Bihaan knocked on the door and waited for Thapki's answer. After hearing "Yes" he walked into the room.
Thapki was wearing a beautiful Red and golden Sari with her hair styled in half bun and half curls. The smokey makeup on her eyes and the red lipstick on her lips was making her face even more seductive. He walked towards her without taking his eyes off her. Which ever perfume she was wearing was adding up to her sexiness.
While Bihaan was engrossed in Thapki's beauty, Thapki was herself praising the masculinity of her husband. The black tux he was wearing was making him look like a hero from a fairy tale. He looked so perfect... With no flaws. She felt lucky to be this man's wife. But the thought that she was not gud enough for him made her a lil sad.
The sadness in Thapki's eyes was instantly noticed by Bihaan. He knew she was upset abt the last night. He wish he could explain and end all the misunderstanding but he needed courage to tell her wat he had not told to anyone. In his mind, Thapki would not love him after knowing the truth and he did not have the courage to face her like that. Little he knew that his insecurities were make Thapki more and more insecure each passing second. Thapki herself did not have the courage to ask him abt his actions as she feared that he will say sthg that might kill her hope... hope for having her own world of love and happiness with him.
The two were looking at each other without saying a word and still sharing their pain through their eyes. But not everything gets communicated through eyes, some emotions are to be backed with words. Their silent conversation was broken by a knock on the door. It was Preeti asking them to come out as the engagement ceremony was abt to start any second. This broke the trance and Thapki left the room without even saying anything.
While Thapki was leaving the room, Bihaan looked at her back. The backless blouse with the doris made him realise that it as the same sari that he had gifted her few weeks back.
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The Pandeys, Singhanias and Sheena's family were gathered at a big farm house for the engagement ceremony. They had arrived this morning as the engagement was in the evening. After engagement, a big masquerade party was planned leading to celebrations of two grand engagements. Theme for today was Saris for the ladies and black suits for the gents. So the engagement hall was full of ladies of all ages dressed up in beautiful saris whereas all men were dressed up in black suits.
Thapki walked and stood where Suman was standing. Suman looked at her and praised her instantly. She teased her abt how Bihaan will go crazy abt her which gave her very mixed feelings as she did not know if this will have any impact on him as he had not said even a single word on how beautiful she looked. With that she realised that he also looked so beautiful and charming and she also did not praise him. After last night, she had not spoken to him much so she did not know on how to start a normal conversation with him.
A group of young ladies came and stood next to them. Thapki had no idea who they were. The list of guests was so long as the invitees were from three different families.
Both Kiran and Sheena made their entry together. Both were looking extremely beautiful. Kiran had this blush on her face which was adding to her beauty. Both went and stood next to their to be fiances for the rings exchange ceremony. Thapki said a silent prayer for both the brides. She was happy for both Kiran and Sheena alike. Sheena had not been nice to her but she was starting her new life and Thapki wanted it to be a success for Sheena's sake and for her sake too.
The rings were exchanged and everyone clapped and congratulated the newly engaged couples. The clapping died and ppl started chatting. Thapki was abt to move to congratulate the new couples when she heard the ladies standing next to them discussing Sheena and Bihaan and how they would have made a better couple. Thapki looked at Sheena and noticed how she was staring at Bihaan.
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Thapki was sitting on a sofa with a sad face. Preeti came and sat next to her.
Preeti: "How can some one look so pretty but sad at the same time?"
Thapki (with a sad smile): "I am not sad"
Preeti: "Oh plz Thapki. I have been with u since so many months and I know ur looks"
Thapki: "I am just tired"
Preeti: "I am tired too. These are the last months of my pregnancy and it feels as if I am carrying another me in me"
Thapki looked at Preeti and realised how big she had become. While Thapki was examining her, Pari came towards her and gave a beautiful mask to Thapki.
Pari: "Chachu gave this to give to u. He wants u to wear this for the party"
Before Thapki could say anything, Pari ran towards the kids she was playing with. Thapki looked at the mask and at Preeti. Preeti winked at her.
Preeti: "Wow! Seems like Bihaan devar ji has sthg planned for u tonight"
Thapki did not say anything but blushed. She recalled how Bihaan was looking at her in the room. Her eyes twinkled.
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The masquerade party was planned in the big hall where the engagement ceremony had taken place few hours ago. It was now changed into a ball room. The lights were dim and everyone was wearing masks. Thapki was wearing the mask that was given to her and she tried to look for Bihaan. All the men were wearing black suits and it was difficult to c who was who. She carefully walked towards some people and stood in one corner. The music started to play and couples started dancing. After few minutes, some body tapped on her shoulder. It was some one in black suit. She did not know who he was so she inquired. The person did not say his name first but later took off his mask to show his face. It was none other than Kabir. Thapki took her mask off too and congratulated him as she did not get a chance to do it earlier. While they were chatting, Bihaan entered the area with Kiran and Sheena. Sheena instantly noticed the two chatting and she walked Bihaan and Kiran towards them.
Sheena: "Y r u two not wearing ur masks? U have broken the rule and u will have to dance as a punishment"
Thapki had not expected this so she did not know wat to do. She looked at her with a shock. Sheena laughed.
Sheena: "Okay okay I was kidding.Though I see that u two have become gud friends but I will not let u have my fiance tonight. He is mine now and u will have to do with Bihaan for the time being"
With that she held Kabir's arm and dragged him into the crowd. Thapki felt so awkward and did not know wat to say. Kiran noticed that and held Thapki's hand and asked her to take her to ladies washroom. Thapki quickly followed Kiran and the two left the ball room.
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Thapki and Kiran entered the ball room again after few minutes. The dancing was going on in full motion and the lights have become even more dim.
Thapki: "How will u find Vicky in this crowd now?"
Kiran: "My heart will lead me to him"
She said that with a smile on her face and walked into the crowd. Thapki started searching for Bihaan but it was so difficult to see in such dim lights.
Before Thapki could figure out who was who, somebody held her hand and dragged her into the crowd. She was unable to see who that person was. But with the force that person was dragging her, she knew it was not Bihaan. She wanted the person to stop but he did not seem to care. The person brought her to one side and made her swirl and then hugged her forcefully having his hands on her bare back. Thapki wanted to push the person away but the grip was too tight. She screamed a lil. And looked around for help. before she could notice anything, she felt the grip to become loose and someone punched that man on his face very very hard.
She took her mask off and looked at the two people. Their masks were off too and Dhruv was lying on the floor with his face covered with his hands where as Bihaan was standing next to him with extreme anger in his eyes.
Thapki looked around and noticed that not many people have noticed this. She grabbed Bihaan by his arm and brought him outside. Before they had reached the lawns, she heard Vasu's voice.
Vasu: "Bihaan just stop there"
Bihaan who was walking with Thapki in anger stopped instantly and turned towards Vasu.
Apparently some one had seen the punching scene and had informed Vasu instantly. She walked towards Bihaan and stood in front of him. Her eyes had anger and hatred in them.
Bihaan: "Maa..."
But before Bihaan could say anything, Vasu gave Bihaan a tight slap. Both Bihaan and Thapki got shocked.
Vasu: "Don't take my name from ur dirty mouth. How dare u touched Dhruv?"
Bihaan: "Maa he was manhandling Thapki and ..."
Vasu: "Have u lost ur mind? Do u think he even care abt her? He has a wife and..."
Before Vasu could finish her sentence, Dhruv who had also come out interrupted.
Dhruv: "Wat r u saying Bihaan? Y would I do such thing to Thapki. I thought she was Shradha as she was wearing the mask I gave Pari to give to Shrdaha. She was angry with me so I was trying to be with her... with my own wife who is having my child"
Bihaan knew he was lying as no one would treat his wife in public the way Dhruv was treating Thapki. The thought of that again boiled his blood but he stood silently as he had no way to prove that.
Vasu: "See it was a misunderstanding only which could have been clarified by Thapki herself but even she did not bother..."
Thapki tried to speak her point but Vasu gave her the look of hate and made her quiet.
Vasu: "This place is so full of guests and my daughter's in laws are here too but y would u care as she is not ur real sister"
The anger in Bihaan's eyes turned into pain. Thapki saw that but how could Vasu not see it.
Vasu: "I want u to leave now. I don't want u to create a scene and damage our reputation. U r such a disgrace to this family"
Tears started flowing down Bihaan's face and he started walking towards where his car was parked. Thapki started running after him by calling his name but he did not seem to listen or care. He sat in his car and started the engine.
To be contd...
Book Talk
Anupamaa
