Chapter 01

Khushi

"Khushi?" Jiji called me softly, where she was sitting on the cushioned stool at the dressing table, taking off her bangles.

"Hm?" I replied from the centre of the bed, where I sat still dressed in my burgundy lehenga while massaging the heels of my feet, which were aching so badly that I couldn't even stand properly. But I have no regrets. With the blessings of Devi Maiya, I won the Sangeet competition. Which means the bride side won the competition. Though Arnav Ji helped, but who had asked for his help? I, Khushi Kumari Gupta, hadn't. I alone was enough for them. But I can't say no if someone is offering help, right? Lakshmi ko kaun thukrata hain. I don't. I'm not ill-mannered. He made his own decisions. His fault. I had no part in it.

Jiji remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Don't you think we should tell the Raizada family about Shyam Ji?"

My thumbs paused on my heels at her words, and I looked up at her back.

"We should come clean before the wedding. I have a very bad feeling about hiding this." Jiji added. Her face was full of worry.

I licked my lips and swallowed dryly before replying, "They won't believe us."

Jiji looked up in the mirror, and our eyes met before she said, "At least, we'll have mental satisfaction that we've told them the truth. That we had tried. We... I won't feel the guilt of hiding this for Akash."

I held her eyes for a moment before asking in a small, quiet voice, "But what if they call off the wedding?"

Jiji's face said that she hadn't thought that far. Her gaze fell down and remained like that. So I added, "They will believe Shyam Ji over us."

I know we should tell them. That Jiji was right. But I couldn't stomach the thought that Jiji's wedding would break once more because of me. I know it was a very selfish reason, but I don't want to hurt Jiji anymore than I already have. Especially when she's happy. And in love with Jijaji.

It felt like a long time before I heard Jiji's answer. And I felt sad. I knew that it was the right thing to do, but I was still worried. Very worried. Because of me, once more, Jiji's wedding might break.

"I still want to tell them the truth." Jiji whispered loud enough for me to hear. Her voice was quiet while her gaze was still down on her lap, where she was picking at the intricate design of her skirt. "They deserve the truth, and we only have the power to give it to them. Believing it or not is totally up to them. And I will accept whatever Akash decides after hearing it."

I swallowed as I felt my throat and chest tighten. "If you're sure, then I'm with you. We can talk to Amma and Bua Ji tomorrow morning."

Jiji continued picking at the design of her skirt as she nodded. I could tell she was afraid. I was afraid too. I wanted to tell her not to tell them. To not ruin her chance of happiness. But it would've been selfish of me. And that is not at all right. The least I could do now is support Jiji after all the raita I have spread. Hai, Devi Maiya, raksha karna!

* * *

The night somehow passed with me and Jiji both laying wide awake on the bed. We did our morning Aarti, prepared breakfast, set the table, and waited for Amma, Bua Ji, and Babu Ji to join us. But when they did, our mouths were dahi jumgayi shut at their excitement for the wedding tomorrow.

I shared a glance with Jiji discreetly while I sipped my tea. Encouraging her to tell them. Because if I said I wanted to tell Raizada's the truth, Bua Ji would slap me for trying to be mahan, then she would tie a cloth around her head and murmur to Nand Kishore while yelling at me the whole day.

"Amma, bua ji, I want to tell you something." Jiji said. Her voice was slightly hesitant as I kept my gaze on my plate and sipped my tea.

"Ka baat hain, Payaliya?" Amma asked while Bua Ji also looked at Jiji, then briefly glanced at me.

Jiji was silent for a moment before answering, "I want to tell Akash's family everything Shyam Ji did."

Amma and Bua Ji were silent as they shared a glance before Bua Ji asked, "Why suddenly?"

"Why are you suddenly trying to dig up buried things?" Amma asked. The worry was evident on her face and voice.

"I don't want to hide this from Akash. I...feel very guilty. Also, they deserve the truth. Anjali Ji deserves the truth. Whether they believe us or not." Jiji explained. Her voice was soft but quiet as she tried to convince them.

Bua Ji glanced at me before saying, "And you, Sanka Devi, most definitely agree with your Jiji, right?"

I placed my tea cup down as I swallowed the tea and nodded. "It's the right thing to do, Bua Ji. Only we know Shyam Ji's truth. We should at least tell them."

Amma shook her head with a crease between her brows before saying, "What if they call off the wedding? What will we do then? Have you thought about that, Payaliya? If two weddings break, then..." Amma left the rest unsaid. Because everyone knew what she meant. If two weddings are called off, then the society will think there is something wrong with Jiji and our family.

A ringing silence fell on the breakfast table. All of this is happening because of me. If I hadn't said yes to marrying Shyam Ji, none of this would've happened.

"How long will you hide this, Garima? We should've told them when they came for Payaliya's hand. We made the mistake." Bua Ji paused briefly. Her face turned sour. "That Shyam was peeking inside our house yesterday morning when Khushi was teaching me dance steps. He is still interested in her. He was staring at her all night while she performed at the Sangeet."

I felt the blood drain from my face as a shiver of disgust and fear run over my body, and my heart gave a loud beat against its cage. And I remembered when he cornered me yesterday. I didn't know he was peeking inside the house yesterday...Is he looking now, too, from somewhere? Does he always watch?

I glanced at the window behind me over my shoulder as I held my breath. I was almost prepared to see him standing there. But the place was empty. But the lingering fear remained.

"Thik hain. Let's go after breakfast." Amma said as I turned my attention back to the table.