The Marriage

The Chaudary house was lit ahead of the wedding. Guests from Indore and all around India had arrived for the wedding. The wedding was to be in the evening, during the 2 hours of the auspicious timing for the Aarti. It was exactly like how it was two years ago.

Esha, Sid and their college friends had all arrived. Riya was fuming with jealousy as to how Nikita's fate always supports her and how she was going to end up becoming the real bride. Even after being confronted, she didn't stop. She hadn't stopped wanting Mayukh. She drove them away for a whole year, not for this, not to get them married officially. She was currently looking out for Mayukh.

She saw him in his room, wiping the haldi off him as the haldi ceremony was over. She entered and Mayukh's face got alert.

"What are you doing in my room?" He asked assertively.

"Mayukh. I really like you, why are you getting married to her?"

"Excuse me?! After what you did, you really think you had a chance?"

"I did that because I like you. I never hurt Nikita."

"You made her feel like she had to leave. You forged a letter, making me hate her."

"She doesn't know about the letter."

"So what? You wrote it, you ruined her name in my eyes for a whole year."

"I'm sorry Mayukh. Please understand, give me a chance. I'll make it up to her and I'll win your heart."

"I'm getting married in another 5 hours. It's best you leave."

"Mayukh," she grabbed her hand, "you know that's she's not your type. You don't even love her."

"So?"

"Mayukh why stay with someone you don't love? You always only saw her as a responsibility, why are you ruining your whole life because of it?"

"Because it's better than staying with you, giving you a chance. I'd rather stay with a stranger than you." Mayukh spoke harshly, "and now I'd demand you leave my room before I have to call people and make this a big deal."

"Mayukh. You'll regret marrying her, look at her, she's nothing. She's not even rich, she's not pretty."

"Neither are you, now move on. Leave my room." Mayukh stated and walked into the washroom and banged the door shut, scaring Riya.

She looked down and controlled her anger before finally whispering, "You can't be with that middle class girl. If you won't leave her, I'll make her leave you."

Saying so, she walked out of the room. A while later, Mayukh came back, fully showered,band started getting ready.

Unknown to both of them, Nikita had heard this conversation and was in tears, not only because her marriage was already being threatened by Riya, but also because Riya had called her ugly, middle class and Mayukh had not defended her, he didn't say anything to when Riya called her ugly. He didn't deny it. It shot a pang of hurt in her heart that her fiancé didn't care, didn't think she's pretty, didn't like the fact that she's off a middle class. He didn't love her, he just proved once again that she was just a responsibility to him.

She ran to her room, luckily with the haldi on her face, it was easy to hide her tears. She felt upset because she'd hope for a happy marriage with a guy she had feelings for, and was falling for again, but she knew all this had to stop. She washed her face, showered and then came out to seeing the pastel pink colored saree which she was to wear for her wedding. It was hitting her slowly that today is her marriage anniversary and her wedding. She decided to get ready and sit. Instantly, a few of her friends and family came to help her. She wore the saree.

It was a beautiful red saree with royal embroidery throughout. The saree covered her modestly. Her parlour ladies worked on her hair, styling it into a classy, low elegant bun with flowers around it. A few strands of her hair came out. Her fair skin complimented the saree. Subtle makeup was done, kajal, mascara, a shade of matte pink lipstick. Her face was adorned with her normal, beautiful nose ring and heavy earrings, and a beautiful gentle necklace. She looked gorgeous.

Nikita POV:

"You're looking wonderful Nikku." Aai exclaimed.

"Thank you Aai."

"Yeah dude, you're looking amazing!" Esha added. I smiled at her and said thanks.

"Let's go. They're calling you downstairs." Baba came from behind. He looked at me and I felt his eyes water.

"Baba..." I said, sitting next to him.

"Beta, it's been a dream to see you married. It's feeling amazing."

"Baba, come on." I gave him a hug, "don't get emotional right now."

"Beta, this might be the last time we stayed together, we don't know where you'll be after this."

It then hit me. How am I going to manage my future? What about my job in UK? Do I have to leave it? What am I going to do? I had to talk to Mayukh about it.

"Baba, we'll decide all that after the wedding, come on now, let's go."

Dad wiped his tears and we all made our way downstairs.

The main hall of the mansion was beautifully decorated: flowers, lightning. It was beautiful. I was in awe as I made my way downstairs. I was a marathi bride hence I didn't have a lehenga and a veil over me. I was in a saree. I don't know why I wasn't wearing red, but I didn't want to argue.

I walked outside and suddenly the fears of the that day hit me. The same fire, the same city, the same relatives. I could see Rupa Mami with tears in her eyes. I got scared. I felt my hands shaking and sweat forming on my forehead. Rahul came and held my hand as he led me to the mandap where my groom was waiting.

I sat next to him as his eyes followed mine. His conversation replayed in my head and it made me look away from him. Seeing the fire increased my fear, evident on my face. As the Pandit Ji recited the prayers, I felt my hands shaking. This time, two years ago, I was fighting for my life. In my fears, I didn't notice his hand come and rest on me, as if comforting me. It was only when he pressed my hand slowly that I noticed his hands on me, calming me down. I felt safe.

"Please exchange the garlands!" Pandit Ji said.

We got up and Rahul, along with my cousins, lifted me up. I could see Mayukh's side lifting him up too but in vain.

"Guys Guys!" Mayukh said suddenly, making us look. He gestured his cousins to put him down and they did.

Then, he knelt down while looking at me.

No way! What did he just do! I saw Aai and Baba cheer while Rahul whispered, "Simp already!" and chuckled.

Rahul put me down as I put the garland around him, then he did the same.

We got up for the seven pheras, as everyone showered blessings through flowers. We took the rounds of the fire and then stood in front of each other.

"Now, please fill the sindoor in the bride's hairline."

It hit me again. He did this two years ago. Same hand, same sindoor. My eyes were scared, but also made me realize that maybe everyone was right. We found each other again. I'm getting married to the same person again. Was this a coincidence?

I looked at him. He looked heavenly. He wore a pastel pink and off white sherwani which complimented my outfit, his hair was styled nicely, even though I preferred it a little messy. His minimal stubble added a sense of royalty and currently his light brown eyes were staring into my brown eyes. He gave me a small smile before filling my hairline with sindoor. A pinch of the sindoor fell on my nose and everyone started laughing.

"Well there'll be ample of love in this marriage!" Aunty said.

Oh. That saying. Which love Aunty? When your son doesn't even consider me a wife, just a responsibility.

"Now the mangalsutra." Pandit Ji announced.

I saw Aai go and bring a mangalsutra. I looked at it and I was shocked.

It's the same one Rupa Aunty gave us. How did he....

I looked up at him and saw him gently looking at me. His eyes screamed safety, yet his words screamed something else. I saw him lift the same mangalsutra I left with him a year ago. He looked me in the eye as he adorned me with it, once again. I closed my eyes.

"Congratulations! They're now husband and wife."

A huge applause was heard everywhere. Mayukh looked at me and came closer and uttered, "Congrats, and happy two year anniversary."

I just looked at him in shock, "You too."

"Alright everyone! Please make your way for the newly weds dinner. As per Marathi and Bengali traditions, the newly weds feed each other and then everyone else has dinner. Please come." Aai announced.

We all walked into the dinner lounge and found a gold plate for us, while the rest were silver. Food was already beginning to get served. We walked over to our chairs and Mayukh pulled mine for me. I smiled and sat down and he placed himself next to me. We had removed our garlands.

"Alright," Aunty announced once everyone sat, "Mayukh, feed her the first bite."

Mayukh nodded and looked at me then looked down. He took a bit of roti in his hands and dipped it in the daal makhani and brought it to my mouth. I gulped. His eyes never left mine as he brought the bite next to my mouth. I slowly opened my mouth and took the bite, while everyone clapped.

"Nikita, you're next." Aai said.

I cut another piece from the roti and dipped it in the daal while bringing it to him, he looked at me as he held my hand and guided it closer to him and took the bite. While everyone clapped and Aai requested everyone to start eating, Mayukh was looking right at me, his hands still on mine.

I let go and continued eating. We ate in silence.

After eating, we reached the Durga Temple. The same temple I was at before.... Never mind.

"I would like you two to do the aarti today. Today's day was meant for you guys, whether it's today or two years ago!" Aunty exclaimed.

We stood in front of the idol and the Pandit ji brought us the thali. We held it and performed the aarti.

After that, the vidaai ceremony came. I had tears in my eyes but also a sense of relief. I'd be staying in a house I'd already stayed at. I'd be with people I already have been with. I was safe. I gave Aai Baba and Rahul a hug before we all left for the Chaudary mansion.

Aai and Baba were staying at Rupa Mami's house tonight, despite everyone requesting them to stay at the mansion itself. They said that the in-laws rituals would be interrupted if we were there.

A silent ride followed. I fell asleep due to the tiring day while I saw Mayukh silently looking out the window, maybe he slept as well. Once we reached, I saw a kalash at the doorstep. I kicked it, dipped my feet in red kumkum and entered. I saw Bruno run towards me.

"Bruno!" Aunty said.

"It's okay Aunty." I said, carrying him.

"Looks like Mayukh Bhai will have to fight Bruno for Boudi's attention!" Omisha, Mayukh's cousin added. Everyone chuckled.

Omisha was a beautiful girl. 20 years, she was studying in the UK. She was with me the entire time of the wedding, helping me with my lehenga and everything.

"Okay. You two can go up and relax now. The remaining rituals will be done tommorow. Nikita, you'll need to make a sweet dish as it's your first day, and then we'll all go to your family's place for the pag phera." Aunty said.

I nodded.

"Goodnight everyone!" Uncle said, happily.

"Come, I'll take you." Manisha Bhabhi said. Mayukh and I walked with her till his room. I was scared. I hadn't been in this room a lot. Whenever I did, it was always as a friend, or a secret wife, now the wife isn't a secret. I'm his wife. Our marriage was registered now.

"Enjoy!" Bhabhi said cheekily and walked off.

He opened the door and gestured me to enter as he followed. He then closed the door and locked it. Why'd he lock it?! I got scared. Riya's words came running to me like a hurricane.

He only wants you for your body!

Is he going to....

"Hey?" He said, holding my hand.

"Y...Yes." I said.

"Are you okay?"

"Ye...Yes."

"Come here." He said and gestured me to sit. I sat on the bed in extreme fear, anticipating his next moves, but instead, he knelt down near me and held my hand, "You don't need to worry about anything. I won't do whatever you're thinking."

How did he know I was thinking that?!

"... you can choose a side of your bed and I'll take the other. The couch isn't comfortable, so won't recommend it. I won't cross my limits don't worry."

I smiled. I felt safe with him. My heart was betraying everything I heard and knew about him. "Thank you."

"Go and change. I think Esha brought some of your stuff here. We will figure out the future tommorow." He said and got up towards the door.

"Where... where are you going?" I asked.

"I'm changing in the room next to us, so we don't waste time. I'm also sleepy!" He chuckled.

I gave him a small smile.

I walked into the bathroom, got my stuff. A simple salwar which was cozy. I removed all my makeup. Luckily, I didn't apply too much so it was easy to remove. I put all my jewelry safe in the bag and then went and took a cold shower. Once I finished, I got dressed and came out. I put my stuff in the closet and made my way to the bed. I chose the side of the window and was scrolling through my phone when I saw him enter.

Does he have to look this good always?! His dark grey t shirt and track pants!

He came on the bed next to me and took out something from the drawer. The rings! He still had them?! My eyes widened.

"Here..." he said, giving me his ring.

I took it and he held his hand out. I stared in shock.

"What? You think I'm letting my wife go? Hell no." He said and took my hand and adorned me with the same ring. I did the same.

He then cupped my face, taking me for a surprise, "let's sleep. You're half asleep."

I nodded and lay down as he turned off the lights.

After a while, I turned and saw him asleep, facing me. He looked peaceful. The moonlight caressed his face, making him look more peaceful. I gently took a small strand of his hair which was on his eyes and settled it behind, then brought the blanket closer to him and went to sleep.