MEANT TO BE

VAISHALI

I was on my way to the kitchen when I came across Sona chatting with Mr. Dinaker. "Only if she herself understands the importance of being on time first."  I interrupted drawing their attention towards me. "Di!!" Sona leaned  to my side and whispered "Di can I go for a hang out today?" I can not afford to lie to our mother again. Specially when she had her exams coming and this marriage. "I wish, I could" I looked at her with a serious face warning her to go and study for her tests in fear of which she retorted to him and told him to resume their conversation some other time which lead to nothing but start again with their chattering.

She was introducing me but Mr. Dinaker cut off her sentence midway to complete it by himself. He had a sophisticated smile on his face which made me ick in annoyance. "Nice to meet you again, Mr. Raghav Dinaker, I hope you use non living creatures for what they are meant for. I stated with a sardonic grin on my face. Man initially appeared perplexed but scowled abruptly. I regretted coming here, interrupting their conversation. Now, all I wanted was to escape. Looks like God heard me as my phone buzzed in the middle of nowhere. I looked down  and got confused. The text seemed odd. I left the place in order to avoid his gaze and took long strides  to the kitchen.

Who texted me? who were they? I asked myself. "What happened to you didi? you walked out of there without uttering a word. Is everything alright?"  Sonaika said while coming to me.  "I do not know. They sent this text" i showed my phone screen that showed the text.

Sender : Hey, how are you?

"What is the username?" She asked. While looking at the screen. "If I had known, I would not have panicked" I said, wearing a 'I'm so done with you' expression. "Well, that makes more sense." she said with eyebrows up, looking at sides but me. God feed her brain with logic. I promise I will make her keep fasts for four tuesdays.

"Why are you panicking over this,di? What if it was a mistake by someone ?maybe some guest sent it? Or maybe a prank by our cousins? Or the least that can be predicted is some kid took their parent's or sibling's phone and texted here un-intentionally?" One more illogically logical reply which only she could give.

"Come here." She followed my instructions and came near. "Where do you get this logic from?" I whisper-yelled in her ear. " Why, you want it? I'm sorry but only I got it as I'm unique. No-one in this world can beat me to that. "I'm your younger sister, you are lucky to have me" She sneered with pride.

God, why do I surround myself with such people? First her and now this Mr.dinaker. Two levels up than her. If they both battle in this, it would be the first ever Match to go till eternity.

"Com'on di, do not overthink. Leave it or else, we will get dark circles -" "We?'" I inquired as I was confused who the other one was, "We are us , you and me, di." So it is her, she is so close to my heart that if something stings me, she feels it too.

"-And unlike you I would have the worst clicks and everyone would tease me with , Look arjun bhaiya's youngest sister has swollen eyes and acne. She looks sleep deprived and blah- blah." "And then, You would cry for a decade over it and make us all go through with that. She is the drama queen of our house. Handling her 'mood swings' has never been easier to us.

"Okay, now go and check if everybody and especially bhaiya's 'closest buddy' ate or not."  I do not want to hear his talks any time soon now since the duty of diner was on me today. I had to make sure food was served to all. "Wait, why him? specifically? Out of all of others?" She smirked, wait what the heck, I'm offended. Why did she say so? I should not have been biased for her.

"I will double smirk when mom would ask you about your absence in lectures of the last three days straight." I responded while enjoying her cute smirk taking a U- turn to a panicked one. "Ugh- that-'' We heard our mom calling for sona. I looked back at sona when she continued. " I apologise for this unacceptable behaviour. I promise that won't be repeated again but please do not  tell this to her. She won't let me enjoy the wedding."  She pleaded with her doe eyes which made me feel petty. " mom is calling you. Go or else you would for sure be stuck with some duties than with your friends." She noded with panic. And ran out of the kitchen.

....................................................................
{Engagement day}

I woke up with noises of people around me. The clock at my left said it was 6: 15 am. This was my usual time of opening my eyes. I need to get ready and present myself downstars as quick as possible. " What a shiny day, I hope it goes well." I said while looking at my window which displayed my tiny garden reflecting thier colour under the shimery light of the sun. I turned on some calm music and took myself to the restroom.

I was down in our garden, surrounded by people. It looked unreal. There were tall lamps resembling bells. My feet were on a red carpet with Bhabhi's favourite tulips, dancing lavishly at the sides leading to an aisle for the 'soon to be married couple'. The main stage had a divine light pink couch with a banner at the back reflecting 'The beginning of forever.' and the fact that Bhaiya himself had given directions to the wedding planner.

I was busy admiring my surroundings when I saw Bhaiya's three friends approaching my parents. I took a quick look at each of them, but my gaze got hooked on him, the only person I knew among them. the annoying one, Mr. Dinaker. His outfit never corresponded with his personality, as he wore a basic mint-coloured kurta and pyjama. The long sheer sleeves of the kurta were folded up to his mid arm, half unbuttoned from the top, providing a half view of his chest. I could sense a few girls checking him out as their favourite snack.

"They are here!" I got startled by a sudden call. It was my relatives informing us about the arrival main spotlight of the day.