Chapter 25: Chapter 25

"There will always be a day which will be hard to pull off but a smile of someone, someone precious will always make you stirred for a new one."

Shree's Perspective

I put on some moisturizer, filled my lips, lined eyes with liner and a tint of vermilion over my parting, lastly I tied that black chain around my neck and screwed the bolt of diamond studs. I selected to wear a white and golden embroidered sari for the party today; it was what Abhimanyu hinted me to wear. I was simpering all the while when he was pointed in direction to me to wear the sari.

"Why have you thrown my sari on the bed?" I was irked at him.

"Why did you stuff it in my side? I was having a difficult time finding my shirt." He said with his face shoved in the cupboard.

I sighed, "Seriously, Abhimanyu." And, I gathered my sari to stuff inside my side of the cupboard. He looked at me surprised, "Why are you putting it back? Don't you have to get ready?"

"I have to but I can't leave it on the bed in disheveled state."

"Why don't you wear it, then?"

"I already have selected my dress to wear."

"Please." He sighed, "Don't wear jeans and look like a guy."

"I look like a guy when I wear jeans?" It was incredulous. He chuckled and shook his head, "I mean it's our reception party. Wear sari. Actually, wear this. It is good."

I decided it then that I would wear it only. Though, he hadn't guessed it right, I wasn't going to wear jeans anyway.

"Shree...how much time will you take?" Abhimanyu asked clasping his watch on his wrist and I looked at him through mirror. "Ten minutes."

His eyes met mine through mirror and he blinked, "I am out. Come fast."

Jiggling the car keys, he moved out. I sprayed perfume and grabbed my clutch. When I stepped outside, I saw him sitting on the driver's seat and using his mobile.

"Let's go!" He darted his eyes on me and whispered coming out, "You look ravishing."

"Thanks" I pursed my lips, coyly.

"Shall we go now?"

"Sure." And he drove to the banquet hall where his friends had organized the reception party for us. That's kind of funny that my reception was taking place after two month. Meantime, I'd witnessed numerous phase of The Abhimanyu; caring, lovely, teasing and arrogant, cocky.

He tuned in the radio and a romantic song boomed through speakers. The melody suited my muse aptly, lyrics like written for me. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the seat. The ride's silent, pleasing.

Soon, we reached our destination and Abhimanyu parked the car, I climbed out and flicked my hair to fluff them. It was a decent restaurant on the outskirts of Jaipur; Abhimanyu had notified me that it belonged to Kartik's dad. Kartik was the owner of prevalent hotel chain in the Jaipur and its branches were spread across the Jodhpur and Udaipur.

"Come!" He stretched out his hand for me and I gripped. He led me to the entrance and his friends swarmed up. He introduced me to everyone. With that, I just lost my husband, not literally, but Kastoori and Sneha stuck next to me while he got busy with his friends. I got to know that there group had ten people but Abhimanyu was close to Kartik, Mehul and Bharat.

"So," Sneha passed me the cold drink, "Long time! We last met on your wedding." Sneha chirped and I smiled, "Yeah, actually the work caught me up. Anyways, how are you both?"

"I am good. Right before you." She chuckled and Kastoori intervened, "So where to? For your honeymoon?"

"Haven't decided, yet. Perhaps won't go for I am busy and Abhimanyu is also-"

"Busy for honeymoon!!" Sneha exclaimed. "You gotta be kidding. Bharat and I didn't join office for next two months."

"Di, Bharat jiju hadn't left you even after that. You didn't even come home." Kastoori rolled her eyes and I raised my eyebrows "Di?"

"Yeah!" Sneha smiled. "We're cousins. I played cupid for their marriage."

"But Kartik is not of your caste." I had some curiosity.

"Actually di and jiju had inter-caste love marriage and Kartik is Brahmin, we are also Brahmin. So di sought his proposal for me and vice versa. Our family clicked, we clicked. Hence we're married." Kastoori explained, showing her ring.

"Interesting." I chuckled, "How long have you two been married?"

"I over two years and Kastoori and Kartik over one year." Sneha looked at Kastoori for confirmation and she nodded, "One year and four months precisely."

"Very well!" I praised, rhapsodically and she blinked. "You know what? I tried hitching Abhi as well with my other cousin but he was too reluctant at that time."

My ears perked up at this. "Why?"

"Because he's good looking, man with fortune, elegant, smart. So, I thought why not get my sister lucky to hitch with him." Sneha ranted unknown of my annoyance.

ESV snapped at her, 'Isn't it inappropriate to narrate a wife how you tried to hitch her very own husband with someone else?'

"No, I asked why he didn't want to get marry." I diverted the topic as she didn't stop her banter.

"Oh, I don't know. Bharat just said he was not ready to allow anyone in his life." She shrugged casually and Kastoori intervened. "But I know."

"Really?" I was surprised and she teasingly looked at me. "Yes! He wasn't ready because he was waiting for someone like you."

I rolled my eyes and they giggled. Sneha battled her eyelids, "You're really sweet and yes, beautiful too. He's lucky to get you." I shook my head, "You don't know me yet."

"I am very good at judging people in one glance." She boosted and I guffawed, "And how many of your predications turned out positive?"

"Hardly, one!" Kastoori laughed, high giving with me. I enjoyed with them, my eyes involuntarily snapped at Abhimanyu as he was enjoying with his friends.

Isn't it our reception party? He should've with me.

His past behavior made me revise my opinion about him. He was caring and I started building air castles of our jubilant adobe. Nevertheless, I had no idea when they would become reality.

"Hello ladies!" Bharat sang, approaching us and I smiled warmly at him "Hello!"

"So did you plan any surprise after that?" He teased, my mind roamed to grasp his words and then it hit me. He was talking about The Dolphin Hill surprise.

"Umm..."

"Thank God, she didn't." Abhimanyu chuckled, settling near me and his arm got draped around my waist, making me visibly stiff. I looked up at him through my lashes and he was calm, like nothing happened. His fingers started doing tap dance on my bare waist, making me weak on my knees. He was being different lately.

I had experienced him being extensively close to me off late and it triggered some odd notions in me; first, I had no idea if he hit his head somewhere and second, he was trying to be close to me to indicate that he was ready for the relationship. I hoped for the latter, undoubtedly.

I vigorously sipped my drink to relax myself as he didn't stop, his rough and hard fingers were embers on my skin and I was hot. I could just chant in my mind, don't make me puddle.

"Oh my God! Really? Off the cliff?" Kastoori gasped and I nodded.

"Alright! Let's have dinner. I am sure everyone must be hungry." Kartik declared and we sat on the round table. They had reserved crown seats for us.

"Where's my plate?" Abhimanyu quipped as they decided to serve us and put one plate in the middle.

"You guys will eat from one plate only." Kastoori giggled, serving Crème cheese dumpling. I practically slobbered on the food, tasty food and I always clicked together. No matter what the situation was!

ESV gagged at their saccharine, 'So much romance.'

"Fine," without arguing much, Abhimanyu started eating from my plate. Our synchronized moves let us fed ourselves without much difficulty. I really loved how they organized everything just for us. Abhimanyu was really blessed to have those lovely friends. They'd made a place in my heart. We were there for long time, dancing and chatting with his group. I felt I was always a part of them, as if I always knew them. They were so cordial and welcoming.

"Today we had fun, thank you guys." Kartik smiled at me and I nodded, looking at Abhimanyu, "I feel that we should be thankful to you guys for such a wonderful evening. This is going to be the best memory for us."

"She's right." Abhimanyu said, "Come home guys. My wife makes delicious meals."

I blushed at his comment, it means he was observing me and he liked the food I cooked.

"Is that so?" Bharat wondered, "Then, come home and please teach some of your dishes to Sneha. I am done with tasteless food."

We laughed when Sneha smacked him, declaring. "You are not going to have lunch, dinner and breakfast in home from now on."

"Wrong move, buddy." Abhimanyu sneered, watching his friend's fallen face.

***

Abhimanyu was driving back to our home and I was humming a song, playing with my bangles. I was in good spirits, all because of our friends.

"So you liked the party?" I looked at Abhimanyu as he shot the question.

A smile formed on my lips, "Yes. I liked the party and your friends, they are so sweet. Especially, Bharat."

I chuckled recalling how much jolly and fun loving person he was. We chatted together when Abhimanyu and Kartik went to somewhere and I was alone with Bharat. Sneha was really fortunate to have him, he reminded me of Akshat.

"Bharat." He repeated, unsure.

I nodded, "He's very witty and decent. Typically, gentleman. Sneha is really lucky to have her as husband. He has all the qualities of a perfect husband. I felt as if I were friend with him since long, he is very cordial."

"Aren't you too impressed by him?" He sulked and I smirked, stared at him and quoted his words. "Don't be spitfire. You are my husband and no one will take your place."

He raised his eyebrows at me, a string of smirk on his lips, "Quoting my words to mock me Mrs. Chauhan! Huh!"

I giggled and he shook his head.

"Do you guys always organize parties for newlywed couple in your friend circle?" I asked a while after.

He nodded, "Yes, This ritual was commenced by Bharat's wedding two years back. We thought to celebrate for this lifetime event."

"I am sure this cheesy idea would be of Bharat." I teased him by emblazoning Bharat. I wanted to derive some reaction from him. I wanted to know whether he got jealous just like I felt while he flirted with Rhea. It would be great if got jealous.

"No!" He curtly replied, looking ahead and I felt happy. He got jealous, yes yes yes, he feels something for me. The trick's working so I went ahead with it. I kept gabbling and he sprang on, "If you'd not met me, would you have married Bharat?"

His question slipped my smile of my face. I frowned, confused at his question. "What?" Where is it coming from? "What do you mean?"

"I just asked a simple question. I don't think it's too hard for you to answer that." He stiffed, and I understood that the situation was getting out of hand.

"What relevance does it hold anyways? We are already married." I reasoned, "Why are you even asking it?"

"You said he does well, well-bred, perfect husband blah blah blah. So I just asked a simple question, would you-"

"You are stupid. Why will I marry him when he is already married?" I certified, "When we are already married."

"Given if he wasn't, would you have?" He was persistent. "Given if we were not, would you have?"

"Abhimanyu, do you even realize what you are asking and to whom?" I seethed, "I am your wife and he is your friend."

"I don't see why you are so petulant." He presented me a look. An unabashed, unmistaken, disbelieved look. "I believe I haven't asked anything that is alleging and hard to answer."

"This is an allegation, Abhimanyu." I contradicted, "Trying to force me to know if I had married your best friend is an allegation."

"It is an allegation only if you've some ulterior motives." He groaned. I couldn't believe his mood swings. We were fine just a second ago and now, he was indisputably skeptical of me. My patient was hanging by last thin thread.

"What? Are you for real?" I was a second away to blow up, "Why would I have any ulterior motive with your best friend?"

"You may know the answer well." He scoffed looking at me just like my wedding night; I couldn't perceive what was hidden behind his umber orbs. I drew a sharp breath and swept my hairs back.

"Okay fine. I am sorry. I was just teasing you to know if you get jealous or not. I was trying to know if my association with any other man makes you uncomfortable or not." I looked down on my feet. "I am sorry for that. Now can we..."

"My question is still awaiting the answer, Shree and the more you delay, the more it makes me..."

"You are insulting me." I gulped the painful lump in my throat.

"I asked something."

"Fine." I said, calmly, "I don't know. I might have been if only my..." My sentence was stuck in my throat as he halted the car near the pavement with the screech. I jerked forward due to the impact and looked at me, puzzled.

"Why are we..."

"Step out." He said through his greeted teeth. Firstly, I didn't believe that I heard that but when he repeated the same words. I found it hard to breath. "Abhimanyu, I was joking."

"Step. Out. Of. The. Car." My eyes burned with tears.

"Abhimanyu, I...I am sorry. I just....I was teas-"

"Shree get out of the car before I do something stupid!" He roared, making me flinch. Wordlessly, he shut the door and zoomed out, leaving me alone on the secluded street in the middle of night at wee hours. It took minutes to register to me that I was all alone with no transport and no money, for my satchel was left in the car.

"How could he?" I mumbled, looking at the direction he waltzed to, hoping perhaps he would come back, ask for apology and take me away with him.

It just never happened.

I fell on my knees, tears left my eyes just like he left me; lone and helpless.