OS: what the wedding should have been (updt pg 11) - Page 7

Arnav sensed her even before he had turned around, to see her rush to where her mother was standing, handing her the shawl that had been requested.

He sauntered across to where the family had gathered for the family photographs to be taken with the bride and groom. Khushi was standing with her back to him engrossed in a conversation with her aunt. He watched with pleasure her back tense, as she too sensed him nearing her. Her hands amid animated gestures, stalled mid air, and he saw Bua look at her curiously, asking what happened.

Biting back a smile, he turned towards Di who was gesturing to him to come across for the photograph.

**

Khushi shifted uncomfortably when she was asked to come in closer to the rest of the family standing around Payal and Akash. Why was it that Devi Mayyiya was not helping her today, she groaned as she found herself standing next to Arnav. She could feel the warmth from him burning into her back as she fidgeted about nervously, hoping that this photograph would get over as soon as possible. Tucking her hands behind her, she tried valiantly to smile for the camera, all the time aware of his presence behind her.

Her audible gasp had amma turn around and give her a glare, as Arnav reached behind her and clutched her hand in his suddenly. Giving Amma a sheepish grin, she tried to wangle her hand free from his steely grip. Unmindful of her struggling, he easily intertwined his fingers in hers pulling her gently back towards him. Khushi felt an electric shock run through her as she felt his strong warm hand engulf her now cold soft one. What was he doing … she panicked, and amid their entire family.

Arnav held on to her hand firmly, relishing her struggling and the warning looks that she was getting from her mother, standing in front. He noticed that her hand was cold though soft to touch.

"Photo kharab ho jayegi, Khushi,' he warned mock seriously, 'seedhi khadi raho.' Khushi pursed her lips in irritation, at his sense of humor, stopping her struggling, as it was futile. It would be over soon enough, and then he would have to let her go.

'One more,' the photographer chanted, as they all started to move away. Arnav who had not let go of her hand, pulled her back with a tug, as she started to rush away. Khushi struggled to smile normally all the time aware that his hand was now caressing her wrist and palm softly. She felt her breathing become heavy and smile falter, as he continued to play with her hand behind her back.

What was just a few minutes, seemed like ages to Khushi, as the electric shocks coursed up her hand straight to her beating heart. She remained standing where she was even though the photograph was over and everyone was now milling around the couple.

'Khushi?' he whispered behind her, making her jump.

'Huh?' she turned towards him, still in a daze.

'Chalen?' he looked pointedly at the rest of the family who had already moved off the stage.

Giving him a glare, Khushi turned and flounced off towards where Payal and Akash were seated, his warm chuckle ringing in her ears as she moved away.

**

Her younger cousins were all giggling huddled together when Khushi neared the couple. She noticed that they were all peeping from behind the chair trying to locate Akash's jooties. As was customary, the sisters hid the groom's shoes, only to be given gifts in return. Khushi gave a gleeful laugh and joined in the conspiracy that they were hatching behind Akash's back. The plan was to pick up the shoes as soon as Akash took them off to sit at the mandap. Then they worked out this whole 'passing the baton' system where one would hand over the shoes to the others so that the boy's side would not know where the shoes went. Or whom they were with. The last one, obviously keeping them safe somewhere, till their 'demands were met'.

Hearing Buaji call out her name, Khushi left the youngsters and went to assist jiji to the mandap, winking at them conspiratorially.

Once jiji was seated comfortably and Khushi had distracted everyone, so that the jooties could be removed quietly, she joined the youngsters nonchalantly finding herself the final recipient of the shoes, with the task of hiding them.

She needed to do this fast, so that she could be back in time to attend the wedding ceremony, Khushi thought looking around for a place to hide them. Rushing to the one place she knew no one would look, she found herself at the poolside.