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Chapter-13

Shraddha Kumar

Dining room,

We all started our dinner. As usual, we all were discussing our whole day. Mumma cleared her throat in an announcing manner. We all looked at her. She dropped a bomb on me.

I'm kidding. But the announcement was not less than Bomb.

"Shraddha you are getting married next week," Mumma said.

"What?" I shouted.

"Yes. We met the priest today. He said that Next week is a very auspicious time for the wedding." Mumma said excitedly.

"Papa..." I looked at papa whispering. I thought he would oppose Mumma but he is smiling.

"But Mumma, why so early?" Kary asked Mumma.

"I know, but then it is a very auspicious time and we don't want to miss it," Mumma said.

"Mumma, I agreed to marry but I don't want to get married so early," I said.

I wanted to shout but then I took a deep breath and said calmly.

"Princess, do you trust us?" Papa asked me.

"Yes. I trust you both more than myself." I said.

"Then trust us. You know we will never hurt you." Papa said.

"Radha, believe us and agree for it," Mumma said.

I nodded my head in affirmative. Papa and Kary smiled but Mumma was so happy and excited. Its She is getting married not me.

After dinner, I wished goodnight to everyone and went to my bedroom. I was standing in the balcony and stood near the railings. I was looking at the moon. In the next 8 days, I'll be getting married. I thought about all the time and moments I spent with my family and close friends. With the thoughts of starting a new chapter of life, I drifted to sleep.

Morning

I woke up later than usual. I had a quick shower and got ready. I remembered that I haven't informed Divi about the wedding date. Oh god. I started doing my morning routine quickly and went downstairs. I was late and all started having breakfast. I wished good morning to everyone and kissed on papa's cheek. Mumma was fake, glared at me and said.

"How will you behave in your in-law's home?" Mumma said dramatically.

"Mumma, you know this is the modern generation so I'm sure that my in-laws will not have any problem with my sleeping habits." I also dramatically replied to her.

"Like mother Like daughter," Papa said. We all laughed at his words. Me and Mumma hi-fied each other.

"Radha, in the evening we have to go shopping. So come early and also bring Divi with you." Mumma said no, ordered me.

"Ok, Mumma," I said.

"Radha, if possible can you both take a leave from café for a week? I'm sure Mr Srinivas will handle all the matters." Mumma said.

I thought about it for a minute and decided to talk about it with Divi and Mr Srinivas.

"Ok, Mumma. I'll confirm it in the evening." I said and bade bye to all.

I reached café late and Divi already went before me. I went into our cabin. She was working on some files.

"Good morning Divi." I wished her.

"Good morning. Why late?" She asked me.

"I woke up late. What are you doing?" I asked her.

"Reviewing accounts as well as Inventory." She replied.

I wanted to tell her about the wedding date. I cleared my throat to encourage myself.

"Divi, I want to tell you something," I said. She looked up from her work and said to continue.

"Divi, My wedding date is Next week. Mumma met the priest yesterday and he gave next week's date." I told her.

She was stunned. Then she came to me and hugged me.

"Shradhu, are you happy?" She asked me.

"I'm confused. I mean I never thought about the wedding and life partner and then suddenly I'm getting married next week." She made both of us sit on the sofa.

"Shradhu, what do you want? Do you want to marry him? Or do you want to wait?" She asked me.

"I... I want to marry him," I said.

"But...I haven't met him. I don't know how he looks. I even don't know his name." I continued.

"Ask Mumma for his details. If possible, meet him and discuss your weddings plans." She said.

"Ok. But you are coming with me today for shopping. My wedding shopping." I said to her.

"Ok. I'll come." She said, smiling.

After some time I met our Café manager Mr Srinivas Mithra. I told him about my wedding. He congratulated me and wished me for a happy married life. I asked him whether he can manage in the absence of me and Divi for a week. He said he can. I Informed this to Divi.

In the evening we both left for home. We decided to go together in one car with everyone. Divi's parents were gone to London for some business work as well for vacations. I went to my bedroom and freshened up. I wore black Kurti with off white palazzo pants. I paired it with Medium-sized golden Jhumka (earrings) and nude colour pump.

I went downstairs and met everyone. Today even Papa and Kary also came early from office. Divi came running inside.

"I thought I got late," Divi said.

We all laughed at her. Divi was dressed in a black dress. We all sat in the car. Kary was driving the car and papa took a passenger seat. I, Mumma and Divi took a middle seat. We were on the way to the Store. Mumma told us that the Malhotra family will meet us directly in the store. We all got down from the car and Kary went to the parking to park the car.

We met Malhotra's at the store entrance. I bent to take blessings but aunty stopped me and hugged me.

"Always remember, daughters never bend," Uncle said.

"Where is Shreya?" I asked them.

"She is parking the car. She will come in 2 minutes." Aunty said.

I introduced Divi to them. Shreya came mumbling something. She hugged me. I introduced Divi and Shreya to each other. They were talking about the excitement they have for the wedding. Suddenly Kary came and he looked at the Shreya who was busy chatting with Divi. He was stunned for a moment but then suddenly his expressions changed and became angry. I introduced him to Malhotra's as they didn't meet him. Kary bends to take blessings of Uncle and Aunty. They hugged him and blessed him. Shreya and Kary looked at each other with anger. I thought to talk to Kary about it afterwards.

It was decided that Wedding lehenga (Indian Dress) will be shopped from Designer Sabyasachi brand. Its store is in Fort, Mumbai. We entered the store. The staff welcomed us and offered us beverages. The designer started showing us the different colour wedding lehengas. I told them to show simple and red coloured lehengas.

After a few dress trials, I loved one simple red wedding lehenga. I showed it to my family. They also loved it. Mumma got tears in her eyes seeing me in wedding lehenga. I told them to do some alterations to the dress. They told us that the dress will be delivered by tomorrow. Aunty also selected the Sherwani (Male Indian dress) complimenting my wedding dress. As my Would be husband is not here, his shopping is also done by Aunty and Shreya. After that Mumma and Aunty selected the sarees for themselves. Papa and Uncle went to the counter for payments.

After that, we went to Bandra, Mumbai. Bandra has many famous designers' outlets. We went to the Manish Malhotra store for the reception dress. Being a famous businessman has its perks. They have already picked out a few dresses for me to try.

Shreya chose a beautiful Indo western dress for me, for the reception. I loved it very much. The main clothes for the wedding were finally purchased. I asked Shreya to choose dresses for her and Riya but She didn't like anything. So we decided that tomorrow we will shop for them as well as Divya.

After Completing shopping we decided to have dinner in Pali Bhavan restaurant which is a very popular North Indian cuisine restaurant. I was observing that from the time both Shreya and Kary met they were glaring at each other. Now also they sat opposite to each other and glaring at each other. I shook Shreya and asked her.

She shook her head in no and started having a meal.

Elders were discussing the Wedding Venue. As it is decided that it will be an intimate ceremony it was quite impossible to have it in Mumbai. After discussion, it is decided that the wedding will take place in Punjab. Punjab is the village of both families. Malhotra's have their farmhouse in Amritsar whereas we also have our ancestor villa in Amritsar. It will be easy for both families to have wedding rituals.

"Mumma, Aunty there is some shopping left so can we take Shreya with us tomorrow? It will take a full day because She, Divi and Riya's dresses haven't shopped and also I want to shop for some casual sarees and Suits." I said to both.

"Sure. And Shraddha you can wear any type of clothes in which you are comfortable. So if possible buy some western outfits for you tomorrow." Aunty said to me.

I was happy that I don't have to compromise for clothes. I can wear the clothes in which I'm comfortable.

After dinner, we said bye to Malhotra's and returned to the home. After coming I freshen up and went to meet Kary. I asked him about Shreya and his glares to her. He told me he met with her in the Store's Parking Lot. How they both fought and gave each other nicknames. I was laughing listening to his story. I told him to give her a chance and start over because I know that you liked her. He blushed. I mean my little brother 'Kartik Kumar' Blushed. I wished him Good Night and came into my bedroom. I did my nightly routine of cleaning and moisturizing. Due to Shopping, I was tired so as soon as I lay on the bed I drifted to sleep.

Kartik Kumar

Today we were going to my sister's wedding shopping. I dropped them all at the entrance gate of the store and went towards the parking lot. I saw an empty slot and went in that direction to park my car but when I was entering into the parking space when suddenly someone else also tried to enter and due to which both of our cars collided with each other. Due to the collision, the headlight of the other car broke and my car had scratches and dent on the right side of the car.

I was very angry. I love my car like my baby. I got down from the car and went to the other car. I knocked on the window and told the driver to come out. I was ready to lash out the driver but when she came out from the driver seat. I was lost in looking at her. She was looking beautiful. She looked at her car and then at me.

"What the hell? Don't you have eyes? Can't you see such a big car?" She started shouting.

I became more furious.

"Excuse me, but can't you see the car. Look what you did to my car." I said, showing her the dent and scratches which formed on the car.

"You Mr., It's your fault. See because of you my car's headlight broke." She shouted.

"Miss Stupid, You came in the between and try to enter the space where I was going to park my car," I said in a high tone.

"You called me stupid? You are a monkey. First I saw the spot so I'll park my car here. You should search for some other spot for your car." She said in an arguing tone.

"Instead of apologizing, you are arguing with me," I said to her.

"Mr. oh-I'm-the-right, see because of you my car's headlights broke so you should pay me compensation as well as ask for an apology. It was your fault that you tried to enter my spot." She said.

"Look, Miss. Stupid, I have seen the spot first and I'm in halfway to enter whereas you didn't enter properly in the space. Unfortunately, I came first so I'll be parking my car on this spot. As you can see the fault was yours due to which my car also faced injuries so it should be you who should ask for the apology but then let it be.

I'm getting late" I said and started moving towards my car.

She stopped me by pulling my arms and in this, we both were standing very close to each other. I was lost in her brown eyes. In the meanwhile, she snatched the keys from my hand and moved towards my car. She started the car and reversed it from the midway of the parking spot then she removed keys from the ignition and went in her car. She moved her car and parked it in my slot and came out smirking. She gave me my keys and went inside while smirking. All the time I was in some trance which broke when She blew a horn while coming out of the car.

This is the first time someone behaved like this with me. I was irritated because I have to search for another spot for parking.

I loved her guts. I liked her in the first meeting. Hopefully, we will meet soon Miss. Stupid. I thought in my mind but then I never thought that soon means I'll meet her in 10 minutes.

After 5 minutes of searching, I found another spot and parked my car over there. I went inside the store. We all are here to shop for my sister's Wedding dress. She is getting married in 7 days.

I saw my family with another couple. Shraddha was talking with some girl whose back was towards me. I went there. Shraddha introduced me to her would-be inlaws. I took blessings from them. Then I turned towards the girl and I was Shocked. She is the same Parking girl Miss. Stupid.

What's she doing here? Who is she? She is not Shradhu's friend I know that. In that time my sister introduced her to me and vice versa. She is the Nanad (Sister in law/Sister of Husband) of my sister.

Her name is Shreya. A beautiful name for a beautiful Girl. But then I remember that because of her I wasted my 15 minutes in parking. I became angry and glared at her. She was also doing the same.

Whole the time we both were glaring at each other like small children. After coming home Shradhu asked me about it. When I told her the whole incident she was laughing. She made me understand and apologized to her. I love my sister very much and I never disappoint her. I don't want her to be in any problems due to my irritation with someone else. I decided that next time when I'll meet her I'll say sorry.

With her thoughts and smiling face in my mind, I drifted to sleep.........

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