Posted: March 2nd, 2019

♛ Jhanvi ♛

2.26 Behind The Walls

          That evening, I am standing in front of a rail of clothes hanging off the rod. I need to decide what to wear tonight and earlier in the day, Anjali had pulled together a few outfits. While they are all beautiful pieces, I just can't decide which one is... me. Taking one, I put the hanger in front of me, looking in the mirror to get an idea of how I would look in it.

I make a face at how hot pink clashes with my skin tone. One down. I return the hanger back with the others and look through the rest. A few seconds later, my phone on the dresser beeps. Walking the three steps towards it, I pick it up and unlock the screen.

Wear the white one.

It's a private number and I can only assume who could know what I am currently doing. I suppose now that he has let me know he is around, he deems it okay to text me - though I will have to wonder how he got my personal number. Sure, he may have his resources being in the army, but still - shouldn't getting hands on a private number prove to be impossible?

Jhanvi: Should I be creeped out?

Aarush: Change behind the screen and you shouldn't be.

Well, atleast that lets me know it's a blind spot with the camera and an assurance that he hasn't seen me indecent. I don't even know how long he's been around. Suddenly, I'm wondering. Did I ever change in my room while not behind the changing screen or in the bathroom? I hope not.

Jhanvi: We need to find you a healthy hobby.

He must be off his army duties and yet, this is what he chooses to do in time off.

Aarush: I already have one.

Jhanvi: Carving objects out of woods doesn't count.

Aarush: You're about to have a visitor in 3...

By the time I read it, I hear the knock on the door. I leave the phone on the dresser table and as I reach the door knob, I get another message that I would have to check afterwards as Khushi is glaring at me on seeing I haven't changed yet. "What are you doing? Get dressed!"

"I know; I am." I answer and she pushes inside the door.

She gives me an exasperated look, "Atleast tell me you've decided what to wear."

Closing the door, I return to the rod. "I have," I pick up the only white outfit on the rod with golden work and a netted pink tippet. "Give me five minutes?" I ask as I start to make my way towards the changing screen.

"Are you going to be ashamed of me?"

"Trust me," I cryptically answer for from now on, I am going to be making sure never to change in the open room.

She informs, "Oh, alright. Hurry up then. Little one is with Arnav and getting very impatient."

I struggle a bit to get the hooks of the blouse in place. Given they were in the back, I am already working blind and this pregnancy fat is not helping. I really need to hit the gym. I think to myself. After much struggle, I manage to get them hooked and draping the tippet over my shoulders, walk back to the dresser.

Recalling my phone had beeped once more while I was getting the door earlier, I check it for his reply.

Aarush: And that's not the hobby I was talking about.

Jhanvi: I doubt you have any other hobbies.

I think, unless you want to add creeping on me under his hobbies list. But that's silly. He always claims this to be a job.

Picking up the heavy, long earrings, I wear them worrying my piercing is going to lag off under its weight. Why do people make such heavy jewelry? Do they not have any love for their ears? Putting them through such torture!

Then, I tell myself: even if I think that, I am still wearing it. So... why am I criticizing?

I do draw the line at necklace though, not feeling like having such tight, heavy piece around my neck that will make it feel like a noose.

Aarush's reply does not come and I assume he must have gotten busy with some work. Speaking of which, I have still no idea what he is doing here. And since he is here, will he be attending the wedding? Should I let Eva know I saw him?

Once I've made my descent down the stairs, I enter the living room area where everyone is seated - namely the elders: Jigar's parents and relatives.

Before I can greet them, Aarav comes to my side and pulls me away, asking them to excuse us.

As we walk around the corner and out the back entrance, I scold him. "Are you crazy? You didn't even let me properly say hi. What kind of a host does that make me?"

He turns me by the shoulder so my back faces him, "The kind of host who won't lose her face in front of them." As he replies, his hand reaches for the hooks on my back.

When he unhooks one of it, I question. "What do you think you are...?"

He answers before I can finish, "You have them all done in the wrong order, Shona."

Well...

He chuckles at my lack of a snapping comment. "Why didn't you just ask someone for help getting ready?"

After he's fixed them for me, I turn around to face him, "Thanks." He blinks it off as nothing. "And everyone's already busy. I didn't want to make a big deal."

He sighs reprimanding, "Shona, you're running around tired too. I get that you feel like you have something to prove but you don't. You don't have to do most of the work just because you're hosting. You have enough on your plate with the locals making it tough and a 3-month daughter, don't you think? When was the last time you had a proper night sleep?"

I open my mouth to argue that I do get plenty of sleep, but that would be a lie. I close it in defeat and sigh. Even if our relationship is platonic now, it does not mean he stops caring about me or my well-being. "Fine, I get the message. I'll take it easy."

He nods, convinced. "Good," and takes my hand to nudge me towards the back exit.

I question looking back at the living room in the opposite direction, "What? Where are you taking me?"

"I have something to show you," he answers and we continue walking past the garden and towards the edge of the property until we are standing overlooking the body of water behind the palace.

I notice a small patch of land lit up with candles and romantically decorated. I can only imagine it is for Annie. I gasp turning to face him, "She said yes?"

He smiles back, content all over his face. "Last night. I've been waiting to tell you but you've been MIA the whole day."

Grinning with happiness, I reach up to hug him, draping my arms over his neck. "That's wonderful, Aarav. I'm so happy for you two."

He endearingly wraps his arms around my lower back. "Thank you."

As we part, I glance back to what he has planned in the distance and assure him, "She's going to absolutely love this."

"I hope so," he answers exhaling his nerves. "I've done lots of things for her, you know? But, never with the intention of it being romantic."

I hook my arm to his, resting my chin on his shoulder, only able to meet his height due to the heels, "And she still loves you, Aarav."

He nods, "Yeah." The smile is back on his lips, "I'm going to make it last as long as I can."

"It'll last, Aarav." I assure him for sure they will get married and live a life together. Half their life, they spent with an invisible wall, me, in between them. I don't plan on letting that happen ever again. They deserve to be happy with each other.

He slides his arm out of my hold and puts it around my shoulder, kissing the top of my head. "You'll see too, Shona. All the things that are tough right now, they'll work itself out. These people will accept you. You'll find a home here soon."

I try to sound hopeful, "I hope so," debating in my mind if I should tell him about some of the dangers. Then, I decide. No. He is still worried over Shyam and just got Annie back. Let him enjoy it for the time being. Besides, what's the point in worrying him when I don't know anything much myself? At the least, I should gather all the information before putting it on his radar. I know he might think differently when he does find out, but I'll tackle that when it happens.

For now, he deserves a break from my life. He's been dealing with my share of up's and down's for over a year now.

I offer my help after a brief pause, "So, need an excuse to sneak away during the celebrations with Annie?"

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          As we return to the living room half hour later, everyone has separated to prepare to get the rituals started and Eva is standing by the side talking to someone who was definitely not Jigar. She sees us and waves us over, "Guys, look who finally made it!"

Before we reach her, I hear his response and recognize him by his voice. "You threatened to blow me up with C4s if I didn't make it to your wedding; what else could I do?!"

Aarav greets him in a surprise, "Aarush! Hey, didn't think we'd be seeing you again."

Eva interjects speaking directly to Aarush, "You know I wasn't serious about C4s!"

Aarush answers, "Hey, Aarav. I originally wasn't going to come, but you know. Even if Eva is joking, I never take bomb threats lightly."

Eva rolls her eyes at the mockery Aarush is making of her when his eyes finally flicker to me. It's different seeing him in the open instead of the dark camera room in the afternoon. And, it is definitely different seeing him sporting a traditional outfit. It causes my breath to hitch for a second despite my mind screaming at it to let it go instead of holding in that breath.

I guess this means he isn't going to stick to the shadows this time.

He speaks, nodding at me to acknowledge me. "Mrs. Raizada, it's nice to see you again."

And now, I let that breath go, squinting my eyes at him while speaking to Eva, "Eva, I think your friend does not value his life."

How many times must I have told him to not call me that? I was never married to Aarav! I mean, not legally at least. He knows it was all a ruse and yet, he seems to get a kick out of calling me that... as if he knows it gets to me.

Eva chuckles, "There just may be some truth in your words, Jhanvi. This guy here never cared for his life."

Holding my gaze, he answers to Eva, "That has changed now."

Even though we are using Eva as a medium to communicate, why is there an electrical charge between us? The way he keeps his eyes locked to mine makes it impossible for me to blink away. The things he says... reminding me of my parting words months ago, asking him to remain safe by indirectly telling him there are people who will be affected if anything were to happen to him.

He listened. Though having no clue where he has been past three months, it is a reassurance that it meant something to him.

A hand comes to my back and I turn to my right, breaking our eye lock, to Khushi as she asks, "Jhanvi, where are the jewelry boxes?"

"Oh. They're in my room. I'll just get them." I quickly answer, excuse myself from them, my eyes lingering on him for a second to notice him looking at the simple chain around my neck where I still wore that phoenix pendant he gifted me. That has always served as a reminder of him for me and in times of doubt, served as a means to fuel my self-confidence.

He's made his presence known so as I am walking away towards my room, I am reassured that atleast till the wedding, he'll be here. I will have another time to talk to him.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

∞ author note ∞

How is it March already? I swear, February flew by too, too soon. 

I know it's very short and probably even filler, but just something light before the action picks up :)

QOTC: Is Jhanvi right to not tell Aarav about her conversation with Aarush about the 'possible' upcoming danger?