Rejuvenating Love

8) The engagement!?

The engagement itself was a huge affair let alone how the marriage would go. I and my family were busy planning and receiving the guests, at home for the whole week. The party was organised at the Grand Avenue, one of the luxurious group of hotels in the city. All my cousins, uncles, aunties, friends, foes everything seemed really huge. But one thing was craving me out. Why didn't he reply me back that day? No calls, no texts after that. Although the whole house was full of guests, fun-filled enjoyments, cherishing moments, the whole week felt so silent, so lonely without him. Yeah, we were parted for two long years and we met just twice after the long gap. But now may be ,.... like I should say,.... I mean, ...don't take it the other way....I still hate him to the hell....but........., yes... I do miss him!

How can he be so busy? No, something else is cooking up in his monsterous mind. Or just anger? Orrr.... Is the marriage really just a way to escape from his parental marriage pressure? The very last reason felt like a deep twinge at my heart.

I dressed up in my designer saree and admired myself before the mirror and tried to imagine how he would look in his sherwani and devour the stage beside me. However bad or good your spouse be, whatever the budget of marriage be, wherever the venue be; one thing is common in every marriage. It's the excitement of the bride. Excitement about her dress for the function, her makeup and the zeal to have a look of her groom.

As soon as I reached near the stage Raghav led me his hand to move together. I willingly placed my hand in his and walked up to the wedding throne. In his princely attire he looked no less than a king and his royal skin colour just added to it. Moving near to the seats he whispered, "We need to talk after the ceremony."Didn't he know that curiosity kills me? Cudn't he say this when the time had come? Urghhh!!!

Finally the perfect and auspicious time arrived. He asked for my hand looking straight into my eyes. My heart halted for a second due to his piercing look. So shakingly I offered my hand to him. With much care he put the exquisitive diamond ring into my finger. Next it was my turn. Rashi asked him to put forward his hand which he did and I held his hand with much fondness and gently slid the ring into his finger. All these time he was just staring at me but I concentrated at the ring in his finger. I was not shy, okay! On being done with the ring ceremony petals of red roses were rained on us. The most beautiful feeling ever! Everyone clapped and rejoiced the moment.

Raghav removed some petals from my hair for sometime but I couldn't stand still to his action for long. I think I still repel myself from his touch. But why is the manly Raghav behaving so girly today? Seriously is he concerned about those silly petals in my hair? He is involved in me so much that he didn't even consider the presence of our parents, elders, guests and especially our friends who leave no stance of teasing us. I wanted to shake him so hard by his shoulders that he realised the embarassing situation being created by him before everyone. Keeping my eyes lowered out of bashfulness I literally pleaded in my heart- Wake up Raghav! Wake up!

"Ahem, ahem" Rashi coughed loudly getting our attention.

'Not now, Rashi. Please I can't hide my face.' I muttered

"Did Cupid strike an arrow to this couple through these love petals?" Rashi teased us blowing a flying kiss.

"We don't need a Cupid to awake love between this cute couple. Don't you see Rashi how they have started expressing love before everyone?" Kavya and Smriti said together.

"Brother, its a 'gone case' for you. You are smitten by the charms of your queen. Already surrendered before marriage, isn't it?" Raunak taunted Raghav and Raghav elbowed Raunak's stomach in sweet revenge.

"Don't tease my children." Mrs. Rathore scolded everyone and everyone laughed in merriment.

"Attention ladies and gentlemen! Our heartiest welcome to all the guests and well-wishers present at the ring ceremony of Raghav and Kuhu. Now I would love to call my only sister Kuhu and brother-in-law Raghav to the dance floor. Everyone please welcome them with a huge round of applause. Here goes the music on Dj.....

Kehte hain khuda ne is jahan mein sabhi ke liye

Kisi na kisi ko hai banaya har kisi ke liye

Tera milna hai us rab ka ishara maano

Mujhko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye 

Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta 

Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta 

(They say that for everyone in this world, God has

made someone or the other, for each one 

You meeting me is a sign believe me

I am made for someone like you

Some contact is there with you

Some relation is there with you)

Raghav asked for my hand and we moved to the dance floor. The lights were switched off but the footlights followed our steps. I kept my hands to his shoulder. Firming his hands on my bare waist, he made both of us sway to the music. When I flinched a little to his bare touch, he held me even tighter. Spinning me out away he reeled me back in. I fell into him, his strong arms wrapping around me tight and he threatened to brush his lips against mine. Looking into each other's eyes we lost ourselves to the world of romances. Lost out of this reality, as if we were somewhere alone. Just he and me. No intruders, no exes, no past life, no hurtings, no dilemmas, no confrontations. Just pure love!! Just love!!!❤

Amidst all cheerings and clappings, the world seemed a happy place to live in after a longtime. But my happiness was soon to be eclipsed by my past. We returned to the stage and thanked every guest who wished us through their gifts. Suddenly all of us got startled by a chirpy voice there.

'Congratulations Raggy!' The shriller voice reverberated the large walls of the spacious hall drawing everyone's attention.

"Sonya! You?" Raghav exclaimed and faced me with a questionable expression.

"What?" I muttered softly giving him a 'I don't even have a hint of this' look by dialating my pupil.

'Why? Do I need an invitation to attend my friend's engagement?', Sonya reasoned as if she belongs to us deeply.

"Oh! No, no. We are pleased to have you here." I welcomed her with a genuine smile and she congratulated me handing over me a bouquet of American lavender Petunias. I crave for lavender flowers. Does she know that? But why such an effort from her side? Anything new to cook today again? I constantly gazed Raghav and Sonya, again Raghav and Sonya to get a clue of what actually was going to fall on all of us today. But why is Raghav so horrified by her arrival? He must have called her here to reprove me. And I was thinking we would start a bond new and fresh? I was a fool for seconds. This is definitely about something that Raghav wanted to talk to me after the engagement party.

Sonya hugged Raghav very possessively. I was like 'Go! Go take away my fiance, but don't just create a scene here before my parent, you b***h!'

Oh! But. Oh! I am sorry. I shouldn't blame Sonya. Who am I to judge a girl's character? I hung my head in shame and guilt prevailed over my heart. She clicked a few pictures standing between us on the stage. She discussed a few more, infact a lot more of talks with Raghav, when my insecure mind drifted me back to some bitter old memories.

*Flashback 1 Begins*

Scene 1

"Why do you always allow that Sonya near Raghav? Her arrival at this hour of night at the farewell party senses a bad omen." Kavya cautioned Kuhu.

'Chillax! Kavya. Sonya is just like every other girl who drools over Raghav. I trust Raghav. He has so many girls dying after him. That's not his fault.' Kuhu explained Kavya but she was definitely hiding something, like supressing some harsh incidents now, that is of more concern and distress than the silly Sonya's consistent approach towards Raghav.

"Lets go home. Its already too late. The party is almost over now."

'Yeah. Alas! I left my phone in the lounge while talking to Raghav. I'm coming. Just 5 minutes.'

Kavya held Kuhu's arm and said," Raghav will return your phone tomorrow. I will inform him. Now its not the right time to go into the party. Boys, you know they play foul games at the end of party in the name of farewell culture everyyear."

'I don't get what you say. I need my phone. I will get it right now.' Kuhu left Kavya for her mobile unaware of the fact that the world around her was going to change that day.

Scene 2 (In the lounge)

"Guys lets end the farewell party with a truth and dare match." Rakesh proposed an idea.

"Yeah why not. That might be our last one. We'll all part our ways after this. Lets do this." Everyone rejoiced to the idea.

"I am leaving, my mood is already f****d up. You all continue." Raghav had really broken after today's incident.

"So the all time winner of this game is leaving even before the game has started. Isn't he afraid that his image as a playboy is degrading just because of a silly girl? What's her name? Yeah its Kuhu Rathore." Speaking to his friends Rakesh instigated Raghav.

'Mind your language you bastard. Don't take her name by your dirty mouth.' Raghav blasted out like a bomb giving him death glares.

"Possessive much. Hmm.. 

Oh comeon Raghav the college is gonna get over. Don't you think we should finally sum up all our one night stands by now and declare the highest scorer as the winner? Or are you afraid of my ongoing list because Kuhu has really been a stagnacy to your all fun time affairs?" Rakesh threw an open challenge to Raghav, being confident of his longer list.

Raghav sniggered and answered,'Even after a stability in my life, my list will still be a strong wish list for starters like you.'

Rakesh flushed through anger and was about to hit Raghav when his friends held him back.

Cooling down himself Rakesh offered Raghav a seat near the bar. "So let's count and see who's the starter and who's the match finisher. Moreover its a farewell tradition everyyear."

The cheers, chants and yells of the crowd and fans made the night more enthralling.

"Go! Raggy!"

"Go! Rakesh!"

"Let's win to-night!"

The fans and supporters divided into two teams and the stomps and the claps were all that could be heard in coordination with the names Rakesh! And Raghav!

Sonya claimed Raghav's shoulder being the head cheers gal and Kiran snaked her arm around Rakesh's neck to support.

The bartender served a can of whiskey for Raghav and champagne in bulk glass for Rakesh marking the start to the competition.

"Meera" Rakesh took a sip.

'Ronika' Raghav gulped from his can of whiskey.

"Namrata" Rakesh sipped his glass.

'Ishita' Raghav sipped from his can.

"Lovely!"

'Ayesha!' The hubbub of the madding crowed howled 'threeeee'.

"Sayoni!"

'Sonam!' ( Indistinct whistles.)

"Simran!" Ooooooooooo.

'Rashmi!'

"Sheila!"

'Piyali!' 'Sixxxxxxx....'

And the list continued......

......

.....

.....

...........

......

......

"Kiran!", claimed Rakesh. Kiran gave him a bewildered look to which Rakesh answered,"I would make you mine today." And they kissed long and seductive to profess infront of everyone.

The crowd yelled 'whoaaaaaa'

'Lalita!' Raghav exclaimed. All belowed 'seventeeeennnn'..

But finally after the 17th declaration Rakesh got blank as he had no more names left in his list. Raghav didn't want to lose it to Rakesh, not even did he want to end it at a tie to a loser. Whiskey had started having the drowsy effects on Raghav.

"Not bad. You hang in the same position that of mine. We are making it a draw. I thought you would take the name of Kuhu in the list but..! I didn't know Kuhu hasn't been a bed partner to you yet. Orelse you would have won it today." Still continuing his kisses to Kiran, Rakesh provoked Raghav every moment he got a chance.

'Dare to utter anything about my girlfriend, you rascal!

And Raghav Rajput doesn't walk the path of failure. I never lose to anyone.' Speaking this out of his hallucinations, Raghav pulled Sonya who was standing nearby into a long kiss of show off and left her abruptly. And the cheering crowd declared- 'eighteeennn and the winner is....... Raghav!'

Ooooooooooo............

hoaaaaaaaa.......(whistles)

"Raghav, have a colourful night with Sonya." An indistinct voice yelled from the crowd.

By pushing Sonya beside Raghav wanted to watch the face of loser-Rakesh. But! There stood his life, Kuhu all shed in her tears among the cheers and whistles. She stood numb on her cold feet with her shaking hands and couldn't realise what actually happened before her just some seconds ago.

'Ku....Kuhu ?' Raghav's voice shuddered.

"Ra... Raghav were you cheating on me from last one year? You always said it right, I can't be your girlfriend. How can I be? I can't satisfy your needs like her. So she deserves to be on your bed. She deserves to be your trust. But not I? Just half an hour back you couldn't put a leap of faith in me. I hate you Raghav! I hate you!" Speaking this out Kuhu ran away from the place taking her phone all crying ,sobbing and wiping her tears which were being wasted on that cheater.

'Kuhu, listen to me Kuhu! Dammit! 

Kuhu you're more than a girlfriend to me. You're my life. I can't breathe without you. I'll crumble into pieces without you. I'll be ruined. Don't leave me. Please Kuhu. Come back. I need you. Come back.' Mumbling the words of his heart Raghav passed out. But Kuhu had gone far from him to listen this.

The farewell party ended but neither did it end fair nor did it end well. Raghav's batch ended their session at college after exams. As always Raghav topped the academics and he handled his father's business after college. Meanwhile Kuhu finished her second year of management studies and succeeded her father's business. The ways parted for two long years but hearts were still linked somewhere wishing to delete that particular tormenting night from their memory.

*Flashback 1 ends*