8.

L A S Y A

I was pissed, super pissed at Sam for making me wear a hell ton of jewellery and lehenga. I felt as if the jewellery would suffocate me, the heavy damn choker covered my entire neck and my nuptial chain wasn't even visible because of it.

I felt so dizzy with the tight hair bun, long veil, heavy jewellery and make-up and I swear I would pass out any second. It felt itchy all over my body.

I cursed under my breath, trying to call Sam and the bastard wasn't picking any of my calls. I knew that he was doing it intentionally to annoy me. He was aware of the fact that how I'm against heavy outfits and jewellery but he decided to have fun at my expense.

Yesterday when I rang him up and informed him to arrange a reception outfit according to my mother-in-law's preference, the sly fox was over the moon because he'd finally gotten the chance to get back to me.

So he decided to get me wrapped like a mannequin in his heavily embroidered golden lehenga with matching jewellery.

But there had to be a trouble in paradise and it was the deep neck. Apart from that I was quite happy with his choice, since he decided to give full sleeves.

My mehendi-clad hands were stained deep red, and the amount of teasing I'd received from everyone was insane.

Like, how can the stain of Heena decide the love of your husband, the stain is dark because of my body temperature. Grow up y'all!

But my eyes zeroed on the small initials engraved on my ring finger. The small 'M' which rested there had a certain heaviness filling my chest. He wrote his name with the heena and I didn't even stop him, like I fool I was enjoying his closeness.

Shaking my head I tried again but all in vain. Completely irritated I decided to call Prit but before that, my eyes met those deep brown orbs through the mirror.

His eyes were dilated and his gaze was so strong and deep enough to pass a shiver down my spine.

The previous night's events flashed in front of me and they were enough to snap me out of the daze. I was never a fan of any physical contact after that particular incident and avoided them as much as possible, if not for some occasional hugs.

But he had the audacity to cuddle me in sleep and not only that, he touched the strand of my hair. How dare he? So yeah! I kicked his nasty ass out of the bed. He deserved that though!

"Hey moksh help me with the strings",  I called out, almost everyone had left and I didn't ask the make-up to tie my strings since it was getting uncomfortable and my hands couldn't reach for them.

"Tum ladki toh thik ho na? Matlab tumhein vho sharmili dulhan wala factor nhi hai kya? Jaise M-moksh j-j-ji meri madad kar dijiye na, yeh hey moksh kya hota hai", he gaped at me with open mouth and dramatically spoke as if I had offended him in some sense. Such a drama queen he was!

[Translation: Are you okay, girl? Like don't you have the same extreme shy bride factor? Like Mo-Moksh J-J-Ji, please help me, what's with this, hey moksh, huh?]

I gave him a bored look and turned my back towards him, sliding the vile to the other side, "For your kind information, we are of the same age. Per agar tumhein uncle banne ka shauk chada hai toh I can gladly use JI at the end of your name". I purposely emphasized on JI to irk him and I was successful when I saw his pissed expression.

[Translation: If you are fond of becoming an uncle, then I gladly use JI at  the end of your name.]

"Now come on, chup chap meri help karo and tie those strings mujhe niche bhi jana hai", I ordered and continued typing on the phone

[Translation: Help me quietly and tie those strings, I have to go downstairs too]

He grumbled something incoherent under his breath but agreed and stepped towards me. I would be the biggest liar out there if I said that his proximity did not affect me, because it certainly did.

He smelled of aftershave and his expensive cologne, one day I'm going to steal his stuff because he seriously smells so divine and good. Seriously Lasya? Stealing and you?

I was lost in my daydreaming but snapped out of it when I heard the unmistakable rip of the fabric. No, he did not, he did not just fvcking ripped the strings of the blouse.

I saw the scowling expression on his face turning into a surprised one and then turning into one of shock and fear. He gulped looking at me terrified and then relaxation dawned upon me when he held the ripped strings of my blouse in his fingers looking like a guilty dog.

Shocked I turned towards him and saw him holding the piece of fabric in his hand which trembled slightly.

"Moksh, janwar, jangli kahike, maine doori bandhne kaha tha, faadne nhi", I shrieked staring at him horrified

[Translation: Moksh, animal, wild, you lunatic, I said to tie those strings not to tear them apart]

"M-mai-"
[Translation: I-I]

"Kya bakri ki tarah mai-mai laga rakha hai. Tumne yeh janbujh kar kiya hai na kyuki kal maine tumhe bed se lath marke giraya tha aur usse phele maine tumpar paani fek diya tha. Dikkat kya hai tumhaari huh?", I snatched the strings from his hold and held them with my fingers, staring at them mortified.

I was supposed to be down in the next 15 minutes and this husband of mine decided to cause yet another blunder for me.

[Translation: why are you behaving like a goat? You have done this deliberately,y right? because yesterday I kicked you out the bed and the night before that threw water all over you. What is your problem huh??]

"You know what ab na iss dori ki mala banakar apne gale meh tang lo, aur dafa ho jaao mere nazron se isse phele ki mai tumhara khoon pi jaau", I yelled throwing the strings on his face which fell on the floor, nearly threatening him.

[Translation: You know what, now make a garland of this string hang it around your neck, and disappear from my sight before I drink your blood.]

Moksh looked pale as a sheet and he didn't want to be told twice as he immediately dashed out of the room as if his tail was on fire.

I sat on the couch and massaged my head, messaging the stylist to come back I tried to control my bubbling anger. All I could see was red.
Moksh bloody Mehrotra!
Tum bas samne aana mere abhi, nhi tumhein jaan se mar dala maine toh! Ugh

[Translation: You just come in front of me now, I will kill you!]

Great! Just great, 48 hours into marriage and my whole life was in crisis. I wanted to contact Raina but couldn't because of her safety, Moksh was being a pain in the ass, and Agarwals weren't helping either as they were trying their level best to contact me and renew the contract papers.

And Sam was the devil of all as he decided to put me in this outfit. Childhood was awesome, Katti bolo aur zindagi se sab chutiye gayab. But here I was stuck among a group of dumbheads who had sworn to make my life miserable. Isse accha toh condom ke rubber meh hi fasi rhe jati-

[Translation: Childhood was awesome, say Katti and enjoy your life without dumb people. But here I was stuck among a group of dumbheads who had sworn to make my life miserable. I swear I should have been struck in the condom foil instead-.]

A knock resonated on the door and in walked-in my stylist helped me with the broken string. Since the blouse was backless and hanging on only two bloody hooks which I didn't trust a bit, I asked her to make extra adjustments since it was the question of my freaking sanity.

Soon the problem was fixed, as the stylist fixed the fabric with extra safety pins to ensure protection. Thanking her I walked down the stairs only to be greeted by all the ladies.

"Haye kitni soni lag rhi hai meri Bahu, kisiki nazar na lage", dadi rounded her hands around my head and cracked her knuckles on either side of her head, casting the evil eye off.

[Translation: aw, my daughter-in-law is looking so beautiful, no one should put an evil eye on her]

'nazar toh aapke pote ki lagi hai dadi, jabse zindagi meh aaya hai, kalesh hi kalesh hue jaa rhe hai', I wanted to say out loud but I decided to let it pass and flash her my brilliant smile.

[Translation: Grandma, it's your grandson who's the problem, since the moment he stepped into my life, everything has been downhill since then]

This family was just so precious to me. Even after I'd betrayed them and kept them in the dark they'd accepted me with open arms and made me feel a part of their family.

All they had been was so sweet and welcoming towards me. And I swear not even unintentionally was I going to hurt them even a bit.

I had accepted them as my people and I was going to be indebted to them till my very last breath. Being surrounded by them made me realise what really family meant.

May it be my mother-in-law, Ziya, dadi or Chachi, everyone was just so cool and open-minded. I hadn't interacted with any male member other than Dadaji and the nuisance of my husband but I made a mental note to have a word with my father-in-law, chachu and the twins along with Nevan, Moksh's best friend. He was pretty fun and easy going from what I'd heard from Ziya. So let's see.

I was soon escorted to the sleek black limousine which rolled proudly down the driveway and stood in front of me. It looked so expensive and magnificent, shining in the evening making it look so beautiful.

The interior was just as pretty as I'd imagined. I stared at everything in awe making the ladies laugh at my expressions. We, ladies, were supposed to travel to the venue by the lemo since the men had already left.

As we were nearing the venue my palms turned damp and my throat ran dry as my anxiety peeked in. It was going to be my first public appearance since I'd never been in front of the media and paparazzi. All I'd done were written interviews and some questioner here and there but never had I appeared in front of the camera because of my phobias.

The flesh inside of my cheek pained as I nearly drew blood by biting on it for too long. My feet turned cold and my knees were jelly-like.

The intensity of the situation dawned upon me, I wasn't an Agarwal anymore, I was the Lasya Moksh Mehrotra. And I wasn't ready for the paparazzi's cross-questioning.

The elders decided that it was better for Moksh to single-handedly join the conference and handle the media, pre-informing them about the change of events, for which I was thankful the most. Because I was aware I wasn't in the situation to undergo anything, not at this moment.

I'd handled the toughest moments of my life but I wasn't ready to deliver a speech in front of the camera flashes, since those journalists always had their way with words, no doubt I'd avoided them at every instance, at any cost.

Sighing I gazed out of the window and to my horror the car came to a halt. My fingers shivered and my heart beat in an abnormal state as if I'd run a marathon. My breathing turned ragged and my vision blurred because of all the lighting and flashes.
This is it! 10,9,8.......

I took deep breaths and counted backwards trying to ease my nerves. Stepping out of the car I was immediately surrounded by bodyguards as the media fired questions at me one after the other.

Everything turned deaf to my ears as the lights and camera flashes blinded my vision. This is what I was scared of the most as I felt my tongue get caught in my throat.

"Don't be nervous, just smile. I've got your back", and just like that all my anger towards him flew out of the window and I stared at him.

His hand circled my waist over my long dupatta, not touching my skin and the other caught hold of my trembling fingers as he covered them with my dupatta.

And at that moment everything turned invisible to me, the media, his bodyguards or our family following us, all I could see or feel was Moksh, my husband.

"Here, breathe with me okay? Inhale, exhale", Moksh's deep brown eyes stared deeply into my hazel orbs and I  followed his actions inhaling and exhaling like him.

His hold was firm and I felt every fibre within me being warm and coming to life. I felt my breathing get back to normal and I closed my eyes as he shielded me away from all the questions and cameras. I felt strange, I felt strangely safe and protected with him.

Once inside he let go of his hold on me and I instantly missed his warmth.
"Thik ho?", he asked with a small smile and I nodded licking my lips only to scrunch my face when I tasted the lipstick. Moksh laughed at my expressions making me pout.

[Translation: you are okay?]

"Achcha baba sorry, come let's meet everyone in there", he said and intertwined our fingers. I stared at our hands and my heart filled with a sudden warmth. "I know ki tum khud ko jhasi ki rani samjhti ho and you are capable of tackling every situation. Per galati se bhi mera haath mat chhorna.", kabhi nhi

[Translation: I know that you consider yourself the queen of somewhere and you are capable of tackling every situation. But please don't leave my hand even by mistake

: never]

"Always be with any of the family members, be it Ziya, Mom, Chachi or anyone. But don't be alone, okay? Your friends are yet to be here, but they'll join shortly since they're caught up with the media. If you feel the slightest of discomfort let me know and we'll leave", he made me understand everything as if I were a baby. And I was so occupied with his warmth and our proximity that I bobbed my head at his every word.

Soon I was shifted from person to person as I was being introduced to everyone. Everyone seemed quite enthralled to finally meet the hidden Agarwal's daughter about whom they'd just heard rumours.

But the main shocker came when they finally met the face behind Mubarakan. I wasn't supposed to take part in the press conference and answer any questions regarding the wedding and our personal life, so during most of the conversations, I remained mum, occasionally replying in monosyllables when needed.

My mother-in-law so excitedly introduced me to all her friends circle and business associates, she looked like a child happily flashing her new toy.

I flashed everyone a big small which I doubt seemed fake and appeared attentive in all the conversation for her sake. I didn't want to burst her happy bubble and make her feel as if she was imposing things onto me.

My legs grew tired because of the heels that I'd adorned because of my as tall as-giraffe husband. Sam didn't leave an option for me other than those high heels so that I could match Moksh's height. Even my cheek hurts from all the smiling and fake giggles.

Ziya seemed to understand my discomfort that she dragged me away from those flashy rich aunties who showed off their wealth, we walked towards one of the corners and she passed me a glass of water which I chugged down in a go. And that's when I realised how thirsty I was.

"Thanks, Ziya", I wiped my lips with the tissue she forwarded. "No worries bhabhi", she smiled and passed the glass to the waiter passing by

"Do you mind if I come back in a minute, I know bhai has forbidden everyone from leaving you alone but I swear I'll be back before you know it, I hope you'll manage till then", Ziya requested giving me her puppy doe eyes. I smiled and nodded refusing to speak anything as my throat already hurt from all the talking. Receiving a green signal she hurried and walked away.

I swear I haven't spoken so much in my life ever. The horror of social events dawned upon me and now I realised why was Prit so against attending any business parties or events.

Sighing, I decided to pass some time since I was nearly left alone all by myself.

My PR team had done an exceptionally excellent job with handling my socials, from posting on my social media handles to changing my username and announcing to the world that I was the real Mrs Moksh Mehrotra. My phone was blasting with new followers, and messages and the whole internet was going gaga over the news.

The moment Moksh's interview went on air along with my Instagram post, the internet went by storm because of the news. My phone was flooding with notifications. We were currently the hot topic and trending everywhere since the hot shot most eligible bachelor who was most supposedly to tie the knot with Raina Agarwal was now married to her elder sister about whose existence the world was still unknown a couple of hours before.

I had gained a few thousand new followers and my new post was currently blasting with new likes and comments, this is what I'd heard from Ziya's sources since no one in the family was allowed to use social media before the permission was given.

Since I had absolutely nothing to do, I opened my Instagram and gagged at the caption. Never in my lifetime have I used a red heart ever, it was pretty much unusual for me but I would let that slide since it was my PR team who did all the work. I switched off my phone because I swear it would blast with all the notifications.

My life had taken a drastic change in a couple of nights. Sitting alone I convinced myself and tried to wrap my head around the events happening around me and always mentally getting ready since the night was still young and I had to interact with many more people.

Yeah! Things can't seem to get any worse.