Ep15. Engagement Ceremony

“Where are you going?” Abhinav asked as he watched Meera and his younger daughter Piya all decked up.

“It’s Alina’s engagement! They invited all of us, but you had some other important business.” Meera said and Abhinav nodded with a glass of scotch in his hand while her younger sister sighed.

“Alright, the driver will drop you!” He said and moved to his study.

“I wish he suffers a major loss in business and ends up begging on the road.” Piya sneered, watching her father’s retrieving figure, and Meera nudged her arm. “What! He deserves it! Look at his attitude. He behaves as if he is king and others are his servants.” She rolled her eyes while Meera dragged her out of the house.

“Let’s go! We’re already late,” Meera said.

“If you’ll change three dresses, obviously we’ll get late for the party!” Piya blabbered as they reached where the car was waiting for them.

“Shh…. You talk a lot! Tell me, how am I looking?” Meera asked.

“Umm… I guess the other dress was looking better on you,” She teased and Meera glared at her. “Just kidding! My sister is the prettiest.” She said, bringing a smile to Meera’s face, and they left for the venue.

 Abhinav watched them leaving standing by the window of his study room and took a sip of his scotch.

***

From the time Aahil and Sabina reached the venue, Aahil was constantly loaded with work. From managing the caterers to welcoming the guest, Aman watched him running everywhere as if he was a family member.

Aahil looked everywhere at the party, but Meera was nowhere in the sight. He called her again, but her number was switched off. “Come on, Meera!! Pick up the damn call.” He muttered, shoving the phone back in his pocket and reached the stage where Aman and Alina were sitting on the royal white couch.

Dressed in a pure white gown, Alina was looking enthral. Her long hair was up in a beautiful bun and soft curls were on either side of her oval face. Her greyish eyes with a hint of blue made her look like a pure goddess. Next to her, Aman was sitting dressed in a grey suit and his eyes were pinned at the entrance, waiting for his father to make an appearance.

Aahil sat on the armrest of the couch and leaned into Alina. “Where is Meera?” He whispered while she was busy giving poses to the photographer.

“I don’t know!” She asked. “Come, let’s click pictures!” She pulled Aahil’s arm, and he came to sit between Aman and Alina. The photographer took some amazing pictures and all three of them had surreal smiles on their faces.

“Waiting for dad?” Aahil asked Aman.

“Umm.. no!” He quickly answered, tearing his eyes away from the entrance. “Why would he come here?” He chuckled.

“But I think he is here!” Aahil said gazing at the entrance and following his gaze, Aman’s eyes travelled to the entrance, where he found his father with a poker face. Instinctively, he stood up and Aahil left, patting his back.

Aman’s father reached them on the stage and disregarded Alina’s greeting, glaring at his son. “So you did what you wanted? You don’t have an ounce of respect for your father or his reputation?” He asked his son.

Aman sighed, “The same old dialogue? I thought you were here to bless us.” He lifted an eyebrow. “I told you I love Alina and intend to marry her!” He pulled her close to him and Alina gulped, watching his father throwing a dagger in her direction.

“Do they have any standard? Look at the arrangement, if not, look at this girl! You are ready to go against me for her?” Aman’s father sneered and Alina pressed her lips in a straight line. “They are trying to trap you for the money and position that you hold.”

“It’s alright if she has eyes on my money and status! Every girl wishes to marry a well-settled guy. I don’t see any problem.” Aman argued, inviting some eyes of the guest who were standing close to them.

“But I have!” Aman’s father hardened his glare at Aman. “The luxuries and decision-making powers you are enjoying today are all because of me. Your grandfather might have given you all the power, but it’s my hard work where my business is standing today.”

“I pay you!” Aman retorted.

“Pardon!” His father seethed in anger, and Aman smiled in response.                          

“You heard me. I pay you every month for your hard work and dedication to the company!” He said. “There must be some difference between you and me that forced your father to give everything to me.”

“Aman!” His father raised his voice.

“Grandpa is here!” Aman glanced at someone behind his father. “Why don’t you ask him?” Aman said and his father glanced back to see his father in the wheelchair. A servant was pushing his wheelchair toward the stage.

Aman’s father quietly stepped down from the stage. Alina’s mother was witnessing everything from the corner of her eyes. A deep frown appeared on her face, but Aman gestured to her that everything was under control.

Aman and Alina clicked pictures with Aman’s grandfather and he gave Aman’s mother’s jewellery to Alina as a blessing. On the other hand, Aahil was getting impatient with every passing minute and he decided to check on Meera.

Taking out his car keys, he rushed to the exit but stopped in his track when he saw Meera at the entrance. She was dressed in a designer red gown embroidered with golden zari work. Her long dark brown hair was cascaded down up to her waist. She had minimal makeup but her skin was glowing. Her eyes met with Aahil's and the latter was all smiling staring at her.

He walked in her direction while Meera crossed her arms across her chest, looking away. “Just why aren’t you taking my calls? I was going crazy thinking about you all the time!” Aahil said.

“You finally got time for me!” Meera snapped. “Or your other girlfriends dumped you!” She lifted an eyebrow and Aahil gave a ridiculous look to her.  

“Do you understand I’m here for you?” He asked.

Meera shook her head. “Correction! You are here for your best friend’s wedding, it's just my dad asked you to meet him at the same time.” She said, and Aahil had nothing to say more.

“Aahil bro!!” Piya rushed to him and gave him a warm hug. Aahil always adored her like his younger sister, and she was always comfortable with him.

“So good to see you, Piya!” He smiled. “How’re your studies?”

“Great!” She answered and Meera smiled looking at them from the corner of her eyes.

“Let’s meet the bride and groom!” She said, and Aahil glanced at Meera.

“Any idea why your sister is upset with me?” Aahil asked, and Piya narrowed her eyes at Meera.

“She has nothing to do so!” Piya answered and Meera glared at her. “Leave her! Let’s go!” She dragged Aahil away and Meera frowned, following them, holding her dress a little high to avoid tripping.

The engagement ceremony began. Aahil took out the red velvet box from his pocket and handed the diamond ring to Aman while Alina’s mother, Sabina, handed the ring to Alina. Everyone clapped for the couple and the engagement ceremony solemnised.

Alina was over the moon staring at her diamond ring when Aman came to her side and nudged her. “Are you happy?” He asked.

Alina had a surreal smile. “It’s beautiful!” She said, showing the ring on her slender finger, but her smile slowly faded. “I am worried about your dad!”

“You’re a good daughter-in-law!” He chuckled, and she smacked his arm.

“I hope he doesn’t create any problem for us!” She sounded worried.

“As long as I’m alive, I won’t let anyone even touch the strand of your hair,” Aman assured.

“Promise me you won’t delay this wedding anymore! No matter what happens!” She said and Aman couldn’t understand why she was so worried about the wedding.

“I promise!” He said, and his eyes quickly glanced around before leaning forward. “Can I get a kiss now?” He whispered, and Alina turned crimson red.

“Are you crazy?” She pushed him back.

“Let’s have dinner and go for a long drive.” He grasped her hand, and they moved to join his grandfather and her mother for dinner.

***

Meera was looking around for Aahil, but he was nowhere in sight. “Where is Aahil?” She asked Piya, who was enjoying her favourite ice cream.

“I saw him on the terrace!” She answered, gesturing to the terrace, and Meera knitted his eyebrows.

“Why he’ll be on the terrace at this hour?” She mumbled and took out her phone to call him, but Aahil disconnected her calls.

“Are you sure he is on the terrace?” She asked, and Piya nodded her head. Meera moved to the staircase which led her to the terrace. She carefully stepped on every stair in her high heels and reached the terrace. It was pitch black. She walked forward when someone slammed the door shut on the terrace.

Meera banged on the door, but no one responded. “Piya, it’s not funny! Open the door!! Please,” She shouted, but no one responded from the other side.

Meera’s heart picked race when suddenly the terrace boomed with lights and her eyes widened in shock.