OS: Joote De Do, Paise Le Lo
Should I, or should I not? Maanvi debated in her mind as she longingly gazed at Viren's shoes lying just outside the mandap. It was taking all of her energy and self-control to restrain herself from stealing those shoes which lay quite forgotten before her. She didn't want to anger Beeji in anyway, especially when she had finally let her come and attend the wedding even after the whole sangeet fiasco, nor did she want any other drama to hamper her Jeevika di's special day.
The wedding rituals had just begun a while ago. The baraat had been welcomed into the venue, and the bride and groom had already entered the mandap, and had exchanged the garlands. Panditji had already started the pooja for the bride and groom already, and was making Viren chant some mantras.
Maanvi stood just outside the mandap watching her Di and to-be jeeju performing the wedding rituals. She couldn't help agree that Di was looking really beautiful in the lehenga Swamini bua had selected for her, and their mother's necklace around her neck made it look like it was exclusively made for her.
Maanvi was happy, really happy to see her sister's face lighten up with joy, and a slight blush adorning it at every stolen glance jeeju was giving her. Moreover, she was really happy, and relieved that she didn't miss this most important day of her sister's life because of her own foolishness. She had been extremely devastated when Beeji had announced that she keep herself away from the wedding ceremonies. She had been waiting and preparing for this day, keeping aside her sadness on losing her dearest sister, ever since she had accepted Viren as her jeeju, and that announcement had come down as a lightening stroke for her. Nevertheless, she had accepted it quietly and had kept her sorrow hidden from Di, not letting it come in way of her happiness. But somehow, thanks to Daboo's bigmouth, Viren had got to know of this and had requested Beeji and Buaji to let her attend the ceremonies, and they had agreed after a lot of persuasion from him. She thought she would be forever indebted to her jeeju for that, and had decided to refrain from indulging in any of her usual pranks, but Viren's shoes lying so forgotten on the floor was tempting her beyond anything.
A sudden slap at the back of her head awakened Maanvi from her thoughts. 'Hey bandariya, how come you are so goody-goody today? Looks like Beeji is keeping you to your toes. Scared much, eh?' She closed her eyes in despair. Bhagwanji!Why, oh why do I have to deal with this Chep and his taunts now? Couldn't he leave me alone for a while?
'I am NOT scared, you chep! I am just err.. enjoying the ceremonies... See, how interesting they are? Jeeju chanting the mantras, Panditji performing the pooja, and see, Di-Jeeju are even stealing glances at each other.' She said, hoping against hope the guy would just go away and not test her patience anymore. Alas, luck wasn't really in her favour, and Virat seemed too eager to be in her company with his usual annoying self.
'Oh yeah, I can definitely see how interesting you find these ceremonies. Honestly, I would have thought by now you would have done something to make it more interesting. But of course you can't do anything, scared of your Beeji, aren't you?' Virat finished dramatically, the usual naughty smirk adorning that annoying face of his, his eyes gleaming with mischief, as though challenging her.
Okay that was it! She wouldn't be Maanvi Choudhary if she let go of such an open challenge. A little masti wouldn't do any harm would it? And anyways, it was her exclusive right to steal the groom's shoes as his one and only Saali Sahiba. But first, she would have to get this chep out of the way before she attempted anything. She forced herself an innocent smile before she turned around to meet his eyes. He was looking somewhere else, at the doors of the venue precisely, where the security guards stood, and his eyes looked oddly worried and pre-occupied. I would never understand him, thought Maanvi. One second, he is all naughty and provoking me and the next, he's lost somewhere with his weird thoughts. She waved her hands before his face to shake him out of his reverie.
"Oye Chep, why are you looking at the entrance? The wedding is going on in the mandap you know, not there... And anyway, I do not have time for your nonsense. I am going into the mandap. It's almost time for the ghat-bandhan, and I'd be needed anytime."
She didn't wait for his reply and hurried off in the direction of the mandap, not wanting to raise his suspicions in any way. She removed her sandals just before entering the mandap, and went and stood behind where Di and Jeeju were seated. Beeji had already performed the kanyadaan, and panditji had now announced the pheras, and she performed the ghat-bandhan quickly as chachiji instructed her to. The bride and groom took the pheras, promising their lives to each other for eternity, and Maanvi watched with tear-filled eyes, her sister slowly transforming from a young girl to a married woman.
She gently wiped her eyes, and slipped away with no one noticing, everyone's eyes glued to the soon to-be husband and wife.
Maanvi threw a glance at Virat before she descended the few steps leading out of the mandap. He was looking around the room as if searching for someone, his eyes reflecting worry and suspicion. Weird guy, only God knows what's going through that head of his. She turned to where the sandals were kept, looked around to see if anyone was watching, and carefully put on Viren's shoes instead of her sandals. Adjusting her long lehenga so as to make sure no one sees what she's wearing on her feet, she slowly walked away from the mandap, careful not to look at anyone's face, lest she be caught.
Virat looked around the hall, taking in each and every face he could, just to make sure the killer hadn't entered the venue. He had had a word with the security and they were keeping an eye on everyone- be it the guests or the servants, and he himself was keeping an eye out for any trouble. His blood boiled at the thought of someone harming his brother- the one true friend he had in his life- and he would leave no stone unturned to ensure the loser is caught.
He knew everyone, especially Maa and Chachi were wondering why he was standing in a corner, away from the festivities of his brother's wedding, but he couldn't care less about them now, especially when bhai's life was in danger. He wanted everyone's attention directed away from him, and that was exactly why he had provoked Maanvi into doing something that would distract them from him. He felt a little guilty though, as he knew the girl would be blamed by everyone in the end, no matter how harmless a prank she played. But right now, his brother's life was more important to him, and he would deal with the girl later, he thought. But somehow, his plan seemed to have backfired, as he found Maanvi slowly walking away from the mandap, looking as quiet and innocent as she could get. Maybe she really doesn't want to create anymore trouble. But wait, what was with the way she's walking?
Maanvi cursed herself for her foolishness, as she struggled to walk in the foreign objects that adorned her little feet now. Viren's shoes were too big for her little feet, and moreover, she had mixed up the left and right ones in her haste. And her long lehenga was not helping either, although it had proved to be quite helpful in hiding the shoes from others. Why couldn't she just think of some other way to hide those shoes? Coming to think of it, why did she even steal the shoes, when she had clearly resolved not to attempt anything of the sort. Oh yes, that Virat and his stupid challenge. How could she have fallen for his trick, when she clearly knew he was provoking her. It was all his fault, she thought.
'Stupid, idiot, chep..' she murmered to herself angrily as she struggled to get herself to a corner where no one would notice her. Then perhaps she could hide the shoes somewhere safer, she thought before accidentally stepping on something. She closed her eyes tightly, ready to hit the floor any time, but only, the floor never came. Someone had caught her and she gently opened her eyes to see who it was. Oh, no! It was him!
Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain?
