6| Before The D-Day

Started writing on 19th May 2020.

Completed on 23rd May 2020.

Word count : 2496 words

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– D I V Y A –

As soon as I entered my room, my body unconsciously jumped over the bed. I'm a sleepy person and sleeping is my hobby, I tell everyone.

Everything seemed so unreal. I was going to marry the person whom I can't tolerate, the one who irritated me the most. And now, I was staying at my parent's place, because they wanted me to live with them before getting wedded.

When I came back mumma jumped over me in euphoria, and started asking me every detail that happened till now.

"I heard, you and Ayaan were classmates, really?" Mumma started her hobby, that is gossiping. "And, I also heard that you both are good friends!" She sighed, "No I mean best friends." She smirked.

"Mumma, first of all tell me who is giving you such information?" I asked her.

"I have my sources." She exclaimed.

"So, I've to tell you that your sources are giving you half information." I said with a thin-lipped smile. "And yes, it's correct that we were classmates. But it's totally wrong when you say that we were best friends. We weren't even friends." I sighed.

"Okay, okay, what you say is right. Till yesterday, I was extremely worried for you. You were single till now and didn't even like someone." She said in a serious tone this time.

I guess it's getting too emotional here!

I need to leave.

"You remember your long-distanced cousin Kavya? She's three years younger than you and married her long time boyfriend a month ago. I was so..... I mean my niece was getting engaged and my daughter was still single. You know these thoughts, they are always present in a mother's mind." Her eyes were teary and her voice broke as she spoke further.

Mom and her insecurities!

"I'm so happy you're finally going to marry someon. And not someone but Ayaan Chauhan. He's a great man and he belongs to a good background. I'm really proud of your choice. I'm really happy for my daughter. Now I can live in peace." She sighed happily with tears of happiness in her eyes.

I don't remember when my body gave in to sleep, and I fell into a deep slumber.

As the bright sunlight hit my eyelids through the curtains, I woke up from my peace. From the amount of light I could easily feel that it was already 10pm and I was too late to wake up.

It was actually a relief that I was on leave. If it goes like this, I could get up late in the morning and sleep early. Such a good life it is!

After dressing up I came down feeling different motions in my stomach. Whenever I wake up, might it be as early as five in morning or twelve in noon, I'm always hungry. So in short, my appetite depends on my sleep.

As I descended the stairs, I saw my parents, Egg's parents and a priest sitting together. It was obvious that they were really impatient about this marriage thing. I walked towards them and greeted them good morning.

"Good morning, mumma... dad... sir.... ma'am. I'm hungry. So, I'll get going." I said and turned back to go.

"Wait!" Ayaan's mom shouted and I turned back questioningly. "Don't call me ma'am. Call me mom, okay?" I nodded and went towards the kitchen.

I was extremely hungry and food is my weakness. After digging-in all the food present in front of my eyes, I felt contented and rubbed my stomach. I was still having five-and-a-half-days of my leave and I was so happy that it could not be explained.

I walked back to the hall and saw everyone looking towards me happily. "We're so happy!" Both of the mom's shouted in happiness.

"What's the matter?"

"The date is decided! Your wedding date!" Mumma shouted and I stepped back in fear. No way! How could it be decided so early?!

"What?"

"Yes. It's after two weeks, as the next auspicious date is almost after two years. The time is less and we need to do so much shopping. I'm so excited." Ayaan's mom shouted and both the mothers hugged each other. And, till now, I thought that only my mother acts as a teenager!

"Oh!" I exclaimed.

For the next two days, we robbed all the shops. Just the difference was, we paid the bill before leaving which robbers won't ever do.

All the time, both the mothers were on cloud nine!

And, it was obvious.

They were going to see their children getting married after years of hardships and nagging.

Speaking truly, I had never done so much shopping in my entire life. I was literally exhausted. From morning till dawn, we were out, shopping for all the dresses and jewelleries.

All the bags were filled with sarees and lehengas. Much to my dismay, they chose all the heavy dresses they saw, which shook me to death.

I really envy Ayaan.

He was away from all these hassles which I faced.

××

Four days later, we had our engagement ceremony. The house was filled with guests which I hated the most. I mean, I'm not an introvert but I always want some personal space. But now, I couldn't even breathe properly. Give me some space!

I had to reduce my sweet nine hours of sleep for this so-called marriage and that Ayaan, his eyes were so awake and looked as if he had slept for twenty four hours straight. I'll kill him if I get a chance, but I can't because I don't want to become an unmarried widow.

I would have denied this marriage. Infact, I was going to, but I had to hold back after seeing my parents delighted. There are only few moments when they smiled because of me and this was one of them. They always allowed me to do whatever I wanted. Now, I wanted to them to be happy.

The reasons for me accepting this alliance is simple. Firstly, I wanted to see my parents happy. Their happiness lies in seeing me living my life gracefully with the love of my life.

Secondly, I needed to find a groom for me. I didn't have anyone in my life and I hate strangers. That's the reason I said yes to Ayaan. Moreover, I knew almost everything about him.

Okay, not everything but atleast he's not a complete stranger to me. From what I know, he's not an overbearing-dominating bitch. So, I can live my life peacefully and have my personal space at the same time.

Plus, this is an emotionless alliance. So, we don't need to live like real-life partners and accept each other as our spouse, which actually is a relief. Just the need is to pretend a show in front of others!

××

Three days later, we had our Haldi. All the women did nothing but jumped over me to apply haldi on my body. At first they did it to my legs, then followed my hands and then yellowed my face. My whole body was now looking a yellow teddy.

I wonder what happened to Ayaan.

He must have enjoyed this too.

And, for me, it was a blunder.

Then we had my mehndi ritual. All the women and girls were bustling here and there. In short, whole venue was filled with hustle and bustle. I was busy in watching the sight when the mehndi artist called me.

"What's the name of your groom?" She asked me.

"Why are you asking this?" I asked.

"Miss, don't you know what this Henna signifies for?" She asked and I shook my head in negative.

Now, what's this?!

"You know, it's said that if the shade of the bride's henna is darker than the usual ones, then her other half would love her to eternity." She told and I did nothing but nodded. "And also, it's like a ritual to write your groom's name on your hands. So, you need to do it too."

Really?

Should I say omelette?

"So tell me, what's your Honey's name?" She asked and I mentally puked. Wait! She called him honey? Did she call him my honey? Why would I him honey? It's so cheesy!

"But, I think it's not needed." I said. I never liked the idea of applying henna on my hands. The reason is that, after a week or so of applying this, it starts shedding, making my hands rough.

"It's Ayaan!" My cousins shouted while coming towards me and the lady started drawing patterns on my hands. I glared at them and they all pouted, looking like a cute puppy.

Then followed our Sangeet. Sangeet was filled with laughter and songs. All the ladies filled the event with bliss and not a single Bollywood song was missed. From Ghungroo, Dil Chori, Sweety Tera Drama, Gal Mithi Mithi Bol, High Heels, Kar Gayi Chull, Koka, Morni Banke to Kajra re and Desi Girl, nothing was missed.

As for our dance, I denied it. But as it was necessary to keep up a show, we did that too. Neither I have any interest in dancing nor do I want to dance with him. It's as simple as that. So, I opted for just one performace, in which we danced on Enna Sona— a slow romantic song.

But, there was nothing like romance in the dance. Well, who cares as my dance was already over!

Who was I to know that this was just the peace before the disaster! All my cousins dragged me to dance again. I mean, I wasn't even prepared and they brought me in the centre of the limelight. This was one of the worst moment in my life, but nevertheless I tried some steps and excused myself towards the restroom.

I was tired to hell and didn't even want to stand. The only thing I longed for was sleep and rest. I fought for my way and went into a long desired sleep.

After many more rituals, which were around ten or fifteen in number, came our wedding day!

Wedding. Just the name is enough to give shivers down my spine. I always dreamt of it in my teenage which now actually was a nightmare for me. Which girl would like to leave her house to live with someone else, particularly with her so called pati-parmeshwar?

Okay, this is only possible when the girl is in love with him.

But with me, the situation was just the opposite. It would have been okay if love was the only thing which our fake relationship lacked. But, our situation is different. We can't even tolerate each other, unless the matter is related to company and its business!

×× ××

– A Y A A N –

My wedding is in two weeks.

Oh My God!!

I'll not be a bachelor anymore. What about my title of the 'Nations Most Eligible Bachelor' which I earned in the tenure of just a month? Of course, that'll be taken too. Sigh!

"So, your mom and dad went to your girlfriend's parents' place for deciding your wedding date?" Shrey asked and I nodded. I was having a video call with my best friend whom I met in my college days in States.

"Hmm."

"So, at last, you went into a relationship. I think the girl must be extremely special." He smirked and I rolled my eyes.

"What? Bro, she is not my girlfriend. I mean we are not in any kind of relationship. Everything is just a misunderstanding which led to the decision of this marriage."

"What do you mean? If your don't love her, then why are you getting engaged with her?" He asked and I explained everything that happened with us till now.

"Okay. So, you mean that this marriage is beneficial to both of you. That's why you're taking this decision. I respect your decision." He concluded and looked towards me with a sad face.

"What?" I asked in an irritated tone.

"You won't be a bachelor now, my dear little brother. But then, I'm very happy for you as you always wished to be in a relationship like this. And, that's what you're getting now. I mean, I'm really happy for you." He expressed his thoughts sincerely. This was the first time I saw him talking in a serious tone.

I admit that we're great friends. I clearly remember the first day I stepped in my college campus. I was a bit nervous with the new surroundings. Nervousness is not my cup of tea but I felt it like that. And that's where I met him, Shrey Sehgal!

He had a funny and open personality just like me, and that's what made us friends easily. We are like diaper friends and have many things similar in us. Well, there's one thing which makes us world's apart. He's a born Casanova!

"I want you to come here, in India." I demanded.

"You don't need to worry about that." He said and I raised my eyebrows in a question, "I mean dad wants me to settle in our Indian branch so.... Yeah, I'll be shifting in India permanently as for now." Shrey laughed and I shook my head in disbelief.

Did I forget to tell that his father is a businessman too?

Shrey is now the sole heir to his father's entertainment and filming company.

We aren't nineteen anymore. Nor do we have zero responsibilities on us. We're twenty-six now and have many duties on our shoulders. That's the reason why Shrey is busy and tensed nowadays. He got the company in his hands a few months back and is still learning a lot about it.

××

I was in my own engagement.

That's alright Ayaan, you can do it. You're a man!

The entire event went alright, and Divya always looked towards me enraged in anger. We exchanged the rings and did some prayers before returning back.

Then followed our Haldi which was a huge play for all the guests. Everyone ran towards me and started applying haldi over my whole body. I enjoyed the moment with all my heart. All the guest just jumped over me and made me a yellow bear. I couldn't control my laugh throughout the session.

Only these occasions could make the entire family come together. I'm really thankful to myself.

What about Divya?

She must have been sad and irritated!

Then was our Sangeet. I'm a born dancer and could dance at any moment. I had a total of seven performances in the event, including one with Divya.

She's really sick. I mean who the hell would dance on just one song? Who would sit quite in their own wedding celebrations? It could only be her!

After that, we did almost dozens of rituals which was freaking tiring. And here, in front of me was my D-Day— the Wedding day.

*****

TIED TOGETHER BY LOVE 💍

Precap : Our Seven Vows

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