Sweet Surprise

Chapter 6

                 

Guriya, think about it, I know you feel hurt, but Harry and you did break up.", Neeta asked gently and then started drawing the mehendi motifs on her hands. The impossible marriage was taking place, and it irritated Neeta beyond doubt, that Lawrie had accepted Mia's impulsive decision because of a certain Harry Anderson's arrival.

" I know Ma, I thought about it, its going to be painful to see Harry and his fiancée together.", Mia was staring at the intricate patterns being etched on her skin, she loved how her hand had transformed into a canvas of beautiful flowers. She looked up to see her mother giving her a hard stare and asked, " What is it Ma ?"

"Are you sure your not hiding from me something guriya?", Neeta had her interrogation face, and she knew Dia would answer truthfully, and soon enough, "Ma, I know this seems convenient, but even I would like someone to share my life with, yes I am afraid to be lonely, and therefore Adam", Dia admitted in a rush. This was just the partial truth, but it would be enough to satisfy her mother's query.

Her mother hugged her tight, and whispered in her ears, " Promise me , that you will never lose your identity and yourself in this marriage ?", Dia found herself promising the same.

Adam looked at the file in front of him, his fingers trembled, hesitant at first, but the curiosity and his cursed luck prodded him to learn the contents of the file regarding the elusive Dia Richmond. Fortunately, the private investigator added a brief summary, that would suffice for now, he skimmed through the contents and found himself smiling when he saw her favourite dessert listed as "Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Ice cream, sinfully delicious", a frown crept up his face, when he realized that Mia did not finish her treat that day additionally she had ice cream usually "not to think about problems."

As he was about to make a call, Chris walked in looking troubled, and said, "What exactly is happening ?"

"Regarding ?," Adam enquired and came around to sit next to him.  "You are getting married to Karen's cousin, and you are ok with it ?", Chris's brow furrowed further when he saw a resigned smile, "Why  Adam ? I'll ask Dad to stop this nonsense at once."

"No, you will not, ", Adam punched his brother lightly, "Chris, because five thousand people depend on this marriage, I will not be inconsiderate towards them ", closed his eyes, as he did not want to see the disappointment in his brother's eyes. "Its your life Adam, surely dad knows , you will not be happy in this sham of a marriage.", Chris moved towards the cabinet behind Adam's chair pulled out the glasses and poured the expensive scotch and clinked, "nevertheless, I hope your wife will love you, as you are wonderful." Adam was quite surprised that Chris, did not pester him about the details, so he passed the file to Chris and said, " I can't think about the future of the marriage , right now I'm lucky she agreed."

Chris did not open the file, and simply said, " Gramps and Dad seem pretty stoked about this marriage, I think she must be special. As your best man, I can feel it will be spectacular tomorrow."

"I hope so ", Adam said pensively, the Saturday Marriage was supposed to be beautiful, Karen had hand-picked right from the décor, to cuisine and invitations. He pinched his nose, and gulped down the amber liquid from the glass.

Saturday arrived soon, Neeta was totally unprepared that her daughter would start a new chapter with uncertainty and worse with a heart-broken husband. It was cruel, she tried to convince Dia, even Lawrie tried his best, but Dia's decision was iron cast. She looked around her modest three bedroom apartment, in the twenty six years of her marriage with Lawrie, Dia was their miracle child, her treasure. It was not easy to reconcile that some time later in the evening, Dia would no longer accompany them for the family dinner. Her chest tightened, and she clutched Lawrie's coat,and she was engulfed in that familiar spicy perfume, "You remember, your dad was the only one who blessed our marriage ?", Neeta could not bring herself to answer, so she nodded, " Well atleast Dia will have both of us. Ben and Uncle Gerry will be there, and so its going to be alright. " and Lawrence wiped of the tears trailing down her cheek. She noticed that a tear drop on Lawrie's finger, and looked up to see that the jolly Lawrence Richmond, was emotional. She squeezed his hand and said, "Guriya lived with us for 22 years, most children move out earlier. I hope she will be happy, that is all I will pray for."

The gown was beautiful, the intricate lace detailing made her feel like a princess, and it brought out her caramel skin tone. The make up artist Enrico, fawned over her eyes and exclaimed that she was lucky to have  "doe eyes". Dia felt grateful that Enrico did not manage to make her look hideous, as she was always the unintended victim of Karen's enthusiastic makeovers and glam shots. In her heart she wished, Karen would magically reappear and prevent this marriage, and she hoped that Karen would not feel betrayed.

Rosa found her friend in a pensive mood, and lifted her mood with the magic word, " Dark chocolate ice cream, secret stash."Dia looked hopefully at the ice cream, and scooped up the wonderful delight ofgoodness. She was in seventh heaven when she heard a not –so-familiar shriek, only to find Enrico truly mortifiedat the scoop of ice cream. She was once again separated from her true love, asEnrico did her lips and told her sternly, " Ice cream can wait, my dear..." She Casted one longing look towards the ice cream, and thought, when would it be time for her to indulge in the delight without the intrusion of irritating make-up artists and a certain disturbed fiancé.

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Mehendi- Is like a hand-painted tattoo, except it has more floral motifs. Very common in Indian weddings.