© Nirvana | ✔️

Chapter 11

The guests' screams subsided as murmurs of shock ricocheted through the crowd. Soon enough people took the hilarity of the situation to their hearts. People started laughing. Soon the crowd was applauding both girls who were standing up on the stage.

"It was Radhika's whole plan by the way," said Nivedita as she spoke into the microphone.

Radhika took a bow and people shook their heads and laughed while coming to meet the clever girl who had pulled off the stunt which had people running in a frenzy. Her eyes caught Krish and he shook his head and she smirked at him.

Neelima gritted her teeth in irritation as she looked at Radhika who was eating up the compliments from the guests.

"So I have to avoid you now?" he asked as Radhika stepped off the stage. "Since that was what you asked for if you won the bet."

"Well... I don't think we will be meeting anytime soon Krish. Even though you live in Mumbai, I've been living in Mumbai for so long and I've never met you. Also, you are Shanaya's brother in law. I don't think I'll be able to keep in touch with you." said Radhika apologetically.

"I guess the journey was until here," said Krish softly.

"Yeah," said Radhika. She couldn't bring herself to say more because she had no clue what to say to Krish. A part of her felt glum because as much as he always pestered her, she admitted that she felt light-hearted because of him sometimes. He lifted the burden of sadness off her chest.

She was happy with him.

He turned around to look at her as she departed the venue with the rest of the guests who had come from the bride's side of the family.

•••

Radhika zipped up her suitcase and looked at Nivedita. "I think that's about it. I don't remember packing anything else."

"Well then. The cab is waiting for us downstairs. Let's check out and then we can head to the airport and leave." said Nivedita.

"What about Shanaya?" asked Radhika.

'She'll come with her in-laws and new family. Plus she said she didn't see a point in saying goodbye since she's still our friend and we will be meeting her in Mumbai when we get back." said Nivedita.

"Yeah. I don't see a point in saying goodbye," whispered Radhika as she looked out the window.

A few seconds passed and soon Nivedita was waving her hand in Radhika's face to try and catch her attention.

"Hello? Where are you lost?" asked Nivedita.

Radhika sighed and felt it was useless to try and conceal anything from Nivedita. She felt that she should be upfront and that she should disclose the truth to Nivedita about the moments that had transpired between her and Krish. Radhika didn't want Nivedita to question her mendacity.

Radhika ended up telling her about the balcony incident, the dance drama, the drunken dilemma, and the ice cream situation. She also told Nivedita about the words that Krish said to her and how she felt perplexed these days.

"I don't know. His taunts, jokes and actions have evoked emotions in me that I haven't experienced in a long time."

"Are those emotions bad?"

"Nivi, these are emotions that I haven't felt since before Arjun's death," said Radhika, coming to a sudden realization.

An epiphany!

•••

Radhika sat on her plane seat and adjusted herself so she could be comfortable. She sighed and looked out the window feeling a sense of emptiness. Yet she also felt as if she was about to fall into slumber due to the amount of drowsiness she was feeling and overwhelming thoughts running through her head.

Closing her eyes, she drifted off into a world where she once smiled, laughed, and frolicked.

Dreams can be soothing!

•••

"There is nothing like a successful business!" exclaimed Radhika with glee. She had happiness etched all over her face.

"So proud of you," said Arjun, smiling and pulling her into an embrace. "I'm making coffee, do you want to drink?"

"Actually... I was thinking milkshakes to celebrate," said Radhika thoughtfully. She kissed her husband and began to pull out ingredients from the cabinets and fridge.

"My work is also going well," said Arjun thoughtfully. "After all, you are doing so well with Nirvana and I'm an engineer. Nothing better than this combination!" he said as he topped the milkshake with a cherry and whipped cream.

Arjun handed the milkshake to her and took his own glass. They clinked their glasses together and began to drink. As they finished drinking, Radhika had a bit of whipped cream near her lips.

He leaned in and brushed his lips near hers. She closed her eyes preparing for him to kiss her but opened them to find him staring at her smiling and smirking. He had a napkin in his hand and had successfully wiped her whipped cream off.

"Were you expecting something else?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Radhika gaped and looked at him while grabbing a cushion to hit him.

"You'll never change!" she yelled while he was laughing while faking pain