Chapter 13

When two things are running in their own places, it's fine, but when they're connected to each other, it becomes difficult to keep going. Marriage is just like this, if you think deeply about it.

When you want to give your love a permanent name, people stop calling each other boyfriend or girlfriend and start using 'husband' and 'wife.' But that permanent name will be fake. How do I deal with this?

We come down and start choosing the lehenga. We both feel uncertain about how to behave. I was supposed to marry a guy, but now I am marrying a girl. It's fine. I know Geet is better than Ranjeet.

Dad asked me, "How's the lehenga?"

"It's beautiful," Geet said with a smile.

"Geet, you know what? I already have a lehenga, so choose one you like."

Geet asked, "Choose for me? What should I wear for our wedding?" Shit, "our wedding" — those words are so scary. I am feeling so scared. It's just for our benefits.

"I think a dark color suits you. I like maroon."

Ranjeet arrived. "Woah, finally, you are the winner, Geet!"

Geet said, "Yes."

"You think I deserved to know this? Where is Chipsy? Is he also happy? Everyone is happy except me."

I smell something.

"You drink too much."

"Whatever I want, I always bought. But you think I cannot buy you. Payal Agarwal, you always think that I am a jerk. Now I will show who is more powerful."

"Ranjeet, calm down! Have you lost your mind?" Dad shouted.

"What a greedy dad you have, Payal. He changed the decision without informing me."

I think Ranjeet has gone mad. His dad hurt him; he is in pain. Ranjeet is angry, and it's not good for me.

"She is not your type. You forget what you said to me. You are not into her. Again your dad is forcing you to marry another person?" Ranjeet's voice is filled with pain, and he is moving like he can't stand.

I try to call Chipsy; I know he will listen to Chipsy. Chipsy's phone is not picking up the call. He is my last hope. Finally, I see him. He is holding someone's hand.

Chipsy said with a smile, "Dad! Finally, it's time to meet my girlfriend." What, no, he's mad!

"Chipsy, where are you? I called you."

"Payal! My girlfriend came from Japan."

"What? She's Japanese?" I look at her and give a smile. She smiles back. Dad probably hates this, so he left. Geet is still choosing a lehenga. She is so cool and calm. Ranjeet is messed up.

"Yes, she is. I love her. She will join this wedding. What a strange surprise I got. You're finally marrying your girlfriend!"

Ranjeet starts dancing. "Woohoo!"

"What's happening?" he asked Ranjeet.

Ranjeet removes his ATM card and performs some nazar rasam, then throws it. "You want it. Love words never suit me. I used to think I was good, but now I'm being a good guy, and it's messing with me. If I can't be happy, then nobody can."

Chipsy takes the ATM card and puts it in his pocket.

"Let's talk! Ranjeet, Naomi, please enjoy this place. I'll come in a moment."

"Yes," Naomi said.

"Bahadur, show her room. Naomi."

Naomi left, and Chipsy holds Ranjeet's hand.

"Let's go." Ranjeet doesn't say a word. Geet is still choosing her lehenga. I'm tense and worried.

Geet asks, "What kind of jewelry suits Payal?"

"Geet!..."

"What? Are you worried?"

"Yes, Ranjeet is so powerful. If he decides that the marriage will not happen, then it will not."

"That's also good. We don't have to pretend. You know that we're not interested in each other."

"Yes, you are right. I didn't think of it that way."

I was so worried that I went to find out where they were and listened to their conversation.

Ranjeet said in anger, "You think I should calm down? My father wants to stay with me. He said I should not marry Payal. Who is he? I do what I like, and I want to marry her. I will stop this marriage."

I peeked from behind the wall; they were seated in a room, and the door was slightly open.

Chipsy said, "Are you marrying Payal just to prove your father wrong?"

"Yes. He's always wrong, and this time too," Ranjeet said angrily.

"Okay, do you love her?"

"What's the matter? Ninety-nine percent of marriages are like this."

"So, who do you love?" Chipsy asked in irritation.

Ranjeet remained silent. Chipsy took a glass of water and threw it on his face.

"Come into sense! Speak! Who do you love?" Chipsy asked again.

"I will not give up on her. Your sister will marry me. That's final."

"Ranjeet! wait" chipsy standing and holding his head from his hand.

Ranjeet left the room. Naomi saw me and asked,

"Are you listening to their conversation? Bad manners," she said with a smile.

"I'm so sorry! Actually, I just wanted to make sure everything is okay. Have you had anything to drink or eat?"

"Don't worry, Payal. I have a gift for you. You're marrying your girlfriend?"

"Yes! Geet! The one who was standing around all those lehengas."

"Oh! She's beautiful. You have a totally badass wife. If you need some tips, ask me. I have lots of toys."

"Toys?" I asked with a smile. Did she think we're kids? Are we playing Ghar-ghar? Toys? Tips? What kind of tips could she mean? Cooking tips? Whatever.

"Yeah! I have premium stuff. Have you tried...?"

Chipsy came and interrupted, "Babe, I think you should rest. They have all the toys they need; they're pros at it. Let's go." They left.

Am I a pro at what? I should have asked Geet. What a strange girl. She wants to give me toys and also some tips. Premium tips? Whatever.

Geet was talking on the phone, and I was feeling hungry, so I ordered some food—burgers and cheese. My mouth was watering. The food arrived, and I started eating. Geet saw me and smiled, sitting in front of me.

Geet said with a flirty smile, "Let me take a picture of you. You look cute when you eat like you're hungry."

"Geet! Stop with the nonsense! Naomi also says these types of things. Are you two always talking rubbish?"

"Naomi said what? Hmm, that's good," she licked cheese sauce from her index finger.

"She wants to give me some toys and tips."

"Toys? Spicy sauce!!!" Geet choked.

"Geet, Geet, Geet! Tell me how crazy you are! Cheese sauce is not spicy."

"Yeah, I know. Not sauce!" She hid her lips and smiled.

Again, she talked in a hinting way. Am I playing detective here? Should I google what "toys" means? Damn it, toys are toys. I don't care what Naomi wants to say.

I took a sip of coke, but my mind kept replaying the image of her licking cheese sauce. Cheese sauce must be so good. I took some French fries and dipped them in cheese sauce. Maybe it's good. My mind kept going back to the cheese sauce.

Naomi came over again, and Geet asked her, "Naomi, hi. Did you talk about TOYsssss?"

"YES! Jay said she has all the ones," Naomi said, Geet is smiling like she's teasing me.

Geet smiled, "Yes! She has all of them. Even she's a pro in everything. She's sooo gooooood. hmmmmm"

Naomi got excited. "What? Really? You just be lucky. You know, my ex was like her! Jay is fine, but I do miss her."

Geet laughed. "She really?"

They're thinking I'm a pro at something. That's good. Geet is praising me. Why do I feel like she's making fun of me? Naomi is bisexual? That's good. The burger is good. I'm eating the burger and looking at Geet. She's laughing with Naomi. Wanting a burger is so worth it. I looked her again, I hate this cheese sauce too. I left my burger.

"Geet! Don't forget that you're going to marry me."

"I'm just having fun!" She winked.

Naomi asked, "Who proposed first?"

"It's an arranged marriage," I said in anger.

Naomi laughed. "Wow, a lesbian arranged marriage. Funnyyy."

Geet asked with a smile, "Why did you break up with your ex?"

I responded in irritation, "Really, Geet? You can't—" I grabbed Geet's hand and pulled her away, saying goodbye to Naomi.

Naomi smiled. "She's really cool! I love her vibe."

I closed the door and put Geet on the bed.

"Geet, you can't flirt with anyone. You will be my wife. You always forget that, and Naomi is my brother's girlfriend."

Geet lay on the bed as if she were a queen. My mind kept wandering to her in a leg-side dress, her deep neckline, and her smile when I got angry.

"Naomi can be my friend. I'm just being friendly."

"No, you're not. You're hitting on her. That's wrong."

"Wrong? How?" She looked at me, her eyes making me nervous. I ignored her.

"You will not talk to her! I know we're not a couple, but it's about our reputation. We should act like it; everyone should believe we're in love."

"Love? I think I'm good. If we act like a couple, we'll look fake."

"You're right." (talking in calm way) I know you're charming and a hot woman. Please, leave Naomi." No No I always spill things.

"Do you think I'm charming?"  (Her eyes are glowing.)

"No, no." (I blushed)

"And hot?" (sneeze ! sneeze!)

"No, no, no, no! I just said Naomi will fall for you." (so louder)

"No, she can't. Naomi loves Jay. We're just talking. Why don't you accept that you're feeling jealous." (She smiles.)

"Come on, not even a bit! I don't care what you do!" I replied with a force smile. smile includes anger and frustration.

"Okay."

She got up and opened the door. I should keep quiet. Why am I trying to control her? We're not real! I am behaving as if I am her wife or girlfriend.

Dad entered my room. I was looking for my laptop charger. I'm feeling stressed. Finding it will make me feel better.

"Payal," Dad said.

"Yes, Dad?"

"Ranjeet is going to mess up the wedding. I think you both should marry today."

"Not possible, Dad. Chipsy will handle him."

"I know him. He's a jerk. Just be ready! All preparations are done. You're marrying in the temple."

"hmmm O ......kay, Dad."

Dad is good. I thought he was selfish. Look how worried he is. Geet came into the room.

"Did you see my phone? ... Dad?"

Dad replied, "Geet, be ready! You're getting married now! I'll throw a big party later."

Dad left. Geet didn't say anything; she was in shock. We both wore our lehngas and started preparing for the wedding.

"Quick, Payal! Come out. I already wore my lehenga and did my makeup."

"Wait, wait." I'm feeling nervous. Geet will look good in a lehenga. Do I really deserve her? Am I doing something wrong? I came out from the bathroom.

Geet looked at me. She didn't say a word for a full minute. "Ummm Huh Let's go. I will do your makeup."

I looked at her. I felt like I should cry. She looks so gorgeous in her lehenga.

"Geet"

"Huh?"

"you're looking not bad!"

"Yes, not bad too. Let's go."

She did my makeup and we quickly got ready. We're now sitting in the car.

Geet asked, "My uncle! He's not there. I'm missing him."

"We will call him soon. Now just focus on right now," I said to motivate her.

She looked at me, and I looked at her.

"Do you mind if I do something....." Geet asked hesitantly. She's glaring for a second. She started coming toward me, her hand reaching for my cheeks. Does she want to kiss me now, suddenly? Should I close my eyes? Why? I won't. I don't want to kiss her. She's emotional. If she wants to, then I'll just give her one kiss. She can borrow it. She put her hand on back of my ear and pressed something like she's pressing a button. What is this? Am I robot?

"It's kala Teeka. My Nazar might make you sick." Geet said in a lower voice.

"Oh! Do you really believe in this stuff?"

"I don't. But if there's a 1% chance that you'll be sick because of me, I'm ready to do these things," her voice is a little wet.

I felt thousand emotions after hearing this. "You're sweet! You could marry the best girl in the world."

"Maybe I am marrying that girl."

"I'm not! Who's beautiful, caring, deeper like your 'kaga kaga' poem, who understand your toy's jokes. Who you LOVE." My eyes are a little wet.

"Are you running from this marriage?" Geet smiled.

"I think I can't miss this chance to marry the clumsiest girl in the world."

"I think I also can't miss this chance to marry the worst writer in the world."

I smiled and the car stopped. The car door opened. Geet and I walked together to the mandir. A pandit, Dad, Mom, my brother, and Naomi are looking at us.

Then Ranjeet came with his gun.

"You fool! I'm happy to be here," he's smiling like a serial killer.

Chipsy ran towards me.

"Stay there, Jay, do not move. I said I will marry her. My baba gave my dad a place in our home. He's a liar, a loser. I hate seeing him. Even my mom is ready to accept him back, everyone forgives him. I will not. I'll do what he doesn't like."

Geet asked, "Ranjeet! You hate your father and that's fine, you should kidnap him, not Payal."

"He is my father! I cannot do this. I have some respect even though he's a coward."

Geet replied, "Don't you want love? Oh, marry who you love."

I held Geet's hand. "No, Geet."

Geet gave me an expression like she didn't have any choice. "You also deserve love, show them what your choice is. Why destroy your life?" She looked at Chipsy and Ranjeet, who put the gun to my head.

"Geet, I think you're right!"

Chipsy looked straight at Geet. Chipsy was shocked when Geet talked and looked at him.

Ranjeet shouted, "Geet! You're right! The groom is ready to win his love."

I looked at Geet in anger. Ranjeet ran and held Chipsy 's hand. Chipsy looked at Ranjeet in shock.

"Let's get married, Jay."

Dad shouted, "Are you..." Ranjeet showed his gun. "Stay always, Papaji, I will kill you. You know my shot never misses."

Ranjeet told Geet to take a video. Naomi was scared. Ranjeet was smiling and he was drunk. He took the Pheras and Chipsy looked at him in shock. After the seventh Phera, he fainted. Chipsy stood in shock. Dad held my hand.

"Let's go, Payal! Ranjeet can wake up again."

"Dad, Chipsy is in shock, we can wait. Look at him."

"I never cared about him. He always listened to his mind. Look at him now, he deserves this."

We took the Pheras. Every Phera, I looked at Geet and thought, why would you do this? I hate her. She ruined my brother's life. Yes, It's not legal, we believe in Agni-phere. We married and he also. Geet smiled and I looked at her in anger. Dad gave us tickets for the honeymoon. He knows Ranjeet can do this again, so he gave us the marriage certificate and said to go. It's Paris. Dad forced us to sit in the car. We changed clothes at the airport. We both are not talking.

"Are you angry with me?" Geet asked.

"No, I think I trusted you too much. You broke it. We lost this friendship. I think it looks like our marriage; your friendship is also fake."

I know most people refuse to believe that same-gender marriages are valid and often say they can't be called a marriage. What if the same scenarios happened with opposite-gender couples? People would consider it a normal marriage. We see such marriages portrayed as normal in movies. If these same situations happen in same-gender marriages, why don't we respect them? Marriage is marriage.

I still believe in this marriage, but I don't trust the person. I don't know how I will stay with her. If I don't believe in this marriage, it would make me homophobic, which I'm not. I'm a simple girl who respects everyone and every idea that aligns with my ethics.

I said it like I have no hopes for her, I wanted to shout at her. We're both sitting on the plane. My eyes are repeating how she manipulates him, she could have stopped him, she's just a good manipulator. I hate her.

SIDE STORY

Ranjeet came to his senses. Jay was waiting in the chair, his blood boiling.

"Jay? Jay, are you Jay?"

"Yes, Ranjeet." He grabbed his collar.

"What? Did I... I don't remember anything. I took some strange drug."

"You, Ranjeet? You love me?"

"No, I'm not." Ranjeet looked away, Jay held his chin.

"You think you're smart. You loved me." Ranjeet felt shy. "You married me." Ranjeet was in shock. "Damn it! I trusted you, you ruined me. I thought we were friends. You seemed like a nice person. You showed your true colors."

Ranjeet was crying and begging with his eyes. His watery, innocent eyes looked at Jay. "Forgive me! I never thought I could do this! Baba told me that Payal was getting married, and I didn't know he gave me lemon juice. I have no idea what I did."

Jay was still angry, saying words like he could kill him. "Stop crying! You think I'll fall for you? You're the worst actor."

Jay left the room. Ranjeet was crying, and his baba looked at him, smiled, and then looked at Ranjeet's dad.

Ranjeet's dad said, "I think it's too much for Ranjeet."

"No, no Prakash. They do not know that I told him to leave this house. If someone breaks my ideals, then they should face punishment. You are now ready to follow my values. He will also follow them. Jay never stayed in his life, Ranjeet will change when he gets tired of being one of those cheesy boys. He should be a man. An alpha male, unlike those cheesy and sweet boys."

"Baba, you're right. Boys shouldn't be allowed to cry. He's crying, he needs training. We will train him, just like you did to me. You put me into jail, every day you tortured me, you taught me your values, and now I am ready to accept them. Baba, just don't be too harsh on him. I will teach him everything."

"Okay, boy! Bravo."