Some days pass. Day after tomorrow has been decided as the date of Mr Aditya Oberoi and his newly wedded wife Mrs Nandita Oberoi’s marriage reception. Many business moguls, top politicians, movie and media personalities are invited. Aditya wants to show everybody how happy he is with his beautiful wife. On the other side of the city, something different is happening in a family. It is about to become dark all around. Vivek Basu is returning from his press with knackered steps. He approaches his house which is partially shaded because of the perennial electricity crisis in this particular area. Vivek sighs with despair and opens the gate. He shuffles at the main door and knocks at it with a fatigued hand. Within a moment, it opens. Jaya is standing with an emotionless face. Vivek steps inside and hangs the bag behind the door.

“It’s almost 9:30 pm. Will you have tea?”

Jaya asks mechanically.

“Hmmm…I won’t have anything for dinner. Make my bed. I will go to sleep.”

Vivek sounds worn out. With a deep sigh, Jaya tilts her head in assurance.

“Jaya, keep this in the almirah.”

Vivek forwards a brown envelope to his wife. With a curious frown, Jaya takes it. The envelope is quite heavy.

“This month's salary…along with previous months' arrears. Our press has been taken over by some other person. From now, all the workers will get a regular salary. The new owner is going to start the press with new enthusiasm. Some of the workers even have got a salary hike. Hmmm…I am one of them.”

Vivek scornfully says. Jaya observes her husband for a moment and softly counters,

“Aren’t you happy?”

Vivek looks at her and gives a pale smile.

“Yes, I am happy. Happy that from now my family and children won’t have to sacrifice their happiness for money. I can fulfil their wish and their demands. I have just one regret. I can’t fulfil my Nandu’s any wish.”

His voice becomes choked. Jaya purses her lips and sneers,

“Does she need your money anymore? Now, she has her millionaire husband to fulfil her wishes. Why should she care for her poor father’s salary? She even refused to recognise you and you still are thinking about her wish and happiness. She is happy with her new life. Can’t you see that?”

Jaya’s toxic words bring tears to Vivek’s eyes yet his jaws get hard.

“Yes, she has forgotten her poor father but how can I forget my daughter? How can I forget that she used to be the backbone of this family? Jaya, how can you forget that you used to call her the angel in our life? My angel is lost. She is trapped in a devil’s world. I know that…but I can’t do anything…God…why did you do this to me?”

Vivek palms his face and mouths in a shattered voice. Jaya comes near and places her hand on his bent head.

“Don’t lose your hope. I am sure your prayer and love will bring our angel, our Nandu back to our world. Almighty can’t do this injustice to us. He has to bring her back to us.”

Jaya utters determinedly while pressing Vivek's head towards her chest. Vivek wraps her by her waist and breaks down. Tears are rolling down from his closed eyes as a symbol of his silent prayer.

...........................

The night before the reception. Nandana comes out from the walk-in wardrobe wearing a midnight blue gown. This is the fifth dress she is showing to Aditya for his approval. Actually, in the morning they went for shopping and Aditya was confused that what dress and colour Nandana should wear in the reception. So, he bought a hand full of options and now it’s Nandana’s turn to try on all of these. After all, she has to be the prettiest of all at the party. With a tired face, Nandana stands in front of Aditya with the hope that this time her finicky husband will approve this.

“Aditya, look…I think it is perfect. I can team it up with that diamond and sapphire necklace.”

Her tone is hopeful. Aditya gazes up to watch her out from every angle. His eyes squint for a while. Nandana's eyes are still buoyant.

“Ummm…it’s near to perfect but I want beyond that. After all, it’s our night and I want you to be like heaven lies beneath your feet. Understood, Mrs Oberoi?”

Aditya says with his signature lopsided smile. Nandana rolls her eyes at him and retorts,

“Understood, Mr Oberoi. You want me to sit on top of the world. But perhaps you have forgotten that I am a simple human being. Heaven can’t lie beneath my feet because I am not any goddess.”

Her eyes are dancing with amusement. Aditya saunters at her and takes a circle around her. His eyes are mischievous. He scoots forward to reach her ear from the backside.

“No, you are not any Goddess but you are my angel without wings and you deserve your heaven. Now, go and change it to that red gown. I think red suits you the most. In the meantime, let me show you something special.”

Aditya sounds secretive. Nandana half turns her head to meet his eyes and arches her brows.

“Red suits me or it suits your ultimate choice? Gradually, you are being so predictable, Mr unpredictable. It’s would have been better to wear that gown earlier when I know your choice. But what is this new special thing? Don’t tell me you have bought a new dress. Aditya, it’s way too your madness.”

Nandana utters curiously.

“You haven’t seen my madness yet. Trust me it’s way too insane. And about my special thing? Well, it’s more precious than any dress. Just go and change. I will be back in a moment.”

Aditya whispers at her ears while pecking her earlobe before he rushes out of the room. With a perplexed face and mind, Nandana steps towards the walk-in wardrobe. Within five minutes, she changes to the red gown. Just then, she hears Aditya’s voice.

“Are you ready?”

Nandana pulls up the grown drape and comes out. Aditya is standing with beaming eyes.

“Gorgeous! Now, close your eyes and stand still.”

He demands. Nandana’s forehead lines but she obeys his instruction without any further question. After a few seconds, she feels a metallic cool touch on her neckline. Aditya’s hands hook something against her nape. She is about to touch the thing but Aditya holds her hands from behind.

“Keep patience…It will be worth waiting, trust me. Come to this side.”

He mouths while pushing her towards the mirror and making her stand in front of it.

“Now, open your eyes.”

His voice is laced with excitement. Nandana unfurls her eyes and they get dazzled. There is a beautiful neckpiece, adorned with solitaire and rubies. Nandana looks at Aditya with a spellbound expression through the mirror.

“This is Moms. My Dad gave her on their last wedding anniversary. She wanted to give it to her future daughter-in-law. Today I kept her wish.”

Aditya’s voice shivers. He places a tender kiss on her bare shoulder. Nandana softly trails her fingers on the necklace and mouths with teary eyes,

“Today I am feeling lucky and unlucky at the same time. I am lucky that you have chosen me deserving enough for her wish and I am unlucky that I couldn’t take it from her hands. Thank you, Aditya, for coming into my life. I don’t know whether I am deserving enough of your immense love or not but I promise I will try to wipe off all the darkness and nightmares from your life. I will love you more than my life.”

Aditya’s eyes erupt with immense happiness. He turns her towards him and sinks his ardent lips into hers. It is like his reciprocation towards her swear.

............................

“So, Aditya Oberoi…the most eligible bachelor of this country finally has tied the knot!”

Aditya’s party secretory mocks Aditya. Everybody laughs at the remark.

“But where is she? We are so eager to meet your mystery girl. Now, let this suspense over.”

One of the leading newspaper editors shows her curiosity. Aditya raises his wine glass at her and winks.

“Now, you have realised how this news irritates us with their never-ending suspense. But the difference is that my suspense is worth waiting for. Just relax. Beautiful ladies take time to get ready.”

His voice is frolic. The Oberoi Bungalow is glowing today with lights, music and top-notch guests. There are no celebrities, business tycoons and politicians left in the city who are not present at the party. All are excited…who is Aditya Oberoi’s better half? Suddenly a renowned actress nears Aditya and raises her glass at him.

“Very bad, Aditya. You didn’t consider any of us as beautiful. Or else the story would have been different today.”

Her voice is flirtatious. Aditya gives an indifferent look to her and replies in a composed voice,

“My story indeed is different today and that’s why you all are here tonight, Alisha.”

Alisha makes a face while someone whispers from behind.

“It’s a dooms night for all…”

Everybody’s eyes are fixed on the figure standing on the first landing of the staircase. It’s difficult to decide who should be complimented. The elegant red gown, the dazzling jewellery or her seraphic face! With a beaming smile, Aditya paces towards Nandana to escort her. The music is beating around,

“I love you best
You’re not like the rest…”