chapter 23

[ Nobody 's p.o.v]     Vibha entered through main gate with a huge grin plastered on her face. " Didi looks happy today. ", the maid whispered to Vibha's father who too seemed surprised yet happy to see his princess smiling. " What happened didi? Something special? Or someone.....", the teasing voice brought Vibha back to reality making her aware of other people present in room besides her. The maid had a smile which she tried to hide  and her dad too offered her a questioning look. " Nothing. " "Something something" " It's nothing auntie!" " Something something" Vibha simply dashed to her room skipping a few stairs making the maid shout in worry.        She locked the door behind her as she tried to calm her racing heart. Sliding down the door to ground , she could feel her cheeks heat up.     What even was that? Why would they tease me? Am I that obivious? No wait- that's not how- Why did I even like that?        A soft knock on the door failed to break her daze so the next thing she heard was banging on the wooden surface.  " What am I? A debtor or living here rent free that you came to evacuate my place?", Vibha asked as the banging didn't stop. She heard a loud chuckle as she opened the door and stood leaning on the doorframe.     " What would you want for dinner? Anything special since it's special day thanks to that special someone. ", she asked nudging Vibha lightly on arm as she kept on teasing the girl.     " How about poison? ", Vibha asked smirking and the maid hit her forehead, whispering a quick appology and taking the god's name. " Aishh this girl! How many times am to tell you not to say such things?" , she asked annoyed and Vibha didn't hesitate to return ,"How many times am to tell you not to get on my nerves?" " I guess this is your first time telling me this. "  Vibha only rolled her eyes as she headed in trying to shut the door behind me .     " You didn't answer?" " Anything is fine. " " Want to come and get a look?" " Don't worry , I trust you enough to not poison me ." " This girl na!!!"  , maid repeated her procedure of appology before dragging Vibha out.      " What?" " You should learn to cook!" " Why? Are you quitting your job?"  Vibha asked as she got her arm out of the maid's grip, clearly annoyed . " Which guy would  marry someone who can't even cook?"" What the hell?" " Now if you already have the groom , don't we need to prepare you for your marriage?"         " Woah- woah- take a break mam. First of all, no I don't have any guy and second of all even if I did, I would rather starve us to death than cook for him . " " So no marriage?" " Do you think people out there still fix marriage based on your cooking skills?" " Not that way but shouldn't you know the basic chores? " " Why should I ?" " Atleast for the sake of survival?" " No thanks I'd rather die. "" You seriously!" the maid playfully hit her .     " But still didi who is it?" " Someone special!" that earned her another hit . " That hurts. ", Vibha rubbed her arm while pouting at the lady. " So tell me who's the lucky guy?" , the curiousity and excitement was clearly visible on the lady's face as she waited for Vibha to answer.    " Nope it's not a guy. " , Vibha answered ,her tone unusually timid and unsure,  trying to look casual but deep inside she was afraid she'd be judged. It's not like she cared but still somewhere she didn't want to be . The maid only made an ' oh' expression.      And akward silence followed making Vibha somehow nervous. " Didi, so .....", the maid didn't complete her question but only looked at Vibha with an unreadable expression. " What?" " Umm , well she , the one you like...." " What about her? "      " Does she know how to cook?" " What the heck?" Vibha wasn't sure if she was relieved or disappointed hearing the question. " Why is that even your first question?" " Then what? You can't cook, you ain't learning, if she also doesn't know what will you two do? Starve to death?" " What are you for?" " Aish, I am there but don't you think you should atleast know the basics? What will her family say?" " I went to her home today and guess what? "" What?" " They didn't ask me about how good I can sweep or if my height reaches ceiling fan to clean it. Or if I don't end up burning the whole kitchen trying to cook. "     " They didn't. But what about your wife?" " My- ", Vibha fell silent . She felt her body freeze and her voice left her to the mercy of teasing eyes as she struggled to keep her expressions neutral while she felt something inside her urging to scream at the top of her lungs. The maid faked coughed to earn her attention. Vibha glanced at her and then walked around and went back in her room slamming the door shut.     She could clearly hear the roar of laughter outside and she knew she ain't stepping out until she sees the lady leave . Â