Is Love Enough ??

Chapter 41

The party was in full swing in a true Punjabi style.

Anika had been right. There was more music, more dancing and a lot more drinking than the engagement party, though the cocktail party was smaller in scale it was no less grand. Relatives, very close friends, and immediate neighbors were on the guest list. The party had been setup in the Singh's backyard. Everyone was decked up. The women glittered, the men strutted. It was an out and out blast.

Kirti surveyed the swaying crowd around her. The day had passed almost uneventfully. Breakfast, lunch, evening tea, everyone seemed to be in the mood to just enjoy and celebrate. And she hoped everything remained the same. She had even sensed a slight change in her father's behavior. The resentment that had been so apparent before had seemed to have lessened. She couldn't figure out a cause because her mother's behavior was still the same. So, she had decided to stay skeptical till she was very sure, the change was positive and not just for show. As for Maan, there seemed to be a certain calm about him. He seemed more relaxed. His eyes seemed less shadowed. Was it because he had slept well and late into the morning or was it because he had released some of his demons last night, Kirti didn't care. Till the time, he was healing on the inside, till the time he was doing well, it didn't matter to her. Of course, she was a bit worried too, as the Khanna's would be making an appearance again for tonight's event and then again for the final ceremony tomorrow. She didn't want Maan to get into yet another conflict with either his father or mother. He had barely been in control last night, she wasn't sure if he would be able to do the same again if the situation arose. She wanted to stay beside him tonight to make sure nothing similar happened. What she hadn't expected was the number of Khanna's arriving. It wasn't just Mr. and Mrs. Khanna tonight. Kirti paused in whatever she was doing as she watched Mr. and Mrs. Khanna arrive with Isha. Though Kirti did know Maan and Isha weren't close, she wasn't sure if there was bad blood between the brother and sister same as he shared with his parents. How would he react to Isha's presence? With that in mind she had quickly turned around to see Maan's reaction. He had stiffened a bit, but he looked okay. She attributed the stiffness to him spotting his parents. Slowly, she made her way to his side and as he looked down at her, she smiled. For a change, Maan smiled back. And Kirti relaxed, visibly. Still some of the apprehension stayed.

As they made their way towards his family, Kirti was aware of speculative eyes once more. Yesterday, it had been a large gathering, maybe a lot of people had missed Maan's meeting with his family. Besides, who knew, how many of them had noticed the tension between Maan and his parents. But tonight, there was no escape. There were lesser people and almost everyone knew a few things. Only Maan looked unconcerned. As they neared the Khanna's Kirti noticed how stylishly Mr. Khanna was dressed tonight. In his semi casual cream linen jacket, white shirt and cream linen trousers, along with a cream and black polka dotted neckerchief. The man looked really handsome. Mrs. Khanna as usual was the epitome of sophistication. In a peach chiffon saree with strings of pearl necklace and small pearl and diamond earrings, and diamond bracelet looked beautiful. There was so much glitter around and yet Mrs. Rupal Khanna made her mark. Her hair was left open tonight and it was in tune with the semi-formal look of her husband. But the one to steal the show was Isha Khanna. Or was it Isha Khanna Mankotia? Kirti wasn't sure of what name Isha was using post her marriage. Not that it mattered. The girl had always been pure beauty with her translucent skin, big luminous eyes, long wavy black hair that curled naturally, and slim figure. Tonight, clad in a cream embroidered kameez with resham, zari, stone patch border work, maroon straight pants and maroon faux chiffon dupatta, the girl looked stunning. She wore pearl danglers and a pearl and diamond necklace with matching bracelet. As sophisticated as her mother, Isha's long hair was braided intricately. There was no one in the party who matched the Khanna's in sheer beauty and style. Maybe Maan, considering he was a Khanna too and he had this inherent underplayed style that set him apart almost everywhere. When they stood together nobody could dispute the fact that they were all family.