Chapter 7: (6)

Ekansh:

Something is wrong with me. Just in 24 hours, her presence was affecting me. I am seeing things differently with her. I didn't want to admit it but I enjoyed her company. In those two hours of street shopping, I get to know most about her.

She is pure, innocent and jovial, and yes not with everyone. I didn't know why she used to stay secluded whenever we visited her Mahal.

Not only with me but with everyone she had the same attitude. But today's words of her shell shocked me. I did feel her to be a burden but not since I took the vows with her. I didn't even want to consider her as my wife but I can't deny the fact that she is my responsibility, until the divorce.

When I walked out of the closet, I heard the voice of a shower from the bathroom. I moved to the bed to see Anthra's message. Her last message surprised me.

Anthra: You might have married her but your Suhag Raat will be with me.

We dated for three years, but we haven't slept till now except for hugging or kissing. I asked her a couple of times if we should lead our relationship into a sex life. But she denied it, saying she is happy the way we are. And I hadn't pushed it further cause, I didn't want to touch her until our wedding. Now that she is ready, I didn't feel like doing it. Not before I divorce Ruhi.

Ekansh: I am waiting for this moment but we can't do it, sweetheart. Not before my divorce.

Anthra: Aren't you gonna meet me tonight?

Ekansh:  After the party, I will come to the hotel. I promise.

Anthra: Don't break your promise this time.

Ekansh: Thank you for trusting me and giving me a second chance.

Anthra: I know, you can't leave without me, baby.

"Pra ji!" Ekta's voice interrupted me. "Sorry for intruding on your moment. But Maa wants Ruhi Parjai to get ready in my room. So that you can get ready here."

"She is in the shower. After she comes out I will inform her."

She nodded her head and turned around to leave but stopped and stared back at me, "Pra ji, a few minutes ago, she was on the rooftop and she was crying so much. I think she is in deep pain that she doesn't want to reveal."

I just nodded my head. But I did appreciate her eyes being swollen that's why I tried to tease her to make her happy, earlier in the closet.

"Moreover, she is not as arrogant as we thought, she is so soft-hearted. But seems like she misses her mom and dad so much. Waheguru ji didn't do fare with her by taking her parents but I even feel that he did fare by binding her with you."

Her last line stabbed my heart and clenched my chest. Suddenly I felt guilty that I was planning to divorce her already. But that doesn't matter to her. She already informed me that she wants to focus on her career which means she is least interested in this wedding too.

"Ok. I will leave now but please send her to my room asap."

"Yes. I will."

After she left I walked to the dressing table. I applied some gel to my hair. And at the same time, my eyes fell on the anklets, which I gifted Ruhi this afternoon. Why did she remove them?

Once she stepped out of the bathroom my eyes fell on her. She wore an orange and red Patiala suit. I like the colours she chooses for her and even the way her dresses cover her entire skin. Even covering her whole body she looks beautiful. That's the reason, I couldn't restrain my eyes from admiring her.

"Why did you remove the anklets? Because they are cheap?" I inquired, guessing the only one probability.

She smiled. There is something in her smile. It describes her emotions to me. "Taufe ka koi mol nahi hotha, Ekansh. Ek taufe ki toh bas dene wale ki niyat dekhi jathi hai."

"There is no value of a gift, Ekansh. It only reflects the intentions of the giver." She took her dupatta from bed and covered her head, "and your intentions were genuine. The only thing is I am not habituated to these." She took the anklets and placed them in a box. "I will consider this as our wedding gift from you."

Just then I realised that I hadn't given her anything last night. Even Maa reminded me but I was least bothered to get her anything.

I caught her hand, "don't consider this cheap thing as our wedding gift, I will get you something costly."

She smiled again, "I told you, I don't see the rate rather the intentions. And you atleast thought of buying something for me."

We received a knock and Maa stepped inside. She saw us together and smiled. "Ruhi, the parlour girls are here, go to Ekta's room. You will get ready in her room," she informed.

"Ok. Maa!" She responded, glanced at me and gestured towards our hands. I left her hand and she walked away with her mobile.

"How's things are going on? Gurpreet told me that you both did a lot of shopping." Maa shared as soon as Ruhi left the room.

"Yes." But she didn't let me spend a single penny. Except those anklets, which I bought without her acknowledgement.

"I know you got sudden responsibility but, we don't have enough time Ekansh. Soon Ruhi should start loving you and gain her trust in you before she loses the only person she cares about in her life."

"Why are you saying that," I thought for a moment. "Dadaji, she loves only her dadaji. Is he sick?"

She nodded her head. "Don't let Ruhi know it!" She ordered. "I have to go, your bhabhi and bhai will help you to get ready." Then she walked out.

Mom's words pushed me into further guilt. I caught my head and sat on the armchair. On one side I have the girl I love, who can't leave without me. On the other hand, I have a girl who was already thrown in my responsibility since her birth. If anything happens to her dadaji, she will lose herself. We all know, how devasted she was after her parent's death and how Sajjan Dadaji handled her.

I can't have them. And. I can't leave them. But there should be a solution to it. Something which will keep the three of us happy.

Ruhi:

"You are so beautiful," the parlour girl commented. "Especially your hair, they are amazing. I thought of making a bun but now, I changed my mind, I will leave it loose."

" What do you want Parjai," Ekta asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't have knowledge of these things."

She giggled. But they settled to leave my hair loose by putting a floral band above my head. My dress was a peach floor-length gown, the brim of it was longer and swept the floor. The sleeves were full. There was no dupatta but.

Maa came after I got ready to give the jewellery. While a girl was putting the necklace around my neck, Ekta complimented, "You look amazing. And I am sure Ekansh Pra is not gonna sleep tonight," only to receive a hit on her shoulder from Maa.

One or another way she is true, he is not gonna sleep tonight but not because of me.

You might've married her but your Suhag Raat will be with me.

"Na. Na. No, crying my hard work of three hours will go in vain," the parlour girl said, wiping the tear from my eye.

"Sorry, I hadn't realised."

"Ok. We will leave. Ekta, you will come with Ekansh and Ruhi."

"Ok. Maa." She chirped.

After everyone left, Ekta went inside her bathroom, for final refreshing.

Simultaneously, I received a knock. I went to pull open the door. Ekansh was standing in front of me in the peach colour suit. He looked handsome and amazing.

When I met his eyes, I found him staring at me without any blink of his eyes.

"Ahmm..." Ekta cleared her throat, distracting us. "We will get late, if you continue to stare at each other."

"Ekta you are growing too naughty nowadays."

"It's because of you two lovebirds." She commented, which brought a blush to my cheeks. Stupid blush, it doesn't have any shame.

"Shall we leave," he asked and I nodded. Instantly he whirled and walked away.

"How rude, can't he catch your hand?" She commented, walking beside me.

Now and then when I stared at Ekansh in the car, his eyes were wandering from the window to me.

Am I looking weird or quirky? I should have had a basic knowledge of these things. I agreed to whatever that parlour girl decided for me.

After we reached Ekta left us with a demand to her brother, "Don't leave her hand!" Then she made him hold my hand. She left with a wink. She is too naughty.

While Ekansh and I walked along the red carpet of the hall, fireworks started in the sky. Along with the shower of rose petals on us. We ambled on the red carpet as the photographer captured our entry. The guests stood to welcome us and were clapping their hands. When I saw Dadu, I was about to run to him but Ekansh stopped me. "Wait for a few minutes." I nodded my head, understanding his words.

We stepped on the podium, stood beside each other and posed for the pictures, which I thought to be useless cause, in the end, they were gonna end up in a store room as this relationship was not gonna stay any longer.

I have to keep reminding this... Cause unknowingly I started to fall for him.

Dil toh slime se bhi zyada slip hojatha hai. Unhone Zara si fikar kya dikhayi, ab woh unhi ke liye dhadakna shuru kar diya hai.

The heart is slipper than a slim. His small concern had made my heart start beating only for him.

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So, how did you all find, Bond to Him, sofar. What are your opinions?