Jaane Kya Baat Hai- A KuKu Fanfiction

Chapter 2

(fast forward to one day before the wedding)

As the sun rose upon the Rajvansh household, it was another eventful day . The house was bustling, as the wonderful smells of breakfast permeated the air, vivacious chatter between Ketki and Maami ji about what they were wearing to the haldi echoed in the house, and Meenakshi and Kunal discussed logistics. Meanwhile, Kuhu was at the Maheshwari house, directing caterers, ordering around staff, and helping put up decor. Everyone is talking excitedly, hovering around Mishti. Varsha looked around to find Kuhu and walked over to her.

"Kuhu? Tum itna kaam kyun kar rahe ho? Aao, tum bhi Mishti ke saath ready ho jao," Varsha said gently.

"Arey mumma, aapko dikhai nahi de rahi hai? Yeh decorators ko meri direction ki zaroorat hai. Aur mujhe aur bhi bahot saare kaam hai. Aap jaiye, main ready ho jaungi thodi der mein." Saying this, Kuhu waves away Varsha.

"Kuhu, tumhe lagta hai ki main tumhara dard nahi dekh sakti? Maa hon main teri. Sab dekh sakti hoon," Varsha said concernedly.

"Kaunsa dard? Kaisa dard? I'm fine Mumma. #Don'tOverthinkIt," Kuhu said in a strained, but reassuring tone.

"Don't overthink it? Meri beti, jo chatterbox raha karti thi, vo aaj chup chaap khadi hain. Kisi se baat bhi nahi kar rahi hain. Main bohot worried hoon tumhare liye beta," Varsha said anxiously.

Jasmeet walks over, overhearing the conversation. "Bhabhi, yeh sab na, uss mooh boli ki vajah se hai. Agar vo nahi hoti, to shayad hamari Kuhu khush rehti."

Kuhu was quick to reply. "Aise mat boliye, chachi ji. Isme Mishti ki galti nahin hai. And trust me, I'm fine." Saying this, she went back to rearranging the flowers.

Kuhu was, in fact, not fine. She had spent the entire previous night tossing and turning on the sofa, and had spent half of that night in the bathroom suppressing her sobs so as to not wake anyone. She was depressed, but she wouldn't let anyone see that side of her. Today, everyone would see strong Kuhu. Resilient Kuhu. A Kuhu that is giving, a Kuhu that is nothing but loving. Today, Kuhu was determined to be selfless on one of the happiest days of her sister's life. She refused to be branded as the just "the jealous sister", because it was so much more than that. Anyway, all of it was about to end soon, wasn't it? Kuhu would leave, and never have to face any of her family again.

After the haldi, Kuhu was cleaning up when she heard a voice behind her.

"Kuhu, ghar chalein?" Kunal stood behind Kuhu with a small smile on his face.

Kuhu carelessly glanced in his direction and replied, "Nahin. Mujhe bohot kaam hai. Tum ghar jao, mujhe kal ki preparations karni hai." She was about to pull down some flowers from the wall when she immediately felt dizzy. She stumbled, and a pair of strong, firm hands grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back up. She looked into Kunal's eyes, and for the first time, really saw them. They were pools of light brown, hazy sunlight. She saw her reflection through them and caught a glimpse of something... was it regret, perhaps?

Kuhu shook her head and steadied herself. "No, Kuhu. Not now. Don't make this harder for yourself," she thought.

Kunal shook his head. "Kuhu, tumne subah se kuch khaya?"

Kuhu hesitated, then shook her head no. Kunal looked at her with concern.

"Ruko, main tumhare liye kuch lekar aata hoon," Kunal said anxiously.

"Nahin. Koi zarurat nahin hai. I can take care of myself just fine, Kunal," Kuhu snapped.

"Oh really? Is that why you were on an empty stomach? Pura din? Seriously Kuhu, had hai yaar," Kunal turned around to get her something to eat when he felt a hand pull him back.

"Maine kaha tha na. I don't want your damn help. Apne help apne paas hi rakhna," Kuhu said rudely. She walked past him, away from his sight.

Kunal felt confused.What had he done to warrant such rude behavior from her? Had he unknowingly said or done something offensive? He shook it off and attributed it to pre-wedding nerves. Denial. The best form of therapy.

On her way upstairs, Mishti stopped Kuhu. "Kuhu, thank you so much yaar. Everything looks amazing. Tumne bohot mehnat ki hai, uske liye I owe you," Mishti said cheerfully.

Kuhu gave Mishti a look that Mishti couldn't comprehend. Was it pain? Was it loathing? Or was it just sadness?

"Parivaar mein no sorry, no thank you. Tum apne fairytale jiyo, main apna kaam karungi. Tumhe mujhe thanks kehne ki zarurat nahin hai," Kuhu said, and began walking up the stairs.

"Kuhu?"Mishti stopped Kuhu again.

"Kya hai?", Kuhu said irritatedly.

"Tum theek to ho na? Matlab sab theek hai na?" Mishti said concernedly. "Main janti hoon ki jab main tumhari jethani ban kar aa jaungi, to shayad tumhare liye thoda ajeeb hoga. But I promise, I won't get in your way. I won't interfere in your life," Mishti reassured Kuhu.

"I'm fine Mishti. And anyway, tujhe hamare rishtey ke baare mein fikar karne ki koi zarurat nahin hai," Kuhu waved her hand dismissively. "Waise bhi, main kahan uss ghar mein rehene vali hoon," she muttered quietly under her breath.

"Kuch kaha tumne?" Mishti asked

"Nahi. Tum jao, sab tumhara wait kar rahe hain. #SabKiFavoriteCelebrityBeti." Kuhu turned around and climbed the stairs, trying to hide her face before tears came spilling down her cheeks.