Warrior - Chapter Six

Why does it feel like that I'm part of a circus?

Everyone in the staff was practically juggling around, moving past each other to get what they needed done while having their hands full. Amma was basically the director, telling everyone what to do, where to go, and what not, while my father stood aside as her assistant.

Schiesse!

"Payal, what are you doing," Amma exclaimed, "you're supposed to keep your sister upstairs and only come down after they're here and I tell you!"

"But-!"

"Take her upstairs now!"

Baby sis frowned but did as she said, and she linked her arm in mine and led us upstairs.

"Told you she'd be double crazy," I smirked.

"Yeah, yeah," she muttered.

We went into her room and she got out her wallet, handing me 100 bucks.

"Pleasure doing another bet with you, baby sis."

Payal rolled her eyes. "It's not fair! I wanna be there when the Raizada's arrive! I wanna see them! I wanna see which ones arrive! You can bring yourself downstairs," she huffed, crossing her arms.

"That desperate to see them, huh?" Unlike me, I wanted to add.

She came walking back to me, taking my hands in hers. "Di, it's the Raizada's. We've only seen them a few times at certain parties and events, but this time they're coming into our home. I'd like to take this opportunity to get a really good look at them."

Geez, you'd think it was pieces of art arriving into our home, not people.

"I-"

The sound of the doorbell ringing echoed in the house and Payal's face lit up, beaming like an idiot, while a scowl formed on my face.

My stance still stands - why the fuck are they trying to get themselves killed?

"They're here! They're here! They're here!!! Oh my gosh Di, wait here just a moment, I'm gonna go sneak a peek," and Payal dashed off.

Poor girl... I mean I know she wants to be optimistic but....

I went over to her vanity and looked at myself in the mirror. Baby sis had gotten me a navy floral maxi dress, with full sleeves and front slits, giving chance to expose my legs - formal, yet not so formal. Not to mention, it had an impressive v-cut, it being rather teasing - not too exposed, but it makes you wonder. Baby sis has definitely hit the mark with the outfit, but as for me....

I don't care. I don't give a damn for any of this. I know that Amma has been dreaming of this for a while, but I have no interest! After what I've been through, what makes her think that I'd do another arranged marriage again? When I have zero faith in them, when I have no belief in them? In marriage whatsoever? Whatever the case, this obviously won't work out because I will not be holding my tongue. I am who I am, and I will show them who I am. And then they'll see and act like the rich people they are, acting all dramatic by such words as if they're too posh for it, and then I can resume to my normal life, occasionally dealing with Amma's antics.

Yeah, I can deal with that.

Payal came dashing back in. "Eep! Di, come on, let's go!"

She linked her arm with mine once more and I followed the hyena out.

I'm not even joking, she's being crazy! She's going to wear out my heels!

We went down the stairs and Payal led me out to the back. The day was rather lovely for a dip in the pool, but I would have to do that later.

"Ah, here they are!"

I turned my attention to my father's voice and saw Amma standing beside him, as well as three other guests. First, I saw Aryan Singh Raizada, and I have to say that even at his age, the old man could bag the ladies if he wanted to. As I moved my eyes to Shalini Singh Raziada, I knew she could bag men if she wanted to, as well. And then my eyes moved to their son, Arnav Singh Raizada, who was slightly blocked by Babuji.

He looked somewhat formal too, wearing a crisp, white button down shirt. He wore a navy blue waistcoat, as well as jeans, along with some loafers. The man looked like he was ready for business, and then would go off for a visit to the derby.

I wonder if he'd be willing to do business with us?

Amma came to my side as we got closer. "This is my older daughter, Khushi, and this is my younger daughter, Payal."

We both held our hands up in formal greeting - cause mama raised us well - and then Amma had us sit down. We both sat down in individual seats, my mother returning to Babuji's side. I had been seated closer to the Raizada's, so Mrs. Raizada was easily able to scoot over to the end and get a good look at me. She had been sitting with her husband, and sitting directly across from me in a seat of his own, was her son.

Shalini Singh Raizada looked at me with a smile - a genuine one at that. "You are just absolutely beautiful!"

And the games begin. "Thank you."

The parents continued to speak, now and then directing questions at me, then finally directing them to Arnav Singh Raizada.

"Arnav, I understand that you have been the CEO of AR for about the past 8 years," Babuji said.

"Yeah, that's right."

At the sound of his voice, my eyes met his. I don't know why I was acting this way, but as him and Babuji continued to speak, his body tilted left so he was properly facing Babuji, I couldn't drop my eyes off of the guy's face. This was the first time I was hearing his voice and... I don't know. I'm starting to feel weird and this just isn't right!

"May I just say, your garden looks absolutely beautiful," Mrs. Raizada said, getting a look at it from here.

"Oh thank you," Amma smiled. "I'm sure you'd like to see it much closer. Khushi, could you please take her over?"

Gee Ma, thanks.

With a nod, I stood up and so did Mrs. Raizada. I gestured for her to go ahead, then led her towards the garden, but not before catching Arnav taking a glance at us.

Don't worry, I won't eat your mama alive. 

We walked over to where mom had all of her flowers, which was really the pride of her garden. Shalini Singh Raizada moved along on her own, looking at each of the flowers as I stood behind her.

I know how these things work; I'm just waiting for her to make the first move.

Mrs. Raizada went over to where the purple hyacinths were and gently ran the side of her finger over the flowers.

"Apparently hyacinths symbolize rebirth," she said.

And so she's began.

"I think it's quite interesting how flowers symbolize certain things. To symbolize rebirth... that in itself is such an interesting concept."

She continued to slowly glide her finger over the flowers.

"I remember my moment of rebirth."

Now this caught my attention, and I couldn't help but to arch my brow at her. Mrs. Raizada looked at me and the corner of her lips crooked up. 

"You had quite some words to say at the Das' that day," she said, turning to me.

"Wouldn't be the first time I've opened my mouth," I said bluntly.

"So I've heard," and she walked over to where the chrysanthemums grew. "Mrs. D'Souza shared some rather interesting stories, saying things like uh... what were her words? ...oh yes, she said disgraceful and disrespectful as well as insolent and a curse."

Her eyes met mine and I only looked at her. If she was expecting a reaction, she wasn't going to be getting one. After all, I already knew these things, given that I had put Mrs. D'Souza in her place several months ago.

"That doesn't make you angry," she questioned.

"Nope. It's expected that these aunties will say shit about me after I've put them in their places."

And no, I will not be pardoning my foul mouth.

She scoffed lightly with a smile, then moved over to the daffodils. "You know, I really like you Khushi."

Come again?

My brows shot up on their own in confusion as I watched the woman.

"Don't be so surprised dear, it's the truth," and she didn't even look at me, still looking at the flowers.

What the fuck?

"I'm curious - how much do you know about me," she asked me.

Shouldn't the question be the other way around, directed to me?

"I know that you're the wife of the eldest senior Raizada," I said, watching her. "You only have one son, who is now in control of the family empire, and you host many and fund many charities."

"Do you know what kind of charities?"

"No, I didn't care to look that up."

She smiled once more and turned to me. "Usually I help foster homes, give back to children in need, as well as for education, and those who are homeless. But I mainly do whatever I can to help mothers in need."

I only looked at her, since I have yet to understand why telling me any of this matters to me.

"I guess given the generation gap, it's no wonder you wouldn't know any of the gossip from my time," she smiled lightly, glancing at her feet.

I only arched my brow.

"You know Khushi, when I heard all of which Mrs. D'Souza had to say about you, I kept thinking of all of what you had said at the Das' residence. And all I could think about in that moment was how I wished I could've been like you during my time."

I remained confused, looking at her.

She wished to be like me? Why?

"Not many people speak of it anymore these days, but back when I was around your age, everyone spoke shit about me."

The cuss counter is now 1-1 between us.

"Everyone whispered behind my back, some directly to my face. Everyone pointed their fingers at me, doing whatever they can to make me feel low and disgusted in myself. ...I was so ashamed and embarrassed that... I wanted to kill myself at one point."

My eyes widened. 

"However, two pairs of chocolate eyes always looked to me, and I knew I could never do something so drastic that could take me away from them. ...but it was hard."

Woman, you are making zero sense right now and it's starting to irk me.

Shalini Singh Raizada took in a deep breath and sighed. "You see Khushi, when I was 15 years old, I discovered that I was pregnant with Arnav."

Business had taught me how to perfect my poker face, which was quite handy right now. Although I appeared expressionless on the outside, inside all I could think is holy shit, this is juicy!

"Times were different then," she continued, looking at the flowers beside her. "Society was also far less forgiving at that time.

"My family wasn't among the richest of the rich, but we were well off. Due to that, I had met Aryan at several events in my youth. We became quick friends, and it grew from that. When I told Aryan I was pregnant, he was nothing but loving and supportive. ...unfortunately, he was the only one.

"When people learned of my pregnancy, all eyes were on us. People pointed fingers and ridiculed us, whether they knew of us or were close to us. My father immediately disowned me, not caring for my mother's words. Aryan's father tried to deny any connection of his family to my child, but Aryan didn't tolerate it. He married me immediately to give me the honor I deserved, but it meant nothing to my father in-law. So he cast us out as well."

Well, oh shit!

"Arnav came into the world, which brought some light into ours... but darkness still shrouded. Being a mother at 15 with no support from family and only being ridiculed.... Things were tough, Aryan had to fight to get a job since his father threatened people to not give him one. Eventually he did, but Aryan ended up working for a rival company. It hurt me to see him battling his father, but it was evident that Aryan didn't care.

"It would be years before this feud finally ended - many years! And in those years, people never spared an expense to insult me, ridicule me."

Shalini scoffed lightly, a small smirk spreading across her lips. "Now they all want to eat out of my palms."

I looked Shalini up and down, before meeting her eyes once more.

"All those years... and I was never able to fight for myself. People attacked me with their snide remarks and wise cracks... yet I was never able to say anything." Her eyes met mine. "But you Khushi... you don't take shit from anyone."

Damn straight.

"You stand tall and brave your way through these people, and for that, I applaud you. I find you encouraging and strong - unlike these damn bimbos all over town."

Should I make that 3-1 or 4-1 cause I don't really consider damn a cuss, but some do.

"And it's for these reasons that I really like you, Khushi. I admire you. A strong, no-bullshit, no-nonsense woman like you is exactly the kind of bride I'd like for my son to have."

I know that the woman she's defining is me... and I gotta say, after hearing her story, maybe I won't be killing her and her family, and putting them on their death beds. Shalini Singh Raizada didn't come here with her family to die, she came here with them because she admired me.

Well, take a look at that Amma, my mouth does have fans and I've found number one.

"However," Shalini began, bringing my attention back to her, "it's not about what I want. What matters first and foremost is what you want."

My brows shot up on their own.

"Well don't look so surprised dear, it's true. What matters first is what you want. After what happened previously in your life, I'm sure another marriage is one thing you do not care for right now, or even ever, I bet."

A small scoff escaped my lips as it slightly crooked up from one corner.

Isn't it rather amazing how this outsider - this stranger, if you will - is able to somehow know my thoughts on the matter? And yet my mother didn't.

"And yet, here you are," I continued to lightly smirk.

"And yet, here I am."

I've gotta hand it to the woman - she's got balls.