Chapter - 38
I sat in the car, watching the city lights pass by as driver Kaka drove me to Trisha's birthday party.
I was wearing the same black gown that I had bought with Trisha. She had already sent me her address earlier and even offered to send someone to pick me up, but I assured her that I would come with driver Kaka.
Before leaving, I had already messaged Aarav, letting him know that I was on my way.
After some time, we finally reached Trisha's house—or rather, her mansion. It was absolutely stunning, decorated beautifully with fairy lights and flowers, making it look straight out of a dream.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the car, carefully holding the gift I had brought for her. I adjusted my dress slightly before walking towards the entrance.
As soon as I entered, my eyes searched for Trisha, and I spotted her in the crowd. The moment she saw me, her face lit up.
"Siyaaa!" she called out excitedly, rushing toward me.
Before I could even react, she pulled me into a tight hug.
"Happy Birthday, Trisha," I said softly, smiling at her.
She pulled back, grinning. "Thank you, Siya! And oh my god, you look so pretty!"
I felt a little shy at her words and quickly complimented her back. "You too! This dress looks amazing on you."
Trisha was wearing a gorgeous black mermaid prom dress, and she looked stunning.
"Aww, thank you!" she giggled before noticing the gift in my hands.
"Oh! You didn't have to, Siya!" she said, but I shook my head.
"It's your birthday. Of course, I had to," I replied, handing it to her.
Trisha smiled and called someone over, giving them the gift. "Take this to my room," she instructed, and they nodded before walking away.
"I'll check it after the party, okay?" she said cheerfully, and I nodded.
Suddenly, Trisha's smile turned into a small frown, and she crossed her arms. "Ugh, can you believe Karan is still not here? How can he be late on my birthday? Seriously, I am not going to talk to him!"
I giggled at her annoyed expression. "Maybe he's stuck in traffic?" I suggested, trying to calm her.
She huffed. "I don't care! He should have left earlier! Anyway, forget him—come on, I'll introduce you to my parents!"
Trisha held my hand and started leading me toward her parents. As we walked, I saw three people standing together, talking. They looked like they were in their mid or late forties.
When we reached them, Trisha smiled brightly and said, "Mom, Dad, she is Siya—my friend! I told you about her!"
I quickly folded my hands and greeted them politely. "Namaste, Uncle. Namaste, Aunty."
They both smiled warmly and greeted me back, making me feel comfortable.
Then, Trisha turned to the third person and pointed at him. "Siya, this is my favorite uncle—Veerendra Uncle. He is my father's best friend. He lives in Italy, but he came especially for my birthday."
I looked at him and did Namaste as well. He had a certain expression in his eyes, but I couldn't understand what it meant. It wasn't uncomfortable, just... unfamiliar.
I didn't say anything, but then he gently placed his hand on my head, giving me his blessings.
"You remind me of someone very dear to me," he said softly.
I wasn't sure what to say, so I just smiled politely. I didn't ask anything, and he didn't explain further.
Just then, Karan arrived. He went to meet Trisha's parents, greeting them properly.
But Trisha... she was angry. She didn't even acknowledge him.
She turned to me and said, "Let's go, Siya! I'll show you my house."
I nodded and started walking with her, but Karan quickly followed us.
"Trisha, baby, I—" he started, but before he could finish, Trisha shot him a sharp look.
"Only Trisha," she corrected him, folding her arms.
Karan sighed. "Okay, okay, only Trisha. I'm sorry, yaar! I got stuck somewhere." He quickly took out a small gift box. "Look, I even got you a gift!"
Trisha glared at him. "Keep your gift with you."
Karan looked at me with pleading eyes. "Siya, please help me! I swear, if it wasn't important, I wouldn't have been late!"
I glanced at Trisha. She still looked mad, but I knew her well enough to understand that her anger wouldn't last long.
"Trisha, let it be na," I said gently. "Maybe he really had a reason."
She sighed dramatically. "Only because you are saying, Siya."
And just like that, she hugged Karan, making him grin.
I smiled softly. Their fights never lasted long.
I was in my cabin, going through some important files when someone entered without knocking.
I didn't bother looking up. I already knew who it was.
Raghav sat across from me and spoke, his tone slightly irritated. "How could you send Bhabhi alone to the Shekhawat house?"
I finally looked at him, unimpressed. "I'm not a fool to send her alone. I know she's safe, and her safety is my responsibility."
Raghav frowned. "What if someone tries to harm her?"
I clenched my jaw. "Why would anyone harm her? No one even knows she's my wife. And even if someone dares to think about hurting her, that day will be their last."
Silence filled the room for a second.
I leaned back in my chair and said coldly, "Anyway, I didn't call you here to discuss my wife. Let's focus on work."
We got back to business, discussing the matter I had called him for. Two hours passed before we finally wrapped it up.
As Raghav was about to leave, I spoke, "Come to Rathore Palace for the Holi party."
He sighed. "You know I don't like these things."
I smirked. "Then don't come crying to me if Mom says anything to you."
He groaned. "Fine, but I'll come early. I don't like meeting people."
I nodded. I knew why he avoided people. I didn't force him. He needed time.
Once he left, I turned back to my work. But no matter how much I tried to focus, I couldn't.
Siya.
Her face kept flashing in my mind.
With an irritated sigh, I stood up, grabbed my car keys, and walked out.
I was going to the Shekhawat house.
After the cake cutting and dinner, it was time for the dance.
I thought this was the right time for me to leave.
I was about to tell Trisha, but before I could, Karan dragged her to the center of the dance floor. He held her close and started dancing with her.
Everyone was dancing in pairs.
I sighed. Maybe I should wait a little. Leaving without informing her wouldn't be right.
Just then, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Will you dance with me?"
I turned to see Veer standing there.
I gave him a polite smile. "I don't like dancing."
He raised an eyebrow. "But you danced well that day."
I hesitated. "I mean... I don't like couple dances."
He nodded in understanding. "So, you came alone?"
I simply nodded again.
He didn't say anything more and left.
I turned my attention back to Trisha and Karan. They looked really good together. The way Karan twirled her around and pulled her close—it was like a scene from a movie.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
It was a message from Aarav.
Are you free?
A small smile formed on my lips. I quickly typed back.
Almost.
His reply came immediately.
Okay. Message me when you leave.
I replied with a simple "Okay."
Meanwhile, Trisha and Karan's dance ended, and Trisha rushed toward me, a wide grin on her face.
"Come, Siya! Dance with us!" she said excitedly.
I took a step back. "I... I don't want to... You know na...
She sighed but didn't force me.
I let out a breath of relief.
"I should leave now," I said. "Everyone is waiting for me at home."
Trisha frowned. "Should I send someone to drop you?"
I quickly shook my head. "No, no. Driver Kaka is waiting in the parking. I'll go with him."
She smiled. "Okay, take care. And message me when you reach."
I nodded, gave Trisha a quick hug, and made my way toward the exit.
Just as I was about to step out, Veer appeared in front of me.
"Siya, I wanted to talk to you about something."
I blinked in surprise. What could he possibly want to talk about?
I was already tired and just wanted to go home. "If it's not important, I'm getting late, Veer."
But he shook his head. "Wait... It's important."
I sighed. Maybe I should just listen quickly and leave.
"Okay, say it, but please be quick. I really have to go home."
He hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath.
"I... don't get angry or slap me, but... I... I like you. From the day I saw you. I... I don't know what I'm saying, but I just wanted to tell you."
My eyes widened.
I wasn't expecting this at all.
I didn't want to be rude, so I politely said, "I'm sorry, Veer, but... I already have someone in my life."
He gave me a small smile. "It's okay. I just wanted to say it. That's completely okay."
I nodded. "Okay... but I really have to go now."
Without waiting for anything else, I turned and quickly walked toward the car.
Driver Kaka was already waiting. As soon as he saw me, he opened the car door for me.
I stepped inside... and froze.
Aarav was sitting there.
For a second, I just stared. Then, a huge smile spread across my face.
"Aarav!" I whispered, my voice filled with happiness.
Without thinking, I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly.
At that moment, I forgot everything—Veer, the confession, my overthinking.
Nothing else mattered.
He was here.
But then... I suddenly realized something.
I just hugged him in front of Kaka!
I quickly pulled away, feeling my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. But then, I noticed something—there was a partition between the front and back seats.
Did Aarav do this beforehand?
Before I could process it, Aarav pulled me back into his arms.
"I already knew your reaction," he murmured, his voice calm but firm. "And you can hug me in front of the world, I don't care. But my wife doesn't feel comfortable, so her comfort comes first for me."
His words made my heart flutter.
I lowered my gaze, feeling a soft blush creeping onto my cheeks.
The car started moving, and I slowly sat back, my fingers naturally finding his hand.
There was a time when I would have hesitated to hold his hand. When I would have overthought every little thing.
But now?
Now, I didn't even think before hugging him. Before reaching for his hand.
It felt natural. Safe. Right.
I smiled to myself and then started telling him about everything that had happened at the party—how Trisha and Karan danced, how the decorations were beautiful, how the food was delicious...
I was about to tell him about Veer—about what happened before I left—when his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and answered the call, his expression shifting to something serious.
I waited for a while, watching him talk.
But soon, my eyelids grew heavy.
I didn't even realize when I fell asleep, my head resting gently against his shoulder.
I carefully draped my white embroidered saree, adjusting the pleats and smoothing the fabric. The matching full-sleeved blouse fit perfectly, and I paired it with a statement choker.
Today is Holi.
It has been three days since Trisha's birthday. Yesterday, we did the Holi Dahan—performed the pooja, prayed together. Aarav was there with me.
Maa told me he never used to like these things before... but yesterday, he did it for the first time.
Everyone was so happy to see him take part.
I smiled at the thought as I finished getting ready.
When I stepped into our room, I saw Aarav standing near the window, checking his phone.
But... it wasn't the one I had picked for him.
Didn't he like what I bought?
Before I could stop myself, I walked up to him and asked softly, "You... you don't like the outfit I bought?"
Aarav turned to me with a confused expression. "Huh? What outfit?"
His brows furrowed for a second before he said, "I don't know which one you bought... sorry. Where is it?"
Oh.
I quickly walked to the closet, pulled out the outfit I had chosen, and handed it to him.
He took it from my hands and said, "Give me two minutes. I'll change."
I nodded and waited.
A few moments later, he stepped out, now wearing the outfit I had picked.
I couldn't stop the huge smile that spread across my face.
He noticed and smirked. "Happy now?"
I nodded immediately, feeling a warmth spread in my heart.
Then, a thought crossed my mind.
"Wait a minute."
I quickly walked to the dressing table, picked up the sindoor box, and turned back to him.
Holding it out, I said softly, "Dadimaa told me that this is a symbol of a long and happy married life... Will you...?"
Aarav's eyes softened as he took the box from my hands. Without a word, he gently filled my maang with sindoor.
A small smile played on his lips.
"Happy Holi, Angel."
His voice was deep but filled with something I couldn't quite describe.
I quickly picked up the plate with roli from the table and took a small amount to put a tiny tika on his forehead.
I knew he didn't like Holi colors, so I didn't apply much.
"Happy Holi, Aarav."
I wanted to be the first to wish him today. And... I wanted him to wish me first too. Now that he did, I felt content.
With smiles on our faces, we went downstairs together.
One by one, we took blessings from all the elders, touching their feet.
They blessed us with happiness, health, and a long life together.
I felt truly at peace.
Am I the only one who doesn't like to play Holi?
?? While everyone is out throwing colors, I'll be sitting in my room all day, watching something, and enjoying the sweets my mom makes.
Honestly, that sounds like the perfect way to spend the day—just me, good food, and my own little world. ???