12.

✨Midnight Surprise Update ✨

To those celebrating Valentine's...

May you all have love and light throughout the year...not just one particular day. Because pure love doesn't need a particular day for celebrations. True love can be celebrated every day, every minute, every second.

To all the couples...may you always find peace, love and happiness in each other...

To all those who are single... Enjoy this phase too...coz you'll never be disappointed with the gifts from your partner... gift yourself whatever you like...Be like Prakruthi Nayak until you find your Kedar Daddy 🤭

To the rest of them...look around, love is in various forms. Family, friends, acquaintances.

For those who don't have any of these. Look above. He's the best valentine ever. He's with you. Always ❤️

RadheKrishna 🙏

Love ❤️

Srinidhi

DHARA

✨

'Wow looks like the rains are getting merciless. Are you able to see anything at all Parth?' I asked him as I could hardly see anything due to the gushing rains. It's like the rain gods are a little too overwhelmed towards Kolkata since last night. When Parth said 'Relax Dhara! I am trying to go as slow as possible. I don't want to stop here as the roads are a little too deserted here and it's not safe.' he said as he continued driving slowly but the rains only got worse.

Parth had asked one of his student who stays near the art gallery to collect the painting before it closes and thank God we did that because what I heard from Nivedita Didi is that Dida has been asking for it ever since evening. I told her that we would make sure to drop the painting at the mansion before I would go home but the rains weren't too friendly and kept pouring nonstop. We are still approximately half an hour away from the Chakraborty mansion but now it's getting real tough to see the roads and without a go Parth had to stop the vehicle.

✨

It's been more than 20 minutes and we are stuck inside this car. Initially we had some chips and juice to pass our time in here but now we are out of food and slowly also getting out of generic topics. We discussed about my wedding, my shopping, functions bla bla but now we were only smiling at each other. The silence was really too much to tolerate so I decided to break the ice this time.

'So...you didn't plan to get married?' and Parth's facial expressions registered a shock but he covered it with a smile. Hesitant smile to be honest and I regretted asking something this personal. Maybe staying silent was a better option. But Parth replied 'Have never really thought about it Dhara. Daadu wanted me to get married initially but I denied. Various reasons ofcourse but mainly I wasn't sure. I had to build a career. The dance school had just begun and then I wasn't even a part of the family business except for the few shares that I had owned which also I wrote off on the name of Nibbi Di. Everything had to be from the scratch you see!!!' he said and looked elsewhere.

It felt like there was more to it but he didn't want to share and I didn't want to ask further. We sat in silence waiting for the rain gods to take a break. But seems like the signals were weak and the rains kept pouring. Suddenly Parth asked me

'So... guess we are stuck. How about I get to know my new friend a little more. So tell me about yourself!!!' saying he simply sat cross legged leaning a little too comfortably on his seat and I didn't know where to begin from. When he smiled saying 'Relax Dhara!!! It's not a interview. You can say what you like and skip what you like. Just like what I did few minutes ago' and I smiled more. So I was right. He has his secrets but I also felt happy knowing I could do the same.

I began telling him about my childhood, about Daarji and my siblings. He listened to everything with all the patience while I also made sure to skip all the unhappy moments of my life. He knows that I had a past and his name was Sharath. Well let's end it there. Then I also told her about Pooja and her silly crush on his brother that made him stiffle a laugh. When I said 'I know right. Can you believe it, she is more excited about seeing him at my wedding than seeing me as a bride. She thinks he's some prize she won at a lucky draw after she got to know I'm marrying her brother!' I said making Parth burst out laughing.

Eventually after about almost one and half hours, the rains calmed down a bit and Parth decided to start the car but his car wasn't starting. It was going to be 10 pm now and we were stuck on a deserted road. I started panicking but Parth called Nivedita Didi explaining that his car broke down, she said that she'd send someone. Without a go we were waiting in the car when we heard a knock on the car door. Parth slowly rolled down the glasses of his car to notice a policeman standing there.

He was trying to peep inside our car when Parth asked him what did he want and the man had a sly smile on his face that I hated right now. I knew the typical mentality when a man and a woman are found stranded in a car amidst heavy rainfall. That's the usual mindset the society has, although it's evident we could be here due to genuine reasons but no one would think that way. The policeman spoke something in Bengali and although I understand the language in bits and pieces, most of what he asked Parth except why were we here and what were we to each other made no sense to me.

Parth kept replying him but when eventually the man looked at me and smirked a little and then probably passed a lewd comment, Parth looked furious. He literally pushed open the door and walked out in the rain as he started to argue with the man and before I could understand his hands were on his collars and before I knew the matter escalated so quickly that a bunch of policemen arrived there and started dragging Parth with him. I ran out of the car begging them to let go off Parth but they gave me a deaf ear while one of them tried to take me with them but knowing my basic rights I refused to come along and asked if they had a female officer or female constable with them. They kept looking at me furiously and dialled someone.

They were dragging Parth to their van when I acted quickly and dialled Aniruddh but to my bad luck he didn't pick my call. Before I could understand further the van started to move and without any choice, I told the policemen that I am good to go to the station with them. They were confused but understood that I wanted to see Parth. On my way I kept telling them that I was his sister in law and that I would be marrying his brother two days from now but they passed me cheap looks saying 'We have seen sisters, mothers and even wives madam!!! You can justify everything at the station. Above all the man attacked a man on duty. He's going to rot in jail' and I was worried now.

I tried calling Nivedita Didi but her phone was not reachable. Without any options left I dialled Anika and she received my call. I explained the entire situation and she said she'll talk to her friend and family lawyer Simone and everything will be fine. In the mean time I reached police station only to see the horror.

Parth was put behind the bars. I didn't understand why is when one of constables said 'He seems too hot blooded. He raised his hand on our Sir. We will teach him a good lesson. You sick people created public mischief by creating a nuisance to the society. You seem well off, why would you sleep around with men for a little money? Why can't you find a job?' and again I heard Parth yell 'What the hell you fucker? Don't you understand that she's family and not what your disgusting mind is brewing right now? If you are found stranded on a road due a vehicle breakdown with your daughter? Should I assume the same?' he yelled when the policeman lost it and ran towards him. He barged into the cell and began thrashing Parth left, right and centre making him cry in pain.

Gosh!!! This was totally getting out of hand when I begged him 'Sir!!! Please...No please understand we aren't what you are thinking. I am going to get married to his brother Aniruddh Chakraborty the day after tomorrow.' when the officer turned around asking 'You mean the politician?' and I nodded. He wasn't ready to believe me when I quickly showed him his number but he raised an eyebrow saying 'Well then show me at least a picture where you both are together. You claim to be his would-be wife. That's the least you should be having right now?'

I was helpless. How would I explain that ours is a weird kind of setup. I didn't have a picture of ours together. But I showed him my call history with Aniruddh but he laughed it off saying that doesn't prove anything. Even our wedding affair was kept under the wraps without any media attention due to Aniruddh's security reasons and I was left helpless. All I could do was wait for Anika and after sometime Anika arrived with some lawyer who spoke to the officers. Anika provided them all the proofs and explained everything to them. Although they didn't believe my words, the wedding invitation and the Chakraborties names on it gave them nightmares and they immediately released Parth and kept apologizing for the inconvenience.

It was already 1:30 am and we decided to go home. Anika offered her car to Parth, so he could go home. It was an eventful night. I just wanted to hit the bed. I saw my phone and noticed Aniruddh hasn't called back yet. Why is he never available when I need him? I was yet another time feeling lonely in spite of having a partner.

✨

I wanted to forget everything that happened last night like a bad dream. Hoping Aniruddh called me this morning seeing so many of my missed calls last night was again my stupidity. Looks like the man is too busy to bother. Didn't know if it was business or something else. I didn't want to call him but I still dialled only for his number to be switched off. He probably forgot to charge his phone. I noticed Parth's message saying 'Enjoy the functions. Don't think about anything else. The painting has been delivered to Nibbi Di and your sister's car should be on its way to your home. There is a small thank you gift to you and your siblings. Hope you all like it'. I smiled of how thoughtful he was. He was a good man. He not only stood up for my honour but didn't care about the world when someone tried to malign my image. He was a genuine friend and I'm lucky to have him as my family now.

Looks like rain gods have missed their way and don't want to leave Kolkata. This was the second consecutive day and the rains weren't stopping. Today was my Chooda ceremony. Although I was born to a Bengali mother, I was also a Puri. Daarji was a Sikh Punjabi and I always wanted the Chooda rasam to be a part of my wedding ceremony. Tillu did the ritual for me when Daarji blessed me. I was in between the rituals when all the kids kept running here and there while a team of people making Chats and Jalebis arrived at my small home with equipment. When asked they told me Parth's name and I had an instant smile on my lips. That was indeed a unique gift, I thought to myself as I chuckled.

Everyone was enjoying the Chats and had a great time together. Everyone at home thought it was Aniruddh except Anika and I knew it was Parth. It was a beautiful gesture. I took a picture of mine holding a Puchka in my hand sending a 'Thank you' along with the picture to which all he did was send a big red heart smiley. My wedding haldi ritual was supposed to be done by afternoon but the Haldi never arrived from the Chakraborty household. We kept waiting for more than 2+ hours when Daarji came and told us that Arindam Daadu called him a few minutes ago that there is no need to be so formal to wait for them. Aniruddh is caught up with a few business meetings and we could just do the Haldi ceremony without the paste that arrived from the groom's household.

I found all of this so weird. I wasn't understanding what kind of a job was Aniruddh into that he didn't have time for his own wedding rituals. Why marry in the first place if you are so busy. I almost had tears brimming in my eyes while anger was bubbling within. I didn't want to fall weak. Daarji was already worried and I didn't want to stress him. So Anika offered the Haldi to God and the Haldi rituals were completed.

I was finally getting ready for the Mehndi function. I was wearing a green lehenga and the family jewellery that Dida wanted me to wear. This function was organised at the Chakraborty mansion so we arrived there sharp at 7 pm. Although the house was decked up like a bride there was no music, no laughter, nothing. Everything looked dead silent.

It didn't feel like I was at my wedding function and felt like I was at a funeral.

We reached the living room to see their family members sitting on the sofa. The men looked angry, Beena aunty was crying while the rest of the women were consoling her. Krissh was dialling someone continuously. Parth was also trying to dial someone standing in the corner of the room. I was confused when suddenly Dida looked at me and she came rushing towards me as she shouted

'What did you do huh? What did you tell him? This girl...she never looked right to me for my Oni from day one but you...you Arindam you selected her. Open your mouth you bad omen...what have you told my Oni that he took this step? Tell !!!' she shouted and I understood nothing.

I kept looking here and there and finally looked at Arindam Daadu who said

'Oni...left Dhara!!!' and I narrowed my eyebrows asking 'Left? Where?' when he shook his head saying 'We don't know. This was his last message' saying he showed me his phone which said

I am sorry Daadu...I can't do this...Dhara knows why I'm doing this...I'm sure she would understand.

I am sorry. I can't!!! Please forgive me.

And I froze.

So he really left? He backed out? He really backed out leaving me alone?

I was just collecting myself altogether trying to accept this when suddenly Arindam Daadu shouted 'Balraj!!! Shit!'

And I turned around to see Daarji had collapsed on the floor.

Oh God! No..no...no... please.

What's happening?