We're a mess

you and I,

but the truth is,

you captivate me in ways

no soul ever will

You know what it feels like to watch 'The Martian' along side a guy who did Engineering and you yourself doing the same degree?

Fight! A literal world war(III)!

Both of you will have 1000s of alternate bloody ideas to save the world and again fight over these ideas.

So we switched to ever loving classic 'Titanic' which furthermore ended up like, for Jay I quote

'Can't that guy just adjust in the side of that door? For Godsake they made space in a bloody carriage to make love.'

But if you ask me whether watching the not so Date friendly movies was a disaster? Let me tell you it was a time well spent.

I loved hearing his opinions, I loved when he heard my opinions, I loved how we bitched about each and every character.

And at the end we made a day full of memories and a home theatre full of scattered food packets and thrown pillows.

After 2 movies right now we ended up listening to music from classic to hip-hop and everything in between.

I snuggled closer to Jay resting my head on his chest listening to

'Moh Moh Ke Dhaage'.

"You know how to play any instruments?" I asked without doing much damage to the peaceful atmosphere.

Dare I say Romantic atmosphere.

"I used to." He replied curtly, I didn't pressurise him. As a matter of fact there were many things like him singing, cooking, now this. I knew there is something I don't know and I also knew as matter of fact he will tell me.

So I snuggled closer to him if it was humanly possible and his arms tightened around me.

"You know I started doing many things which I stopped after you came into my life and I can never explain how much big change is that. And again I just can't change everything abruptly, so just like you need to become independent on career basis I too need to become independent emotionally. I'm trying, like singing for you, cooking for you, designing your dresses-"

"WHAT?!" I screamed turning towards him after jumping away from him.

"Stop screaming woman and yeah, I designed the saree for you to wear today." He spoke while pulling me back to his side.

"Really? When did you design it?" I felt him stiffening on my question.

He breathed in and then answered

"I designed it a long time back, I didn't get to complete it then. I made it for the most important lady in my life I thought I had time, but fate proved me wrong.

So after so many years finally when I lost all hopes, suddenly my priorities changed, a certain someone bragged into my life. Now she is my biggest priority and so I completed my work. It took a week in making since I wanted all the required stones, threads and all. Most of them imported. So don't lose the stones embedded like you lost your screw." He completed with humour to lighten the mood.

But both of us knew it's not gonna work.

"You still love her?"I asked, my tone giving away nothing, it was not jealousy but knowing that the person you decided to spent you whole life with is still loving someone else is not a good feeling.

"I rather not answer that. But I'll tell you this, In this life time only one person has rights on me and that's you. Never think otherwise, my loyalty to you only dies the day I take my last breathe." He pulled me towards him to seal his words with kiss. A kiss full of promise, secrets and lo-

"Oh my innocent eyes!" We pulled apart hearing Leah scream.

Jay pulled back with a groan. I shook my head, I needed that.

****

Everything after that was nothing short of a blur. Mama, Dad and Ananya are leaving earlier tomorrow since Ananya had to do the emigration procedures in the university in Gujarat. I really want to spend some more time with them.

Ma and Pa came in the evening.

And right here I am sitting in front of the mirror sorry hidden mirror.

Mama didn't want me to see until they finish doing their experiment on me.

Leah and Ananya are getting ready in the Parlour inside the home.

Yes you heard me right there is a Parlour inside this Mansion!

As for the Saree it was really beautiful as in really beautiful, only problem was I'm not sure whether my body and face would do justice to this master piece.

Abhimanyu was truly the son of 'Radhika Shekhawat'.

"Is it done?? You are taking too much time hurry up Jean. Maximum 5 minutes." Mama said entering the room.

"Done Mam." Jean replied.

"My daughter really looks beautiful."

Mama told side hugging me. She kissed my forehead. I didn't miss the mist and sadness in her blue orbs but it immediately changed to happiness.

Was this saree really that important?

"You don't know how happy I'm because you are my daughter." I think I knew seeing those ocean blue eyes the eyes which I have really grown acquainted to.

I know what she felt because I'm feeling the same for her. I can without a doubt say she is my Mother rather than Mother-in-law.

"Okay, so you have to come with Abhi. We will leave now. Wait for him here so that you guys can go together."

I nodded with a smile. With that all of them left.

I gazed back at my reflection finally, I was looking really beautiful. God!

But I realised something else I was looking like a typical new bride.

A saree draped over my body, sindoor in my maang, eyes lined with khol, hands adorned with dark mehendi and wrist lined with bangles.

The girl who wore only modern dress, never worn khol, as a matter of fact any cosmetics other than perfume if perfume is considered a cosmetic.

I wondered how much my life changed in one week. How much a single person changed my world?

Interesting that I don't resent the changes rather now I would like to make it good for both of us.

I heard the click of the door announcing the arrival of the person who is dominating my mind, soul, entire existence.

I looked up, my breath getting caught in my gut. There he stood in his well fitted 3-piece Armani suite. He was indeed a feast to sore eyes. I absorbed his presence and look with all my heart. It felt he was also doing the same. I could feel his eyes on every part of me. Two eyes savouring each other.

Then I met those Blue galaxy gazing at me with awe, satisfaction, admiration, adoration and....My heart skipped a beat.

Can eyes lie to each other?

All these time I was sure about the feeling his eyes reflected, more than words it was always our eyes who did the conversations. But now??

Is it Love???

Do my eyes too reflect these emotions?

He reached me in long strides. I stepped back, not because I'm afraid rather I knew if this goes on.. things will happen, confessions will be made, many other thing may happen and I don't want any of those yet. And looking into his eyes I knew he too understood me the moment I stepped back.

"You look beautiful, completely"

He said in that husky voice, hai gaze so intense which made my knees wobble.

"You look great too." I told in a voice which I never thought I will be able to muster.

"Shall we?" He asked me extending his hands.

"We shall." With that I placed my hands on his.

He snaked his hand around my waist touching my bare skin sending the same tingling effects. I stopped him and turned around to face him.

He looked at me in confusion.

"Aren't you comfortable. I thought you were okay with--" I cut off his rambling placing my forefinger over his lips.

"Can you hug me Abhimanyu?" I asked a sort of desperation in lacing my voice.

Without wasting a second he took me in his arms. I felt peace, a sense of calmness wash through me. I snuggled closer to the warmth. I needed that, the strength, the solace.

Our moment was broken by the ringing of Jay's mobile.

Jay groaned, I wanted to kill that person on the other side.

He took out the mobile, while I tried to get away from him, but he pulled me closer. My chest colliding with his.

He kept on looking at me while holding me in his arms.

"We are just leaving Mama." Jay told Mama.

Maybe I don't want to kill that person.

He pulled me closer in the hug, I tried to push him away.

"Don't push me away Adi.."

I felt it had double meaning.

Overseeing that I spoke "Everyone are waiting for you. It won't be nice if the host arrives late."

He muttered something very colourful under his breath which I didn't really want to know.

"Come" I said pulling him with me.

****

We reached the party. It was filled with richness. No surprise there. Sure enough one day I have to get used to all these richness.

Just like the last time I felt the same kind of helplessness. But that was nothing compared to what I feel now.

Jay was speaking to all those people on his new meetings and many posh things I felt I was of no use. I felt useless.

Why the hell did he marry me?

I excused from the group saying I want some fresh air. Ma, Pa and everyone already left since they didn't get a leave for tomorrow. Ma and Pa just stayed 2 hours after 3 to 4 hour of travelling. Things parents do for their kids.

I went outside and enjoyed the calm night breeze. I looked up to the sky to see the stars and moon. I felt the calmness washing through me.

"No money, No education, No beauty, literally nothing. I'm sure there is some sinister planning. Or you would have spread your legs."

I turned around to see a very beautiful lady, maybe 25 glaring at me. With disgust and accusation in her eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh! Come on don't play the innocent card now. I know the girls like you, sacking guys with a nice bank balance. Bloody gold-diggers. "

First time I thought maybe I would have heard wrong, but now I know it's not my chaotic brain making illusions.

"I thought Abhi was different, I thought he was sensible to not fall in any trap."

Abhi??

Okay..... Enough of her one man show.

"Pst.. correction. It's not Abhi it's Mr.Shekhawat for you. And my name is not gold-digger it's Mrs. Shekhawat

And you are right Abhimanyu don't fall for any trap. See the where the ring lies." I told pointing between mine and her hands.

I could see her burning inside. If she was a cartoon sure as hell there would be smoke coming from her ears.

"You.. You think you can fight me and make him yours?" She said pointing at me while fuming.

"Me.. Mrs Arundhathi Abhimanyu Shekhawat? Aren't you full of mistakes? As the name states he is already mine. And yeah as for fights I refuse to enter battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. That's my policy. So now may I?"

Saying that I strode inside without a backward glance.

I came back to Jay, he glanced at me and went back to his discussion.

But on second thought wasn't she right? I don't deserve him. Again the same insecurities kicked in. I think maybe he would have felt the change because abruptly he glanced at me and pulled me closer to him.

"Can we go back Abhimanyu?" I whispered in his ears.

Maybe seeing the emotions in my eyes he didn't have a second thought before pulling me towards the exit.

I felt a sudden warmness inside me,

He understands me.

He didn't leave my hand while driving back. But when I looked outside we were not returning home.

But looking at his face I knew it wouldn't be a good idea to ask him nor I had energy to do so, I felt tired.

But somehow I knew this night is not over. There was something that's gonna happen, something bad, and truly I'm preparing myself for it.

The car came to a halt near Marine drive.

If it was some other time I would have deemed this to be a romantic date. But the thing is, it's neither normal nor the person beside me is romantic.

He opened the door for me and helped me through the way considering I'm wearing a saree I let him do it. We settled down to a view which was really beautiful but I was surely not in a mood to enjoy the view.

I felt Jay squeezing my hand I looked to his side but he was looking at calm sea. I squeezed back. And we sat there silently for a long time.

Which was broken by none other than my personal iceberg

" "

Hey guys,

Prathap

Why fit in when you are born to stand out?

Leah😉