My arranged wedding

Holi

It's Holi

The house isn't in high spirits like it should have been. Meanwhile, the tumeric ceremony is coming up soon and Vedant's family are to leave for their new house before the ceremony.

Vedant doesn't question Shalini about Raj because of her unusual silence.

Guests come in and the Holi party starts, colours are the order of the day. The Bhopalis encourage the Maheshwaris to participate in the festival and remind them that Shalini was left with just a few days to stay with them before getting married and starting a new life with Vedant. The thought of a big wedding to be held lifts their spirits up.

Shagird is up to his usual mischievous ways as he plans to intoxicate Vedant with some bhang. Shalini can't however forget what Rachna told her about Vedant's first love.

Shagird tricks Vedant into taking several glasses of bhang and asks him to do him a favour.

"Anything you want Shagird. I'll do it." Vedant says confidently in his intoxicated state.

"That's why you are my best friend."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to tell Shalini that you love her."

"WHAT?!"

Vedant exclaimes and Shagird fears he is not really in a drunk state but he composes himself quickly and gives him some more to drink "What do you mean by what? You said you'll do anything for me. Aren't we friends?"

"We are but how will Shalini react to that to that?" He frowns.

"Do it for me please Vedant." Shagird pleads

"Fine. Lead me to Shalini."

Shagird points to the direction where Shalini stands and tells him to walk over to her.

Vedant walks up to her and starts "Shalini there's something I've always wanted to tell you... for a long time now."

Shalini takes in his state and shakes her head at his slurred speech "Vedant you are drunk ."

"No let me speak first. Just this once please."

"Vedant have you smeared Shalini yet." Asha walks over with happy steps.

"No." Vedant innocently answers and Asha hands some red colour to him "Come on I'm waiting." She gives a huge smile waiting for the couple to get all romantic "You're freaking them out." Shagird yells from behind her.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Asha shoots back but Shagird ignores her.

"Hi Shalini."

"Hi Shagird."

"I'll have to take Asha away. Please excuse us." Shagird continues this time putting his hands on Asha's shoulders to steer her away before she ruins his plans.

"Why?" Asha speaks the same time Shalini agrees "Okay."

"What..." Asha doesn't get to finish her sentence because she's taken away by Shagird.

"You wanted to tell me something Vedant?"

"Yes I was saying that I lo..."

Vedant suddenly falls from intoxication but manages to smear Shalini's head with the red colour Asha gave to him.

'How could I forget that he's a lightweight.' Shagird groans and smacks his head before running to help him up and take him to his room to rest.

"What did he say Shalini?" Asha asks curiously.

"I didn't hear it."

"He smeared quite well, don't you agree? Look at it." Asha snickers as she looks at her sister's forehead.

"You are really silly." Shalini replies and walks away.

Asha leaves to confront Shagird. "What was he about to say?"

"Nothing I know." Shagird shrugs

"You liar, I've told you a lot of things and you can't afford to tell me this one little thing."

"Alright I'll say it." He sighs "I told him to tell Shalini that he loves her."

"WHAT?!" She squeaks.

"That's exactly what he wanted to say... I've told you what you wanted to know."

"Are you sure of that?" Asha interrogates some more "What else do you want to hear Asha. Do you want to hear me tell you too?" He smirks and reaches to grab her but she steps back.

"Stop it, I'm serious now."

"I'm saying the truth but you look good when you're asking for something. Ask more often, you should be a police officer that way when you show the criminals your face they'll blurt out the truth."

***

Vedant wakes up with a splitting headache as he tries recalling the events that transpired before he passed out.

He remembers having some bhang and he stands to approach the dressing table when he turns to the mirror.

'Shagird must have made me drink a ton.' he mutters as he recalls the conversation he had with Shagird and how he passed out infront of Shalini.

'She must think I'm an alcoholic, what have you done Shagird?' He whines and does his morning routine before leaving the room to look for Shagird.

"Ah! Vedant you're up now." Shagird starts on seeing Vedant heading his way "You made me drink, didn't you?"

"I can see that the bhang still has its effects on you."

"It's not it Shagird. What if I did something wrong today or even said something stupid to Shalini."

"You wouldn't because I was keeping an eye on you, I watched you all through and Shalini didn't even hear whatever you said."

"How long have you been doing this ? Cause I'm sure you've been playing some tricks way before now."

"Since you said love is a fairytale Vedant... I'm responsible for removing the buttons from your shirts, adding chili to your lentils and any other thing too. I've proved to you that love is like a fairytale and that you are truly in love with Shalini."

"I should have known that it was all you at least... it will all end when we leave this house tomorrow."

"But still I proved to you that you have feelings for Shalini."

Vedant doesn't reply him as he leaves him with a hung head.

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