© Nirvana | ✔️

Chapter 2

Radhika gazed up at the hotel in front of her. She felt intimidated by the luxury that she was staring at. A couple of giggling girls shoved by her, a serving-man was delivering drinks to an outdoor garden party and a couple was holding hands and walking.

She looked at the couple with a sense of longing. If only she could savor the last kiss she gave her husband. As well as her last hug and her last words to him. Her fantasies were now 'what if's' as she never got the chance to say anything before her husband was admitted into the hospital early in the morning.

Nivedita grabbed Radhika's hand and dragged her towards the entrance of the hotel. "Let's go meet Shanaya after checking our bags in."

"Agreed. I've only congratulated her over the phone. It's high time that I congratulate her in person."

As they completed all the formalities, they walked towards the bride's room where there was a lot of commotion that could be heard within an earshot.

"My wedding dress still doesn't fit? What do you mean? The marriage is in two days. I need you to adjust the fitting pronto!" shrieked a girl at the other end.

Radhika and Nivedita entered the room and Shanaya squealed and launched herself into their arms as she tossed the phone on the bed.

"My best friends!" she said shrieking with glee.

•••

After a lot of chitchatting and gossip, the girls had finally settled down and now Shanaya was talking to both Nivedita and Radhika.

"Shravan has four brothers and no sisters. I swear it's going to be one rowdy party when I get married and go live in their house. None are of them are married but are always dating someone or the other. Living with four brothers in law is just exhausting to think about."

"I know their family is very reputed from what I've heard. Their dad was a bigshot lawyer until he retired and their mom used to be a really popular model back in her days. Now all the sons have taken over the law firm and every single one of them is a lawyer." said Nivedita regurgitating all the facts she knew about the family.

"I honestly have no clue what your family looks like after marriage Shanaya but enlighten us. Nivedita here has done quite a lot of research." teased Radhika.

"Well, Shravan is the eldest with Krish being the second and Akash being the third. Shivaay is the youngest. The wedding is happening in Delhi since they have a lot of relatives here but they live in Mumbai."

"Sounds interesting," said Radhika simply nodding her head. "Anyways, cheers to your engagement ceremony tomorrow," said Radhika enthusiastically holding up her glass of red wine.

"Cheers!" all the girls said simultaneously while giggling and clinking their wine glasses.

•••

"Ugh! These Indian clothes man. I share a love-hate relationship with them." said Radhika.

"Chill out Rads. You'll only be wearing all these fancy raiments for a couple of hours," said Shanaya as she was decked up in the mirror with the help of a few beauticians.

"By the way. Not going to lie, you look dead drop gorgeous in this outfit. Good luck not attracting any unwanted attention tonight." said Nivedita winking at Radhika.

•••

The groom's side of the family entered the venue hall. The cameramen began snapping photos as soon as the groom's entourage entered the place.

"Wow, brother! Look at you. From a renowned lawyer to a full-time lover. Exactly how did you win dearest Shanaya over? Give us some tips." said Shivaay while winking at his elder brother.

"Shut up Shivaay," said Shravan while hitting the back of his head. "Instead of staring at girls all the time, focus more on the law firm. And don't talk indecently about my wife otherwise I'll.."

"Really? She's already your wife's brother. From what I've seen in these past few days, I haven't exactly witnessed your wedding yet which doesn't back up the claim that she is your wife." said Akaash as he high fived Shivaay when Shravan wasn't looking.

"Leave it brothers." said another voice. This time it was Krish Malhotra who had entered in behind them. "You need some jokes for the wedding night as well as the honeymoon. Spare him the engagement day!"

Shravan's smile faded and while all three brothers began to laugh in the background, something distracted Krish from his brothers.

A pair of eyes caught Krish's attention. He observed them from a distance. They were sparkling brown like the color of mahogany. They gazed deeply into his and he felt as if someone was staring deep into his soul. They looked at him shyly as well as cautiously and then he observed the long eyelashes that were attached.

Krish looked down and blushed at the floor. As he looked up he saw that the mysterious pair of eyes was gone and had vanished before he could walk over to figure out the identity of the person.

He scanned the area but was unsuccessful.