Links to all chapters here.
When they were alone that Saturday, Yuvraj brought up with Bhavna what he'd been thinking regarding her having to return to her in-laws. Meanwhile, he suggested, he wanted to hire a driver and leave one of his cars here, so she and Suhani had more mobility. Bhavna said Amit had thought of that too.
"But let me do it, please?" Yuvraj said. "I just want your permission. I really want to do something for Suhani--and for you, of course."
Bhavna looked at his earnest face and agreed. Poor guy, he seemed worried. She had always liked Yuvraj, that is, until Suhani came back to their parents for good and she saw her pain and understood what she had suffered, not only from that witch of a grandmother of his, those two sisters-in-law, and the tricks her 'Somu' had played--she didn't even know all of it--but that Yuvraj had never consummated the marriage. It was shocking to her, not just because it seemed so cruelly humiliating for Suhani, but also because they had seemed to get along quite well, especially after the first few months. She knew that Suhani was in love with him, but he seemed pretty fond of her too, in spite of their squabbles and disagreements. She had been shocked further at Soumya's part in the mess, from the marriage itself to trying to break it up. She was glad she was gone.
Suhani came out into the garden where they were talking, so the subject shifted to the party they were having that evening. Bhavna had asked Sharad too, and Yuvraj had heard that some friend of Suhani who'd been away was also coming, apart from the weekend visitors and Sandip. He'd insisted on organizing the party at the resort where they'd stayed a few days ago.
******
Suhani had actually dressed up for the party. She was wearing a dark blue and red sari and heels, had put some stuff on her eyes, and her lips shone with a pinky-red colour. She looked delicious.
Yuvraj was looking pretty dapper, too, in fact fascinatingly good, in a gleaming white shirt and a sports jacket. Those who weren't coming directly to the resort congregated at the house. Sharad was there, feeling a little shy. Suhani didn't have any particular memories of him apart from some fuse thing and not liking him much, and to him, she was not the Suhani bhabhi he remembered.
"Don't call her 'bhabhi'," Yuvraj told him again. "Think before you talk."
"Ajeeb lagta hai, Guru. I can't call her by her name, I just can't."
"Call her Suhaniji then."
The party venue was beautifully decorated with flowers, soft lighting, and was right at the poolside. Apart from the group who'd come with them, people were drifting in and it was getting festive. Yuvraj signalled to the DJ, and as the music started, he went up to Suhani and pulled her to the dance floor. He had chosen to start with a song he knew she liked, her favourite Bachchan's number, 'Inteha ho gayi, intezaar ki. . .'
"Did you know I like this?" she asked, as he caught her close.
"Of course I know."
She pushed him away slightly and said, "Behave yourself. Don't embarrass me in front of Di and Amit jiju and my friends."
Shit. He had so looked forward to a few hot moves, but she was right. A public display of scintillating passion on the dance floor would raise eyebrows and draw too much attention while there weren't too many people dancing yet. And he didn't want anyone looking at Suhani with the idea that anything was acceptable.
But, nonetheless, he tightened his grip on her hand, held her by her waist, and pulled her closer as people surrounded them, no one really interested in watching them as the crowd increased. He was staring intently at her, and she glanced at him, looked away, then looked up again. He was really looking so good today, she thought, not realizing that she was staring into his eyes and giving him palpitations. As the tempo quickened, she moved away and swayed to the song, while he smiled and remembered.
Of course she had to dance with others too, but it seemed that the most romantic numbers played every time he led her to the floor. If this were a movie, it'd be a sign from the heavens, he thought, until he noticed Sharad looking shifty, standing near the DJ. His own personal cupid. No doubt he was manipulating the music.
Suddenly a voice rang out "Suhani! What's this? You're dancing without me? I thought you'd wait for me!" To his surprise--and dismay--Suhani wriggled away and ran into the arms of the tall guy standing at the entrance. He caught her and swept her up, both laughing. He could see Suhani was happy and thrilled, and he felt like she'd thrown him aside for this. . . this specimen.
He went up to Bhavna and asked, "Who's this?" Bhavna looked worried. She hadn't thought of the complication that Gautam was going to add. Sandip at least knew Suhani was married to Yuvraj. Gautam thought she was free. "He's Gautam, Suhani's friend. He was in hospital at the same time she was. She's very fond of him," she added meaningfully.
She was 'very fond of him'? What did that mean?
Gautam led Suhani to the dance floor, though she protested laughingly, saying she was tired. "No tired-shired, Suhani," he said. "I want my turn." The number was too peppy for close dancing--Sharad again? Yuvraj wondered--but even so, she looked too pleased around the guy. Gautam came to greet Bhavna after the dance, and Suhani introduced him to Yuvraj, who managed a perfunctory stretch of the mouth.
Gautam was fair, light-eyed, in fact he looked a bit like Krishna. He was one of those people who seem never to tire, full of witticisms and banter. He watched moodily as Suhani and Gautam talked excitedly with each other, then Gautam insisted she go with him for a bit. "I have so much to tell you, it seems like I haven't seen you in ages."
"Why didn't you call?" Suhani asked, and Yuvraj wanted to slap her. Yes, push me away, ME, your husband, and act all cosy with this moron. He watched as they went into the open area and turned and glared at Bhavna. "What the. . . what on earth is going on? What have you been allowing in your house? That's MY WIFE you've encouraged some man to get this friendly with."
Bhavna flushed, annoyed at his tone and by her own guilt. "How was I to know you were going to be back in the picture? I thought you were well out of Suhani's life, and of course I wanted her to find someone she could eventually settle down with."
Settle down with? As if Sandip hadn't been enough, there was someone else he had to worry about? Had she dressed up especially for GAUTAM? Looking at her with Gautam, it was pretty obvious that while Sandip may be keen on Suhani, if there was a real threat to him, Yuvraj, it was this Gautam.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
