Anirudh's eyes drink up the decorations of the venue as we enter through the huge gates of the royal-themed hotel. I look up at Anirudh to see if there were any hints of nervousness in him but contrary to my concerns, he smiles at me and wraps his arm around my waist, making me a nervous mess.
"Ahem Ahem." A familiar voice coughs and the owner of the voice pushes his body between Anirudh and I's, making Anirudh stumble a few steps away.
Dad wraps his arms around my shoulder and forcefully smiles at Anirudh, attaining a nervous one from him. "You look beautiful, my child. But who might be these bees swarming around the beautiful flower of mine?" He says while giving a side-eye to Anirudh.
Anirudh who was already nervous about my Dad's presence nods his head at whatever Dad said. Facepalming myself, I signal Anirudh to wait for me as I drag Dad away from him.
"Dad, would you like if his family treats me the same way you are planning to treat him?"
Dad looks at me, horrified.
Sighing, he grumbles."I can never win against you. But you won't stop me from testing him! Alright?"
Grinning, I nod at him and we return to Anirudh who smiles at me and bends forward to touch Dad's feet. Dad, while trying to hide his surprise, pats Anirudh's hair and mumbles a blessing. "God bless you. But I am your boss, you shouldn't touch my feet."
Straightening up, Anirudh nervously smiles at Dad but replies, "I am not here as your employee, Sir."
"Then what are you here for? With the way you are dressed you look nothing but a 9-5 employee." An unknown lady interrupts our conversation and rudely points toward Anirudh's clothes.
Anger sizzles through me, but reminding myself of all the reasons to be grateful I compose myself. Walking to his side, I stand by Anirudh and interlace our fingers together.
"I am a 9-5 employee, working in the marketing department of Sir's company. If you intend to embarrass me, well, you have to try harder. And my clothes are the product of my hard work, and you can not embarrass someone for the traits they are proud of."
"Paiso ke ameer,
dil ke gareeb kabhi na jaye ishwar ke kareeb."
(Rich by money, poor by heart, can never be close to God.)
Mom walks close to the rude lady and almost shouts the dialogue in the her ears. On earning a glare, Mom feigns innocence and blinks her eyes. "Oh, Sushmita, my apologies. I was just reciting a dialogue close to my heart but you wouldn't know. Right?"
The rude lady throws one last glare at us, and walks away, grumbling on her way.
Grinning, I hug mom and Anirudh bends forward to touch her feet. "Always stay joyous and keep my daughter happy," She blesses while patting Anirudh's hair.
"You are from the marketing department?" Dad asks. He looks excited after knowing Anirudh's field as he himself graduated in the said field.
Wrapping his arms around the stunned Anirudh's shoulder, he drags Anirudh away from us to discuss something along the lines of the modern market and changing scenarios in the business field.
"Well, looks like you are not getting your man till the engagement gets over."
I feel my cheeks heating up due to my mom's choice of words.
Mom's eyes lock on someone behind me, waving her hand at the said someone, she beckons them toward us, "Aree! Come over here!"
I turn to look at the said someone and my eyes fall on the girl waving back at my mother. Dressed in a blue lehenga, she walks gracefully toward us. Her stance enlightens her confidence as she moves her open hair to one side of her shoulder and elegantly picks her skirt up a little to not let it mop the floor.
"Aww, How much have you grown Nyra! You look beautiful. See Adrita, this is what your Dad wanted to tell you. He has appointed Nyra as the company's new MD." Mom fawns over Nyra, and Nyra smiles facing her, solely ignoring me.
Nyra was here, and she still didn't seem to like me.
******
Author's note:
What are your thoughts on Nyra?