MUKTA
✨

I was right now sitting infront of a mirror in a lavish black bedroom. Every interior screamed out style and royalty. I was looking around while I heard her voice...
'Red or White?' and I turned around to see Prarthana holding two pairs of sarees in her hand and a 'Huh?' escaped my mouth.

She came walking closer to me and muttered...
'Red is the theme for today morning and orange for the evening...but you thought I'm a witch in red so I thought you must be given a choice' she said rolling her eyes and I pressed my lips and made a sad face.

I wanted to bash my head into the wall because I always end up overthinking!!!
'Ummm Prarthana...I'm sorry...you know I...I got scared...last night I felt some hands over my body and then I felt someone put me asleep and in the morning those candles and then you were staring at me like that' but she interrupted quickly and said...

'Early morning you screamed in fear... which woke us up and also Omkar Anna as I don't know what he was doing by the pool side that early...We ran into your room to see you trembling. Omkar Anna comforted you and put you back to sleep, it probably was a nightmare... ofcourse anyone would be scared after what their room mate and her boyfriend would attempt to do...but don't worry Omkar Anna and Sandesh Anna has took care of those piece of poops and trust us you are safe here Mukta!!!' she said and I was shocked...

'Omkar told you???' I asked and she nodded while bringing her hair dryer to dry my wet hair.

'We had seen the tension between you both in the party last night, obviously Rudra and I wouldn't let Anna go without giving us an explanation of what was the cause of it...' and my heart began running a marathon!!! Did Omkar reveal them about us being secretly married???

'Ohhh...Anna told us your sister is out of town and as you are a dear friend you stayed with some common friends in an apartment who were swines!!! Anna told us how the human trafficking racket was hatched by Sandesh Anna and how they rescued you and many other girls. We are proud of Anna and also you...you are brave Mukta...you don't need to get scared...we are here for you!!!' she said and I passed a slight smile.

That means Omkar told her about everything except our marriage!!!
Greaaaaaat!!!

I don't know why I was relieved and pissed at the same time!!!

I should just be happy right??? I didn't want anyone to know about our marriage but now that he successfully covered it up yet told them about the gross incident that happened with me I still don't sound happy!!!
I'm bipolar!

I was still in my thoughts when Prarthana added...
'And those candles were aromatic ones, they help one to relax. One of the products from my organization Patty's!!! We lightened them up to relax you last night...I nodded feeling shy slightly while she asked..
'Red or white??? I don't want you to call me Chetkin again' while this time I held her hands in mine and said...

'Im sorry Prarthana...I didn't meant to upset you' and she looked at my face and pouted then smiled and again shoved both sarees in my face asking 'Choose'...

I don't know why my thoughts went back to what my mother used to tell while dressing up brides. My mother was a beautician.

Red enhances the beauty of a newly married bride!!!

And I don't know why I quipped 'Red' and I saw a bright smile on Prarthana's lips that went on to become a grin as she helped me drape the red designer saree and once I was ready, she made me wear the authentic Konkani jewellery is what she said is a Mishre-Malle and Mishre Kankan (Necklace and Bangles consisting of of gold coins)

Finally tying my hair into a high bun and tucked a rose into my bun with light makeup I looked pretty.

While Prarthana kept a hand on her chest saying..
'Trust me if I wasn't committed, married or not straight I would definitely fall flat for you woman...I mean who looks this sexy in a simple red saree and minimal jewellery and practically no make up yaar...you are the real Chetkin!!! Ishhh so pretty...if I had a brother I would definitely get you hitched to him' she said and I almost choked on my saliva...

'Ummm by the way I understood about Rudra but what was Omkar trying to say...he was asking to kill th' and our conversation was interrupted by Omkar's mother Gauri Aunty who looked at me and smiled saying...
'Beautiful Cherda (child in Konkani)' and I smiled saying 'Thank you'...she quickly added...
'Pattu come down, I need your help in rituals' and Prarthana nodded.

We began walking downstairs, I followed Prarthana while I felt several eyes upon me. Male as well as Female. Male mostly admiring, female some admiring, some gossiping. But the most prominent I felt in that crowd was a pair of brownish black eyes which left a shiver down my spine. Omkar it was!!!

His gaze was such that he would eat me up raw!!! And I swallowed a lump trying to avoid the gaze and passed by him. His musk perfume hits my nose intoxicating me and I try to hide my reaction. But suddenly I step over my saree and the next minute I'm caught in his embrace.

My skin burnt as I felt his fingers brush against the bare skin of my waist and I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. Our eyes met for a brief interval and when I felt too many eyes on us I straightened myself and tried to get off his hold. His eyes still captured me and I was trying to clear my throat to make him realise the eyes on us but when he seemed like in a trans like state I whispered...

'Omkar....let go please' and I suddenly felt his gaze shift from my eyes to my lips making my eyes widen...'What is he thinking??? Why is his gaze on my lips' and the next minute I pushed him by his chest and finally his hands were off my waist and the breath which I had caught for I don't know how long was exhaled!!!
Next minute he quickly left from there and there I see Prarthana smiling giving me all creepy vibes and no not of a Chetkin this time!!! This time it was more a smug like teasing look.

Omkar's mother introduced me to their relatives saying...'I am Omkar's friend from Maharashtra, here for a holiday and to attend the wedding'. I could understand some of what they spoke because Konkani and Marathi were very much similar. I could know some women were praising my beauty, some teased my mother in law to get me hooked to Omkar!!!

Wait!!! Mother in law???
Where did that come from!!!
It's Gauri Aunty!!! Omkar's mom!!?
Nothing else!!!
Stop your thoughts Mukta!!

Just then I felt a pull on my wrist and Prarthana told me she is very hungry and wants me to accompany her to have some cool drinks. It was staunch summer and Mangalore was way too hotter than Phulvaspura.

Prarthana dragged me to their garden area which had a couple of guys and girls. Probably their friends or cousins. Prarthana introduced me to her friends Sameer and Karthik and they smiled at me shaking hands and returned the handshake. Prarthana was helping me with a local cold drink Zaffa which tasted excellent. While Sameer seemed funny and was cracking some jokes... Prarthana and I burst out laughing when I saw Rudra Dada (brother in marathi) come and posesively stand there next to Prarthana, in no time I could see Rudra Dada holding Prarthana by her waist and whispering in her ears and if I wasn't wrong he was shooting Sameer and Karthik like a machine gun in their eyes.
Gosh so cute!!! He was J !!! I couldn't stop laughing when Rudra Dada took Prarthana along with him so conveniently and Sameer said...

'I don't understand when is our ex Boss and current designer going to stop behaving like a little baby!!! He's so posessive about her!! God' while I chuckled asking...

'He was your boss???' and Sameer added...
'Ex Boss...he was the CEO...and Pattu was our colleague, these two probably hid their secret wedding from all of us in the office but then the best part about a secret is, it cannot be hidden forever'...Right?' and my expressions tightened...

'So now who's your boss I asked?' while I heard a thunderous voice from behind me saying 'Me!!!' and I turned around to see Omkar standing there with a serious expression which were darting at Sameer and Karthik. I gulped as I get to know Sameer and Karthik are his employees. He took another step closer and stood adjacent to me saying...

'Sameer-Karthik...did you guys taste the Halwa which Pattu made today morning for everyone???' and suddenly I see horror dancing on their faces.

What's it with a Halwa!!!

'Ummm nnnnn...noo..noo Sir...we just had lunch and anyways...we have to attend the wedding in evening, so we thought of going home, freshening up and then joining you folks!!!'

'Areyyyy but atleast taste it na...come on a little' saying Omkar held Sameer's wrist but Sameer said ...
'Arey Sir...wh...wh....why Sir... please Sir...we we we will eat some other day Sir...wwwwe are getting late rrrright Karthik???' and Karthik nodded a yes with fear and next minute Sameer and Karthik ran away.

I narrowed my eyebrows wondering why did they run away like that big deal it's just halwa!!!

'You need to know whom to talk to and not to...' I heard and I turned around to see Omkar standing there folding his hands against his chest and I said 'Sorry???'

'You seem to be laughing a lot with them?  If you like poor jokes so much I can maybe get you some dumb whatsapp forwards...I'm sure they have better humor than that Sameer!!! And yup!!! Karthik's eyes were scanning you!!! Beware!!!' and I was scowling now...

'Omkar...I'm not a kid...I know who looks at me how and neither was Sameer dumb and nor was Karthik checking me out!!!' I said looking into his eyes!!!

'Yeah sure...with you looking like a red time bomb in this party where every other man is preying their eyes on you!!! I definitely believed that!!!' he said and although I was pissed by his statement a blush crept my face.

While next minute he stepped closer to me tower me and bent looking into my eyes while I looked up high in air as this man was like a ladder higher to me and whispered closer to my ears...

'With that blush on your face right now!!! Don't blame me if I loose my shit right now Wifey!!!' and my heart almost came to a stand still as I heard 'Wifey'!!!

My lips parted in a state of shock!!!