Warrior

26

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the following day later, my bridal wear came back all done and tailored with a smiling Shalini Singh Raizada. Amma had me try it on just to be sure and to show Shalini, so I quickly changed into it, and it felt like it was hugging me.

"Ah! You look so beautiful," Shalini beamed, clapping her hands together.

She did the same thing yesterday.

"Doesn't she," Amma beamed. "Actually, I've been thinking of ways Khushi could do her hair, as well as her makeup! Let me go grab my tablet," and Amma walked out of the living room, grumbling to herself about if she could even find it.

Oh this woman....

I look at Shalini to see her looking at me already. She's looking me up and down, marveling at the sight of me.

I wonder....

"You mentioned in your card about the hidden pieces in the dupatta," I said. "Did you know what they were?"

A small smile spreads across Shalini's lips. "Asides from the heart with your initials, no; that was all Chote."

Wait, what?

"You see, even though the three of us worked on it together, the hidden items on the dupatta was Chote's idea. Of course, he let us know about it when he was taking it away to work on it on his own."

I find myself to be slightly stunned. "You mean...."

But I'm to shocked to finish my sentence. 

"Yes, all of that was hand-done by Chote."

My eyes are wide as I stared at Shalini Singh Raizada in shock.

He stitched all of those things himself? The initials? My name? My family's names? The word?

Shalini let out a chuckle. "I can see that you're a little confused so let me elaborate. You see, in the years that we lived in exile, to help Aryan make some extra money, I would sew and stitch clothes - a tailor so to say. I had a few of the ladies coming to me with fabrics and I would make the dresses. As Chote got older, he managed to pick it up by watching and helped me out," and she dazes off, smiling most likely at a memory.

Wow. I mean... wow. It's not always that easy to stun me, but seriously - wow.

"My boy has always been a smart one," Shalini says, still dazed off. "Always a supporter."

I watch Shalini for a moment. "It's interesting how you go from a small tailor to a popular brand. Then again, there are reasons behind it."

Shalini snapped out of her reverie and looked at me. "True. However, I would say there's a reason why Arani is so popular, wouldn't you?"

"Yes."

You don't have to ask me twice - not when I'm wearing this one of a kind outfit.

"There's a story and a soul behind Arani- well, three souls to be precise. What started as just a means to keep our family going, ended up becoming so much more."

I simply look at her for a moment, again, then finally speak. "Your son put the word warrior on the dupatta."

Shalini's eyebrows lift slightly. "Is that so?"

I pick up the dupatta and show the hidden cursive word.

"Well, he's not wrong."

I don't say anything and continue to look at her. Shalini smiles and walks over to me, caressing my cheek.

"I'm glad my son sees you the way his father and I see you."

We both hear Amma from a distance, ending this conversation. Amma and Shalini Singh Raizada look over her tablet, Amma pretty much ready to eat Shalini's ears off. So for my sanity, I leave the room, giving one last look at Shalini, who gives me a small smile in return. I make my way upstairs to my room and go into the closet.

Setting the dupatta aside, I look at my reflection in the mirror. I have to admit, I look really good in my bridal wear - especially now that it fits me perfectly. I turn around slightly and look at the back, taking note of the scooped-cut. It wasn't that low, so no strings were necessary to hold it together, but it was rather teasing. Bringing my hair over shoulder, I look at the details carefully, noting every stone and embroidery.

This thing is just too beautiful.

And it's all mine.

All because I'm marrying Arnav Singh Raizada.

Scheisse! And I'm marrying him this Saturday! Holy shit!

I look at the room around me and then at my reflection. 

This is actually happening. I'm actually getting married. Again. I'm actually going to be a bride. Again. I'm actually going forward with an arranged marriage, which I have ridiculed nonstop ever since my divorce went through. 

I am actually marrying Arnav Singh Raizada, CEO of AR Group of Industries - a tattooed badass who allegedly is a virgin and who has never even dated a woman in his entire life.

Arnav's words from our dinner come to mind, replaying.

If what Arnav said is true then... then he really has never dated anyone before - has never been involved with a woman any way or form, before. Heck, if all of his words are actually true, then... then I'm actually marrying a virgin... a male virgin.

What a rarity!

The thought makes me scoff, a smirk taking over my face.

Arnav Singh Raizada... the virgin CEO. The very same CEO that always has had women ogling at him; there's no denying that, I've now seen the pictures the internet has of him, including the ones where you see women drooling over him. I don't blame them - the man is gorgeous! And the tattoos are a bonus!

And yet he's a virgin- stop it!

I shake my head clear, trying to stop myself.

I don't know why I'm thinking of this so much. I don't know why I'm caring so much about it. What does it even matter? After all, who even knows if this marriage will last? My last marriage lasted four months, though because of court hearings and all that stuff, legally it lasted up to eleven months. So given my track record, whether my new husband to-be is a virgin or not, doesn't really matter.

Because nothing of that sort will ever happen.

Nothing of that sort will ever matter.

And Arnav Singh Raizada, CEO of AR Group of Industries, will not be deflowered by this girl.

~

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