(🚨 Very long chapter ahead 🚨)

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Holi day

I was fucking scared, whereas Faiyaz and Zoya were smiling with no care in the world. I didn't understand how they were so calm knowing that they were putting themselves in danger by going to the Holi party at Rashi's house.

Their mother was in a stable condition and would be discharged after three days. So, their biggest worry was gone, but one more was on the way. Unlike me, the sibling duo was dressed up and ready to enjoy the party.

"Are you guys sure?" I asked as the autorickshaw driver drove through the heavy traffic.

"For the last time, Di, stop over thinking! Nothing will happen to us, so chill," Zoya assured.

Faiyaz agreed with his sister and told me to keep a positive attitude and not take unnecessary stress. By looking at him so calm and composed, I decided to let all the worries go and have faith in Katherine and what she had planned.

Once we reached our destination, Faiyaz paid the auto driver, and we joined the other guests who had arrived to enjoy the party. Rashi's house was decorated with garlands and a plethora of Holi colours was placed on tables along with water in multiple buckets and tubs.

"Guys, come here," Katherine called and motioned for us to join her friends.

"Hi," I, Zoya and Faiyaz greeted in unison.

"Holi hai!" Someone shouted from behind and dumped water on all three of us.

(Translation:- "It's Holi!")

We turned around and saw Surbhi, Tanya and Divya holding buckets of water in their hands, looking like a witch trio which succeeded in making their best spell. Before anyone of us could react, we were painted in various colours and got completely drenched.

"Now you look like a part of the celebration," Surbhi commented and pounced on me with green colour in her hands.

When I ran to escape, Zoya blocked my way and grabbed a pichkari (Pichkari is a Holi toy which we first fill with water and then splash water on others through it like a water gun) from a random dude. She filled it and started playing around with me being her first victim. I shot a concerned glance at Faiyaz when his sister ran away giggling and throwing colours on other guests.

(Pichkari👆)

"She is unrecognisable," Faiyaz told me and smirked when he sensed his girlfriend sneaking up behind me.

He let her apply pink hue on his cheeks and then grabbed her wrists. He gave her a mischievous smile and then pushed her in a huge tub filled with blue water. Divya joined them, followed by Tanya and Katherine with the rest of her gang. While everyone was having fun, my eyes were roaming around and widened when I spotted Ishaan bhaiyya glaring in our direction.

Panic rose inside me and skyrocketed when I saw Zoya reach him and ask him if she could apply colours to him. Ishaan raised one of his eyebrows at her and nodded when he didn't recognise her. Zoya glanced over her shoulder at me and winked.

Did she have a death wish?

But I thought it better not to react. Zoya didn't only throw colours on him but also splashed him all over with water. I could see him control his anger since he didn't recognise who Zoya was and why she was being so friendly with him. Suddenly, the little devil turned towards me and ran at full speed.

Zoya grabbed my arm and pulled me in the tub where others were busy having a water war. Surbhi high-fived with her and teased me that I was being a party pooper. I shook my head at her and told Faiyaz and Katherine that Ishaan was shooting daggers at us.

"Let that idiot think whatever he wants." Katherine shrugged and flipped off her boyfriend who inturn directed his murderous glare on Faiyaz and his sister.

"Aren't you scared, Rashi? Your brother has been observing you for a long time," I asked.

"I know," Rashi replied. "But I have had enough of him; he is my brother, not someone who can control me. If he tries to get between me and my love, he would have to fight with me first."

Was this the same Rashi who had slapped me because she believed her brother without any doubt? She had changed a lot - and that was actually good.

"Isn't my Bhabhijaan (sister-in-law) so cool?" Zoya commented, making Rashi and Faiyaz flushed.

Faiyaz shot a fake glare at his sister who kept teasing the couple and making weird faces at Ishaan bhaiyya. I facepalmed myself when Surbhi and Divya joined her and kept irking Rashi's brother.

But how come Ishaan was so calm and not doing anything?

"He is waiting for the right time," Katherine informed.

"Right time?" I questioned.

"Bro wants our parents to arrive and when they would address everyone, he would expose my relationship with Faiyaz. He wants to take the advantage of our conservative upbringing and manipulate our family. Just like him, Dad and Mom like to uphold religion over humanity every damn time.

"According to them, inter-caste and inter-faith relationships are stains on our reputation and they would lose their standing in the society if a member of our community even thinks of falling in love with a person from other religion," Rashi said dejectedly.

"That's really twisted, you know. How can he oppress his own sister?" Divya complained.

"Yup," Tanya agreed.

"But he had no problem having a Christian girlfriend." Katherine laughed sarcastically. "Sorry, ex-girlfriend."

"You broke up with him?" I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

She nodded and told us that she ended her relationship with Ishaan bhaiyya yesterday itself and was distracting him all this time to carry out her masterplan. Out of curiosity, I enquired her about it in detail, but at that moment, Rashi's parents arrived and told everyone to give them their attention.

All of us came out of the tub and joined other people. Rashi's father, who looked a replica of her, addressed and thanked us for joining his family tradition of holding a Holi party for the community. He roamed his eyes all over us and narrowed them when he spotted his daughter standing beside Faiyaz and holding his hand.

He glanced at his son who gave him a short nod in confirmation and then it was all hell. Rashi's Dad exchanged a glance with his wife who motioned for Rashi to leave Faiyaz and join her. Both women were in a heated staring duel for a good time, and when Rashi shook her head, her brother stomped towards her to grab her hand.

I was sweating profusely, but before Ishaan could reach his sister, Katherine stood in front of Faiyaz and Rashi. She crossed her arms across her chest and gave him a challenging look.

"Move aside, Kath. Don't get involved in my family matter," Ishaan bhaiyya warned in a low voice.

"Speak loudly, you asshole!" Katherine shouted.

"Who is this shameless girl?" Ishaan's mother thundered.

"She is no one, Mom-"

"I am his ex-girlfriend!" Katherine replied.

"And Faiyaz is my boyfriend," Rashi announced.

Her parents' faces paled when they heard Faiyaz's name from their daughter's mouth. Without wasting any more time, both of them moved their feet and stood in front of us with pissed off expressions.

Rashi refused to leave her boyfriend and told her parents how Ishaan was having an affair behind their backs and telling her to live by the rules just because she was a girl. Her mother slapped her across the face when she wasn't stopping from exposing her brother.

"You are a shame on our family's name!" Her father shouted and raised his hand to hit her.

Suddenly, a shrill voice cut through the thick air of tension which made Rashi's Dad freeze on the spot. Everyone turned toward the direction of the voice and Katherine jumped in joy while her ex-boyfriend was looking like a dead corpse.

"Grandma! Finally you are here," Katherine squealed and ran towards the entrance.

An old lady in her eighties, dressed in a gorgeous green sharara adorned with glass and chikankari work, was standing with an ancient wooden cane in her right hand. Her snow white hair were tied neatly in a high bun, and her oval shaped face was covered with wrinkles, but there was a vibrant aura around her which brought a smile on my face as soon as I saw her.

(Grandma's outfit👆)

Katherine hugged her and that old lady kissed her on the forehead. Both of them walked to the centre, with Katherine helping her and winking at us simultaneously. After a few minutes of utter silence, Katherine left the old woman by herself and came to stand beside me.

"Who is she?" Surbhi queried.

"Dadi Maa (Grandma), what are you doing here?" Ishaan's father asked in shock.

"Ab kya apne hi ghar me ijaazat leke aana padega? (Do I need to take permission to come to my own house?)" the old lady mocked.

"But... y-you should ha-have in-informed before coming..." Rashi's mom stuttered.

I noticed that since the arrival of Rashi's great-grandmother, neither her father nor her mom were looking at her in the eyes for more than a second. I furrowed my eyebrows and turned to Katherine when I couldn't control my curiousity.

"Why do you look so happy after she came?" I enquired.

Instead of replying, she told me to have patience and just let things unfold on their own. Now that Ishaan's great-grandmother was here, Katherine's role was over and we had nothing to worry about.

The old lady, who looked in a better shape than me, called Rashi's parents towards her and asked them why they were raising their hands on her great-granddaughter and causing chaos. Rashi's Mom and Dad glanced at each other and started telling her excuses.

Granny listened to their story session with full patience and once they were done, she slapped her grandson so hard that the sound rung throughout the premise. I widened my eyes, but Granny turned to her grand daughter-in-law and didn't forget to leave a imprint of her hand on her cheek too.

After that, she motioned for Ishaan to come over, and I controlled myself from laughing like a murderer when I saw him gulp nervously and head towards her in a slow pace. As expected, Grandma smacked him across the face and cracked a huge smile.

"Bura na mano, Holi hai!" She chuckled.

(Translation:- "Don't feel bad, it's Holi!")

All three beings who got their cheeks coloured by Granny without any Holi colour, ducked their heads in shame and didn't say anything in response. Rashi went to her great-grandmother with Faiyaz in tow and Granny peppered her face with kisses and patted Faiyaz's cheek after asking him his name.

"Nazar na lage mere bacchon ko (Let no evil eye affect my kids)," Granny blessed and gave them some money as gift.

"Dadi Maa, what are you doing? He is not from our community," Ishaan hissed.

"Do you want another dose?" Granny held up her hand in warning.

When Ishaan backed away in fear of getting a beating, Granny glanced at everyone and nodded as if she was memorising each one of our faces. She thumped her stick on the ground two times after she was done, and Rashi's father ran inside the house in a flash.

He returned with a soft-cushioned chair and helped his grandmother sit comfortably and stepped back as soon as she settled her gaze on him. Rashi's mom was staring holes through the floor, looking like someone who had lost everything in the world.

"Stand in a line," Granny ordered.

Within a millisecond, Rashi's whole family was standing in front of her like kids and waiting for the judgement to be announced.

"Katherine told me everything and that's why I am here to put an end to this fucking matter," she boomed.

Oh my god! This Granny is awesome! I want to become her friend.

"But Dadi-" Ishaan's Dad began but a single glare from Granny shut him up.

"Rashi, do you love Faiyaz?" she asked.

Rashi nodded and smiled at her boyfriend who also replied in positive when the same question was asked to him. Granny gave both of them a sweet smile and dismissed Rashi. She then turned to Ishaan who confessed everything before he was asked anything.

"You couldn't become a good brother nor a good boyfriend." Granny shook her head at him. "But I won't blame you entirely - the real culprits are your parents."

"Did you forget that I was still alive?" she shouted at her grandson and his wife who trembled in fear.

"It is not like that, Dadi. Our daughter was brainwashed by that boy and trapped in his love games," Rashi's father reasoned and pointed at Faiyaz.

He started calling Faiyaz names and degrading his faith when he couldn't control his rage. After seeing Rashi glaring at him, he began blaming his wife for not keeping an eye on her and letting their kids take advantage of the freedom given to them.

"Have you forgotten your lineage completely? Or do you enjoy disrespecting your elders?" Grandma scolded.

"No, Dadi ji..." Rashi's mom squeaked.

"If you don't want to suffer my wrath, then listen carefully. Rashi and Faiyaz love each other and if they want to get married later, no one will oppose them. If I hear any complaints from her, I will not let any of you live in peace. I, Begum Soufeina Al Shaad Ahmed, wife of Kamalnathan Thiruvalli, order you to do as I say or the consequences won't be good," Granny thundered.

Wait a minute! Begum Soufeina Al Shaad Ahmed?

Just like me, my friends were also staring at Granny in shock and trying to wrap their brains around what she just said. As if Granny sensed our confusion, she got up from her chair and stood like an Army Commander.

"My husband, Kamalnathan Thiruvalli, a great warrior, took me and my three kids in his care when I lost my whole family in the Independence war. I had no choice but to flee from my hometown and take shelter in a stranger's home when India was going through separation.

"When I had lost everything; my parents, siblings, spouse, and my land, Kamalnathan showed me mercy and offered to marry me. At first, I was scared of getting him in danger along with my family, but he took full responsibility of me and my kids' safety and married me to save me from getting killed," Granny reminisced with a proud smile on her face.

"I changed my name to protect ourselves even though he refused my decision and told me to keep my real name. I still remember that day when he welcomed me in his home and gave me the position of his wife. He never discriminated me on the basis of my religion and never stopped me from following my previous lifestyle.

"But it looks like our kids didn't follow our teachings and are now doing the same thing of spreading hate because of which I lost my own land and people!" She narrowed her eyes at her grandson.

"We are really sorry, Dadi Maa," Ishaan apologized.

"Your sorry isn't going to erase the pain you inflicted on your own sister and this poor guy," Granny yelled.

"Looks like I will have to stay here and teach you everything from the start." She gave him and his parents a sinistrous smile.

With a last word of warning, she excused them and told others to continue the Holi party. Rashi hugged her great-grandmother again and thanked her for solving her biggest concern. Soufeina granny patted her head and told her to introduce her to us.

One by one, Granny met us and chatted with us like an old friend. She was old by age, but not by heart - I was really impressed with her. She went to sit back in her spot and enjoyed the party while sipping cold drinks.

"Thank you, Katherine," Rashi said and hugged her.

"Thank you too, Sandhya," she added and pulled me in a hug.

"I won't tell you to forgive us, but can you give us a second chance?" Tanya asked hopefully.

"Yeah, bro. No matter how many times we apologize, we can't undo the injustice you suffered, but we are really sorry for not believing you. Please forgive us," Divya said with a pout.

"We won't force you if you don't want to. We are the ones who badly treated you when you were just looking after us." Rashi gave me a sad smile as her eyes became glazed with unshed tears.

"Zoya, let's give them some alone time," Faiyaz suggested and took his sister with him, followed by Katherine who gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving.

"I understand if you are still angry with us... We deserve that." Tanya sighed. "We are the ones who don't deserve you."

Surbhi patted my back and told me to take my time. I let out a huge breath and looked at the three girls in front of me who were crying as if the world had ended. Divya was rambling non-stop and blaming her and her friends for being total jerks and not valuing our friendship. Tanya was staring at me with a long look while Rashi was giving me puppy eyes.

I pursed my lips and glanced at Surbhi who adviced me to think carefully. I did as she said and shook my head. I didn't say anything and left from there with Surbhi following behind me. I heard Divya calling me, but I didn't turn back.

I let the girls cry and feel bad for mistreating me. Surbhi nodded at me, and we exited Rashi's house after meeting Katherine, Faiyaz, and Zoya. On our way, I bought some Holi colours and smirked at Surbhi who was sharing the same expression like mine.

Few minutes later, both of us were sneaking behind Rashi, Divya and Tanya, who were still standing at one spot and crying like kids.

"Bura na mano, Holi hai!" Surbhi and I shouted and poured water on them.

(Translation:- "Don't feel bad, it's Holi!")

All three of them turned around in surprise and blinked rapidly when I jumped on them and covered their faces in every hue possible. Within seconds, the girls were on top on me, tickling me and pinching my cheeks for pranking them.

"We are really sorry, dude," Divya said, and Tanya and Rashi nodded in agreement.

"Come on, stop saying 'sorry' already! I am tired of hearing that word since last week," I complained.

"So... are we friends again?" Tanya queried with caution.

"We were always friends, Tanya. It were the misunderstandings between us which caused us to drift apart. And you guys aren't only the ones who should be sorry; I was also stubborn and didn't heed to your advice when you were just telling me to be safe," I replied.

"Thank you for being in our life, dumbo." Divya grinned.

Tanya wrapped her arms around me, followed by others and soon we were crying again. We promised to trust each other no matter what happened and communicate if anyone of us got in any kind of problem instead of bearing it alone.

I got my girl gang back, and from today onwards, I won't let even a speck of doubt ruin our friendship.