THE PERFECT DECEPTION

Chapter 17

Anupama

My hand clenches the dress in my arms, nearly creasing it with fury. "What does that jerk think of himself?" I exclaimed, enraged as I stormed out of my room clutching this cursed dress. How could he even imagine I would wear such a thing? My escape is thwarted as Kai grabs me from behind, pinning my arms, and spins me towards Naomi, Devika, Kinjal, and Aarya, whose dresses glitter before my eyes. The day had already begun in dread, with the morning headlines flaunting a cheerful photo of Anuj and Shruti locked in a kiss, fireworks bursting around them.

I ripped up that newspaper and plunged into a frenzy of work, trying to drown out tears during a conference call with Adrian, who showed no hint of sympathy for my despondent tone. I wasn't seeking pity, but an escape, even scouring for any new contagious disease. But there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. The closest thing to a disease I had was a case of infuriated syndrome, and rest assured, it's not contagious.

The icing on the cake was the exquisitely wrapped box of black elegance, gleaming as the golden silk bow caught the light in my eyes. It was so perfect that my heart skipped beats—not because of the sender, but because of how the light danced off its hues, making it sparkle like diamonds. I wondered if he was watching me from some hidden corner of the room I hadn't yet explored. As I untied the delicate bow, the box gracefully fell open, revealing what I initially thought was a white beautiful dress, cascading like silk over my arms, until I realized it was backless, adorned with a chain trailing down to the small of my back.

I screamed. 

My frustrated screams reverberated through the house, rousing those who had been disputing with me for the last thirty minutes. "Let go!" I yelled at Kai, whose muscles tightened around my arms, hoisting me off the ground. That scoundrel was at home; I could easily mar his face and reduce him to tears, but Devika snatched the dress from my grasp to inspect it. I ceased my struggles, exhaling almost like a child denied chocolate, akin to Pakhi. My gaze swept over each of them: Aarya, in her exquisite tulle dress, looked even more innocent with her eyes set against the white fabric.

Kinjal was adorned in a black velvet dress that slipped off her shoulders and clung to her figure as if divinely tailored. Devika wore a simple gold silk dress that highlighted her brown eyes, the fabric gracefully skimming her hips. Naomi's eyes sparkled like gold, complemented by flawless gold eyeliner that made her complexion appear priceless. Her attire was a straightforward black bodycon dress, befitting a Greek goddess poised to beguile. Devika held it out, allowing the soft fabric to cascade down. My lips formed a pout, and I turned my head away like a sulky child.

I could discern the collective sighs of exasperation directed at me, their eyes narrowing. "You are truly a wildcat," Kai remarked, his annoyance tinged with a hint of amusement, eliciting a chuckle that made me feel like a fool. ''Kab se tu bachcha hai?'' Devika spoke with irritation as Naomi appeared to rub her nose. "Dadi, it's just a pretty dress like mine," Aarya whispered, causing my eyes to soften and a blush of embarrassment to spread. "Ma, relax, the dress is beautiful," Kinjal chimed in with a gentle laugh, as my frown grew more pronounced. '' Lagta hai ki yah kuchh ek behoshi mahila pehne,'' I said as my face exaggerated in annoyance as the moon's light now reflects.  

"It doesn't look like that!" Devika shouts, causing my spine to shoot up straight as a cold current passes through it. "Put her down!" Naomi shouts at Kai, whose eyes widen in shock. Most of us felt on edge for some reason. Anuj's engagement party seemed like a disaster waiting to happen, one that could either shatter a heart or rebuild a new one. Kai kept his arms gently around me, offering comfort as everyone approached. "I understand, Ma, you're scared," Kinjal said, tilting my head upwards to meet her concerned gaze as Aarya clung to my legs. "The dress is inconsequential; it merely showcases your beauty. That's all Jonathan wants—to see you looking beautiful," Devika assured me, rubbing the crook of my neck, promising the impossible.