Casa 2 Inv on 87 (Wedding Precap on 148) - Page 3

PART 51

May 2^nd

4: 15 PM

The remainder of the weekend flew by for Khanak. Ritu apparently had a "love at first sight" at her Mamiji's place. The guy lived in Mumbai was an investment banker, not very tall she said, almost as tall herself (Ritu), not as fair as "Shaan" she had said. Very smart, intelligent and outspoken, just like her. His name Kritik Bhalla. She was overjoyed, blushing and floating when she returned home. He had two sisters, parents lived in Bandra. He was finishing up MBA in Singapore so wedding wont be for another year.

Khanak was thrilled to see Ritu so happy, a part of her could not believe she would marry some one picked by her parents. But Ritu was sure she was going to be Ritu Bhalla soon. Some things about Ritu were totally adorable and this was no exception.

She had organized the cupboards, sorted, gone through stuff, collected 4 bags worth for giving away, much of it Ritu's clothes, which she had not seen her wear in over a year.

Ritu lay on the divan, eyes shut, dreaming, smiling''' waiting for Kritik's phone call. He was in Mumbai for a month, and they had planned to meet as many times as they could.

Shaan had called her at 7 ish on Sat evening, but she had not answered. She wanted to sulk. She didn't want to acknowledge it to herself but she was loving the attention. He had called a couple times on Sunday again. He never left voice mail messages for her. It was like how she hadn't yet added him to her phone book.

They both loved the challenge and the temptation the other offered but advanced in their own distinct style and pace. It was their little unspoken, warring of wills, among many others.

He pursued her with a possessiveness and authority like no other, but never crossed his limits. Never followed her incessantly, never spoke to her or touched her or flirted at every opportunity. She did not fear his advances or attention, but was completely and totally aware of him as a man. He did not call her a dozen times every day, did not send cheesy cards every hour, or send instant messages at work, or send cryptic notes over email. No double innuendos, sexual analogies. It was always, classy and stylish. Things she hated about him initially, and things she dismissed derogatorily as " arrogant and snotty" were practically driving her insane today.

Engaged girls at work gushed about, how their fiancs waited outside their office, and called them every hour and gave them a card each day, and sent (cheap) graphics on the computer where their names would be etched inside hearts.

They had nicknames for each other like Sugar, and Jaan and jaanu" and how they would answer the phone call with a kiss.

Khanak thought of her calls, all he would say is " Hey!"

They gushed less and argued more.

They talked about work more and themselves less.

They were curious to discover about each other more than make out.

They were more physically aware of each other and were drawn to each other than couples that verbally gushed ever lasting love.

There was no mention of love anywhere any time!

Just zealously seeking each other out!

She was loving his attempts to mollify her more than the pursuit. It was thrilling to know someone was eager to placate or appease her.

But he had chosen work over her. She wouldn't talk to him.

She spent hours Sunday on MS-Money, spoke to her parents multiple times to understand where the wedding would be held. Sunil had told her Aada that less than 50 people would travel to Ahmedabad from the groom's party. Khanak was sure the wedding hall 5 or so miles away from her parents house would be appropriate.

Her Aada had asked her a question which had left her speechless "Sooraj ke Mummy Papa ko aur uske bhai ko bulaye kya?"

She had frozen in shock upon hearing that.

For now, she had bought some time.

She didn't know how to address that!

Her Aada wanted her to be home by May 22^nd, she had argued it would be impossible to be there until May 25^th or so.

In order to provide her with an opportunity to speak with her fianc he had asked her to call Shaan to figure out what he would wear for the wedding and where he would like to shop for those.

Dadi had made multiple phone calls to her Aada also to talk about some Punjabi rituals. She had expressed a desire that Khanak wear the pink and ivory chooda, and the wedding combine Punjabi customs along with Gujarati ones. Madhavi had spoken only a couple of times on Dadi or Sunil's insistence.

Dadi was pleased that Khanak would wear a mangal sootra and had complimented her Aada that "despite being modern and educated she valued the customs".

Khanak had never explicitly agreed to wear one in this case. She wanted to wear one with Sooraj. He didn't care if she wore one everyday or did not wear any at all. She wondered if she should ask Shaan. If he would even worry about things like that?

Khanak had reddened a color darker than a tomato visualizing herself in those bangles and mangal sootra.😳😳 Her heart threatened to quit posed with so many repeated onslaught to her senses.

She was part of the "nudge-nudge, wink-wink" victims unit at work, already.

Everyone from Ram's admin to the lady at the front desk and the single and married junior architects were having field day teasing her about falling for a client's employee. They wondered how she "pulled off" an arranged marriage after "seeing" the guy for 4 months.

Khanak, being cagey and reticent like she usually was, didn't bother correcting or revealing more than what was already known.

Ram had approved as much time off as she wanted. She had for now asked for three weeks only! He even openly asked her about financing the wedding and recommended his resources.

She is in Ram's cube looking at some designs discussing yet another change when her phone rings.

Runs to her cube, and just answers

Khanak: (breathless) Hello!

Shaan: Hey!

She sees her direct report (at Ajemra today) ping her on instant messenger.

She types an acknowledgement...

Khanak (into the phone, preoccupied) Who is this?

Shaan: Ouch!(husky)

Originally posted by: saaaz

hello shello...

so before I go AWOL again...sorry sorry for not being around...just been crazy..new thread already...kudos lady...shall catch up...and comment soon...until then ,,,Hug le le...

btw, Khanak can stay back on 22nd May to celebrate Saaz's birthday...😉