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Ajabdeh walked into the banquet hall of the Star Hotel feeling a little conscious. She had spent almost two months' savings on this wedding of her childhood friend and neighbour Asha, and yet she looked clearly out of place in the circle. She adjusted the gown a little, clutched her purse for dear life and forced a smile as a familiar face approached her and asked about her father’s absence. Ever since she remembered coming to these events to keep up an appearance, he had refrained from the pretension, making her an expert at making excuses for him. Sometimes Ajabdeh felt uneasy at how her father had blended into the downcast life, befriending the judgmental neighbours and even having an occasional chat with the milkman or watchman. She could not picture him doing that if they had been of wealth. The little she saw of her grandparents, she remembered, they kept an aura of elegance around them that was oddly missing in her father and his lifestyle. Had they been… Ajabdeh inhaled, preparing herself to feel self-conscious and get through the evening somehow before making a quick excuse to leave. That was when her eyes fell on the group of aunties eyeing her from a distance. And amongst them was Mrs Chauhan, hiding her lips with a designer purse as she said something. Ignoring the glances, she walked up to her friend to congratulate her. She could sense that Asha was genuinely pleased that she made it. She introduced Ajabdeh to her fiancé, Shaurya, who shook her hand with a smile. She had seen the guy somewhere in the tabloids. She excused herself, ready to find a corner where she would not be spotted.
“So you are here.” She inhaled as she turned at the familiar voice of her mother, scorning her appearance. “What have you worn? You could have used some of the allowances I put in your account! You never touch it.”
“I wonder why.” Ajabdeh folded her hands to her chest almost defensively as she spoke dryly. “How can I help you, Mrs Chauhan?” Her mother sighed at her words.
“Be presentable and mingle at least. I mean, my kitty friends know you are…” She stopped, almost flabbergasted, as Ajabdeh walked away from her. Mrs. Chauhan found an empty seat and sat down with her glass of champagne there as she eyed her daughter, forcing a fake smile at one of the guests talking to her.
“Excuse me, is the seat taken?” Mrs Chauhan looked up at the woman her age, asking while indicating the empty seat as she shook her head. The woman sat down and looked breathless.
“Are you alright?” She asked politely.
“Yes. Have been running around quite a bit… not recommended by my doctors.” The woman patted the drops of precipitation on her forehead away with a tissue. “Hello, I am Jaivanta Singh Sisodiya.” She folded her hands.
“Hansa Chauhan.” The other woman smiled.
“Do you know that girl you were just talking to?” Jaivanta’s eyes travelled past her to Ajabdeh. Hansa looked a little awkward.
“She is my daughter. How do you know her?” Her words made Jaivanta frown.
“Well, she looks similar to someone from Sunfoteck who worked on a project in my company… I thought… my bad…” She apologised.
“Oh no, that’s her.” Hansa sighed. “She is my daughter from my first marriage… Ajabdeh… Punwar.” The sense of longing in her voice made Jaivanta wonder if she was distanced from her daughter.
“She is a good employee.” Jaivanta had no idea what else to say.
“There you are, Ranima. Do you need a drink?” Jaivanta smiled and shook her head at her younger son, introducing Shakti to Hansa.
“Call your brother and ask where he is. The cousins were asking about him.” She reminded her younger one before turning to Hansa, “The groom is a relative from my mother’s side. Cousin to the boys.”
“Oh, the bride was our old neighbour. And Ajabdeh’s friend.” Hansa smiled back.
Pratap grunted inwardly at the number of missed calls from his sibling. He failed to understand why he needed to attend such family events, and that too for five days. He dreaded the aunties trying to fix him up with someone they knew, his mother blackmailing him emotionally with her old age rant, and, of course, the girls who hovered around him at these weddings. Everyone knew everyone in the elite circles, and he would often tread cautiously enough to keep up an appearance, yet not indulge in any conversation and pretend to be naive to the flirtings. Especially since his mother left the company’s top position for him, such approaches were inevitable. His plan was simple. He would arrive late and leave early, and avoid human interactions. When he gave the keys of his car to the valet and straightened his suit, inhaling a little, he dialled up Shakti.
Ajabdeh almost stomped out of the banquet hall to find the elevator. She felt suffocated. She had no idea how she could attend five events with her mother and stepfather around, and those eyes on her. For a brief moment, she knew why her father avoided these places. But Asha expected her to be there. She had always been kind to Ajabdeh. Before feeling claustrophobic around Mrs Chauhan, Ajabdeh had braced herself with a pep-talk that she was strong enough to ignore her. Yet something in her stirred up emotions every time she watched Mrs Chauhan happily engaging in conversations, her jewellery, her attire, her attitude reeking of wealth and lifestyle she had no contribution to and the judgemental stares at her reminding her over and over again that she did not belong. She pressed the elevator door for the fifth or sixth time as it indicated the elevator was coming up. She looked up at the board lighting up with the floor numbers. Two more…
The door of the elevator opened, and Ajabdeh was about to get in, anticipating the person inside to walk out. Pratap almost froze in his spot as the door opened and she walked in, holding her gown with one hand and her purse with the other. Her face looked red, almost like she had trouble breathing. She did not see him there, perhaps too engrossed in her thoughts as she breathed deeply, pressing the G on the elevator board.
“Ajabdeh?” He managed as she glanced over at him in shock. The elevator door closed with a beeping sound, and it began to move down.
“You.” She whispered almost to herself. It had been about two years.
“How are you?” They said in unison and smiled. Pratap observed that her wavy hair was set up differently, making her appear older than he remembered her. Ajabdeh eyed him, looking more professional than such events demanded.
“I am good, this is my cousin Shaurya’s wedding.” He smiled.
“I am Asha’s friend.” Ajabdeh nodded.
“Small world.” He murmured almost to himself. His phone rang again as Ajabdeh’s eyes involuntarily fell on the words “Ranima.”
“You were supposed to get down from the elevator, I suppose.” She said, almost amused as he silenced the ringing phone.
“You are leaving?” He asked as she nodded. “I need some fresh air, and my cab is five minutes away.” She murmured to herself as the door opened in the reception area. “Goodnight.” She waved, stepping out of the elevator as the door began to close.
“Wait.” Pratap placed his hand between the closing doors as they opened, and he followed her out. “Are you okay?” He asked as she stopped to glance over her shoulder at him.
“You should go inside.” She eyed the phone ringing again as the light flashed in silent mode.
“It can wait.” He put the phone back in his pocket and directed her towards the door opening into the lawn and looking over the lake. Ajabdeh sighed as he offered her a smoke.
“No, thank you. I have had enough champagne after meeting…” She stopped, alarmed. He eyed her as he lit up a cigarette. “Your mother?” He took a puff as she nodded, looking at the lake. The locks of her hair tangling around her earrings reminded him oddly of the first time he had met her at the office.
“How did you guess that?” She asked with a frown.
“Your face has this irked look you only had when you mentioned her.” She looked surprised as he looked away at the lake.
“And you remember that? That is creepy!” He smiled at her choice of words.
“Some people will go with sweet or nice?” He inferred. Ajabdeh shook her head and inhaled. A sudden silence engulfed the air as he put the half-burnt cigarette out.
“Do you still work at Sunfoteck?” He asked with his hands in his pockets, as she shook her head. "...Moved to another company. And congratulations, Mr. CEO.” She smiled.
“Keeping tabs, are we?” He raised his brows, narrowing his eyes suspiciously as she laughed. At that moment, Pratap realised he had not forgotten the way she laughed, and her eyes twinkled.
“What can I do if you are famous?” She shrugged.
“You are coming tomorrow?” He asked eagerly as she inhaled.
“I don’t know. She wants me to be there, but…” Ajabdeh suddenly felt a little cold from the breeze as she folded her arms to warm herself.
“Come and I will be your knight in shining armour, saving you from your mother.” He gave his hand, making her laugh.
“This is the 21st Century, if I need saving, I will save myself.” She shook her head. “I don’t think she will attend the smaller events, but the wedding.”
“Alright then, come save me from my family members, O knight in shining armour.” He shrugged, making her chuckle again. “If you want entertainment, you won’t be bored. My brother will be dancing; he dances well.” Pratap’s monotonous voice made Ajabdeh frown. “Why are you making him sound like a dancing monkey?”
“He is.” Pratap shrugged, making her shake her head. “Come by and see.”
“What is with you, Mr. Sisodiya?” Ajabdeh asked suspiciously, eyeing him. “Why do you want to see me again, sir?” A smile curved the edge of Pratap’s lip as he leaned in, making her move her head back almost in a reflex, aware of the proximity at which he stood.
“Because I want to see if I still have some effect on you.” He made her gasp in amusement.
“And then?” She asked playfully with a smile as eyes met. She suddenly realised he had successfully managed to steer her away from the uncomfortable heaviness she was feeling on her shoulders the entire evening.
“Then I can reject you, of course.” He looked away, breaking eye contact and chuckled. “Because I do still have my three-night rules intact,” he made her shake her head, staring at him as though he were hopeless.
“High hopes. In your dreams.” Ajabdeh shook her head, amused.
“Or your nightmare.” Pratap raised his brows as she checked her phone. “My cab ride is here.” She walked away in a hurry, waving goodbye as he stood there. At the threshold of the main entrance, she glanced over her shoulder and watched him go to the elevator with a smile.
“Such a flirt still.” She wondered to herself as she got the ride back home.
Pratap stepped out of the elevator, almost bumping into his brother.
“Why are you smiling?” Shakti asked, narrowing his brows.
“I am not.” Pratap shook his head, looking around as Shakti followed him inside.
“Ranima is looking for you, and you didn’t pick up the phone.”
“I had to finish some pending work if I am to be here for all the events, Shakti.” He walked towards his mother as Shakti wondered if he had heard his brother right. The recent discussions at home had all been around the fact that Pratap did not want to attend the wedding and wanted to take a European tour with Ranima instead. He even made plans for it. Now he wanted to attend a wedding by choice?
