Long Chapter ahead.
Enjoy

Love ❤️
Srinidhi

DHARA
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'And you know what Anika...He has such a big beautiful idol of Lord Nataraj in that room and here I was imagining nonsensical things about that room. I mean I must really stop watching horror movies I tell you...' saying I took a bite of the delicious Puchka that Pooja had got for all of us from the Binoy Dada's stall which is just opposite to our studio. I was relishing the tangy and spicy water filled balls when Pooja said something that got me coughing. This girl was mad. She was shipping me with my own brother in law.

'Poo!!! Stop!!! Mister Parth is going to be Dhara's brother in law. It's not funny' Anika scolded her as she tapped a few times on my head offering me water as I slowly started gulping it down when Pooja said 'Come on Anika! What wrong did I say? This girl must be talking about Aniruddh Jiju, infact going out with him on dates when there is only one week to her wedding. I mean day after tomorrow is her Haldi ceremony and guess what Madam hasn't even met Aniruddh Jiju yet!!! I mean she's meeting everyone else except the groom. I don't understand this' she said when my heart started beating faster.

She wasn't so wrong after all. Absence of Aniruddh was bothering me and the indefinite delay worried me to. He was supposed to arrive 3 days ago but he has been giving stupid reasons and today he said that he's been asked not to travel due to security reasons. I mean why prep a marriage if you aren't asked to travel. I understand he's a celebrity, a politician and is been asked to do as suggested by his Z+ security but then for heaven's sake we are getting married within a week. He can't keep denying this travel forever. He's not a guest. He's the groom after all.

And then his entire family. They are unique. Each one is busy in inviting family and friebds, arranging grand parties and functions, discussing jewellery, caterers, designers everything except the fact that they don't care a damn that their son hasn't met his bride once... Not even once in person. I mean I know he's one good looking man. He's tall and charming too but then honestly not once have we stood next to each other. I don't know if we look good in a frame. I mean for heaven's sake I've spoken to his brothers more than him.

'I am telling you Dhara. Forget Aniruddh Jiju and catch this Parth guy. He seems nice and has an emotional connect too unlike Aniruddh Jiju... who just doesn't care. I mean he just calls you once in 2 days. Doesn't he feel anything?' Pooja went on another rant when Anika raised her voice saying 'Pooh!!! Shutup and eat the Puchka and you...stop overthinking' she said looking at me while suddenly Pooja's words started worrying me. What if Aniruddh is actually avoiding me? What if he's not interested in marrying me? What if again I-

Before I could think further my phone started ringing and Aniruddh's name started flashing. I took a deep breath when Anika smiled saying 'See!!! He's not so bad after all. He must really be in a soup Dhara. I used to take all these lightly until I understood when I almost got kidnapped. If not for Shankar and Srishti Di, I wouldn't be alive today. A celebrity's life may look lavish but at times involves a lot of these issues. You can't just ignore everything and walk around like a free bird when there is danger lurking around. I used to ignore all of it earlier but now I understand. When you have children it hits you harder' saying she slowly played with Roshni's curly hair as she was sleeping in Anika's lap. Maybe she is right. I am just overthinking all of this.

I smiled and walked into my room as I picked his call. It was an audio call unlike the usual video calls we prefer.

'So how's everything going?' he asked and I smiled saying 'Good. Just doing last minute preparations.' I said as I played with the loose end of my Dupatta when he said 'That is good. Ummm listen...Did you like meet Dada today? He told me...how is he?' he asked and I was disappointed. It's not like I don't like Parth but if your would be husband who is going to get married to you just a week from this day calls to discuss about his brother to you it would definitely leave you disappointed. Although I maintained a normal tone saying 'He seems to be a great human being. I met him in person and also offered him the Prashad' when he said 'I know! Dad at times can be very tough. I told Daadu to ask Dad to not repeat it again. I really want Daada to be a part of our family again' he said and I hummed.

Just when I wanted to ask him when he's coming back is when he said that his sisters want him and me to perform something at our Mehndi ceremony when I rolled my eyes thinking if that's even possible. I haven't met him in person and they expect us to dance together that too at our Mehndi function which is just 4 days away. Just wow!!!

'I don't think that's possible Aniruddh. In order for two people to perform together, they need to have a coordination, they need to practice together and here we are...we haven't even met each other, once!!!' my voice wasn't the usual calm one. Everything was actually affecting me slowly. I mean this isn't a birthday party. It's our wedding for heaven's sake and this man wants everything to be done yet never meet me in person. What is this some virtual teams meeting? I was frustrated.

He probably understood the disappointment in my voice and said 'I understand Dhara. But please understand I'm helpless. Even I want to enjoy this wedding but I really can't do much. Please Dhara!!! Please don't be sad...you know I can't see you sad' and there he goes. This man and his sweet words work like a charm or maybe I've started having a small crush on my would be husband already. LOL. Everytime he goes all sugar rush mode on, I melt like ice.

'Tell me how do we coordinate this?' I asked when he chuckled saying 'Now that's like my girl!!!' and I don't know why my cheeks were burning. I slowly looked at my face at a mirror on my cupboard only to see my face turned all crimson red. I was looking like a ripened tomato right now. He really needs to get a grip on his mouth.

'Ok look we both can't practice together but we need to do this. Let's do this via video calling. I've already spoken to Dada and he will be choreographing our act together!!!' he said and I was shocked. Parth was a fantastic dancer and he performed classical. It was impossible to meet his standards in a mere 4 days from now. This was madness.

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'And who told you...you cannot reach my expectations? Especially when you haven't even tried it once!!!' Parth said as he leaned onto his easy chair as he sat cross legged when Aniruddh said 'Exactly Dada!!! Tell her. She thinks of you not like a choreographer and instead like a mafia don!!! Basanti-Viru-Gabbar thingy like' he said and both brothers burst out laughing loudly when I was embarassed. Even though we were on a video call almost 10 pm midnight these men were bullying me. They kept pulling my leg and making fun of me.

Although I was pissed, this felt normal. The kinda happy normal that every bride wants. Teasing and joking around with her would be husband and friendship blooming with her brother in law. Until few hours ago I had a lot of doubts and everything was looking shady and creepy because of Aniruddh's absence. I had started to think on the grounds that Pooja kept pointing towards however after this phone call everything looked normal. Just like any other family. I mean I agree my would be husband isn't in Kolkata yet but then don't many brides get married the same way. So many of them meet their husbands who stay abroad just a few days before wedding. I had convinced my mind that this was also a similar case. Atleast in this case the groom isn't really disinterested. He's just stuck somewhere and he'll be home soon.

'I may manage to perform semi classical or even a little bit of classical as I was trained in basics in my childhood but will Aniruddh be able to pick it?' I asked when Parth narrowed his eyebrows asking 'And why would you both be doing Indian classical? Please explain!!!' he said when I was confused. He smiled asking 'Is it because I perform Kathak?'. Wasn't that obvious? But then Aniruddh throws a googly at me and I'm left speechless.

'Dhara ...Parth Dada maybe a Kathak artist but he performs other dance forms too. Infact he owns a dance school too. It was earlier named as Chakraborty School of Performing Arts' but Daadu and Dad weren't fortunate enough to be known as Kolkata's best dance school's founders family. Nevermind I like it's name better now. It's now called 'Parth School of Performing Arts' and it's just perfect.' Parth had a sad smile on his face. Honestly I also like it better. If Chakraborty family doesn't respect Parth's choices, the school doesn't need to have their name. Parth was the founder and he deserves it and only he deserves it all.

'We teach everything Dhara. From Kathak to Bharatnatyam. From Jazz and Tango to Belly dancing and also Contemporary. We have it all.' Parth said with a small smile and I felt extremely happy. When Aniruddh added 'Dhara...Dada is just playing humble...his school has about 1200 + students learning different forms of dancing. Infact Dada intends to expand it into a music school as well in future.' and I was shocked. Parth was a successful individual, just that his family doesn't understand its value. Sad.

'So I think we must do a Tango. It would be fun and lively too' Aniruddh proposed when I gulped saying 'I have no clue what that is!!!' when Parth added 'Oni...heard that line na? It takes two for a Tango? And you are sitting in some other corner of the world. How would we train you both in Tango? I mean...my choreographers could help Dhara, but you? How will you manage?' Parth asked when he said 'Oh come on Dada!!! Your little bro is born talented. If not for politics, I would have been the next bollywood superstar!!!' while both Parth and I started coughing and hiding our laughter when Aniruddh crinkled his eyes a little saying 'Hahaha ya ya very funny! Go on...gang up against me. But you guys also know I'm the hottest Chakraborty in town!!!' when both Parth and I started coughing loudly while I said 'Lol ever heard of Krissh Chakraborty' and Parth added 'Cant spell two three bollywood actors names and calls himself next superstar. Boka (Stupid)!!!'

'Whatever. I have decided. I want it to be a Tango and only Tango ...Dada!!!' he said with determination when I bit my lower lip saying 'Cant we do bollywood? I mean it's easy and everyone would also enjoy it' when Parth added 'I agree. It's not a competition. Everyone would enjoy it. Plus it's easier' when Aniruddh said 'No ways would we do the cliche bollywood. My friends would be there and I don't want them to think of us like yet another celebrity couple. We are special. Aren't we Dhara?' he asked and I don't know why although it felt forced, but the way he said it, I nodded with a smile.

It's for the first time that he called us like a team. I couldn't deny. After all Parth would be there and if Aniruddh can join virtual sessions and Parth has professional choreographers how tough could it be???

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'Oh my god...this is so tough Moushami Mam. I don't think so I can do it.' I argued for the nth time. Tango wasn't simple like how they show in movies. It was too complicated and required immense coordination. Here neither did I have my partner in person nor did he join the video call like he promised. I had arrived at Parth's dance school and not only did he get me the best of the folks who could train me but also a woman choreographer upon my request so I was comfortable practicing along but then what do you do if you are not good at a certain kind of dance. I was bad. Terribly bad. This was a bad idea.

I simply went and collapsed on the nearby chair as I gulped another half a litre of water. This isn't going to happen and then when there is just 3 days to the function doing something this complex was going to be nothing but a mockery on stage. I wasn't ready to be a laughing stock at my own wedding function. Moushami Mam being the kind lady that she was, not to forget extremely patient asked me to take a break. I'm sure she is also frustrated because I didn't get a single step right. But she was being patient and polite while I was going mad.

I hid my face with both my palms as I put my head down when I heard a voice that said 'Enough for the day Future Mrs Chakraborty. Get up' and I looked up to see Parth standing there in a simple jeans and white tshirt. His hair was tied into a small pony tail although the little Kumkum Bindi was still there on his forehead. He seems quite religious.

'I am tired Parth. This is a bad idea' I confessed honestly when he smiled saying 'Well...let's see that later. As of now come, let me give you a quick tour of my dance school' saying he offered his hand for me to get up. My eyes fell on the colorful wrist bands he had on his hand as his hand was having the beautiful red Alta on it. He was breaking stereotypes and yet his family wasn't proud of him.

I held his hand and stood up when I said 'I am hungry' and he nodded asking 'Lets see...how about some Kadak Chai and hot hot Ghugni Chaat?' he asked wiggling his eyebrows. And I was trapped. I was a girl after all. A girl who's been living in Kolkata who by far in the world according to me has the best Street food ever. And then who could deny a Ghugni. I was sold.

Parth Chakraborty right now for me was the best of all the Chakraborties. He got brownie points after all which my stupid would be husband had lost as he broke his yet another promise. Nevermind. Food consoles you. Here I was given a treat. Who cares. I'm all in!!!

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'This is so good!!! I mean this is yumm' I said stuffing my mouth with a spoon more of the Chaat when he smiled saying 'Its my favorite too. But now. Not until last few years. Ask why?' Parth said as he took another bite of the delicious chaat and I asked 'Why?' when he smiled saying 'Because I never really gave it a try. I was always a Puchka person. The idea of a hot Chaat bored me but then one day my friend made me try it. Initially I thought it was overrated. Then I tried it again. And again. Slowly it grew upon me and now I'm in love with this' he said and I smiled.

'Dance is also the same. So is life. You need to keep trying. Trying to dance according to the tunes. May it be the art form or life. Logic is same. Give it some time. It'll eventually grow on you' he said as he went on to sip his tea leaving me astonished. Such a simple topic about 'patience' was explained so beautifully by him in a mere 30 seconds of time. Maybe he is right I need to learn to be a little more patient.

And then with that determination I went back again and started practicing again with Moushami Mam and we were finally able to crack a few steps and she indeed appreciated me. The minute we finished a piece there was a loud applause in the room and I saw Parth standing there and clapping for me. I had a bright smile on my face. I knew being a part of the Chakraborty household required a lot of 'patience' but I was happy that now I have a friend whom I can go for some suggestions of course with a cup of tea and a bowl of Ghugni was complementary (Wink Wink).

After I finished the practice I got a call from Nivedita Didi that she was waiting outside for me as Shayantani Dida wanted me to be home for that potrait thingy. I found that strange and uncomfortable but I didn't want to disrespect their traditions and then I had just got a lesson on patience from Parth. Taking a deep breath I decided to join her. Parth dropped me till the gate when Nivedita Didi walked towards him and gave him a warm hug. They greeted each other post which he went back to his dance school. They really had an adorable sibling bond. All his siblings loved him so much. If only did the elders understood his choice of profession.

We boarded the car and Didi was driving when I was still in my thoughts and Didi asked me what was I thinking. I wanted to avoid the conversation. It was all pointless. No one really understood his perspective. 'Its nothing Didi... please ignore' I said when she narrowed her eyebrows saying 'Why ignore? Something is disturbing you and we are family now. You can trust me Dhara. Ask me...let's see if I have an answer for you' she said and although I didn't want to, it slipped out of my mouth.

'Is choosing your heart over traditions wrong Didi?' and she smiled saying 'No!!! It isn't but in this world...people don't understand what they don't see regularly!!! They think anything different is wrong. It isn't. It's just a choice. Choices can be varied but not always wrong!' she said when I couldn't stop myself from asking her 'Then why don't you...Aniruddh or the other Chakraborty siblings speak up against this discrimination? Why are you folks treated so special and Parth being outcasted in your home? Isn't that wrong? You all love him, I can see. Yet none of you are standing up for him. Is choosing a different profession so wrong? What is wrong in choosing something different? He may not be a billionaire like the rest of you but he's happy. Is choosing your own happiness a crime Didi? He's such a good man. It's not fair Didi...Not fair' I let it out when she smiled and blinked through her tears.

Clearing her throat while still focusing on the road she said something that left me speechless.

'Choosing something different isn't wrong Dhara but being different from the league is... atleast for the people in my parents household. Dada isn't their quintessential perfect boy they always wanted. Dada was always a little different.' she said and I narrowed my eyebrows asking 'How? Even Aniruddh is going to perform at our wedding. Will the Chakraborties disown him too?' I asked when she stopped the car and looked into my eyes as she said

'No!!! Coz he isn't different. Dada is!!! I don't know if you noticed, the way he smiles, the way he sits, the way he dresses up...it has a hint of feminity. Dada isn't all masculine like Oni or Krissh and then he chooses a profession like dancing which made family and relatives talk more about him. People started doubting his sexuality. Some even spread rumours of his affairs with his male choreographers. Our family being the typical conventional orthodox one outright asked Dada to let go off his dreams. He tried. But he couldn't. And then our family left him. All alone.

Sometimes choosing your dreams can be too expensive Dhara. But how do you choose yourself? Your behaviour? Your walking or dancing or laughing...what and all can you control? How much can you control? Dada tried Dhara. He tried a lot. But he finally gave up and honestly we siblings are glad he gave up. So what if my brother has feminine traits? I wouldn't change one bit about him Dhara. Not one bit.

We siblings will never ask the Chakraborties to take him back. Never. Because we are happy he isn't being modified like a fucking customisable item and is being himself. We love him and him being away from our toxic elders is the best for him. Happiness above family anyday Dhara!!! Any day!!!' saying she took a deep breath.

I was shocked. I didn't know what to say. For the first time I didn't know if what happened to someone was right or wrong.