*Usha Pov*
I think I am about to faint, so I sat on the couch and took a few deep breaths. I put a very sweet smile on my face and looked up at them.
“Mom! My answer is still ‘No’.” I said sweetly.
“We will not hear your answer until you meet him. Tomorrow you can decide clearly after meeting him.” Mom said even more sweetly.
“Ok! I will reject him when I meet him then.” I said getting up.
“We even need the reason for your rejection.” Dad said making me flop on the couch.
“But that’s unfair. This is my first proposal and you guys are acting like if I don’t get settled with this, then I will never get married in my life.” I said glaring at both.
“That’s because this is the best proposal.” Dad said with a hard expression.
“Maybe not best for me.” I said shrugging.
“Usha! His father is our college best friend. We got together with him after so many years and that too for your proposal.” He said and I actually don’t understand what he is trying to tell me.
“So?” I asked him confused.
“Just meet him tomorrow. That’s the best thing, and we are more than sure that this will be settled.” Mom replied.
“Are they coming here or do we have to go there?” I asked them after few minutes of silence.
“We are actually going to our village. It is our family's home town, and we will meet in your uncle’s house.” Dad replied smiling.
“You mean Deepu will be there with me?” I asked him suddenly feeling good that at least one thing was happening as well.
“Yeah! They are so happy about this proposal too.” Mom said.
“Why?” I asked him completely confused. I mean, why they would be happy for my marriage proposal.
“This proposal was actually sent to Deepthi and somehow you got it.” Dad replied but didn’t give me any details.
I will think about it later and present I just want to come out of this problem. Looking at their faces, I can tell that they so want this to happen as per their plan.
“I will go and sleep.” Saying this I again stood up.
“By 9am we need to be in the village. You can ask for the leave later.” Dad said.
I ignored him and went inside my room. Who cares about the leave right now when my life is more important here?
I immediately called Abhay, but he is not lifting his phone. After a few tries, he finally picked up saying, “Hello?”
“I am doomed here.” I said in panic mode.
“I really can’t talk right now Usha. I am very busy.” He said in a hurry.
“What do you mean you are busy? The situation here is really serious.” I said, trying to make him understand.
“It’s Shruthi! She is having another breakdown, and I am actually with her at present. I will talk to you later.” He said not at all hearing my words.
Shruthi! Is it always going to be about her? I thought, frowning.
“You may lose me because of this problem, Abhay. Can’t you at least hear it?” I asked him pleadingly.
“I will listen tomorrow freely. For now, she needs me so bye and can’t you understand the seriousness of the matter here.” he shouted making me gasp.
“Look Usha! I am...” he started to say, but I cut him off shouting “Go.To.Hell.”
Hanging up the phone, I threw it on the wall in front of me making it scatter into pieces. I am fuming now more than ever.
How dare he to shout at me like I am just there to waste his time? I thought, pacing my room.
Tomorrow I will just go and reject that other idiot. For now, I will just sleep.
The next day I woke up with nothing but a headache. I don’t want to meet anyone today! I groaned, getting up.
“Usha! Here, wear this sari. It will look good on you.” Mom said, entering my room, and I don’t know how she knows that I am awake.
Then I heard my clock blazing from the bedside table. I turned towards my mobile, which is lying on the floor in broken mode.
“Usha! Are you listening to me?” Mom asked, snapping her fingers in front of my face.
“Yeah! I will wear it.” I replied dryly.
“Usha! Don’t be in that mood. This is your first proposal right? Aren’t you excited?” she asked smiling brightly.
“Yay! I finally got a proposal. How lucky am I?” I asked excitingly jumping up and down.
“I think it went little up to the notch.” Mom said frowning.
“Either this or the sour mood. Choose yourself, Mom.” Saying this I went inside the washroom.
We three finally got ready and left the house. Before going inside the car, I felt like I should try once more to skip all this.
“Dad! You guys go ahead I will come later.” I said looking at him.
He was about to protest, but I threw him a look that I am not going to budge. He finally sighed and said, “Don’t be late!”
After they left, I immediately took a cab and reached Abhay’s house. I remember this when I saw it on some file.
I went near the gate but got stopped by the watchman. The words that left his mouth when I asked him about Abhay shook me completely.
“What do you mean by engagement?” I asked him confused.
“Mr.Sharma told me that they were going for his son’s engagement. They all went for that only.” He replied.
I looked at him in shock for a few minutes and then left for the village. During the journey, I couldn’t help but let a few tears flow. He said he loves me but now going to get engaged to another girl.
I am sure it must be that ‘Shruthi’. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes. I reached Deepu’s house and stood in front of the door.
*Abhay Pov*
“Are you ok now?” I asked knocking on her door.
“I am fine, Abhay! Thank you so much for the support.” She replied opening the door.
“What are friends are for right.” I said smiling.
Then I felt my phone ringing. I just hope it is Usha. I have been calling her after yesterday’s call, but it is saying switched off.
“Hello?” I said after seeing that it is my Dad.
“Abhay! Come to our village right now.” he said in a serious tone.
“Why?” I asked him confused.
“You are going to meet the girl we selected for you.” he replied, and I can feel the smile in his reply.
“What? What do you mean?” I asked him shocked, and Shruthi frowned at me.
“By yesterday, one month is up, Abhay. Today you are going to meet the girl.” He replied.
We started arguing, but he didn’t budge at all. Not even single percent. If I don’t come there, then he said he will never forgive me. That girl’ parents are actually his friends, so he doesn’t want anything wrong to happen.
“I don’t even have time to get ready.” I said trying the final tip.
“You are in Shruthi’s place, right? I am sure there must be some of your dresses. I am not hearing anything Abhay. You need to be here in half n hour.” He said hanging up the phone.
“What happened?” Shruthi asked worriedly.
Then I told her what my dad is doing, and I even told her that I like someone else. When she started asking about her, I said I will tell her everything later.
For now, I decided to meet Usha right now. There is still time for her to leave her home to the office, so I left Shruthi’s house immediately.
“What do you mean they went for engagement?” I asked the watchmen in shock.
“That’s what my sir told me.” he replied frowning.
Usha! How could you decide to marry someone else when you told me you love me?
Is this what you wanted to tell me yesterday? I thought, concentrating on the words she said.
I didn’t try to hear her words at all. I was really busy taking care of Shruthi.
For now, I need to go there and reject that girl. I reached the address Dad message me and walked towards the house calling Usha again.
I stood near the door to see someone standing beside me. I turned towards the person and then turned towards the door.
It took me a second to realize who she is. My eyes went wide, and I turned to see she is also looking at me with same expression.
“What are you doing here?” we both asked each other at a time.
Then we heard the front door opening, and a girl stepped out with a big smile.
“You guys are finally here. Everyone is waiting for you both.” Saying this she dragged both of us inside.
I am still in shock, so I sat where that girl made me sit. I looked up to see Usha sitting in front of me.
I watched her still in shock, and she too did the same.
“Looks like they both are already mesmerized by each other. They are not looking at anything except towards each other.” I heard someone saying.
“Yeah! They are not even hearing our calls.” Someone else said.
That’s when I broke my gaze and looked away. They all have teasing glint in their eyes.
“Let them at least talk in privacy.” The girl who dragged us inside said and again made us stand up.
She took us inside some room and left, closing the door mildly. I looked at her completely confused.
Is she the one who is selected by my dad? But Dad said she already told me ‘Yes’. Does that mean that she was just playing me all these days?
*Usha Pov*
After Deepu took us inside her room and left us alone, I looked at him in complete shock.
Is he the one Mom and Dad selected for me? But they said that he already told me ‘Yes’ one month back itself.
Does that mean that he was just playing me all these days? I thought and then the realization hit me very hard.
His eyes too went wide and in a matter of seconds, I held his collar with one hand angrily, and he held my other hand angrily.
“How dare you?” we asked each other a same time.
“Huh?” we both again said confused.
“So this whole month is nothing but fake for you?” He asked glaring at me.
“I should just ask you that question. Now that your game is out you are accusing me?” I asked him glaring back.
“You are the one that is accusing me and not the other way around.” He replied rolling his eyes.
“Until yesterday with me then with Shruthi and now another girl. You are really good in this.” I said, pulling him holding his neck.
“Look who is talking.” He said, tightening his grip on my wrist.
In the meantime, we both heard the shouts of “Congratulations! We are going to be family.”
Everyone erupted into laughs, and we both looked straight at each other wide eyed. We both left the hold on each other and rushed towards the living room.
“What is happening?” I asked Deepu who saw us.
“You guys have been there for some time, so we all know that you both accepted this proposal. I am so happy for you.” She replied hugging me.
“Let us conduct the engagement.” Suddenly, Dad shouted.
“Engagement?” We both shouted together.
“Oh! You both are already in sync.” Deepu said teasing us.
I thought that situation would not get any worse, but I got proved wrong when the doors opened and entered a few villagers who are the head of this village. And many standing outside the house.
My uncle actually has a big name in this village so it is more than a celebration for the villagers if anything good happens in Uncle’s house. And they must have heard the shouts.
I can’t go with this. I can’t marry a person who is nothing but a cheat.
I called Mom and Dad, and they reached me holding some ring box. I was about to say my rejecting but then saw some miracle.
They both are talking to each other sweetly, and I can see the love shining in their eyes when they started to talk. What should they do for the preparations?
Well, I will wait for him to reject this proposal because I don’t want to be the one who will break my parent’s happiness regarding this.
*Abhay Pov*
How could I marry her? When I know that she just played me and thinks me as a cheat when she is the one actually.
I called Mom and Dad and was on the verge of telling my rejection, but then saw something, which is nothing but a miracle.
They both are talking to each other that to too much of talking. I was looking at them in shock.
This is what I wished for all these years and now, it is happening in front of my eyes. How can I be the reason to break this thing?
So when I was given a ring, I took her hand and waited for her to tell her rejection. Nonetheless, she was looking at her parents and not looking at me at all.
I was looking at my parents and then placed the ring on her finger. Then I heard her gasp.
She looked straight at me, and I looked at her. Gulping she took the ring and started placing on my finger again watching her parents. I too looked at mine when she was doing that.
“We just found out that in one week, there is a very good time for their wedding.” I heard one villager saying, and then we saw one pundit sitting in one of the chairs.
“But it is too soon.” We both said at the same time with our own parents.
“Don’t worry about the preparations. The whole village will take it in its hands to conduct an amazing wedding. After all, this is the function in this house, which is very important for all of us.” Another villager said.
We then just saw that we are entirely outnumbered in high level and by going with the engagement is the biggest mistake now.
There are only two words for this current situation, and that is “Completely Doomed.”
*Usha Pov* After the marriage date is fixed everyone started discussing what they are going to do except us. I looked at the corner of the room to see him leaning on the wall, but his gaze is on me. I sighed and turned to see Deepu rushing towards me excitingly. She turned towards Abhay and said, “Jiju! Come here, please.” We both looked straight at her shocked. Jiju! Seriously Deepu? He reluctantly walked towards us and stood beside me. “I actually thought you were going to be mad at me, but I am happy that you are not.” Deepu said smiling. “Why would I be mad at you?” I asked her confused. “I told you one month back right, I got a proposal, and he rejected me. Well, that person is none other than Jiju.” She replied. “What?” we both asked her shocked. “What Jiju? Didn’t you see my picture?” She asked him confused. “Uhmm... I didn’t even know your name. I just know your age when I got your proposal.” he replied rubbing his neck. “Oh! So this is your general forte then. Rejec
*Usha Pov* “Usha! Are you ready?” I heard Deepu asking me entering the allotted room. “No! I am not ready.” I replied, placing my head on the mirror. “I know! It must be the nerves right. Mom said that it happens for every bride.” She said holding my shoulders. I snorted and just wanted to shout that ‘No! These are not at all the nerves.’. But I didn't, and the reason for that is out of my mind. This one week passed like a one day. The same-day Mom, Deepu and her mom reached the house and started all the preparations. I waited for him to at least call me or at least cancel it if he is so unhappy with this idea just like me. But am I? Why am I even having this question? As it is in the village, all the rituals are conducted at separate places because of which I didn’t see him again. Is he going to elope? Or should I just elope? Then I felt someone shaking me, and I came out of my thoughts to see Deepu looking at me worriedly. “I am fine! So let’s just go.” I said and started w
*Abhay Pov* When I heard Raj’s voice I glared at the poor window in front of me. Then I heard her rambling continuously so I turned around to see her face with a frown, and she is rambling so cutely. I couldn’t help but laugh clutching my stomach. Then I heard him saying that he is going to miss her, and she laughed at him. Then she continued smiling at the mobile. She didn’t smile at me during the whole wedding, but now she is smiling for him. I turned around and hit the wall in front of me with my foot, making me shout with the pain. “What happened?” She asked, coming near me when I bend to hold my feet. “Nothing!” I replied groaning because my feet are throbbing badly. “What nothing? Just come and sit down.” She said and pulled me towards the couch holding my shirt with her fingers. When I sat down, she took the ice from the ice bucket on the table containing champagne and placed it on my feet. “Oh, God!” I said, closing my eyes. “Is it hurting?” she asked worriedly. “Yea
*Usha Pov* “Wake up!” I heard him, saying in my ear. “If you say that word again, I am going to run away from you.” I threatened him mumbling on his chest. “Where are you planning to? Just let me know I will come with you too.” He said hugging me tightly. “No way! I am getting bored by watching your face for these five days.” I said snuggling closer to him. “That’s why I am asking you to get up so that we can see some other persons face other than each other.” He said but not at all loosening his hold on me. “What are you saying? I saw other peoples’ faces in these five days.” I said, looking at him in shock. “Oh yeah! Who are they?” he asked smiling. “The people who are bringing our orders to our room. Did you forget that you too saw them?” I asked him again to lay my head on his chest. “You know what I am talking about right.” He asked, holding my one hand in his and kissed the knuckles. “I am a lazy person Abhay. Just deal with it.” I said yawning. “Why are you lying to
*Usha Pov* “Usha! Usha, get up.” I heard someone shaking me and it felt like déjà vu. “What?” I mumbled, opening my eyes. “Your phone is blazing for the past half an hour.” He replied and sat up on the couch. “Who is it?” I asked him yawning. “Mr.Raj!” he replied in a hard tone. Then I was looking at the time to see it is already 8am. I took the phone from him and lifted the call when it started ringing again. “Usha! You finally lifted the phone.” He said sighing. “Sorry about that, sir.” I said getting up. “It’s ok. After two days, we have another important meeting so you need to be here.” He said in a serious tone. I know I already took so many lineages, and I shouldn’t anymore. I mean, even though he treats me as his friend, I shouldn’t ignore my work. “I will be there on time sir. I apologize for the inconvenience you had to encounter this past week. I assure you that it will not happen again.” I said in a confident tone. “I know Usha. And don’t feel so bad you didn’t
*Abhay Pov* I reached our home at 7pm but saw that she still didn’t return from her office. I sighed and went inside the kitchen to have some snacks. I looked into the cupboards to see that my favorite snacks are also there along with her’s. I smiled because she still picked them out even though we fought. I was waiting for one hour and then called her. After a few rings, she lifted and said, “Hello!” “When will you come?” I asked her looking at the clock. “One minute!” she replied and then I heard her saying, “Is it enough, sir?” “It is more than enough Usha. I don’t know that you could pull this off in just two days.” I heard Raj asking. “Thank you, sir.” she said, and I can so feel her smiling. “What is it?” she asked after a few seconds. “Like I already asked you when will you come?” I asked her little harshly before I could stop myself. There was a pause and I didn’t hear her saying anything at all. She took a deep breath and asked, “Why? Did Shruthi didn’t invite you f
*Abhay Pov* When I stopped the car in front of our house, she immediately got out of it and walked inside. I parked the car and went inside to see she is waiting for me at the door. After I unlocked the door, she slowly walked inside and directly towards our bedroom. I went inside the kitchen and placed the food on a plate and walked towards her room. When I entered the room, I saw that she is sitting on the bed silently lost in her own thoughts. I sighed and sat beside her. “I would have bought the food with my own money for the kids, but I don’t have my purse that’s why I asked them to bill you. I will give you the money tomorrow.” She calmly said. “You don’t have to Usha. It is your money too.” I said and then she looked at me. “I know you didn’t have anything for the whole day. So, eat this.” I said, showing the plate. She shook her head and began to get up, but I stopped her from moving. She frowned at me, but I ignored her and began to feed her. As usual, she protested,
*Usha Pov* The next day I woke up little early and untangled myself from him. I was looking at his sleeping form and then got up from the bed. After getting ready I saw that he is still sleeping so I went inside the kitchen. I prepared some breakfast for both of us and also some lunch. Then I went to our room and shook him a little. “Hey!” he said, opening his eyes. “You are getting late!” I said, moving away and picked out his dress for him. “Sorry! I just slept very late last night.” He said getting up completely. “I am leaving as I need to go and check the orphanage that they actually took some action or not.” I said walking towards the door. “I will drop you. You don’t have your purse right.” he said stopping me. “It’s ok! I will go in some cab or bus. And I took the money from your pocket as that is also my money right.” I said smiling and left the room. *Abhay Pov* I know she must be still mad that I compared her work with Shruthi. I have to make it up to her. After