As the morning light filters through the curtains, Shibani stirs awake, her head throbbing with the unmistakable ache of a hangover. She squints against the brightness, her surroundings still blurry but familiar. She instinctively reaches for her temples, trying to ease the pounding inside her head.
Memories of the previous night come in fragmented flashes—laughter, music, and faces that seem both familiar and distant. She struggles to recall how she ended up here, the details slipping away like sand through her fingers. A wave of nausea washes over her, and she sits up slowly, the room spinning slightly.
With a deep breath, she swings her legs over the edge of the bed, feeling the cool floor beneath her feet. She knows she needs water and maybe some food to settle her stomach, but first, she takes a moment to gather her thoughts and piece together the night, hoping to make sense of the hazy memories that swirl in her mind.
Walking downstairs my eyes felt on the basket of sweets and sarees along with other gifts taken by the maids to another room, looks like the groom's side were taking bengali ritual seriously. Not to mention they looked expensive too.
Reaching downstairs I made my way towards the dinning table as few of my relatives and cousins were having their tea and breakfast. Few of the elder cousins looked like crap same as I did. Everyone loved drinking and partying but the hangovers, it was no one's type.
Probably driver brought all of home right? But the thought vanished as soon as my cousin spoke.
"Shibani tui club itke aage ase gechili? Driver da toh toke amader shate pelo na."
[Shibani did you leave the club early? The driver did not find you there with us. ]
Who brought me back to my bedroom?
➷
Backyard was converted into a gorgeous venue adorned with bright marigold and jasmine flowers, creating a fragrant and vibrant atmosphere. Colorful drapes in shades of yellow and orange flutter gently in the breeze, adding a festive touch.
In the center, a beautifully decorated wooden platform is set up, where the bride and groom will sit. Surrounding them are intricately designed rangoli patterns on the ground, made with colorful powders and flower petals. Guests are seated on chairs nearby to witness the ceremony.
I was sitting in Nidhi's room as I was told to keep her company while Arthur's gae holud (haldi) was going on. She was wearing a yellow shuti saree increasing her beauty even more. I was still in disbelief, my sister, my only best friend was getting married soon and it's her gae holud today.
"Shibani, maa giye jamair holud er bati ta niye aaye na giye baire tike", mom's voice from downstairs reached the ears, asking me to bring the Aurthur'a haldi container from the backyard. And of course she had to ask me to do that even though there were people roaming around doing nothing.
Reluctantly getting up having no choice since it was my sister's haldi ceremony we were talking about, for some reason I felt like rushing my way down the stairs. Skipping a step, the balance lost as I almost landed face planted when the feeling of a arm snaked around my waist brought me back to reality.
The heart felt like it stopped pumping for a second, as the gaze finally looked up to meet my savior's gaze. Pale face smeared in turmeric paste, his broad chest pressed against mine as he hold me in place.
"Be careful", his voice holds a hint of gruffness and authority sending chills down the spine.
"Thanks-"
His grip around my waist loosened as he simply turned around his heel leaving me there dumbfounded. Arthur's figure slowly disappears among the room.
As I slowly made my way down stairs and towards the backyard, my cousin pulled me aside asking about the turmeric stain on the kurti and the arm. I was wearing a short yellow sleeves kurti along with a long white skirt. Horror spread down my face as I looked at the places she mentioned, skin coloured in orangy yellowish turmeric paste, straight from Arthur's skin.
"Giye baire tike bati ta niye aaye na re ar tor mami [mother's brother's wife] ke diye aaiye...and do not tell anyone about this please".
[Grab the container from outside and get those to your aunt]
My yes desperately begging her, we all knew how superstitious my family was they took every ritual seriously.
Standing in front of the mirror I looked at the reflection showing my skin now coloured as I let the water flow through it slowly gliding down my skin washing away any evidence.
➷
Page 78
Maybe in another universe.
[What story did those pages hold which ended in just seventy eight days. A love story? Or maybe a one sided tale kept really close to the person's heart. But who does this even belong to?Shibani, Nidhi Or Arthur-]
A/N
Hey readers it's your author Clixy, I just wanted to add one thing since the wedding involves bengali culture rituals which might vary from place to place. I am using my knowledge from my community about the way marriages happen here and from the internet. It may not be the same as all Indian Hindu or even bengali weddings IDK I just thought to let you all know.
PS Feel free to leave any suggestions or criticism.
-xoxo🥀