#Payal Raj Put

[featheredclover]

Carmine Veils

Chapter Four

Read from the beginning

Chapter Three< > Chapter Five

Also on Wattpad

“ Arnav?”

“ hmm?”

“ Why did you leave China if it appealed to you so much?”

His hands stilled as they were running through her hair, as she lay her head on his lap. Putting his book aside, he sighed.

“ I was needed here. This is home, after all I went there only to further my training….”

“Needed here?”

“ Yes “

Khushi smiled as she recalled one of those rendezvous they had managed to sneak in amidst moonless nights.

She was still getting used to his succinct replies. He never elaborated, or break into a story like she does. His eyes spoke to her more than his lips and that was fine with her. She would be lying to herself that his mysterious nature wasn’t appealing. But she desperately wanted to unravel the man, the boy , her Arnav.

A pillow hit the back of her head squarely. She turned around to see Payal with an uncharacteristic grin on her face.

“ What? “ Khushi croaked out.

“ You seemed too lost in your thoughts and that’s why I thought it was my utmost duty to bring our precious rajkumari back to earth” Payal drawled out lazily.

“ Rubbish” Khushi muttered and hit the pillow back.

Payal caught it, and started playfully twirling it .

“ You are back to your senses rajkumari. Or so says Manorama ji! You really disappointed her the past few weeks by the way. Her cherished student was becoming a damsel in distress!”

Khushi rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“ I was used to a certain lifestyle Payal. I was used to privacy. That’s why I was thrown off. And the rioters attack bothered me of course so I couldn’t focus well”

“ So he doesn’t bother you anymore?”

Khushi stilled for a moment, recovering quickly she asked as nonchalantly as possible “ Who?”

“ The china-man “ Payal replied shamelessly.

“ You think I didn’t notice? Your glares aimed at Lavanya and me. What caused you to escape to the forest? And the anguished expression you had plastered on your face after Lavanya painted his name across his bandaged arm?”

When Khushi remained silent, Payal persisted softly

“ You are in love with Arnav, aren’t you?”

Khushi looked helplessly at Payal. Frustrated at the tug and pull, she breathed out and exclaimed “ Yes! Yes I am. Who wouldn’t be?!”

Ignoring her exasperation, Payal sat next to Khushi, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

“ Does he love you back?”

Khushi opened her mouth before pausing.

Did he love her? He had claimed her lips, bit her, and kissed her like a lover was supposed to do.Just like she had read in the kamasutra last year. Payal and Lavanya had giggled all the way through those lessons Manorama ji so sincerely and painstakingly attempted to teach.

“ I think so. I hope so”

“ Khushi”, Payal began as her voice lost all the earlier teasing, “ Speak to him. Raja ji is not so harsh that he won’t be able to see where his daughter’s happiness lies .”

Khushi looked up at that with uncertainty evident on her face.

Payal clutched her hand tightly in hers.

“ Speaking with the raj reeti-reewaz in mind, I assure you Arnav is a high grade warrior. You’ll only earn a mild resistance from the court for your union”

Khushi broke into a sweat.

“ Payal , I haven’t… we haven’t even….”

“ Of course Khushi it’s upto you. But I have never seen you like this. Not even when the dashing Rajkumar of Videha came to visit!”

The friends burst into giggles as they fondly remembered the first boy Khushi had been flustered over when she was sixteen. But the eighteen year old prince was awkward, embarrassed and too polite to all of Khushi’s innocent flirtations.

“ Are you meeting him today ? “ Payal asked with a smile.

“ No. But I’ll surprise him! Will I be the first woman to ask for a man’s hand in marriage?”

Khushi asked as she twirled and placed a stray dupattta over her head, mimicking a ghoonghat.

Payal was quick to join in and mimicked Manorama’s scowl perfectly as she spoke in an uncanny resemblance “ But Khushi bitiya, who do you have to fear from? Focus! “

Their giggles filled the air, as the sun began to paint the sky in purple hues.

—————————

“ You aren’t wearing white today?”

Khushi looked at Arnav with happiness in her heart.

“ You like me in white? “

“ I like you in anything…..But white reminds me of our first meeting”

“ Of course! You were also wearing white!”

“ Yes “ Arnav said with a sly grin “ which you ripped off without a word”

Khushi gasped and blushed furiously. Turning to let her back face him. “ I didn’t- I wasn’t..uggh “

Laughingly Arnav pulled her back to face him. Kissing her softly , he moved to her ear to whisper “ I didn’t mind”

Khushi ran her hands through the white lehenga and choli, which had silver zari border. She had never worn it .

In fact the royal darzi had disapproved the choice of such a bland colour on his rajkumari. If he had his wish, all navy blues and brown would find themselves out of her chambers. She will don his favourite colour and ask him to marry her.

She will have to convince him. This was going to be no easy task and he would be at the core of the fire they would begin with their decision. But she hoped for her love to be enough to sail them through this. And if he loved her….he loved her didn’t he?

Pushing all doubts to the side, Khushi began to dress.

——————-

Walking along the corridors of her palace discreetly, Khushi stopped a distance away from his chambers. Drawing in a deep breath of courage she prepared herself to go ahead, when she saw the door open slowly. Startled, she hid into an alcove by her side.

She saw Arnav, clothed in black robes. In a few strides he moved towards the palace exit.

Bewildered Khushi followed him and her heart raced as she saw him enter a chariot and leave out of the palace gates.

Khushi ran to the section of her palace dedicated to the royal staff, and quickly knocked on a door she knew wouldn’t refuse her.

__________

Hari Prakash held the reins in his hand as he urged his horses to go faster. It had taken the utmost of his skills, to detect the black carriage in the pitch black night. But his rajkumari had never asked for his help without reason and so here he was, flouting all protocols to help the woman he had seen grow up over the years chase god-knows-who.

Khushi stepped out softly. Hariprakash would be on stand by as she figured out why Arnav had come here in the dead of the night. After promising an anxious Hari Prakash to return swiftly and safely, she rushed after where Arnav had disappeared. She made sure her steps made no noise.

Her vision soon registered a fire and a group of people sitting around it. Arnav stepped forward.

“ Babu bhai” he bowed in respect

“ Jeete raho Arnav “ the man grunted out in between taking sips from his hookah.

“ Arnav, we gave you a date didn’t we! We need to send a strong message. And we need to do it now!” another man said.

“ We have already lost a man and-“

“ And whose fault is that? “ Arnav interrupted harshly.

“ I told you didn’t I? That I would take care of it? The things inside the palace are not as easy as it is here”

Babu bhai spoke up again ” Arnav that Shashidhar has refused all our demands and is out to avenge that village! We need his daughter dead and you couldn’t bring her body to us in the month you have been there?”

Khushi felt like a nightmare had descended upon her. Her legs felt like rubber. Her chest tightened as her breathing got shallow.

She needed to leave. These men…and Arnav were after her. She needed to leave.

In her distraction, a pile of leaves crunched under her foot.

It all happened in a moment as she turned around to flee. An arrow pierced her shoulder. Screams and shout filled the air.

Paying the excruciating pain no heed, she ran with all her might towards her carriage. She had barely jumped into it, when Hari Prakash rode away at break neck speed.

Back in the forest, the crowd of men dispersed to look for the intruder.

Arnav stepped steadily towards the site from where the sound was heard.

He bent forward and found a veil drenched in blood. A carmine veil.

Chapter Five >>

Tagging: @arshifiesta @phuljari @hand-picked-star

@jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @muttonthings @msbhagirathi @sankititaliya @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @laadgovernors @laadgovernorandsankadevi @leila1 @bitchy-bi-trash @hi-this-is-permabanned @arshispyaar @minpdnim @thedustyshehnai @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill

Please let me know if you want to be added/removed from the tag list ❤️

[beautcous]

@ofheavcnlysx​

As the weeks passed, Raj kept to his word. He went to both therapy sessions and with the help of meds, his mental state was a lot better. He no longer felt like a dark cloud was hanging over him and he was feeling a lot more like himself. While he was improving in that aspect, he wasn’t seeing a fast enough improvement for his leg. Obviously, he knew that it would take time to get there, but he was seriously getting tired of working without any results. Some might say that he was behaving like a baby, and if that was the case so be it. He wasn’t going to apologize for feeling the way he did. The point was, he was putting out the work and not getting the results. Anyone in his shoes would be frustrated. Today was no different. He came in trying not to feel annoyed but after half an hour, and his leg barely moved, he was half tempted to throw something against the wall. Raj couldn’t show that kind of emotion obviously, that would only alarm Payal and he didn’t want to freak her out. Instead, he resorted to pouting. “I’m tired. This is not working. It hasn’t worked since I started. Can I give it a rest for today? We’ll come back tomorrow and I’ll try again, I promise.” He looked at his fiancée and gave her his best wounded puppy look. She’d always been good at giving in to what he asked of, and he could only hope that she wouldn’t stop being that way. For now at least, he needed to not be in such a bad mood, otherwise nothing would help him at all.  

[sridisha]

Top Latest Five Entertainment news Urban news

Top Latest Five Entertainment news Urban news

In his words and phrases “he left India having a suitcase jam packed with spices and existence packed with dreams” and by no means seemed back again! Lea Michele, who's ideal recognized for enjoying Rachel Berry in Fox's Glee, includes a track record being a diva and she or he is currently experiencing quite a few accusations of racist conduct and bullying The actress, well known for dancing beneath a waterfall, was rumoured to possess a scandalous affair Together with the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. A fashion aficionado who understood that fashion was her point from an extremely younger age. The father or mother label—Payal Singhal is fifteen yrs into this industry and heading robust, catering to her prolonged list of youthful customers. She has progressed over the past decade as well as a 50 % as an exemplary designer. Her collection is a refreshing take on Indian have on but with an exceptionally new age style and design.

"Sonam Bajwa can be a Health freak during the day, but her foods cravings start during the evening," suggests celebrity make-up artist Coco Ballucci The pair had a scandalous affair ahead of getting caught. Abu Salem remains to be at the rear of the bars although Monica resides a modest everyday living. Archana Rao’s Spring-Summer time assortment in 2015 recognized her in the industry in which she located her passion. It was named ‘The Apartment’ and took inspiration from the vintage put in place from Paris. It had been a lovely melange of nudes, pastels, ivories and blushes that slowly but surely transitioned into a more robust colour palette of green, amber, etcetera. In the many years of Globe War II as well as the struggle for independence, Bollywood fashion was modest, understated and official. Most movies were shot in rural settings, Using the Males clad in dhotis “What operates for our Indian crafts is the mix of workmanship, society in addition to a touch of modernity” – Manish Malhotra Thanks for never letting me Feel the Solar shines out of my backside: Masaba Gupta shares the funniest birthday want for m... The 2 had been visibly smitten by each other. It's also claimed that Nargis desired Raj to divorce his spouse Krishna and marry her. Their affair finished in the event the actor refused to do so. After a few years, she married her co-star from Mom India He preferred another person by his aspect, and it absolutely was Mrs Nene who gave him a shoulder to cry on. It is really no wonder that their off-display screen romantic relationship had an awesome effect on their on-monitor chemistry from the 90s. Aman Verma also was caught on camera extending a TV reporter ‘a possibility in Bollywood’ in return for sexual relations.The actor’s occupation in showbiz went on an incessant downward spiral since the footage went viral.

https://www.filmyduniya.in/category/entertainment/

 Entertainment news, Movies,  entertainment, bollywood fashion, celebrity news, bollywood affairs, bollywood events, Entertainment News, Film Industry,New Movie News

Examine This Report On Entertainment news

This is a feast to the eye and certainly a demonstrate-halting collection. This promising label is before long expected to open up a flagship retail store in her hometown, Hyderabad. We really look forward to it. John NewmanJohn has long been inspiringly honest about his mental health and fitness and has introduced A brief crack from songs as he begs lovers never ever to shed their positivity "Thanks," she mentioned, not able to maintain back again a skip as she walked absent. And thank you, Squadron Chief Virat Rathod. It was The 1st time in Mili's life that her partner of twenty many years experienced aided his spouse with nearly anything.CHAPTER two " Generally Samir would not brain any one murdering that particular Foreigner song, but there were nevertheless a few journos hanging close to at a nearby table plus the thought of Virat and Rima's private second mocked in a few bitchy film magazine column manufactured Samir positively sick. An Indian actress received it customized and it is now accessible to whoever is enthusiastic about this. For a few, it might sound over the top, but path breaking types like these can never ever be excessive. An comprehensive comprehension of the craft and creative quotient; and it’s safe to view That which you don’t actually see every single day. And, that’s why I’m not amazed that she has gotten a great deal of attention from all over the world Specially London and Australia. Samir shrugged. Provided that he was a brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton, he could hardly carry the rest. It was the only real modeling gig he did any longer. The money was excellent and he favored the rustic taste with the marketing campaign. Fact was he had by no means appreciated modeling. As well static for him. But thanks to his fifty percent-American genes as well as the white pores and skin that experienced produced his childhood hell, assignments experienced fallen in his lap far far too easily to turn absent. The touch and truly feel of the fabric and aura of her label are anything I have usually been awestruck by. She got into Bollywood within the recent times, but her arrive at has distribute globally. Her operate was critically acclaimed by Vogue United kingdom together with other major names who also referred to as her ‘British isles’s future best friend.” It only receives far better with time, and she or he is really an unstoppable drive with not merely practical but social goals too. Extra power to these Females. Inside the many years of Planet War II along with the battle for independence, Bollywood fashion was modest, understated and formal. Most movies have been shot in rural configurations, Along with the Gentlemen clad in dhotis India finds alone within an ever more hazardous entire world, one that is fragmenting and slowing down economically. It is a planet in bollywood fashion transition, 1 where India’s adversaries — state or non-state, or the two as in Pakistan’s situation — are becoming progressively highly effective. When the exterior world is now extra unpredictable and uncertain, so are interior politics and security in a lot of the powers. Programs and documents will only be accepted throughout the on line application system and cannot be acknowledged by mail or email. She likes fidgeting with the cuts, ombre effects etcetera in proportions devoid of compromising on the aesthetic component. And, her label is thought to become supremely exquisite but simple and understated. Her assortment ‘Frou Frou’ which accurately interprets to ‘sounds of a cloth.’ Like they say magnificence is in the details, but if you look at her attire, it’s more like splendor is in the hidden information. , and Kareena Kapoor picked up in which her sister Karisma left off, gorgeous audiences with her Tremendous-fit measurement zero human body in Tashan Kareena Kapoor requires her airport look a notch higher using this type of maxi gown Kareena Kapoor Khan was noticed for the Mumbai airport carrying a pretty blue maxi costume paired by using a denim jacket. Latest fashion dresses in many cases are made with sequins do the job, bead do the job or mirror will work. These embroideries are incorporated into the design to add a dash of bling.

How Much You Need To Expect You'll Pay For A Good Entertainment

Just after her Playboy Image shoot, the actress garnered eyeballs once again when an MMS of her undressing in a very switching space was leaked. Ranveer Singh just hardly ever fails to seize eyeballs with his outrageous outfits. Although some definitely appreciate his choice, several times Now we have heard celebs having a dig at the actor’s outrageous outfits, and the latest celeb to affix in is Salman Khan. The actress even further went on to charge Madhur with foremost her on and promising to marry and also cast her in his films, in advance of abruptly withdrawing her situation completely. A further inspiring Tale of a young and passionate Woman. A coming of age designer who attained acceptance in just no time started out building for a few of the prime Bollywood stars. She swiftly become their hot favored far too. It absolutely was apparent when actors and celebs on the Red Carpet would say ‘Ridhi Mehra’ on the concern ‘Who have you been wearing’? She also arises from a home that is certainly into the organization of selling apparel. The favored on line fashion retailer is featuring substantial bargains on a array of summer time frocks, best for those who have to refresh their summer time wardrobes He is additionally one of the not many designers who begun to ever more get invested into planning outfits for guys within the All set-to-wear section and catered to marriage ceremony dresses way too. He will be the heartthrob of not just Hollywood celebrities but will also Hollywood stars like Lady Gaga who once draped Tahiliani’s ivory saree and screamed ‘I really like Tahiliani.’ Oprah Winfrey and Elizabeth Hurley are other worldwide stars Tahiliani suitable for. Rima turned to Samir, went up on her toes, and ruffled bollywood events his hair. Virat might however phone him Chintu, which intended "small" in Hindi, but at a pair inches more than six ft Samir experienced a great fifty percent foot on his brother. Extra examples Fewer examples At the same time These are highly regarded as suppliers of home entertainment Alicia, who's created headlines along with her peculiar parenting approaches, discovered that part of her isolation regime will involve bathing with son Bear The thought was to infuse classic with modern day and focused the city current market generally the youthful group. Chic, elegant and trendy, just how the demographic prefers. And, it was rather a easy launch simply because they understood the heartbeat in their viewers. Bridal, contemporary and haute couture had been all hits, However they didn’t stop at that. to dress in. Worldwide brand names and fashion designers including Tarun Tahilani, Manish Malhotra and Neeta Lulla acquire Heart stage. With particular ‘appears’ becoming designed for people rather than the actors portraying them, we see an eclectic combination of ethnic and western kinds. You are able to alter your cookie configurations via your browser. If you do not change your configurations, you're consenting to us issuing all cookies to you. Birthday Female Neena Gupta takes to social media to thank all her followers for his or her lovely wishes; watch online video His flagship retail store is in Delhi adopted retail stores in almost all of the main metropolitan areas in India. His clientele grew through the years and now consists of the likes of Uma Thurman, Pamela Anderson, Anna Kournikova, Naomi Campbell, and so on. Rohit Bal is one of those designers who understands the psyche and Power on the fashion planet which is clear in his collections, each is a lot better than another

[thatisymagazine-blog]

'వెంకీమామ'లో RX100 బ్యూటీ

#PayalRajPuth #venkatesh #NagaChaitanyaAkkineni #VenkyMama 'వెంకీమామ'లో RX100 బ్యూటీ

విక్టరీ వెంకటేష్, నాగ చైతన్య ల కాంబినేషన్ లో వస్తున్న తాజా మల్టీ స్టారర్ చిత్రం ‘వెంకీమామ’. సర్దార్ గబ్బర్ సింగ్ ఫేమ్ బాబీ డైరెక్ట్ చేయబోతున్న ఈ సినిమా షూటింగ్ ఫిబ్రవరి 22 నుండి ప్రారంభం కానుంది.

నితిన్ సినిమా కి ఓకే చెప్పిన రకుల్

ఇక ఈ చిత్రంలో వెంకీ సరసన RX100 బ్యూటీ పాయల్ రాజపుత్ ను ఎంపిక చేసినట్లుతెలుస్తుంది.మొదట ఈ చిత్రంలో వెంకీ సరసన శ్రీయ ను అనుకున్నప్పటికీ చివరి నిమిషంలో పాయల్ ను…

[bbcbreakingnews]

Bengal has to choose between development and cut money culture: Nadda

KOLKATA: Making a strong pitch for a BJP government in West Bengal to usher in ‘Asol Poriborton’ (real change), party chief J P Nadda on Thursday sought to punch a hole in the TMC‘s main poll plank of Bengali pride and asked the people of the state whether they want to side with development or “cut money culture”. Nadda, while launching the ‘Lokkho Sonar Bangla‘ (target to build golden Bengal) manifesto crowdsourcing campaign to seek suggestions from more than two crore people in the state ahead of the assembly elections, alleged that Bengali icons and women have been neglected and the “pride of Bengal has to be restored”. He said that the party’s manifesto will stress the socio-economic empowerment of the Matua community, women and youth, and put an end to the “cut money” and “syndicate” culture in the state. “The Lokkho Sonar Bangla campaign will begin on March 3 and continue till March 30. We aim to reach out to more than two crore people spread across all the 294 constituencies. “There will be 30,000 suggestion boxes, and people can also give suggestions digitally. We don’t think we have all the wisdom, so we want to seek suggestions from the common people in our endeavour to build Sonar Bangla,” Nadda said during the launch of the programme. Claiming that the campaign is aimed at bringing the state on the path of development, the BJP chief said the party seeks suggestions on how to boost industry, agriculture, health and religious tourism among other sectors. “The campaign aims to free the state from corruption, coal smuggling syndicate raj and cut money culture. West Bengal has a lot of potential, which has, however, been curtailed over the years due to vested political interests. We want to bring back the glorious days of the state,” he said. The BJP chief promised that the party will implement the Seventh Pay Commission in the state if voted to power. “West Bengal is at the crossroads. It has to decide whether it wants development or to side with the culture of corruption and cut money. For the state’s development, we need a double-engine government (same party’s government both at the Centre and the state),” he said. Apart from the ongoing five-phase ‘Parivartan Yatra’, ‘Lokko Sonar Bangla’ is another mass contact programme launched by the BJP ahead of the assembly elections due in April-May. Nadda said that the BJP aims to build a West Bengal where women can live without fear and students from the Matua community get education and jobs to lead a good life. “The icons of Bengal who have been the leading lights of the country and have guided India both before and after Independence have been neglected in the state. We will take Bengal to new heights by following the teachings and ideals of Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore among others,” he said. He said more than 1.4 crore toilets have been built in West Bengal under the Swacch Bharat Mission, and the figures speak about the condition of the women in the state. “The Swachh Bharat Mission was criticised by many people when it launched. But look how this scheme of construction of toilets has empowered women in the rural areas. “Our mothers and sisters had to wait till dusk to relieve themselves. But more than 11 crore toilets have been built across the country, including 1.4 crore in Bengal. This speaks about the condition of the women,” he said. His comments come just days after the TMC unveiled its poll slogan ‘Bangla Nijer Meyekei Chaye’ (Bengal wants its own daughter), portraying Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as its mascot with a focus on women voters and Bengali sub- nationalism. Bengali actor Payal Sarkar joined the saffron party in the presence of Nadda. Meanwhile, the BJP leadership claimed that the police denied permission for its ‘Parivartan Yatra’ in Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district, scheduled to be addressed by Nadda in the evening.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2021/02/25/bengal-has-to-choose-between-development-and-cut-money-culture-nadda/

[lazyupdates]

“I have seen it all, I did it all, I said it all, But I can’t remember it all…”

That’s how our Lifetime Achievement Winner, Moushumi Chatterjee defines her four-decade-old journey. “I don’t consider anyone bad. It’s the situation that makes people do things. You may hurt someone unintentionally. But you must never humiliate anyone,” says the actor who continues to throw up interesting performances. In 2014, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Bengali film Goynar Baksho and now the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award 2015. “I wish my father-in-law (the late musician/filmmaker Hemant Kumar) was present to see me receive this honour,” she says. In the recent hit Piku, she impressed with her brazen candour on sexuality. What’s more she was pitted against Amitabh Bachchan, her co-star in Basu Chatterjee’s quaint film Manzil (1979), remembered for its RD Burman number Rimjhim gire saawan. “Amitji possesses the same dedication. His sense of humour is intact,” she says. “Rimjhim gire was shot over two days in natural light and rain… from Colaba, VT to Marine Drive. I remember my eyeliner getting smudged! We kept having coffee to keep ourselves warm,” she reminisces.

Child bride The reluctant star of Tarun Mazumdar’s Ballika Badhu (1965) never imagined that fiction would turn into the truth of her life. “I did Ballika Badhu when I was in the fifth standard. I got married when I was in the tenth,” recalls she. Young Indira (her real name) got engaged to‘guardian and neighbour’ Hemant Kumar’s son, Jayant Mukherjee (Babu). “I fell in love with Babu. He was the first man I came in touch with outside my family. In my dowry, came a dog, a doll’s house and a friend, my girl Friday,” she laughs.

The teen bride had already seen in Bengali films like Parineeta, Anindita and Anand Ashram. She came to Mumbai with husband Babu only to have film offers lined-up for her. Raj Khosla’s Kachche Dhaage was her first film, though Shakti Samanta’s Anuraag, where she played a visually-challenged girl released first in 1973­­­­. The next year saw her team up with Amitabh Bachchan in the thriller Benaam and opposite Rajesh Khanna in Humshakal. Her most notable performance was that of a rape survivor in Manoj Kumar’s Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974). “I was pregnant with my first child but Manojji took great care of me. I threw up with all the atta (flour) in my mouth. A duplicate blouse was placed on me, which was later flung aside for the scene.” She claims, “The song Hai hai yeh majboori was to be filmed on me. But I got pregnant. The phrase‘do takiya’ in the song matches my character Tulsi’s language not that of the sophisticated Zeenat Aman’s in the film.”

Her other successful films were Swarg Narak and Angoor with Sanjeev Kumar. The hat-trick of hits Maang Baro Sajna, Ghar Ek Mandir and Pet Pyaar Aur Paap put her in the big league in 1984. Later, she graduated to doing character roles in Ghayal, Ghar Parivaar and Udhaar Ki Zindagi. Ask Moushumi to analyse her appeal and she says self-effacingly, “I’ve a crooked nose. I’m slightly cock-eyed. Perhaps my smile, my laughter charmed. Also, I had a voluptuous figure. I was never skinny. Actually, sex-appeal lies in your face, your eyes. Having a great figure doesn’t matter.” She recalls how the late director Raj Khosla summed her up. “He said, “Moushumi’s childlike, not childish. She can be fun-loving like an eight-year-old and wise like a woman of 80.”

Will break, not bend In an industry, which has not been entirely kind to married actresses, Moushumi finds herself grateful. “Mahesh Bhatt once chided me for being ‘unprofessional’. He joked, ‘Every time your career is doing well, you get pregnant’. I replied, ‘My babies have added to my life’.’You can be a top star, a celebrity or even a queen but ultimately you need a family, a home.” What she does admit to is her ‘will break but not bend’ dictum, which became the reason of her walking out of big projects. “I was not the ambitious kind, who wanted work by hook or crook. I did films on my own terms. I even shot for some big banner films but left them after a few days because my ethics didn’t allow me to continue. I didn’t compromise my sanskar. They thought I was stubborn and crazy.”

Rumours of being ‘uncooperative’ plagued her career. “Some top heroes could not take my behaviour. They’d say, ‘You prefer to talk to the spot boy rather than have a cup of coffee with me. Do you think you’re Vyjayanthimala? I’d say, ‘No, I believe I’m Cleopatra’. Some, noticing my stance, would turn respectful, some indifferent.” She recalls the time when a senior actress gave her some ‘advice’. “She said, ‘Why don’t you open up? You rub them the wrong way. What’s the harm in having dinner with them on outdoors?’” She holds her heroes Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar and Dharmendra in high regard. “Once Dharamji happened to see me at a particular party. He said, ‘Why have you come here? Go home right now!’ Rishi was helpful when I was pregnant and shooting for Zehreela Insaan. While Sanjeev Kumar loved to relax at my house, enjoying non-vegetarian food and watching films.”

My home, my world While showbiz wanted more of her, all she wanted was to rush back home. “I could switch from being Moushumi to Indu very easily. The minute pack-up was announced I wanted to run home to my husband. Even after Payal was born, I’d want to see Babu first.” In fact, the foundation of their bond, she says, was formed in those early years. She was a minor when her first daughter Payal was born. “My gynaecologist told me ‘a kid is having a kid’. When Payal was born, I didn’t have patience. She’d break my toys; I’d want to break hers.” She had Megha at 24 and didn’t work for two years as she was a weak child. “But the moment I thought of returning, I got four offers including Watan Ke Rakhwale, Aag Hi Aag and Ghayal,” says she.

Her ingenuousness remained intact even after motherhood and that’s why perhaps Dharmendra signed her for his production Ghayal. “I wasn’t interested. I suggested other heroines. But he said, ‘Kudiye, none can match your inocence. You can make the audience ghayal with your pain’.” She owes the liberty she enjoyed to her husband. “Babu was well off. He wasn’t living off me. He trusted me. My life has been an open book. Yes, he was possessive about certain things. Like once when I wore a sleeveless blouse, he didn’t like it. He said, ‘Have you forgotten to wear a blouse?’” she laughs.

LINK-UPS & LIES Though she was a married actress, rumours of romantic liaisons didn’t spare her. She was linked to various heroes including the late Vinod Mehra and Farooque Sheikh and distributor Ramesh Sippy. With Vinod Mehra she did around 10 films including Anuraag, Us-Paar, Raftaar, Umar Qaid and Zindagi and that set the grapevine buzzing. “Vinod and Babu were close friends. We lived in the same building. So we often went out together. That gave rise to rumours.” She doesn’t deny her outgoing disposition. “I am a flirt. I can flirt even with a plant, with an animal. In fact, Shabana Azmi once said, ‘Shashi Kapoor and you can flirt with anyone from six to 60,” she titters. But she’s aware of the perils of a friendly disposition. “The way I show my warmth is misconstrued. Babu once told me, ‘You’re a heroine. People view you differently. Be careful’. But he also jokes that even on my death bed I will flirt with the doctor.”

On a serious note she explains, “I never reacted to rumours. Those close to me knew, where I was and with whom. My husband was with me. Yes, I committed mistakes.” She reflects, “I realised Moushumi Chatterjee had many admirers. There were people who said, ‘I love you’ and even those who said, ‘I want to marry you’. I couldn’t push them away or be rude. I gave them enough time and also to myself to understand that they were attracted to me and not in love with me. I respect them. I even respect their spouses who also went through a bad time.” She’s still a ‘romantic’ but her definition of love has changed. “Love is an illusion. It’s at best attraction and attachment. Gradually, you move on to other things, your emotions are channelised into your children, your work…”

Golden time Glamour is short-lived and what lasts is the halo of contentment. “I’ve seen actresses go haywire. I committed a lot of mistakes too. But once I realised them, I took a U turn and never looked back. Your lifestyle is important. If you abuse life, life will abuse you back. Actresses turn lonely because they don’t listen to the voice within.” She insists on being spiritual. “I’m a Hindu but I perform namaz. I visit the church. You can reach God by touching human beings. You come alone and go alone. I take pleasure in simple things, like cooking and being with my children. And of course getting into arguments with husband Jayant. “Babu merely listens, unless I provoke him. We share a great sense of humour. Like when I say, ‘Gala dukh raha hai (my throat is hurting)’, he shoots back, ‘Daba doon (shall I press it)?’”

Moushumi Chatterjee’s best works 

Balika Badhu (1967)

An adolescent Moushumi was about endearing innocence as a child-bride in Tarun Majumdar’s Bengali drama. It was later remade in Hindi with Sachin Pilgaonkar and Rajni Sharma in the lead.

Parineeta (1969)

The many adaptations of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Parineeta include Moushumi’s take as a young woman’s unflinching devotion to her childhood sweetheart. This was directed by Ajoy Kar. It featured Samit Bhanja, Bijon Bhattacharya and Khagesh Chakravarti

Anuraag (1972)

A blind girl befriends a terminally ill child. The tragedy turns into a tale of hope and love in the Shakti Samanta directorial.

Kuchhe Dhaage (1973)

Moushumi’s village belle act was the perfect foil to the machismo dripping portrayals of Vinod Khanna and Kabir Bedi. Mere bachpan tu jaa… had an uncanny real-life echo to Moushumi’s own evolution.

    Zehreela Insaan (1974)

Best remembered for the chartbuster O Hansini and Rishi Kapoor’s emotional confusion. Moushumi matched his intensity with her innocence and ease.

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)

Manoj Kumar’s war cry against corruption featured Moushumi in a ghastly rape sequence. She was apparently pregnant then but carried off the scene with elan.

Benaam (1974)

Both Moushumi and Amitabh Bachchan share great chemistry as a married couple. Their paradise is lost once their son goes missing.

Manzil (1979)

Basu Chatterjee’s Manzil not only gave us the rain-drenched panorama of Mumbai’s bay-line but also the monsoon ode Rimjhim gire sawan filmed on Amitabh Bachchan and Moushumi.

Swayamvar (1980)

Moushumi was all fire and sweet tantrums as Shashi Kapoor’s demanding ladylove in Swayamvar.

Pyaasa Saawan (1981)

Sexy and sentimental, Moushumi played the perfect wife in this melodrama. She won appreciation and sympathy as Jeetendra’s ailing wife here.

Angoor (1982)

Gulzar’s comedy of errors worked on a low-key sense of humour. Moushumi’s distrustful, daft, housewife act was perfect for the character.

Ghayal (1990)

As Sunny Deol’s grief-ridden sister-in-law in Ghayal, she provided a gravitas to her performance.

    Moushumi’s most-loved melodies

·        Sun ri pawan pawan puriya – Anuraag (1973)

·        Tere nainon ke main deep jalaaonga – Anuraag (1973)

·        hansini – Zehreela Insaan (1974)

·        Mehngai maar gayee – Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)

·        Vado karo janam – Sabse Bada Rupaiya (1976)

·        Rimjhim gire sawan – Manzil (1979)

·        Wada nahin karte kisi se –  Prem Bandhan (1979)

·        Mausam pe jawani hai – Do Premee (1980)

·        Yun na rootho – Itni Si Baat (1981)

·        Megha re megha re – Pyaasa Sawan (1981)

[beautcous]

Wedding Gathering // Khanna & Malhotra siblings

Tagged: @ofheavcnlysx

Involving: Veer Malhotra, Priya Khanna, Priya Khanna & Raj Malhotra

Veer smiled at the elder man who shook his hand, he’d been at this for about thirty minutes or so since he arrived at the venue. It was a family friend’s wedding and thus both his family and the Khanna’s were expected to attend. It appeared that like him, Raj as well as the Khanna sisters were all occupied mingling with family friends that one point he had lost them in the crowd. Eventually, he did find them once he parted ways with the man he’d been speaking to and made his way over to his brother and the two ladies who stood by him. “Unbelievable, our parents should be attending this but instead they sent us. Am I the only who doesn’t know about half the people here?” An annoyed look crossing Veer’s features because he had no desire to be here, after being here for a little over an hour he was ready to go home.

Being in a secret relationship with the man that her sister was promised to was hard for Priya. It wasn’t like she planned it, she and Raj simply got along. Yes, she knew that some people didn’t really care for his broody disposition, and yet it never bothered her at all. She didn’t know how she was going to tell Payal about all this however, she loved her sister and didn’t want her thinking that Priya did this out of spite, because that was not the case at all. Now, here they were, at a wedding, with her trying to act as if she wasn’t in love with Raj. Thank God she was chatty by nature or this whole charade would’ve been exposed by now. Minutes later, Veer joined them, his comment earning him a light chuckle. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to.” She said to him in return, her dark hues shifted about the room for a moment before it landed on him once more. “Yup, no clue who half these people are either.”

Payal sighed softly as once more when she'd been speaking to Raj and he had turned his attention away from her. Really, it should not have stung anymore she had grown used to competing for his attention when he did chose to give it, which was scarce to begin with. She worked with the man everyday for god's sake, and even then the amount of times they spoke was so brief that Payal she was imagine the few words they did exchange. So, she turned her attention to Veer, unlike her intended, actually quite enjoying speaking to Payal. "Don't you know our parents by now?" She raised a brow at Veer, and glancing Priya as well. "This why they have kids, they want us to do their dirty work." She was jesting of course but days like these it felt like they had agenda of some sort. "Well, at least the food is good. I'm sure we sneak away early no one will care." She murmured, giving one sweep across the venue before turning back to her companions.

Sometimes, Raj hated being put in the same room as Priya and Payal. Actually, he hated the situation he was in right now, being in love with the younger sister of the woman he was supposed to marry was not what he envisioned for himself. It wasn’t his intention for this to happen, Payal was a good woman after all, and he felt like a monster for treating her so badly at times. He couldn’t bring himself to stop however, hoping that if he pushed her away hard enough, then maybe she would hate him and he would be free to continue his relationship with Priya despite knowing that he would still have to marry Payal someday. Being quiet by nature did have its advantages, no one expected him to say much, especially now when he was bored out of his mind and trying not to stare at Priya. “No use in grumbling. We’re already here, might as well get comfortable.” He said to the group with his brows pinched together.

Veer let out a chuckle at Priya's comment, but it was fitting they knew a few familiar faces but this was sort of an event that their parents should have attended rather than the children. He was about to speak when Payal and Raj had also inserted their thoughts and unlike him the other two seemed to be taking their situation with much more grace than he was. His eyes flickered between the three, and while they all seemed fine somehow Veer got a strange sense from all three. "The food did look good..." He told Payal before turning his gaze to Raj who as usual looked as grumpy as he always did. "Says the guy who walks around with a sour disposition. But she's right, I don’t think we have to stay very long..." He then turned to Priya, "Did you get a chance to speak to Mr. Roy?" Referring to the man they had discussed at their meeting last week, the man seemed to be so charmed by Priya, Veer thought if anyone could persuade him it would her.

Priya had to force herself not to smile when Raj finally made a comment. He sounded like his usual self, always so grumpy, and yet, when he was alone with her, he wasn't that way at all. Raj was kind and that kindness might be the reason why she fell for him in the first place. She still felt bad about falling for him however. Payal would someday be marrying Raj, which left her heart a little broken. How she wished that it was she who was his intended, and not Payal. But there was no use for her to cry about it now when she knew what she was getting into. “Is it too late to be adopted out now?” She questioned her sister, her hues sparkling as the words left her. Then she hooked an arm around Payal’s and leaned in to say,  “That’s why I’m here, for the food alone.” Deciding to ignore Raj--so they could keep up their pretenses, her attention went to Veer, where she then shook her head, “Not yet. Do I have to right now? He kind of creep me out.” The last part was spoken in a hushed tone, her brows scrunching together and she’d moved a little closer to Payal, as if her sister could shield her from the horrible man.

Despite her best efforts, Payal’s eyes still glanced over at Raj every so often who had his gaze anywhere but on her. She supposed it was not so surprising considering the man only ever spoke to her when it was required which meant mostly at work. There were many times when Payal would attempt to start a conversation with him, things she had observed he liked speaking about but to no avail. Is this how their marriage would be as well? The very thought was enough to instill concerns in her mind about their entire engagement. She was bought of her reverie by Priya, Payal’s gaze softening when she looked to her younger sister. His dark brown eyes gleaming a bit at her remark, “you know our mother, she’d hunt us down.” She murmured with a soft chuckle, as Priya took a hold of her arm, “When no one is looking, we’ll sneak some home with us.” She joked back with her sister, the two sisters were perhaps the biggest foodies to every roam the earth. Her sister's next words, caused Payal to tense up her eyes flickering with concern to Priya and she shot Veer an annoyed look as she wrapped an around Priya, “And you’re not going anymore either, isn’t that right Veer?” Glaring at the elder Malhotra brother.

When Veer’s comment reached his ears, he shook his head at his brother and returned his gaze unto the crowd. He had to do it or risk getting caught staring at Priya. It made him sick; this knowledge that he loved her and yet knew that he couldn’t truly have her. He shouldn’t have started this; pursued a relationship with the bubbly brunette. In the same note, how could he not? She was the epitome of kindness and her personality was infectious. Priya had been able to crack him out of his shell, something that no one else had ever managed to do. For that reason alone, he would always be grateful to have been given the chance to love her. He wasn’t being fair to Payal though, Raj wasn’t blind, he could tell that his intended held strong feelings for him maybe if he wasn’t so stuck on Priya, he might actually develop feelings of his own, but that was too late now that he was in love with the younger Khanna sister. A sigh left him before his attention veered back to the trio and a frown immediately set upon his features upon seeing Priya hiding behind Payal. What was that about? He wondered. “I think it’s time we leave.” He said instead, not wanting to make it seem like he was acting too concerned over Priya’s wellbeing. “We’ve made our presence known, there’s nothing left for us to do.”

A frown graced Veer’s face as Priya’s words of Roy giving her the creeps registered his mind. Truthfully, he had seen the other man flirt with Priya and always seemed to fond of her, but it annoyed him that he hadn’t caught onto the fact that he might have been making the brunette uncomfortable. In fact, he felt guilt for not being able to sense Priya’s discomfort when Roy was around. So, it was safe to say when her elder sister, Payal, glared at Veer and then subtly chided him, he had the decency to look a little bit guilty. He nodded to Payal before turning his gaze to Priya who was hiding behind his elder sister, whose arm was securely wrapped around her younger sister. Anger did flash through him briefly towards a man whom he considered decent. He then turned his gaze to the younger Khanna sister, “Why didn’t you tell me so before?” His voice was gentle of course but he shook his head, “You’re sister’s right, you won’t be speaking to him again. I’ll speak to him and give him a piece of my mind while I’m at it.” Veer looked over his brother and he couldn’t help but note how distracted Raj looked that he had missed the entire conversation. But Veer nodded, “He’s right, we showed our faces, that should be good enough. But, Raj, the girls want to eat first, let’s join them and then we’ll head out.” As they made their way towards the food section, Veer’s eyes sought out hoping to find Meera but he wasn’t even sure she’d attended this function. He had thought about texting his childhood friend and invited her as his plus one but he couldn’t muster up the courage to do so.

If anyone would defend Priya, it would be Payal which was why she felt even guiltier for having to deceive her sister. She didn’t know how much longer she was going to be able to keep up this charade. As much as she loved Raj, she couldn’t hide them forever, and what happens when the two tie the knot? She wasn’t going to sit here and pretend as if she didn’t matter; she deserved to be loved and to be with someone who she could show her affection to freely. No matter how much she wished for the man to be Raj, the truth was, they were doomed from the beginning. She continued to hide behind her sister, her hues sad, hoping that Veer would give her a break and not force her to interact with the creepy man. At least she had Payal on her side on this; her older sister would always have her back and she couldn’t be more grateful to have her in her life. “I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers…” She answered Veer quietly; he looked rather angry, something that she’d never seen in him. It was enough to send alarm bells ringing; for her not to mess with him, not that she would. Once the matter was settled, she fluttered her lashes and turned to Priya, “Can we eat before we leave or do you still want to sneak some home with us?” Her dark eyes were filled with mischief as she posed the question at her sister. “I think we should try the latter.”

Once more she could see that Raj’s attention was not anywhere nearing the remaining trio and this wasn’t the fist time she’d noticed him so aloof. There were countless occasions where when the four them were together and his mind would be diverted and where it ventured too, something she wish she knew. But then it again, when it came to Raj she wished for a lot of things that she was beginning to sense would never be fulfilled. A part of Payal wanted to attempt to keep her distance from him, she wished she didn’t notice him or want him. More importantly, she wished she could know what went on Raj’s mind in regards to her. Annoyed at herself for letting her thoughts wander over to the obvious man, she focused back on Priya, catching Veer’s agreement that the creep would not be anywhere near her sister. Satisfied at the sincere look on Veer’s face, she turned back to her baby sister who still huddled near Payal. A smile came to Payal’s face, her sister always appeared to fix her mood no matter what her troubles were. “Don’t be ridiculous, no business deal is important over you.” She told her firmly, before shaking her head, “Oh, no we can do both. we are most definitely eating here and then taking some. No one will notice, well give the extra to the boys, they eat alot anyway so no one will raise eyesbrows.” Throwing an amused look to Raj who had finally turned back to the group and then to Veer.

Raj knew that he shouldn’t notice, nor should he react but hearing how scared Priya sounded made him want to go over to this Roy person and rip his head off. He wasn’t one to resort to anger however, but it didn’t mean that he wouldn’t protect the ones he loved. Although at this point, he knew he had no right to react which was why he was grateful for Payal for protecting her sister. It made him respect her even more. All this time, he didn’t see how fiercely loyal she was towards Priya and how she would step in to protect her if needs be, he simply found her annoying because he hated the fact that he was obligated to marry her. It wasn’t her fault though; this whole arranged marriage was orchestrated by their families and it wasn’t fair of him to resent his intended over something that she had no control over.  Another sigh left him and he peered back at his older brother, nodding his head at the other. “Let them eat then.” His gaze found Payal’s for a moment; then something unexpected happened, he actually noticed how beautiful she was. The best words he could use to describe her was; she was effulgent. Her remark forced him to look away; chiding himself for noticing his intended when he was in love with Priya. He cleared his throat loudly afterwards and once again, his gaze went back to the crowd, hoping that his efforts would allow him to forget the weird event that just transpired.

Veer opened his mouth to respond to Priya’s comment of not wanting to stir up anything when Payal beat him to it. Quickly assuring her younger sister that nothing to precedence over her safety and Veer agreed. Normally, he was a lot more perceptive how that slipped past him he didn’t know but he’d take care of Roy on his own. He had no interest in working with someone who went around harassing women. “Next time something like this happens, I want you to tell me immediately.” Veer told Priya gently but still firmly the same, she was his family In some way too as Payal was, both of their safety immediately being his concern. His gaze then moved to Raj who still looked a bit distracted but once he turned back to the others. A chuckle left Veer’s lips at Payal’s comment, “Easy there, you both want to sneak the food you can hold it yourselves.” he countered with a short grin. Raj conceded too at their request, and Veer steered them all towards the food section, walking with the two women. But he stepped right beside his younger brother, “You’re more distracted than usual, everything okay?” Concern on his features as he looked towards Raj.

The more Payal stood up for Priya, the guiltier she felt. There were times when she wished she was unfeeling and cold; where she didn’t care about anyone’s feelings but hers alone. How unfortunate was it that she could never do that? That above all else, her sister would always come first and this relationship that she’d been trying to keep a secret, it was bound to come to an end. She couldn't live like this anymore; she wasn’t going to be kept as a dirty little secret, she deserved better. Most importantly, she wanted her sister to be happy and she would never have happiness as long as Priya was in the way. The only hurdle now was breaking hers and Raj’s heart in order to achieve that goal. As always however, despite her own heartache, she was good at keeping a smile on her face. “You say that, but others might not.” She threw the remark at Payal as she looked on sheepishly before her dark hues trailed over to Veer who still looked rather intimidating as he addressed her. “I will.” She promised and immediately put her focus on Payal because quite frankly, having to see Veer like this--a little riled up--scared her. “Has anyone told you lately how smart you are?” She complimented the older Khanna sister as she gave her arm a gentle squeeze, all the while, she made sure not to look at Raj once more when he spoke. God, how was she ever going to let him go when just hearing the sound of his voice made her heart beat faster? “You can help us eat it. I’ve seen you eat. I don’t know how you’re still so skinny when you eat like a horse.” She challenged Veer with a raised brow before taking Payal’s hand and leading her over to where the food was.

At Priya’s words, she raised a brow at her as Payal’s protective instincts kicked in tenfold for her younger sister. “Oh yeah? Give me their names, when I’m through them you’ll find their opinions have changed quite a lot on this matter.” A dark promise in her voice as she thought of who would place Priya’s safety in jeopardy and she was a bit shocked at the words that slipped from her sister’s lips. Her arm secured around Priya a bit tighter than before, Priya had to know she’d deal with anything and forgive anything but she would not forgive anyone who harmed her sister. She smiled a bit at Veer’s response, relief washing over Payal that Veer would take of Priya during work when Payal could not be around her sister during those hours. She then grinned at Priya, “You jsut realized this now? I’m hurt, Priya.” Placing her hand over her heart dramatically before laughing both at Veer’s remark and then Priya’s response to him. Before the four moved to the food section, she looked up to find Raj’s gaze on her, and as always her heart skipped a bit as he held her gaze for moments longer. She felt a smile forming as he still stared at her, a smile she usually only ever gave him. He didn’t say anything but simply stared at her, and Payal relished in the brief moments he had noticed since they arrived at the wedding. God, if he only knew what sort of effect he had on Payal. Eventually Raj broke the stare much to her disappointment, but she shook it off and walked along beside her sister joking with her some more as she saw the boys were immersed in their own conversation.

Raj couldn’t have felt more confused than in this very moment. He loved Priya, she was the light of his life, and yet, he’d checked out Payal anyway. When their eyes met briefly, he swore his heart thudded harder behind his ribcage. What was wrong with him? Why was he suddenly feeling so confused? It was probably because he was being forced to be here. Having to be in close proximity of both Priya and Payal was confusing his feelings for the women. That had to be the answer because he refused to believe that his feelings for the younger Khanna sister could easily fade, even though deep down the knowledge of their doomed relationship loomed over him like a dark cloud. He was sad about their impending break, knowing that it would break both of their hearts, he was sure that it would. However, as he watched Payal walking with Priya from the corner of his eye, the idea of being married to his intended didn’t make him want to run as it did before. Now, all he felt was curiosity as he wondered what life would be like for them as a married couple. Those thoughts were still consuming him when he heard his brother’s question. He blinked a few times and shrugged his shoulders; trying to act nonchalant before he answered Veer. “Why wouldn’t I be? I just want to get out of here, so let’s eat and leave, yeah?” Hoping that his brother would buy his comment, he picked up a plate and proceeded to scan through the selection of dishes.

Veer let out a hearty laugh at Priya’s comment but of course this hadn’t been the first time she’d made some cheeky comment and made him laugh. In fact, he could recall each time he laughed so fully it was usually because of Priya, but he supposed it wasn’t so shocking. He’d always found the younger Khanna sister to be quite bubbly and charming, getting people to smile and laugh was a specialty of hers. Coupled with her striking looks and that charming dimple helped her too. For a moment, Veer was a bit confused as he realized he noticed such things about Priya but he supposed he’d known her long enough that you’re bound to pick up little things here and there. “It’s called a gym, Priya.” he said flashing her an amused grin, “Works wonders, and I prefer the word fit.” He threw in before the girls began walking ahead of them and Veer fell into step besides his brother who looked as if he had a lot running on his mind. Veer waited for a response but the longer Raj took to respond the more worried he grew for his younger brother. His response came and it made Veer from slightly, he also knew when he was being fully honest. “That’s hardly a reason for the way you’d been behaving. You look like you’re thinking really hard about something, and I don’t think it’s this wedding.  I won’t push you to share if you’re not ready.” He paused then, “If it’s serious, I hope you’ll tell me.” He told Raj firmly, letting him see the seriousness in his eyes as the words were spoken with authority.

Once Priya chose to push aside her feelings for Raj, it was easy for her to focus on her sister. Payal always had the propensity of making her feel better, no matter how hard of a time she was having, she knew she could lean on her sister for support and she loved the other woman all the more for it. “I’m not going to do that. You might kill all of them and then I’d lose you forever. I can’t lose you, you’re important to me…” She remarked with a childlike innocence in her tone of voice, although her earnestness could not be masked. Without Payal, she wouldn’t know how she would even begin to live her life. While most people had rivalry with their sibling, she never felt that way towards Payal. They were always close, having been born a mere two years apart bonded them. She could remember a time when they would do everything together and things hadn’t changed all that much even now as they bloomed into adulthood; she would always need her sister. For this reason alone, Priya was willing to give up the love she shared with Raj. She would find another man to love someday, but she could never replace her sister. “I always knew that you were smart, silly. Of course I have. I’m just asking if you knew.” She returned kindly, chuckling at her sister’s feigned offense. Veer’s statement shifted her attention back to him, where she scrunched up her nose and let out a laugh, “You’re skinny, you’re like a walking stick. Just accept that, Veer.” She was only teasing him of course, although Veer was tall, she’d always known that he was a looker. His good looks differed from Raj. While the younger brother had a dangerous bad boy edge to his handsomeness, Veer was the complete opposite, he looked like the type of man a woman should fall in love with. However, as anger sparked behind his dark hues earlier, she wondered if he was even as wholesome as he portrayed himself to be. When she realized that she had been thinking about him for far too long, she shook the thoughts away and focused instead on the spread before them.

Payal’s gaze softened further as she looked to her sister, her heart warming at Priya’s words but she knew how much her sister loved and in turn Priya knew how much she loved her in return. But priya was definitely the more sentimental of the two girls and her words never failed to get Payal emotional. It was the innocence in which Priya said those words that perhaps made her so emotional but seeing as they were in public she was able to school her features. So she chuckled softly, “It’s scary how well you know me but don’t worry I’m not going anywhere and If I had to, I’d take you with me.” She told her sincerely, the two had been close since children and not having Priya in her life was simply unacceptable. She shot Priya another amused look, “Aren’t you just cheeky?” She retorted as the two made their way towards the food, her eyes did glance at Raj once more but she saw he was speaking to Veer and turned back to her sister. Trying hard to push the brief moment she shared with him to the side because she almost afraid she had imagine the eye-lock she had with Raj.

COMPLETE