Beyond the Past

Halted Steps

Hotel Room, Haldi Day

SMASH

"AH!" Prithvi clamoured in outrage. Barring his teeth viciously, he swiped off the remaining glassware off the counter, "Haldi bhi aagai, isse chalta raha toh Shadi bhi hojaigi!" He heaved while maliciously shaking his head, "Nah. I won't let it happen. Haldi, Mehndi Sangeet, sab ho jaye. But I won't let the wedding take place." He gripped a glass powerfully before hurling it towards the wall, "I won't let the Luthras gain a backer! They have to miserably die and serve their wealth to me on a platter."

Ring Ring

"What?" he barked after he picked up the phone, "I told you to not disturb me, I am trying to do something important..."

"Prithvi I know," his mother sighed from the other side, "but Sneha is not well."

"Then what do I do?" he shouted, "Am I a doctor?"

"I took her to the doctor," she replied, "but nothing is effective. I think it's because she keeps on crying for Sherlyn..."

"Then smack her and shut her up," he forced out, "look, mom, I don't care what's happening to her. She can get well or die..."

"Prithvi!" his mother shouted, " I know you don't care about Sherlyn, but Sneha is your daughter. Would you be okay if she left even before her mom's mourning period is over?"

"What mourning?" he scoffed, "There is nothing to mourn about when a burden leaves."

"But she still is your daughter's mother," she reminded him, "instead of abiding by the norms, you are out..."

"Mom please," Prithvi interrupted her in annoyance, "I have to go for a haldi function..."

"You can't," she refused, "the ten days of mourning are still not over. Go wherever you want to after tomorrow."

"Mom..."

"Look Prithvi, we shouldn't spoil anyone's function. It will bring bad luck to the couple."

"I must go..."

"What's so important?" she argued, "People push their weddings ahead at such times and you can't skip a haldi. Prithvi I am warning you..."

"Push ahead?"

"Of course, no rituals are allowed so they will naturally push forward the wedding..."

"By the way Kriti, why is the wedding so soon? Can we even manage to prepare in such a short time?" he asked Kritika.

Kritika chuckled and mixed her milkshake with her straw, "Sameer can't wait, and there are only three auspicious days this year for them. Either this or six months later. Of course, he chose the earliest date."

"Mom, I will call you in a while," he smirked and cut the call. Spinning his phone, he cackled maniacally, 'I won't even need to get through the Raishinghania's security. Tsk. Tsk, Luthras just lost their golden armour. After this, even the date after six months won't be valid.' He grinned and dialled a number, "Hello?"

Preeta and Abir's room

"Pree, are you ready?" Abir asked as he fixed his kurta. "Pree?" He turned towards her to find her immersed in a photo album. "What are you looking at?" he questioned.

"Our childhood photos," Preeta smiled in nostalgia, "it seems like yesterday when she ranted about the bullies in school while cuddling into me at night. Now I am about to apply haldi to her. Doesn't feel real."

"Hmm," he smiled.

"Abir," Preeta called out softly. He hummed. "This is for her best, isn't it?"

Abir turned towards her with furrowed brows, "Why are you asking this question so abruptly?"