Second Chance

Chapter 20 A Partial Confession, Yet Enough?

Mahi sighs off and leaves. 

Later that evening, before the event, everyone gets ready in the rooms at the venue. Mahi's mind every now and then wanders off to morning's event in the garage and then in the afternoon, followed by the time when delivery of flowers took place. She looks around the room where all the ladies are busy getting ready for the engagement function. Mahi is already all set, wearing a light rose-gold zari work blue and green shaded saree with a rose gold brocade blouse. Everyone praised her choice of saree and how beautiful she looked wearing such simple and elegant attire. As she helps the rest, getting ready, she runs a quick eye around the room, looking for Kate. Mahi was sure till afternoon she saw Kate at the house. After that, she lost track of her whereabouts. She goes to Anu and asks her if she has seen Kate. Anu replies that Kate might get late for the function as something important came up. Mahi feels uncomfortable with her answer. So without thinking much, Mahi leaves the room and walks quickly towards the venue. She reaches the fully decorated banquet hall with an open garden at the end of it. She looks for one person she hopes will be there. And there he is. Dev. He stands wearing black traditional light embroidery work Jodhpurs, with the top button opened casually. He looks handsome even when he wore his professional mask of being the boss. Mahi stands there for few seconds, looking at him from far, sighing off. He is instructing the people around for last-minute checks on all the arrangement. 

'Excuse me, Ma'am,' says the man standing behind Mahi, breaking her focus on her husband. Mahi turns around to address him.

'Sorry to disturb you. Actually, I was supposed to deliver this ring to Mr Devrath. I can't find-oh there he is,' says the man, without completing his sentence as he walks off seeing Dev. 

She sees a man approaching Dev. She notices Dev's expression turning into tense seeing the man. Man hands him the small box as he briefly says something and leaves the place. Mahi notices Dev thinking of something as he starts walking towards her. As soon as he notices Mahi standing at the entrance, he slows down his pace of walking. He sees Mahi with a look, Mahi is unable to read. As he notices her eyes darting from his eyes to the box in his hand, Dev quickly puts it in his trouser pant's pocket. Mahi thinks to herself what ring the man was talking about. As for the Engagement rings, she had them with her in her bag upstairs in her room. Then what ring, the man handed to Dev? 

Dev doesn't say anything to Mahi as he tries to walk past her. Mahi stops him by saying,' Where are you going? Guests will be here soon?'

Dev stops as he says without looking at Mahi,' I have something to deal with. I'll be back soon.' He leaves before Mahi could stop him with any further reasoning. 

Mahi stands there as Dev leaves the venue, taking the exit. She stands for a couple of seconds, getting perplexed. Then she looks around the empty decorated banquet hall. She notices that the flowers that got delivered in the afternoon were not part of the decoration. Then her mind runs back to the box of candles that Karim brought in earlier in the day. She stops her mind from thinking anymore as she widens her eyes, trying to control her wild imagination. 

Now, Mahi doesn't think. She acts as per her emotions. She quickly walks through the exit, moving to the parking. She spots Shankar standing at the corner next to the guard's cabin. Shankar sees Mahi walking towards him as he quickly runs towards her asking where he needs to take her. 

She shakes her head as she says, putting her hand open in front of him,' Gaadi ki chaabi (Car keys).' 

He gets confused and insists,' Main le chalta hoon Ma'am. Chaliye. (I'll take you Ma'am. Let's go)'

She controls her anger as she almost raises her voice,' Chaabi! (Keys!)

Shankar doesn't dare to say anything anymore as he hands her the car keys quietly and quickly.