Sahil's POV
The moment I stepped in mom's room, I saw that she was talking to Swati whose back was towards the door. I picked up Swati from the backside to startle her to swirling her in air, I usually do pick and turn her around, twirling her in the air.
Just when I turned towards the door, I saw Sagar standing there. He was shocked. But why?? I was not doing it for the first time. Swati shrieked and I placed her back on the floor.
She turned and slapped me hard and I froze at my place. Oh shit!!! It was not my sister Swati. It was another girl with the almost same height and body structure.
She looked angry and shocked. But she was looking very pretty with that red tint on her cheeks.
" Oh.. oh... I am sorry... I thought .... that you were Swati... My sister. " I said still holding my cheek.
" Yeah.. ok.. fine... I am sorry.." she said and ran away from the room. I was confused and still shocked as if I was rooted there.
" Who was she?? I thought she was Swati..." The door of the washroom opened and Swati came out. She ran towards me and threw herself in my arms.
" Bhai... You came back... I was missing you. "
" I missed you too. Who was that girl?" I asked.
" Which girl?? Oh!! Manu?? Where is she?? " she looked around to find her.
" I thought she was you.. so I picked her and twirled her around in the air. I didn't know. her back was facing me and I wanted to surprise you... but I got shocked. "
" She is my friend, Manu. She had some work here so I insisted that she stays with me... As it is, she doesn't know anyone here... "
" Oh... Ok. " I said. I was a bit embarrassed.
" So excited??? ... our brother is getting married soon. " I said smiling at her.
" Yeah... Sagar Bhai is getting married then you will get married... "
" I don't want to get married. " I said in an irritated tone.
What was wrong with everyone??
" Why?? what is the problem in getting married?? Sagar is ready to get married... Your dad and I got married... We are happy na??.. What is your problem?? " mom asked in an angry tone.
" Mom please yaar... Am I your sole target, now that Sagar is getting married?? "
" Ok fine... We have the Roka ceremony tomorrow... Sagar and Samar have seen to most of the arrangements... You do the rest. I want the ceremony to be flawless... it's the first marriage in our family.. so the first ceremony has to be perfect. Understood ??"
" Yes, Ma'am... I mean mom.. " said Swati.
" Yes, mom... " I said smiling faintly. I was getting annoyed by this topic of marriage. I was very happy for Sagar as he was finally getting married to the love of his life after a long set of sufferings for about a decade.
" Where is the bride to be?? " I looked around.
" Must be in her room her parents wanted her to stay with them but she stayed here.. "
" Means you did not let her go... " I smiled at him and he smiled back.
I know him so well.
" Bhai you are blushing... " Swati teased Sagar. He was blushing.
" Shut up Ok, I told you to get your eyes checked... Sahil I think we should find a guy and get her Married soon. " He said.
" Yes do that... Find a nice boy for her... And you both stop teasing Sagar... He is my best child... Got such a nice daughter-in-law for me. "
Mom said.
" Ok... But I am really hungry, I skipped my lunch too. Let's go have some food. " I said
" Why can't you eat properly? You are not a child. You should know that you are supposed to eat at least 3 proper meals. " Mom scolded me. I wrapped my arm around her and went towards Damini's room.
Sagar came out of Damini's room with Damini and that girl Manu. She seemed to be avoiding looking at me.
I was a bit uncomfortable too.
We were about to go for dinner when Samar also came. He gave a man hug to me and I invited him as well for the dinner.
Samar recommended a place and the food was awesome.. everyone seemed to enjoy except that girl... I could see that she was uncomfortable. She was very simple yet very beautiful.
" What happened, you didn't like the food, Manu? If you want to eat something else..we can order that... I know the chef of this place... He is awesome..just name the dish, he will get for you.. " Samar said to her very sweetly. He was so charming that he could become friends with anyone within minutes.
" No thanks Samar Ji.. the food is awesome.. it is just that I am not very hungry.. " she said smiling faintly at him.
Why was she so uncomfortable ?? I didn't do anything intentionally.
" I think you enjoyed the food at that restaurant more where we had the day before yesterday. Well, that is our favourite one.. but I thought you all would want to try something different. "
" Chill Samar Ji... The food was great there as well as here. Ok... Manu just try this... it is amazing. " Swati said and Manu smiled. She looked beautiful when she smiled.
But she didn't even look at me once. Why?? I said sorry... Right??
We all had our food and came back. Mom retired to her room and we all enjoyed a romantic comedy movie. Sagar made Damini sit beside him. Samar, Swati and I, kept teasing Damini and Sagar. Manu kept smiling.
Damini was blushing really hard.
" Let's go to our room Bhai... You both have a Roka ceremony tomorrow... Let her rest... " I said smirking at Sagar. I had to say that as I know he wanted to be with Damini.
He glared at me as he didn't want me to tell anything in front of all of them especially Manu and Swati.
" Yeah... You go I am coming." He said but I kept standing there. I know him well he would not leave her side.
I pulled Damini out of his arms, said good night to her and she smiled shyly. Then I pulled him off the couch and then out of their room.
" Hey ... Leave me... I will come after saying good night. " Sagar said getting irritated, Swati was giggling, Samar was trying not to laugh.
" No... spend some time with your brother too. Come Samar..." I dragged him to my room.
He was irritated but I never bothered.
" So what am I suppose to do. Mom said you both have done everything... I just have to do the rest of the things. " I asked the sulking twin of mine.
" The ceremony is at my place so you don't have to do much. I have arranged most of the things... Aunty gave us a list of things to do... I have ticked the things that have been taken care of.. rest you do... I have to see the arrangements at my place. " Samar said.
" Ok, no problem. I have to get sweets and fruits from the market in the morning. Plus have to pick the sarees from the shop. Hey, why did you people not got them with you... It will look so awkward to go into a shop and get sarees. "
" They had to finish and pack it beautifully. " Samar said.
" I don't want to go there... Sagar you go.. "
" No mom has already asked me to do some other things. I have to take mom to temple too before the ceremony. I am busy, take Swati with you. "
" Ok... Fine I will go with her. "
After that Samar said good night and he went off with Damini as she was to stay there with her parents. We also slept as we had to get up early.
Sahil's POVI got up and got ready to go to market. Where was Swati??Mom was overexcited and was about to panic if everything was in order or not. Though Sagar had finished everything. Sagar and mom were ready and waiting for Swati to get ready." Where is Swati?? I need to leave now... As I have to go.. and pick the fruits, sweets and clothes. " I asked." She is not ready till now.. you go alone... " Sagar said." No way... I will not go to pick the dresses alone... Tell her to come fast." I was adamant. I would not go to a saree shop alone, at any cost. I would wait till Swati come.I turned all of a sudden and bumped into Manu making her lose her balance. She was just about to fall when I caught her in my arms. She was looking so beautiful and sweet. Her long black hair was open. Her big black orbs had become bigger with shock. I felt a little tug kind of thing towards her.We both kept standing in the same posit
Sahil's POVWe all arranged everything that was needed for pooja. The pundit Ji came and started the pooja and havan. He asked to get the prasad which should be prepared at home. He had not told us about it... We had everything that was ordered from outside. We all were very confused.I was not sure what to do? Only mom could make it. we were about to ask mom to make something but Manu said," Aunty, I can make it, you don't worry and just attend the pooja."She went into the kitchen and saw that it was fully furnished. She was looking for the ingredients. Samar, Swati and I came for helping her as there were going to be at least 50- 60 people.She looked for the big utensils and the ingredients. Swati and Samar helped her." Manu there is no Rava ( semolina). " Swati said and shook her head." Tell me what you want, I will get from the market. " I offered but Manu shook her head and said, " It will
Sahil's POVI went home to get fresh. Everyone was in the living room. They were having tea and were ready to go out." Sahil, come have tea. " Mom said and I nodded. Swati came and hugged me. I joined them while Swati went to the kitchen to get me tea.She gave me tea and a plate with a few pieces of cake in it. I was hungry so I took a bite of it. It was very nice but pretty different." Wow!! This is very different and delicious. What is in it? Did you make it? " I smiled at Swati.. as she was very fond of trying new recipes." No Bhai, Manu made it but I helped her too. It is an apple spiced cake. I love the flavour of cinnamon in it. " She said and looked at her.I looked at her, but as usual, she was not even looking at me." Did I hear cake?? " Samar came in and asked.Of course, all you hear and think about is food...Everyone was happy to see him, even Manu...
Manyata's POVWhat the hell does he think of himself?? God's gift to the women of this world??I swear I would have killed him for touching me like that. I slapped him very tightly. He looked shocked as he thought, that I was Swati.I came out of that room and rushed to Damini's room. I was really angry and was trying to control my anger.I wanted to slap him again and again for what he did to me. But I respect his parents and I also promised Sagar Ji, that I will do what he suggested.Damini asked me what happened and I told her. She tried to make me comfortable, but I was just too angry with him." It's ok Manu... Calm down, you slapped him. Right? And he said sorry... "" It is not about what he did today...you know it.. "" I know dear.. but please calm down. Get ready we all are going out for the dinner. "" I don't want to go anywhere please.. you carry on. "
Manyata's POVWe came back after dinner. I was alone in the room as Swati was with aunty and her brothers. I didn't want to intrude on them, so I came back to my room. I checked my phone again and saw a message from a model. She wanted to go get her younger sister's portfolio done by me.I told her that I was in Chandigarh and would come in a month. if she wanted it sooner, she could get it done by someone else.But she replied instantly that she would gladly wait for me.I always had a passion for photography. I used to click the pictures of various places and beautiful natural things like flowers, sunrise, sunsets, birds. Everyone used to praise my pictures and I sent them in many competitions and my pictures got prizes. They were well appreciated.I worked in an ad agency and quickly I gained recognition as a glamour photographer. Gradually people around me started to request me to click their portfolios. I started to take my
Sahil's POVWhy did she cry when Swati was talking about dad?? Why did she run away from the room?Mom and Sagar also went to their rooms." What happened to her? " I asked Swati" I don't know, maybe she missed her parents. " she looked a bit confused too." Then why she is staying away from them? " I asked." She is a photographer, she has an assignment to complete, she is supposed to click pictures of 5 beautiful places like this beautiful city and places around it. She would have to make a cover story on them. That's why she is staying here." She said." How did the two of you became friends? " I asked again." She was studying in Canada as well. " She said casually." Oh ok... I am really tired I must go and sleep now.. good night Sweetie.. "" Bhai, it is Swati.. you know that I don't like being called Sweetie. "" But you love sweets and I love calling you Sweetie. ""
Sahil's POVWe all walked towards the dining table for having breakfast. Mom came out of the kitchen wiping her hands." Mom, I am very hungry, what's in the breakfast? " I asked." Wait for two minutes... it's ready. "Swati and Manu also came out of the kitchen with lots of food. Samar was so happy all of a sudden. But he is a certified foodie.They placed all the things on the table. I checked, there were stuffed paranthas, sweet lassi, Upma and Shahi Zafrani sevaiyaan ( a sweet dish prepared with vermicelli flavoured with cardamom, saffron and dry fruits).My mood lifted up. I pulled a chair and sat down." Wow !! Aunty, It is a feast... Thank God I came here at this time and that I have not had my breakfast. " Samar said rubbing his hands." You should not go to the office without eating beta." Mom said." Aunty, my dad eats a very light breakfast. Just milk and cer
Manyata's POVUncle came just before lunch. We all greeted him. He nodded at me with a smile. Aunty asked him about my dad and he said that the treatment was working very well. He would be absolutely fine in no time.I released the breath I was holding. I was feeling much better now. When Sagar Ji and Satan went back to the office, I went to meet the uncle.I touched his feet and he hugged me. I burst into tears. He kept patting at my back." Don't cry beta your dad is absolutely fine... He is getting better dad by day. He will be fine in no time and then he will be here with all of us. You need to be strong and happy. All he is concerned about is your happiness. " He said And I nodded." I got to know what my stupid son did. I am really ashamed of it. I am sorry beta.... "" No uncle please don't say that you are just like my dad to me. "" But still... Sagar made me promise him that I w