Part 5
Although it was Monday, Akshay and Khushboo's engagement was at the Mariott starting at 6pm. Guests had arrived by 7pm. They all had to rush to the office the next morning. Shantanu had to report back to work on Wednesday. He did not know what his next task would be.
He needed to try to be there and be happy for his brother tonight. He wore a mauve shirt with a black tie and black slacks and shoes. He felt some female attention on him but he simply ignored it. He wondered if he would see his new friend today as well.
Jatin Sharma was in charge of security for the engagement party. He had not time to eat. So Urmila Bhabhi asked Khanak to come with her to deliver his tiffin and watch.
" Tiwari let me know if you see anything suspicious. If Munna and his men are spotted we have to quickly escort them away from this venue," he hissed.
Shantanu saw them deep in discussion and grew concerned. He was nudged by a friend and he went off to join in for the ring exchange ceremony. The rings were exchanged without a hitch. Everyone cheered and congratulations exchanged. The dance floor opened and the engaged couple began dancing. They were later joined by Madhavi and Sunil along with Khushboo's parents. Shantanu preferred to hang back and watch as others began to pair up and dance.
Jatin was surprised to see Khanak with Urmila.
"Urmila tum do yahaan pe kyun aayi ho?," he exclaimed.( Why did you both come here?)
" Jatin hum baas tumara tiffin leker aaya the," Urmila stated.( We just brought your tiffin).
" You know Khanak's life was in danger just a few days ago," he hissed.
" Bhaiya relax. Bhabhi has some news to share. I'll be fine for a few minutes please relax," Khanak urged.
Jatin nodded and with his wife. Khanak looked from afar and smiled when her brother got excited and apologized to his wife. They would soon be parents.
Khanak's reverie was broken by a tap on her shoulder.
She turned to see SK.
" Arre aap?," she inquired with a smile.
" I was wondering if you would care for a dance with me?," he asked.
She gazed around at all the fancily clad guests.
" I am not dressed properly. I just came to give my brother's tiffin. I'll just get Bhabhi and leave soon," she stammered.
He smiled mischievously.
" Yaad hai, ki you owe me one," he said.
She blushed.
" Does it have to be now?," she inquired.
" Abhi mauka bhi hai. Bhaiya mere aur aap ke bhi busy hain," he stated.
Khanak glanced both ways towards where the guests were and where Jatin Bhaiya was conversing with her Bhabhi.
" Theek hai, chalo," she stated.
He offered her his hand and she shyly took it.
A few seconds later she could feel some surprised glares on them. He wrapped an arm around her waist and they swayed together to the music.
Khanak felt like she was dreaming. She never thought someone like SK would want anything to do with a girl like her. She did not consider herself to be worthy of all this consideration from a man like him. Nevertheless she would enjoy this moment for as along as she could.
The song ended and she quickly excused herself before her presence could be further noticed. Shantanu wanted to know when they could meet again but it seemed like she was in a hurry.
Tiwari escorted them home. Urmila was gushing about the news of the pregnancy. Khanak wanted to tell her about SK but she did not want to break her promise to him or risk her brother thinking SK was trying something with her. As a matter of fact she wanted the dance to be her secret to treasure for a little while until she knew more about him.
Shantanu could not believe he had met the girl again. He wanted to know her more. However she had been in danger a mere two days before. He would be risking her life if he got too close to her. Unfortunately chance meetings like this did not happen when things were calm and there was a low risk of harm coming to someone.
He sighed. He recalled their first meeting how scared she was. How each time that they separated he wondered when he would meet her again and suddenly she would be by his side yet again. Tonight he had held her close to him. He knew now that they would never just be friends. One day he would either have to force himself to forget her or he would have the courage to give up everything for her. He really hoped he could know her better.
Six months passed by. Life at the orphanage returned to normal. Khanak wondered about SK every now and then. However she was busy preparing for the birth of her niece or nephew. The baby would come any day now. Her brother and father were very concerned for Urmila's safety. Khanak was glad the focus was slipping away from her for sometime. She had begun to feel safe again. Sometimes she would wonder if SK had found someone else and forgotten about her. At times she wondered if their three chance meetings were all just a dream.
Khanak was preparing tea one morning. Her mother had gone to the market and mandir. She suddenly heard some screams coming from up the stairs. Khanak rushed up the stairs to find Urmila's water had broken. She seated her Bhabhi on the bed and called for an ambulance.
The labor was long as it was a firstborn. Khanak's parents and brother came. They informed Urmila's family. Both families waited and prayed for good news.
The doctor emerged from the birthing room.
"Ladka hua hai. Both mother and baby are doing fine," the doctor assured them.
They named the baby ten days later. He would be Suraj Sharma.
As Suraj grew, the focus was back on Khanak's marriage.
" She can continue to work after marriage. However she's getting older. She needs to marry soon," Sanjay said to his wife.
" The Khandlewals seem like nice family. Their older son got married some months back. Don't they have a younger son?," Sunita inquired.
Sanjay looked at his wife surprised.
" The Khandelwals probably would never consider Khanak for their bahu. Anyways their younger son is always away. How would he take care of Khanak's safety if hes always away. I want my daughter to have a companion in the sense he is there for her," Sanjay declared.
" We can try talking to them at least. I mean maybe their son will like Khanak enough and later love her enough to be home more often," Sunita suggested.
Sanjay was lost in thought. He knew the Khandlewals were a good family. The question was, was it the right family for Khanak?
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