To Love Again !!!

Chapter - 44

Time it seemed was flying. On Monday evening Abhay informed Amrit about a party on Wednesday at the club. A colleague was getting transferred on a promotion to Assam and so there was a farewell party that had been organized by the unit for him. Amrit had told him about Kulraj's engagement being fixed for Sunday evening. Abhay had thought it was a bit fast considering they had gotten married just a couple of weeks ago but he didn't comment much. Amrit had been surprised to know he and she thought in similar ways. And then she had told him about her interview on Thursday. He had been happy for her.

On Tuesday Jassi invited her over for lunch. And this time Amrit insisted she would bring something too. It seemed Jassi was an enthusiast for everything even for food. She even showed her the nursery she had prepared for the baby in her own room. Amrit had realized how much becoming a mother meant to Jassi and Harpreet. She had been happy for the couple and Jassi was just proving to be a good friend too. Though not as good as Abhay was. He was a great listener and as they shared more things about themselves especially things they liked to do or funny incidents of their childhood Amrit was realizing that he was a great guy. But with that also came the questions about why Natasha had left someone like him? Had it been her she would never let a man like him out of her sight. And that had made her pause and evaluate how she felt for him though with not much result.

On Wednesday evening they got ready and left for the party. He wore a formal jacket, trouser and tie. While she was wearing a mustard light silk sari with maroon and gold border. She had tied her head in a loose bun at the nape of her neck. And from the appreciative look she had received for her efforts from Abhay had meant more than any compliment he would have given her in words. As they took the steps towards the entrance of the hall he kept a hand on her back and she liked it. Maybe it was an unconscious thing on his part but it made her feel special. And an unknown, unfamiliar feeling unfurled itself within her. She was not a beauty and she knew it after all she had always been referred to as the 'dark horse' of her family but when she looked at him and saw his smile it made her feel beautiful. It was as if it was only for her and nobody else. She refused to debate how she felt today.

She walked into the hall and looked around. Everyone was dressed well. Officers, their wives and this was the first time Amrit and Abhay were attending a party that wasn't theirs. She saw a few familiar faces, where had she met them? Oh, yes at her reception. They smiled at her and she smiled back. But she noticed something else in their gazes. Speculation. She almost frowned, then she met Harpreet and Jassi and she felt better.

Both Harpreet and Abhay excused themselves and left to get drinks for their respective wives, in Jassi's case it was juice, in Amrit's case well Abhay said he would get something that would surprise her.

"You look beautiful in this sari," Jassi exclaimed.

Amrit smiled. She had already become accustomed to Jassi's brand of compliments. She had a generous nature. And no matter how much Amrit had wanted to wait before they became friends she was glad she had given in.

"I am glad I got a chance to wear it," Amrit said, "normally I am so comfortable in my kurtas and churidaars I had been debating my decision of buying saris and this one," she said and looked at her sari, "I had fallen in love with the color," she said.

"Yup, it suits you," Jassi said smiling, "I have saris too only I can't wear them right now," she said and made a face.

"Jassi," Amrit said as she caught a couple of more people staring at her, "if you don't mind... I have a strange feeling," she said and looked directly at Jassi, "it seems a lot of people are looking at me," she said as if she wasn't sure if she was right.

Jassi smiled. But it was more sarcastic and Amrit had yet to see the sarcastic side of Jassi.

"Yup," Jassi said, "they have been looking at you for a while," she told her.

"Why?" Amrit asked confused. "Is something wrong with how I look?" she asked consciously.

"No," Jassi said sarcastically, "it is because they have even smaller hearts than the brains they carry," she said.

And Amrit didn't know what to make of that comment. Seeing her frown Jassi decided to explain things to her a little.

"Most of them know Abhay and about his previous wife," Jassi said, "and some of them knew the two personally. In their minds they are already comparing you with his ex," Jassi said, "I know it is not fair and their opinions don't count because when Abhay had needed them to be sympathetic or understanding they had turned their backs on him," she said with distaste. "And some of the older ladies had been trying to get Abhay hooked with their nieces or daughters but it didn't work out and now they are busy judging you," she said unhappily, "to see if they can find faults and feel better," she told her with disgust.

Amrit raised her eyebrows at the tone Jassi had used. She looked around again. And saw a couple of them pass hesitant smiles at her at being caught staring and some quickly looked away. Amrit wasn't sure what to make of the people around her anymore. It just seemed one didn't have to be a Simrit or a Natasha to act like jerks. The world was full of them. She had often wondered what insane happiness humans got out of gossips or passing judgments on others or being mean. Apparently people got a weird sense of satisfaction while doing it. It was as if the sole purpose of being born was limited to just that how to elevate oneself by bringing the other down. And Amrit had met her share of those already. There was no dirth of the so called self-elevated and self-proclaimed judges in her family. Looking down at everyone who posed even the slightest threat to their self-appointed seats. And Amrit knew how to handle them just fine, rattle them out of their comfort seats. She smiled broadly suddenly.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun," Amrit said with glee and at the confused look on Jassi's face she explained, "it has been a while since I have had to play my usual bad self," she said, "and that is one thing I am best at," she told her winked and laughed.

Her laughter made Jassi grin. This was the first time she had seen Amrit laugh and now she knew why Abhay was so enthralled with her. It was as if a child had gotten his favorite wish. Full of mischief. And then she winked at her. Jassi had to give in and laugh too. It did bring focus back on her but Amrit wasn't bothered. She told Jassi she was going to have a great time and she proceeded to do just that. After all making others uncomfortable with her quick wit and dry humor was something she was a pro at.

Abhay watched Amrit talk to Jassi and laugh he couldn't take his gaze off her. He couldn't care less if someone thought he was smitten by his wife. Because in truth he was. He was the kind of person who had never shied away from the truth of how he felt. It was another matter that in the last few years he had refused to look deep inside him. But what had brought that laugh on he wasn't sure. Though he was to find out very soon.

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