Chapter 72: chapter 72

The next two days went in a flurry for Mowri . She had called up Jassi to discuss what she thought of the whole thing. And Jassi gave her opinion on the matter too. She categorically told Mowri  that Nisha  could never see anyone beyond herself so if she is there at the party there was a slim chance that nothing would go wrong but majorly things could take a turn. She was very unpredictable that way. Nisha  may not do things openly preserving her reputation but if she found a little nook where she could do damage she would. So being careful wouldn't harm anybody. And Mowri  took Jassi's advice to heart. Though she didn't let on but she was a little worried. Arnab  seemed to be much better.She had slept holding Arnab  to her at nights now. And where she felt great Arnab  hadn't protested either. But she wasn't sure if he felt good about the closeness or not. She was slowly discovering the potent effects of love and she could now clearly understand why Arnab  had felt the way he had when he had loved Nisha . Though that was a dampener on her spirits but she didn't let that bother her much. She was happy in her newfound knowledge and she knew for a fact she wouldn't stand anybody hurting him again. No matter who it was. She was pretty ferocious that way.But she couldn't help wonder how it would feel to be loved in the same manner? How it would be if Arnab  was to feel the same for her? Would he? He had told her once he could never love another again and that also threw her hopes in a spiral but she knew she couldn't let the possibility of that never happening keep her from hoping. And that instantly had made her feel better. All she knew was she wanted Arnab  to be happy and for that she would do whatever was required.It was Saturday evening and as Mowri  got ready she could feel the trepidation rise. Would she be able to hold herself against Nisha ? That was if she was at the party. One part of Mowri  wanted her to be there so she could at least see the person herself and another didn't want her to be there. She wasn't afraid of any confrontation but with both of them there Arnab  might have no choice but compare the two and that kind of made her nervous. What would he think? How would he react? Seeing his past and present at the same time. Besides all of those worries Mowri  wasn't sure the kind of reception she would get from the woman and those around her. Mowri  looked at herself in the mirror. She had first thought of wearing a suit to the party because of her foot then decided against it. So she had selected a beautiful bottle green printed chiffon sari with a little bead work to make it look party wear. She wore a thin silver chain with a pearl pendant, matching earrings and a thin pearl bangle in each of her wrists. Her make-up was light but a stroke of dark kohl pencil across her eyes accentuated her eyes. She had pulled her hair to the back of her head and clipped it leaving the rest open. She wasn't sure how she looked. She never was. But she hoped she looked nice. Then wearing her flats she slowly went down the stairs to find Arnab .He had been quiet all day today. Maybe he was restless too. Not that he had a choice. But she saw his eyes lit up as he watched her descend. And she smiled. He nodded his approval and Mowri  was back to being her usual confident self. She could face anything now. Arnab  helped her to the car and as she sat closed the door. Once they reached the ballroom they entered together. Arnab 's hand at her back. Thankfully the first people to greet them were Jassi and Harpreet. But Mowri  didn't miss the tension on their faces even though both tried to hide it. She smiled and nodded reassuringly to the other girl and that seemed to placate her immediately. Then they met a few other familiar faces. She kept her arm linked with Arnab 's as they spoke and laughed with the others. She also met a few new officers. Some were married and some weren't. And it seemed they had just started to  settle down."Hi, Arnab ," Mowri  heard a voice from behind them and while Arnab  stiffened she turned her head to watch a tall man approaching them. From the corner of her eye she saw Harpreet pass a sympathetic smile to Arnab  and Jassi purse her lips before she looked away.Mowri  assessed the man as Arnab  turned around and faced him with a blank look. He was about five feet eleven, very good looking. There was a certain charm about him and as he smiled she noticed a dimple in his cheek. The man wore a nice suit with a matching tie. His hair was short and smoothly combed. He walked with confidence. As he came to stand before them she felt more than see all eyes in the room on them. She glanced at Arnab  but his face revealed no expression and his eyes were wary. But to give the man credit he responded to the greeting politely."Hello Nihal ," he said tonelessly, "how are you?" he asked.Mowri  looked at Nihal . He looked a bit uncomfortable under Arnab 's steady gaze but he didn't back down and smiled."Very well," he replied, "how have you been? It has been a long time," he said and then paused as if that hadn't come out right. Then went on to add."I heard you got married. Congratulations," he said trying for lightness."Thanks," was all Arnab  said.Mowri  found it strange that he didn't introduce her but then didn't think too much about it. There must be a reason. And she was proud of Arnab . The way he handled himself she knew how straining it must be for him and yet he wasn't letting his emotions get the better of him. She felt Jassi and Harpreet come stand next to them and Nihal  looked at them briefly nodding then concentrated on Arnab ."Won't you introduce me?" he asked unsure.Mowri  wasn't sure but she thought she heard hurt in his voice. What did he think? Granted it had been years, but suddenly coming in front of your friends, after so long and expecting them to be cheerful about it when you hadn't even kept in touch and everything you had done was pretty high expectation if one was to ask her."My wife Mowri ," Arnab  replied as he put an arm at her back then turned towards her to introduce his friend or new colleague or whatever he was now, "Mowri  this is Captain Nihal  Raheja," he told her.Mowri  looked at Arnab  and saw a hint of something akin to incredulity in his eyes then it was gone as shutters fell. She didn't know what she could say to make him feel better in front of everyone so she gave him her best smile and felt him relax just a bit then she turned towards the man and extended her hand. As her hand hung in air Nihal  first looked at Arnab  then at her then at her hand. He seemed surprised for some reason. What was he expecting? She had no idea but he definitely wasn't expecting her to shake hands with him. He reluctantly took hers in his and shook."Pleased to meet you," he said politely, "but the name is Major Nihal  Raheja," he corrected.Mowri  just kept smiling even as she took her hand back. She knew Arnab  hadn't liked the way Nihal  had corrected the title he had introduced him with but he kept quiet and she heard Jassi snort."I would love to say I am just as pleased," she said sweetly and she heard the indrawn breaths of all three people around her then she continued, "but I am sorry I can't," she said. Her smile never wavered and as she saw first shock then shame register on Nihal 's face she knew he wasn't all unaffected by this sudden turn of events in all their lives. "I am well aware of your relationship with my husband," she went ahead, "the one you had and the one you lost," she said and felt Jassi's mouth open and close. She wasn't sure how Harpreet and Arnab  were faring but she had to spell it out for the guy who had the decency to look sheepish. "And anyone who has had the gall to hurt my husband is someone I don't take very kindly to," she said firmly, "no matter what place he or she had held once in his life," she finished on a warning, "rest assured please enjoy the party, I hope you have a blast," she wished sarcasm in full force.Nihal  looked at Arnab  and then at Mowri  and didn't know what to say anymore. He had known about Arnab 's posting at Pathankot. And he had been worried about bumping into him ever since. Though he had applied for a transfer already it may take a few more days for them to consider or reconsider. But even when he had applied he had wanted to meet Arnab . To face his once best friend and apologize for hurting him the way he had. Though Nisha  had been dead against either moving with him to Pathankot which she thought was a small city and her lifestyle wouldn't be able to take the hit or having a chance meeting with her ex-husband. But she was here tonight. He had heard Arnab  had remarried and for some reason he had thought it to be safe to meet him again. In his own mind he had thought Arnab  had moved on. Maybe he had. It was his wife who had shocked him. Nihal  had never met a woman with such a commanding presence. She had dominated the conversation and that too without once raising her voice. He had also heard Mowri  had a whiplash for a tongue just by looking at her he hadn't thought it was much but when he had heard what she had to say to him he had felt shame creep up and warp itself around him. What had he been thinking that Arnab  might not have told Mowri  about him or his past relationship with him? Of course he had. They were husband and wife. He had a divorce in his past, he definitely must have told her. It had hurt. Arnab 's indifference towards him had hurt more than he had anticipated. He had never wanted to hurt his friend. But he had hidden something from Arnab  that he shouldn't have. And he wanted to say sorry. He had lived with his guilt for the past several years and his decisions too. He did regret losing both Harpreet and Arnab  as friends and he knew he could never go back to being the same with them but if he could just tell Arnab  what he had done and why and if Arnab  could just say he forgave him it would be enough. He would be at peace with himself. However Mowri 's words had made his spirits deflate a little. But he will still try. Though she had kept that smile on her face and her voice had remained polite and sweet, even the words she had used had not been bad her eyes had held her anger, and just with that she had made a big dent in his confidence and for the first time he was at a loss for words."Is everything alright, honey?" a sweet lilting voice spoke up and they all turned around to face the person where it had all started and while Arnab  tensed Mowri  froze as she watched the 'beautiful creature' walk up to them. *********