Do Anjaane

Chapter 11

Vaidehi stepped out of the closet, giving the pleats of her saree a final flick before looking up. She was welcomed by the sight of her husband, dressed to the nines in a perfectly tailored pinstripe suit, leisurely looking her up and down. "You looked beautiful this morning; you look absolutely stunning now." "Thank you, and you're looking quite spiffy yourself." 

She was dressed in a sheer organza saree with jewel embroidery work all along the hems. The blouse matched exactly, with the sleeves having the same embroidery work. The only problem was the back. It was tied by a long, zig-zagging dori from top to bottom, almost giving the feel of a backless blouse. It was very daring for Vaidehi, but Maa and Chachi had insisted that it was perfectly acceptable, so she caved in and wore it. As she stepped in front of Veer and headed towards the door, she heard him cough suddenly. 

"Are you certain you want to wear that?" His voice had deepened. Vaidehi turned around, confused. "Is it not looking good? But, you just said..." "No! It's gorgeous, but..." "But?" He clenched jaw once before shaking his head. "Nothing, let's go downstairs." Only Vaidehi's family, Raghuveer's best friend's family, and Vaidehi's best friends' families had been invited. While their best friends' families didn't come, because it was wedding season after all and they had other events to attend, their best friends did arrive. The party had already started and everyone gathered in the living room, with the doors to the patio open, and making a sort of walkway to the actual party setup in the backyard. 

Descending the steps together, they looked like a power couple, Beauty and the Beast. Her in her mustard yellow saree contrasting the dark navy of his suit. Raghuveer however had a hand resting lightly around her waist, pushing the dangling end of her pallu in. He gestured for her to hold it around the front, his eyes dropping once to her back. Was he being considerate, or possessive because was wearing a nearly backless blouse? 'Khair, mujhe kya?' she thought. 

They first went and took the blessings of the elders, including Vaidehi's parents, before she was wrapped up by her older brother in a bear hug. "God, my baccha's been married for six months! Time really flies. I missed you so much Vaidu!" "Bhai, maine bhi aapko bohot miss kiya! Thoda aur aaya kariye na. Hum har do din baat karthe hain, lekin woh milne wali feeling nahi aati." "I didn't want to trouble you baccha, but now that your in-laws have also insisted, you bet I'll be coming by every few days." 

The twins, her younger siblings, didn't wait long before joining the group and jumping on their didi. "Oy! Judwaa langoor! Aaram se, behen hai meri." "Arey bhai, humari bhi toh badi behen hain! Didi, we misshed you!" They whined in baby-like voices. "I'm sorry, bacche. I'll come to see you more often, and you come to see me, too! Just tag along whenever Bhai comes." She kissed their foreheads, hugging them close.