33) engagement

MAUSAM

Today was my engagement.

I felt so nervous.

And why would they want me as their daughter-in-law?

And wasn't there son very young , I mean girls get married at young age , but don't boys get married at 22 or 23 ?

He was only 19.

" Maa , me vo ." But she cut me off.

" I told you not to say anything today , did not I? What if the groom's family heard you? Stupid girl!"

I bited my lip in nervousness.

" O Dayan , dress up , you are ugly and if they see you they will reject you." My brother laughed mean-spirited.

I squirmed and left for my room.

Seriously what did I think , that they would be nice to me because I was about to be married?

I willed my tears to not come , and called Reyansh , my friend.

He picked up when I thought he would not.

" Hello " his gentle voice greeted me.

" Reyansh I am so nervous. Today is my engagement. What do I do? Do you think he would love me ? I mean I don't know , we have never even met!" I just kept talking.

He chuckled.

" Ahh, slowly. Now you know I love you right , so listen to me, he is Armaan Kapoor and he is not known for his gentle behaviour, he is arrogant and crule , Mausam. So I just want you to be wary of him."

" Oh" I felt anxiety creeping in me.

" Do you think he will hate me?" I whispered , the tears I kept at bay now spiller freely.

His loud sigh was the only answer I got.

~~~~

During the engagement , I felt the disappointed eyes on me.

I could hear the whispers.

I saw his mother glaring at me.

I gulped in fear.

I looked at him, he had a blank look on his face.

I felt chill was down my spine.

Was there no escape? Ever?

Would I never receive anyone's love?

So my family was right all along,

I was ugly , broken , fool.

I had no quality of a person form elite class, I could never be one of them.

I trembled with sadness.

" Stand straight" I heard him command me.

His eyes were narrowed and mouth set grim,

" Stop shivering , you are wearing clothes of your choice yet you are shivering! You are embarrassing me!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up with a jolt.

Ugh , it was one of my bitterest memory.

The commencement of another people telling me how much of burden I was to them.

I turned at saw everyone was still sleeping.

I checked the phone , 5 am.

It was time for waking in an hour.

So I just laid on bed and contemplated .

Could I really stay with Armaan and raise my children?

My mother in law did not want me in this house, or in her son's life. From day one she had made it clear.

I have been away from her mostly staying in my room, never eating any mean with them, so she purposely did not seek me out.

But when I was new , I had tried to win her heart.

And Armaan.

Armaan was the prince charming and I was Cinderella's step sister.

He would never look at me like I was worthy of being his wife.

If I had not had Aarav in the first year of my marriage ,

Maybe I would not even be here.

Armaan had left me right after three moths of our marriage , to study at Harvard , while I was not allowed to pursue higher education, since I was pregnant.

And in thoughts the alarm rang.

I was startled.

" Ughhh , Mom please turn it off." Aarav complained,

And I stilled , did he just call me 'mom'.

He did , didn't he?

My boy,

But maybe he just said it in sleep, still he called me Mom.

I turned off the alarm, and started waking them up.

" Chalo school Jana he"

( Get up , you have to go to school)

Updated on -11/12/24