Chapter 20


    JENNIFER''S POV


    The double doors opened as two red uniformed men pulled it revealing a grand ballroom behind it. The


    theme of the party seemed to be golden and silver colors. I again stood at the entrance, gawking at the


    decorations done. And again, Mayank pulled me in as I got lost admiring the preparations done for their


    special day.


    The entire decor was giving me a feeling as if I was about to meet a king and queen of some state.


    To the left of the hall was a wooden stage set up for the couple to address their guests. It was


    decorated with numerous photos of Mr. and Mrs. Dhoopar in their youthful days. They really looked


    deep in love.


    There were several tables ced for the guests which were assigned by their names. Mr. Sumit led the


    way and the rest of the two of us followed. There were atleast 200 people present in the ceremony


    leading to quite a lot of hustle and bustle. Luckily, our table was in the front row.


    Once seated, I took a sweeping look at my surroundings.


    While Mr. Dhoopar was busy attending to his guests, most likely the ministers of the cab, Mrs.


    Dhoopar on the other hand, could not stop gushing about her diamond ne and earrings set.


    "Pretty amusing!" I thought, giving a half smile.


    Mr. Dhoopar was a tall man in histe 60s, a very sophisticated person though. Each and every word


    he spoke was measured, calcted. He had a french beard with grey eyes, that gave him a don''t-


    mess-with-me look. He had worn a ck three piece suit. I was fascinated with the way he was


    carrying himself, with great authority.


    "Still, he doesn''t have the enigma like that stranger in the den." My subconscious mind whispered.


    What!? From where did thate from? I winced on... I don''t know what. That guy wasn''t ready to


    leave my head.


    On the other hand, Mrs Dhoopar draped herself with an orange Sabhyasachi saree, pairing it with that


    diamond set. It was apparently her anniversary gift. She was a plumb, fair as the snowdy with


    attractive blue eyes. She and the otherdies from her kitty were gossiping about the alliance she had


    bagged for her daughter with one of the devils. I couldn''t properly hear the name of the guy, it possibly


    started with A though.


    "Perfect opposites of one other and perfectly perfect for each other too!" I thought for the Dhoopars.


    We were seated in front of the stage. Behind us, on the other end of the hall, was a big heart, from the


    top ceiling to the floor, made up of red and white roses. Several girls, around my age were busy taking


    hundreds of selfies there. Some guys were chatting and flirting with the ''chics'' they found ''hot''. Every


    single person seemed to have spentkhs of rupees to get ready for this one night.


    "Thank god I didn''te wearing Anarkali!" I mentally patted myself for not touching Anarkali for a


    party like this. She''s my favorite though... Haven''t I told you about her? Well.... she''s my favorite pink


    coloured salvar kameez. I repeat... Do Not Judge Me. I like naming my stuff. It makes me feel I have


    friends.


    Through the heart, the way led to a medium sized garden, fully decorated with scented candles, were


    the banquet had been arranged.


    In short, everything was marvelous!


    Then, I waitere towards me, with a tray, full of differently coloured liquids in those typical narrow


    mouthed wine sses, high up in the air in one hand.


    "Madam.... Merlot, Grenach, Gamay or Martini?" He asked bringing the tray in front of me. I kept mum.


    This caught the attention of the father and hs filthy son beside me.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Never in my life, had I ever tasted wine or alcohol. I didn''t even know the difference between the two if


    any. What should I supposingly say? I kept staring at the sses, embarrassed, my face acquiring a


    red tint.


    "Madam....?" The person asked again.


    I was loosing my confidence in front of these filthy rich people. To my continued silence, Mayank


    smirked at me, mockingly and my soon-to-be-father-inw muttered,"bloody primitive bride!"


    "I uh... uh.. shall go for a ss of water please." I stammered. But luckily, the waiter didn''t give me a


    judging look.


    "Sure madam." And then, he left.


    I soon drew my attention to my fingers, fiddling with them. Afterall, I wasn''t one of these people, hence


    this sudden change ofpany, status was making me ufortable.


    "So, our children would say that before marraige, their mother used to live on streets? Atleast, she is


    that primitive in her taste and knowledge for sure!" Mayank said, in an exasperated way, clenching his


    chest.


    I was shell-shocked.


    "Just because I don''t have drinks... you call such a Cardiologist as primitive of knowledge? And as far


    as my taste is concerned, you are the very first person to eye-fuck me, apart from the boys here,in this


    dress of my choice. Damn.it."


    I was literally on the verge of spitting this out on their faces, but didn''t as I knew the grave


    consequences it would lead to. So, I went for something more polite.


    "In case we have kids, (which I highly doubt) what would they say..? That their father tends to fuck


    children. So... should they remain on high-alert too?" I said innocently, batting myshes.


    To this, Mayank fell silent, with widened eyes.


    "Take that you bastard!" I screamed mentally.


    "Shut up you bitch!" Thundered the bastard''s father. This grabbed the attention of a few people around


    us. I stood up and made my way to the garden.


    "Enough of this bullshit!" I whisper-yelled.


    """"""""""""""" × """"""""""""


    The garden outside the ballroom was peaceful, calm. It was something which was shielding me from


    those judgemental looks I had been garnering inside.


    Apart from the scented candles, the clear starry night sky was adding a miraculous effect to the


    environment. I stared up. I always did this, whenever upset. Counting the stars was my favourite thing


    to do to think past my troubles. But soon those stupid drops of water clouded my vision.


    Nobody, absolutely noone had got the right of belittling my hard work of 10 years. Being a cardiologist,


    tending to a person''s heart is not a child''s y. I had worked day in and day out to earn that post I have


    today. Not knowing fancy wine names could not tarnish my character or persona or any other damn


    thing about me.


    "That''s Ursa Major you are looking at and the one to the west of it is Cassiopeia... MY favorite." Said a


    silky voice behind me leaving me in awe and admiration.


    I turned and was struck by the beauty this person had!