She regretted the second she said those words. How did she even got the idea that she could forget the only man who stirred feelings inside her she had never known. Oh yeah! To show the people that she was not desperate for the man who didn't love her. What an absurdity? Anyone looking at her now clearly knows how desperate she was.

Surrounded by all the women, with the constant chattering about the wedding, what to wear on the big day and what not, her eyes drifted around the room to at least have a glimpse of Abhay.

It's around 8 in the evening and she was in the living room with all the ladies, behind Anjali. She was smiling but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Since the time she arrived, she had not seen Abhay. But she knew he was home. They had changed into their function attires and she expected to see him when the event started. But no! Where did he go? She's getting anxious not knowing where he was.

Even Varun and Ramesh were present. From the looks of them, she knew that they knew everything that happened between her and Abhay. Maybe not all but needed.

She only accepted to meet the guy - what's his name, Rithik? - she recalled, only for the sake of her mother. Her mother would be heart broken if she said that she was giving up on marriage. That was because the man to whom she gave her heart doesn't love her like she does. Then what next? She didn't want to pressurize her mother. When she met this guy, she would apologize and say that she couldn't. She just hoped he'll accept.

"Aunty?"

Priya came out of her world where she heard Aisha's voice. She smiled warmly as she pulled the little one into her lap. She remembered Abhay's words. Was she being selfish? She love Aisha as her own. She couldn't imagine someone else taking care of her. Oh God! What did she do? She just wished Abhay to wanted her as she was. Not because of some purpose. Now thinking of it, she doesn't know where she'd gotten herself.

"Aunty?" Aisha called her again, pressing a small hand to her cheek.

"Yes darling..."

"You are not listening..."

"Sorry sweetheart. Tell me. What is it?"

"Why Anjali bua is keeping this... color?"

She laughed and so did everyone who heard her. Anjali's face was radiating with happiness, at finally tying the bond with her love.

"It is called Mehendi. It is for luck. Wishing the new bride and groom..." Priya said. Sharadha nodded her head in appreciation.

But Aisha looked at her blankly. "Then why others are keeping?"

She again laughed. "Oh boy!" She shook her head. "It's fun too. The ones who are going to marry will have their soon to be husband name in it. The husband should find his name on our hands. Other girls? Their wish. And you know what's the most interesting part?" She asked enthusiastically.

Aisha widened her eyes curiously.

"When our hands become more red, it tells how much our husband loves us."

"Anjali," someone among the ladies, one of Anjali friends said, "By this we all knows how much Varun loves you." That made everyone laugh

Anjali blushed and looked at Varun, who winked at her.

"Can I also keep?" Aisha asked innocently.

"Of course you can."

"But I don't have hubby?"

Priya tightened her lips from laughing. Before she could reply, Sharadha, who sat next to Priya, called her granddaughter. Aisha crawled towards her immediately.

"My dear. When you become big woman like your Priya Aunty and Anjali bua, a prince charming will come. It tells how much he love you."

"Really? Will it? Will he be like daddy?"

"Yes," Priya said, caressing her head lovingly, "Like daddy. He will love you, care for you. He'll love you for who you are. He'll hold your hand and never ever let it go." She said, just how she wanted Abhay to be.

"Really?"

"Really," Priya tipped her nose and smiled.

"Daddy! Did you hear? A prince charming will come for me."

Priya's smile dropped and her eyes widened. Aisha stood up and ran past her, but she couldn't get herself to turn back and look at him.

"Yes, princess," his gravelly voice reached her ears. "And I am not letting you go until you are thirty."

That made her smile and roll her eyes. Always the overprotective father. Once again he reminded what she loved about him the most. She peeked a glance at him and her cheeks heated when she found his eyes on her.

"Abhay! Thirty?" Sharadha admonished, "None will come forward when she crosses an age."

"Then I'll take care of my daughter forever." He said dismissively.

Priya heard Sharadha sigh and mutter. "He'll never change."

Priya pressed her lips together from laughing.

"Mam," one of designers gained her attention. "Put your hand forward." Priya extended her left hand. "What type of design you want?"

Priya shrugged. "Simple Arabic design?"

Before the designer could put the cone on her palm, Sharadha stopped. "No... No..." she looked at the girl and said, "Fill her hands full. It must be beautiful like her."

Priya blushed at the compliment and tried to deny but Sharadha looked at her firmly. "Just wait until you see the color." Sharadha said. Priya smiled. But what's the use? She was sure it's going to be dull.

"Hey!" Madhu shouted, gaining everyone's attention. "Why don't we see whose hands are more red?" Everyone agreed.

The designer was half way with her left hand when Aisha ran back to her and leaned on her lap, watching curiously the design on her hand. Priya ruffled her hair and looked back to where she last saw Abhay. He was still there watching her with a strange look on his face.

She sighed. Just then her mobile rang beside her and with her free hand she answered the call. It was her mother.

"Maa?" She tried to hear mother among the chatter and laughter.

"Priya?" Her mother spoke loud. She was vaguely aware of the designer asking her a question but she concentrated on her mother. "Rithik will be calling you in a while."

"So soon," her eyes drifted to Abhay, who was not in his place.

"Never too soon dear," with that her mother hung up.

Priya's heart sunk dreading to talk with the guy. "What the!" She trailed off as she stared at her palms horrified.

"Didn't you like the name, mam?" The designer asked nervously.

Priya pulled her hand before anyone could see her hand. "Who told you to write this name?" She looked down at her palm, where in the middle of the big heart, Abhay's bolded name stared back at her. His name was designed in a beautiful cursive and she have to appreciate the girl. But it's not meant for her hands.

"The little girl sitting with you," she said confused. "I asked whether I should write a name. But you were on phone. She said the name. "

"Aisha," she groaned.

"Is there a problem, mam?" Designer asked.

"Yes... no. Leave it, " Priya extended her right hand. "Do this."

Once her hands were completed, Priya silently escaped the crowd hiding her left hand carefully. Her pink ghagra skirt flared from her waist down as she walked. She'd to be careful to not touch her hands to the dress, as it was brand new given by Anjali. It's beautiful with its sparkly design and thankfully there's a small pocket in it and she could carry her mobile in it.

She ducked in the crowd and climbed upstairs where there was a risk of very less people. She managed to avoid anyone who wanted to look at her hands. She was walking deep in thoughts when her mobile started ringing. She cursed mentally and asked passing girl to grab her mobile from her pocket. She gave a thankful smile to the girl who did and saw it's an unknown number.

Balancing the mobile in between her shoulder and head, she said, "Hello..."

"Priya," a manly voice said.

"Yes..." she started walking, keeping her eyes on her hands.

"Hi. This is Rithik."

She stopped mid-step. "Oh," she said. She could hear his nervous chuckle.

"I think I surprised you," he said.

"No!" She trailed off, "Well a bit."

He chuckled. "Well I am sorry. I couldn't wait actually. Finally I am talking with you," he paused, "You sound even more sweet than I imagined."

Okay! She thought. What should she say to that? "Uh... Rithik..." she was cut off by his voice.

"Okay. I went a bit too far. How about we meet?" He suggested.

She sighed. She didn't want to get his hopes up."Sure."

"How about tomorrow? Coffee?"

"Sounds good." She replied.

"Great! I'll text the place." With that he said his bye.

Priya's shoulders slumped forward. What did she get herself into?

"Whom are you talking with?"

She jumped startled and her mobile slippee down. As she turned around, she gasped as she faced a furious Abhay, who was gripping her phone in his tight hold

"Who the hell was that?" He barked.

She frowned at his sudden anger. "Its none of your business, " she snapped. She extended her hand to snatch her mobile, forgetting about her mehendi but Abhay held it above her reach. She matched his glare and jumped up to reach her phone. Her skirt bounced with her step and her dupatta felt from her shoulder, unaware of her. "Give me my phone back."

"Tell me who the fuck is it?"

Her eyes widened at his use of F-word. A chill ran down her spine as she stared into his eyes.

He moved closer and said in a low menacing whisper, "Dont make me repeat myself."

"Rithik?" She said it as a question.

Is he was furious before, she didn't know what to say it now. She gasped as he gripped her arm and brought her face close to his. "You are already moving on from me to another huh..."

Her eyes burned with tears and she pushed him with all her might. She lifted her hand to slap him but he caught her hand. "You have no right to say that to me..." she whisper yelled as tears rolled her face.

His face softened and he closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes, they landed on her left hand which he's holding. He brought her hand close and watched intently. That's when she realized the name shouldn't be seen. Especially him.

She wiggled to take her hand back. But he didn't let it go.

She gasped when he turned and dragged her along with her. Her heart raced when he directed to his room. She struggled to get her hand free. But the man has a steel grip.

He opened the door and pushed her inside. She stumbled a bit and turned around to shout at him. But no word came out of her lips when he pushed her against the door and smashed her lips with his own. For a minute, she didn't know what's happening and then she was struggling to push him away. Thankfully he pulled away but he didn't go too far and kept her caged in between his arms.

She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. She felt him lean his forehead on hers. When she was able to find her voice, she opened her eyes and said, "You don't kiss the person you don't love."

His hot air brushed her face as his dark eyes bore into hers. Slowly he lowered his lips down to hers and kissed her.

She sighed into his mouth as her eyes closed. His lips were strong and powerful but he kissed her like she would shatter at any second if he pressed too hard. His one hand moved to hold hers above her head. The other cupped her cheek tenderly. She pulled back a moment to look into his eyes and the next she knew they were no more gentle. His mouth smashed down once again and she opened her mouth inviting his kiss. The hand that cupped her cheek circled her waist and pulled her flush against him. God! She didn't want this moment to end but it should as they needed air.

She was panting heavily as he continued to pepper kisses along her jaw.

"What does this mean?" She asked out of breath.

"It means that," a peck once again, "You. Are. Mine."

"You love me then?" She asked. Hope rising in her. He paused and suddenly she felt cold.

She opened her eyes confused. He has his back to her. The same lonely feeling engulfed her as she watched him.

"Goodbye," she said softly, opening the door, not caring about her mehendi anymore. "Abhay."