Silent Whispers

Chapter 46: Happy Endings

Khushi gloomily drummed her fingers across the silk laden table, her eyes scanning the elegantly decorated hall of the popular Marriott Hotel. After two whole treacherous days, it was finally the night of the sangeet, an event where both the groom's side and the bride's had full liberty to be under the same roof.

But there was no point. As her eyes ploughed through the barely crowded room, she realized with a heavy heart that the face she craved for was nowhere in sight. And the reason was obvious:

He was ignoring her. Royally.

Of course, she deserved every bit of it. She had ample amount of time in the past two days to recollect the show she had foolishly put on during her brother's engagement party and not to mention, regret every second of it.

She knew he was just fooling around; she knew he didn't really have any intention whatsoever to force a lavish wedding on her; she knew he only cared about her happiness. So why couldn't she just keep her mouth shut?!

Khushi wished she knew the answer.  At least for the sake of the man she had fallen hard for.

"Hello girlfriend," greeted a chirpy voice.

Khushi looked up to see Lavanya set two glasses of wine on the table. "Drink up," she said, sitting down leisurely. "You look far too gloomy for such a happy occasion."

She shrugged. "Did you see Arnav?"

"Since when do I know where he is more than you?"

"Since the time he isn't picking up any of my calls. And I have made at least a hundred of them."

Lavanya narrowed her eyes. "What did you do?"

"Why are you so confident it's me?!" Khushi fired, feeling slightly insulted that her best friend did not hesitate even for a second about whom to blame.

Lavanya shot her a look.

"Right," Khushi muttered, sinking lower into her chair. "Because I am the crazy, irrational person here. Not him. Got it."

Lavanya's face softened, as pity took over her voice: "Maybe he is busy with the wedding arrangements? Did you trying texting?"

"Yes, a hundred gazillion times. I would have also barged into his house as option number three, except I was too busy playing bride with Anjali," she fumed, holding up her mehendi-clad hands.

Lavanya's eyes widened in astonishment as she inspected the intricate design.

"Don't," Khushi warned, tucking her hands away in the folds of her duppatta. "I don't want to hear a word about my mehendi."

Lavanya grinned, pulling one of the wine glasses towards herself. "Man, I gotta take some tips from Arnav. A year ago you hated the sight of mehendi and now you are getting the letter A written all over it – that's some serious influencing."

She ignored her comment and turned her attention back to the sangeet. If she weren't so caught up in guilt, Khushi would have probably enjoyed this ceremony the most. With an unlimited bar and an open dance floor –save for some occasional dance performances– it was her perfect definition of fun.

However, at that moment, all her thoughts were only on one man. It was when she was almost on the verge of giving up hope that she spotted him. Dressed in a bottle green sherwani, he was in a serious discussion with one of the guests.

"He's here!" Khushi squealed, instantly standing up. "I will be right back!"

And she sped off without another glance, dodging some familiar faces on the way, straight to his rather stiff stature. Realizing that she may not get the warmest response despite a whole two-day separation, she whimsically slipped her arm around his, and literally walked herself into the conversation.