Silent Whispers

Chapter 50: The Old-Fashioned Way

The wedding of the year had finally arrived.

The majestic mansion of the Raizadas was beautifully decorated with exotic flowers, elegant lights and eloquent drapes, all in varying hues of red while the rest of the world stood still, taking it all in with awe. It was a once-in-a-lifetime wedding; everyone present knew that, but no one in the audience knew what it meant more than the quiet girl standing at the corner of the mandap, hiding behind a few pillars.

Khushi silently watched her brother, grinning from ear to ear as he completed the marriage rituals. Sitting shyly beside him was Anjali, who didn't dare lift her eyes even an inch off the floor. They were perfect. Perfect because even after the years of neglect, suffering and not to mention trauma, her brother had made it to the finish line in one piece. It was nothing less than a miracle.

"I have been looking everywhere for you!!" whispered a voice in her ear.

Khushi turned to see a blushing Payal stop beside her, looking absolutely radiant. "Well you look happy."

"I have something to tell you!"

"I can see that. What happened?"

Payal took a deep breath, before blurting: "Akash came to see me last night!"

Khushi smirked. "And?"

"And he proposed!!" Payal was practically jumping on the balls of her feet. "Well, he said I love you, which is basically a proposal right? I mean he didn't ask me a question and I didn't-"

"Payal," Khushi interrupted calmly. "Relax."

She guiltily looked down at her feet. "I am sorry... it's just... I have been waiting so long for this, and now that it's finally happening, I just can't-"

"Don't apologize. This is a good thing. You should be happy, very happy. Did you tell him you loved him back?"

The smile dropped from Payal's face. "Erm... no... s-should I?"

Khushi glared at her. "Why is that even a question? Of course you should tell him! What kind of proposal is this?"

"B-but he knows! He knows I love him, everyone knows I love him!"

"So?"

Payal stared blankly at her, completely at a loss of words.

Khushi took a deep breath. "You have to tell him Payal," she said quietly. "Even if he knows, even if the whole world knows. There are just some things in the world that need to be said no matter what and I love you is at the top of the list."

Payal nodded, determination taking over her eyes. "I will be right back," she muttered, before running out of the hall.

Khushi gingerly smiled and turned her attention back to the marriage to see that it was time for the gatbhandan. Shyam looked over his shoulder and beckoned her to come. She obliged, stepping up on the mandap and swiftly tying his shawl with Anjali's duppatta. She felt Arnav's hand close around hers as she tied the final knot.

"Don't worry," she murmured, understanding all his unsaid words. "She is in good hands."

Arnav simply smiled. "I know, but-"

His reply was cut off by the sight in front of them. The bride and groom had just stood up to take the pheres, when Shyam suddenly picked Anjali up in his arms. The watching crowd hooted at the gesture, while Anjali turned beet-red and hid in the crook of his neck, too embarrassed to look.

"Do you think this was a bet?" Arnav asked, shaking his head in humor.

Khushi watched her brother, seeing the delicate smile on his lips as he murmured something in Anjali's ear. "No," she replied. "It's not a bet... It's something he promised her a long time ago."