Prem Vivah

• Cute Stranger •

Days passed by, but there was no improvement in Nishikant's cold behavior with his beloved daughter. He wasn't talking to her, nor Prashant, both of them were avoiding her as much as possible, and even Naina didn't try to befriend them again. She was already too busy with the upcoming wedding lined up for the week, and she didn't want to invite fights and quarrels at her place. That is why she was quiet, and talking with only her mother, sister-in-law, and of course Parisha.

Nishikant missed having a hearty conversation and laughter with his daughter after returning from the clinic. He missed how she used to hug him tightly with that twinkling smile on her face, he missed how she used to prepare her special tea for him if she was at home and was free. He missed how she used to hold his hand and look at him with a puppy face whenever Sarita scolded her for eating junk food. He missed how she used to send him funny memes on WhatsApp at midnight. He missed how she used to text him to take his blood pressure medicine on time. He missed how she sent him images from the shopping mall whenever she went to buy clothes for him. He missed how his daughter used to come with him for night walks. He missed how she cracked jokes to color the atmosphere with delight. He missed everything about Naina, but he was forced to ignore her presence and behave like she didn't exist.

Naina too missed her jovial father so much. She used to stare at their happy, cute family pictures at night with warm tears in her morose eyes...But she didn't let her gloominess reflect on her face. She pretended to be a brave girl just for the sake of her mother, who was sandwiched between her daughter and her husband. She wasn't able to give her best in the decorations, she was least interested in anything right now, but since this was her job and responsibility. She didn't step back and tried to make everything look aesthetic.

It was the Sangeet Ceremony tonight, and Naina has decked in a shiny mild ocean and aquarium blue lehenga, with a shimmering silver blouse pinned up securely on her left shoulder. She was roaming pillar to post with phone in hand, staring at the intricate carvings on the large columns, and her heart was satisfied with the beautiful embellishment done by her and other people. She let out a deep breath while walking toward the food counter, and lifted the lids to check the Italian and Indian cuisines were prepared nicely.

Naina's phone vibrated vehemently and she activated Airpods in her ears, receiving Jaaneman's call.

"Good Evening!" Sameer greeted her in a soft voice.

"Good Evening Baby, how are you? Sorry for not talking with you last night. I was too busy with the cocktail party." Naina apologized to him in a gentle voice while sauntering toward the stage to set up the vivid color flowers above the swing arranged for the couple.

"Come on, don't be so formal now. I know you were busy isliye disturb nahi kiya na, ab bhi agar kaam hai toh bol do I will call you later." Sameer said with an understanding smile, and Naina replied to him while kneeling to pick up the fallen flower - "Yes! I am busy but I can talk to you for a minute."

"Haha, celebrity log." He teased her.

"Kuch Bhi, jab main free rehti hoon tab tum celebrity ban jate ho, tab kya?" She said thoughtfully and descended from the staircase beautified with upholstered navy blue carpet.

"Ab main bhi kya karu...kabhi kabhi schedule bahut hectic ban jata hai," Sameer replied to her in a meek tone, and Naina just smiled.

"Ji, aur batao, chai pee?" Naina asked him while decently greeting the warmly smiling guest on the way.

"Abhi teesri baar pee raha hoon subah se," Sameer said playfully, and the slurping sound from his side was enough to make her believe him.

"Uff, tum aur tumhari chai." She murmured.