Twenty Days

Day 01: part 1

I brush the crease off my dress. I was dressed in a wine red backless gown with simple diamond studs and the ring that Navi had given me when he proposed.

“You do know Navi is just a consolation prize right? I mean come on; all of us know you could have got someone better.” My best friend Zia snickered. I rolled my eyes.

At first, Zia did not have a problem with Navi but as time passed she started to detest him.

“Come on bish, it is my marriage. At least accept him now.” I say.

“Oh no, not happening. He is always going to be in my ‘kill when possible’ list.” She replies and I wave my hand, pressing my lips into a thin line, dismissing the topic.

We head outside and the soft music streaming into our ears. Words leaving people’s mouths were molding together causing us to only hear buzzing. My eyes search the crowd for Navi and our eyes meet. I smile and so does he. He comes up to me and kisses me on my lips. I smile into the kiss.

“Ew, guys pleas no pda!” Zia exclaims, waving her hand in front of her face and turning her head away from us. Navi and I laugh in sync as he wraps his arm around my waist.

“May I have a dance with Mrs. To be Ishita N. Singh?” he asks and I smile nodding, placing my hand in his.

We made our way to the middle of the garden which had a low fencing around it in a circular pattern to distinguish the dance platform from the rest of the place. Navi pulls me to him making me giggle. His hand snakes to my waist while mine rests on his shoulder, my fingers dancing over the rough fabric of his suit.

The music stops and all our heads turn to the band in confusion. Yes, a band. I did not want the regular music booming through the speakers and pushing the guests further away from the wedding. I wanted musicians playing soft tones as all of us waltz around. The man playing the cello smiled at me and nodded, I returned the gestured.

“And one, two, three; go!” He exclaims looking at his band members.

His band takes the cue and starts playing. The instruments all on different but their tones swirling in together to create a beautiful, soothing music. I looked at Navi and he smiled, starting to dance.

The other couples were dancing too. The soft tones shift to an upbeat trumpet music. And in a matter of minutes everybody forms a massive circle and we dance, our feet tapping around furiously as we change our partners. From one partner to another and then to another. I end up in the arms of a stranger when the music goes back to soft waltz tune. He smiles and me and I return the gesture.

A few seconds pass as we sway from one side to another before I feel his hand slowly crawl its way down my waist towards my butt. My eyebrows furrow together as I watch the man smirk. His hand rests on my clothed butt as he squeezes it. A gasp escapes my lips.

“You have a fine ass, young lady.” As soon as he says that, I step back and my palm comes in contact with his cheek.

The people around stop dancing and the musicians are also quick to notice that. The music drowns down and slowly everyone’s attention snaps to us. Navi is by my side soon.

“What happened honey?” He asks, placing his hand on my back. I crossed my arms over my chest and continued to glare at the stranger who had a stupid grin on his face and was rubbing his cheek.

“You should ask him.” I say as everyone’s gazes shift to the young man standing in front of me.

“What did you do Sid?” Navi asks, sighing, making me look at him all confused.

“I didn’t know she was your bride man! I thought she was single and, well, said something inappropriate.” He shrugs.

“Oh so you know it was inappropriate?” I sarcastically ask and watch NAvi chuckle. I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Sorry love, he is my college friend. He keeps doing these shitty things. I apologize from his side and he will apologize too.” Navi says, looking at the supposed ‘Sid’.

He raises his hands up in surrender and chuckles. “Sorry.” I roll my eyes.

“Ishita meet Siddharth and Sid meet my fiancé Ishita.” The guy forwards his hand as I look at his hand and then back at his face. His face had broken into a smile.

“Nice to meet you Ms. Ishita.” I pass him a tight-lipped smile. “The pleasure was so not mine.” I snap and turn around walking away. I turn back to look at him once again as he winks at me. Jerk!