11.

DHARA

✨

'Coffee?' Parth offered, but I shook my head telling how I avoid having more than a cup of coffee for a day. No it's not because I don't love coffee, but it's because I don't want caffeine interfering in my sleep cycle. I no longer take my sleeping pills until and unless I feel a reoccurrence of a panic attack or I have difficulty in sleeping which is very rare. Last I took a pill was when I stayed at the Chakraborties and it was a new place and my mind was on an overdrive. Parth smiled and started sipping from his cup.

Both of us kept constantly glancing at the clock. It was about to be three past thirty and Aniruddh wasn't here. I didn't want to call him up. The skies were still drizzling, thanks to the unexpected Kolkata weather swap. Parth kept looking at me time and again but didn't say anything. I knew he wanted to talk about what happened in the morning, but he probably was trying to maintain his boundaries. I decided to break the ice asking 'Mousami Mam isn't here yet?' when he quickly replied saying 'Its the rains. She said she's stuck. You know how merciless Kolkata traffic can be during the rains' and I nodded.

The odd silence was killing me and I couldn't stop myself. 'Parth... regarding Aniruddh's past-...I...I...uh' and just when I was going to say further he interrupted saying 'Sorry Dhara but I can't help you with anything there. Like I said before, it's not my place to tell you about Oni's-' and before he could continue I interrupted saying that I knew everything and Parth's eyes widened and after sometime visibly relaxed noticing I wasn't hyper or worried anymore.

He cleared his throat saying 'My brother is a gem Dhara!!! Heartbreak and difficult relationships are a part and parcel of our lives. I'm sure being the kind person you are...you do understand' and I smiled and nodded. He should have been here at least an hour ago but Aniruddh still wasn't here. I hadn't even heard from him after our conversation in the car. What if he's really going to say no to this we-

'Oni is here!!!' Parth's words brought me back to reality as I saw Aniruddh along with Nivedita Didi standing in front of me. I don't know why my heart felt a little relieved. Although I had told him that it's completely his call if he wanted to walk out of this relationship but him coming back here brought a different comfort to me. More than a sigh of relief, it was a sign of trust that he's never going to leave me alone. It was a secret promise that we could probably not be in love with each other but maybe talk and resolve our issues and support each other throughout. This felt like a small test god had put us against and we passed it with flying colors.

'Hi' I greeted him with a smile and he gave me a small smile as he greeted me back with a 'Hi'. Very few words were exchanged between the both of us but there was a level of comfort, an unspoken trust. A silent word to stay and face everything together. Our eyes were doing the talking when Parth stood between us and cleared his throat saying

'If all the silent staring is done...shall we proceed? You see unlike some others, we poor people have a dance school to run!!!' and Nivedita Didi burst out laughing.

'Music please' Parth yelled and the song began when Aniruddh raised an eyebrow asking 'Bollywood?' while I smiled saying 'Still a Tango!!!'

'Pyaar ki ek kahaani suno' one of my childhood favourite tracks began playing when we finally held onto each other. Aniruddh's left hand held my right one while I felt his shivering hand on my waist. Although not touching my body, probably he was feeling a little shy because his eyes weren't meeting mine but I was drowning in his.

No wonder Mousami Mam calls it a Tomato Tango. Tangy indeed!

✨

'Wrong wrong wrong!!!' I said when he again used his wrong leg and we both were about to fall together. This was the 10th time we were practicing it and yet it seemed like a bad idea. I huffed as I simply took a step back raising my hands up in the air. There is no way, we'll be performing this at our Mehndi tomorrow. It took me 3 days to learn this much, and he seemed to be a miserable dancer. There's no way he'll be ready with this piece tomorrow.

Parth kept looking at us while still sitting on the chair in the corner analysing our act while Nivedita Didi kept making sad faces seeing our crash into each other terribly every now and then. I finally spoke up 'I think we must do some slow dancing or basic bollywood. There's no way we'll perform this tomorrow evening!!!' I said honestly when Aniruddh looked at his brother with a sad face and Parth hid his face behind his laptop saying 'Dont look at me like that. I am a choreographer and not a magician.' when Aniruddh ran towards him saying 'Dada please!!! I'll pick it up if you teach us' and he huffed saying 'Nope!!! It's very less time. Guess you both must settle for a ballroom dance and that should be easier' but Aniruddh was adamant. Finally Parth had to give up and agree to his brother's plea.

✨

'Please let me know if I'm making you uncomfortable Dhara!!!' Parth said as he slowly joined his left hand with my right one. His other hand was slightly on my back as he tried avoiding holding onto my waist. He tried as minimal contact as possible. The music began and we both continued moving as per the choreography. Parth was perfect and crisp in his movements obviously. I couldn't sometimes even manage to coordinate my steps with him. He was pure perfection and I was just a learner.

I noticed how Aniruddh kept looking at both of us like he was hypnotized. Nivedita Didi on the other side hooted and cheered for the both of us although my eyes kept meeting Aniruddh's who kept looking at Parth and me without even blinking once.

Finally the song came to an end and I twirled and finally landed in Parth's arms and he held onto my waist so I didn't lose my balance. Nivedita Didi and some of his students clapped for both of us and we took a bow although Aniruddh stood there staring at both of us. Didn't he like the act? His constant stare made me uncomfortable. Wait a minute. Was he jealous? Could that be possi-

But before I could think further he said something so stupid that left both Parth and me... shocked.

'That was just so eyecatching Dada!!! You know what...I think you both should perform it tomorrow for our Mehndi ceremony.' he announced leaving both me and Parth speechless. Is he mad? This is our wedding. Why should the bride be dancing with her brother in law? It didn't make any sense to me. I was getting angry now. But before I could voice out my displeasure, Parth spoke up saying

'Have you gone mad Oni? Why would I be dancing with Dhara when you both should be gracing the floor together. It's your wedding after all. Bokka!!!' he said walking away excusing himself to get some water when I stared at Aniruddh angrily when he giggled saying 'What??? I loved that. Infact all my friends would love it Dhara. Look!!! You really worked hard to get that right and it was all because I wanted a Tango act for our Mehndi function. Now that you are ready, I don't wanna screw up your hardwork' he argued when Parth shouted from the other end of the room saying

'Pagol...it isn't a DID competition tomorrow. It's your wedding and nobody will be judging you both for it okay? Like I said chuck the Tango and I'll set you both up for a ballroom dance' and I smiled at Parth. He winked at me as he walked out of the room grabbing his water bottle when Aniruddh looked at Nivedita Didi saying 'Nibbi Di...tell me...wasn't that so so good? How do they even have a heart to discard such an act and do something mediocre just because I don't fit in?' and I slapped my forehead.

Nivedita Didi smiled saying 'Because it's your wedding Dada.' and Aniruddh rolled his eyes saying 'How does that matter. I think this is also a great opportunity to include Dada in our wedding festivities. Even our elders can't object or taunt Dada's presence at our wedding. I mean this is a multi bagger. And come on...I'm the groom and I have no issues' he said this time I interrupted being annoyed with his stupid demands saying 'But I do Aniruddh. I want to dance with my groom on my Mehndi function and not with my brother. Please understand!!!' I said it firmly. He was about to argue but I added further saying 'It 's either my groom and me, or...no dancing at all'. Finally Aniruddh had to agree.

I was so pissed that I didn't have any mood to practice anything. I don't understand why this fellow runs behind silly, stupid technicalities when in reality we must be talking to each other, spending time with each other. But he seems to be doing everything for the sake of pleasing someone else. And who? Friends? Family? I am not saying it's not important to keep them happy but this is our wedding and shouldn't he be looking out for my happiness or comfort before anything or anyone else. I did that. Expecting that from him, is it too much to ask?

I walked out of the auditorium looking for some private space to breathe a little fresh air. I kept walking on the long corridors that seemed to have rooms where dance classes were conducted. I happened to reach a corridor full of plants. Evening rays of the warm sun fell on my face as I closed my eyes taking a deep breath. Life seemed beautiful but complicated too. Aniruddh was a nice guy but always prioritised his family and friends above me. No. I don't expect him to give me the utmost priority but he must consider my wish and comfort too. I'm also going to be a part of his life now. I am already one but he doesn't seem to understand it.

Don't overthink it Dhara. He is a little protective about his broken heart!' Parth's voice broke my thoughts when he offered me a bowl of Ghugni. I smiled and looked at him asking 'How did you know I was hungry?' and he smiled saying 'I didn't. I was hungry. I just bought an extra bowl for you and Nibbi Di. She's hogging it there in that auditorium. Oni hates Ghugni. So yeah. Cheers?' he asked and I chuckled and took a spoon full of Ghugni putting it in my mouth.

'Damnnnn.. this could melt someone in their worst mood too.' saying I took another spoonful of it and Parth chuckled continuing to dig into his bowl. After a few spoons Parth said 'His heartbreak was bad. Real bad. It left him really damaged. But time and efforts healed it all. Then you happened to him. Dhara you aren't a rebound for him. You are a fresh start. So don't think too much. You are getting married soon, just be happy. Okay?' Parth said and I couldn't help but smile wholeheartedly. He is a gem. I couldn't understand how on earth could Chakraborties hurt someone as good as Parth. Sorry to say but my future family members are disappointing.

✨

After Parth setting up an act for Aniruddh and myself, Aniruddh had to leave as he received a call and he had an urgent business meeting. Nivedita Didi, myself and Parth kept chit chatting about random things when she realised it was almost late evening and Didi had to be back home. She was about to leave when she received a call from the art gallery and she slapped her forehead.

Parth and I asked her what happened when she confessed that Dhara's painting was ready and Dida had asked her to collect it this afternoon and it was already late evening. The weather was still unpredictable with unpredictable rain showers every now and then and she had to travel almost 60 kms to collect the painting.

'I don't know how I forgot? Gosh my little one would also be home from school and Lolita also would have to go back to her house. Shayan is also going to come back home tomorrow morning. Damn this is a mess!!!' she said when Parth held her shoulders saying 'Di!!! Chill...I'll manage it...don't worry' he said and I smiled looking at how kind and responsible Parth was. He immediately dialled someone and after a few minutes he told her 'It is sorted!!! Relax'.

Nivedita Didi took a deep breath and excused herself as she was getting late. She would be staying at Chakraborties from tomorrow onwards due to wedding festivities. She asked if I could drop her but I denied saying 'Tillu or Pooja would be picking me up'. Parth accompanied me for some more time although I asked him to leave but he said that I am family now, and he wouldn't leave me alone. Tillu had already started from home but wasn't here yet. His dance school had also closed now and it was almost ticking 7 in the evening now. I was feeling guilty for making Parth wait but he wouldn't listen. I kept dialling Tillu but he wasn't picking my call.

Eventually after a few minutes I saw my phone ringing and it was Tillu on the other side who told me that strangely his car wasn't starting and had issues. He said that he probably wouldn't be able to make it as tomorrow onwards wedding functions would begin and this was our only 4 wheeler in this city. We didn't want to take favours from the Chakraborties and knowing Shankar Jiju, he would spend a fortune for all this and Daarji had strictly warned everyone from making unwanted extra expenses.

'Its ok Tillu...I'll manage. You get the car repaired' I told him and I disconnected the call. Parth probably understood the situation and offered to drop me home. I denied saying I could manage. But seeing the unpredictable weather, Parth insisted to drop me and when I didn't agree he used the 'I am elder to you' card leaving me with no choice.

Boarding his car we were on our way towards my home when he got a call from the art gallery asking him to pick the painting within an hour or they would deliver it tomorrow afternoon. Knowing how silly and annoying Dida could be about such a small thing towards Nivedita Didi, I asked him to drive towards the art gallery first and pick the painting and then to drop me home. Initially he denied saying that I needed good rest but I told him I loved less drama in my life and I didn't want Nivedita Didi to be with a sad face thanks to her grandmother's taunts if she didn't get the painting on time.

Parth smirked and cleared his throat trying to control his laughter but I couldn't stop myself as I burst out laughing loudly when suddenly the sky roared along with us. Wow!!! Guess there's a thunderstorm on its way.

Seems like I'm going to have a monsoon wedding after all.