikhil personally walked to the VIP racks. He moved past the heavy maroons andreds.
Nikhil (Muttering to himself): "Too heavy... tooloud... ah, perfect."
He pulled out a stunning lehenga in Champagne Gold withintricate pastel thread work. It was elegant, modern, and looked weightless.
Nikhil (Handing it to Kaira): "Try this. No velvet. Noitchiness. It has pockets for your phone, and the waist is adjustable because Iknow you bloat slightly after eating dairy."
Kaira (Stunned): "You... remembered the dairy thing?And pockets?"
Nikhil (Winking): "I remember everything, Dr. Goenka.Jao, pehen ke aao. (Go, put it on.)"
Ruhi, watching from the velvet sofa, noticed how Nikhil’seyes lingered on the changing room door with a soft, protective smile before heturned back to shout at an intern about fabric swatches. She took a mentalsnapshot of the moment.
Kaira stepped out. The lehenga fit like a dream. It didn'tsqueeze her; it celebrated her. She looked radiant, twirling slightly.
Kaira (Looking in the mirror, emotional): "It fitsperfectly, Nik. It feels like... skin."
She paused, her smile faltering as she touched her waist.
Kaira: "But... does it make me look broad? Aaryan saidI’ve gained weight. He said the bulge would show in photos."
Nikhil froze. He walked up to the podium, standing behindher reflection. He didn't look angry; he looked fiercely protective.
Nikhil: "Kaira, listen to me. Aaryan is looking for amannequin to hang his reputation on. I am dressing a woman."
He placed his hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eyethrough the mirror.
Nikhil: "You are fit. You are healthy. You run ahospital wing. Tumhari body tumhari strength hai, decoration nahi. Never let aman who measures his own worth in 'likes' tell you that you take up too muchspace. You are perfect."
Kaira swallowed the lump in her throat, the validationsettling deep in her heart.
Meanwhile, Tanya walked out of another changing room,looking uncomfortable in a fitted Indo-western gown. She was tugging at thefabric around her hips, looking miserable.
Tanya (Voice wobbling): "Nik Bhai... I don't think thisworks. I look... huge. Krish always says I need to lose the 'baby fat' beforewe even have a baby. Aur waise bhi... with all the fertility treatments, I'mjust bloating up. Maybe I should wear something baggy."
Nikhil turned his attention to his cousin. He walked overand gently pulled her hands away from hiding her stomach.
Nikhil (Softly): "Tanya. Stop."
Tanya: "But Krish says—"
Nikhil: "Krish is an idiot. If he wants a stick figure,he should marry a broom. You are curvy,Tanya. That is the Indian aesthetic! Look at our sculptures! They aren't sizezero."
He handed her a belt to cinch the waist, enhancing hercurves rather than hiding them.
Nikhil: "You are obsessed with this baby because youthink it will validate your existence in that house. It won't. You are valuablenow. Apne curves ko embrace kar. You look like a painting. If Krish makes acomment, tell him your cousin Nikhil said that curves are expensive realestate, and he's lucky to be the tenant."
Tanya giggled through her tears, standing a little taller.Kaira watched Nikhil pump confidence into Tanya, seeing a side of him that waspurely nurturing.
The car hummed quietly as they drove back towards the GoenkaVilla. Kaira seemed lighter, the weight of the morning’s fight with Aaryanlifted.
Ruhi (Looking out the window, casual): "You know... hedidn't let the assistant touch your lehenga."
Kaira (Confused): "Who? Nikhil? Yeah, he'shands-on."
Ruhi (Turning to face her): "No, Kaira. He’s hands-onwith you. He knew your bloating triggers. He knew you needed pockets. He lookedat you like you were the masterpiece, not the dress."
Kaira (gripping the steering wheel tighter): "Ruhi Di,don't start. We grew up together. He knows my habits because he's seen me eatpizza at 2 AM for twenty years. It’s just... childhood friendship."
Ruhi (Smiling knowingly): "Childhood friendship usuallyinvolves pulling pigtails, not personally curating a wardrobe to heal yourself-esteem. Just... keep your eyes open, Kai. Aaryan looks at you and sees aTrophy. Nikhil looks at you and sees Kaira."
Kaira stayed silent, focusing on the road, Ruhi's wordsechoing Nikhil's earlier philosophy.
Ping.
Kaira’s phone buzzed on the dashboard. A notification poppedup.
Aaryan (Text): 'Baby, I'm sorry about the boutique. I wasjust stressed about the photos being perfect for the press release. You know Ilove you. Let's stick to the diet plan for a week, okay? <3'
Kaira read the preview. It wasn't an apology; it was ajustification wrapped in a "diet plan."
She didn't smile. She didn't feel relieved.
Kaira (Rolling her eyes hard): "Ugh. 'Press release.'Unbelievable."
Kairav was pacing with a worried frown, while Muskan satprimly on the sofa, holding a notepad and pen, already listing contingencyplans. They were on speakerphone with Nikhil, who was probably still basking inthe glow of Kaira’s visit to his studio.
Kairav (Into the phone, voice tight with worry):"Nikhil, listen carefully. The clock is ticking. Kaira is still defendingAaryan, even after that 'Beige Flag' episode at the boutique. She called offher day for 'family coordination'—she’s softening!"
Muskan (Tapping her pen): "She even got a sorry text,Nikhil! Aaryan is manipulative, aur humari beti ka dil bohot naram hai. We needto escalate the plan."
Nikhil (A groan from the phone): "Uncle, Aunty, I toldyou, Project Chirkut is in Phase II. I planted the 'Emotional Sustainability'bomb. It's working. She booked her outfit with me! She stood up to him!"
Kairav: "Not enough! We need a nuclear option, Nikhil.I've been thinking... if we can't stop the engagement, we stop thewedding."
Kairav stopped pacing, looking suddenly inspired. Muskanlooked terrified.
Kairav (Eyes wide with dramatic potential): "Nikhil,shaadi ke din, I could fake a heart attack! A full-blown myocardial infarction!The ambulance will arrive, the guests will panic, and the shaadi will stallindefinitely! Brilliant, right?"
Muskan (Jumping up, horrified): "Kairav Ji! Kya bolrahe hain aap?! Apne baare mein sochahai?! Who will manage the empire ifyou’re doing hospital drama? Yeh koi TV serial hai kya?!"
Kairav (Waving his hands dismissively): "Muskan, relax!It’s fake! I'll just clutch my chest and yell about the property audit stress.It’s logical! It relates to Aaryan's deceit!"
Muskan (Folding her arms, furious): "No! If anyone isdoing a dramatic incident, it will be me! I will trip and fall down thestaircase on the day of the haldi ceremony! At least tab tak main thodi recoverho jaungi. Plus, meri acting aapse zyadaconvincing hai. "
Kairav: "Muskan! Falling down the stairs is too cliché!It’s unoriginal! My heart attack is strategically impactful!"
Muskan: "But my chot is real, Kairav Ji! Aapka toh BPhi low ho jayega excitement mein. Youwill ruin the plan!"
Nikhil (Shouting into the phone, clearly annoyed):"Aunty! Uncle! STOP IT! You sound like you are planning a hostiletakeover, not a wedding stall! We are not going to send anyone to thehospital!"
Kairav and Muskan stopped their intense husband-wifeargument, looking sheepish.
Nikhil (Taking a deep, irritated breath): "The point ofmy plan is to make Kaira realize the truth, not for the Goenka elders to gethospitalized. No fake attacks, no falling down. We stick to Phase II: The GreenFlag Lure."
Muskan (Pen ready): "And what is that, dear?"
Nikhil: "We keep presenting Kaira with genuine,effortless, supportive options. We continue to show her the difference betweenAaryan’s transactional love and real, unconditional support."
Kairav (Sighing dramatically): "Fine. No internalinjuries. But if Phase II fails, I get to use the chest-clutchingstrategy."
Muskan (Muttering): "I still prefer the stairs..."
Nikhil (Exasperated): "Just focus on finalizing theengagement date, please. The sooner we fix a date, the sooner Aaryan will feelthe pressure and make a mistake that exposes his true colors. I need time toprepare the ultimate Green Flag Trap."
Kairav: "Understood. The date is the bait. We'llfinalize it tomorrow. Wish us luck, beta"
The call ended. Kairav and Muskan immediately turned to eachother.
Muskan: "Okay, Kairav Ji. If we have to choose afallback, which ambulance company should we contact? Just in case of..."
Kairav: "Muskan!"
They both smiled, united in their highly dramatic mission tosave their daughter from the "Chirkut."
Arjun
Sensational South
Current Affairs
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