Rithu's POV
It was a bright Monday morning I was traveling on a bus. The time is about 8.30 am when everyone rushing to their school, college, and work. Sitting on the window side seat and listening to my favorite songs I watched the passing building, vehicles, and people. Though the climate is quite sunny, I am enjoying the warmness on my skin.
Today I missed my regular bus where my friends and I usually travel. The bus journey is blissful when we have a friend who tells us interesting gossip. This half an hour of travel will never bore us but today I am missing that.
When I reached my University I walked to my class looking down. Suddenly someone pulled my bag from behind. I turned to find my friend Nithya, she smiled brightly and I took off my earphones.
"Good morning sleepyhead," she said putting her hand on my shoulder.
"Morning," I replied with a small smile and we started to walk. We were friends for almost ten years, though I don't have any siblings, only a cousin sister and Nithya gave that sibling feel to me.
"I thought you would come earlier Nithya, why are you late?"
"I also missed our bus Rithu,"
"Oh, I see," I smiled.
"Let's go to our class, I need to do a" she said with enthusiasm and we reached our department.
The classes since it is our final semester and we were having only our project work. Me, Nithya, and Shana, three are in the same group. There are only two months left for my Master's degree to finish and I am working hard to finish my project.
On the other hand, my parents were planning for my marriage as recently my dad got hospitalized when he fainted in his workplace with severe chest pain. He was diagnosed with atherosclerosis and we had treated that immediately.
The doctor has advised him not to do any heavy works and to take enough rest. So he was worried about everything, especially about my life, and wanted me to get married as soon as possible.
I want to work and I want to lead my own life for at least two years without anyone's help but my father's compulsion and his health condition have made my mind accept this.
After finishing off some important works in my project I noticed the time at 4.30 pm. I packed my things and Nithya gave me some documents in a pen drive for my reference to print the thesis; since there's only a week for us to submit our project, so we have to make everything perfect for getting good marks. I am always a good student and sometimes I will be the class topper anyhow, there is no use in getting good marks since I am going to get married to an unknown stranger, I don't know what he's up to.
I reached my home at 5.30 pm when I entered, my parents were busily discussing something in the living room and they looked as they were waiting for me. There is something going on.
"Rithu, you came!" My mom exclaimed plastering her face with a smile.
"Yes mom," I replied and walked into my room.
I changed my clothes and went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. When I was about to drink that my mom called my name and I went there to see them.
"What mom?" I asked and looked at their faces.
After a small silence, my dad started to speak.
"Rithu do you know my friend Kishore; he's having a son running a business in Chennai and Friday they're coming here to see you," hearing that I got a little nervous. I don't know what to say it's very sudden and my mom smiled at me like it's not at all a big deal.
It is not a shock I already know that yesterday my dad was speaking about me to someone on the phone, and in the evening he went to give my photo to them but it is much unexpected.
"But dad, please wait for at least a month," I said to him cause I not even finished my final exams.
"No Rithu we can't wait, it's the best proposal and you already know everything right?" he said like it was his final decision.
I said nothing and I want to think about this so I went to the terrace and sat on the bench. I gazed at the devoid cloudy sky which resembled my current life.
What I did in my life, what I achieved?? I asked myself.
Nothing!! My subconscious replied mockingly.
At that time my mom came and sat beside me, she placed her hand on my hand, and I know what she's going to say.
"Rithu I know what you're thinking dear you know dad is not in a good health and we also want the best for you so try to accept this.
Life renders various situations Rithu we have to accept all and go through that so don't confuse yourself and accept this," my mom said. She is also right if I go against this my parents will only suffer. So I made my mind to get married.
"Okay mom, I can understand," I said halfheartedly with a small smile.
My mom was happy with my decision and she hugged me.
"Don't worry about anything dear we are always with you and we will do only the right thing for you?" my mom assured.
I didn't sleep that night thinking about every possibility to escape from this situation but that will only show I am not a good daughter to my parents.
The next day I went to my college everything was the same; I didn't utter a single word about this marriage proposal to Nithya and Shana because I felt really shy.
During the break, I went to the library to read something because I love reading and I am damn bored of studying only the subject books for almost two months for this project work. I took some random newspaper and started to read, in the business column there I saw a man he's so good looking with a manly smile and that article was about him.
A young businessman named Vikram owns a rapidly developing architectural firm; he is now constructing a mall with high facilities in Chennai and his native is Coimbatore, where I am living. I gazed at the features of that man for some time but I don't know why. But soon I shifted my thoughts hearing a creaky sound of the chair, I turned over the page automatically and continued to read some local and national news then I felt even bored, so I closed the newspaper and went back to my class.
As days passed, my project neared its completion stage. I got a signature on my thesis from my project guide, and I am doing my final touches. During a busy day, Nithya called and asked me to come to the canteen so I went. Since we are doing our projects with different faculties we don't have the chance to meet often.
Sipping my favorite strawberry milkshake Nithya waved her hand to notify me, I smiled and saw another one for me on the table.
I wanted to tell her that I going to get married but I am still feeling shy, yeah I am very shy when it comes to love, marriage, etc. But I have to say this or else she will get mad if she finds out on her own,
Without having another choice I told them everything and also the tea came while we are chatting and heard my story. They first didn't believe me and teasingly congratulated me but when I said that it's all true they became surprised.
Nithya asked me about whom I am going to marry, and what he is doing but I don't know the answer to her question.
I said I don't know him Even his name.
They were surprised even more.
"Then when are you going to meet him?" Nithya questioned me.
"This Friday, I think so," I said pursing my lips.
"Oh...Congratulations," Nithya teased again. I just stared at them angrily for teasing me but I can't control my laughter so we laughed and started talking about my marriage.
As time moves, we three girls were so engrossed in discussing our future life and husband without having a thought that we were getting late to reach our home.
Rithu's POVWhen the moment I opened my eyes on Friday my heart started to race and I felt so nervous because I don't know what's going to happen today.I abruptly stood up from my bed and walked into the lavatory like a zombie, after finishing off my morning chores I came out and noticed the time was 8.15 am. My eyes widened in shock because today I have to be in college at 8.45 am.I rushed my mom to pack my lunch. After getting that I started running to the bus stop.Today I am having my project presentation and added to that Mr. and Mrs. Rajesh was coming home to see me. I wanted only one that this day has to end very soon without any problem. God, why everything is happening in one day, grant me more luck...please, I prayed mentally.Yesterday dad was talking about them to my mom. I have seen Mr. Rajesh because he's a very good friend of my father, doing several businesses and he is one of the richest people in this city. But I don't kno
Rithu's POVIt was a day before my engagement, my dad and mom were very busy in making our house to look beautiful and I also helped in the decorations; thank God it's my study holidays so that I can help them. Then I thought that I should buy a new saree since I don't have anything good to wear."Mom shall we go for shopping," I suggested."I can't come with you dear and you go with Riya, she will help you.""But mom! Why Riya? Please, mom, you come with me." I pleaded."Rithu you know that I am busy then how can I come with you." she convinced me to go with Riya and I don't have any other option."Ok, mom I will go with her." I failed to argue.Riya is my cousin she is very good at picking clothes because she's the fashionista of my family. She always used to tease me that I am an out of fashion girl and acting like a country bumpkin. It's not like I am hating her she is my cute little cousin and she's also very sup
Rithu's POVThe next morning I woke up at 6.00 am and went to the bathroom and finished my morning chores and then I went to see my mom,she was busy preparing breakfast I kissed my mom on her cheeks then she kissed me back my dad was busy on the phone then I suddenly realized the engagement, I asked my mom who is all going to come today she said Riya's parents and my grandmother(mom's mother) are only coming because dad doesn't want to make the function big and also Rajesh uncle asked my dad to make the engagement simple.I wanted to ask my mom about Vikram or whether she's having any photo of him so that I can clear my confusion but I didn't ask her anyhow I am going to see him after five hours.Then I went to the bathroom and took a shower and I wear sweatpants and a shirt then I put my hair in a big bun. My mom gave me a big glass of milk and I have some cookies because I not hungry and it was too early for breakfast.Then at 11.
Vikram's POVI'm very busy nowadays, I spent my day fully working in the construction site and my nights were busy working in my laptop and planning about the interior works. I always have an attitude of finishing everything perfectly and I am also a workaholic, my mom was always worried about me and I rarely got time to visit her bit never miss to talk with her cause I love her and my dad more than anything in this world,one day my dad called me,"How are you? are you doing well vikram?", He asked me."Yes dad I am doing good but still there are lot of work dad and how is mom", I asked him."She's fine and but she is so worried about you", he said."Ok dad I will come home this weekend to see you and mom", I said."Vikram......I called you because there's something I need to talk with you can I?" He asked me."Sure dad I am free now", I said and I am eager to know what he's going to say."Vikram, mom and I made a decisio
Vikram's POVI was busy talking with the contractor on the phone, everyone was preparing for the engagement, Raghav parents were only coming with us cause I want this engagement to be simple and I don't think there's no one more important than my parents and Raghav's family because they are the one who always stood beside me in odd times.The engagement function is in the evening, I was not excited or interested, everything I am doing now is for my parents. But I don't know why my mind was thinking about that girl. I don't even know her name. I never thought I will be in the situation... I thought and decided to get ready for my engagement.When I am putting on my shirt, Raghav entered my room, he dressed very manly and looked handsome. He asked me to give him the car keys because he wanted to drive my car and I gave that to him.I got ready in my white shirt and blue pant, when I came out my mom super busy talking with Raghav's mom, they looked at me and
I am still in my study holidays it's been a week since the engagement is over, and there are just two more weeks are there for my wedding in the coming week I am having my written exam so I am studying now.In the evening Riya came home I was wondering why she was here, she was studying for her bachelor's degree and she also very good at her studies and she's two years younger than me."Hey pumpkin what do you doing?" Riya asked."Can't you see I am studying you, idiot?""Ok ok, I am staying here today with you", Riya said.'What! why?" I asked her.Dad and mom are going to a function and they won't be here for a couple of days."Ok but don't disturb me I want to study ok", I said."Hmm sure", she said.Then she went to see my mom, l was wondering what's gonna happen because she always makes things that ruin my day, and also I had several embarrassing situations because of her. So today I have to be very careful.
"I am feeling nervous Riya", I told this for the forty-seventh time. Riya stood up from her seat, "oh god you're saying this from the morning, please give me a break, pumpkin, or I don't know what I will do", she spat."Sorry", I gave an apologetic smile."Don't be afraid, marriage is not a horror movie OK", she said to me, but I'm still nervous my mom and Riya's mom were busy preparing for tomorrow's marriage and I didn't see my dad since morning I think that he's busier.As the time is moving fast I was thinking that what Vikram is doing now whether he is here or in Chennai and I want to call him but I thought he may be busy so I don't want to disturb him.Then at 9.00 pm, my mom wanted me to sleep because I have to get up at 4.00 am. So I went to my room and laid on my bed but my mind didn't respond to me I just stared the darkroom and thought I am gonna miss my parents, my room and everything and slept by thinking all this.I got up when my mom
Vikram's POVTwo days before my wedding I was traveling in the 9.00 am spice jet flight. I was really tired but I don't know why I am overworking myself. But it makes me breathe, it makes my mind fully peaceful but these things are completely opposite For other people who want to enjoy their life, but I have become like this I was making my parents worry about me I may be rude to people around me at many times.My dad came to pick me at the airport he said Raghav was busy with the wedding arrangements, I have to thank Raghav for everything he has done for me."Dad I will drive, you may be tired", I said to him."No problem I can drive", he said but I didn't give up so he threw the car keys and I caught that, then I drove to the house and mom welcomed me and I hugged her I miss her a lot.The following day was busy for me, Raghav and I went shopping and bought some other things that my mom asked for. Then Raghav asked me whether I called Rithu then