23 | Muddled Feelings

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Chapter dedicated to Anresh99

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*****

Aditya's Pov

"Clothes and jewellery?"

"Ji done, in total four sets that we are supposed to give Riya, along with the jewellery as per our customs. And other two sets for bhabhi and mom." I answered dad, ticking the wedding checklist, and mentioned the expenses alongside to have a clear picture of the overall expenditure from our stipulated budget.

"Hmm. Caterer for sangeet and haldi?

"Hanji done that too. Brunch booked for haldi, and for sangeet, snacks and dinner done."

"Talked with the decorators?"

"Yes dad, done already. But the negotiations, and payment are yet to be done."

"Okay. Kunal, just have a talk with the decorator today, and do not pay any amount more than fifty percent in advance." Dad instructed Kunal sternly, while he hummed, furiously typing on the calculator, calculating the expenses in totality.

This went on for the next two hours with mom, dad, Kunal and I discussing the wedding expenses, guests list, invitations to be sent, food, decorations, clothing and million other arrangements.

With only fifteen days left for Riya and my wedding, these last few days have been pretty hectic. True to say, weddings requires so much planning and scheduling that it makes you thoroughly frustrated and tired just by thinking about the mounting pending tasks.

And Miraculously, no matter how organised and conscientiously you plan each work, they still seem unending, magically growing with each passing minute.

Moreover, every single time you talk with some relative or acquaintance, they will give you a list of thousand other rituals and tasks, along with innumerable lists of do's and don'ts, that you want nothing but to bang your hang against the wall, or wish for some divine powers which would make you reach the end of this whole unachievable ordeal, sane and sound.

In addition, this whole wedding arrangement thingy become even more complex and ardous, when it's the first wedding in your house. You are like a lost child asking each person around, to get the required knowledge of the million little things that are required to be done.

Moreover, the cherry on the top is, these wedding arrangements has cut the calling and texting time of my and my fiancée's, with the day calls substituted with just a message here and there.

Though we still try our best to find little time at night to talk to each other, even it is for a few minutes despite our torn-out tired selves.

And honestly, I don't have any complaints regarding the slack in our conversations, because I know it will all be worth it, when she'll be here, in our home, with me, beside me every moment of the day, and for the rest of our lives.

This mere thought of her in my life, officially and righteously, soothes my restless heart, and makes everything acceptable and worthy.

*****

"Adi bhaii, see the remote isnt working." Isha whined the umpteenth time in the last ten minutes,as she huffed in annoyance due to the living room's tv remote not working time and again.

"Give it to me." I put my laptop aside, and took the remote from her hand.

Using the age-old traditional method, that has been going on from generation to generation, in every Indian middle class family to make the remote work, I slapped the remote at its back, on my thighs and on the sofa, quite a few times and later tried changing the channels.

Unfortunately, it didnt work, as the channels remain unchanged, thus making me use our next best method.

Opening the cell cover of the remote, I chucked the cells outside, and blew air on the empty cell space, and simultaneously rubbed the cells on the sofa. Putting the cells inside, I put the cover, and tried changing the channels again.

And Woila! This age old remedy for sick remote worked again!!

"Take it." I handed Isha the remote back.

"Isha, bring water for me." I heard Kunal's groggy voice, as he descended the stairs tiredly, rubbing his eyes, after his afternoon nap.

My sister, who has just come yesterday for my wedding looked at the source of the voice incredulously, and scowling in his direction, she royally refused and said firmly, raising her eyebrows,

"No." Ignoring Kunal who was now beside her, she sat cross-legged, with arms folded, her undivided attention on the Tv.

"Please bring it na yaar." Kunal requested leaning his head backward, tugging her at the arms continuously.

"No means no." She huffed and puffed in sheer annoyance.

"But why." Kunal whined, frustrated at her constant refusals.

"Because when I asked you that day to bring water for me, you refused blatantly. Now I'll also not bring yours, Go bring on your own." She reminded Kunal, raising her eyebrows suggestively, while I snickered, thoroughly enjoying the free fund evening show at Kansal's.

"Huh?" Kunal spoke in daze, pondering over any such incident, and asked flabbergasted, "When?"

"That day, when mom and dad went to Hoshiarpur to fix Adi Bhai's marriage date, that day I politely requested you so much, and so many times to bring water for me but you didn't. Now why should I bring water for you?" She answered, scowling murdrously at her brother.

"Oh God! And you remember this? This? This two months old thing?" He asked stupefied, his lips parted, eyes widened.

"Of course!" Isha spoke in a duh tone, shrugging casually.

Defeated, Kunal stood up from his seat grumpily and moved towards the kitchen, all the while sulking at his failed attempt to persuade this missile in disguise of a sister.

"Bring one glass for me too!" Ish ordered, smirking as if silently asking Kunal to challenge her and refuse her request.

Kunal's grumpy self made its way to the living room with two glasses of water while Ish eyed him victoriously, happy and relieved for her revenge taken.

Undoubtedly these girls, especially sisters has some magical powers I guess, they have their magical ways to make their demands fulfilled.

******

Riya's Pov

"Purvaaaa, come na yaar please. We'll get late." I called my best friend for the umpteenth time in the last half hour, but this beauty queen wants to apply all the possible makeup products she had laid her eyes upon.

"Coming coming." She shouted from the dressing room, and came outside a few seconds later.

"You spent an hour for this?" I furrowed my eyebrows, and pointed at her all natural makeup look.

"Yeah" She shrugged, and picked her handbag, "I was just clicking mirror selfies for the last thirty minutes."

I face palmed helplessly at her words, and at this moment I wanted nothing but to bang either hers or mine head against the wall.

Most probably hers!

"I wonder why the hell did I made you my best friend." I shook my head annoyed, while she giggled in response.

"Come now." Saying, we descended the stairs, all set to go to the market.

"Mom, we are going." I yelled, simultaneously making my way towards the room, while mom slapped her forehead, frustrated.

"What?" I asked, perturbed.

"How many times I've told you Riya always say we are coming, we'll come in an hour, or hum aate hain. But no, you children would do anything except listening to your parents. You've sworn to defy our words." Mom scolded,

"And she's getting married in ten days. What should I do with you." She chided helplessly, a big fat scowl marred on her face, while Purva giggled discreetly beside me, receiving a threatening glare from my side.

"Ji maa, Hum aate hain. Khush?" I sighed, internally rolling my eyes, thoroughly tired and bored of the number of instructions I've been receiving from mom lately.

"Hmm, go now, and drive your scooty safe." She said, her voice stern.

"Yes ma'am." I affirmed, making our way outside

"Why were you laughing so much inside missy? Care to explain." I raised my eyebrows questionably, planting my hand on my waist.

"Because you are going to get these instructions in abundance in these ten days. Trust me, now only aunty is there, just wait till all the guests come, every aunty will give her own suggestions, along with them sharing their marriage experiences, that too for free!." She laughed, patting my back sympathetically.

"God! I'll go mad with all this yaar." I whined palming my face.

"Koi ni, you'll miss these times after marriage." She reasoned, smiling.

"Hmm." I sighed, starting the scooty.

*****

"Purva beta." Mom called for my best friend, who was currently busy chatting with her husband dearest.

"Ji aunty." She lifted her head, keeping her phone aside.

"Beta, for God's sake teach her, ask her, or do anything, but make her learn how to apply eyeliner. Vaishally and I are tired requestingher to learn it, but this girl won't budge. She's getting married, and apart from kajal and lipgloss this girl doesn't know anything. What will she do after marriage." Mom spoke slapping the back of my head, and I pouted in return.

And there she goes again, with her favorite game, that only involves;

Riya do this,

Riya do that,

Riya say this,

Riya don't say this,

Riya learn this,

Riya learn that,

And her most favorite,

What should I do with you, you are getting married in a few days!

"Uh, Ji aunty" Purva replied, awkwardly smiling, as she knows well that she can't succeed in the mission mom has just bestowed upon her.

"Mom yaar, I'll learn it after marriage. You also say na that you learn things automatically when situation demands. So after marriage, when need will arise, I'll learn automatically." I reasoned, atleast tried, while mom pinned me with her infamous glare.

"Han baahane marvalo jitne marji bas isse. She'll not do anything, except making lame excuses. And then she says, Mom Relax, I know everything. I am a grown up now." She mimicked shaking her head helplessly while Purva being Purva enjoyed the free show she has been happily watching from the past five days.

****

I was ascending the stairs with a water bottle in my hands, that we might need at night, when I heard my phone ring.

Damn! Purva is in the room.

Picking speed, and missing each step at a time, I ascended the stairs rushedly and entered the room. I facepalmed the moment I witnessed my phone in Purva's hand, as she showed me my phone with Aditya's video call, with a sly mischievous glint in her eyes and a smirkful face.

Before I could snatch my phone out of her hands, she answered the call,

"Hello dearest devar ji, and my jija ji."
She spoke excited wiggling her brows, while I sat beside her, at a little distance, so that I could see him, but he couldn't.

"Arey Arey, Hello to you too pyari bhabhi ji, and my dearest sali sahiba." He answered, reciprocating the same playful tone.

Both chatterboxes together, that too in a single space! I couldn't handle one, and now I've to handle two!

"Vaise, I've been noticing from the past few days that you are quite punctual or should I say impatient that you don't forget to call your fiancé at exact elevenn." She raised her eyebrows teasingly, while Aditya chuckled, raking his hands through his hair.

"Ji ji bilkul, impatient bhi, punctual bhi, Just like you bhabhi ji, as you also used to call my brother before your wedding at specified times only. Isn't it? Should I tell the timings as well?" He wriggled his brows, mischief evident in his voice.

Purva's eyes widened, and mouth parted, "He told you?" She scowled.

"Lae, of course, now only sisters or best friends aren't supposed to share everything na. We brother are also righteous for the same. Isn't it?" This cheeky fiancé of mine spoke, feigning innocence.

"Do you know, you are deducting your points mister, that too by taking verbal pangas with your fiancée's best friend? Because I was the only one, who pestered her to give you a chance, If not for my suggestion then she would have never considered you." My best friend exaggerated, unreasonably proud of herself.

"Haina Rii." She asked, angling her neck towards my side, and I giggled internally, as I took notic e of Aditya, who has also angled his neck a little to the side while seeing the phone, as if he would catch a glimpse of me.

God, this man!

I bobbed my head up and down, trying to assure her major contribution in this alliance.

"Acha?" Aditya made a thoughtful face, "I thought my fiancé said yes after getting impressed by me? But I know now, before her I successfully managed to impress you with my charms, Haina?" Aditya spoke smoothly, wriggling his brows, miserably failing to suppress his laughter.

This man sure has a way with words!

Purva laughed hysterically, making him laugh too, and said,

"Acha, acha you won!! But only for today, next time I'll be the one winning this verbal battle. Now enough baatein for today, now talk with your fiancé, she's becoming inpatient. And yes, not too much talking huh, I want my best friend back jaldiiiiii."

"Ji Ji. Bilkul." He affirmed, and Purva went outside shutting the door behind, not before suggestively winking at me.

I looked at him, and see him already smiling mischievously at me.

"So impatient to talk with me huh?" He teased, laying on his stomach, his one palm on his cheeks.

"Shut up Aditya." I whined, laying on my stomach as well, my chin settled on my forearm.

He chuckled and asked, "So what did you do today?"

"Umm, today we went to the market, there was some cloth fittings to be done, confirmed the appointment with the beautician and mehandi vale bhaiya. Along with it, I am slowly slowly packing my all my bags etc as well, as they are to be sent Delhi before our wedding. God, there's so much to pack, I can't even tell you! Now I know why Purva was so hell-bent upon packing everything she lays her eyes upon."

He laughed and replied, "Hmm you've spent twenty-four years of your life there, and shifting to a completely new place demands so much of your time and efforts."

"Hmm" I hummed, "What did you do today?"

"We mainly did the budgeting today of all the expenses or prospective expenses. And no matter how hard you try still the expenses crosses the specified budget." He sighed, shaking his head.

"It feels like there's so much done, and still so much left." He added, raking his hands through his hair.

"Hmm that it is." I replied, my lips pursed.

"That's why I tell you to come here, soon. It's getting difficult to pass each day now." He stated, that little mischievous smile adorning his lips, making my lips to curve up too, with the complementary blush.

"Arey, you want me to come soon there, and I just want the time to stop right here. Each day and each night that I am living my last few days here, I am counting it on fingers like, only 12 days left, only 10 nights left, etc etc."

A deep sigh left my throat, thinking about these last few days of my bachelorhood and the last few moments I've with my family and friends before getting married.

As afterwards I'll enter into that crucial stage of my life where everything's going to change, from my surname to the city I live, the people around me, my job, my lifestyle, everything.

The thought itself is overwhelming, as marriage involves managing this complex and diverse web of relationships that demands nothing but commitment, perseverance, and unstoppable efforts settling into a new place, with new people, new feelings and new challenges.

"Where are you lost?" Aditya's concerned voice sneaked into my thoughts, halting my internal monologue.

"Nothing, was just thinking of all the things that are yet to be done." I replied.

He looked at me for a few seconds, as if analysing the truthfulness in my words.

"Okay." He smiled faintly, his voice unconvinced.

"You know.." He started, "Sometimes I think it would have been so different if we both were in the same cities. I would have met you thousand times more, if this was the case. God! It's been almost a month since we last met, and there are still ten days more." He huffed, shutting his eyes for a fleeting second, exasperated.

"You would have gotten super bored meeting the same woman thousand times that too in a month." I laughed, shaking my head.

Rolling his eyes, he replied, "Rehnde de tu to, I've already said na that you are enough to add the much-needed spice in my life, so there's no chance of my boredom. In fact, If possible, I could just see you and talk to you the whole day and night." He stated, as he looked heavenwards dreamily speaking the last part.

"Hmm hmm, Don't worry Mr. Kansal, I'll ask this same question a few months after our marriage, because by then you will be derilously wait for me to go back to Hoshiarpur for some days so that you can spend some time peacefully here." I retorted immediately, raising my brows.

"Koi na, we'll see, because I'll get anything but bored with you." He raised his eyebrows challengingly.

"Acha, now go, spend some time with your family and Purva. We'll talk tomorrow." He added softly, turning on his back, his one arm below his head.

"Ji." He smiled lazily at my reply, and whispered bye before disconnecting the call.

After his call, I kept lying on my bed, as I fight with the two most conflicting emotions I've ever come across.

Every time I talk to him, I want the time to run as fast as it could, so that I can be with him, spend time with him, and at that moment I want nothing but him besides me.

And every time I spend these last few days with my family, I want this same timeime to stop, so that I could do something to not leave this home, these people, and these relationships.

Its like medley of emotions are playing within me, making their presence evident every time I think about my family and him.

The sensations I feel with each day passing day is terrifying yet enthralling, exhaustively scary yet hopefully beautiful, freakishly jittery yet soothingly calm.

I guess out of all the diverse set of emotions that seeps within a woman's mind and heart, before this eminent event of her life named as wedding, fear overpowers them all.

This gruesome cobweb of conflicting emotions petrifies me, thinking of my life ahead. Millions of doubts, apprehensions, and trepidations crawls within my heart, grasping me with its unbreathable clutches that terrifies me of the future I am so positively hoping for.

No matter the uncountable times I had asked the infinite questions to myself, these stubborn answers always remained elusive

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