Warrior - Chapter Thirty Two

As I turned the corner of the hall, I spotted Shalini Singh Raizada's figure, standing by the stairs. When I get closer to her, I realized that she's on the phone, and she spots me.

"There she is," she exclaimed. "Khushi, have you not called your parents? Garima got worried for a moment."

Oh... oops.

"Here," and she held out her phone to me.

Wait, she's on the phone with Amma?

I take hold of the phone and put it by my ear. "Hello?"

"Khushi! Sweetheart, how are you? Why didn't you call me?"

Uh...

"I got worried for a moment," she continued.

"Worried for what," I frowned, and I see Shalini tilt her head with a frown as well.

"It's your first morning at your in-laws! Did everything go well? Did you make breakfast for everyone? Did everyone like it? Did you make kheer? Did-?"

"Amma, relax, breathe. This morning went just fine."

Amma lets out a sigh of relief and Shalini chuckles, then gestured to hand the phone back to her, so I return it to her.

"Don't you worry about a thing, Garimaji, Khushi is doing absolutely fine! We're just about to get ready for the function later today. And of course, her and Chote will be at your place by tomorrow afternoon," she smiled.

So we're going back tomorrow, huh? Well, okay then.

"Of course, of course! ...bye-bye," and Shalini hung up, then looked at me. "I'm assuming she was wondering if you made breakfast and all that?"

"Yup."

"Well, not her fault since she doesn't know. Anyways, dove, time for the little surprise!"

Oh?

She walked down to the first door on our left and opened it, revealing an absolute giant glam room.

Holy shit!

"Do you love it? I think you do," Shalini beamed.

I stepped into the room and gazed around. Against the wall to my left was a whole makeup station, with mirrors taking up the whole wall and numerous lightbulbs surrounding it. There were four chairs stationed before them, which somewhat reminded me of the chairs you see in salons, only these looked way nicer and bougier. Drawers and drawers were packed up beneath the counter, which most likely were filled with products. The walls of the room were nothing but mirrors, making the room glisten even more from the chandelier that hung from above. There were two wardrobes tucked in the corner, which blended perfectly into the room, and there were a few pieces that could be spotted within, such as purses and other accessories. The back wall was filled with windows with silk white curtains.

"You guys have your own glam room," I gaped.

"Well it's not just ours, but yours as well, now," Shalini said from behind me.

I turned around and gaped at her. "You're joking."

"Not at all," she chuckled. "When we have events and such to attend to, we usually call in makeup artists and get all of our glam done in here. And starting from today, so will you," she beamed.

I looked around the room once more. "No fucking way," I muttered. "This is like some celebrity type shit."

"Mm, in some ways I would say we are. Socialites, rather, I would say."

I only hum in return.

"I called in someone to help do your makeup, as well as someone to do your hair. You've probably heard of them before? Akash and NK found them online when Akash did a shoot before; there's one by the name of Nimmi? What was it the boys said? Makeup by Nimmi or something? Hair Arush? I don't remember."

The names were somewhat familiar, though mama in-law was slightly butchering them. She was referring to makeupbynimz and HaiRush, both of whom I'd seen on social media platforms. Given that their usual clients have always been those of the top rank, it's no surprise that they'd be the ones coming in to do my look.

"They should be here any moment now, and I can't wait for today's event," Shalini beamed.

At least one of us is feeling something.

Some time later, the two artists arrived and Shalini brought them up with their team. Not only would I be getting my makeup and hair done, but so were my mother in-law, as well as my aunties in-law. The three ladies were clearly excited for today's event, and honestly, it was rather cute to see. You'd think that they were three teenagers all at the salon together, getting their nails done and what not.

Finally, we were all done and set to go, my in-laws having been done first since they hadn't done as much as I. From what I had heard around me, guests had already started to come in and were all taken to the ballroom downstairs. 

"Are you ready, Khushi," Shalini asked me.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and bitch! I look fire!!! Like I look sexy as fuck right now and my skin looks flawless! You couldn't tell one bit that I had gotten only a few hours of sleep last night, nor could you tell that there was some matter of burger-grease and fries-oil in my pores.

Bitch, I am totally killing it!

Turning my attention to my new mama in-law, I nodded. Just as she was about to say something, however, there was a knock at the door. Varsha went over and opened it, revealing my new husband, Arnav Singh Raizada, as well as his two cousins.

"All cleaned up, I see," Varsha teased.

NK frowned at his mother. "Mom, we always do," and his mother chuckled.

"Are you all ready," Arnav asked. "A lot of the guests have arrived."

"Yes we are," Shalini smiled.

Shalini started speaking to everyone on what to do, but I paid no attention. Instead, I looked at the man that is my new husband. Not gonna lie, Arnav definitely looked fine in his black sherwani. He had his sleeves rolled up, which always for any guy boosted their look of sexiness by 10,000%, and there was no cutting any of it when it came to Arnav Singh Raizada.

Especially since he has tattoos.

Well, I'll be....

We all start heading downstairs and go to the ballroom. Seeing all of the aunties, I feel like I'm at some aunty convention right now, and I hate it. Especially given that I spot many of whom I have put their noses in the dirt, it pisses me off even more. Especially since the purpose of this function is for these women to give me their blessings, and I know that many of these people would love to curse me instead.

Try your best, bitch.

I'm seated down and my pallu covers my face. Shalini greets the guests and says a bunch of stuff, which again, I care none about whatsoever. Then, one by one, all of these aunties come to see me and "bless me", as well as give me a gift. Most of them hand small boxes, which I'm assuming is full of jewelry.

Let's not forget, if this weren't the Raizada's, then there most likely wouldn't have been any jewelry gifted at all.

This goes on for a while, and when I receive a gift, I hand it over to Arnav, who is standing besides me. The aunties give him their blessing as well, and unlike with me, I know that they are blessing him with their whole heart.

Heck, maybe even with their lungs and kidneys.

As the reception continues, now and then I glance at Arnav. He looks just about as bored as I am, and when I spot the look on my new mother in-laws face, I quickly figure out that even she doesn't care for this and is doing this for one reason only - tradition. 

Glad we're all on the same boat.

Finally it's time to eat and I'm fucking relieved! Like the freeloaders these aunties are, they go dashing off outside to the backyard to grab food. Akash and NK come over to us and help us out with the gifts, as well as the workers, who start to take them upstairs. 

"Glad that's finally over with," Akash muttered.

"For real," NK muttered. "Even Bhabi looks relieved."

I tilted my head. "Is it that obvious?"

NK scoffed lightly. "I think it's obvious we all are. Even Nanav looks relieved."

Arnav scowled at him and then rolled his eyes.

"You hungry, Bhabi," Akash asked.

"Yeah, a little bit," I shrugged. "Hopefully I'll actually be allowed to eat this time."

"Tell me about it," Arnav scoffed, and we both shake our heads, remembering to yesterday.

"I say we head to the kitchen," NK said, jerking his head the other way.

"Sure."

We all head on over to the kitchen and see the staff working about to take more food outside. We grab some food for ourselves, then settle at the round table by the windows and start eating.

I can't help my groan. "Ugh! This is so good!"

Arnav smiled at me with a nod.

"I think all of the guests agree," NK muttered looking out of the window.

"I'll say," Akash scoffed.

Confused, I looked out the window. You could see a bit of what was going on in the backyard, and for the majority, all you could see was the way all of the aunties were lined up to get food and scooping all they could onto their plates.

"Geez-us," I muttered.

"What's the possibility one of them will pop," NK chuckled.

I gape at my new cousin in-law, mockingly. "Rude," I grinned.

NK shrugged in return with a chuckle.

"Where's the lie though," Akash asked with a grimace.

Arnav chuckles besides me. "Careful now; one of these could potentially be your future in-law," he smirked.

Akash and NK glanced at each other, then grimaced with a shudder.

How dramatic.

"So are you guys excited to go to Bhabi's parents' place tomorrow," Akash asked.

Excited? Well that's definitely not the word I would use.

"It'll definitely be... interesting," Arnav said.

Now that's a word I would use.

"Oh? Getting nervous, eh Nanav," NK smirked.

Arnav only rolled his eyes and resumed eating.

"Sure, sure, play it off," NK chuckled.

The two started to fuss with each other, Akash managing to get dragged into it without even trying to, and honestly, it was quite interesting to see. It reminded me of the way Payal and I would bicker from time to time, and I have to admit, seeing how close the three cousins are is definitely a sweet sight to see.

But now I can't help but to wonder - how will things go down when we reach my parents' place? Back with him, we had only visited for a day then went back to his place. Did I then wish we had stayed a night? Absolutely. But am I now glad that it hadn't happened? Abso-friggin-lutely! I mean my room remains free of his essence, which definitely was a good thing given that my room was my safe haven. 

However, with Arnav....

I glanced over at the man that is my new husband, who has a smile on his face as he continues about with his cousins. There's no denying that this man will definitely be staying in my bedroom at my parent's place tomorrow? But would I really be comfortable with it?

Only tomorrow evening will tell.