"It takes a moment to judge someone but an eternity to understand them"

CHAPTER 3

By 8:30 that evening, Mishti's worst fear had been realised. Abir Rajvansh had shown his face in Mrs Sharma's party and had asked Kuhu to dance.

Even worse, Kuhu had accepted.

Even worse, Varsha was looking at the two of them in the middle of the dance floor so gleefully that Mishti was sure she was thinking of Kuhu's entry in the Rajvansh family.

Mishti : Ma! Will you stop that?

Varsha : Stop what?

Mishti ( glaring at her) : Looking at them like that...

Varsha ( blinked ) : Like what?

Mishti : Like you're thinking of your grandchildren, their children...

Varsha shifted guiltily.

Mishti : MA!

Varsha : So what if I was, Mishti? He would be an excellent match for our Kuhu.

Mishti : Ma! Haven't you read the papers? It says he always has girlfriends and has never been single since the age of 18. He probably has mistresses lying about as well. You possibly can't want him to be in Kuhu's life.

Varsha ( sharply) : Don't think of telling me what I can or cannot do, Mishti Singhania! I am your mother, well stepmother. But that should still count for something.

Mishti (feeling bad ) : Sorry Ma! You are my mother, not my stepmother. It counts in every way that matters.

Varsha ( smiling teary-eyed) : See! Now you made me cry.

Mishti : Sorry Ma!

Varsha turns around and wipes her tears.

Varsha : Mishti, You do know I love you right?

Mishti (shocked) : Ofcourse! And you do...know....that....I...

Varsha (reassuringly) : Ofcourse beta! It is just that my responsiblity is twice as great when it comes to mothering a child who has lost her mom.

Mishti : Don't worry ! I do love you....And I love Kuhu!

At the mention of Kuhu's name, They both turned to look at her dancing with Mr Rajvansh. Since it was a London Regency themed ball, Kuhu was wearing a floor length dress in a lovely pink colour, with her hair done in a styled bun. Her form was the epitome of grace as she moved through the steps of the dance. Mishti on the other hand was wearing a dark blue floor length gown with her hair styled and left loose.

Mr Rajvansh, Mishti thought with irritation, was looking heart-stoppingly handsome. Dressed in black and white formals with a black tie, He stood tall, straight and proud. He was, at least, on the surface everything a man was meant to be.

Varsha (knowingly) : Mishti! They make a wonderful couple, don't they?

Mishti actually bit her tongue to stop herself from talking.

Varsha (continued) : He's a bit too tall for her, but I don't see that as a very big obstacle, do you?

Mishti dug her nails into her fingers.

Varsha : He dances well, Don't you think?

Mishti ( having had enough) : Ma! Kuhu is not going to marry Mr Rajvansh.

Varsha (laughing softly) : I was wondering how long you would hold your silence.

Mishti : Certainly longer than my natural inclination. You know he is not the man we want for Kuhu.

Varsha : I think the question ought to be whether he is the sort of man Kuhu wants for Kuhu.

Mishti (looking at the dark haired monster with her sister) : He is not that either. Kuhu wants a scholar! Does Abir Rajvansh look like a scholar?

Varsha : Maybe he's not. But we wouldn't know, would we? (changing the subject) I had a lovely chat with his mother and his aunt earlier in the evening.

Mishti : His mother? So what? What does that have to do with this?

Varsha : Nothing Beta! But I don't believe that such gracious and intelligent ladies could have raised anything but the finest of gentlemen, despite his reputation.

Mishti : Par Ma...

Varsha : Mishti! You will understand what I mean when you are a mother.

Mishti : But....

Suddenly Varsha shifted the topic.

Varsha : Mishti beta! Have I told you how pretty this blue dress looks on you? This time, Not just Kuhu, Even you will have a band of followers.

Mishti looked dumbly down at her dress, wondering why on earth Varsha had changed the subject so suddenly.

Varsha continued saying something else about her attire. Mishti stared at her in dismay. Was her mom going mad? Then suddenly Varsha poked her in the ribs and she knew something else was wrong.

Varsha (gleefully) : Mr Rajvansh!

Horrified, Mishti jerked her head up to see a startlingly handsome man approach them. A startlingly handsome man who looked startlingly like the man currently dancing with her sister.

She swallowed. It was either that or let her jaw hang open.

Varsha : Mr. Rajvansh! How nice to see you. This is my daughter Mishti!

He took her limp, gloved hand and brushed an airy kiss across her knuckles.

Varsha (beaming) : Mishti, This is Mr. Kunal Rajvansh. I met him earlier this evening while I was talking with his mother, Meenakshi and Parul Rajvansh. Such lovely ladies.

He grinned back.

Kunal : We think so.

Varsha (purposely) : Mishti! Mr Rajvansh is the brother of the man dancing with Kuhu.

Mishti (sarcastically) : I guessed.

She saw Kunal shoot her a stare which meant that he had detected her sarcastic tone.

Kunal : It is an immense pleasure to meet you, Miss Singhania! (offering her his hand) I would be honoured if you decide to dance with me later today.

Mishti nodded.

Kunal : Would you like to join me in getting a drink?

Varsha nudged Mishti to go, So she went.

Mishti : Ma! Do you want a glass of lemonade? I will bring you a glass.

Varsha : Not really. I should really be going back and joining the other ladies. (almost running away from them) Sushma! Sushma! Wait up!

Looking at her mother's retreating form, Mishti shook her head.

Mishti : I don't think she wants any lemonade.

Kunal smiled devilishly.

Kunal : It's either that, Or she's going to run to Darjeeling to pick lemons herself.

Mishti laughed, despite herself. She didn't want to like Mr. Kunal Rajvansh. She didn't much want to like any Rajvansh after all she'd read about the businessman in the newspaper. But she decided that it probably wasn't fair to judge a man based on his brother's misdeeds, so she forced herself to relax a bit.

Mishti : Did you want a drink? Or did you come with me, just to be polite?

Kunal (grinning) : I am always polite. But now, I am thirsty.

Mishti looked at his grin, then at his handsome form and groaned.

Mishti : You are an arrogant flirt as well.

Kunal started choking on air.

Kunal : Excuse me?

Mishti stood horrified that she had spoken out loud.

Mishti : Sorry! I shouldn't have told that. It was really rude.

Kunal ( looking very interested) : No, Please continue!

Mishti looked all around her to escape. Realising that she couldn't, she decided to tell the truth.

Mishti : I am going to be frank. (Kunal nodded) I just...I just thought...you might....be like....your brother.

Kunal : My brother?

Mishti : Mr Abir Rajvansh obviously.

Kunal : I have 2 brothers. Kartik is the second son.

Mishti felt like a fool.

Mishti : Ohh! Lol! I am sorry...

Kunal : Me too. My brothers are a dreadful nuisance most of the time. Damn them.

Mishti shot a quick look at him and saw only love. This was not a man who wished his brothers dead.

Mishti : You are devoted to your family, Aren't you?

Kunal( turning serious all of a sudden) : Of course.

Mishti (pointedly) : As am I.

Kunal( curious) : Meaning?

Mishti willed herself to hold her tongue but failed.

Mishti : Meaning that I will not allow anyone to break my sister's heart.

Kunal sees her looking at Abir and Kuhu, now standing and talking.

Kunal( murmuring) : I see.

Mishti : Do you?

Kunal : Yeah, I do.

Theyy reach the refreshment table. Kunal hands her a glass of wine and takes one for himself.

Kunal looks at her and slowly sips his wine.

Kunal : Abir wants to settle down this year.

Mishti (in a uncaring voice) : Oh, Does he?

Kunal : Obviously, I will know.

Mishti : He has a bad reputation though!

Kunal : True!

Mishti : So it is difficult to believe someone like him settling down with one woman.

Kunal : You certainly have given this a lot of thought?

Mishti (looking directly at Kunal) : Mr Rajvansh! Your elder brother is not the first one with a questionable character to want to go out with my sister. I do not take Kuhu's happiness lightly. No matter how wealthy or influential he may be.

Kunal : Some people may think that's enough for a marriage.

Mishti : Maybe. But Kuhu is not one of them. And a husband can break her heart with greater intensity than just someone with a crush. What do you think?

Kunal : I have no answer. I am not married, you see.

Mishti : Oh God! That was such a lame response.

Kunal : I feel like I'm losing my touch. I am never lame usually.

Mishti( smiling) : Don't worry. I don't think you have anything to fear. I am rarely generous with compliments. You are lucky.

Kunal laughs loudly.

Kunal : You have to meet Abir! He is a good man.

Mishti : Maybe. But now, I will take your leave. I see a friend calling me.

Kunal : Sure! I will come to claim a dance soon.

Mishti smiles and nods. Kunal looks at her retreating form thoughtfully. Abir joins him.

Kunal : How was your dance with Miss Kuhu Singhania?

Abir ( curtly) : She'll do.

Both knew what that meant.

Kunal (smiling mysteriously) : You should meet her sister then.

Abir : What ?

Kunal : Her sister! You have to meet her sister...

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20 MINUTES LATER

Abir had received Kuhu's entire bio data from Kunal. He saw that the way for Kuhu's hand in marriage was through her sister. He found this surprising. Usually, People asked their father's approval or brother's. Or even a mother's. This was the first time he had heard of getting a SISTER'S approval.

But he was glad. This proved that Kuhu was devoted to family. She would definitely make an excellent wife for him. Also, They were less wealthy. So Abir felt it would be easy to obtain permission from Mishti Singhania.

Kunal (smiling confidently) : Don't worry Abir! You will have no problem getting the elder Miss Singhania to give you permission. She probably will swoon when a man as handsome and wealthy as you talks to her. She might even fall in love with you.

Abir : I don't want her to fall in love with me. I just want her to recommend me to Kuhu.

Kunal : You won't fail. I spoke to her earlier this evening, and she spoke so much about you.

Abir (determinedly) : Good! Now where is she?

Kunal scans the room and sees her behind a group of people. He points her out to Abir. Abir looks at Mishti. She was not at all what he expected to see. She wasn't ugly at all. Only when compared to Kuhu, did she pale. In actuality, She was pretty with straightforward eyes and full lips. She held herself with an air of confidence that he appreciated and found attractive.

Suddenly Kunal started shouting.

Kunal (walking forward) : Miss Singhania! Miss Singhania!

Abir walked behind him, preparing himself to charm the woman.

Kunal : Miss Mishti! It is so lovely to meet you again.

She looked at him puzzled. Abir could sense her confusion. Kunal had shouted out her name in the middle of the room and now he was acting like he had randomly run into her.

Mishti (smiling wryly) : It is good to see you too. And so quickly after our last encounter.

Abir smiled to himself. This Mishti Singhania did have a sharper wit than he was led to believe. Kunal grinned wickedly and Abir got the impression that his brother was planning something no good.

Kunal : I know! But I felt it was really necessary to meet my brother.

Mishti turned to Kunal's right and stiffened as she saw Abir. Her smile had been replaced by a frown.

Abir (thinking) : That's odd.

Kunal : Miss Mishti Singhania! This is my brother, Abir Rajvansh, Owner of MNC Rajvansh Pvt Ltd. Abir, This is Mishti Singhania. I think you danced with her sister earlier today.

Abir : Yes Kunal!

He got the feeling to strangle his brother.

Mishti (awkwardly) : Hello Mr Rajvansh! It is an honour to meet the famous businessman.

Kunal gave a sound that sounded suspiciously like a laugh or a cough. He looked at Abir and suddenly, Abir knew. This Mishti Singhania was not a shy girl, who would fall in love with him. This woman had certainly not paid him any compliments when she had earlier spoken with Kunal.

Realising that Mishti was holding out her hand, He took it and kissed her on the knuckles.

Abir (without thinking) : Miss Singhania! You are as pretty as your sister.

Mishti stiffened even more and turned downright hostile. Abir hit himself in the head. The one compliment he knew she would not believe, and he had gone and said that.

Everyone knew that Mishti could not be compared to Kuhu. This compliment certainly had not made him a better man in her eyes.

Mishti : And you, Mr Rajvansh are ALMOST as handsome as your brother.

Kunal coughed again. Mishti ignoring Abir, turned to Kunal.

Mishti : Are you ok?

Kunal (nodding) : Just a tickle in my throat.

Abir : I think it's a guilty conscience.

Kunal : Ah no! I'll just go get myself a lemonade.

Abir : How about rat poison?

Despite herself, Mishti gave a fascinated gasp.

Kunal : It's ok, big brother! Lemonade would be perfect.

Mishti : Shall I go get one for you?

Abir saw that she had one leg out. She was clearly desperate to leave him.

Kunal : No no! I can do that myself, Thanks. But I was going to dance the next one with you.

Mishti : Don't worry. It will be fine.

Kunal (shocked) : Oh no! That would be so UNGENTLEMANLY. Abir, Why don't you dance with her?

Mishti (quickly) : Oh no! That's ok. Seriously.

Kunal : Come on!

Mishti : It is fine. I don't want to dance with....

Abir had finally had enough. The girl was almost about to insult him. Already, His brother had already fooled him. He wasn't going to allow this girl to make him feel like a fool as well.

Abir (taking her hand) : Allow me to stop you from making a terrible mistake.

Mishti ( turning hostile again, in a cold voice) : Excuse me?

Abir : I think you were going to say something you might regret later.

Mishti : I don't think so! I don't have regrets in my life.

Abir took her hand and pulled her closer. He moved forward until his nose was almost touching her head.

Abir ( whispering in her ears) : Not yet! But you might have one now.

He pulled back and clutching her hand, pulled her onto the dance floor forcefully.

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