15

The awkward air heightened when his mom and sister just kept staring at me. I was embarrassed and could feel my cheeks heating up. His sister's eyes shifted away from me and towards her brother, who was still lying on the ground-on his ass.

"What the hell, darling?" he groaned.

I rushed over to him and helped him stand up. He placed his hand on his back and let out another loud groan. He gave me a blank stare and tightly pursed his lips. I looked down, nervous because of his stare.

"Uhh... Aap beth jao, please." I said it quietly, feeling bad about pushing him.
(You sit down, please.)

What if his back is broken?

While sitting, he grumbled again in pain and looked at me accusingly. His mother and sister entered the room and sat on the couch.

"What happened? What were you doing on the ground, and what is with this groaning?" his sister asked casually.

"Rudra, you can let go of her hand, you know," his mother teased.

He did not respond, and then his sister burst out laughing, startling me with her unexpected behaviour change.

What is the deal with these siblings?

"Um, what happened?" I asked in confusion.

"Oh, nothing. You tell me what happened. Did we bother you both?" She said this while wiggling her brows.

Rudra scowled at her, his lips twisted in rage. I tugged at his hand to divert his attention. He looked at me with gentle, soft eyes. He gets angry quickly, which is bad for his mental health, even though he is already insane.

It seemed to work because he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm himself. His firm grip on my hand loosened, and I drew my hand away.

"Stop asking stupid questions, Muktha," he said slowly as if speaking to a child.

Muktha's lips immediately thinned, and their mother smiled as she looked at me.

"Namaste, Aunty," I said once more, joining my hands.

"Namaste Beta, and please do not call me Aunty; instead, if you do not mind, call me Mom. Aunty makes me feel old, even though I am." She gave me a warm smile.

I muttered under my breath. "I have not said that word since my mother died." I wiped away a tear that had fallen from my eye. I never imagined myself calling someone Mom again. Her eyes became concerned when she noticed me wiping my tears.

"Hey, it is all right. If you do not want to," he said softly.

"No, I can try," I replied, smiling at them.

There was a knock, and Rudra told them to come in. Rahul entered the room and informed us that the car was ready to go whenever we wanted. His mother smiled and told him, "We will be down in minutes." He went back to work, I think.

"Come on, Muktha. "Chandini, come, dear, we have a lot of shopping to do," his mother exclaimed.

"Um, you two, please go ahead. I will be right behind you; I just need to speak with him." I said it a little nervously. They happened to notice us at the wrong time, and I was still embarrassed.

They nodded and walked away without saying anything, which I appreciated. When they were gone, I took a deep breath and relaxed. I did not realise I was tense. I took a step backwards, away from Rudra, who was staring at me blankly.

"Should I inform Mr. Rane to call the doctor for your back?" I asked with raised eyebrows, and looking at his poor state, he had his hand behind his back since I helped him stand up.

"No, I will just use an ice pack and maybe some painkillers," his voice laced with pain and a little breathy.

Now I feel bad for pushing him so hard. He is in pain because of me.

"Did I really push you that hard?" My voice was small. My lower lip was drawn downward.

"Oh no, darling, it was as light as a feather. I was being dramatic; don't worry." His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

I pushed my shoulders back and rubbed my hands together, pretending to smile.

"Aww, let me do it again-properly this time," I said with an overly sweet.

I took a step towards him, and he stopped me by showing me his palm. His brows pressed together, his eyes widened, and he gulped lightly.

"Just help me put the ice pack on. It will take care of the pain, and then you can go. Mom and Muktha must be waiting," he said immediately.

I nodded while trying not to laugh at his expression. He handed me the ice pack and began taking his T-shirt off. My breath became stuck in my throat, and my eyes widened as the ice pack slipped from my grasp. He turned around and looked at me, puzzled.

"Kya hua?" His voice was a little rough and thick.
(What happened?)

He removed his T-shirt completely and set it aside. His back toned and his muscles flexed as he moved-I was left wordless and reddened. He turned and walked towards me, but I took a step back and bent to pick up the pack with a trembling hand. I placed it on his desk.

"Uhh, ahm... You can do it yourself. I am running late," I said as I ran out of his cabin.

Rahul rushed towards me when he saw me coming out. I smiled as he led me to the parking lot. Aunty smiled as she noticed me. I sat next to his sister, my hand hidden behind my dupatta.

"What happened? Your face is bright red. Are you okay?" she inquired. Her eyes frantically moved around my face.

I touched my face, feeling warm beneath my fingers and a little sweaty. I told her I came running; maybe that's why. She didn't seem convinced but still didn't question.

"Oh, silly me, I did not even introduce myself. "I am Muktha, your lover's sister," she said, giddy at the lover's part.

"Hello, I'm Chandini, and I am your brother's... uh... fiancee," I said, awkwardly smiling.

"I know who you are; you made quite an impression on your first meeting with Athwa; he is crazy about you, and he calls you an angel," she said lightly, laughing.

When Muktha mentioned Athwa, I could not help but smile. Even though I had just met him, I missed his chubby cheeks and adorable dimples. He's a sweet little angel; no one can deny it.

When the car came to a stop, we got out and walked towards a building. It had mannequins dressed in beautiful gowns on display. We walked in and saw a designer boutique that appeared to be quite expensive.

Two women came forward upon seeing us to help. They offered drinks, but Aunty instructed one of them to bring fresh juice, while the other went to bring wedding lehengas. They brought some very beautiful lehengas, but they were very expensive.

I tried a few of them, but we did not like any of them. I was exhausted from changing so many times and felt drowsy.

"Chandini, sirf, yeh ek aakhri baar try Karlo," Aunty said sweetly. It was difficult for me to say no. (Chandini, one last time, try this one.)

I nodded and went into the changing room. A lady helped me with the lehenga. I emerged, lifting the lehnga a little to walk with the help of the same lady.

Muktha gasped, and Aunty looked at me with bright eyes, cupping her face. I smiled at them energetically, despite being tired.

But their reactions were enough to make me feel better. I twirled to give them the full effect, and a light flashed across my face. When I looked up, I noticed Muktha had taken a picture.

"I will send it to Bhai. He will be here before you know it," she exclaimed, her face beaming.

I really hope not!

We made the decision to buy this lehenga; they took my measurements, and I was done.

I went back to the changing room and changed into my comfortable clothes. After taking a long, relaxing breath, I returned to Aunty and Muktha, who were looking for something for them. Muktha led me deeper into the boutique in search of something appropriate for her.

"Can I say something, Chandini?" Muktha spoke hesitantly. I nodded, my gaze still fixed on the aisle.

"You know, no one has ever slapped Bhai," she said solemnly, causing me to freeze.

Uncomfortable, I turned my head towards her. Her intense stare made me tense, so I laughed softly to lighten the awkward atmosphere.

"That is why I admire you! You are the first person to slap him and put that jahil (rude) in his place. Athwa told us everything that had happened. You should have seen Bhai's expression when Papa asked him to explain himself. He was too nervous to say anything because he had been slapped," she said in one breath and laughed, making me relax and laugh with her.

I like her; perhaps I will be able to talk to someone other than Athwa in their home, sweetheart. She appears to be a free and good person.

"Muktha, your brother is a moron, and he deserved it. He was being extremely rude to Athwa. So I did what needed to be done." I said, dramatically placing my hands on my chest. We both burst out laughing.

"Moron! You call him a moron!" she said between giggles, struggling to breathe properly.

"What is so amusing about this corner?" We were still laughing hysterically when I heard his deep, gruff voice. We both froze and stared at each other with wide eyes.

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