Chapter-30 The Jitters on Wedding Day

The time passed like cartwheels. I have never felt so much buzz in my life. My family and my friends were the only one who kept me sane otherwise I probably would have gone mad due to this wedding buzz.

I look at Kritika and Prisha sitting on my bed bickering over something. Shaking my head I get up from the couch. " You guys just won't stop. "

" She is telling me again that she and Rohit are just having fun. And like he doesn't feel anything for her. " Kritika says harrumphing her way to me.

I smile at Prisha. " They are always like that. Imagine having fun with someone for two years. So cool. " The instant I say the words Prisha blushes.

" Like you were having fun with yours since childhood? " Prisha says with raised eyebrows.

I choke on the air.

Someone knocks on the door. " Come inside." I say straightening in case if it's Nani. Amusingly, she has grown fond of my friends. Even though she comes to the room in pretence of checking upon me. Somehow hours pass and she doesn't leave the room.

It's my mother. " Hey girls! Ready to go for the dress rehearsal? I have got something for you Shanvi. " She smiles and throws a package towards me.

I catch it. It's wrapped in pink shiny wrapper with a silver bow on the top. I open it and it's have my favourite Bovetti chocolate, with a note on the top saying, I know you are going to be grumpy. So instead of biting on the people, bite on this.

I smile and move my hand on the cursive handwriting I have imprinted inside my head since childhood. And I smile even more knowing my package must have arrived to him too.

I check for my phone and instantly there's picture message from him, from yesterday. My heart melts when I see the platinum band in his ring finger. Underneath the photo it's written:

" I never thought that I was going to wear a ring but coming from you I will. Thank you for remembering. "

" Oh! Lover boy sent some chocolates. Can I have some? " Kritika asks from beside me. I instantly close my phone and feel a blush on my face. Before she can read the note I take the note from her. And fold it carefully putting it inside my phone's back cover.

" So ready? " My mom quips and I remember she's still in the room. I feel the blush lengthen.

" Yup. " I say nervously.

********

I stare at myself in the mirror. The pink pastel 'lehenga' (indian wedding wear for brides) touches the edge of the linoleum floor I am standing on. I take a deep breath and almost stagger on my foot.

" You look so pretty " Prisha whispers beside me. "Like really really pretty. "

My blue eyes seems bright like freshwater in the ocean. I take a deep breath and manage to nod my head without a smile.

The sea blue and brown stones in the borders somehow tells me it's not a coincedence. When I look closely at the stones it feels more like the colour of his eyes in them. The lilac and blue flowers in them shining brightly in the contrast to the basic pastel pink colour. I gulp and stare for minutes.

" You are going to wear a Lehenga. And I am going to wear 'Shervaani'. " The words still etched inside my mind. We were not more than ten when he said that to me. We were hiding in a cupboard in kitchen of someone's house eating chocolates, while people were eating the after-wedding feast.

"Okay then I will wear a pink lehenga. " I had said enthusiastically without knowing the depth of the words.

" But then I'll have to wear a pink 'Shervaani' " he had said shaking his head.

" So what? You will wear what I would choose. It's the bride that gets to choose. "

" No " he had said at that time.

I wonder which colour 'Shervaani' he was wearing today.

The door to the big room opens and I hear a gasp. I turn my head and see my mother standing in the doorway. Her mouth slightly open. The corner of her eyes damp.

My father is next who ducks and deigns when his eyes fall upon me.

We all stare at each other. " You look ....." My mother starts but then fat tears start to fall from her eyes.

" Mom " I whisper. Ignoring my fast beating of heart against my chest I give her a smile.

My dad just stumbles forward and holds me in a tight embrace. " My Princess grew up too fast. " He says in an uncertain voice.

" Oh leave her will you? Her 'Lehenga' would be frayed. " My mom admonishes and wipes her eyes.

" You look handsome yourself Papa. I love you both you know that right? " I say holding dad even more close.

" I have got something for you. " My mother says holding a velvet box in both of her hands out of nowhere.

" What? What is it? " My dad loosens his hold and steps back.

" Open it yourself " my mother whispers.

With unnerving hands I stagger forward and take the box from her hands and open it slowly. My insides melt like a hot volcano when I see a big ivory necklace pearled with diamonds but that's not what takes my breath away, it's a small rabbit just looking like Charlie etched beautifully into all that design that flips all my stomach.

" Th...Thank you..."

My mother shakes her head. " Kiyansh ". One word. One name. And everything inside of me feels like it's somewhere else. My insides smile, it somersaults, it flies like a cool wind in the hot summer. And I feel like I can, I can feel him smiling at me, holding my hands bending in the ground, patting my head, promising me Charlie would be fine. Promising me we will be fine.

" Mom who decided the colour of the Lehenga? " I ask with a dry yet drowning rasp.

" Not decided Princess we were forced by certain someone into the colour pink after I had already decided on the colour Sea Green. " My mom gives me a beautiful smile and winks while tears pool in her eyes again. She steps forward and takes my hand. " I am so glad that you both are getting married Shanvi. He cares about you. "

My father nods behind my mother then scowls " Yeah if it not would have been him, I wouldn't have let you get married."

I laugh and hug both of them.

A hard knock on the door makes us jump slightly. " You three stop being insensible and get her ready fast the groom side is arriving. " My Nani announces from the doorway.

And with that my heart speeds up like the running speed of Cheetah.

" Come here let me tie this necklace on your neck" My mother smiles.

He is here. He is here. Oh my god. We are getting married?