Weddings are tough, especially when it feels like all your friends decide to tie the knot in the same year.
How did we get here? Wasn't it just yesterday we were skipping classes and holding hands?
No, it's been five years.
The memories are still fresh, but thankfully, the pain has faded over time. It's not that I'm not happy my best friend is getting married; in fact, I'm ecstatic. But it doesn't help that I'm 27 and nowhere close to finding a soulmate. Ha. Do soulmates even exist? I guess late twenties are for skepticism.
The thing about Indian weddings is that you get to buy a million outfits. It's one of the things I've been looking forward to the most this wedding season. No, I haven't been watching too much Bridgerton. Maybe a little.
"Are you going to wear a saree or a lehenga to the wedding?" Ridhima asked me. She was standing in front of the mirror, deciding on the new lehenga she had just tried on. To be honest, she would look beautiful even if she wore her pajamas. Even so, I couldn't help staring at her.
The shimmering lavender-colored long skirt hugged her hips perfectly and flowed all the way down.
"What do you think? Do I look fat?" she asked.
"No, it looks beautiful, Ridz. I love it," I said, looking over at her and smiling when I saw that her blouse was working overtime to keep her boobs in place. I had always been jealous of that particular aspect of hers.
Although, Abhishek had never complained about mine. On the other hand, it was impossible for him to keep his eyes, hands, or lips off them whenever we were alone.
"I think I'm going to wear a saree," I told Ridhima.
She looked at me with a coy smile.
"What?" I asked.
"Is that for Abhishek? I know he couldn't keep it in his pants whenever you wore a saree."
"Oh god, Ridz. I have shared too many unnecessary details with you. Anyhow, we are broken up."
"Exactly. This is the perfect time for you to meet someone and get over him," Ridhima said, bending down to adjust the length of her skirt.
This was Ridhima's answer to everything. I wish I could be like her and not be hung up on my ex. Just have fun, friends with benefits, sleeping with someone no strings attached. Why have I never been able to do this?
"You know I can't sleep with someone unless I love them."
Ridhima rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'm still going to try my best and set you up with someone. At least for a night. You are too wound up. When was the last time you had sex anyway?"
I gulped. It had been almost seven months. I never knew that would be the last time between me and Abhi. I remembered the night well. His weight on me. His strong thighs pushing against mine with every thrust, deep inside me. His soft whispers in my ear.
I started to feel nervous just thinking about it. I shook my head and continued with the shopping. I ignored Ridhima's suggestions for the rest of the evening. I finally picked a pale lemon-yellow silk saree with a soft shine and studded diamonds for the wedding. I was happy with my choice. I felt beautiful when I tried it on. There was a little part of me that wanted Abhi to see me in this saree and do unspeakable things to me. But after what happened, I wouldn't allow him to come within five feet of me.
I was looking forward to the next day. We were supposed to practice our dance performance for the wedding. When I went to my best friend Riya's house, she told me to go up to the roof where everyone was practicing their dances with the choreographer.
I was surprised to know that she had actually arranged for a choreographer. Indian weddings are no joke. After climbing four flights of stairs, I could faintly hear the music. I opened the door to the terrace and saw a few of my friends dancing completely off-beat to the "Maahi Ve" song. I couldn't help but laugh watching Ridhima and her boyfriend bumping into each other every five seconds.
"I know it looks bad, but trust me, by tomorrow they will get the hang of it." I looked over my shoulder and saw a man smirking at me.
"Oh... Umm yes, I sure hope so." I paused and looked at him again. "You must be the choreographer?"
"Yes. I'm Aaditya. You must be Vamika."
"It's nice to meet you, Aaditya. How do you know my name?" I asked him.
"Oh. Your friends were expecting you. So I just assumed," Aaditya said.
He was stunning. Tall, dark, and gorgeous. God help me.
"Why don't you join them? Maybe give someone else a chance to laugh?" He smirked at me.
"Oh. Right. I don't know the steps yet. I'll ask Ridhima to show me a few steps," I said, looking around for Ridhima, feeling embarrassed.
"Oh, I doubt she will be able to help you; she is still learning not to bump into Arjun on every other step. Let me help you; it's my job anyway."
Aaditya walked straight to the side where there was some space and motioned for me to follow him. I went after him, trying to remember the last time I had actually rehearsed for a dance.
He showed me a few steps. It was clear he had a dancer's body. He was simply graceful. It's unbelievably sexy when a man knows how to dance.
After he was done, he stood to the side and asked me to repeat the steps he had just taught me.
I tied my dupatta to my waist and recalled the steps he did. They were fairly simple. After I was done, I looked at him. He was gazing at me intently, and it seemed like he was in serious thought. Surely I couldn't have been that bad.
"Was that okay?" I asked.
"That was... great. You are a wonderful dancer. Graceful... but we could improve the last step. Let me show you." He came closer to me and held my hand. He twirled me and stood exactly behind me. He put his other hand on my waist.
I was flustered. I felt my cheeks turning hot. This was too sensual. Was it just me? Did he feel it too? Nobody except Abhi had held my waist like this before.
He directed the moves standing behind me, taking my hand and moving me slowly in a flow. His hand had a good grip on mine.
Why does holding hands feel so intimate? How would his hand feel intertwined with mine in the throes of passion? Oh god. I need to stop.
He pulled away, and I glanced at him. He smiled at me. A charming and kind smile. I suddenly felt very much at ease.
"That was great. You'll be ready for the dance in no time with some practice. I'm sure," Aaditya said, still smiling with his kind eyes.
"I hope so, thanks," I said, hoping this wouldn't be the last time he taught me.