Meri Khud Ki Shaadi

CHAPTER TWO

You know that feeling when you slip into someone else's shoes and suddenly, their emotions hit you like a train wreck? That's exactly what I was feeling. I hadn't seen the Pathanias in ages. Whenever I'd visit around this time of year, they'd be busy with their son or some other stuff I didn't care much about. Still, if I saw them on the lawn, I'd always make sure to greet them. But it had been a minute since I last saw Rishi's mother.

Nana always said she wasn't feeling too well-just old people stuff, I guess. But I used to wonder about that. My grandparents were at least a decade older than the Pathanias, yet they were in tip-top shape, thanks to Viren and his wife taking such good care of them. I should've been grateful, but right now, gratitude wasn't the emotion I was feeling.

I hit up Dhruv and told him the situation. He agreed-the first chance I get, I'm going MIA. The second I find a way to Dehradun, I'm out.

I'm grateful to him for this.

My vacation got approved the week it was due, and any normal person would've been thrilled. But me? I was dead inside, thinking about Rishi's dad and my Nana. They were best friends, practically inseparable. And when you're best friends, emotions are contagious. Losing your wife? That kind of sorrow is the deepest kind of hell.

"God, please take care of my grandparents and the Pathanias," I prayed.

As I scrolled through flight options, I was looking for something cheap, but everything looked like it was jacked up in price.

"Guess I'm gonna have to empty my wallet, huh?" I muttered to myself.

Then it hit me-if I'm already dropping this much money, why not fly first class? The thought crossed my mind, and for a second, I didn't feel so broke after all.

The tickets were booked, but instead of feeling any sense of relief, it was like every ounce of seasonal depression I'd been pushing down decided to surface. I stared at the ceiling, emotions rolling over me like a trainwreck I couldn't stop. The trip. The funeral. The memories. They were all starting to claw at me, and the next thing I knew, the doorbell rang, ripping me from the mess in my head.

I blinked, disoriented. The sharp buzz of the doorbell felt like a punch to the gut, reminding me I had to get my shit together. Glancing at my phone, I caught the time: 7:00 AM. Seriously? Too early for anything, but here I was, about to deal with a day from hell.

Dragging myself to the door, I was barely functioning. The second I opened it, Dev and Naina's confused faces stared back at me. I must've looked wrecked, dead on my feet, because Dev raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"What's with the I-missed-my-bipolar-meds look, huh?" he asked, throwing a smirk my way.

I shot him a flat look, too exhausted to engage. "I got a call. You're dropping me at the airport. Get your ass showered." I was already scrolling through my phone again when the notification hit. Nani.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," I groaned. "GET IN, BOTH OF YOU!" I yelled, my voice raw.

They stepped inside, looking about as confused as a kid on their first day of high school, realizing they were not the king of the world anymore.

"I have a funeral to go to," I said bluntly, not really feeling the need to sugarcoat things.

"Well, damn," Dev said, blinking at me. "That was straight to the point, also What the hell?" Naina looked at me with wide eyes, clearly waiting for an explanation.

I took a deep breath. "Yeah. Naina, remember when I told you about Nana's best friend, Bashir uncle?"

"Kinda. So what? He died?" she deadpanned, not missing a beat.

"No. His wife, Rekha. Rishi's mother. She passed away," I spat out, feeling the weight of the words the second they left my mouth.

"Ohhh, Rishi," Naina said, the recognition hitting her. "I remember him. You were sulking about some earring drama with him back then, right?"

I rolled my eyes hard, my patience wearing thin. "Ugh, dude can you stop reminding me shit I don't wanna recall? Also, ever since then, we haven't seen each other so the situation is more like I rather kill-self and have a tea party up there with his mother instead BUT THAT's NOT AN OPTION. Cutting the crap out, It's my Nana and Bashir uncle. They were close. This is something sad big time." I trailed off, remembering Nani's message I hadn't even opened yet.

"Anyway, get ready. I'll be packing," I said, walking off toward my closet.

"Alright," Naina called as she headed for the bathroom.

"Do I... do anything?" Dev asked, still clueless.

"SHUT UP!" Naina and I yelled at the same time, our voices cutting through the air like knives.

Dev just threw his hands up, chuckling, as I grabbed my suitcase and started shoving clothes inside. My mind was racing, but there was no way out of this.

I was going to a funeral.

The shit was hitting me like a brick to the face. No way around it. If the gods wanted to ruin my life, so be it. At least I was still useful to my grandparents, right? I kept repeating it in my head, steeling myself for the mess I was about to dive headfirst into.

Naina pulled up in the driveway, and Dev, of all people, was playing the part of my chauffeur.

The three of us sat in silence, tension thick. Naina was the first to break it with a cautious, "Okay, off to the airport"

That's when I remembered my nani's message.

"I know it's hard, dear, but we'll get through this together. I'm not sure when you'll reach Dehradun, but chances are, you won't get much rest. People will be in and out, offering condolences. Be careful, darling.

Also, I know you haven't spoken to Rishi in years, so here's his number. He'll be fetching you from the airport."

My stomach dropped.

"HELL. NO." The words exploded out of me before I could stop them.

Was I about to cry my eyes out?

Absolutely.

Why?

Because I did not want to see him.

Not first.

Not ever.