Chapter 11

Kiara

I and Neil were just sitting on the grass, gazing at the sky, surrounded by a comfortable silence, when I heard someone yell.

"Oh, my dear love birds, do the remaining topic later on." As I moved my head towards the person shouting, I found it was Sid, and then I realised what he said.

Just then, I and Neil had a little eye contact before we both started laughing, maybe thinking about his lack of knowledge about the truth of our marriage.

After that, we both got up and entered the dining area, where Mr. Khurana spotted us and said, "Come quickly, or I'll finish everything."

We both then went and sat at the dining table, where our plates were already served.

I was about to start eating when I heard

"Kiara." "Neil." our mothers called out at the same time.

"Yes." We both replied at the same time.

I looked at Mumma as she was about to say something when dad spoke, "You two are getting married next month." Dad said, and Mumma glared angrily at him.

"I was about to tell her." She was irritated.

"No problem, Mrs. Priya, we'll tell them the next news," Mom said.

"How many news for us did you make in just 10 minutes?" Neil said shocked a little

"Correction!" Our heads snapped in Sid's direction.

"30-45 minutes." Sid said something about me, and Neil and I both looked at each other, shocked that we were thinking the same thing.

How the hell did we sit gazing at the sky with someone for so long?

"Hey, Sid, even your turn is about to come." Mr. Khurana said a little playfully and everyone laughed making him blush a little.

"Never mind, so, where were we, yes, what is the next news, my dear mothers?" I asked, as I was the first to come to senses after being stunned.

"So, Kiara, beta, the next news is you both are getting engaged the next week." Momma said, and again, I was shocked. How can they plan it so quickly?

"And tomorrow, we are going shopping for your marriage." Mom said quickly, exchanging a hi-fi with Mumma.

And how did they become friends so quickly?

Grow up, Kiara! Just because you've never been able to make friends doesn't mean that no one else can.

"So you both are telling us, that we'll get married next month?" Neil replied, still shocked, and I swear to God that it was really hard for me not to laugh at his shocked expression.

"Yes, dude, they just told it right now. Are your ears not functioning, or from now on they're only going to hear what Bhabhi says?" Sid replied jokingly, making everyone laugh and me blush for a second before joining everyone in the laughter.

"Who's Bhabhi?" Neil questioned surprisingly, and I'm guessing he's still reeling from the unexpected news we've received.

"Your-to-be-wife," Mom corrected him actually-- snapped at him

"Oh, right!" Neil replied, and we all again broke into laughter.

"Ok, Ms. Disha, we're going to take a leave now; we have to go shopping tomorrow,  so rest; we'll talk tomorrow." Mumma stated while giving Mom a quick hug

"Bye, Mr. Harsh, we'll meet tomorrow, and while these ladies are busy shopping. We would bw able to talk a lot." Papa said while shaking hands with Dad.

"Yeah, sure." Dad replied with a smile.

And then we three went home and called it a day.

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Neil

Another day in my life, and for the first time in 5 years, I slept without having the dream of people questioning my marriage.

Last night was really amazing with her whole family, and today we're going shopping.

It was a pleasure speaking with Kiara; I'm sure it won't be difficult to adjust to her.

Thinking about this, I got out of bed and went to get ready for my wedding shopping today.

After getting ready, I went down to see my parents and brother sitting on the sofa going through some magazines.

"Harsh, which Sherwani do you think would be best for our son?" Mom exclaimed in a flurry of excitement.

"Tell me one thing first; even if I answer this question, would you accept my answer?" Dad questioned mom and then waited for an answer with an obvious look.

"Obviously no!" Mom said, making both her and Dad laugh.

Enough of their banter; it's clear from their conversations that the magazine has something to do with my marriage.

So let's go and interrupt their talks, I thought.

"Good morning everyone!" I said in a cheerful voice.

"Good morning, dear. Come sit down. Me and your dad were talking about which sherwani we should take for your wedding." Mom said, thinking I didn't know anything that was happening.

"Disha, dear... perhaps instead of asking him to sit, we should both stand up and go shopping; it's already 10 a.m." Dad said, as he got up from his chair.

"Oh right, let's go everyone, otherwise you'll let my impression down." Mom said ,she was rushing towards the door, making both me and my dad kind of run behind her.

Once we were all seated in the car, we rode to the mall for our shopping.

************************************************************************

Kiara

Finally, we are done with shopping. And I would like to say that Neil has a great sense of fashion,

I would have to give him that.

He literally chose all of my wedding outfits, and they were all GORGEOUS!

So, I'm finally getting married.

Damn!! It still feels like I'm dreaming, and Mom is going to wake me up for work.

Thinking this, I slept, entering an actual dream.

**********Day Before Wedding************

Tomorrow is my wedding! Yayyy!!

To be honest, I never wanted to marry, but seeing it happen makes me giddy.

In his whole month, I just understood one thing: Neil is an awesome guy with a really great family, and it's going to be tougher than ever to leave him and his family.

But let's not think about this because right now I just want to live in the moment.

and

Obviously, yeah, fulfil my marriage dreams.

for which I first need to call Neil

Thinking this, I get up from my bed, take my phone, and go to the balcony while calling him.

Trriingggg

"Hello Kiara!" Neil wished with an excited voice.

"Hello, Neil, and good morning." I greeted him.

"Good morning! So, Kiara, is there anything important or just a random call?" Neil asked very well, knowing that I've called him a lot of times just as a random call, mostly due to all the truth and dare games and also, as I said, excitement.

"No, it's important today." I replied with a smile.

"Good... So what is it?" Neil questioned.

"I want you to meet me at the McDonald's on the highway road at 11 a.m." I said in one go.

"Why... are you okay?" Neil asked in panic.

"Why are you panicking, dude? There's nothing worth worrying about; I just wanted to talk." I replied, and I heard him sigh in relief.

"Ok, I'll come. Bye!" Neil said

"Bye." I replied, cutting the call.

Okay, Kia, so let's get ready and go.

******** in McDonald's

I was sitting after ordering my favourite food, waiting mainly for it, and obviously Neil

Order No.274

As soon as I heard it, I got up to take my order, and I also saw Neil entering.

I took my order and signalled him to come to the table.

"Hey, Kiara. So what's up?" He wished in a jolly tone.

I can't really understand him, despite the fact that when we first met, he spoke so strictly and professionally, and now he's just so friendly and informal.

You were strangers on your date, but now you're his potential wife.

my mind said, and I realised that it was right.

"Hello, my future husband of less than 24 hours." I responded enthusiastically.

I was shocked when the words came out of my mouth ,like a month ago, I hated this kind of cringy stuff, and now I'm doing it too.

"Hmm... so Kiara, what was that you wanted to talk about?" He asked.

"Nothing much, just some random question related to our marriage," I replied.

"Hmm... ask." he said, as he took the French fries from the entire plate that I had ordered.

"So, as you know, tomorrow we're getting married." I started.

"mm-hmm" He nodded as a cue for me to continue.

"So I wanted to tell you that I've always had some dreams that I have to fulfil in my marriage."

"All right, so go ahead." He said and I took a deep breath before saying,

"Hmm, so I wanted to say that it's always been my dream that in my marriage I'll be the one who comes sitting on a ghodi (horse) bringing the baraat (wedding procession)." I said, remembering all those times I thought about this as a kid.

"So.. you say that I'll be on stage waiting for you and you'll come taking the baraat?" He questioned, with a weird seriousness in his tone.

"Yes,. I replied nervously, thinking he wouldn't like it and that I should prepare to fight.

"Like the complete opposite of what happens normally?" he asked, and I thought that now our discussion would not end without a fight.

"Yup." I replied.

"Ok." he said, and for a second, I didn't believe my ears.

"So ,it's fine with you?" I inquired just to be sure.

"Yes, I'm fine with it." he said, laughing a little, seeing my shocked face.

"I'm glad that you did; I thought you wouldn't agree, and I would have to pick up a fight with you a day before our marriage." I blurted out.

"Why did you think that I wouldn't have agreed?" He asked me with a surprised tone.

"Actually, I thought you'd be like that really orthodox type and say no." I replied, surprising him.

"And why did you think I was orthodox?" He asked with a hint of annoyance in his tone.

"Hmm...no particular reason in particular...just that most male species are, that's why'" I replied honestly.

"First and foremost, people evolve, so obviously I'm not as orthodox as people used to be, and secondly... male species refer to every male on the planet, so you shouldn't use that word to point something out." he said, and for a brief moment I thought he was my law school professor.

"Sorry teacher." I said, holding my ears and looking like a legit baby, which made him laugh.

"It's fine, dude... anyway, I liked your idea; it's different and unique, which piques my interest." He was smiling.

"Hmm.. me too." I replied, "So, Neil, just so you know, it's not my first wish, okay. I have many more, but they are post-marriage." I told him.

"That's fantastic, but do you realise we're only married for about 6 months, or until our contract expires, and you can fulfil your wishes after you marry your loved one a second time?" Neil said something quite shocking to me.

"Obviously, I can, but for all I know, I don't really have plans for a second marriage, and also, it would be no fun in the second one to do all this like it's now for the first marriage," I said, now socking him

"True, but Ms.Kiara, are you ready to spend 6 months of your life with me on all the life rollercoasters we'll face?" He said, forwarding a handshake.

"Sure, Mr. Khurana." I replied, shaking hands with him and laughing a little.

With this, we talked a little, finished the food that I ordered, and went on to our homes to get ready for tomorrow, which is the beginning of our 6-month future.

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Hey, Dear Readers,

So our leads are finally getting married.

I know it's been a while since I updated, as my exams were going on, but now that they are over, I'll try to update frequently.

I hope you liked the chapter.

Do vote and comment.

Love,

Author