Marriage Carnival | 03. Complains & Care

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🎶Aao Milo Chalo by Shaan.

• Bhavna •

"Maa" I tried again. But, she rarely even looked at me. My glance roamed around Papa, sitting the couch and comfortably reading a newspaper, his spectacles on his nose and eyes keenly sliding through the lines.

"Maa, I'm sorry." I repeated again, wishing to fortunately gain a reaction out of her. But, she gave none.

My tears were ready to tear up, at her, constantly avoiding me. I turned to move to my room, dejected at my futile efforts, when Papa spoke for me.

"Rashmika, Is it a way to behave with her?"

Her expressions still remained neutral. We saw her still adamantly cleaning the kitchen slab, though it was already neat, only to dodge us.

"That's not your work, Rashmika. We have maids to clean the kitchen and cook. Stop trying to dodge us." Papa threw the newspaper on the table as he strided into the kitchen.

"I am not dodging anyone. I'm just doing what I feel like doing, exactly like you and your daughter." She spoke for the very first time, after they left.

"I don't understand, what wrong did Bhav do, to receive such treatment?" Papa softly asked her. He has been the most calm and composed person, I've ever seen.

"No! How can your daughter make a mistake?! Obviously, it was my fault to agree to Mrs. Bhardwaj's proposal for your daughter." She screamed.

"I should've known our standards are no match to them. I should've known it." She muttered again.

"I don't know how am I going to face Rihaan after this day? What would he think of me? I should've known a gem like Rihaan can never be our son-in-law. He never treated me like an employee but, always like his own family." I heard Maa utter.

"It's not like I was forcing her to get married to him, but just to see if  they end up liking each other. She could've just treated him better, for my sake. But, no. She had to be clumsy and reckless." Maa yelled again, distastefully as my hold on the door tightened.

"What did she do? It's not like she dropped the cup of tea on Rihaan's hand. Instead, she tended his minor burns. But, when Bhav wanted to have few words with him, he had to leave for some work emergency." Papa tried explaining her.

"Didn't you notice how angry he looked when your daughter was busy glaring at Vansh, without sparing a glance at him? Not to forget, how uncomfortable he looked when she kept sitting on his lap?" Maa raised her brow at Papa, who sighed.

"The first one, yes, that was kind of Bhavna's mistake." Papa admitted, making me curse that tiny cheeky monkey.

"But- I bet, he didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I was enough attentive to know from his features." Papa smirked at Maa, who hit her head with her palm.

"Bhavna, why are you standing here? Go back to your room now." I heard Maa shouting at me, again.

"Yes, princess. Get back to your room, your parents need some privacy too." Papa winked at me, while, wrapping his arm lazily around Maa's shoulder, who grumbled at him for talking bluntly. I ran to stand between them and kissed the cheeks of both of them like a kid.

"I don't even have any interest to third-wheel between you two lovebirds." I exclaimed, twitching my lips as I ascended up the stairs.

"Papa, I'm taking your car. I've some work." I shouted back, only to hear his 'yes' and Maa again lecturing him, not to spoil him.

I jumped on the bed, pressing my face into the pillow. It felt so calming, after the last few stressful hours. Unlocking my phone, I recalled what Surfraaz always used to tell me before crucial surgeries.

"Bub, It's all about the leap of faith. Sometimes, the riskiest of surgeries turn into a cakewalk during the time of operation, while the surgery, which seems easy on the surface might turn into the most fatal one. Like complications in a surgery, life is a surprise too. Things are bound to be unexpected, but, maybe, operating on them might help you tackle them, easily. You never know! So, never hold yourself back from trying anything, that you know, can change the lanes of life. Because, those really determine how firm you are on your decisions." His words from the past again gave me solace and courage to do, what I have decided to do.

I googled Rihaan's residential address and took a snapshot. Fortunately, it was less than 20 kms.

But, what will I say?

Just sorry?

Not pondering anymore, I walked through my wardrobe. Either some looked too plain and boring or some were too gaudy and short. So, at last, I settled on wearing Maa's new saree. A blue georgette saree with yellow embroideries of daffodils over the body with two thick golden plated bangles and a pair of earring with colourful bird feathers. Not to forget, bindi, pink lipshade, floral perfume and kohl.

Putting on my new watch and holding my handbag, I clutched the car keys of Papa and hopped into the driver's seat.

• Author •

The door opened upon Bhavna's knock, only for her to sight the same cheeky childish grin on the face of a just awoke kid in his nightsuit, his hair spiked up as if electrocuted.

"Ma'am?" She heard him say, as she again heard someone shout from the interior of the house.

"Dad, Bhavna ma'am is here." Vansh shouted back, making Bhavna groan at their series of shoutings, yellings and hollerings.

"Idiot, usher her inside." Sharad rushed out to receive her, after hitting his idiot son's head.

"Dear, come inside. You know how Vansh is!" He paused, glaring at Vansh and continued, "Don't bother about this idiot." Sharad advised Bhavna, making Vansh pout, ducking his head down like an insulted child.

Bhavna took this moment to touch Sharad's feet and seek his blessings. He returned her gesture with a big smile.

"Dear, Please sit." As they entered,Vansh mimicked his father, showing her to the polished mahogany sofa set, making Sharad glare at him again.

"Yes. Sit for a while." Sharad urged her with a smile, after drawing his eyes from his silly younger son.

"I'm comfortable here, Sir." Bhavna replied back with a soft smile, when another shout interrupted her, making her count till 20 backwards to stop the chaos to get on her nerves.

"Who is at home?"

Bhavna saw her Sharad Sir running to Mahima Ma'am and he, whispering something to her, after which, she saw them gushing like kids.

Bhavna had a huge smile implanted on her countenance at the elder couple's cuteness, which reminded her of her parents' teen-aged nature of frequent pleas of privacy from her.

This always made her question her future self.

Which one of these elder couples would she be like - childish or clingy?

Unknown to her, the couple, she was admiring had already stood by her side, admiring her dazzling smile now. Obviously, making Vansh tired of who-admires-whom drama and making him miss his prey more, who was engaged in a high-profile meeting to gather some money for his poor self.

For Vansh, Rihaan would always be poor, let alone how much he earns or has stocked in his bank account. The brother, who he would always see roaming around the house in an ordinary blue towel and an old torn vest, can never be rich. Excluding, the times, he saw him in expensive three-piece business suits.

So, of course, Rihaan was working his ass off to earn some money to buy his poor self some clothes to hide his rich dignity. That's what, Vansh's creative mind thought.

"Vansh, go and make tea for all of us." Mahima dismissed him, swatting her hands as she gushed, holding Bhavna's palms and guiding her to sit on the sofa beside her.

"So, how are you?" Mahima asked, beaming at her.

"Good, Ma'am. Hope you are also doing good." She meekly, replied.

"I'm doing so much better after seeing you here." Bhavna nodded, cautiously at the over-sweet affection of the lady of the house. The silence prevailed, only to be marred by Mahima, again.

Mahima couldn't refrain herself from cupping the face of Bhavna, who glowed like a blue rose today. She felt ashamed of still not appreciating her beauty.

"You are glowing, just like a harvest moon, darling." Mahima admired the smile, which instantly played on her pinkish, plump lips.

"Ma'am, don't mind my words but, don't you think leaving Vansh alone in the kitchen can be risky?" Bhavna squeezed out her words cautiously, trying to read the emotions of both Sharad and Mahima, who chuckled louder.

"I could've made the tea, for all of us." Bhavna offered, surprising both of them.

Placing her palm on Bhavna's hand, Mahima expressed, "How can I let my daughter-in-law work in our kitchen before her wedding night here?" Redness crept up her face as her words translated themselves in her brain.

"You are so beautiful that I can't wait to see you in this house 24*7, and show you off as my daughter-in-law!" Mahima hugged her, excitement bursting out of her, while, Sharad and Bhavna laughed at her childish antics.

"Ma'am, Does Vansh really know how to make tea? He won't add salt instead of sugar, right?" Bhavna chuckled again, making the other two, shake their head, laughing.

"You can't just insult my son, when  I have perfected him in culinary skills to survive hostel." Sharad added sternly, which was reciprocated with the two ladies, laughing.

"Teaaa" Vansh screeched as he heard the trio, laughing at him. He pouted, before settling himself on the sofa too, after a session of hard labour of tea-making.

Though Bhavna enjoyed her time with these three, but, the work, for which she came here, at the first place kept bugging her.

Sipping the perfectly spiced, hot steaming tea, she smiled at Vansh, complimenting his tea.

"Good job, Vansh."

"How's your preparation going on for 3rd year professional exams? Ready for viva?" A mischievous smile rushed to her lips at the torment flashing on Vansh's eyes, while she sighed at the relief of having passed that nightmare phase, successfully.

"How many days are left?" She questioned again, at his lack of response.

"1.5 month." Vansh sulked, making Bhavna cringed.

"Your exam is less than 50 days away and you were stalking me to click my pictures, huh?" Bhavna raised her brows at him as she saw him, squirming in his seat.

"He stalked you?" Sharad and Mahima exclaimed at the new found information.

"This idiot has been stalking me from a month." Bhavna got up to hit Vansh's head.

"You are such a nuisance, you know that, right?" Bhavna mused, taking her seat next to his sulking junior.

"Now, stop stalking me and prepare for your exams. Alright?" Bhavna advised him, to which, he obediently nodded. Sharad and Mahima chose to keep quiet, watching these two interacting, so cutely.

"If you want, I'll send you my notes." She drawled, which perked up his ears.

"Yes yes." Vansh beamed at Bhavna, making the elders smile at them.

It was already half past an hour from the time, she came. But, there was no sign of him.

"Bhai is in a meeting." Vansh's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"He isn't at home?" Those words just rolled out of her mouth in reflex.

"No, do you want to meet him?" Bhavna bit on her lips, seeing the teasing glances thrown at her way.

"Can I?" She whispered, to which Mahima gestured Vansh to take her to the office.

"Of course. Though, I would've been happier if you would've came here to meet us. But, I am still so happy." Mahima hugged her, sulking a little.

"Ma'am, I loved meeting you." She reciprocated Mahima's affection by hugging her back.

"Enough now. I won't let you leave without calling me Mom, like these idiots do." Mahima adamantly put her condition forward.

"Alright, Mom. Happy now?" Another rounds of hugs were exchanged and after touching their feets, Bhavna walked towards her car, with a limping Vansh behind her.

Driving through the familiar lanes, after a few unknown turns, she was standing in front of a multi-blocked glass building, where the big black block letters in the middle, wrote -

"RESPLENDENT".

• Rihaan •

"Sir, someone named Dr. Bhavna Das wants to meet you. She doesn't have any appointments, either." My P.A, Preetika, walked into my cabin, her words announcing her presence.

"Preetika, how many years more you intend to work under me to know that I don't meet anyone without an appointment for work-related matters." I muttered, frustrated.

My burnt palm, the back to back important meetings and the dreaded message from Vansh had already drained me.

"Bhai, say no to this proposal. She is not right for you. She is at our house and believe me, Dad and I have literally become mere servants of this house already. God knows, what'll happen to our family if she becomes a part of it." His text read, which I received around half an hour earlier.

"Is she really cruel? Or, It's my brother, who's portraying her all wrong?" I pondered, only to be disturbed again by my annoying PA.

"Yes sir, she says, she is your fiancè." She squirmed under my hard gaze.

"What nonsense is going on here? Where did my fiancè pop out from? I don't even know any Bhavna!" I sighed, controlling my irritation and the pain of my burnt palms.

But, when I interlinked Preetika's statements, I realised, who exactly was waiting for my permission to meet me?

Who else, other than my masakali?

"Wait, Preetika. I'll go." With that being said, I proceeded my steps to her, to the reception area.

The more closer, I walked, the more louder, her chuckles repeatedly vibrated in the office lobby.

There she was sitting a small bean bag with a toddler, jumping on her arms. Her almost bare back with her long hair let down, freely, along with the long earring of vibrant bird feathers, made her look ethereal. I was enchanted at the first glance only.

But, why was she here?

"Bhavna!" I tested how freely her name, came out of my lips and was amazed at how easy it felt.

"Dr. Bhavna?" I spoke out, softly, afraid to disrupt her beautiful moment.

"You here?" I forced on a smile, to cover the nervousness oozing out of me as her eyes met mine.

"Yes, wanted to talk with you." I heard her whisper.

"Sure. Come up to my cabin."

Silence enveloped us as she followed me. The walk was so comfortable, the silence never bothered.

Silence withered, when I kept my right palm on the thumbturn.

"Rihaan" I heard her say, that skipped a few beats of my heart before I felt her gentle hold on my right hand.

"Who bandaged it?" She asked, exasperated as she made me sit on the sofa, while she brought out the first aid box from her handbag.

"Vansh did. Why?"

"That silly kid." She sighed, before opening the bandage and the force of my grip on my knee doubled as it pained terribly.

"It's too tight. He didn't put any gel underneath, did he?" She asked again and I shook my head in negetive.

"Tell your brother to read his first year topics again." She snorted, making me laugh. But, I soon hissed as she pulled out the bandage.

"Is that the washroom?" She indicated to the adjacent door and I nodded.

"Let's go there."

Trudging to the washroom, under the tap water, she removed the bandage completely and washed the reddish burn with soap and water.

"You can hug me." Her sudden statement shocked me as I comprehended what to do.

"Wiping the wound with wound with antiseptic liquid will burn more, so, hold me." She slid her arm around the left side of my waist and I held her close, waiting for the pain to greet me.

"Ah, Is it done?" I screamed at the terrific burning sensation all over my palm as I gripped her shoulder, ruthlessly.

"Five seconds more" I heard her immediate response and contained my cool as a lone tear escaped my eyes.

I felt puffs of air on the wound along with her touch as she simultaneously blew air and applied ointment on my wound. Finally, loosely bandaging it.

"It's done."

Taking our seats, I stared at her, waiting for her to speak the reason behind her visit.

"About last afternoon, I am sorry." She uttered, confusing me.

"What are you sorry for?"

"For the way, I behaved yesterday. Glaring at Vansh and then-"

"Though I've no idea about why you were angry at Vansh? Still, why are you saying sorry to me? Presenting your authentic self to people is not a sin." I thought and told her.

"Thank you so much." She uttered, smiling. I guessed, she wanted to say more.

"Do you consider me your friend yet?" I raised my brow at her.

"I do" She stated, though confusion still laced on her innocent brown orbs.

"Then, spit out your emotions without any worries." I smiled, encouraging her.

"Maa is scared, about what you would be thinking of her after last afternoon? If you don't mind, can you assure her a little bit?" She pleaded.

"Sure, Bhavna. I'll meet her soon."

Nodding, she held her handbag and was about to leave, when this abrupt question rolled out of my mouth, quite unconsciously -

"Dr. Bhavna, what's your answer for the last afternoon? Yes or No?"

•~~•~~•~~•

[Unedited]

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