013

The occasion demanded the heavy prepration and energy.

Each and every person of the family was appointed different works for such Raghuveer was handling all the outside work from seeing the caterers to watching the decorations to bringing the necessary items from the market. Roopa and Radha were swept away in making the list of the guests, of whether or not the gifts Raghuveer bought will be sufficient, of about the clothes and fruit baskets and sweets that will be sent to the Tripathi's house.

Manorama has kept the chair in the middle of the hall, sitting there and directing anyone and everyone about the rituals and manners of things to be done.

Niyati watches from the far..the scene seems almost foreign to her eyes, she never had seen a wedding before and all of this rush and chaos was just too much to handle.

She was given the task of putting the mehendi on the hands of Shivangi, Roopa, Mitthu and some other women of the neighborhood.

(It took lots of the persuasion from Raghuveer for Niyati to change her decision and attend the function despite the oath she took that day about Manorama.

"I will take care of maa. She won't say anything, won't do anything I assure you that. " Was the words that sealed the deal for her. And indeed Manorama has kept her eyes and taunts away from Radha and her family.)

"I must say Radha, your daughter indeed is talented. Look how beautiful my mehndi is.." Neelu compared her mehendi with other ladies giggling among them not realising the strain it causes to the girl for putting such detailed design on her hands as well as to the others. "All the daughters of the family are god's blessings."

Niyati stands up from the circle making her way to the kitchen to drink a glass of the water and after washing it she put it on the shelf again. When she returned the topic has taken the other turn "...I know many good families around the area. If you want to Radha..both sisters could be wed off in the same mandap" an extreme fat woman said from the sofa wearing the bright pink coloured saree looking like the overgrown gorilla in it.

She turned to her mother to show her temper for Roopa to interfere "today is Shibu's day didi..let us focus on that.." Radha sent a thankful look to Roopa who simply nods her head and walked outside hearing Raghuveer's call.

"Wao." Shivangi looked like the absolute princess in her yellow coloured lehanga and jewellery and open hair straighten for the occasion. The ivory complexion of her glistening from all the home made mask Roopa has made of her, the makeup only enhancing her beautiful features.

Roopa, Radha, Niyati and Maithili stood behind a beaming Shivangi who was sitting in front of the mirror. Roopa put a black thread around her arm where the blouse sleeves cut around then putting a small dot behind her daughter's ear "my little girl is now all grown up. So much so, soon,she will leave her mother's courtyard for a new world that is awaiting for her ."

Radha put a hand on Roopa's shoulder to give her support, understanding very well how the woman was feeling at the moment. She also has two daughters and so she will has to go through this fearful moment twice. Of sending your beloved sparrow to the open cloud where you will not be there to take care of her at any given moment. Of sending the daughter you raised, cared and loved to a place that will be completely new to her, to people who might not be able to give the same care to that sparrow as you have gave.

How can a mother console herself sending her own heart away with her daughter and then able to spend her whole life without her.

"Maa.." Shivangi turned to embrace her mother, tears glistening everyone's eyes.

For Ranveer to barge inside the room and announcing "maa.. Didi's in-laws are here. Papa is calling you and kaki to welcome them." He eyed the women suspiciously as each and every one of them was now dabbing their eyes with Niyati fudging over Shivangi. "What happened? And- Wao didi..you look so preety." He mumble in awe looking at his sister.

Shivangi smiled at him through the mirror beckoning him closer as he went the older sister of his smooches his plump cheeks "you too. You look very handsome." The boy eyes the woman with a frown wiping his cheeks to remove any trace of the bright red lipstick his sister was wearing.

But nonetheless, very pleasured after gaining the compliment from his sister.

"Mitthu...come. let's go and watch jiju.." he beckon the young girl, both of their attires in the matching royal blue colour. For Ranveer wore royal blue coloured kurta and golden dhoti and Maithili wore the same coloured sharara. Her mid-length hairs twisted and turned held by preety pins. Shivangi herself made that hairstyle and Maithili look absolutely cute in that.

"Hm..you two go and tell us the Status, na Amu!" Shivangi smiled cheekly when her mother directed her a harsh gaze only for Radha to bring her towards the door and throwing the thumbs up behind her. Her Kaki is simply so cool, Shivangi thought.

She turned to the girl standing beside her and looked her up and down "the guests are here Amu, when you will get ready?" Niyati was still in her daily clothes.

"It is you who should get ready, not me.." sitting down on the bed she said "afterall this is your day." Beside any excitement about getting ready is throttled by the the thought of -

"Hello! Earth to Niyati." Shivangi snapped her finger infront of the girl who has again gone back in her own world "what you thinking?"

"Nothing.. nothing. Do not think about me..think about you and Shivam Jiju.." teasing brought the scarlet hue back on the blushing girl's face and Niyati takes a reliving breathe when Shivangi's friends comes inside taking the attention away from her.

Getting up from the bed, Niyati made her way to the bathroom and locked the door. Sliding down on the floor she put her forehead on her drawn knees and sighed.

Knowing that today holds the possibility of seeing him brings the joy to her heart. But knowing that today also hold the possibility of seeing him haunts her heart too. He already has seen Vishal with her and had made up something in his mind that was not true.

But still his words won't leave from her mind, his eyes that shows the feral side of his, his nasty temper and everything related to those, then there was the joy, the exultation that was brought by the thought of being able to see him again.

She hardly caught any glance of his that day at the Chaudharys' house too busy in pretending that nothing affects her, to control the emotion from showing on her face. But today, today she might be able to sneak some glances of his. Of when everyone would be busy with the engagement she might just be able to do what her heart wants to do so badly.

Just even a glimpse and then her heart will be sated. Wiping the escaped tears from her cheeks she prayed to the Goddess to give her enough strength to be able to face his resentment and ignorance.

_

The road infront of the Mishra's house was blocked by the tents where the other guest will be sitting and the arrangement for lunch has been done.

The satyanarayan Pooja was arranged in the family temple of the Mishra followed by the ring ceremony and the lunch. Raghuveer has asked one of his close friend to come perform the Pooja and then the ring ceremony happened after taking the blessings of the Goddess Durga. The priest blessed the children followed by the parents and the guests.

_

The Chaudharys' cars stopped at the side. Big blurry men descending first followed by the Rukmani Devi, Gayatri, Abhay and ofcourse Achintya.

Raghuveer comes from the gate with folded hands welcoming these special guests. Everyone's eyes fixed upon them some with awe some others with envy that the Mishras hold the connection with the Chaudharys for they themselves has come to the priest's door.

He brought them all inside the house, making them sit on the sofa and beckoning his wife to bring the snacks and beverages. It was afterall, was a big feat for him to have the Chaudharys in his house. A moral boost in his reputation and infront of the Shivangi's in-laws for they too was looking awe-struck.

Roopa and Radha brought the trays laden with teas, cold drinks and snacks and put it on the table . "No..no..there was no need of it. We can only be here for a short time, apology pandit ji." Rukhmani Devi said. She looked at the groom and the bride, who looked absolutely beautiful and a perfect match for one another. "Come here beta.."

A blurry man bought a heavy looking box which Rukhmani Devi indicates to give to the groom and the bride. "A small gift from our side..I hope you will like it." and smiled seeing the look of the hosts.

What will be their reaction when they will see what is inside the box? The thought brought satisfaction to the lady.

"Please..we Insist, atleast have some sweets choti Thakurain ji.." Shivangi insisted. Her eyes went to the talk figure behind the choti Thakurain but she quickly avertther eyes away from him. The man gives her the chill despite his extremely handsome face and charming manner and the beautiful smile. She has seen Achintya Chaudhary from far away before and has always mused how come the people around him are able to look in his eyes and lives to tell the tale.

The man was too charming (dangerous) for the world and its poor people.

And it was not only herself who felt that way because when she turned to the side, Shivangi noticed even the other women was eyinh the man in the wonder and her sister-in-laws looked one second away from dropping on the floor.

Raghuveer introduced the Tripathis to the Chaudharys.

"..Vishal.." the man heard his name and turned to the scene his mother glaring from her place. Raghuveer cleared his throat and thumping the man said "this is Vishal..he is a software engineer in the Patna." He folded his hands to the old woman and the preety girl standing beside her and then extended a hand to the tall man.

"Nice to meet you."

"Hm." Achintya replied grasping his hand for a second and left, not even bothering to return the greeting back. It made Vishal frown but he quickly wiped that thought away from his brain.

The Chaudharys'were the rich and powerful folk, it could be that Achintya Chaudhary was simply an arrogant dog but it hardly has to do anything with him. He has heard enough about the Chaudharys to know not to show his dislike bluntly on the face. Beside, he had no time for that. He was busy looking for the figure clad in the green coloured silk saree.

She was here few moments before but now no trace of her could be seen anywhere.

Vishal knew any possibility of having anything with Niyati was not possible now, but still he could appreciate her friendship -beside, he still has to make his eyes agree to stop looking at her-

During this whole time, Vishal did not even get to compliment the girl or even talk to her. They simply exchanged greetings in the temple and then Niyati becomes so busy in running here to there to do the chores ordered by her family that even now, she still must be doing something and so, could not be present here.

"Looking for someone?" He heard the cool voice of the man and turned to him.

Shaking his head Vishal replied "Kind of. But that someone is not here."

"Seems like that someone is busy in hiding." What it meant? Does the Chaudhary knows about whom Vishal is talking about. But surely he couldn't, Achintya must have understood the confused expression of his but he didn't said anything more leaving Vishal in the confusion.

"Do your family know the Mishras well?" Vishal asked. It is a once in a time opportunity and so using it, he should try to make the most out of it. A good connection with the Achintya Chaudhary will only prove beneficial for him.

"Everyone respect the Mishras in the Begusarai. "

"Hmm..that seems true. Since I came here I'm only hearing good things about the family and the members.." he again tried to discreetly turns his head in the direction he thought he heard the name but still she wasn't there. The crowd around them was moving as Rukhmani Devi went to the stage to click the photographs with the couple along with Gayatri, Raghuveer and Roopa.

Few other women also following behind them, in the chance of having their pictures clicked with the Chaudharys. The young women throwing coy glances to the young dashing man in the simple white cotton shirt tucked in the loose black trouser sleeves folded to the elbows. Waiting for him to step up on the stage so they could also click few pictures with him.

One of the daring girl from the folk of the young women stepped forward, giggling she and other three went towards the two men "uhm..Chote Babu, click some photos with us too."

Vishal turned abruptly feeling the gaze of those women on his back, steeping aside he let those women come closer to the Achintya. He saw the man smirking, the smirk enhancing his features able enough to swoon many hearts present there. It was indeed an astonishment for a man to be this handsome and knowing it and using it in his favour. Vishal also has received the admiration and attention from the opposite gender but nothing could compare to what the other man has.

"Definitely. Lead the way."

_

"Choti Amma..look at Bhai. He is back to being the insufferable." Gayatri mutters furiously. Her brother was having too much fun after coming here.

All thanks to the dumb folk who worships the ground Achintya walked upon. Even now, when they were forced to sit here and pretend to enjoy the hospitality of these kind people all because Achintya refused to leave without eating the food.

"Shh..do not speak such things. What other will think if they heard you." Rukhmani reminds her. Durga Devi already told Rukhmani to maintain the good up-front infront of the people to help Achintya in gaining the attention for the good cause.

"Jiji.. Achintya do not need anyone's help in that department. He is a professional." Rukhmani had to remind her that and the both lady chuckled.

"I'm not allowed to speak and Bhai is allowed to do everything he want to. " She did not wanted to come in the first place, was forced by the Nupur bhabhi since "it is the engagement of someone you know. Beside you will see many of your classmates there."

Which was not true. Gayatri was the student of the B.A and most of the girls she saw here are either someone she knew by the passing glance or just by their face. It was boring to be here and pretend.

Beside, she was not allowed to mingle with the other gender. There was this cute guy in the glasses talking with her brother some times ago, but if she went there to talk with him Achintya will be chill with it but Rukhmani will have her head. More of that, she has the hunch Achintya was not very fond of that particular man.

"You are. Go and mingle with those girls. They look about your age. "

Gayatri watches the group Rukhmani was pointing and her mood sours even more. She know those girls, they were from the science department and are the one who look down on the others because they think they are superior or something because of their subject selection.

Gayatri was not that good in the studies neither she tried hard as she always knew there is simply no need for her to do well in that. In the end, her family will find the most well off family and the groom to wed her of. It would be much better for her to store her energy in there then to waste in the stupid reactions and laws.

"No thanks. I'm happy where I am."

"Suits you." Rukhmani concluded. Turning to talk with the other women.

_

Suman was drinking the water from the water can when her eyes went to the running boy and the stain of the oil and vegetable on his glistening cream coloured sherwani.

She immediately identified the boy as Abhay Chaudhary who was busy playing with the other children of his age. She looked here and there but couldn't find any one of the family present outside only the big blurry guards with riffles in their hands and just by looking at them made her hand clamps.

Someone passed by her, and she immediately gathered the arm of the girl "Niyati..come here. "

_

Is the destiny playing jokes on her? It has to be that, because only that explains it.

She was outside for the whole time he was there, hiding and concealing herself so no one can call her inside. Undertaking every work from Raghuveer's hand -the caterers, the guest, the water cans arrangement, the chairs - and being busy here so she could simply avoid him.

But then here she was, with the cutest baby in the world in her arms looking at her with stars in his eyes as she went inside the house.

"What is your name?" She ask. Not able to help herself and forgetting the momentarily panic in the face of his innocence.

"Abhay Chaudhary." The boy replied and the first genuine smile erupts on her face when she sit the boy near the sink washing his muddy hands first. "What is your?"

"Niyati. " Abhay was an obedient child. Giving his hands and letting her wash it, not throwing any tantrums children of his age are famous for. "How old are you Abhay?

He holds his palm infront of her face "I'm five." He replied his toothy grin on the display bunching his bread cheeks. Niyati tries to wash the stain with water and soap but it was futile, the cream coloured sherwani was ruined.

"Have you ate anything? How you get this stain?"

The boy shook his head innocently, few of her strands escape behind her ears as she crouched to take a good look at the cloth trickling the little boy's nose and Abhay erupts in the giggle.

Smiling she looked back at him, holding him more steadily "why? Are you ticklish?" grazing her soft hand on his even softer belly as the boy break out laughing and thrashing.

"Okay.. okay..now answer my question. Did you eat anything to get the stain?"

The little boy put his lolling head on her chest melting her heart as she covers his back wiping the escape tear from his eye "no. I was playin."

So he have not ate anything till now but they are here for an hour. Smiling she hoisted the child in her arms again "good. Let's eat together."

Abhay nods his head eagerly in return, already liking Niti and the sweet fragrance around her.

_

"Where is he?" Achintya ask to the guard. He came outside to take Abhay and make him eat something.

"Abhay Babu spilled something on his clothes. A girl in the green saree took him inside to wash it." The guard replied. The young girl already assured him that she is the sister of the bride and will soon be back with young master .

"And you let her?" Gritted Achintya.

"She said she is the- oh there she is," Achintya turned only to freeze where he is.

All this wait to catch a glimpse of her and here the Goddess has sent him the treat for his patience and not running the day by smashing that bastard's head on the wall.

The light green colored saree made her look like the enchantress. The simple jewellery and the small bindi in the middle of her forehead, her hair opened behind he really holds no ground to blame any one else for having their eyes fixed on her.

The difference is while he holds the right of doing that the others don't.

She was snuggling a giggling Abhay in her arms clearly having difficulty in holding his wiggling body. The boy a bit heavy for her figure. Abhay saw him first, lurching towards him and bringing her attention to him.

As she freezes in the middle as Abhay runs towards him colliding on his leg and demanding to be in the arms again. He did that without thinking, eyes still fixed on her and her on him.

A second passed or it could be a minute, than few giggling children ran past her nudging her in the motion and she came out of the trance. Blinking she gain a bit of her composure back, and was about to turn when Abhay call "Niti.." making her halt there and forcing her to come to his side.

Niyati did that very reluctantly, mind telling her to run past behind him while heart forcing her to walk to his side and stay there.

She is doing this for the cute boy and for no one else, she told herself firmly.

"Hm?"

Achintya moves his fingers and the guard was gone. Abhay lurches from his hold again, pointing towards the food station and then to his mouth "food" demanding.

"Ahh..but your- uh...your-

"Chachu would be appropriate." He supplied from the side making her close her eyes in the humiliation for forgetting making a fool of herself.

"Yeah, him. He is here. He will -"

"Niti, food. " The boy demanded huffing his round cheeks. She said they will eat together, why she is now backing away from that. Beside Abhay really liked the sweet fragrance and her gentle voice and he was hungry too and that woman reminds him of his mother.

Stuck in the middle of not able to refuse as well as what to do next, Niyati looked at the boy again pleading him with his eyes but Abhay was one stubborn lad, the inherent stubbornness in his blood as he put his hand on her cheeks -like he do to his mother - and what she really can do now?

"Give him to me. I'll bring him inside after that."

"No thanks. "

Offended, she raises her head "why? I will take good care of him."

"Won't it sully your name? Being seen with a Chaudhury? What will the people think? Think about that."

Biting her lips she turned her face away. He really has do this now? Taunting and reminding her of that day. Of her words.

"No. Because unlike the other Chaudhary, this one is innocent. " He might be thinking that she do not know, but Niyati saw it from her own eyes the way he was clicking pictures with his fan club. Despite the respective distance between him and those girls, it still made her want to rip his hairs off and then those women' eyes. She could do neither and so she simply came outside to calm herself. "Why don't you go inside? Your fan club will be waiting for you."

"Nah..I think I have done enough fan service for the day. "

Gritting her teeth at his audacity and his smirk, Niyati was about to say something harsh to him but again she was reminded of the small weight in his arms and so controlling herself she tried again "Abhay...let's go and eat the food. Come here," she raises her arms and the boy eagerly leaped .

Only for Achintya to tighten his hold, "remember what your mother always say? About the stranger?"

The boy give her a troubled look remembering it well but not wanted to say it infront of the nice lady "not eat anything from stranger."

"Exactly. " Abhay looked almost crestfallen and Niyati glared at Achintya for doing that. "But I will come with you and watch over you , is that cool?"

Niyati saw the cutest fist bump of the history and giggles not realising it. Widening her eyes she looked at him to found his eyes already stuck on her face.

Clearing her throat she tried again and this time Abhay slids in her arms and she hoisted him on her waist. "Let's go..."

The guard watched from the distance, in the astonishment, the girl making the two stubborn Chaudhary following behind her with nothing but a smile.

__

The three of them sat in the corner away from the people. Abhay in Niyati's lap and Achintya facing them with a plate in his lap. The boy eat happily from her hand humming and babbling stories about this and that unaware of the tension brewing in between the two adults.

The brewing tension thickened more after at one point Maithili came from the inside to find Niyati because "Vishal bhaiya is looking for you.." and then running back inside leaving her sister to face the fury alone.

The paper glass crumbled in his hand, and Niyati watches with dread settling in her inside as he stand up from the chair, the plate falling on the carpeted floor without making any noise .

"Please..don't." Achintya turned to her pleading eyes , watching Abhay snoozing on her chest, his nose touching her neck like he knows this was where the sweet fragrance was coming from. "Everyone is inside.."

"Fuck everyone." He spit out and she cover beneath his anger closing her eyes mindful of the weight in her lap.

Taking a deep breathe, he turned to her face wiped off any emotion, the mask of the calmness back again reminding her of that day. "Give Abhay to me and go inside. Everyone will be waiting for their golden child. Vishal bhaiya would be looking for you."

Her hand unintentionally went to the sleeping baby's head, "it is not like that."

"I don't care what it is like that, honestly. No need for you give me any explanation, because if I'm remembering correctly you have ended things between us."

The words pierced her like the hundred tiny needles. His calm tone and unfazed eyes rubbing salt on her open wounds. How many time will he reminds her of that? Of the hollowness in her chest, of the loss she has suffered.

But that all could be ignored if only he understands the true problem of her. Which he is not. Why can't he understands her dilemma? Her being stuck in the middle, one side her family and their reputation and the other side her heart and him? Why he can not understand just how hard it was for her to take that decision and how painful it becomes for her whenever he reminds her of that.

But it seems, there was simply no need for all those now.

Because he take a step towards her to take Abhay from her arms only for her to hastily mumble "I'll bring him inside. Please."

And why the fuck he always melts seeing the redness around her eyes. He has already noticed the stiffness of her frame, the way she looked like she lost few pounds, her usual beautiful smile wiped away from her face.

She hurriedly stand up from the chair hoisting the child up and Abhay buried his nose completely in her neck. Looking around here and there she said "just a second..let me wash my hand-"

The next second, Achintya take our his own handkerchief from his trouser pocket taking her dainty wrist in his own hand -and does it not bought the current running in her body, or the salvation to his wounded heart- wiping those hands clean.

_

Everyone was busy in dancing to the tunes, that no one noticed the young couple on the threshold or the way the woman passed the sleeping child back to the man.

Niyati patted Abhay's back as he stirred in the sleep but then get adjusted in Achintya's hold. Their eyes stuck on one another this whole time, not ready to say the good-bye they know was about to follow.

Vishal found her first, coming from the crowd and not taking the notice of the moment that he ruined in between the two "I was looking for you everywhere-" and dragged her away from the Achintya.

He watched from the far, her mingling with the crowd of her siblings and friends twirling and laughing in between them. The back of her hand wiped something from her cheeks, Vishal crouching beside her to say something in her ear and her shaking her head giving him a tight lipped smile and twirling back again to her siblings.

Not noticing the crestfallen expression of the man, the longing in his eyes watching her back.

He really should have ripped his limbs apart when he had the chance instead of letting those tears distract him and again giving her a chance to make him do things she wanted.

He locate his family from in between the mass and backoned them to leave as both Raghuveer and Roopa and few other people come to the outside to bid them farewell. Raghuveer not able to stop himself thanking them for coming to the occasion and raising his honour.

They all went inside their respecyed cars Gayatri and Rukhmani with Abhay in her lap in one car and Achintya in another.

He shouldn't do that. No. There is really no need of that, she must be inside busy dancing and celebrating with her siblings and it will be a futile thing-

And yet against his better judgement, he looked towards the terrace where she was standing and upon noticing it he closed the door harshly and the car turned.

All the while he watched her minuscule form from the side view mirror.

__

Hush..a long chapter since I couldn't control myself from hurting Achintya and Niyati. It is simply an enjoyable act.

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Fun fact:- children indeed get attracted to the sweet scent.

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Abhay calling Niyati 'Niti' and Achintya bonding with Gola and Mitthu, you see they are getting ready to step up in their future roles.