The Beats Of My Heart | Meri Dil Ki Dhadkan

65

After Arnav notified both families that I had agreed, everyone was excited. Arnav's family had already started on preparations with Amma and Babuji.

When I got home that night, Amma was shrieking like the loudest banshee on the planet! Both Amma and Babuji were happy and excited! But Amma quickly changed gears and got serious, getting right down to wedding-preparation mode. She spent countless hours on phone calls with Arnav's family, as well as visiting their house. She'd been there so often, I almost thought she lived there!

"Let her be," Babuji would say. "It's her only daughter's wedding."

That was true, but Amma was totally next level, even taking over for Babuji, which only made him laugh. After countless hours of decision making, with of course mine and Arnav's opinion taken in as well, our wedding was scheduled to take place in two months' time, much to mine and Arnav's displeasure. It felt like it was going to take forever, but how the days quickly passed by and led us into May, I honestly have no clue. And soon enough, the day arrived for the haldi.

Payal came running in on the day of my haldi. She and her mom were making a fuss when I was brought down.

"So, what," I heard Payal say as I came in. "Before I'm a part of that family, I'm Khushi's friend first. So... I'm going to be a part of both sides! I'm going to give away the bride and I'll be accepting the bride," she grinned.

It was pretty obvious that Payal was really excited and happy. Everyone came over and put some haldi on me. Amma and Babuji were first and Amma was happily crying. I felt bad at first; I didn't realize that wanting your love forever would mean leaving the ones that brought you into the world and raised you. Amma noticed that I was having mixed emotions and she placed a kiss on my head.

After everyone had left, Payal and I sat upstairs in my room once I had cleaned up. All day, I had noticed that Payal was bubblier than usual, and I intended on finding out the source of it.

"What's up Payal," I asked as I ran my towel through my hair.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing, why?"

"Oh, nothing," I mimicked, "it's just that...."

"Just what?"

I sat down in front of my vanity, placing my towel aside. "Well... actually the thing is... you seem... different."

"Different? How?"

"I don't know... you just seem a little bubblier than usual."

Payal furrowed her eyebrows, confused. I continued on.

"Spent some quality time with Akash now then did we," I teased, wiggling my brows.

Payal's eyes widened and she tried to hurt me, but I pulled back.

"Don't act all obnoxious," she said. "And don't you think you're going to go untouched once you're married," she warned.

"Oh? What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that Bhai is going to get to you too, so don't act all obnoxious."

"Oh, so instead of Arnav, it's Bhai is it?"

"Well duh," she frowned, "that is the relation."

I smiled. It's nice knowing that Payal had become a part of that family so quickly. I could only hope for the same.

"By the way," she said, observing her nails. "How do feel right now?"

There was a look in her eyes I couldn't exactly understand, but I answered honestly.

"I have mixed emotions. I mean I'm upset that I'm leaving Amma and Babuji but then I'm also happy because I'm going to be with the man that I love and the one who makes me feel complete."

She sucked her teeth. "Nah! You think you're complete, but truth is, you're not – not yet at least."

Huh? Confusion covered my face.

"What I mean is, when he proposed to you, is that what you felt?"

I nodded.

"Well my sweet dove, that's not feeling complete. It's after the wedding you feel complete," she said, smirking lightly while wagging her eyebrows.

I'm so confused. "Okay seriously, what are you trying to say?"

Her expression read really? "Khushi, you seriously are something else," she frowned.

I don't know about something else, but I am confused woman!

"I'm talking about after the wedding," she said, seeing that I still didn't understand what she meant.

I remained confused.

"You know... what happens after all the welcoming and what not," she continued.

Seriously what is this girl trying to say?!

She clearly had had enough. "Khushi I'm talking about your fucking suhag raat!"

My eyes widened. She did not just say that!

Due to the shock I'm facing, Payal took control of the situation. "Oh? What happened? Not so brave and talkative now then, are you," she teased.

I remained frozen.

"Well then, who's acting weird now?"

I stayed completely still. Payal got serious.

"Look Khushi," she said placing a hand on my arm. "That first night you spend with your husband is a night you'll never forget. You think you feel complete now, but after that night... you'll actually feel whole. You'll feel that even though you thought you were complete, something else that you never thought existed has finally come out."

I looked at Payal, my eyes still wide. I can't believe she's talking to me about this! Payal was still stuck on the topic and she placed her hand on my cheek.

"After that one moment, not only will you feel whole, but he will feel that there is someone out there who cares for him and loves him. That if there's ever any trouble, there will be someone by his side, that they have support, forever and always."

I looked at Payal with a questioning look. I never thought of things like that before. I look at Payal and all I can think is wow - a person can change that much from marriage, that too quickly. Only a few months ago, she was single and bubbly, and didn't give a crap about the world and today? Here she sits in front of me, matured and understanding.

I smiled and hugged her. "Thanks, Payal."

She smiled back, then she gave me a sly look. "Oh yeah, and don't think you can hold onto your virtue for so long, because men don't hold back when they have the chance."

The sweet moment was gone, and the awkwardness was back. I stared wide eyed and remembering the events from last night.

I mean, I stopped him but... and I... um... eep!

"Hello! Earth to Khushi," Payal called out to me.

"Huh?"

I didn't even realize that I was lost in my head.

"What are you thinking about," she asked.

"Huh? Oh... nothing, just nothing."

"Okay...? Well I've got to go, lots of things to be done! I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay?"

I simply nodded and Payal got up and left.

Oh my... I... he... suhag raat? I gulped. Eek!