Chapter 12: chapter 12

GOWRIOfficially I Am Married!!We get up for the next ritual Saptapadi. My saree’s end is tied with his  Veshti's end. He hooks his pinkie finger with mine and we both go around the fire making the seven vows of the marriage. After taking the steps around the fire, we reach the Ammi (grindstone). Shiva holds my toe gently and helps me tread and place my foot on the Ammi. I am surprised that my foot tingles where his hands are touching. I mount the Ammi and Shiva puts the Metti (silver toe rings) on my second toes gently.Finally, we both get the blessings of the elders.“Now the marriage is over, both the bride and groom can go around the temple once,” the priest tells.🍀🍀🍀🍀Any other couple in our place would have been excited to start their new life. They would have been all smiles and giggles and laughter and walking hand in hand.But we are walking like the same poles of a magnet that repel each other. There is a huge gap between us and excitement is the last emotion I feel now.The girl would have felt happy to walk with someone she trust and loves. But I on the other hand feel nervous like hell. I am terrified to death to walk alone with him. Though he doesn’t utter a word I somehow understand he is seething with anger. I trudge behind him as he walks with quick steps like he can't tolerate walking with me. I am not able to match his pace with all the ornaments I am wearing. “Will you walk fast?” he asks in a harsh tone. Whoa! That was a bit too harsh and I am starting to hate him more. The opposite feeling a normal girl would have for her husband at this point. My cousins were right, I guess I am abnormal.“I can’t with all these ornaments,” I snap in a tone matching his harshness. What the hell? I don't get annoyed this easily nor do I snap at people. Hiding my real emotions is my kind of thing. He seems surprised at my tone but his eyes have a cold look that has the intensity enough to turn water into ice in a few seconds. But he does slow his pace a little. Only a little.“Why did you promise me something that you couldn't do?” he asks in an annoyed tone when I am by his side. “I tried my best but I couldn't convince my parents to call off this wedding,” I answer.He laughs sardonically.“A good try but your cheap tricks will not work with me,” he tells. “What do you mean?” I ask him not getting what he was telling. Cheap tricks? “Out with your act lady,” he says. “You can’t fool me with your act of innocence.”I open my mouth to tell him that I have no idea what he is telling me.“You married me for my money. Don’t deny it. But you will never get a single rupee from me.” “No, you misunderstood me. I married you just because my parents wanted me to,” I clarify. The last thing I would ever do is marry someone for their money. “I am the president of a company and my company's annual turnover is one of the highest in the state. You wanted to lead a luxurious life, that is why you didn’t call off the marriage even after I warned you.”BLIMEY! So he is not some common employee in a company. There was only mention of his salary in the bio data that was in the range of ten lakhs per year or something close to that. He Is Not Only Harsh But Also Proud.“Mr. Shiva for your kind information, if leading a luxurious life was my goal then I would have resigned from my job instead of getting a transfer.”But he looks with those cold eyes at me like he isn't buying it. My voice grows cold and distant as I tell him the next words. I am not harsh judge of characters and I never dislike people in two meetings. If I dislike someone then I try to get to know them better. But with this man it is difficult. I don't even want to know him.“To be honest, I never had any interest in you or your money. I married you because my parents wanted me to. There are no ulterior motives.”He holds my gaze and I will myself not to look away. Why do I find it difficult to hold his gaze? The frigid look in his eyes is making me want to grab my sweaters.“Fine, then,” he tells but his eyes never leave mine, “I will believe you but on one condition.”“State it.”This is a marriage. Not a business deal.“We shall get a divorce after one year,” he tells with an evil smile.DIVORCE? Great my marriage life hadn’t even started but we are going to get a divorce. “Fine,” I tell because I don't like him and I never want to live with someone who calls me a gold digger.Rather than living with him, an egocentric, hypocritic and whatnot, I would be single. There is no loss for me. “I am warning you, if you try to pull off any  stunt, then I will not hesitate to make your life a hell.”I swallow and reply in a bold tone, “Deal.”🍀🍀🍀🍀