Part 4

Izna's Perspective.

'Well now even I'm planning to tie this beautiful knot soon.' He said looking into my eyes with husk dripping from his tone.

It was difficult for me to stand there for a minute due to the proximity between us plus I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline in my blood when I got the meaning of his equivocal sentence. I went down the stage to avoid his gaze which was digging holes in my back.

'Izna where are you going? I heard Raima's shout and turned towards her who followed me.

'I'm going to sit somewhere. I don't know why but the crowd and people suffocate me.' I replied after finding a nice isolate place and sat down on the chair while Raima sat down on the chair next to me.

'Izna, I have told you so many times, Try to be social so you can overcome this hesitation.' She said with tension visible on her face.

'Raima I know and I even try my best but I just can't overcome my fears. You don't worry best friend, I'll try my level best.' I said with a smile.

'Wow, lovely ladies sitting all alone.' Our conversation was interrupted by a male voice and we look towards the direction of the voice to find Reyansh and him.

'Ah now you wanna take advantage of our loneliness and try your luck by flirting with the lovely ladies? Am I right?' Raima said in a dramatic way while I chuckled.

'You are so right Psycho.' Reyansh said mischievously while Raima shot daggers at him with her eyes.

'I'm a psychiatrist, who treat psychos like you, idiot.' Raima said in an anger filled tone while Reyansh chuckled a little and made himself comfortable on a seat in front of Raima.

'Rahil,come sit buddy.' Reyansh said and asked him to sit on a seat next to him.

'By the way, Reyanash who is this handsome?' Raima asked with a smirk on her face pointing towards Mr.Rahil.

'Oh yeah he is Rahil Khanna, my best friend and my class fellow when I went to study in New York plus he also works at the prosecution office which work in collaboration with the bureau of Criminal Investigation.' Reyansh said with a smile introducing Rahil to Raima.

'By the way, Izna know him. Right Izna?' Reyansh said while I was confused at my place as Raima gave me a You-are-dead  look.

'Ah...me. Yeah..Daddy introduced him to me when he came to meet daddy last week.' I stammered as I found his eyes darted towards me.

'Oh I see.' Raima said looking towards me with a smirk.

~•~

'What's cooking? You never told me about Raaaaahil.' Raima asked stressing on Rahil's name with a smirk playing on her lips.

'I never told you because it wasn't something special to make a fuss off.' I said stroking some colors on the canvas sheet.

'Oh.' Raima replied muching some snacks.

'You tell me... how are things going with brother Reyansh.' I look towards her and asked with a smile.

'Don't even ask!' She said with bad expressions.

'What do you mean? What happened now? Have you guys fought again?' I throw the paint brushes on the table and rushed towards her.

'He is such a jerk. He made me so embarrassed at the gathering last night in front of his friends saying, 'Meet her, my psycho fiancee.' At that time I didn't say anything to him but I so wanted to punch him right in the face.' She said while I broke into fits of laughter.

'What the hell man? Even you are laughing on your bestie?' She asked while I tried to compose myself.

'Hey I'm sorry don't get all emotional, you sentimental.' I said and hugged her.

'Why would I laugh on my soul sister? You and Daddy are my everything and you know that very well.' I said while she smiled.

'Okay enough, now who is getting emotional?' She said and raised her eyebrow.

~•~

I entered inside the building dressed in a dark blue jumpsuit with some golden work at the front paired with a golden  colored scarf around my neck. It was an Art exhibition with paintings, colors and Artwork all around.

I was once a girl full of life and colors, a very chirpy soul but that girl in me died a long time ago and that's when my life was changed completely. I started to hate this light, this world and the people. At a very young age of twelve, I learned to love darkness and the piercing loneliness.

I never wanted to come here today but Raima kept forcing me to attend this exhibition and I was convinced when she told me that she'll join me here in some time. I started having a look at the marvelous artwork when my eyes landed on a painting and I quickly went towards it as there was no one around. I observe the painting with a shine in my eyes and a smile automatically made it's way to my lips. It was my favorite painting 'Starry Night Over the Rhône' by Vincent Van Gogh. I wanted to purchase it so I called the manager and asked to have it when he told me that it's the last piece and It's already taken by someone. I made a bad face and turned towards the painting with sadness. I was so lost in it that I never felt someone's presence behind me.

'Ahm..don't you think you have captured all the colors and beauty of this painting in You.' I heard a familiar voice behind me and turned to have a mere heart attack. What is he doing here?

'You.' I stammered and observe him who was dressed in black denims paired with a black shirt with two of the upper buttons left open. His messy hair were falling on his for head making him look very appealing.

'Done checking me out?' He asked with a smirk on that handsome face while I started to look here and there.

'Why would...I do... that?' I again stammered and avoid making an eye contact. 'Oh god what's wrong with you Izna, Why are you stammering you idiot?'  My insides shouted at me.

'By the way, what are you doing here?' This time I questioned a little confidentially.

'Why aren't prosecutors allowed to visit such places?' He didn't gave the reply to my question instead asked another from me.

'I never said that.' I replied back and started moving forward.

'What about having a coffee together?' He started walking beside me with his hands inside the pockets of the denims.

'If you are trying to hit on me than don't, because you won't get any desired results.' I told him boldly staring in his deep brown eyes while he was startled on his place for a while.

'But I know how to get the desired results.' He replied with a wink while this time I got startled a bit.

'Well, than best of luck.' I replied in an annoyed tone and left.

~•~

I came inside my room and threw the scarf and bag on my bed. I started walking back and forth and pulled out the hairband from my hair, letting them fall on my back. I don't know why I always bump into him, always? These men are the same and all they do with girls is to date them, bang them and than leave' them. I thought getting frustrated and sat down on the bed. I was lost deep in my thoughts when I heard my cellphone ringing. I saw the caller id and picked up the call instantly.

'Hey!' She screamed from the other side.

'How's the meeting?' She asked while I was confused.

'What meeting? What are you talking about?' I questioned.

'Didn't Rahil showed up? She asked and I was shocked.How did she knew?

'Yes I met him at the exhibition but how did you know?' I asked suspiciously.

'Izna actually Reyansh told me that Rahil likes you and wanted to meet you. That's why we came up with the idea of sending you to that exhibition.' She told me while my mouth hung low.

'Oh now I understood, it was all your and Reyansh's collusion.' I said in anger.

'Oh my god Izna, what are you saying why would we plan and plot?' Raima replied calmly.

'What's the problem in meeting Rahil? He is such a humble and nice guy plus he is interested in you. I don't know what's the problem with you.' She praised him justifying her act in front of me.

'My problem is that I can't tolerate men. All they do is to play with someone's feelings and sentiments.' I replied plainly.

'Izna, don't forget that your father is also a man.' Raima said while I was startled.

'My father ain't that kind of a person and you knew it very well. He was sincere with Mother and he still mourn over her death after thirteen years of her demise.' I told her in a broken voice as the death of mummy was always a hard subject for me, whenever I think of it, haunted memories started chasing me.

'I know very well about Uncle and Izna what if Rahil is the one for you? What if you found a reflection of a perfect life partner and a sincere man like your father in him.' She questioned while I was bewildered. Marriage! Where does that came from?

'Raima, marriage is not my thing.' I told her looking towards the front wall where our family picture was hung.

'Shut up Izna, what's the problem? Why are you so allergic to men.' She asked and I sighed.

'I'm telling you Raima, he is no different. He is just flirting around me and after using me he'll throw me away like trash.' I said showing her the reality.

'Izna Mallick, ain't among those stupid girls and will never be.' I said sternly and ended the call.

~•~

Day passed, Weeks passed and there wasn't a change in my life.It was a Saturday morning and I woke up a little late. After having a quick shower I went downstairs to find a little hustle and bustle while Daddy was ordering the staff to make proper arrangements.

'Good Morning Daddy.' I greeted him with a back hug while he smiled on my childishness.

'Good morning dear.' He replied with a smile.

'What's happening?' I asked and raised my eyebrows.

'You'll get to know in the evening.Just make sure to get ready before evening.' He told me and went away to instruct the staff while I went inside the kitchen.

It was six pm and dad ordered me to dress up so I came into my room and started to look for something good to wear. After a struggle of twenty minutes I found a long embroidered black-colored satin frock and rushed inside the washroom to get ready. I wore the satin frock and then applied kohl in my eyes and a pink lip stain on my lips. I quickly went towards the wardrobe and wore a silver colored scarf around my neck and left my hairs open. I look towards my reflection in the mirror for the last time when a maid came into my room and told me about the arrival of the guests. I quickly went downstairs and found an aged lady sitting with Daddy.

'Izna, dear come here. Mrs.Khanna she is my daughter Izna.' Daddy introduced me to the lady while she look towards me with a smile.

'You are very beautiful dear. Come here and sit with me.' She said and tapping the place next to her. I went towards her and sat down quietly with her.

'Thank you so much.' I thanked her for praising me.

'Mr.Mallick I like your daughter very much. I'm proud of my grandson, his choice is commendable.' The lady said while I look towards Daddy with confused expressions.

'Izna, she is Mrs.Khanna the grandmother of Rahil Khanna. She has brought Rahil's marriage proposal for you.' The words left out of Daddy's mouth and drop like bombs on me.

'Mrs.Khanna even your grandson is praiseworthy. He is such a talented boy and even I like him very much.' Daddy said while the lady smiled.

'So shall I considered it as a 'Yes'.' The lady asked while daddy gave her an assuring smile.

'Oh my God, I'm so happy just at the thought of making this beautiful girl, Rahil's bride.' She said while my existence was trapped in a whirlwind of silence as it was nothing but an unwanted proposal. The Undesired Proposal!

~•~

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