Secrets of the Rose and Thorn: A tale of Strength and Weakness

31

•Roshni Singhania•

"Hello Mrs Singhania." Navy blue body-con dress complimented her tone well, brown curls fell over her shoulder, a silver watch tied on her left hand, she extended her other hand in front of my sister in law. "I am Janhavi Thakur."

"Niharika, it's a pleasure to meet you." My sister in law came to my room after some minutes of the information of the fashion designer has arrived being conveyed to the former. It was more than forty minutes since she was in study with her husband. I don't know what they were talking about. I also know its not my place to know what a married couple was conversing about. I just wanted to know what her husband thinks about her.

Is he finally accepting her?  Or has he started to love her?

"Feelings are mutual. Alright. Shall we get to the business?" Upper lids lined with blue, hazel eyes looked at us, for confirmation. Janhavi's voice pulled me out of the trance, my fingers clasped on the golden knob, twists it, shut the door close. Niharika and I nod our heads at the fashion designer. She called a member of her team, who soon entered with two clothes line. One full of straight party gowns and midi length dresses. The other one, full of ethnic gowns and sarees. "These are from my fresh collection, please try whatever you guys want to. If y'all don't like any of these, please inform me, I will get something else." She gestured the shimmery and glittery apparels hung on the silver rack.

Niharika looked at me, momentarily I couldn't understand why would see look at me of perhaps confirmation, till I realised all these things are foreign for her. I blinked my eyes at her for reassurance. "Okay, thanks." My flamingo glossed lips formed a smile.

An hour and a couple of dresses later, sister in law and I could finally choose what we would be wearing for the dinner. I choose an orange coloured knee length body fitting dress with elbow length flared sleeves. Niharika ended up choosing a silver worked net saree. After Janhavi and I insisted her so much to try some western clothings, she did try a few, at least she ended up with a saree.

Biding our byes and thanking Janhavi, she left our house after she explained the make up artist to what kind of make up and accessories we should be carrying to make ourselves look perfect. Niharika retired to her room and minutes later a help came and took her choose outfit to her room. It was quarter to eight while we were all dressed up and ready to go. Getting in brother's car, Niharika and I settled in the back with her husband in the passenger seat and chauffeur driving it.

We reached the venue soon owing to the fact in was a weekday and there was not much traffic on the roads. Getting inside Advay's house, I immediately was embraced in a warm, sister like hug by Rebecca. "I missed you so much, Roshni."

"Missed you too, Rebecca." Stepping out of the hug, she hugged Niharika. After the greetings were done, I asked where their kid, Prithvi was. she led me to a room, where he was sleeping in green crib. "Oh, he's is so cute. Can I hold him?"

"Of course, he is your nephew." Rebecca took the kid out of the crib and handed me. Niharika's honey like eyes were looking at the baby, dainty fingers reached up and caressed the baby's face.

"He is so tiny and cute." I stroked his cheek and kept him back in the crib, while I pulled my hand back from it, he held my finger in his small balled fist, "Aww." I couldn't help but squeal at his cuteness.

"He going to love you so much." Rebecca closed the door of her baby's room.

"I hope so."

"You know, when I was pregnant and we didn't know the kid's gender. One day I asked Advay, what you want- a girl or a boy?" Rebecca spoke as walked down the stairs.