15 ~ Her jealousy, His kiss #3
Her smile was dazzling. Her eyes sparkled with joy. She looked like a bride...beautiful, happy and glowing.
I adjusted the pallu of my pastel yellow saree over my shoulder.
"Chahat!"
I turned at the familiar voice.
A genuine smile finally found its way to my lips.
"Ina!"
She rushed over and hugged me tightly.
Right behind her were Ishika and Rivan.
"You look exhausted," Ina frowned the moment she looked at me properly.
"I know," Ishika agreed. "Did you even sleep?"
"I'm fine," I lied with a small smile.
Neither of them looked convinced.
Before they could ask anything else, someone called Ina and Ishika toward Mukti for the haldi ritual.
Within moments, both of them were laughing as they smeared turmeric on her cheeks while everyone clapped around them.
I quietly stepped away from the crowd. I wasn't in the mood to celebrate.
"Running away already?"
I looked up.
Rivan stood in front of me with a playful smile, a little turmeric resting on his fingertips.
I immediately took a step back. "Don't."
He laughed. "It's haldi."
"So? I don't want it."
He ignored my protest and raised his hand.
Before he could touch my face, I caught his wrist. "No."
He looked at me for a second before the smile slowly faded.
"Chahat...Kya hua?" His voice softened.
(What happened?)
I shook my head. "Nothing."
"You don't look okay."
"It's just..." I forced a weak smile. "I'm not feeling well."
Concern instantly replaced the teasing in his eyes. "Since when? Did you tell Aunty?"
I nodded.
He sighed. "You should rest."
"I will."
Instead of letting go, he wiped his hand removing the turmeric and gently held my hand.
His thumb brushed reassuringly over my knuckles. "Pakka sab theek hai na..."
(Are you sure everything is okay?)
I lowered my gaze unable to answer.
Just then...A murmur spread through the courtyard.
"The Singhaniyas have arrived."
I instinctively looked toward the entrance.
They walked in carrying beautifully decorated trays filled with sweets, gifts, flowers, and ceremonial items.
At the center of them was Kartik. Dressed in a simple white chikankari kurta, he looked effortlessly composed amidst the chaos around him.
The conversations around us seemed to blur because his eyes were fixed on me.
No.
Not me.
On my hand which was still held by Rivan.
His gaze lingered there for a heartbeat then slowly lifted to Rivan.
Something changed in his expression.
His jaw hardened.
The warmth disappeared from his face, replaced by something cold...and dangerously unreadable.
Even from across the courtyard...I could feel it.
And for reasons I couldn't explain...I found myself gently pulling my hand back from Rivan's.
The haldi rituals continued. Guests laughed, music echoed through the courtyard, and one by one everyone got busy with food, photographs, and relatives. I tried to stay around for a while, but the pounding in my head only grew worse.
I vaguely heard Dadi asking one of the relatives if anyone had seen Kartik. A few people looked around, but no one seemed to know where he had disappeared. Soon, everyone got busy with the celebrations again, assuming he must be somewhere nearby.
Nearly an hour later, Mumma walked over.
"Namaste, Aunty."
(Hello, Aunty.)
Rivan immediately bent down and touched her feet.
A warm smile spread across her face as she blessed him. "Khush raho, beta."
(Be happy, my child.)
She affectionately patted his shoulder.
"Enjoy karo... aur khana achhe se khana."
(Enjoy yourself... and eat well.)
Rivan smiled. "Ji, Aunty."
(Yes, Aunty.)
Her eyes shifted to me. "Chahat."
"Hmm?"
"Jao beta, Kartik aur unke parivaar ka dhyaan rakkho. Sabko properly serve karna. Koi kami nahi honi chahiye."
(Go and look after Kartik and his family. Ensure everything is properly taken care of; there shouldn't be any shortcomings.)
I forced a smile. "Mumma...I'm really not feeling well."
Her brows knitted together immediately.
She placed her palm against my forehead.
"Hmm..."
Before I could protest, she made the decision herself.
"Tum aisa karo...Peeche jo guest room hai na...waha jaakar thodi der aaram kar lo."
(Why don't you go to the guest room at the back and rest for a while?)
She glanced toward the staircase.
"Waise bhi Mukti upar gayi hai room mein fresh hone aur uske friends bhi hai uske saath."
(Besides, Mukti has gone upstairs to her room to freshen up, and her friends are with her too.)
I nodded. "Theek hai."
(Okay.)
Without another word, I quietly slipped away from the crowd.
The music grew fainter with every step as I crossed the backyard.
The small guest annexe stood tucked away near the boundary wall.
It was mostly used whenever relatives stayed over.
I pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside.
Finally silence.
I let out a tired breath.
Reaching up, I began removing one of my earrings.
Just then a strong hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist. Before I could even scream I was pulled sharply into one of the inner rooms.
The door shut behind me, a gasp escaped my lips.
To be continued...