Page 105 of Mrs. Rathore

“No, you’re crazy for letting your gorgeous husband walk around without touching him,” Kavya teased, laughing. “I mean… who wouldn’t want to have sex with him?”

“Can you stop talking about this?” I glanced around, making sure no one was listening. “Why are you always talking about sex?”

“Because no one else talks about it honestly, and someone has to,” she groaned. “Why isn't God sending me a handsome man?”

“How about Saurav?”

“He’s a jerk,” she said, rolling her eyes. “He’s only interested in one-night stands, and then he forgets the woman exists. Plus, he flirted with Noor right in front of me. After that, I completely cut him off. If I want a man, he has to be mine. Only mine.”

“I heard from Rhea that he still has a couple of girlfriends,” I said, laughing. Kavya’s face twisted in annoyance.

“He’s also a spoiled brat,” she added, chewing on her lips. “One day, I saw him yelling at his father as if the world had betrayed him. Every word was full of years of hidden pain. That day, I got really scared. He always looks cheerful, but he’s not really that kind of person.”

Saurav was Mrs. Rathore’s nephew. I had never met Saurav's father but I’d heard stories. He had businesses all over the country and was apparently even richer than the Rathores.

“I think we’re getting late. We should go,” I said, changing the subject. Kavya looked relieved. I had once thought Kavya and Saurav might become a couple, but it ended before it even started.

“Hello, Aunty ji,” Kavya said quickly when she saw Mrs. Rathore coming towards us.

“God bless you,” Mrs. Rathore said simply before looking at me. She handed me a paper bag with a box wrapped in purple paper. “This is a gift for your friend. Give her my blessings.”

I nodded, and she gave a tight smile before walking away. My relationship with Mrs. Rathore was still difficult, but it was slowly getting better. She wasn’t warm, but she wasn’t cold anymore either. We were learning to understand each other.

“I’m coming too!” Rhea called as she came downstairs in a silk beige dress. Her long hair bounced against her shoulders, and her natural-looking makeup perfectly matched her outfit. She looked like a living doll.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I had chosen a red saree with matching bangles, a diamond necklace, and small earrings. I looked every bit like a married woman.

“Your skin is glowing! What beauty brand do you use?” Kavya asked Rhea, and the two of them chatted happily about makeup.

Eventually, we arrived at the wedding place and went straight to the bride’s room.

“Oh my goodness!” Kavya gasped.

“You look just amazing,” I said, looking at Noor in her heavy red and gold embroidered dress with a matching scarf. Her wedding jewelry was stunning: a forehead ornament, a nose ring, and layered necklaces. Her hands were covered in henna and decorated with bangles and decorative tassels. Her makeup was bold, and her smile was radiant.

“Stunning!” Rhea added. Noor beamed.

“I can’t believe I’m the only one left in our group,” Kavya pouted. “You two have your beautiful husbands. What about me? It’s unfair!”

“You’ll get married soon,” Noor said with a warm smile.

“Why do you want to get married when you can enjoy being single?” Rhea asked playfully.

“Because arguing over what to eat for dinner with the same person forever sounds like a dream!” Kavya declared dramatically. “And who doesn’t want a permanent roommate to kill spiders, open jars, and witness your weirdness daily?”

We all burst into laughter.

A few hours later, we sat watching the ceremony with smiles on our faces. Everyone at the wedding knew us as Noor’s close friends. The food was delicious, and the decorations were like something out of a dream, with peach and gold elegance everywhere. The stage had a golden sofa against a wall of peach and cream flowers, with fancy chairs, chandeliers, and floral pillars creating a royal setting.

Rhea and Kavya chatted over bowls of ice cream while I quietly watched the ceremony. The way the bride and groom looked at each other, so full of happiness it made me wonder if people could truly grow old together like that.

Their wedding felt so different from mine.

I had seen a few photos from my wedding with Aryan, but there was no joy in them. Nothing looked perfect. If someone looked closely, they’d only feel sadness from our pictures.

Why did Aryan always find a way into my thoughts? Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him?

He had probably forgotten he even had a wife. When Rhea once mentioned me on a call with him, he dismissed it and hung up as if my name would ruin his day.

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