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As soon as the guests flooded the hall, the knife sliced the cake and everyone broke into a chorus of 'Happy Birthday'. My maa being the loudest. I picked up a piece and stuffed it in my brother's mouth after feeding my maa and papa. Papa clicked open the bottle of champagne and everyone again shouted as the drink spurted out.
I was so busy in looking at the scene that I didn't even realise the presence of my brother behind me before he applied a handful of cake on my face.
"Mmm! What are you doing!?" I shrieked trying to wipe the cake off my face but he caught my wrists.
"Don't. That bastard is drunk and looking for you. It would be better if this cake stays on your face." He replied calmly and I glared at him.
"Do you want me to roam the entire hall with this on my face?" I asked pointing at my face and he let out a guffaw.
"I'm sorry, Akshu. Just wait for 10 minutes. Then you can go and wash your face. Take Iris with you if you want to hide behind someone." He said and sighed.
"Fine." I spoke and he smiled. He knows I can't hold a grudge against him for too long. And then he ran and disappeared into the crowd. So now the question was: Where will I go? Answer was simple: Hide.
I forced my way out of the crowd and towards the balcony to catch some cool breeze. The outside was much calmer and colder than the insides. Probably because of the non-stop guffaws that emerged because of my papa's jokes. I bet you'll die laughing if you heard that pig one.
My hand went up to my face and scraped some cream. I couldn't help but shove that finger in my mouth and close my eyes to feel how delicious it was. Yes, I was acting like a total weirdo but still... Who could resist a chocolate cake? Not me.
As I let the cool air kiss my face, a sudden hand crept up my shoulder and I jolted away, almost falling off the balcony. Then I heard a sweet laughter that made me sigh in relief.
"You scared me!" I said lightly punching her arm and she smiled toothily.
"I'm sorry." Iris replied with her puppy eyes and I blushed at her cuteness.
"How come you're cuter than me?" I asked with a little pout and Iris rolled her eyes.
"Ask your brother. He'll give you a brief definition of 'How Cute Iris Is'." Her words left me laughing so hard that I forgot I had cake plastered on my face. My brother was head-over-heels in love with her and I've got plenty of reasons why.
Iris shook her head and caught hold of my wrist before saying, "To the washroom." • • • I splashed water for the umpteenth time on my face and rubbed my cheeks softly. Looking into the mirror, I checked my left cheeks, then my right cheek, my chin and my forehead. Nope. No signs of cake and cream. I took some hand wash and rubbed it between my palms until foam emerged from them. I scanned my hands, then, used the elbow to rotate the tap's head.
Classic Indian jugad.
Staring at me, Iris giggled. "D'you always do this?"
"When I'm washing hands."
"I'll keep note of that. Maybe it'll help me as well."
"Trust me, Iris, Indian hacks are on another level." I said reminiscing the memory of how I was unable to open the jar of cookies when I was five and then finally managed to open it by shoving the jar under my dress and using it to rotate the cap. That victory was memorable.
Iris leaned on the wall while I wiped my hands on the towel. Silence enveloped the air until Iris's unexpected question broke in.
"Why does Kevin keep hiding you from Carlos? I mean, he's your fiancé, isn't he?"
Oh god. I didn't expect this.
"That... I..." I sighed and turned towards her. "Promise me you won't tell anyone. Not until the situation is under control." She replied with just a nod and I started fidgeting with my fingers.
"He... He's actually a playboy. Only brother and I know about this." I paused and glanced at Iris finding her gaping like a fish and I continued. "Some mysterious person messaged us that he's again going to... Um... Do that with another woman."
"You mean sex?" I became red at that word and nodded with my eyes shut tightly.
"Don't tell anyone. Please, Iris." I spoke opening my eyes and she gave me an assuring look.
"Don't worry, Akansha. You can trust me." Her reply made me relieved until... • • •
"AKANSHA JAISWAL, DID I RAISE YOU TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS!?" Papa shouted at me while I sat on the floor, tears gushing out of my eyes constantly while my brain still processed what was going on.
Maa ran up to me and helped me up. Papa stomped towards me, hand already raised to slap me again but maa came between us.
"Kartik, don't!" Maa exclaimed but nonetheless another slap landed on my right cheek and I again fell to the floor. I raised my head and looked into his eyes.
"I didn't do anything! Please trust me, papa!" I begged with a cracked voice. But papa was in no mood to listen. I held onto his legs and begged again, my voice cracking with every word and felt like it would disappear if I speak more. But I didn't care. I didn't do any sin. I knew it. I turned to my brother who was hugging a weeping Iris in his arms. When our eyes interlocked, I only received a glare from him.
No... This shouldn't be like this... This night wasn't supposed to end like this.
"Bhai." I called him, my voice trembling but he looked away in disgust, like I was something dirty. But I wasn't. They need to know I wasn't! I wanted someone to believe me... Please.
