Warrior - Chapter Twenty Eight

So here I am once again.

I'm a married woman - again.

I can't help but to stare at the red powder that has taken over my parting, ignoring the makeup guru besides me as she touches up on her masterpiece.

With the main event now out of the way, all of the guests have been taken into the dining hall, where they're all stuffing themselves now with food. While the fucking pigs do that, I'm up here in the bridal suite - after having taken numerous more photos as a married woman - given just a damn bite to eat while being touched up and prepared for my first dance with my new husband, Arnav Singh Raizada.

Husband.

A small tingle shoots up my spine as a memory from my past tries to take centerstage, but I shove it off. Instead, I try to focus on Payal, who is shoving her face down.

"Oh my gosh, Di! This food is fucking bomb!"

"Well I wouldn't fucking know," I scowl.

"Ugh, chill out and stop being hangry," and she comes over to me with my plate of food. "Open up, I'll feed you."

"Finally, you make yourself useful," and I open my mouth.

Payal scowls at me, but I ignore her, and baby sis feeds me.

Fucking hell, this pulao and chicken is fucking bomb!

Several moments later, Meher comes in with her minions.

"It's almost time for your first dance," she announced.

But-! Already? What the fuck, I just started fucking eating!

"Okay," Payal smiled, and she moved away with my food.

What-!

Payal helps wipe my face clean and gives me some water, then the makeup artist does a few more touch ups, before I'm all good to go. Meher and her minions take me back downstairs and leads me to the dining hall, which has a huge dance floor. As I get closer to the closed doors that divides me from the hall, I hear the MC a little, getting ready to introduce me.

"Alright Khushi," Meher said, moving in front of me to make any final touch ups. "You're going to go in and walk straight over to Arnav. When the lights dim, the song will start, and you guys start dancing as the fog spreads around on the floor."

Okay, but it's not like we actually have a dance prepared.

"I know you guys didn't practice for one, but you know, regular two step stuff or whatever. Okay? Good, you're all set!"

Well, okay then.

The doors in front of me open and I walk inside as the MC introduces me as Mrs. Khushi Singh Raizada.

Yeah, I changed my name. Last time I hadn't done that, but to my mother's insistence, as well as squirt's, this time I did. They said it was a really big deal and that I should, along with other nonsense that I had paid no attention to. All I know is I signed a prenup like any other smart person, agreed to a name change, and only wondered how long it would be till I went back to my own.

As I walked forward, the guests clapped around me, some still eating.

Fuck you!!!

Up ahead, I see Arnav waiting for me centerstage, that ever-present small, polite smile on his face. When I get closer to him, Arnav held his hand out. Given that we are supposed to dance now, I place my hand in his. Looking into his eyes, I see that he's seeking permission, and I quickly realize why, so I nod lightly. As the lights dim down, Arnav placed his other hand at my waist and I placed my other hand on his shoulder. The song begins to play and I recognize it immediately to be khuda jaane.

I bet you a hundred bucks baby sis chose this song.

The floor soon starts to fog up, the lights shining through it, making it seem as if we were dancing on colorful clouds. The MC says to the men that if there's a special woman in their life, then to have them join them out on the dance floor. In a heartbeat, my new father in-law comes walking forward with my new mother in-law, and soon Babuji and Amma join, along with other couples - though I could care less. My eyes, instead, focus on my new in-laws. Unlike any other day that I've seen them, today, they're smiling even brighter than ever before! Shalini Singh Raizada can't seem to contain her happiness whatsoever, and Aryan Singh Raizada is gazing at his wife with complete love and adoration, happy to see his beloved this happy.

What must that be like?

Turning my attention away from them, I look at the man before me. He smiles at me, though I see something twinkle in his eyes. I can't help but to arch my brow at him, and his smile grows.

"Checking out Mom and Pops, I see," he smiled.

I shrug. "They're very happy."

"The level of happy they are doesn't even have a word for it."

Huh... guess so.

"And it's all thanks to you, Khushi."

I simply look at the man who is my new husband, but very quickly get distracted as the beat of the music changes to something with more of a tempo. Akash and NK make their way towards us, as do many other of the young guys and girls, and the dance floor instantly changes. Gone is the sappy romantic song and in comes the upbeat ones with a whole lot of bass. Akash and NK's suits are gone, the boys rolling up their sleeves and getting ready to party hard. Even Payal gets on the dance floor, and while more of the youth does, the elders back away.

Except for my in-laws.

In fact, Aryan Singh Raizada is coming towards the boys and they all start going completely all out!

Holy shit!

I mean seriously, holy shit!

My father in-law got moves!

Arnav joins in on the fun, and him, Akash, NK, and Aryan all dance without any fucks given. Even my new uncle in-laws join in, all six Raizada men going all out.

Holy fuck!

I don't even realize it, but Shalini comes over to my side.

"Welcome to the family."

I snap out of my daze and turn to my new mother in-law. She beams at me with all the joy in the world and then she hugs me. We split very quickly when we hear the men holler and whoop, which makes Shalini laugh.

"Are they always like this," I asked over the music.

"No - only when there's a party worth dancing for," she chuckled.

And this clearly was one worth partying over.

NK comes over to us. "Bhabi, Pari Ma what are you guys doing over here on the side? Join us!"

Technically, we're not on the side, but on the dance floor, just away from the big bunch. However, that quickly seizes to be the case, and NK takes hold of our hands and leads us into the swarm. We find Aryan in the middle, dancing and showing off his moves. As soon as he spots his wife, he pulls Shalini in with him, even though she tries to get away. Unfortunately for mama in-law, she's already in the center, and her husband cheers her on to dance. The other Raizada's cheer her on as well, NK whistling. And so, Shalini tucked in her pallu, Aryan dramatically placed his hand over his heart, and the two start dancing together.

Mind you, it's fucking Banno playing, and my new in-laws are actually dancing to this song.

Abso-fucking wow!

The song quickly morphs and changes to another, and the boys erupt in cheer and goes into the middle. Shalini makes her escape and comes to my side, all smiles and everything.

"Well damn, you've got moves," I smirked.

Shalini chuckles but then concern quickly takes over her expression. "Are you okay Khushi? Is the swarm of people bothering you?"

I understand her concern. After what happened at my haldi, it's understandable. I'm a little surprised at myself that I'm not yet feeling triggered, or anything negative for that matter. No, for once, I'm actually doing just fine.

"Are you okay? Do you want to step away," Shalini asked.

"No, I'm good."

For once, I actually, truly am.

She smiled at me and caressed my cheek before turning her attention back at the others. We watch everyone as they dance, sticking along the sidelines. Arnav, Akash, and NK are totally tearing it up, and I have a hunch these guys have partied hard many times before. My father in-law soon takes his wife back to dance, and the two are jamming it up once more. Even my new aunt in-laws and uncle in-laws are dancing it up to their hearts' content. And then of course there's my own parents - though nowhere near the Raizada's level - as well as Buaji, Payal, and the other guests. I notice now and then how some of the other girls around mine and Payal's ages are trying to get close to Akash and NK, but they all fail miserably, my two devars giving zero shits about them.

Huh, well this is interesting. I wonder why?

Payal spots me and comes my way. "Di! Why aren't you dancing? You love jamming out to these kind of songs!"

It's true; once upon a time, it wasn't so hard for me to get down on the dance floor. Heck, in the past, as soon as the couples' dance was done and the beat would drop, I would be one of the first ones to get down on the dance floor. Now... ever since what happened... it just wasn't the case.

"I'm fine, squirt," I finally said.

"Like hell! It's your fucking wedding! Fuck the whole shy bride nonsense and have fun!"

My eyebrows shoot up on their own as I look at baby sis, but she only shrugs in return. Then an idea comes to her mind, her face lighting up, and she runs off.

At least she'll leave me alone-

"We have a request from the bride's sister," the MC announced.

Oh, fucking hell Payal! What did you-?

The song that's playing tunes out, and a new song takes it place, which immediately - immediately - changed up the whole fucking vibe, escalating it to a fucking thousand times more!

Damn you Payal!

I recognize the song as soon as it starts, and baby sis dances her way towards me, knowing damn well exactly what she has done. 

If there's one weakness that I have - one at fucking all! - then it is fucking Calabria.

When Payal reached me, she took hold of my hands and shimmied away. She smirked at me, knowing all too well how badly this song affects me, and as hard as I'm trying to grill her, I can't. Instead, a stupid smile starts to take over my face, forming into a smirk. I start to feel a change within my body - a feeling I know all too well because it happens every time this song comes on.

I don't know how to explain it! Honestly, I just fucking don't! But ever since I heard it back in grade school, I've been affected by it ever since! No matter what the event was - prom, homecoming, formal - anything that had music involved, if this song came on, your girl was making her way to the fucking dance floor.

And tonight, despite everything that has happened in the past, was going to be no different.

I start to sway a little with Payal, following the beat. As I get more into it, my two new cousin in-laws must notice cause they make their way to us. They mock an impressed expression at me, and it doesn't take long before the four of us are all really having our fun. The others must notice because they come on over to where the party really is at now, and we're all bumping and jamming away. I don't even realize when I start dancing with Arnav, nor when I'm dancing with Akash and NK.

But what I do know, is that I'm comfortable - is that I'm actually having fun.

For a moment, I felt like the old me again.

Song after song plays away and I'm still dancing. We mainly remain a little group of me, Arnav, Payal, Akash, and NK. Now and then the elders join - especially my father in-law, who occasionally twirls in my mother in-law.

How the night goes by, I honestly don't even know myself. Hour after hour has gone by, and I'm hardly aware of it. I do notice the dance floor thinning, but that's about it. Soon enough, it's almost four in the morning, and the place needs to close down, which means one thing.

It's time to go.

The thumping music came to its end, as did its upbeat vibes. Things started to mellow down, and soon enough it was time to leave.

Time for me to leave for my in-laws.

The guests all step outside of The Palace as the final proceedings are prepared. Soon enough, Arnav and I are brought to the door, where we see an emotional Amma being supported by Payal, Babuji, and Buaji.

I hate this part. I really do.

My elders and Arnav's elders exchange words of gratitude, and Arnav's parents tell my parents that they will always love and take care of me. While I can see that Amma and Babuji are hopeful, I hold my sourness to myself. Amma and Babuji then go to Arnav, who tries to bend down for their blessings, but is quickly halted and instead taken into a hug. They mutter a few sweet words to him, but I don't care to pay any attention. 

Finally, they come to me. Amma is already crying her eyes out, and she tackled me with a hug, crying even more. Babuji is even shedding a few tears, putting his hand on my head.

"You'll be happy," I hear Amma mutter low enough for only me to hear. "I just know you will."

I don't say anything in return, but my throat closes in as my eyes burn from the tears. She lets go of me and then Babuji hugs me, placing a kiss on the top of my head.

"I wish you nothing but all of the happiness in the world," he murmured.

When he pulls away, I see Buaji and Payal. Buaji gives a small smile, then hugs me before pulling away. Baby sis is a mess in tears, and she nearly tackled me down with a hug, crying. I can no longer hold back my own and cry as I give her a tight squeeze.

"Things will be better this time," she whispered. "I know you'll both make each other happy."

Oh squirt....

I pull back and wipe her tears away, and baby sis wiped away mine.

"Promise me you'll take care of mom and dad, squirt," I said, wiping away an escaped tear.

"I promise, Di."

As she pulls away, Buaji reappears in front of me, holding a tray of rice. I look behind me and see Amma, holding out the pallu of her sari with her hands.

Dammit, I really hate this part.

I look over at Arnav and he smiles at me sadly, pinching his lips together slightly. I see my new in-laws standing beside him, all of them giving sad smiles as well.

Everyone hates this part.

With a shaky breath, I dip my hands into the tray of rice, then throw it back over my head for Amma to catch. As I step forward, I continue to do this, trying hard to hold back tears. Finally, we reach the car and I look back at my family. All of them are shedding tears, and unable to take this emotional torture anymore, I step into the car. I clench my jaw, trying to stop the overwhelming feelings within me. From the mirrors, I see everyone exchanging hugs and words with Arnav and his family. They soon start to pile into their cars and Arnav soon joins me. It's just the two of us and the driver, and when it's time, the driver begins to pull away. I feel overwhelmed with emotions once more and turn around to get one final look of everyone. Amma is clenching her pallu full of rice to her chest, Babuji holding her as she cries. Payal and Buaji wave at us, and soon, the car pulls away and I can no longer see them.

Fucking hell....

I turn back forward in my seat and realize that I'm crying once more. As I reach up to wipe the tears away, from the corner of my eye, I see Arnav take out his handkerchief for me. For a moment, I just stare at it, as well as the tattooed hand that is holding it. Finally, my brain clicks, and I take hold of the handkerchief and dab my tears away.

"Thank you," I nearly whisper.

"You're welcome," he replied softly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I nod, and I hold the handkerchief in between my hands. "I'll be just fine."

Arnav placed his hand over mine and I look up at him. He gives a small, sad smile, and I give him a small smile in return.

As the driver continued on down the road, I watched the scenery pass by. 

"Hey, Khushi?"

I turn to Arnav. "Yeah?"

Arnav looked at me for a moment. "You hungry?"

My stomach comes to life as soon as it hears his words.

"I barely got the chance to eat anything earlier," he shrugged lightly. "You?"

"No, I hardly ate."

"Well, if you want, we can grab a quick bite before heading home. Or just take it to go and eat once we get home."

I'm sure his family is waiting for us. But then again, your girl is hungry and barely got a chance to enjoy that yummy pulao! Like what the fuck!

"We can take it to go," I finally said.

"Great! Are you in the mood for anything?"

I shake my head. "No, I'm easy. You?"

"I was thinking burgers and fries."

Once again, my stomach comes to life and starts twisting and dancing. "Sure, I'm down."

"Perfect," and he turns his attention to the driver. "Dev, head on over to Sal's."

"Yes Sir," the driver responds.

Arnav takes his phone out of his pocket and starts tapping away on it, most likely placing his order.

"I'm thinking classic double burger with onions, their special sauce, all of that," he said, and then he looked at me. "You?"

He held his phone out to me and I see all of the menu options. I notice he's already got his burger fixed out with two thick beef patties along with a bunch of stuff.

"That's quite a lot, don't you think," I said, arching my brow at him.

Arnav chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I barely ate today, plus it's my cheat day."

I chuckle along with him, then quickly make a choice for a burger as well, though opting for a regular sized beef patty, as well as some seasoned fries and a drink, then hand the phone back to Arnav. He taps on his phone again, and soon, the order is placed.

"Shouldn't take too long for them to make, given the hour that it is," and he put his phone away.

No kidding. I mean it's almost fucking 5 o'clock for fucks sake.

I mean the fact that they're even open is shocking enough.

Several minutes later, we arrive to the place called Sal's and I quickly realize why the place is open. Not only is the place 24 hours, according to their sign, but I spot a club across the street at the corner of the block.

Drunk nights, late snacks - makes sense.

Dev drives the car around the place and reaches the pickup window. Moments later, our order is brought out, Dev placing the food down in the empty passenger's seat and filling up the empty cupholders with our drinks.

As soon as Dev pulls away from Sal's, Arnav's phone starts to ring.

"Yeah mom," he said into the phone.

Of course; who else but Shalini would call now?

"We're on our way," I hear him say. "We'll be there in like five minutes... love you, too, bye," and he hangs up. "Looks like someone's too excited," he chuckled.

Arnav looked over at me and I pinched my lips together.

Shalini Singh Raizada may be excited and may be the happiest person on the planet, but the question is this - will I ever be happy?