Bengal, Chatterjee House

Subhankar's breath hitched as he gazed up at the figure in front of him.

His lips parted softly, as his fingers where still holding Savitri's saree's edge unconsciously. That was.....his Tripti? 

The teal green saree hugged her curves effortlessly, her long curls left open up to her knees and heavy earrings adorning her ears that was fastened behind her hairs with the designer chains. Wrists covered with thin and thick golden bangles and fingers worked up with alta. Her eyes deeply kohled and lips painted. She was fidgeting with the edge of her saree's end in between her fingers, exchanging glances with Subhankar and Savitri. 

Savitri grinned at her, while Subhankar was snapped back to reality.

What did just happen to him? 

It was not that he had seen Tripti all decked up before. He did. When they were children, he did saw her dress up adorably in those little sarees and skirt-blouses made for small girls, and he would pinch her cheeks and call her adorable until she made faces of getting irritated. And he would often give her sweet threats of ruining her hairstyle too, and she would throw daggers at him with her eyes. Nevertheless, she looked no less than a cute little doll herself.

But then, everything took a turn. 

He wished that day that Tripti did not have to try the gown which Anirban had brought it for her from London. She came down giggling happily, holding the hem of her dress and with a light makeup on, and for the first time, Subhankar felt the need of holding his breath back for a moment. The gown intricately fitted her bosom and curvy waist. The upper part of the gown ended a bit beneath her shoulders, highlighting her swan like neck; the softness, the innocence and the glow of youth she had on her face made his stomach flip. 

And his gaze had flickered to places where it was forbidden. 

He remembered how he had repeatedly reprimanded himself that it was nothing; it was just a shock value he had got seeing Tripti after ages. It was just a bit of curiousness and nothing else, and he had brushed it away like a feather. 

Subhankar discreetly bit his lips as he stood up, and his eyes clashed with Tripti for a brief while; and before he could study them, she flickered her gaze back to Savitri.  

"Tripti! My God you look like an angel!" Savitri broke the silence, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around her. Tripti smiled back equally and responded the hug, "I can say the same!" 

A light smile formulated on Subhankar's lips, he didn't knew why. He just felt like, smiling all of a sudden after hearing Tripti's light hearted voice. 

"Look who is here! My God, Boudi!" Anirban came with a grin, as he folded his palms in front of Savitri, "Ah! We missed the first day, isn't it?"

"It's okay, we can catch up the things you missed!" Savitri chuckled, while Subhankar was still smiling with eyes half lowered. 

"Of course of course!" Anirban laughed, as Saudamini also joined them, and in a jiffy Savitri was taken away by them, leaving only Tripti and Subhankar. 

".....You also come?" Tripti gazed at him, raising her brows and blinking.

Her innocence seemed so contagious....

"Yeah, yeah, I am-" Subhankar nodded with a light smile, and Tripti nodded back, walking away. 

Subhankar furrowed his brows briefly, looking away, suddenly realizing he forgot to compliment Tripti like he always did.

Damn! 

.

.

.

Tripti's gaze flickered repeatedly towards Savitri at intervals. She already seemed to have made a place in their family's hearts with her demeanour, there was nothing in her not to love. She was humble and friendly, witty and beautiful too. 

Subhankar had perhaps made the right choice.

Her memory slipped back a few moments when she had seen Subhankar crouching below, helping Savitri to adjust her saree with a light smile on his face. She didn't knew why her heart began to thud faster with that thought. Her throat suddenly felt dry. She looked so good with Subhankar, and they both deserved each other. Closing her eyes momentarily, she tried to inhale a deep breath.

'What are you thinking Tripti? STOP IT!'  Tripti fidgeted with her thumb and index slightly, cupping her elbow with her palm. 

Why was she feeling like that?

She liked Indranil, didn't she? Yes she did.....but why was her heart faltering now?

 Why wasn't Indranil humble, adoring and down to earth like Subhankar? Why wasn't he protective of her like Subhankar was? 

Why isn't..... Indranil like Subhankar?

No! What was she even thinking? She was going to be Indranil's wife soon. Soon. Indranil did not have to be like Subhankar, he had his own traits and individuality, didn't he?

And she will fall in love with him too. Indranil would treat her like a Queen. His Queen.

 Everything, whatever she was feeling, it was just a sham. Subhankar deserved to be happy with Savitri, like she would be with Indranil. And then, everything will be alright. She might be feeling a bit jittery because of the nervousness of her engagement and wedding. 

Breathing in deeply, her eyes began to search for Indranil, but he was no where to be found. 

She wanted to talk with him and spend some time, to feel better. There was hardly any words exchanged between them since yesterday, except his anger for Subhankar. Maybe, today he might be in a better mood and she would talk with him. Her stomach felt a weird pit, a bit of unevenness spreading across her body. 

She didn't knew why she always became submissive in front of him; like she could never express her wishes in front of him; it seemed like it was he who wanted his whims to be satisfied. And she would be the one listening to him and hardly it was the vice versa.

Maybe, maybe because they were children that time.

Tripti was sure he had changed...... didn't he?

She was about to leave when she heard Subhankar calling her, "Oyee!"

Tripti spun around, blinking widely at as she was caught off guard, "Subho....?"

Why does he always appear whenever she thinks of avoiding him for a while?

Subhankar grinned at her, "Come here, mad woman!" He signaled her waving his hand. Tripti raised her brows as she walked up towards him.

They instinctively went behind a pillar, a bit away from everyone. Tripti gazed cautiously around with furrowed brows, "Yeah?"

"I have got something for you," Subhankar smiled softly, "I thought of giving it on your wedding day, but I actually have something better for you for that day, so you better take this gift now only," He winked at her, causing her to giggle at his words.

"What did you bring? Tons of dolls?" She raised her brow, recalling how she used to gush in childhood and threaten Subhankar of squandering all his money when he grows up ,by buying tons of toys for herself.

"Damn, that was a good one," Subhankar laughed, "But see it for yourself," He brought out a golden bracelet, with butterflies drawn over it with gold threads. It didn't look heavy nor light, it was just apt as it sparkled at intervals.

"The heck, it is so expensive!" Tripti gasped with widened eyes, while Subhankar rolled his eyes.

"Are you crazy Subhankar? It's so expensive!"

"So what? Your engagement will not come everyday okay?" Subhankar argued, "Such days happen once in a lifetime!"

"But Subho-"

"Hush Tripti," Subhankar furrowed his brows, drawing close to her for a while. Tripti's breath hitched at his musky fragrance as she glanced into his eyes. So soft yet swirling with an unknown determination in them.

"You're are my best friend okay? And this is trivial in front of you. You just don't know how much you matter to me," Tripti gulped slightly, and the traitor of her heart dared to skip a beat. It had been ages she had heard such words from him....

"Please Haripriya, let me pamper you for the last time, please," He whispered in a low voice, and something terrible flickered in her heart hearing the word 'last'.

Last time.....

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

🥺🥺🥺🥺Okay I am emo-

Signing off for today!

Nushkie