Dhwani had called and made sure all the arrangements were as it should be. Honestly this had been her job for the last one week. She felt like she could breathe freely after today.
Ambika Singhania had left with Aarohi a few minutes ago. She wanted to greet the guests personally and Dhwani was not complaining. She did pity that poor girl though. That cruel woman never turns down a chance to degrade her so called granddaughter.
She was supposed to be in bed rest. But it didn't hurt if other people didn't know that.
Arya was a nice girl as far as her intuition goes and Dhwani took pride in the fact that her intuition had never been wrong.
She had laughed her ass off when Rehan told her that she was the same girl who slapped him last month. She knew she shouldn't but it was funny. Her devar liked to tell her everything and she loved to listen to his rants.
She always wanted someone as her sibling again but that's too much for an orphan to wish.
Rehan was such a sweet soul and started calling me bhabi even before the wedding.
She knew there were misunderstandings between the new couple but it was not her place to rectify that. They have to communicate through it themselves.
The grandmother of the Singhanias was against her marriage with Veer. She didn't want an orphan to be her Bahu. She has taunted and humiliated her from the day of her marriage. The thing they didn't know was she already has experienced all this in the orphanage. So she couldn't care less.
Dhwani used to be Raghav Singhania's personal assistant. He was very strict with her from the start but melted after a few months. He became a father figure for her. That's when he introduced her to Veer.
Veer Singhania was everything a girl dreamed of. Or what every girl dreamed of.
Anyone would fall for his charisma. Eventhough it took a bit more time than usual, she did too.
He stole her heart from right under her supervision and now she didn't know how to steal it back.
She chuckled remembering those time. She went to her room to get ready.
Dhwani wore a simple red net saree with intricate gold work and a heavily embellished boat neck blouse.
The problem was that the hooks of her blouse was not ready to co-operate with her. She could barely even reach it.
"May I?"
That's when Dhwani noticed Veer standing a few places behind her. He was wearing a white button-down shirt with black pants. He still managed to look like a king even in a simple outfit like this.
She nodded slowly, unsure.
He came towards her his eyes never leaving hers , staring at her through the reflection in the dressing mirror.
He leisurely hooked her blouse taking his time. The small caress of his fingers on her bare back had left her skin alive with goosebumps.
Not once did Veer break their eye contact.
Slowly she turned around to gaze at him. His hands found its way to her waist fastening her in his clutch. They started moving towards each other gradually without even their knowledge. Her brain was blaring red lights at her but her heart blocked it out. He seemed so welcoming.
Their lips were mere inches away, breaths fanning their face , when suddenly the voice of Mahika brought them back to earth.
"Jiji are you there?"
They let go of each other hurriedly.
This was a mistake. A mistake she had promised herself she would never commit. Never again.
They refused to look at each other. The mutual understanding of how wrong it was for them to forget their boundaries in a moment of vulnerability, present in the tense atmosphere between them.
If they knew it was a mistake then why did they crave each other so much?
"I should. I should go. " He stuttered
"Veer , one minute. "
"Tonight. At the garden. We can talk. " I couldn't make myself look into those brown eyes.
"Ok. " He mumbled and went out of the room.
"Does he truly love you if he doesn't trust you ? Think about it Dhwani"
Arya was not exactly thrilled to go to the party they were throwing for her. Ironic as it is , she didn't want to marry at all. But on the plus side, she would get to see her friends and colleagues today.
Arya was not feeling so great mentally and physically after seeing her parents. It had physically drained her. She hated them. She didn't care if they gave birth to her , they clearly didn't want to give her a life.
The moment she saw her father, she had transformed into the person who she always feared to be. A girl who feels nothing.
Then something surprising had happened. Rehan had held her hand. The heat from his body had warmed some part of the depth less trench of her soul. She would die before accepting this , but she felt a sense of security when she was with him.
Her father loved his image more than his children. He would never do anything to tarnish that image. That was her sole reassurance that her parents wouldn't do anything out of a certain line.
Her mother took it to another level preparing all her 'favourite' dishes. They could care less on what her favourites was. She even made shrimp which Arya was allergic to since the age of 10. She had wanted to laugh and yell at the face of that disgusting women. But they didn't even diserve that much of her energy.
She started getting ready in her lilac half saree. It had a flared skirt with ruffles in the end and the border and blouse had purple mirror work. The cloth was smooth Satin and it polled around her feet like water.
Now this was an outfit she'd choose. This was her sister in law's selection.
She accesorised the outfit by wearing a matching purple set and let her hair open.
The doors opened for her to be greeted by the face of her good ol' husband. He was looking stunning even if she will be never say it to that smug face.
He was wearing a black velvet blazer and a bow tie over a plain white shirt and black pants. She was pretty sure that if anyone else tried that outfit they would look like a butler. But damn. Rehan Singhania looked straight out of a fairy tale.
He was standing at the doorway his eyes opened so wide it seemed comical.
"What are you looking at." I snapped.
"My wife who I didn't know was this fine? "
"Are you flirting with me Mr Singhania? "
"Even that notion is disgusting. Mrs Singhania "
"Great because never forget that I hate you. Might need it in the future."
"Oh don't worry sweetheart with a face like yours I won't even have to remember that I hate you." He winked.
"Stop winking at me for each and every thing. " I through gritted teeth.
"Why is it distracting? Is it getting under your skin? "
"No and you will never get under my skin. "
"Technically speaking....." He started with a mischievous grin.
"Out" I yelled before he could finish the sentence.
"Of course malady. "He winked at her again.
She smiled a little when he was out of her sight.
Those goddamn winks were doing something to her.
They were standing at the an arch made up of purple hyacinths. She was getting sick talking to these relatives and friends she have never seen once in her life. To be honest both of them were putting up a great act of a happy married couple, holding hands and posing for pictures.
Her friends and colleagues arrived at the venue exactly after an hour. Her bestfriends Kavya and Nandana gave a huge hug. They knew I was not happy with all this.
They took me aside.
"Are you fine? He is treating you alright? " They both asked at the same time.
"I'm fine. Everything is great. He is treating you as I would like to be. Ignored. "
"Hey Ari , congratulations. "
That was my closest friend Arnav Singh's sound. He was a doctor at the same hospital I worked. I hugged him which he returned with the same warmth.
"I missed you so much. " I whined.
"I missed you too. "
"When are you coming back to the hospital? " He inquired.
"Most probably next week. "
"Can't wait to have you back. "
He turned towards Rehan who had gone rigid.
"Arnav Singh , Arya's friend. "
"Nice to meet you. " Rehan replied.
"See you at the hospital. Arya"
"You too. "
"Arya , do you love him? "
"What do you mean? "
"Just answer the question. "
"What if I do?"
"Really? " He looked offended.
"I love him as a friend so what?"
"Good. Because I think he likes you a bit more than a friend. " He said relieved.
"Can you stop with these bullshit. Do you want me to stop talking to my friends because I'm married?" I glared at him.
"I didn't say anything like that. I just said what I observed. This is an open relationship. I will never question any relationships you have. I hope to get the same from you too. "
"And about Arnav Singh.
Trust me dear wifey. He doesn't seem like the guy who gives up easily. "
We both turned around to meet the next person.
"Sarah...."
"Jiji are you there?"
Dhwani jiji replied after a good few minutes.
"Coming. "
She was looking gorgeous as always in that red saree.
"Someone's looking hot today. " I said smirking at her.
"Did you look in the mirror before coming here? "
I started at her with an open mouth.
"How are you always smoother than me? " I complained
"I have lived two years more than you. That's why. " Jiji said hitting my head slightly.
We both giggled.
"Why did you call? "
"Everyone is going to the venue. I came here to pick you and Veer Bhai."Â I stated.
"Ohh. Toh chale? "
Baba and Amrita Chachi left in one car before us.
Me , Veer bhaiya , Dhwani bhabi and Dhruv were traveling in the same car.
The whole ride was so eerily silent.
Mahika knew that her Bhaiya and bhabhi was going through a hard time right now. She and Dhruv was there that night afterall.
Even the mere thought of that night made her upset so she couldn't even imagine how jiji was holding up.
They had promised each other to not tell anyone about it until bhaiya and bhabi were ready.
She really wanted them to clear everything. Both of them were in so much pain. She would do anything for them to go back like before.
And then there was Dhruv.
Every damn time he hurts her she says that's the last time she is going to care for him.
But God it was not so easy. Whatever he does , she will always love him and she hated herself for that.
Mahi had worn a pink satin saree today with a floral themed belt that emphasized her waist and he was wearing a modest outfit of white shirt and grey pants.
He didn't like anyone doing any of his things. He did it all himself. He used to cook his own food but one look from bhabi after her wedding made him drop that habit.
The venue was really beautiful. It was an open ground and there were flowers everywhere. It was just how they had dreamed it would look.
Rehan and Arya looked so good together. She wished them all the happiness in the world.
If there was anything Mahika Singhania prayed for everyone in the world , it was love.
She wanted no one to experience what she was feeling right now.
Me and jiji went towards the newlyweds.
"You look wonderful dear. The lilac really compliments your skin tone." Jiji said smiling at her.
Arya smiled in response.
"Hello bhabhi,your devar is standing right here. " Rehan Bhai said.
"What can I say about you? You look arrogant as always. "
"Et tu brute? " he looked at her offended.
"Just kidding budhu. You look handsome as always. "
"Thank you." He replied with a mock bow.
All of us broke into laughter except Arya.
"Thank you for this dress. It is really beautiful. "
"Don't worry. It was both my and jiji's selection. " I said giving her a kind smile.
"How do you get to call her jiji? I call her bhabi. " She asked intrigued.
"It's because she was my jiji before she became my bhabi. "
"Oh. That explains a lot. " Arya replied nodding her head.
"You guys enjoy. We are not going to take any more time. " We stated moving towards our husbands.
The last time Dhruv talked to her was that fight. She was not surprised. He was like this after that accident. She didn't blame him either.
Even Mahika who loved Dhruv to the moon and back believed that they were soulmates. They were meant for each other. She was so happy when they announced their engagement even if it broke her heart.
But she could never hold any resentment against both of them. They were her favourite people in the world.
Still she was jealous of Avantika Ranganathan who lived in the heart of her love.
â
Hello!!! That's all for today
So many things happened in this chapter.
Many new characters were introduced. New twists.
I'm really happy how this is going.
I have planned a schedule for my stories. I'll update 6 chapters a week for behind the closed doors and 2/3 chapters a week for Cloaks and daggers.
As an author it's fun to write
this book. The story just flows out once I start writing. But for my other baby it's more complicated. I have to think twice before anything. I have to research things.
I hope you understand.
So what do you guys think ?
Dheerâ
Dhruvikaâ
Rehya â
Do comment. It makes my day.
With love
Aswa_maya
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.