Silver Lining | Grooms #3

XXVI. Stolen Moment

Nikhil's gaze kept flickering to the main gates every now and then. Ever since Esha had texted him, he had been waiting for them. He was curious to see what she had worn. Also, it would be the first time he was going to see her in an Indian outfit. He was sure she'd look even more stunning than usual, but he still needed to see if with his own eyes.

Alas, the girls stepped out of the car. His eyes remained glued on her, watching every single of her movement as she stepped out and fixed the dress before starting to walk towards the house from the driveway. The bronze blouse she wore was short, leaving her torso on full view. She hadn't bothered to wrap the tippet around to cover her bare waist. Instead it hung off her shoulder, around her back with the other end tied around the opposite wrist in a knot.

As she neared, he could tell that she had removed her belly ring. She had mentioned her parents didn't know she had gotten a piercing. His mind flashed to the moment he had first seen it, and imagined how it would have added to her beauty if she had worn it with the dress.

He gulped down, reminding himself to breathe when her eyes found his and they locked. She raised her brows at him as if to silently ask how she looked. His intense expression caused her to smile, getting her answer. He was definitely affected.

He would have gone on to admire her had he not heard a throat being cleared next to him. He turned to find it was her dad. Shit. He blinked rapidly to return to his senses. "Mr. Shah, you're back."

"Stay away from my daughter."

He swallowed nervously, shifting from one foot to another, and pretending to be unaware, "Excuse me, sir?"

Mr. Shah simply narrowed his eyes at him, showing his displeasure at finding Nikhil staring at Esha earlier. "I don't know you. Just because you're Arjun's friend does not mean I trust you." He spoke in a clearly blunt voice, sparing no kindness.

"Sir, I wasn't... I didn't mean to... I'm..." He was unable to finish a simple sentence.

"Dad?" Sanam interrupted, walking up to them.

His face softened seeing Sanam and placed a loving hand on her head, "You look beautiful, Sanam."

"Thank you, dad." She smiled at him, surprised at the sudden turn of kindness when they had all noticed him giving glares to Nikhil. It had been the reason they had speed walked to reach him so they could save Nikhil.

"Esha, you look nice too." Esha gaped at him when he spoke to her as well with kindness when just yesterday, they had left in the complete opposite situation. "Come, everyone is waiting inside." He nudged his daughters inside.

Making sure her father wouldn't see, Esha squeezed Nikhil's hand when she passed by him to send him reassurance and ask him to relax. Then, just as quickly, her warm touch left, following her father inside. But, one moment was all Nikhil needed to get his bearings back.

In a hushed voice, her father scolded her, "You couldn't find anything more decent to wear?"

"What?" Esha asked, surprised at the change in his tone.

"What, what? Girls from a decent family don't wear such revealing clothes."

She threw her head back and grunted, "Dad, seriously. There is nothing wrong with this outfit. It's a designer. Don't ruin my mood, please. We are here to celebrate Sanam's pregnancy. Let's just do that, okay?"

She was in no mood to get into another argument with him and ruin a perfectly good day it had been so far. She caught up with where everyone else was.

Parth complimented, 'Whoa. Eshu, planning on killing your hubby today?"

She freaked and scolded, "Parth, shh! Keep it down, will you? I don't think everyone heard."