All Strings Attached

Chapter Three

"Do you think arranged marriages work?" I ask him, pressing down on the brake to line up behind four other cars. Do they not have enough valets?

"Arvi's marriage worked out," he says, shrugging, "she's very happy."

"Her elder brother married for love, didn't he?" I ask, "how come she went for an arranged marriage?"

"Long story," he says, without much of an explanation. "But Arvi's always been a little wary of relationships and untrusting of people."

"Who hurt her?" I joke.

"She's just always been like that, I guess," he says, "always a little on the cautious side."

"How's Dhriti doing?" I ask him, "she's going to be here, isn't she?"

"She's fine, just stressed from work." He shakes his head, sighing, "do you think Amma and Naanna just don't like Dhriti?"

"I think they know her family looks down on us a little," I tell him, "and they don't appreciate that."

"They look down on everyone, though," he says, clearly frustrated. "They're doctors."

"Are you saying it's just a doctor characteristic?"

"They do have a god complex, you know?"

"Does that include your girlfriend?" I question, raising a single eyebrow at him.

"Don't try to turn her against me," Dhruv warns, "she's barely gotten any time off of work recently. But I don't think Dhriti has the complex- she was forced to be a doctor. Maybe if she found a calling to the profession." He shrugs. "I don't know."

"Dhriti's a nice girl," I attempt to comfort him, before I open the car's door and get out, taking the token from the valet with a nod.

Dhruv joins me as we walk into the venue, and pats my shoulder. "Sita is a nice girl, too," he says, grinning as he looks ahead of us.

As if she'd heard him say his name, Sita Cherukuri turns to look at the two of us, her dark brown eyes clashing with mine. My gaze travels downward, noting her full, coloured lips, and the glittering diamonds against her fair skin. Her eyes, I realise all of a sudden, why did they look apprehensive? I look back into her brown eyes, but she looks away with a sudden jerk, making me realise I'd been staring at her.

"Anna," Dhruv calls touching my arm for my attention. "Where are you lost?" He asks. "I'm going to go and find Dhriti, will you be fine by yourself?"

I roll my eyes at Dhruv. "Tell Dhriti I said hi," I tell him, waving him off.

"Sir, one picture," I hear someone ask, and turn to look at a man holding a camera. He seems to be from a magazine.

I look at Dhruv, who simply sighs and shakes his head. "I'm afraid that's a no," I communicate, walking away in long strides along with Dhruv.

"You could've gotten yourself photographed," Dhruv says, "good publicity for a future politician."

"Good publicity for a future politician is not at a billionaire's daughter's wedding," I let him know. "I'd rather not."

"Dhushyanth Anna!" Nitya calls for me, "hi!" She waves her hand enthusiastically, making me chuckle.

"I would've loved you if you were like Nitya," I tell Dhruv, waving back at her.

"Oh, fuck off. Who asked for your love?"

"You're the one constantly crying about how no one loves you." I side hug Nitya and enquire about how she's doing, "how are you, kanna?"