© Nirvana | ✔️

Chapter 6

Krish and Radhika both checked each other out from a distance. As they stared at each other, they moved closer to each other and soon they were face to face.

"You look ethereal." said Krish, "White looks good on you. You should wear it more often."

Radhika suddenly smiled at him and her smile increased as he blushed at her. She observed his outfit. It wasn't white but it was a black traditional Indian outfit and she also knew that black was another one of her favorite colors.

"Thanks, Krish. Besides white, black is also one of my favorite colors," said Radhika matter of factly.

"Guess we have a lot in common. Anyways, are you ready for the dance performance later tonight?" asked Krish.

"About that, I don't know if I.."

"I know you can. Should we loosen you up a little bit?"

"I really need it. How are you going to do that by the way?"

Krish pointed in the direction of the bar and Radhika eyebrows furrowed.

"How about a shot?"

•••

Radhika managed to only have one glass after calling it quits. She knew that if she drank an incessant amount of alcohol early in the night without eating, she would invariably have a hangover and she didn't want Krish to commiserate her while standing over a toilet and watching her puke her guts out.

Nivedita took the microphone and started to talk chirping, "Good evening everyone!" she said enthusiastically.

The crowd began to cheer and she waved back. Nivedita's eyes landed on Akaash, the third brother who was younger than Shravan and Krish but elder than Shivaay. He winked at her and she looked down at her feet blushing.

"I'm going to make this clear and concise! Let's get to the dance performances. First up we have me and Akaash dancing first."

The crowd clapped and Akaash and Nivedita made their way up to the stage. The lights dimmed and the music started. Both began to sway to the beat while lip-syncing the lyrics.

"What do you want?" whispered Nivedita while dancing.

"Just one date," said Akaash, smirking.

"And why should I give you that opportunity?"

"We seem to have a lot in common," stated Akaash. "We both care about our families and we are a support system for our friends. And anyway, I'm sure we love some of the same things. Don't you like photography as well as reading?"

As much as Nivedita hated to admit it, he was right. "Fine. We will exchange numbers. Anyways, I'll be seeing you in Mumbai when the wedding ends. You guys live there but are hosting the wedding over here right?"

Akaash nodded his head and twirled her around while dancing. They completed their last few dance steps and both of them realized that the song was over when the audience began to clap. They broke away from each other and took a bow while letting the next couple come on stage.

Radhika and Krish stepped on stage and both of them faced each other and nodded to one another as if to give each other the reassurance they needed.

It was showtime!

•••

Krish kissed her hand and then slowly and smoothly, they both begun to dance. She spun around while he twirled her and then they both begun to dance in their own tunes. He wrapped his hands around her waist while she put her hands on his shoulders.

Radhika shivered as she felt his arm around her waist. Both began to sway to the beat while holding each other's hands. He lifted her up in the air to which the audience started whistling. While they both danced, he leaned against her, and their bodies pressed against one another creating butterflies in the pit of Radhika's stomach.

He twirled her in for one last spin which caused her to land in his arms smoothly. The audience erupted and there were whistles coming from the crowd. People hooted and hollered as they both looked into each other's eyes with a sense of satisfaction.

Radhika realized that people were staring and she quickly got out of his arms and pushed him away from her and rushed off the stage. She looked back at him furiously and then left running out of the hall.

Krish looked at her astonished and then upset. He got the message that she didn't like his touch. Moreover, he thought that she didn't like him. His hands clenched into fists and headed off the stage towards the bar.

•••

Radhika was curled up in her hotel bathroom with her head pressed against the glass door of the shower.

"I don't understand what the hell is going on with me." cried Radhika. "I can't tell if I'm over his death or if I still long for the man I once had. Do I still need his presence or should I wash all the memories I had with him down the drain like leftover pieces of food?" said Radhika.

She couldn't get Krish's eyes, his stare, the way his hands were on her waist, the way he pushed her hair out of the way, and the way his lips... But she felt that she was betraying her husband at the same time.

Nivedita's were coming back to her head. These were words that Nivedita said long back though.

"Radhika no one is asking you to wipe your husband out of your memory permanently! But put as much effort as you can when it comes to coping with his loss. Try your best to come out of this. Remember, if you fall that doesn't mean you can't get back up."

"Nivedita's right. I shouldn't have just flipped Krish off like that and I should also try to stay optimistic. That was incredibly disrespectful and irrespective of what emotions are running through the course of my veins, I can still maintain some dignity even if I don't have the urbanity that Krish has. I'll go find him.."

Her mumbling was interrupted by a voice outside.

"Where is he?" said a woman shrieking at the top of her lungs.

"Ma'am I don't know where Krish sir went. It is possible he went outside? I went and checked everywhere.."

"GO FIND HIM NOW I SAID!" roared the woman in a fit of rage.

Radhika jumped at the voice and waited until the footsteps receded.