1985. The City of dreams. Red double decker buses, khali-peeli taxis, radios, Doordarshan, video cassettes and rotary dial phones.
DCP Amarnath arrives in Bombay with a mission, straight and clear: To tackle the notorious Crime Syndicates.
As the c...
'Pin that thing to your suit,' Murali says, clearly enjoying himself.
'Pata nahi from which side I woke up today,' Amarnath mutters, trying to pin the boutonniere to his coat's left lapel.
After successfully doing so, he lifts his head, only to realise that Murali has stepped aside and a girl is standing in his place.
Amarnath stares, blinks, and almost takes a step back. It is her, isn't she? he thinks wildly, his heartbeat increasing its pace. She looks very different from the tight jeans and white tee she wore the other day, but he is sure it is her.
'Hi,' she says.
Amarnath just stands, unresponsive.
A girl is saying "Hi" to Amar? Murali thinks meanwhile, looking at her and Amarnath in slow movements. I'm not dreaming, right? This is surely the eighth wonder of the world!
Amarnath's lack of response irks Gauri. She just said Hi. She drops the idea of exchanging further pleasantries.
'What are you doing here?' She demands, arms on her waist.
That is exactly what Amarnath was thinking too. What is she doing here??
'Hello?!' she brings her palms together in a clap, looking at him questioningly.
'W-Wedding ... ' he begins slowly.
Gauri's frown deepens. 'Is that supposed to be funny? You're supposed to be there with me!' She points to the wedding squad at a distance.
Amarnath looks at her uncomprehendingly.
'Seriously, don't you recognize me?' she frowns.
The little band set up on the small corner stage is performing an instrumental medley of Bollywood's greatest romantic numbers. Right now, they are playing a soulful version of Dekha Ek Khwab, a superhit track from the recent movie Silsila.
Dekha ek khwab to ye silsile hue ...
Door tak nigah mein hain gul khile hue ...
Coming to Gauri's question: Of course, Amarnath does recognize her. She's the girl from the police station. As the lines of the song unfold, his eyes dart over her face. The same brown eyes shimmering like sharp-cut garnet stones glared at him through the car window day before yesterday; and now. His heart skips a beat. He can't believe that he's seeing her again.
Amarnath clenches his jaw and glares at Murali, wishing he could strangle him to death right there.
'Even with this dress? And these flowers?' Gauri holds out her bouquet; the same white roses as the one in his boutonniere.
That is exactly what Amarnath is trying not to look at. Her dress. It looks very modern, a pale pink sheath gown, with a deep V neckline, sitting perfectly against her thin frame. There is a cut in it too, way up to the thigh. His ears feel hot. He tries to look away with all his strength, but fails., much to his disbelief. What is he turning into?
Gauri, however, is staring at him blandly. Which planet is this guy from? Doesn't he know what the bridesmaids are wearing today? How did he even become a groomsman?That's why I told Fiona a hundred times to have a rehearsal.
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