"Our what?"
"Your honeymoon. It's a ten day trip. I know the marriage and everything was really rushed so I wanted you guys to have a small getaway. "
"That's so sweet of you dad." Rehan replied with a forced smile.
"Yeah thank you papa. This ..... This was a surprise. "
"I'm glad you liked it. Sleep well. The flight is tomorrow evening. "
We hummed.
"Good night papa. "
"Good night beta. "
They returned to the room both of their faces looking like someone just used the confundus charm on them.
"What the hell just happened?" Rehan whispered.
"Oh no no no.... " Arya was hyperventilating.
"Did you know this?" She questioned him with doubt.
" Do I look like I knew?" He replied bewildered.
He opened the envelope. Then said.
"It's to Paris and England. "
" How many days? " Arya asked contemplating all the decisions of her life.
" Looks like we are stuck together for ten days sweetheart. " He said with a light hearted chuckle.
" Damn it. "
" Let's get packing shall we? "
Honestly speaking. Arya loved to travel. But her father never even allowed her to go to her friend's house. Paris was always a place in her dreams.
So yes she was excited about it. But it terrified her that she was going to be with HIM.
But even that fear was mixed with a pinch of anticipation of what will happen.
Arya would be a fool to deny it but there was a force of attraction between her and her husband that was increasing day by day and Arya found herself incapable of resisting it. Resisting him.
Fate loves to mess with her don't it.
But if I stay grumpy about it , I will lose most probably the only time I could visit those places.
Life had thrown a huge lemon at her. And Arya was going to make sure that her lemonade was sweet.
She opened her wardrobe in search of dresses and all she could find were sarees and kurtas.
Damn her mother. Damn the media. Damn that Ursula.
" I have to go shopping tomorrow. " She said to no one specific.
" Okay? "
"Do you have anything you want to buy?"
" Nope. "
" Good for you. "
It was only nine so Arya changed into her pyjamas and went towards the garden , the only peaceful place in this house.
And by peace , she didn't mean the eerily silent mansion but a place where a person could sit in solidarity.
" Today is a poornima. "
I turned towards the sound to see Dhwani bhabhi standing with her arms crossed.
" But I can't see the moon. "
"It's there," she stated pointing towards the sky , " shrouded by those clouds. "
"You know Arya , our feelings are also like that. It might be glowing bright like the full moon. But sometimes we deny it's presence like those clouds.
But at the end the moon will shine through. "
I looked towards the clouds moving away revealing the moon.
" Rehan is a great guy Arya. " Bhabhi said in a comforting tone.
" We are going on our honeymoon. Tomorrow. We will be back only after ten days. "
"So then , this maybe the last time I'm speaking to you from this house. Once you return , I might not be here. "
She responded with a painful smile.
" Was Veer Bhai not a great guy? " I asked curiousity getting the better of her.
"He was. He was my dream husband. But sometimes the dreams are better off as dreams. You never know when they will turn into nightmares. "
I nodded in under.
After sometime I returned to his bedroom to find him sleeping with a book still in his hands.
I chuckled.
The chilly night air was flowing into the room through the open windows.
Arya took the blanket near the end of the bed and covered him by it.
She didn't like him. But that didn't mean she lacked empathy.
No one ever cared if she was cold or hot. There were uncountable nights in which Arya couldn't sleep because of her shivering to the cold while her mother warmed another man's bed and her father ignored her existence completely.
Humans were vile creatures. She knew that. She has first hand experience in it. Still she knew there were some good ones like Dhwani bhabhi and Mahika.
But the thing was , Arya was finding it difficult to say which group Rehan belonged to.
*
The next day morning , I woke up earlier than usual. First I had to call the hospital and tell them about my leave , then I had to go for shopping. The flight was at 6.30 and Arya liked to be punctual.
I went towards the kitchen to see Sunitha kaki making breakfast in the kitchen.
"Kaki did you see Dhwani bhabhi?"
"Dhwani beta went to get ready. She is going to join today na. "
"Aapko kuch help chahiye kya?"
"Koi baat nahi beta. Mai sambhal loongi. "
"Good morning." A heavily sleepy Mahika yawned.
" Good morning. "
"Mahi. I need to go shopping today. Will you and bhabhi come? "
My question flipped a switch inside her. Suddenly she was energetic and excited.
"Of course. Who says no to shopping?"
" I do. " Dhwani bhabhi announced coming towards us.
"Sorry dear. But I am joining back at the office today. I have to go. "
"It's okay jiji. I will go na. I will make it up for you. "
"
But you will have to drop me off at practice though. "
"Of course. "
"Cool. "
Breakfast was silent at the Singhanias today till Ursula I mean my respected Grandmother in law announced something.
"Prabha and family is coming tomorrow. "
"Why ma? "Amrita Chachi asked.
"Do I need to tell the reason for everything to you?"
She didn't ask anything more.
Rehan spoke up.
" We are going for our honeymoon today. "
A few surprised gasps were heard.
"And you are telling us now?!" Dadi shouted.
"It was rushed. "
Papa ji said and that was the end of it.
As I was going towards my room. Mahika and Aarohi cornered me.
"Lucky." They exclaimed
"For what? "
"One you are going on honeymoon and two at the exact time of the Ahluwalia's entry. "
"Who are those people ? "
"Consider dadi but more narrow minded. "
"Yep I'm lucky. "
" They are like family friends. So there is Prabha Ahluwalia then her daughter and granddaughter. I hate all three women. Especially her granddaughter. "
"So where are you guys going? "
"Paris and England. "
"Sweet. Come and visit me. I'll go back to my college in a few days. "
"Sure. "
"Btw ,Do you want to come shopping with us ? "
"Of course. " Aarohi replied with a gasp.
"Let me just get ready. " Saying that she ran towards her room.
*
All three of them got into the car with one of the bodyguards driving it.
He stopped infront of the biggest shopping mall in the city.
Aarohi looked like a child in a candy shop.
Mahika and Aarohi dragged me towards one of the stores and started selecting dresses for me.
After an hour or so , they gave me a huge bundle of dresses to try on.
To be honest , the did have good taste which Arya clearly lacked. In the end she decided to buy the dresses she liked the most along with some blouses and crop tops.
Aarohi wanted to buy some new pyjamas so while I waited for her I started to look around at the hoodie section.
Mahika also excused herself and followed Aarohi s cue. Something was fishy about them.
But she was soon distracted by the hoodies on display.
Some of them had these cute funny quotes on them like 'in love with fictional characters' another one had a small book lover stiched into it. It somehow reminded her of Rehan. There is no harm in gifting your husband a couple of hoodies right ?
It turned out shopping with those too idiots costs a fortune.
We dropped Mahika at her practice where she apologized to me for a whole hour. All because of how she couldn't come to the airport.
Once we returned , Aarohi helped me with packing her bags. Then they just sat around the bed gossiping about random things.
" Look who all decided to trash my bedroom?" Rehan announced from the doorway.
"It's time for us to go." Aarohi shreaked and ran out of the room leaving them alone.
He went towards the closet to get changed.
Arya handed him the hoodies.
"Is this for me?"
"No. It's for my lover. "
"Of course it is for you idiot. " She rolled her eyes.
He looked at them with a warm smile.
"Did you buy it? "
"Pfft. Of course not. Why would I? Aarohi did. "
" Uh huh. " He raised an eyebrow.
"Just admit it wifey. You are falling for me. "
Rehan stated with a smirk.
"In your dreams. "
" I hate you. And I always will. " I said with determination.
" If that is what is happening between us right now , then I'm glad I hate you too. "
He replied with his signature wink.
"Papa can I come in your car to the office? "
He looked between me and Veer.
"Of course. "
I didn't dare to look behind for veer's reaction.
Veer and Dhwani always travelled together.
The whole day was alien to Dhwani.
For the first time , she didn't wake up in Veer's arms.
The morning pleasantaries were long forgotten after their fight.
But Still , today was the first time she packed lunch only for her. She didn't even give him the usual cup of tea today. This all might seem simple to some people. But these simple things were what made their relationship beautiful and Dhwani was not the only one who did these.
Now it was time for someone to stop.
She was going to be out of his life in six months. She should go back to her old life. Afterall in a few years someone else would be doing these things for him.
I got into the car with Papa.
The moment , we got out of the mansion paparazzi mobbed our car.
This was not the first time. This won't be the last.
Still , Dhwani was not used to it.
The media were like the preadators , waiting to take a bite off what was happening in their personal lives.
Back at Gayathri ma's home , they were a bit more free of them. But now they want to know where the Singhanias were.
The car ride was silent.
Papa kept glancing at me time to time.
Once we got to the office Papa called me to his cabin.
"Beta sab kuch theek hai na tumhare aur Veer ke beech? "
"Papa , I don't know how to tell you this. I know you won't like it but we are divorcing and I'm planning to move out of the house by the end of this week. "
"What are you saying Dhwani?
What happened suddenly? "
" Papa , you have been like a father to me even before our marriage. So I'm telling you this as a daughter. I can't do it anymore papa. I'm sorry. I tried. I did. But I can't just let him trample my izzat in the name of love. "
A tear threatened to flow down.
I dried them before they could.
I have cried enough for him already.
"Whatever happens. You will always be my father. The Singhania khandaan will always be my family.
Her voice broke.
Because you people are all I have that is atleast close to a family. "
I stopped at the door.
"As for the reason , please ask your son. "
Dhwani cleared her face of all emotions and started walking towards her cabin , head held high.
"Good morning mam." Her assistant , Natasha stated once she saw her. "Welcome back. "
"It's good to be back." She replied hinting a slight smile.
*
" What do you mean the arrear is not yet ready? " Her voice was a deadly whisper.
" Mam we thought that you wouldn't be back for another week. " One of her staff started to apologise.
"So ? Does the work of this department depend on whether I'm here or not? "
"No mam we .."
" I don't need anymore excuses. "
" What I want is the arrears ready and finished, in my table tomorrow morning. Am I clear? "
"Yes mam. "
She dismissed them with a wave of her hands.
Dhwani might be sweet and calm for her family but when it came to business , if Veer Singhania was the King , Dhwani was the queen. And the Queen always know how to get things done.
Dhwani wanted to clear her mind off everything.
So she grabbed a cup of her favourite brew from the cafeteria and went outside for a small walk. She pulled the blazer tighter around her as her saree fluttered in the monsoon wind.
She was warming the coffee with her hands when her gaze lingered on a child playing with his mother.
At first she her thought went towards that night she lost everything but it was suddenly replaced by the face of a cute little boy with deep blue eyes.
Something had tugged inside her heart the moment she saw that boy.
He reminded her of Veer but he somehow reminded her of herself too.
She was going mad with all the happenings in her life.
She shook her head with a chuckle.
Suddenly her phone started vibrating in her pocket.
The screen was blaring the name Rehan at her.
"Hello? "
"Why didn't you tell me you were moving out ? "
"Rehan we were all busy and you know I would have told you sooner or later."
"I don't care. I want you at the airport for me to say goodbye. "
"Okay fine. I'll be there. "
"Promise? "
"Pakka wala promise. "
She went back to the office.
"Natasha I want every pending file at my table in half an hour. "
"Yes mam. Anything else?"
" No thank you. "
Dhwani was the head of the finance and accounts department of the entire Singhania industries. And she had a huge truck of work load pending.
Dhwani massaged her head. These stubborn Singhania brothers were going to be the end of her.
She packed her things and was getting out of the building when suddenly Veer asked her if she wanted a ride.
Dhwani was avoiding him for the entire day all for it to come to this.
" No thank you. "
" Dhwani , I know what you are thinking but I am not trying to talk you out of your descision.
To the public , we are still a couple and it will raise questions if they see us going to the same place in different cars. "
" Fine. "
The ride was quite. Not the peaceful kind. But the one which spoke volumes.
We said our goodbyes to Rehan and Arya at the airport.
Rehan did try to question me which I avoided pretty smoothly.
Once it was time for them to board ,
I hugged Arya.
"Don't forget what I told you."
I whispered in her ears.
"I won't "
"
What am I? Chopped liver. " Rehan said with a scoff , crossing his hands over his chest.
"Come here you big oaf. "
I responded pulling Rehan down for a hug.
"Take care of my sister , mister. "
"Aye aye captain. "
When she danced , she danced without care. She was like a bird who was freed from the cage.
Dance was in Mahika's blood and nobody could change it.
The sound of her anklets was like a free serotonin dose for her.
Dance was her escape from everything good and bad in the real life.
Dance was her life.
*
Mahika was practicing her special for the program when the security guard told her that she had a visitor.
She was practicing with a bit more vigour this time. Especially because of the promise Dhruv made her. He promised her that he would attend this program no matter what.
It might not have meant anything to him. But it meant the world to Mahika.
She grabbed her water bottle and went towards the visitors lobby to find Avyaan.
"Hey , how are you here?"
" I was passing by and thought I don't really have anything to do , so why not come and see my dear Juliet dance. "
"Cheeky little idiot. Come I'll introduce you to my friends. "
"Wait you have friends other than me?"
"Ha ha , really funny. Now are you coming or what?"
I held his arm and started introducing him to my friends.
"And last but not least Avyaan this is Reshma. She is actually a kuchipudi artist. You should really see her on stage. It's so mesmerizing. "
"Bas bas. Enough buttering for today. I'll buy you lunch for the whole week."
"I was being genuine. Really. "
"Yeah right. "
"Reshma Reddy. "
"Avyaan Shekhawat. "
" It's refreshing to know that you have another friend than me. " Reshma said punching me lightly.
"See , this is exactly what I told her. "
"Great. Now you are teaming up against me. "
The laughed at my plight.
"Yeah laugh all you want you demons. I'm too nice. Otherwise I would have broke up with you guys long ago. "
"Exactly. It is not because of the really embarrassing stories we know about you right? "
This time I laughed along with them.
We can have fun with our family. BUT hanging out with friends itself was fun. It is an entirely different vibe when two people match your energy.
Throughout the whole day , they teased me about each and everything.
"Can I go home if you have finished embarrassing me? "
I asked them both who seemed proud of what they have achieved.
They had become fast friends and now Mahika felt useless.
"I have my car. I can drop you both"
Avyaan suggested.
"Sure" Reshma responded without second thought.
"Great then what are we waiting for, the apocalypse?"
Reshma's house was the first stop as it was near to the centre.
She got out of the car and wished me a goodbye and started walking towards her house. But she turned back the last moment and said.
" It was nice meeting you, Avyaan Shekhawat"
Then went inside her house.
"Why didn't she say it before? She had to wait till the door of her house or what? " Mahika thought out loud confusion lacing her features.
"Yeah" Avyaan sighed looking flustered.
What was with these two?
Mahika decided to check Instagram till they reached the mansion.
Her phone was switched off somehow so she turned it back on to see 13 missed calls from Dhruv.
"Where were you?"
"Sorry. I was at the practice and my phone was switched off. I'm so sorry. "
"Thank God. Did you know how worried I was "
"I said I'm sorry na"
"Where are you right now? "
"On the way home. Avyaan said he would drop me. "
"What is he doing there with you. " Dhruv asked his tone turning a full 180.
" He came to see the practice. "
"Yeah right. To see the practice. " Said coldly.
"I have send a package to you. Get ready at sharp seven today evening."
"Yeah have a nice day to you too. " Mahika muttered.
"Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi"
"Thank you"
"For what?"
"For dropping me off. Duh. "
"I have told you a zillion times. No sorry thank you between friends. "
As promised , there was a package on her bed as she entered the room.
It was their room alright but it had two different beds. One for Dhruv and one for Mahika.
She cleared her mind of all the distractions and started opening the package.
It was a beautiful sequenced white saree. Mahika was in love.
She quickly wore it and started doing her makeup.
She let down her waves and wore some crystal hangings.
Dhruv had did this without any context.
The love sick teenage girl in her screamed that this was going to be a date.
Date or not , Mahika's excitement new no bounds.
Dhruv reached the house in time.
Mahika was waiting for him at the front door.
" Get in." He ordered.
"Where are we going?"
"The Chatterjee's charity gala"
"Ohh"
The car ride was silent except for the music she had put on.
He was behaving cold towards her again and this time Mahi didn't even know the reason.
They entered the gala hand in hand as a couple as the media took pictures of them.
She smiled her fakest smiles at the cameras and went inside with Dhruv still by her side.
He introduced her to the Chatterjee's , an old couple. They didn't have any children , so they used to host a charity gala for a different orphanage every year. They complimented her on her dress and beauty which she accepted with humility.
Actually she saw a lot of people gawking at her and a few even complimented her. But she seemed invisible to the person she wanted to be seen.
There were not many people she knew there so she made it her priority to stay close to Dhruv no matter what.
"Why haven't I heart about this Gala before?"
"Usually , bhaiya and bhabhi used to attend these type of things. This time both of them refused. " He replied curtly.
After a few minutes Mahika found herself getting bored. She leaned against one of the pillars and gazed at the gala like a simple spectator.
She had lost sight of Dhruv as he went in deeper towards the crowd.
" What a nice evening am I right? "
A handsome young man asked her.
"Yeah it is "
"May I know the name of this gorgeous lady?"
"Her name is Mahika Singhania and Stay the fuck away from MY WIFE!!!"
â
Seriously, this update was inspired by some of the comments of my lovely readers.
I love you all so much.
As our story reached 20 chapters , my babies have grown so much.
*proud mummy sniffles*
To the people who are pinning for dheer , I'm anchoring your ship for now so that the other two can sail.
I'm so excited for what I've planned for our couples. More excited for you guys to read it.
Btw check my message board if I go MIA from time to time. There is a high probability of me telling the reason there.
Hope you loved the update.
And guys come on , bring up the comments.
What was your favourite scene btw?
Any questions or any loopholes in the story?
Love you all
Aswa_maya
"
" True love is not the number of kisses, or how often you get them, true love is the feeling that still lingers long after the kiss is over. "