“What is she doing here?” Shakti sounded almost alarmed as they got off the car at the destination of the hotel and someone who stepped out of the car up front made him say that. Jaivanta and Udai turned at his words. They looked like they had seen a ghost.
Pratap had by then entered the lounge leaving them behind, to scan the crowd for a face. He had walked up to the reception reluctantly as the staff sprinkled welcome perfumes and flower petals on the guests. He took a welcome drink offered to him and spoke to the receptionist.
“Pratap Singh.” The receptionist nodded and handed him a key “This was left for you.” He couldn’t tell why he was glad that Shakti didn’t hear her. He would have bombarded his brother with curious questions.
“Thank you.” Pratap turned to scan the crowd again. Instead of who he thought it was, Rukaiya greeted him with a smile.
“Welcome to the wedding Mr Singh.”
“Just to clarify, do we know each other or not?” He asked with a hint of amusement that made Rukaiya smile.
“I guess your query can only be answered by the boss lady.” She looked around in search of Ajabdeh “She was here somewhere.”
“It’s okay, let her be.” Pratap shook his head. “We don’t know each other anyway.” Rukaiya smiled at his words.
“Have a good day Mr Singh.”
“You too.” He had turned with the room key in his hand and turned pale.
Just at the entrance of the lobby stood a face he dreaded to see again ever in his life. His ex-fiancee, Phool Kanwar Rathore in an animal-printed jumpsuit. Before he could react, eyes met and she smiled a smile that sent a chill down his spine and made his blood boil.
“Hi, Pratap.” She acted like they were long-lost friends who met at the wedding “What are you doing here?”
“I can ask you the same.” He said rather warily, putting his hands in his pockets.
“I know the bride’s sister.” She clarified “She insisted I fly all the way down from LA.”
“Oh! That’s where you have been.” He said sarcastically. She clearly didn’t get it as she flashed a smile “I thought I would surprise you once I make a name for myself in Hollywood.”
“Oh, sure.” Pratap nodded “I was pretty surprised that my bride escaped from the ceremonies.”
“Oh c’mon, Pratap.” She gently put her hand on his upper arm as he moved away “It's been two years. Move on.”
“Oh.” Pratap smiled “I have moved on, doesn't mean I forget something like it never happened. In fact I…” He stopped watching his mother approach them with disapproving glances. “Excuse me, I am tired.”
“It was good to see you.” Phool smiled and turned to see Jaivanta.
“Aunty!” She smiled. Jaivanta faked a smile.
“How are you?” She asked out of courtesy.
“Oh, I am trying my hand at acting in Hollywood.” She gushed as Jaivanta looked shocked.
“I am sure that’s going great.” She inhaled. “Excuse me.”
“Do you know who that is?” Jacob, the one in charge of the bar counters pointed in the crowd as Ajabdeh checked the orders on the lawn.
“Who?” She narrowed her brows trying to spot who he meant. Jacob was a gossip monger. He knew everything about everyone, right from first-hand gossip to what he read on tabloids.
Immediately Ajabdeh spotted Pratap with a lady.
“She is Mr Singh’s ex-fiancee.” Ajabdeh turned to Jacob at his words. “I wonder what she is doing here. What if she wants him back?”
“Good for them.” Ajabdeh managed plainly “Should we get back to work?”
“Do you think we will get to do the wedding?” Jacob stopped at her cold stare.
Pratap entered his room to be greeted by the itinerary laid out for the events. It looked more like a carnival than a wedding.
There was a couple cocktail night with matching attires, a sangeet night, a bonfire, and a bachelor’s party among other things. He sighed. He hated weddings.
Ajabdeh was busy getting the lawn ready for the cocktail party when she spotted the guests' arriving at the banquet for lunch. She made sure all the arrangements were scrutinized and sat down on an empty chair in the corner of the staff room.
"Ma'am." One of the interns interrupted. "If you could see the placard placings for the lunch sitting." He urged.
"I handed you a list already." She scoffed. Sometimes you need to be tough. That's how they learn. Her first boss always said so.
"But a few of the guests haven't arrived and a few RSVPed last minute." He looked helpless. Sympathizing with him Ajabdeh got up and strolled into the banquet. She inspected the area and checked the cards. Phool Rathore was one of the last-minute RSVPs. She placed the placard on the singles table. Then looked around at her companions.
Pratap Singh had RSVPed last moment too. She placed him right across her. On the same table. A few others needed to be sorted. Rivals. Women who couldn't stand each other. It took about fifteen minutes and she was done. They were ready for lunch.
The moment Phool sat across the table from him Pratap looked like he'd cry for help. She flashed him a smile as he looked across and called one of the managers.
"Can I talk to the err… in charge here?"
"Is anything wrong sir?" He asked, alarmed.
"No. I just feel I have been put on the wrong table." He sounded unsure.
"I can call our boss." He suggested. Pratap nodded.
Ajabdeh strolled over in a very professional way and looked around the table.
"I am the wedding planner. How can I help you?"
"Your arrangements are perfect." Phool gushed.
"Thank you, Ma'am." She smiled.
"Can I have your card? I will recommend you to my brother."
"Sure." Ajabdeh gave Phool a business card. "Ajabdeh Punwar."
"Miss Punwar." Phool smiled "My brother will contact you."
Pratap's jaws tightened. He knew what was going on here. Phool's infamous womanizer brother was famous in their circles. He preyed on ambitious women giving them false hope. And she was well known to direct these women to him.
"Mrs Punwar." He interrupted as both the ladies stared at him. "It was me who actually called with some grievances." He tried to sound impersonal. "I think I have been placed on the wrong table." Ajabdeh looked around and shook her head "I am sorry but there is no other place available."
"Then I'd rather skip lunch." Pratap got up and all eyes were immediately on him. His mother shot a glance at Ajabdeh and he sat down reluctantly.
"I will make sure you have better seats at dinner, Sir. My apologies." Ajabdeh walked away as professionally as she arrived.
"She looked unmarried." Phool was desperate to strike up a conversation.
"What?" He looked clueless.
"You said Mrs Punwar. She looked like a Miss."
"Oh, she is married." Pratap shrugged it off trying to act like he didn't care. "As far as what I heard."
"I see." Phool thought for a while and placed the business card inside her purse.
"So what colour are you wearing to the party tonight?" She asked.
"Maroon I guess." He said absentmindedly.
The cocktail night was going to be the first official event to kick-start the celebrations and Ajabdeh prayed that it went well.
She pleated her blue chiffon saree thinly over her black sequined blouse and let her hair loose. She dabbed on some mascara and lip colour and she honestly couldn't care less about her appearance. Only her job required her to look presentable. A knock resounded on her door and she opened it to find no one there except Phool Kanwar in a maroon velvet dress making her way downstairs and waiting for the elevator.
She closed the door with a frown and turned. The knock resounded again and now she realised that it came from the connecting door. Opening it her heart skipped a beat. Pratap stood there in his maroon three-piece suit with a bow in his hand.
"Can you help me with this?" He asked.
"Sure." She said as she started to tie the bow in a knot without looking at him.
"I haven't seen you since I arrived." He said.
"You did at lunch. Your seat wasn't that bad after all huh?" Her tone was indifferent and Pratap frowned at her words.
"There. Done." She said, picking up her purse. "I got to go now." She left in a hurry without locking the connecting door. He went back into his room and picked up the itinerary.
"Matching couple attire," it said.
Ajabdeh was on the ground when she suddenly felt thirsty. She asked Jacob for a bottle of water. And then another.
"Are you okay?" He looked concerned. "You look flushed."
"I am fine. I am just thirsty. Do your job." She snapped.
"Here's a drink." He offered.
"You know I don't drink at work." Ajabdeh was losing her cool.
"It is non-alcoholic. It will help keep you hydrated." Jacob reasoned. "You honestly look like you'd faint."
Keeping it aside Ajabdeh gulped down the water. She didn't know what it was that made her restless. Perhaps she was nervous about the wedding. She reasoned with herself.
"My my." Jacob spoke, making her look up "Didn't Phool Rathore's ex-fiancee wear maroon?" He looked surprised "There was a whole lot of gossip about them at lunch. Man, he disappointed me."
Ajabdeh searched the crowd at his words. Pratap stood talking to the groom. In a blue three-piece suit. She saw Phool approach him and looked away. If Ajabdeh had seen the mirror then she'd know her face lit up.
"Why did you not wear a Maroon?" She asked impolitely.
"Because I felt like blue suits me more." Pratap shrugged.
"But I wore maroon for you." She looked irked.
"I didn't tell you to." He looked across her at the grounds.
"They are already talking of us, soon the tabloids will too. We are back to being an item. We can use it to…"
"We are nothing." Pratap clarified "And I'd want no publicity with you anymore. Excuse me." He walked across the ground to the bar. "Whisky. Neat." He looked across behind the counter at Ajabdeh and the two empty water bottles and the third one in her hand. Jacob came to pour him a drink.
"Is she okay?" He asked in a low voice as Jacob glanced over his shoulder. "Oh yes. Keeping herself extra hydrated." He had finished his drink and turned, she was gone. Pratap looked around and spotted a few friends he needed to meet and his own parents.
"He's wearing her colour," Jaivanta whispered, taking Udai's arm. "Would you have been happier if he matched with Phool?" Her husband was amused. She kept an eye on Pratap mingling with everyone throughout the weekend. Rukaiya catered to the guests' needs while Ajabdeh was nowhere to be spotted. Jaivanta sighed in relief, satisfied that Ajabdeh was keeping her word.
It was late at night after the party when Ajabdeh was investigating the lawn to make sure every piece of the prop was properly put away.
"I waited and you didn't come to the room." She heard him behind her. "Do you need some help?"
"No. Please." She looked alarmed. "You should go before someone spots you here."
Pratap chuckled. "Relax Ajabdeh. Ranima or anyone isn't awake this late after the party."
"Still." She looked unsure. "I don't want her to think I asked for your help."
Pratap threw his hands up in the air. "All right. I will wait and make some coffee instead. Unless you come with me." She sighed and walked ahead as he followed. They walked through the lobby and hallway and to the elevator as though they were complete strangers and onto the floor of the rooms. They opened the door of the respective rooms and walked in.
"I will be there. I need to change out of this. It is too uncomfortable." She said locking the connecting door as he nodded. He then took two cups and started making the coffee.
"You know I made two cups for two days out of habit. Then I got used to making one." He said as the connecting door opened with a sound.
"What happened to your attire?" She asked.
"What?" He asked a little clueless.
"The maroon attire." She reminded him. He looked at her once and went back to stirring the coffee. "I spilt coffee on it."
"Oh did you?" Something in her tone suggested she didn't believe him. Of course, she didn't.
"Get back to making two cups again." She said, picking up one of the cups. "I'd be home once this is over."
Ajabdeh herself was a little surprised at how easily she called it home. Pratap didn’t even notice that. He smiled.
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