Leap of Faith

The Almost Perfect Wedding

When Vikram finally left, I retreated myself back to the bed. My heart and head were simultaneously heavy. I pulled the covers over me and thought of the possibilities. The one with involving Aayan seemed more inviting. However, the consequences would be devastating if he knew that Vikram was responsible for his dad's death. He would actually kill him.

The next day arrived with gloomy rain clouds hovering over grounds of Ascot Village shadowing the bright morning. I was glancing at the horizon, continuously thinking about the same thing. I had to say YES today. I had to lie. I had to do what Vikram was making me do. I became the puppet of my own show. That man went ahead of me, conquering over my goals. The gloominess of the surrounding captured my soul, making me shiver from the inside.

As I arrived in Shweta's suite, she was getting ready with a flock of makeup artists surrounding her. She looked at me in the mirror reflection, giving me a half-smile.

She was looking breathtaking in her red and gold lehenga, her hair adorned with fresh red roses. She was the bride. Who could have thought she would get married so soon? She always had free spirit soul. She was always looking for something new, something that drove her. Now finally, here she was, shackled in the bonds of marriage. Yet there was no fear, no jitters in her demeanour. Her face reflected a different glow. The glow was because of the happiness, the bond she was to share with Nikhil.

Her make-up accentuated her natural beauty even more. Her curls weaved into a bun, with few hair strands falling perfectly around her shoulders. The red rubies round her neck with small ruby studs earrings finished her look with a grand applaud. She was indeed the woman of the hour.

"Miss Shweta with all her elegant famine! Behold!" I said smiling at her through the reflection.

"Such a drama queen!" she laughed turning towards me.

We hugged for long minutes before looking at each other eyes.

"You are beautiful too! Maybe not more than me. But still," She winked poking me. I had my look ready royal blue velvet lehenga with my hair partly pulled back. I wore a long and thick garland of jasmine flowers in my hair; the smell was enchanting that I literally need not put a perfume with it.

"You would have got me ambushed if I would have thought of getting ready and obviously looking more beautiful than you on your wedding day! It's always wise to play safer bets!"

"Ahh Bets," she mused, then stopped and leaned in, "We have the data, right?"

I shrugged.

"What are you going to do?" she asked her expressions getting tense with every second.

"We will see. For today, let us just forget about it. I want to enjoy every bit of the time in my best friend's wedding. I am going to dance like never before baby!" I laughed conveniently changing the troublesome subject. However, she had always been impeccable at reading me. She gave me a sympathetic look, before smiling just a little.

"Well only for today!"

***

As I saw Aayan alongside the groom, my heart skipped a bit. I thought for a while of the changed scenario in front of me. Aayan being the groom, and me with my red Lehenga and Dupatta.

Darn it!

I was daydreaming again. This was becoming my habit day after day being with Aayan. I clutched Shweta's hand tighter in mine as I glanced down from the balcony to the barat coming in the direction of the hotel. Nikhil was in his character sitting on the horse wearing a golden Sherwani and Pagdi on his head. Shweta was looking at me little nervously; her back was on the barat. I gave her a face-splitting grin to reassure her that her groom was making his way towards the venue.