Master Devil Do 'Not' Kiss Me

(20). Match to his Standard

Nandini's POV

"Seems like you're forgetting who you're, just because Malhotras are showing a bit of importance to you, you middle-class behenji!"

As the words slipped Soha's tongue, all I could do is to look at her stunned and in disbelief. What is she!

"I clearly remember you; you're that girl wearing a 19-century-old cloth to Malhotra's wedding function, right?" she quizzed narrowing her thin-shaped eyebrows. "Right! And that shows, who you are, a middle-class behenji" she let out a shallow sarcastic chuckle.

"I just don't understand, why such a reputed millionaire family like Malhotras are treating you as their princess?" she paused thinking for a second while I just stood shut to hear her out "I'm sure Y.O.U have something to do with this, right?" she suddenly pointed at me with an accusing face.

I was shocked at her statement. What do 'I' have to do with anything? Seriously!?

"Don't give me those innocent looks, okay! I very well know the middle-class people like you; Amir ladka dekha toh chalo... let's get some money from him.
And agar uske family ko impress kardiya toh 'Sone pe suhaga', correct?" she yelled throwing her hands in the air and looked at me with those hatred-filled eyes of hers. 

Her words pinched me. I...I never intend to get money from them. I never want that.

I shook my head not able to form any words from my mouth. "Listen, even if you've succeeded in gaining everyone's attention and care at this moment, it will never be long-lasting." Her tone lowered "You know why, because 'Rishta barabrii walo ka hota hain'. You must have heard it, but seems like you've forgotten it." She paused and her words hit me hard.

Yes! Matches always sustain which are made of the same standard. I've heard of it. Am I of the same standard as Manik?

"No! You clearly know your level..." she demonstrated forwarding her palm down "...and Malhotra's level" her palm raised up above my head.

"So in short, don't let your hopes high!" she whispered leaning on to my ear-side. And all her wors are just roaming in my mind again and again.

"What are you talking about?" comes a voice from our back at that moment and it's Manik who walked in the room with a gown on his hands for me.

Soha immediately turned at him and replied smiling "Nothing much! I was just saying, she doesn't fit in here!"

She gave a brief look at me before adding "... I mean, in this baggy trousers"

"oh! Here is the dress I brought from Navya, you can change it." Manik said forwarding the gown which I took from him.

Our fingers brushed in the process. If it were for me a few minutes before (before Soha's arrival), I'd have blushed in red; but right now, my mind is filled with the hard reality-check I got a moment ago from Soha, and I just walked away to the washroom in a daze.

Putting on my dress, I walked out only to find, Manik & Soha talking till now. An instant question flashed my mind;

Is he that comfortable with her, even more than me? Is that because we aren't of the same status, but they are?

"Okay! I'm not promising, but I'll see if I've my schedule free" I heard Manik say pushing his palm inside his jeans pockets.

"Great! I'll be waiting for you at the party then. See you!" Soha chirped happily at him and left not before passing me a pointed glare.