Warrior - Chapter Seventy Six

 Sitting in the formal living room, I went through my emails on my phone. A few moments after I had reached downstairs, the other Raizada members had come down, except for of course, Varsha Singh Raizada. Wisely enough though, none of them came my way, standing in the foyer instead. Several more moments passed by, and I could hear the others murmur about how much longer it would have to be, when Shalini Singh Raizada gasped.

"Oh my gosh," I heard her say.

What now?

Looking up from my phone I glanced out of the room to see that everyone was looking towards the stairs. So I looked towards the stairs and found myself to be shocked, though I couldn't help my smirk, and I got up and joined the others.

"Fucking finally," I smirked, crossing my arms.

Coming down the stairs, Varsha Singh Raizada joined us in her beautiful royal blue dress, her matching mesh hat sitting on her head. It was evident by the look on her face that she was very much indeed nervous, perhaps even a bit insecure.

As soon as she got off the steps, Madhav Singh Raizada went over to her.

"You look beautiful," he murmured.

Varsha Singh Raizada's face immediately filled with blush. "Thank you."

"Oh, I knew you'd look stunning in your dress," Shalini Singh Raizada gushed.

Madhav held his hand out and Varsha placed her hand in his, Madhav making her twirl. Shalini clapped with joy and went over to her, gushing away. I couldn't help but to look at NK, and sure enough, the poor boy was still pretty stunned.

"Doesn't she look amazing," Shalini gushed. "Nanhe, don't you think your mother looks beautiful?"

NK blinked back to reality. "Uh... yeah... yeah, she does."

Varsha gave her son a small smile, and NK went over to her. He was still quite shocked, but when his mother caressed his cheek, it finally subsided, and he gave her a hug.

"You look beautiful, mom," he said, still holding her.

"Thank you, dear," she smiled back, tears pooling into her eyes.

Well, let's not get emotional and ruin your makeup look, huh? "I think it's about time we head out, hmm? Let's not torture the desperate Mrs. Singhania - nor her desperate daughter - even further than we already have; I'm sure they're just losing their minds for the precious Akash Singh Raizada."

While everyone else chuckled, Akash Singh Raizada shuddered.

"I really envy Ma and Papa right now," he muttered, though all of us heard him.

NK threw his arm over Akash's shoulder. "Come now, Akash, where would the fun be in that?"

Akash scowled at him and shrugged him off, then made his way outside, NK following after him. The others followed suit, and just as I turned to leave as well, Varsha Singh Raizada called out to me, making me pause and look back. She walked up towards me, stopping in front of me.

"Khushi, I-"

"Wanted to thank me," I said for her.

She pinched her lips together and nodded. "I-"

"It's not necessary, trust me."

"But... I mean after all that was-"

"Really; it's not necessary. I mean, seriously, all you just needed was a push. I just shoved you instead," I smirked.

And then the most shocking thing happened - Varsha Singh Raizada smiled. And I mean smiled! Like full-on-blast, smiled at me with actual pure joy.

I've never seen her like this before.

Shalini Singh Raizada came back inside. "Well, come on you- oh my gosh!"

The both of us looked at her. finding mama in-law to be stunned as well.

"Varsha, I... I don't think I can even remember the last time I've ever seen you smile like that."

Varsha glanced down before looking back up at her. "Trust me, Bhabi, I don't even remember myself."

Shalini stepped towards her and caressed her cheek with a smile. "Well don't stop so that way none of us forget - it suits you," she winked, making Varsha smile even more. "Shall we then?"

Varsha nodded and she headed out of the house. I went to follow after her, but this time mama in-law stopped me.

Again? Really?

Mama in-law came in front of me, smiling lightly. "Thank you, Khushi?"

"For?"

"For this... for Varsha."

"You mean cussing her out and knocking some sense into her?"

Shalini let out a chuckle. "I may not entirely agree with your method, but I understand it and can respect it. Either ways, you did something none of us have been able to do, so thank you," she smiled sincerely.

"You're welcome," I nodded curtly. "Now then, shall we make our way to what I assume will be nothing less of a circus?"

Shalini couldn't help but to laugh. "Yes, we shall," and we finally headed off to the Singhania's tea party.

*~*

Since it's a tea party, I truly didn't expect much. I mean there were loads of people in their tea dresses and fancy hats, or their fancy suits. A variety of finger sandwiches, scones, and other stuff were set out for everyone to dig into - or even on the waiters or waitresses trays, as well as of course, the tea. All the while, an orchestra was set up on the side, playing classical music.

Lovely.

Upon arrival to the Singhania residence, it was clear that like many in town, these people were all about one thing - wealth. They tried to make that obvious with all the antiques on display, not to mention the overload of portraits. Sure, they weren't one of the original families, but they weren't going to let that affect them. 

They'd rather pretend they were.

Especially given the way they had vines going up along one side of their manor, trying to show off how long it's been and how old the home was.

Get over yourself, losers.

Speaking of losers, where are these posing clowns?

Reaching into my purse, I pulled out a fan and started to fan myself.

It's fucking hot and you just had to host this stupid event on the hottest day of the week, not to mention fucking right in the middle of the week like a fucking moron!

"It truly is hot today," Shalini Singh Raizada said beside, fanning herself as well.

"Indeed," Varsha Singh Raizada agreed, also fanning herself.

We look like quite the trio, don't we? The Raizada ladies and myself, looking like badass boujee bitches, ready to clock the bitch that is hosting this stupid event.

"Mrs. Raizada!"

Turning around, the three of us turned to see a woman in a tangerine colored tea dress.

What in the halloween-!

"Oh, and the other Mrs. Raizada's as well," she smiled.

"Pleasure to see you, Mrs. Singhania," mama in-law politely smiled.

Should've known.... Well, seeing that she looks like a horrendous pumpkin, it's no wonder why Akash's mother would never want to create a family relationship with her.

"Thank you for inviting us," mama in-law continued.

"Of course! Of course! It's lovely to see all of you Raizada ladies! Though I must say, while it makes me very happy to see the newest Mrs. Raizada of the family..."

Who-? Oh right! Me!

"...I believe one of you is missing," she smiled.

Given the look in her eyes, I bet 100 bucks that the reason behind her smile is because she's happy that that certain Mrs. Raizada is absent.

"Oh yes, Ferouz Bhai and Maira are still on their vacation," Shalini said. "They'll be back on Sunday."

"Aww, missed out by a few days," the woman pouted.

Wait a minute!

"Yes, that is unfortunate," Shalini nodded. "But allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Chote's wife, Khushi."

Just as the papaya opened her mouth to speak, a small potato appeared at her aside.

"Momma- oh! Mrs. Raizada! Such a pleasure to see you, and the other Mrs. Raizada's as well!"

Oh?

"You remember my daughter, Maahi," the papaya beamed.

Ah! So this is the infamous Maahi.

Maahi wore a white tea dress, splattered with a pattern of yellow floral print.

See - white, yellow, potato - I'm so clever!

"Maahi," her mother continued, "Mrs. Raizada was just introducing me to Arnav's wife."

Maahi went to open her mouth, but I cut her off. "I thought you seemed familiar, but now that I've seen your daughter, it all clicked in my head."

The mother-daughter duo looked at me in confusion, as did mama in-law and aunty in-law.

"After all, you guys were at my first wedding, as guests from my rapist-of-an-ex-husband's side, so how could I possibly forget," I blinked.

It was evident that they were trying hard to not widen their eyes, but it was just too fucking obvious.

"You don't say," Shalini said, and although her voice was light, it was laced was poison.

Damn mama, I like!

"I-I'm sorry I don't recall-"

"Shyam Manohar Jha," I said, cutting the pumpkin off. "I believe you were good friends with his mother, if memory serves right."

Which I know it totally is.

"O-oh! Oh yes, y-yes, I recall now," she fumbled, her face flushing. "I couldn't believe my own ears when I had heard what happened! You think you know someone but then they just...."

Mrs. Singhania shook her head, feigning disappointment, as did her daughter. One look at them and I knew it was bullshit, all an attempt to save their sorry backsides from looking bad to the Raizada's. But one look at Shalini and Varsha, and it was evident that they hated the Singhania's even more.

Lovely.

"It's truly disappointing," she continued.

"Indeed," mama in-law replied with an edge in her voice.

"Disappointing, indeed," aunty in-law said, surprisingly having an edge in her voice as well.

Look at that! You give the woman a shove off the edge, change her wardrobe, and the lioness within her awakens!

Bravo aunty in-law! Bravo, indeed!

I think I like her better with some spunk.

Mrs. Singhania's face instantly reddened, as did her daughters.

"I believe Aryan and Madhav are calling us over," mama in-law said, "excuse us."

Not bothering for a response, mama in-law walked away, opening her fan with a loud slap.

Oh! Attitude! I like!

Aunty in-law followed suit, and as I followed after her, I glanced over at the mother-daughter duo, the two looking absolutely floored.

Sucks to be you, bitches!

But also, can I just say mama in-law's spunk? Damn girl!

I believe the rest of this event should be rather... eventful. After all, it's a wonder what this desperate mother-daughter duo will do now for Akash- my devar.