Akash really did not care about the dress selection and remained in his room after the argument about dress in the hall. He was too prideful to check on her dress even if he liked making her happy by losing.
Akash got ready for the party in his room and Varsha in the room of his mother and Ira. His dress composed of a straight fit khaki pant and a slim fit plaid poplin shirt. He wore a casual cotton jacket on top of it along with fitting business casual shoes. In short, his dressing looked business casual. And he really brought the car in front of the house by 5:55 PM.
Akash waited and looked at his watch. It is already 5:57 PM. He looked anxiously toward the house door. He has given her ultimatum but she is going to be late. Can he admonish her for being late? He can not bear to do that after knowing how bad he feels seeing her tears. But what can he do to maintain his pride? He felt anxious and irritated.
Next moment he heard some noise and Ira's laugh coming nearer from the front door and he released a relaxed sigh. He looked at the watch and smiled. Finally, Varsha is coming out and it is 5:58 PM, still 2 minutes left. He did not wish to look anxious so he busied himself in setting the seat and not so important activities.
Varsha came out holding the hand of Ira. Both of them are following grandparents and even mother of Akash is with them. Grandparents are walking ahead with a proud look on their faces. Both girls are walking hand in hand and Ira giggled when Varsha whispered something in her ears and their mother is walking alongside them with a slight smile.
Akash looked at the commotion from the car and felt speechless about all this display of grand departure. He looked at it all feeling thankful that both uncles and their families are not present or it will totally become a festival.
His grandfather waved at him from the door of the house and called "Are you going to keep sitting there? Come here."
Akash has brought the car in front of his house and he is just a few meters away from them. So, when grandfather called him, he looked at everyone and he felt astonished when his gaze fell on Varsha. He tried hard to maintain his calm look.
Varsha is wearing a maroon coloured saree on the same colour blouse which has pearls on its borders. Beautiful pieces of gold jewellery on her nose, ears, neck and wrists are adorning her beautifully. Red bangles on her both wrists are also looking lovely. Her glowing and blameless face gives off an aura of pureness and innocence. Her beauty is not of smartness and intelligence but of cuteness and innocence and raises an instinct of protectiveness in the heart of onlookers.
Akash turned his head and got down from the car and walked toward his grandparents but he could still feel his own irregular heartbeats. He never thought his wife could awake such type of protective feelings toward herself in him. Or maybe he never looked at her closely.
Akash looked toward his grandparents and smiled at them and said: "Looks like we are ready to leave now." And then he turned and looked toward Varsha who is trying to hide her face from him. For a moment he could not understand why she is not looking toward him when she is looking so great in her dress.
Ira looked toward Akash and said "Brother! Isn't sister-in-law looking great? And you were angry at her when she wanted to wear this dress."
Akash looked at his sister and wished to retort but then he remembered why Varsha is not willing to face him. She must be thinking that he is angry. He wished to tell her that she looks beautiful to make her happy but he did not know how should he say it. He shook his head helplessly and did not respond to Ira.
Mother of Akash who seldom talks held the hand of Varsha and said "My this daughter looks absolutely beautiful. My son is a fool who does not know how to appreciate beauty." Varsha looked toward her bashfully and she continued "Dear! Don't mind him. Okay?"
Varsha lowered her head smiling shyly and said: "Yes, Mother!" This made Ira giggle.
Akash felt speechless and did not know what has happened to his mother. She never talked about him this way. What do you mean by not minding me? Hello, I am her husband. For your kind information, I was just thinking about how cute she looks. Give me a chance anyone, please. His face looked calm but his heart is shouting.
But to his relief, his chance to speak came when Grandma said in a stern voice "What do you mean, do not mind him? My dear Varsha is going with him. Of course, he has to tell us what he thinks, otherwise what if my dear feels wronged by him later."
"Grandma! Please spare me. Why would I make my wife suffer among strangers?" Akash said in a frustrated tone. His Grandma really knows how to make him cry without tears.
Grandma scolded "Don't twist my words. What if you saw other women at the party and say that my Varsha does not look beautiful? What if you ridicule her dressing and made her cry at the party? You have to make this clear now."
Everyone felt speechless about the question of Grandma especially Akash. He looked toward Grandma and said in an annoyed tone "Grandma! When did I say that she does not look beautiful? I accept that what I thought was wrong. She looks better in Saree than what I expected. Happy? Please leave me now." He showed annoyed expression but in fact, he is more nervous inside, afraid that his cool facade won't last long.
Akash is nervous that he might talk more about how cute she looks. Suddenly he felt like not bringing her to party lest she can't maintain her innocence if she learned the ways of society. He reminded himself to tell her later to be as she is and not change.
Everyone laughs hearing the response of Akash. Varsha also smiles and lowers her head shyly. Ira nudged her to raise her head and then asked Akash "Brother! Only better than expected? Aren't you being too miser with your words?"
Grandma also laughs and says "Oh, such an idiot grandson. My dear Varsha wearing saree and beautiful jewellery look like some goddess. Ah, so pure, so cute. I wish she does not get tainted by the evilness of society."
Akash felt startled hearing Grandma because Grandma said what he was thinking and blurted "If you are so afraid, then don't send her to the party."
Grandma scolded "You wish. Remember to guide her well and protect her. Don't let her be embarrassed in front of those people."
Akash looked toward Varsha and felt a protective feeling surging in his heart. She looks beautiful in a different way, the beauty of kindness and pureness just like nature. Yes, beautiful like nature. A girl who is most suitable to be a caring wife and gentle mother. She is his wife. It is his responsibility to protect this pure and gentle looking girl.
But he can't say what he is thinking. So, he just replied with a straight face "Of course, I know my responsibilities. You really think too less of your grandson."
Ira tried to speak something but Akash raised his hand to stop her and said "You, the chirping bird! Now stop. We are getting late to the party."
Ira retorted "I remember you said to be ready by 6:00 but we came out before 6:00."
"I said to start at 6:00 but now it's already fifteen minutes past 6:00 and you are still bickering and not letting us go." Akash chided her looking at his watch.
Ira showed her tongue and said "No, you only said to get ready by 6:00 and we did it. Don't try to change your words."
Varsha looked at the argument of Akash and Ira and this sight is so beautiful to her. She is happy seeing Akash talking so much and wishes to see this side of him more often. She also noticed that the person she loves, her husband is looking so good in his dress. But again she remembered that he always looks good to her and blamed herself for her foolishness.
Akash looked at the dazed expression of Varsha and waved in front of her and said "Hello! Should we go now?" and then he turned toward the car.
Varsha looked at his expression and smiled and said in a meek voice "Yes" and she followed him.
Akash walked to the front passenger side of the car and opened the door for Varsha. Ira also followed and helped Varsha sit on her seat and then closed the door. Akash walked around from the front and took the driver seat.
Grandparents, Ira and her mother waved to Akash and Varsha from the house door. Akash started the car and moved ahead slowly while Varsha is still waving to the family members. In a few minutes, the car has left the gate of the house and reached the main road.