“You have a beautiful daughter in law Sakshi”, Mrs. Oberoi said.
Keerthi gave the elder lady a polite smile as she stood next to her mother in law, breathing a sigh of relief when she got away from her husband.
Keerthi wondered how he could make her feel diverse emotions. She loved his company some times, and at times, she couldn’t stand him.
She switched her thoughts off , getting into a conversation with the ladies, who were determined to include her in their talks.
Keerthi’s jaw ached from smiling so long, it was getting difficult to be polite and smiling. And she almost tripped on her saree three times already. She just wanted to go home. She ate silently, hoping to leave after dinner.
Though she was annoyed at her husband, she found her gaze involuntarily searching for him, resting in a corner where he spoke with someone. She stared at him as he smiled and talked to whoever it was. She looked at him for a little while, going back to her food after that.
“These functions are such a pain”, Vikram heard his friend say.
“Yeah. Say it a little louder. Aunty will skin you alive”, Vikram rolled his eyes.
“So what if it’s my own house. Am I not allowed to be bored”, Rishi rolled his eyes.
“Sure”, Vikram grinned,”I am going to eat. Coming?”
Rishi laughed at his friend trying to pull his leg,”No. Go ahead. Mom insists I fast today.”
“Tough luck. Food’s great”, Vihan joined.
“Wow. Don’t I have great friends.”
The trio laughed, continuing light conversation, Vihan leaving shortly when Sakshi called for him.
Vikram looked around, searching for his wife. He opened his mouth to call her over, but on second thought, took his mobile out.
Keerthi frowned when she saw her husband’s call. She scanned the room, finding him looking at her, nodding at her in a ‘Come here’ motion when he saw her.
She excused herself from the ladies, making way to her husband.
Vikram wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulder loosely,”Keerthi, this is Rishi”, he pointed to his friend and introduced vice versa.
Rishi suppressed a comment. He had seen her in their wedding, obviously. Though his friend would laugh it off, his wife might take offense.
Rishi offered a hand to Keerthi,”Rishi. You must have seen me in the wedding.”
Keerthi shook hands, giving him a polite smile and nodded. She didn’t remember him, actually.
“Swarna”, Rishi called his wife who was passing by, making quick introductions.
The four of them made mild conversation, laughing when they heard rumbling of a stomach.
“How hungry are you? We can hear your roaring stomach in a house full of guests”Vikram laughed.
“Do you want me to sneak in some food for you?”, Swarna teased her husband.
Rishi rolled his eyes at his friend,”Keerthi must have fed you at home, if you are not hungry yet”, he turned to his wife,”And you. Making fun of your husband’s hunger”, Rishi shook his head mockingly at his wife.
Keerthi stiffened at Rishi’s statement. She actually didn’t offer him anything when he came home. She shrugged it off. It was his house, she didn’t have to offer him anything formally, he could have had something if he was hungry.
“I don’t have an elephant’s appetite”, Vikram teased his friend.
“Stop leaking secrets”, Rishi tsked.
The couples laughed.
“When are you returning?”, Vikram asked.
“This weekend, probably”, Rishi answered. He was based in Mumbai.
“Aunty is leaving you so early?”, Vikram teased. Mrs. Roy made sure her son stayed for a considerable amount of time whenever he visited.
Rishi laughed,” Not to Mumbai. Planning to go to Shimla for a short vacay”, he wrapped an arm around his wife. Swarna blushed, moving to her husband’s side.
“Oh?”, Vikram raised a brow.
“Yeah. Been some time”, Rishi shrugged, giving Vikram a pointed look.
Though Vikram understood what his friend conveyed, he chose to ignore it.
“Have you been to Shimla?”, Swarna asked Keerthi.
“Uh.. Long ago. During a college trip”, Keerthi answered,”It’s a great place to visit, especially during summer.”
“Oh. I am so excited. I had to irritate him for weeks to make him agree”, Swarna poked her husband’s side.
“That’s not true”, Rishi exclaimed,”You asked once. Two weeks back.”
“Yeah. Whatever”, Swarna said,”But I had to ask to take me somewhere. You are so busy with work otherwise.”
Rishi grinned, squeezing his wife as he flirted,”I always make time for you.”
“Sure you do”, Swarna laughed, shaking her head,”Where have you been?”, she asked Keerthi.
“Um.. What?”
“On your honeymoon. We went to Paris”, she grinned at her husband.
Keerthi felt uncomfortable,”We’ve been busy with work. I’ve asked Vikram to postpone it to a later time since my leave wasn’t approved”, she lied smoothly.
“Oh”, Swarna nodded, conversation shifting to their works.
Vikram felt uneasy, though he liked the way his wife handled it, he couldn’t help but feel weird. He was glad conversation shifted, moving to lighter topics.
The Rathores bid their Byes after sometime.
“You better come home for lunch sometime before you leave”, Sakshi addressed Rishi.
Rishi grinned sheepishly,”Yes aunty. Will come”, he returned Sakshi Rathore’s hug before they left.
The Rathores made way to their respective rooms when they reached home, tired for the day.