Silent Whispers

Chapter 45: Big Fat Indian Weddings

Shantivaan rang with a din like no other as the Raizada clan's beloved and only daughter slipped a pristine platinum band on the smiling Shyam Manohar Gupta. It was the engagement that both the families spent the past month meticulously planning and their work bore fruit beautifully.

While the vast mansion was glistening exquisitely with red roses, soft drapes and dreamy lights, the Raizada family was dressed in their best, hosting their small group of friends with utmost perfection. However, nothing could outdo the bride-to-be, Anjali. Dressed in a coral-coloured lehenga, she looked positively radiant as she sat, demure, in front of Shyam.

It was a sight to behold.

And to Khushi, standing behind her brother, laughing and clapping with the crowd, it was reminder of everything she had won despite losing some very big battles.

"Khushi!" whispered an urgent voice in her ear.

She looked over her shoulder to see a panicking Payal. "What's wrong?"

"Some reporters are outside and they are demanding to be let in!"

Khushi let out a sigh of relief at the flimsy news, before turning her attention back to her brother.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Payal muttered, her voice so low that even Khushi had a hard time hearing.

"Because," she replied, in between posing for the photographers. "That's hardly a problem. Reporters are alwaysdemanding for information."

"And they resort to extreme measures when they aren't getting it!"

Khushi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Stop overreact-"

She couldn't finish for Payal grabbed her elbow and tugged her away from the swarm of people. "I am not overreacting!" she exclaimed as soon as they were out of earshot. "The watchman is saying he never saw so many reporters at once, so they are bound to create some ruckus-"

"No they won't," Khushi interrupted, unperturbed. The decision to keep the ring ceremony a small and private one was Shyam and Anjali's joint decision and she knew, come what may, Arnav would not let it be disregarded. "They just like to make a scene. That's all. Besides Arnav already told them that they will be allowed to snoop around at the party tonight only if they keep away from the ceremony now."

She didn't seem convinced.

"Relax Sharma!" Khushi said, throwing her arm around her in amity. "Stop worrying about useless things and instead enjoy the perks of weddings."

"Perks?"

She nodded to her left, where an oblivious Akash was busy throwing instructions to the servants. Payal followed her gaze, before looking away with downcast eyes.

"Uh-oh," Khushi said, her shoulders falling in worry. "What did he do now?"

Payal didn't answer, not that Khushi needed one. After their absurd, but peaceful conversation at the coffee shop near their university, a strange understanding had paved its way between them, which of course at that time, both of them hadn't realized. It was only when Payal messaged her out of the blue a few months ago, asking for a family of photo of Arnav, Anjali and Akash that Khushi began to see the bond that they shared. 

There was no enmity, bitterness, or most of all, unfamiliarity. When both of them met over coffee for a second time, an enlarged photo of the Raizada's in hand, it was as if they were always friends, as if they weren't speaking to each other after two full years of envy and rivalry.

It was quite shocking.

And after that, there was no turning back. For Khushi, Payal quickly became a close confidant –not as close as Lavanya, but still pretty close– giving her a much needed insight into Akash's mind, while for Payal, Khushi became the translator of his sometimes-on-and-sometimes-off attitude.