The door clicked shut behind me and I didn't even wait to throw myself on the bed.
My room felt cooler than the hall outside, but the heaviness in my chest didn't lift. Natasha was with me, quiet for once. She didn't ask anything. She never does when she knows I'm unraveling in pieces too small to name.
I let go off my sandals and threw myself face-first onto the bed. The mattress dipped, the pillow smelled faintly of jasmine from this morning, and for a second I thought if I just lay still enough, the day would rewind itself.
It wouldn't.
The discussions were done. Hours of voices, files, arguments that looped back to the same point until my throat felt raw from explaining and my head ached from listening. I'd nodded, I'd reasoned, I'd kept my face composed because that's what Ishani Malhotra does. She holds it together. She doesn't crack in front of everyone.
But here, with only Natasha and the dim lamp light, I didn't have to be composed.
I turned my head into the pillow and groaned. "I'm so tired, Natasha".
"I know", she said softly. I heard her set her bag down, the rustle of her dupatta as she sat on the edge of the bed. She didn't touch me. She knew better. Sometimes comfort is just presence, not hands.
I closed my eyes, but that was a mistake. Because the moment the room went dark, he was there again.
Shreyansh.
Why I feel comfortable around with him ?, spending time with him means peace to me but why I don't know.
Those moments hadn't left my mind. They'd been replaying under every word today like a second dialogue I couldn't mute.
I pressed my palms into my eyes. "Why can't I stop thinking about him?"
Natasha didn't answer immediately. Then,
"Because you're not suppose to stop, Ishani. Not yet", she said.
I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling fan. It spun slowly, uselessly. The air it moved didn't reach the weight sitting on my chest.
"Did he feel, the same restlessness ?", I asked her and she looked at me.
"Do you think he felt it too?" I whispered and she let out a sigh.
I hadn't meant to say it out loud.
"You'll have to ask him that", she said and my chest felt a little lighter than before.
"Maan le yarr ki, tujhe acha lagta hain woh", she said and I remain silent.
(Admit that you like him)
"Aisa kuch nahin hain", I replied.
(It's not like that).
"Acha, tou phir pehle woh kyun pucha tha ?", she said and my heart stopped for a second.
(Ohh, then why you asked me that ques before ?).
I looked at her hesitatingly.
"Bol", she said.
(Speak).
"Ab kya kahun main ?", I replied and hugged my pillow.
(Now what am I able to say ?).
"Lekin, sach mein yarr woh jis tarah dekhta hain na tujhe lgta hain ki kuch to hain", she said and I felt my cheeks to risen up.
(But, really the way he looks at you, it feel that there is something).
"I wish", I said.
"Haan haan..... Dekh jara khud ko tamatar jaisi ho gayi hain", she said teasingly.
(Yes yes... just look, you have become like a tomato).
And I hide my face.
"Well, you never thought like this about anyone then why today ?", she said and I looked at her.
"I really, don't know why but I feel safe around him", I replied and she smiled.
I sighed and pulled the pillow over my face. "I need sleep, Natasha. Before my brain files another petition against me."
She laughed quietly and pulled the blanket over my feet. "Sleep, Ishani. The overthinking can wait for till the morning".
"Sleep with me today", I said.
"It's okay, I'll sleep in my room", she said and I frowned my eyebrows.
"Nahh, you'll please for me", I said, showing her my eyes.
"I couldn't win over them", she said and finally agreed.
"Then I don't know when we will get the chance, to sleep with each other", I said and and she nodded.
"Tomorrow will be fun yet a day full of fatigue", she said and I closed my eyes.
*********
The next morning, my peaceful sleep shattered when Natasha started shaking me awake.
"Get up, sleepyhead! The groom's sister can't be the last one to get ready," she giggled, already dressed in a grey suit.
All the preparations were starting and I could hear sounds of shouting already.
"Kya baat hain, badi sohni lag rahi hain", I said to her and she blushed.
(What's up, you are looking very beautiful).
"Ohh, thankyou waise inn sab ka time nhin hain, jaa ready ho Jaa", she said and grabbed my blanket.
(Ohh, thank you, by the way, there is no time for all this, go get ready).
"Yeah I'm going", I said and went to take a shower.
After a while, I came out of the bathroom, wearing a suit of blue color.
Then I saw, all the makeup items were lying on the bed.
"Areyyy, itna sab kyun ?", I Said.
(Areyy, why all of this ?).
"Tujhe ready bhi hona hain madam", she said and made me sit on the bed.
(You have to get ready too, madam).
"No...! I just want to be simple as usual", I said, while getting up.
She made me sit again.
"No way.... Then what will my jiju think about you ?", she said and I rolled my eyes.
"He's not your jiju", I said being annoyed.
"Of course he's", she said and grabbed the primer.
"Please be simple", I said and she nodded.
After an hour we both are ready β hairs, juttis, dupattas everything was done.
I let my hair to open this time, no braid.
"Acha main aati huun abhi okay ?", she said and I nodded.
(I'll come, okay ?).
I checked myself for the last time and took a deep breath.
"Don't worry, everything will be fine", I said to myself.
I opened the door β all ready to leave, but again he caught my attention.
He was present there, scrolling through his phone, sound of the door made him to look at me.
His gaze was not powerful, it was just normal β soft.
He was looking not good but handsome in a black suit. His hair was nicely combed yet a small of them was messy, and what could I say about his eyes ? His β siyahi si aankhein (inked yet deep eyes), they shine beautifully but still black in color.
I was so lost in to admire his charm, but just then he spoke up β
"Good Morning", he said, his lips curved into a peaceful smile and I snapped out of my world.
"Morning", I said with a smile and turned around, because if I won't then I'll blush in front of him.
"Keh dun usse ki acha lag raha hain woh ?", I muttered under my breath.
(Should I tell him that he looks good ?).
I turned around β
"Shreyansh β, ", I said and he looked up.
My heartbeat started to increase.
"Come downstairs, breakfast is already served", I said hesitatingly and he nodded.
I turned around and went downstairs.
Nahin keh payi.
(I couldn't say it).
But why ?. I let out a sigh.
Downstairs β
Mom was instructing the caterers in the kitchen, "The jalebis have to be hot when the guests arrives!". It wasn't even 7 AM yet, but the whole house was alive.
I was all ready, waiting for aarush to come. I glanced towards her room but it was not opened yet.
"Maybe she left earlier", I muttered under my breath.
Then I started scrolling through my phone, the door suddenly opened and I looked up.
She was here.
She was looking really pretty in blue color. The sunlight was falling on her face making her to look more radiant,
One day I'll die for her sure. Her hairs were open this time, not gonna lie it suits her.
And what could I say about her eyes β
Wahi aankhein jinke liye main do din bechain raha tha.
(Those same eyes for which I was restless for two days).
Neither she was lowering her gaze, nor I was. Then I decided to say something.
"Good morning", I said with a peaceful smile, and she blinked twice.
"Morning", she replied with a smile, and turned around.
"Keh dun usse ki achi lag rahi hain woh ?", I muttered under my breath, my gaze was fixed down.
But she turned around and β
"Shreyansh β", she said.
For the first time, she said my name, it feels so relaxed to me.
There she said my name and here, it feels like my heart is going to explode.
"Come downstairs, breakfast is already served", she said her words were trembling, and I nodded.
Maybe she was nervous.
Aur woh chali gayi, magar main nahin keh paya...
(And she left, but I could not say anything).
I kept my hand on my heart.... Why ?, can't I say this to her ?
"Tera ho gaya ho tou chale ?", a voice came and I snapped out of my world.
(Yours is done, so go ?).
"Aarush....", I said and straightened up my posture, I nodded.
"Waise dekha sab maine", he said and I rolled my eyes.
(That's how I saw it all).
"Shut up", I said while walking into the stairs.
I came downstairs at 7 AM and the dining table was already full. Everyone had come down for breakfast, and preparations were going on at the same time.
We took our seats, as usually I was sitting in front of her, and aarush is not leaving any chances to tease me.
I stuffed the last sip of chai in my mouth and looked around. The dining table was a battlefield. Everyone was having breakfast. The decorators was busy in their work, while measuring the lawn. Classic engagement morning.
Aarush kicked me under the table. I looked at him in disbelief.
"Breakfast kr le, phir saare ladko ko kaam pe lgna hain", he said.
(Have breakfast, then all the boys have to get to work).
I glared at him. Couldnβt a guy enjoy his tea in peace?
In the car, Aarush said, "Bro, engagement ke naam pe weβre delivery boys".
I laughed, "Better than sitting with aunties asking beta, your turn when ?", I said and he nodded.
We drove off with the list, the sun already sharp, and the house still buzzing behind us. Breakfast was done. Now the real chaos β and our job β began.
"Sab le liya na ?", Ishani's cousin asked me and I nodded.
"Bhayii sach mein koi izzat nahin hain humari", aarush said and we all laughed.
And then we all headed towards home. All the preparations were done, and the mansion was looking nice. We gave all the things to aunty.
"Shreyansh, ek baar ishu ko bula lao woh apne room mein hogi", aunty said and I nodded.
"Shreyansh, please call Ishu once, she will be in her room).
I glanced towards the stairs and went upstairs.
The door of her room was open, and the thing I could see was she kept the lilies on her nightstand. When I first brought the bouquet unknowingly, but that was her favourite.
Happiness flowed into my body and I knocked at the door. She came from the balcony. She paused when she saw me.
"Siya aunty is calling you", I said and she nodded.
Don't want to make this moment strange, I went downstairs.
It was 12 AM when I heared that the guests has arrived.
"Ma'am sir, the guests have already arrived", the servant said and we all went outside to greet them.
The soon to be bride was waiting to see her groom.
"Bhabhi, itni bhi kya jaldi hain ?", Ishani said and we all laughed, bhabhi was turned into red.
( Bhabhi, is it so early ?, you've to wait ).
"Raghav ko le aao", uncle said and all the boys nooded.
(Come on, where is Raghav ?, bring him here).
"Bhai chalo, bhabhi wait kar rahi hain", his cousin said and he blushed at his statement.
Then we take him outside. He saw her and a smile appeared on his face. Aunty came and put a dot of kohl behind his ear.
The function begins.
We were all in the lawn. The engagement was happening and everyone was seated. Chairs were arranged around the stage, fairy lights were on, and the flower wall said βForever Begins Today.β I sitting behind Ishani.
Bhabhi walked to the stage. She took the ring from the tray. She held Raghav bhaiβs hand and put the ring on his finger. Everyone clapped.
Then Raghav bhai took the other ring. He went down on his knees. He held Bhabhiβs hand and put the ring on her finger. Everyone cheers yet clapped.
The crowd was loud. Cameras were flashing. Petals were falling. Everyone was happy and recording the moment.
I was standing sitting behind Ishani. Watching her every move, the way she laughs, the way she she was admiring everything, has my whole heart.
Usse jitna dekhun man nahin bharta.
(I can't get enough of seeing her).
Everyone was still clapping. The ring ceremony was done. We were all in the lawn. The engagement was finally done.
The dance floor was all ready, as everyone was there. Soon dad pulled bhai and bhabhi to dance and they did.
But it was not still enough, Natasha pulled Ishani to the dance floor, at first she was denying to dance but raghav bhai made her dance, as of course she was his favourite sister.
She was dancing there and here I was admiring her. My heart skipped for a moment when raghav bhai pulled me, but I was not sured, so I pulled aarush on the floor too.
And just like the chaos begin.
***********
"I'll miss you bhabhi", Ishani said while hugging her.
"Just a few days, then I'll here", she said with a smile.
With that there cars drove off and they headed towards their mansion.
We all went inside.
"I'm so tired today", aarush said, while leaning on the couch.
"You're always", trisha said and and the whole house chuckled.
"Okay, everyone kal raghav ki haldi hain, so kal time se sabhi ready ho jana", uncle said and we all nodded.
(Okay, everyone, tomorrow is Raghav's Haldi, so everyone get ready on time tomorrow).
"Okay doctor, as you wish", we all said and he laughed.
I headed towards my room, to relax me down, but just wanted to hear her voice again.
I opened the door of my room, same time she also opened the door of her room.
"Good night", she said.
"Good night", I replied with that she went inside. I closed my room and sit on my bed.
I released my watch and put it on the table. Then I went to take a shower.
Today was the bestest day for me.
First she held my name for the first time, her voice is so melodious. Second we both have an eye contact like seriously, third I wanted to hear her voice for the last time, and she said good night.
I recalled every moment that I spend with her. It feels like I'm leaving in the world where, I want no one to come.
Pata nahin, ki kyun ho raha hain yeh sab, lekin mujhe sukoon milta hain uske saath reh kar.
Kahin mohbbat nah ho jaye, jo cheez mujhe pasand bhi nahin hain, kahin woh na ho jaye bas.
Aakhir main kar bhi kya sakta huun, woh hain hi itni khubsurt uske alwa ab kuch aur nahin dikhta, aakhir wahin kyun ? Usmein hi aisa kya hain ? Yeh sawaal naa jaane main kitni baar khud se puch chuka hun, magar jawab sirf yahi ki jo bhi hain, sab acha lagta hain.
(I don't know why all this is happening, but I find peace being with him.
I hope I don't fall in love, I hope I don't even like something.
After all, what can I do? She is so beautiful, I can't see anything else except her. Why her? What is so special about her? I don't know how many times I have asked myself this question, But the only answer is that whatever it is, it feels looks good).
______________________________________________
So the chapters ends here.
Our shreyansh thinks that he'll not fall in love, but used to admire Ishani....
Strange.
Tell me how it is and don't forget to share your thoughts about this chapter into the comment section.
I'll be eagerly waiting.
Have a happy reading,
Yours author_riitu.
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