Chandrakanth had invited his brother Suryakanth and family to the wedding and he had arrived a few days before the wedding, with his wife Emma and their twin daughters.

"Chandra Da* learn to live without Bhabi ".

The whole family that had gathered around the dining table froze at Parul's statement. Spoons hung mid-air, and mouths stopped chewing. Parul spoke in English so that Suryakanth's family wouldn't feel alienated. Padmini's heart stopped beating in her chest. Chandra's face twisted in a scowl, while Parul was the only one busy savouring Padmini's cooking, digging deep into the plate of her favourite food.

She casually glanced up at him, "What? Until I leave for London, I want her to spend time with me. So, she will be sleeping in my room. That would be about another three weeks from now. Yep! I'm done! you can start your long lecture now. I have a video call to make. Bye guys!"

She got and pecked Padmini's cheek, "Padmini darling, you outdid my mom's cooking today. Too good"!

She walked off nonchalantly, towards the kitchen carrying her plate, leaving the others gaping like fools with morsels of food in their hand. Except for Chandrakanth and Padmini the others were trying hard to suppress their laughter, the first to lose control was Suryakanth and then the rest of the family followed. Chandrakanth was trying his best to contain his temper in front of his brother's family.

"She hasn't changed a bit right Chandra? Devil! Drama queen! Wonder how Akash is managing her?"

He saw his younger brother's face still contorted in anger.

"Oh! you haven't changed either, have you?"

He reached toward Chandrakanth and pat his arm gently.

"These are light-hearted sibling banters Chandra. You don't realise the value of these, because you were not deprived of them. I do. I missed family, all of you! All the small moments and big ones too. Our childhood memories were what I was left with. Yes, I loved and will always love Emma and my girls. When Babuji (father) gave me a choice between pride and love, I chose love. I'm glad I did! But never thought he would choose pride over his son; thereby cutting ties with me. I'm glad and thankful to you, at least you thought about me and invited us to your children's wedding. At least you chose family!"

He pats his brother's back as he got up to leave.

The last phrase pricked a needle in Chandrakanth's chest, unknowingly. The mood had thoroughly changed. Surya's words were ringing in their ears, as an awkward silence hung in the air. Chandra lifted his head and glanced around the table and gestured at the others to eat.

Strange are the ways that the human mind works! The statement uttered by Suryakanth explained his pain, but Chandra and Padmini felt hurt for an entirely different reason. As they say, TO EACH HIS OWN!

~~~~~

For the umpteenth time, Padmini apologised to the designer and she genuinely smiled politely dismissing the need.

"Ma'am, creating the dream outfit for every bride and every girl is our passion, and that's why we are here. Let them decide their outfit, I'll alter them and have them delivered in two days. After all, Aparna and Parul Ma'am have been my customers ever since I started the boutique".

Padmini was seated in a waiting area reserved for VIP customers adjacent to the trial rooms. Emma and her daughters were trying out dresses for the wedding when Parul decided to join the 'outfit trial marathon' for her upcoming anniversary and Diwali party.

Though Padmini would be happy with helping her out any other time she was getting anxious about the pending work at home. Emma and her twins needed help in wearing Indian outfits hence some assistants were with them. Parul had occupied one of the trial rooms with few dresses. Aparna wandered off to the formal wear division with the designer. Padmini checked on Sneha a couple of times since the morning sickness was taking a toll on her. 'Poor child! she couldn't even come with us anywhere.'

"No, Divya I need the dress in two days. You don't understand, I have a very important wedding to attend".
Padmini's ear perked up at the discussion, a woman was speaking to one of the designers aka the owner of the boutique at the main store.

"Ms Kothari! we are sorry! We are closing the boutique for a week since my sister's wedding is in two weeks. I cannot commit now since I already have a bridal order pending. Can I refer you to a friend of mine? She would be..." the lady cut her off in between.

"No! I insist! I love this dress... I don't have time to go through another hundred dresses.." the lady continued to push her luck.
Padmini wanted to step in and try to persuade the designer to help out the customer.

"Bhabi..."  Parul called out to Padmini from the trial room. She wore a cold-shouldered baby blue
Sheath gown.

"Wow! Paru you look so beautiful! See I told you baby blue is your colour, I knew it from childhood".

"Parul bua! OMG! You look drop-dead gorgeous in that! Are you wearing that for your anniversary party? Ooo..uncle is going to have a tough time!"

Aparna winked and teased her much to the bewilderment of Padmini.

"Appu! What are you talking about?"

Both of them rolled their eyes and gave her a confused look.

"Bhabi! Aparna is not a kid anymore, she's getting married next week for God's sake! She can speak what you call 'adults only stuff'! Who knows? Maybe they didn't stop with only talking."

She turned to Aparna, and wiggled her eyebrows "did you guys try anything? Handsy much? No? at Atleast make out? No? Chi yaar! How boring you both are! Oh! Does that mean you both are saving your precious goods?"

Aparna slapped her forehead and wanted to bury her head underground like an Ostrich.

Then in a hushed voice, Parul continued, "Bacha! (Kid) outward appearances can be deceptive! Package content check kiya ke nahin? (Did you check his wares?) After marriage, it might be too late!"

"Buaaaaa"! Aparna shrieked, "Oh God! You are unbelievable!" her face burning in embarrassment, while a shy smile played on her lips. Her aunt was busy questioning her about her sex life; that too in her friend's boutique, in the presence of half her family, unabashedly.

Padmini was confusedly glancing between them both, not understanding anything of what she said. Emma and her daughters had walked in just when Parul starts her enquiries and burst out laughing at her antics. 

When Padmini managed to understand the topic of discussion she admonished Parul, who stayed unaffected by her sister in law's anger.

"This girl always does only dirty talk" she swats Parul's arm playfully. Being a conservative woman she still believed that openly talking about sex was taboo.

"Bhabi if she can't talk or have knowledge of sex, how do you expect her to lead a married life? By the way, after a few months, you and all the oldies will start asking 'any good news Aparna' or 'when are you telling us good news Bacha"?

She mimicked the tone of general nosy aunties or grandmas. She even translated it for Emma and her girls who found it hilarious.

While driving back home, she went on to explain some of the customs of Hindu weddings to the girls, where they might be involved directly as sisters of the bride. 

Padmini was lost in thoughts. However much she tried, the vision of Chandra and the other woman kept floating up to the surface; and when it did, it just ripped her shred by shred. She was torn between being happy for her child and completely broken for herself.

NOTE: *DA or Dada - elder brother in certain regional languages of India

Author's Note:
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