CHAPTER 4: LITTLE SECRET

Randhir "And I know...you have promised Ishika's mother that you would get me and her hitched so that your both joint- new project can bloom with majority of the profit for you, if not Parth wife Vidushi (Ishika's sister) would divorce leaving him broken, isn't?" asked the real matter behind this marriage.

Nada gasped in shock hearing his little secret out, the secret why she has brought this proposal up to her husband's notice knowing very well that he will convince him to marry her, if not his health condition would do.

Randhir "I also know dad had a heart attack and one more of it...death will consume him" said the truth.

Nada stood speechless and Randhir "So, you're getting everything...your son settled, profit in the project and your promise fulfilled for that as you know, my dad is more important for me and I would do anything for him Isn't?" asked with a blank face.

Nada looked down and Randhir "You may leave as the drama you came for here is done and I have work to do" said closing the room.

AGARWAL MANSION,

The moon went for its rest sending the sun for its work.

Sanyukta walked along her father inside the mansion carrying her bag which contained the necessities of the two days stay over.

The family members showed their fake smile to her but embraced her father affectionately.

Sanyukta tried to be normal to everyone she comes in contact but everybody mocked her at some way or the other.

The very day passed in at most happiness every nook of the house except for Sanyukta.

The next day rose followed by a few rituals to complete.

Sanyukta came in contact with the bride "Ishika sis...you look beautiful!" said as she touched her cheeks affectionately.

Ishika faked a smile as Sanyukta went back to sit at the back.

Ishika signaled her sister Vidushi "Can you get an anti-bacterial wipe tissue and clean my face where that middle class girl touched?" asked hissing.

Vidushi "I will get it immediately!" said as she rushed to get one.

Sanyukta's ears were sharp and hearing this, her tears threatened to come but she composed "Just a day more".

The evening went off as the moon came lightening the decorations more beautifully.

Sanyukta got fresh and came out of her allotted bathroom. She opened her bag taking out the outfit for the marriage tomorrow.

But, just then she heard a knock on her door "Please come in" voiced out.

Coming in was a servant "Madam, I have been asked to call you down for henna applying" said.

Sanyukta "I will be there" said politely.

Sanyukta straightened her dress fixing the Duppatta on her head walking out.

The henna function got over a few hours back but Sanyukta being an unimportant person was ignored by her elders on the order of her to get it applied later.

Sanyukta smiled at the girl who was waiting for her.

Sanyukta chose a design and asked her to apply it, as she was engrossed on her own thoughts snapped to reality "Randhir...why am I hearing this name here" said the name in shock.

The very moment the girl asked her what name should she write on her Henna.

Sanyukta "What name did you say?" asked her cousin.

Laila (One of her other cousin) "Randhir, the groom's name" said.

Sanyukta sat shock "Ishika is going to marry my boss?" asked in shock.

Henna girl "It is done!" said.

Sanyukta "Thank you!" said and rushed up stairs to her allotted room.

Sanyukta "Don't tell me Randhir they are talking about is my boss please" prayed as she used her a bit dried hand to pull out the invitation card that she put it in without looking at it.

Sanyukta gasped "Oh man..." said surprised as she saw the name written RANDHIR SINGH SHEKHAWAT.

Sanyukta "The very person I was ogling at" said giggling.

Sanyukta closed her room's door as she sat on the bed looking over at her henna design.

And, her mind travelled to the time when her mother and she had a conversation.

9 year old Sanyukta pouted "Mama, I want you to feed me Biryani" said as she sat next her mother, Anju Agarwal.

Anju "My baby...mama's hands are covered with henna so can you eat yourself for now and mama will feed your dinner!" said as she kissed her cheeks.

Sanyukta "No mama..." refused and shook her head in denial.

Anju felt upset but henna hasn't dried over her hands "Sorry...try to understand mama please" asked in puppy dog face.

Sanyukta glared "Okay...fine!" answered as she took the plate and spoon started to eat it.

Anju smiled and Sanyukta "Mama...why are you applying henna on your hand?" asked.

Anju "Because it makes hand beautiful!" said.

Sanyukta "Oh...but why do you want it to dry...I mean it will give you design even if you remove it in 5 minutes...just like my hand" said showing her hand.

Anju chuckled "Oh silly...Sanyukta let me tell you a fact...if the henna applied on your hand get its darkest color it means that their prince charming will love them more as the henna's color, baby" said with a smile.

Sanyukta faked her smile "Really...I am hungry let me it" said feeding herself.

Anju shook her head "Naughty girl" said riffling her hair.

Sanyukta smiled at her memories "Dad loves you so much mama, that he doesn't want his life to be normal without you" said as her eyes glistened.

Sanyukta "I really miss his usual self more importantly his smile" said as she lulled herself to sleep hugging her teddy which she always carry wherever she goes.

The morning crept in,

Sanyukta took her needed food she would eat for breakfast in her tray from the kitchen with a glass of juice but suddenly she heard "Don't know...from where people come from...they won't do anything but, come for eating early than the people working here hard" came a indirect taunt on her from Ishika's mother.

Sanyukta blinked her eyes as she looked around the kitchen to find anyone else but unfortunately it was her. She ignored to walk out but she heard "People don't have ears here maybe self-respect too" came another taunt.

Sanyukta sighed as she placed the food back and walked out of the door hearing her stomach grumble "I think I have to be hungry for the day" mumbled.

But on the way to her room, she heard somebody call her "Sanyukta".

She turned to see one of her aunts who was normal to her unless like others here.

Sanyukta "Did you call me aunty" asked.

Aunty "Dear can you please help my daughter Laila in putting a good hair style?" asked her politely.

Sanyukta "Sure" answered with a bright smile after all someone asked her to do something for the first time here.

Sanyukta went along her and saw the room filled with her female cousins and other few relatives with their mother helping their respective daughters to get ready and vice-versa. And, marriages in India are not only special because of the union of a couple but also the match making of other bachelor and bachelorette.

Sanyukta's smile faded away as she remembered her mother. Aunty "Come here...she is here" said.

Sanyukta went to her and looked at her hair "You have long straight hair so let me style your hair in chignon" said.

Aunty "Yeah...makes sure she looks beautiful after all, there are some relatives of us coming here and they want to see Laila for their son so I want her to look beautiful" said as she smiled lovingly looking at her daughter.

Sanyukta smiled a bit and thought "If mama was here...she would also be here with me and will be doing this for me after all she was fascinated by the idea of me getting married but alas".

After helping her ready she was just about to get out but she heard "Thank god Mama...I am a good girl who doesn't beg you to take me to long road trip on birthdays" said twirling her hair.

Her mother "Yes...dear I am so lucky to have you after all not all the girls are like you who ask their parents to take on a long trip and get them into an accident getting their mother and brother killed" said smirking.

Sanyukta stood still and numb hearing this. Her eyes threatened to spill the tears that she never wanted to show to anyone, she fake smiled and walked out of that room and dashed into her allotted room.

Sanyukta's heart pierced with each and every word of hers, she closed her eyes and breathed in and out to ease herself "Calm down, Sanyukta...let her blame you even though it was your brother who asked your parents to take out on a long road trip on the occasion of your birthday which ended up in losing your mother and brother. After all, you don't want all those people just like the one you just bear to taunt your dead brother do you?" questioned herself.

Sanyukta closed her eyes "I want my brother's soul to live in peace not being bashed...just few hours more then you will be home, where your silence keeps your company, the best company" thought as she rushed to get ready.

In the next few minutes,

Sanyukta showered, dried her hair and put it in a very neat bun while applying minimal make up of mascara, eye-liner and lipstick.

After this process, she got into her Lehenga with her mother's ancestral necklace which was her mother's creation. Just to be mentioned her mom was a designer who precisely designed for marriages on free lance back then.

Sanyukta "I wish you were here mama...I know you will love me in this Lehenga" said with a smile.

Just in time, she heard a knock on her locked door and thought "Who is here...I hope it is not some aunty to taunt me again".

Sanyukta opened the door to see the people she unexpected to be there "Dad, uncle" whispered surprised.

Kishore "Can we come in, Sanyukta?" asked.

Sanyukta "Of...of course dad" said hearing her name from his mouth after a long time.

As they entered in, Kishore "You look beautiful, just like a soon to be bride" complemented her.

Sanyukta smiled as her eyes tear up hearing these after a long time, a very long time "Thank you dad" said.

Sanyukta noticed all the men without their Pagdi (an Indian head cover for men usually wore on special occasion).

Sanyukta frowned as just saw a few aunties behind them crying silently. Sanyukta "Is everything okay papa?" asked worried.

Kishore denied with his head "No dear...our reputation, respect everything is all going to be shattered" said as he hung his head down.

Sanyukta's eyes widened "Papa...you okay?" asked.

Uncle "Dear...everything will be okay...only if you say a positive answer!" said.

Sanyukta frowned "What...me...what I should say a positive answer...I don't get it" said confused.

Uncle "Your sister Ishika ran away from marriage dear!" said.

Sanyukta gasped in shock "What" asked.

Sanyukta stepped back in shock hearing her dad and said "Papa...how can I?" asked

To be continued...

What did her father ask?

Stay tuned to know!