When past clash with Present

Chapter 12 - Illusion vs Reality

Chapter 12 - Illusion vs Reality

The next morning, it was Haldi for Patralekha and Rakesh. The families decided to conduct the ceremony separately for the bride and groom. They decided that first, on the first floor, there would be Rakesh's Haldi, and then the same Haldi paste would go down for Patralekha, and her function would start. Virat decided to attend both functions. He first attended Rakesh's Haldi, where they had lots of fun.

Virat pulled his wife aside, who was looking stunning in a yellow Lehenga and metallic floral jewelry. She smiled and put Haldi on his cheek. He touched his yellow cheek with hers and applied Haldi to her face as well, and then they started playing Holi with Haldi in a sensual way. Their reverie broke with giggles when they found they were caught red-handed by their friends. Nayna teased, "You two can't spend a day without romance? It's not even your Haldi." Sai blushed, but Virat said, "I was refreshing my memory; you should also do that or create new memories."

After finishing this event, Virat, Rajat, and a few more people went down with Haldi and a few other gifts for Patralekha. Patralekha was stunned to see Virat in a Yellow Kurta and Haldi-covered face and hands. She asked, "So you have already started the celebration from Rakesh's side? Good improvement in just 2 days. I remember you both could not tolerate each other?" Virat smiled, "I committed to attending your wedding function, but never said I can't also participate from the groom's side. You are talking about 20 years ago. We both have grown up and become mature; we reconnected and made good friendship. Now Rakesh is my good friend, and it's natural that I am enjoying my friend's wedding."

Patralekha became hysterical, "You and Rakesh became friends. How could you? You were rivals and used to be jealous of each other. How could you two do this to me??" Patralekha's parents rushed to her, and her mother said, "What did you tell her? Why is she behaving like this? Did you tell her ...?" Virat stopped her before she said more, "Yes, aunty, I told her that Rakesh and I became good friends over time. We became mature, so we gave up our childish rivalry."

Patralekha's psychologist, who was among the guests, calmed her down in half an hour, and the function started. After Patralekha's family applied Haldi on her, Virat came in front and applied Haldi to her cheek. Patralekha was savoring Virat's touch, but bursting her bubble, he suddenly said, "Congratulations, Patralekha Bahini, I applied Haldi from this bowl to my friend, and now am applying it to you, giving you a slice of him and bonding him with you."

Patralekha couldn't take it anymore and started crying uncontrollably and tried to run away from there, but Virat stopped her, "Are Bahini, the ritual is not yet complete. Where are you going? You asked for every ritual, as per I know." She stayed back, but tears started to flow from her eyes. She said, "Please don't call me by that name." Virat smiled, "So what should I call my brother-like friend's would-be wife" She said, "Patralekha, by my name."

Virat didn't push the matter much and left it. After the function, Mrs. Patil came to Virat's room. She said, "Why did you tell Pakhi about your and Rakesh's friendship? It was a shock to her. Have you seen how hysterical she was and how badly she was crying?" Virat smiled, "Aunty, you asked me not to tell her about my married life. You haven't said anything about not sharing about my friendship or not supporting my friend. And one more thing, I think she should know about the changed dynamics by goons. It would help her to move on in her life." Mrs. Patil cried and said, "I can't see my daughter like this. But you are right, she needs to know everything slowly. So that she can move on in her life." Virat came to her and said, "Don't worry, aunty, everything will be alright."

In the evening, there was a cocktail party for the couple. It was a western theme party, and everyone was decked up in suits, casual wears, and gowns. Patralekha wore a simple pitch gown, where Rakesh donned a black suit. Virat chose a casual look that day with jeans and a leather jacket. Sai also chose a knee-length one-piece. Here Patralekha could not escape dancing with Rakesh. First, everyone pushed both of them to dance. Soon everyone hit the dance floor, and Virat danced with Sai, Minakshi, Nayna, and his friends. Patralekha soon returned from the party as she was feeling helpless seeing Virat enjoy her wedding function. She never thought that.

After the bridal party left, it became Rakesh's bachelor party. Especially his friends partied a lot. That day, instead of going to Virat's suite, Sai went to her own room. At nearly 2 o'clock, she heard a knock on her door. With sleepy eyes, she opened the door to only find her slightly intoxicated husband. Sai let him enter her room. He hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head, "I love you, baby." Then he pulled her towards the bed and got busy loving her to satisfaction.

That night, Patralekha sat in the bridal suite alone for a long time to clear her thoughts. The next morning is her Mehendi, and in the evening of the same day is the Sangeet, and the day after tomorrow is her wedding. She hoped that Virat still harbored feelings for her and that he would stop the wedding, and finally, she would marry him. But things are different now; Virat really looks indifferent during the wedding functions. In fact, he is enjoying the wedding. He looks genuinely happy for Rakesh.

She talked to herself, "Am I missing something? Virat has changed a lot. He is not the Virat I used to know but a completely different person. Have the last 20 years really changed him? Does it really not matter to him? Has he really moved on as he claimed? Is there any woman in his life? No, no, what the hell am I thinking, another woman in my Virat's life. I can't tolerate it. I need to talk to him tomorrow morning. I need to see him."

The next day, early morning, Patralekha went to Virat's room only to find it locked from outside. She thought, "It's only 6 o'clock. Where is Virat if he is not in his room? It looks like no one has woken up here on this floor. Where is he then?" She tried to find him here and there, but it was in vain.

She asked the floor attendant, "Hey, do you know where Mr. Virat Chavan is?"

The waiter nodded negatively and said, "He didn't come back to his room last night."

Patralekha was shocked, "What do you mean he didn't come to his room last night? Where can he go? The cruise is in the middle of the sea." Forget it. I think I should ask his PA."

Patralekha started to walk towards Niraj's door when the attendant said, "I think Sir is in Sai Madam's room."

Patralekha turned and asked, "What?"

The waiter continued, "Virat Sir and Sai Madam spend every night together till they come on the cruise. Either Sai ma'am comes to Virat sir's room or vice versa."

Patralekha stumbled listening to this and held the railing to steady herself. Then she said, "Guide me towards your Sai madam's room, please."

The attendant showed her Sai's room and left. Patralekha stood in front of Sai's room for some time and then knocked on the door, bracing herself.