FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 40

For the function, I wore Mehendi green lehengha with black choli, I kept my dupatta spread and pinned on both sides. The Mehendi green dupatta had black borders and being transparent, one can have a look at my tummy, and my thin delicate silver waist band. I didn't forget to wear it this time, I find it sexy. Ruchi helped me tie the knot of my choli.

After getting ready we came down stairs where the function had already started. All the ladies were seated down on the mattress, the Mehendi walis are seated with many ladies applying Mehendi.

The entire place is having strong smell of Mehendi, to some the smell is beautiful but to some it is annoying. I am second half of them, I don't like the smell, it gives me headache but I like having Mehendi applied on my palms, it has a soothing effect and feels cool on the palm.

Liqa is sitting in the center surrounded my giggling ladies, Hanan is sitting beside her having Mehendi being applied to her left palm. The gents are sitting on the sofa and chatting among themselves. My gaze falls on Riad, he is wearing mud green closed neck Kurtha, he is talking to Hanan's father. Looking at them I am reminded of what Urooj had said, Riad is getting married to Hanan. My heart twists with pain at the thought of it, looking at Hanan's happy face my face falls.

Riad has the right to move on, to have someone who loves him and someday he forgets me and that incident. I shouldn't think otherwise, but I can't help it.

Liqa is looking so pretty in Peacock green and pink lehengha, her peacock green dupatta placed over her head and there is a natural glow on her face, glow of the bride to be. Ruchi tugs my arm and drags me towards the center, Hanan looks at us and smiles widely

'Come have a seat...Didi, apply some for these two as well' she instructs one of the Mehendi walis. I wanted to refuse but Ruchi agrees for both of us.

Before I could protest I find myself sitting beside Hanan with my left palm sticking out. I shivered little as I felt the cold Mehendi on my palm.

I see Hanan's Mehendi is almost complete, such elaborate and delicate design. But even better was Liqa's elbow length Mehendi.

Ruchi is beside me, she is giving her suggestion to the girl applying Mehendi. Hanan's sticks out her left palm and shows it to Riad, who nods his head and smiles, he gestures that the Mehendi is beautiful. Hanan blushes and looks down. I watch them with sadness.

I look away and my gaze falls on Urooj who is sitting with Liqa's mother and looking at the Mehendi, I noticed again that Urooj isn't having Mehendi in her hands nor she is applying. Urooj is among those girls who never loose a chance to do all girly things especially applying makeup and Mehendi and jewelry but this Urooj she is keeping away from everything she would have died for earlier when she was a teen.

'Hanan, why isn't Urooj applying Mehendi?' unable to keep the curiously in me, I ask Hanan. She looks at me, her smile fades. She then looks sadly at Urooj and back at me again

'I will tell you later, Abhi enjoy the function' Hanan says

But seeing her expression change so drastically it's no rocket science to guess something is wrong.

The function continues, generally during Mehendi functions I keep away from applying Mehendi because I mostly do running around checking if any guests need anything or if everything is alright and going properly. I had only my left palm done with Mehendi just for the sake of it, Ruchi on the other hand is enjoying the function like it's her own. Unlike other clients there is sense of family with this one, perhaps because of Riad and Urooj. I don't know why but I have taken this project more personally than professionally.

I left the place and go to the backyard to check on the carters, dinner will be served within one hour.

When I come at the backyard I find Riad is already there and testing little of kebab, he then turns to the chef and talks something. He then turns around and stops on his track when he sees me.

I smile awkwardly, he takes a step towards me and I look away. I wanted to ignore him and walk past him but I find myself freeze. He extends his hand and held mine, I shivered. He looks at my Mehendi

'Why didn't you waste more of your time on this?' he taunts me. I jerk my hand from his. If he doesn't like me then why does he bother coming and taunting me. If Urooj warned me then she warned him too, then why is he bothering paining his mouth to taunt me. I look away and ignoring him I walk towards the counter. I didn't glance at him again; I didn't even realize when he had left.

'Wow, Hanan your Mehendi is darker than mine...I am so jealous' Liqa says enviously.

The function is over, the gents have retired to their room but the ladies are seated on the sofa, looking and commenting on everyone's Mehendi

'It's night and tomorrow will be come out darker' Liqa's mother compliments. Hanan smiles and mutters a thank you

'We all know why it's dark.... they say that if your husband or husband to be loves you a lot then your Mehendi comes dark' Urooj teases Hanan nudging her arm. Hanan lowers her head blushing hard. I look sadly at my faint yellow Mehendi. Perhaps I washed it away too soon.