It was the day I was supposed to go with Taira for the arrange marriage meeting with Abhimanyu and his family. I chose to swing in a kurti and jeans, tied my hair in a bun and dashed out of the house. I still couldn't believe what Taira was agreeing to. Yes, I do acknowledge that one needs a partner in life, and its best that the partner is your best friend too, but it didn't simply end there. You needed something else in life too. Not everyone did, but I knew Taira did. Taira wanted, craved love. She needed to be the special one for someone. Even after I had convinced her how supportive I was of her decision, I couldn't help but think that Taira needed more.

She deserved more. I sighed while fixing my hair in the mirror. Perhaps love wasn't for everyone.

Just as it wasn't for me. I pushed back every thought surrounding the statement and flew out of the house to Taira's place.

Taira waved at me from the building gates as I stepped out of the auto in front of her building, she was dressed in a chic red anarkali that suited her immensely.

"You look beautiful," I said as I reached her with a smile on my face. "Shall we go?"

"No, mama and mami haven't come yet. We have to wait for them," Taira said and looked at me pointedly. I ignored the look and nodded formally.

Taira rolled her eyes and grabbed me by my elbow. "Aash i..." she said warningly.

"Taira ..." I dragged her name out, playing along.

She sighed. "Please control yourself for me. I know its not you, but still."

"What do you mean, Taira? What do I do?" I batted my eyes at her, pulling off the most innocent face I could. When she continued to stare at me, I finally gave in.

"Don't worry, I won't say anything untoward," I sighed and linked her arm in mine. "I know this is important to you. I would try really hard to not let my opinions ruin it for you."

"Completely shut out your opinions for this afternoon," she quipped back.

"Hey! That's violation of my civil rights! I'm entitled to my opinions!" I said dramatically.

"Let me rephrase then," Taira said and held me by my shoulders. "Have opinions, but do not voice them for this afternoon. After that period has passed, all of your pearls of wisdom shall be heard."

I grinned at her. "Deal!"

By this time Taira's uncle and aunt had arrived too, and we started our journey in Taira's. Throughout the car ride Taira was worrying her fingers and shaking her legs. I slapped her hands and leg. "Stop shaking that leg for God's sake, its bad habit!" I said reproachfully. She flashed me a sheepish smile and murmured an apology. After a few moments, the legs started shaking again.

"Don't be nervous," I said to her looking at my phone screen.

"What?"

"The leg shaking. The worrying of the fingers. Everything shows your nervousness. Don't be nervous. Nothing is going to happen there that you can't face," I looked at her seriously. She started at me for a brief second before heaving a sigh and nodding.

There was no point in saying everything will be alright. It depends from person to person what their 'alright' is. But one thing is for sure, that you can face everything you think you can't. The leg shaking did not stop, but the worrying of the fingers did. I sighed and shook my head.

There was progress at least.

Abhimanyu, Taira's childhood friend and his family resided in the plush neighborhood of Gulmohar Park, a name that spoke for itself. It spoke of the wealth of the family, and the reputation too. These posh neighborhoods didn't only care about your deep pockets, no, they also reviewed your reputation in the market. Abhimanyu living in Gulmohar Park indicated that his family enjoyed a very good name in the industry.

Abhimanyu's palatial house had a double door entrance, a garden, a swing and a pool at the back. Taira had told me about the pool, and how they used to spend summers swimming and paying in it.

We rang the bell and after a voice and face recognition test, the doors were opened by a uniformed servant, behind whom stood Abhimanyu with a grin on his face. I looked at Taira as she smiled politely at him and we went inside as his parents called us in. The elders exchanged pleasantries and asked about me, before sitting down on the velvety soft sofas. I was in awe of the grandeur of the place to really pay attention to the happenings before me. I felt a sharp nudge from Taira which made me realise that I was staring and I immediately composed myself. I looked at the people that were present from his family. There were his parents, and his uncle and aunt too. After an awkward silence, Abhimanyu's father broached the generic topics that every tea table talks about. After half an hour's discussion over the weather, the traffic, the failed government policies, the room reached the point where you could only talk about the elephant in the room or simply leave.

Abhi's mother was the brave one to raise it. "So, how should we go about it? You both already know each other, do you still want time to think and meet each-other?" She looked at both Abhimanyu and Taira.

When both remained silent, Mrs. Sharma spoke again. "Look beta, we only suggested the marriage considering that you both have been friends since your childhood. You both know each other, have spent time with each other. It felt right. Now, its upon you people. What do we do?"

I immediately fell in love with her. Pragmatic, poised, and to the point. She didn't talk bullshit at all.

They both looked at each-other after which Abhi spoke,"Taira and I have had a talk about it. We both know everything about each-other, there is no point in delaying is what we feel. We both are ready, aren't we? He turned to Taira upon which she nodded, paused for a moment and then blurted out a firm yes.

I looked at her in shock. Was she serious? When had they spoken about it? They did realize it was a big step, marriage. Right? A million questions rose within me as I struggled to maintain composure. But most of all, I felt angry at Taira for keeping things from me. It wasn't done. The woman was a saint, but she did take rash decisions whenever she was down.

The room erupted in joyous mutters and congratulations. The elders stood up to hug each other and bless both Abhimanyu and Taira. Taira stood up from beside me and went to the elders to take their blessings. I, for one, continued sitting, stoically avoiding looking at Taira and directing all my energy into maintaining a smile on my face.

"This is very good news. Such mature children, they're suited for one another. Otherwise half of the time children spend an entire eternity to decide if they want to marry each other or not," Taira's aunt commented once everyone settled down. The servants brought in sweets and snacks and served everyone. The room erupted in laughter once more as snacks were passed on from person to person.

Control Aashi, control.

"You don't want to congratulate us, Aashi?" Abhimanyu abruptly commented, which had all the eyes in the room landing upon me.

Don't kill him. A murderer can't earn money and have good food.

I flashed him a smile. "Of course, congratulations are in order. Best wishes to the both of you," I said formally, and took a sip of the tea I had been served. If anyone thought my statement was awkward, no one commented on it.

Everything was going peacefully. Until Abhimanyu's aunt chose to open her mouth. "Yes, Taira had to accept the proposal after all. What choice did the poor girl have after what happened with her fath-"

"Chachi you should have some samosas. They're your favorite, right?" Abhi diffused the taunt with skill and offered some of the snacks to her, which she took with a smile and dug in. It was wise for Abhi to have done that, because my method wouldn't have been so calm and non-violent. There was bound to be some damage which wouldn't have been good for the social order of the gathering.

The conversation flowed and the intricate details of how and where to conduct all the ceremonies and the guest lists were discussed. What they were planning was a big, hefty wedding with crores spent on a wedding party. What I knew Taira didn't like. High society, drinks, partying for days before the wedding. Taira liked everything simple. But she was letting this happen silently, without a peep of interference or how she wanted things to be. It felt fishy, but I remained silent.

Taira had made up her mind to go to all her relatives and call them personally, feeling a personal invite would make them see how her father's wrong doings didn't reflect how she was. It was foolish, because they didn't want to see Taira in a positive light. They didn't want to separate Taira from the wrong doings of her father. But I didn't comment on that either. All through the talk my attention stayed on Abhi's chachi. The way she was looking at Taira blossomed an uneasy feeling in the pit of stomach. It felt like she was sizing her up.

The wedding date was fixed 15 days later from that day. The priest had informed that it would be the most auspicious day for the alliance and we shouldn't delay it further. The two weeks were going to be extremely hectic. Later, we all proceeded to have lunch.

Light topics were being discussed on the dining table when Abhi's aunt spoke once more. "So, how did you convince our innocent Abhi for this marriage?" Her honeyed smile didn't hide the taunt that was aimed at Taira. Taira looked at her with a mix of surprise and hesitation.

"Our Abhi is many things, but I tell you, he isn't innocent," his mother spoke this time and everyone laughed at his expense.

"That's true," Abhimanyu winked. His uncle didn't look up from his plate, clearly pressured under his wife's dominance.

"But still, our Abhi has always had a different taste in women. His past girlfriends too had been more outgoing and... different, you know," Abhi's chachi continued which had Abhi and his mother close their eyes in exasperation.

This time it was Abhi's father who raised his voice. "Let's not delve in the past now. This is a new beginning. Foolishness had its age and Abhi has surpassed it." That shut her up pretty fast.

"Come on, I'm sure we could find a couple of gold-diggers from the lot too," The words tumbled out before I could think twice. I mentally kicked myself for not managing to stay quiet for even an afternoon. The statement had Abhi and his mother smirking behind their spoons, while others laughed, albeit a bit awkwardly.

The rest of the lunch was uneventful. Taira's aunt and uncle took their leave and went home, whereas Taira and Abhi decided to go for a movie and drop me on the way to the theatre.

When all three of us were settled in the car, with Abhi driving and Taira in the front seat, leaving me alone in the back, my mouth tumbled out the statements I had been holding back for so long.

"So, it's good you both are getting together," I said, tapping my foot impatiently.

"Thanks," they both answered it unison. I raised my eyebrows. They had planned the responses together before hand. My fury amplified.

"Now I won't have to hear your jokes I suppose. That's the best part about you both, I guess. You both are blessed with horrible sense of humor. Only you both find each-other funny," I said testily.

They looked at each-other before Abhi answered looking through the rear-view mirror, "We have an impeccable sense of humor."

"You don't have the taste to appreciate it." Taira added.

I opened my mouth to retort before Abhi beat me to it. "Just being witty isn't funny Aashi," he smirked, eyes on the road. If looks could kill, he would have been six foot under with a gravestone bouldered on top of him till now.

"Neither is it funny to call other people unfunny," Taira said with a sarcastic smile.

"Woah! You both have formed quite a team against me. Anyways I don't care. Crack as many horrible jokes as you want," I replied and looked outside the window, waiting impatiently for my stop to arrive.

"They are not horrible," they both spoke together, their tones bordering to exasperation.

"Chill guys! Looks like a very happy marriage to me," I quipped with a sly smile when Abhi reached below my building and gave them a mock salute as I slammed the car door shut and strutted out without a glance back.

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