Chapter Four

Rajveer

I woke up early the next day with the aim to let mum know that I had  finally agreed to the decision she made for me. She would be happy and that was all I wanted.

I knocked twice on the door to the guest room where she slept yesterday.

"The door is not locked." came her reply.

I stepped into the room and went closer to her bed and sat on the edge of it.

"What are you doing here so early in the morning?" she asked me looking everywhere but my direction.

Here it comes.

"Good morning mom. I came to talk to you about the marriage—" I wasn't able to finish my sentence because i was interrupted by mum. 

"I'm not in the mood to talk about that right now." she said dismissively. 

"Just listen to what I have to say, please." I almost begged.

"I don't want to hear any of it," she said adamantly.

"Just listen, okay?" I tried to persuade her to listen to what I had to say.

"Don't get me angry now Raj," she warned.

"I promise I won't," I promised.

"What do you have to say about the marriage?" She asked, nonchalantly.

"I will get married to her," I said and she looked at me immediately in disbelief and a smile immediately marred her face.

"You aren't joking now, are you?" She asked.

"I'm serious." I simply answered.

"What made you change your mind? Just yesterday you were against getting married to her," She asked. I could tell she was still finding it hard to believe I changed my mind so easily. I couldn't believe myself as well.

"I just don't want to see you sad and having arguments with dad just because of me." I confessed.

She smiled. "You've made the right decision Raj, she will definitely be the perfect companion for you."

"I believe so," I gave a small smile. "you chose her."

"Thank you Raj, you've made me so happy today." she admitted and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"You don't have to thank me mum." I wiped the tear with my palm, shaking my head. 

"I hope you understand why I made this decision, son. I want you to be happy. I love you and that is the main aim for requesting this of you." she cried.

"I know. You are my mum and you only want the best for me." I said and hugged her. Whatever she was doing was for my sake and I shouldn't be angry with her. There was no more escape route for me. Mum said they would be coming next week for the engagement ceremony. 

I hope nest week never comes.

Third person

Durga was overjoyed that her son accepted to get married to her friend's daughter. She decided to call Pavitra and talk to her soon to be daughter in law. They talked for hours, discussing about the wedding before she hung up.

Pratik on the other hand didn't like the idea of Raj getting married anymore because he knew his son was just pretending to be excited about the wedding to make his mom happy. He tried talking to him to not accept to get married out of pressure from people but to follow what he wished and whatever decision he made, would be respected but he disagreed, claiming he was happy. with that been said, he gave up trying to convince him otherwise and prayed for his happiness instead.

And Samaira, she was furious. She didn't want Rajveer to get into an Arranged marriage. She also tried to convince him to change his mind but he was hellbent on getting married. He wouldn't change his mind. His mom's happiness was all he wanted even if it was at the expense of his. Samaira got so determined to make Roshni's life miserable if she eventually became part of their family, because she believed she was ruining her only sibling's life.

Raj was not at all happy about the decision he took, but he masked his feelings and replaced them with fake smiles and happiness.

____________________________________

The day for the engagement finally arrived. 

The day Raj dreaded. 

Roshni

My engagement day, I'm finally going to meet my future husband.

I hope he treats women with respect.

I was busy checking out my dress when I heard mum calling for me from downstairs. "Roshni." 

I quickly hurried downstairs to her. She was busy checking out some garments as well when I arrived downstairs. 

"The groom's family will be here soon, go and get ready quickly, we wouldn't want to keep them waiting for too long." mom advised. 

"Alright, mum." I answered before walking back to my room.

My friends were still sleeping. I went into the bathroom and did all I had to do before emerging. 

Emerging from the bathroom, I met my friends already awake. They did not waste any time in picking my dress. The makeup artist was ready around as well. She applied my makeup, did my hair and left afterwards. 

"Try these jewelries on, Rosh, they are perfect." my best friend Vidhi said handling me some jewelries.

"Nope Vid, I won't wear that, it's very heavy and I won't be comfortable in them." I objected.

"I won't take no for an answer, today you are going to wear whatever I choose for you. That's my right as your best friend." She remarked.

"Alright, mum." I replied, sarcastically. I could never win an argument against Vid. She was just so persistent. 

"How do find these shoes?" Isha asked showing me a pair of gold coloured shoes.

Isha was one of my friend from high school and vid, she has been my best friend since childhood and she still was. We went to the same school and applied for admission in the same university. That was how close we were. We were simply inseparable.

"It's perfect." Vid answered before I could answer for myself. That was just how she was. She even chose my outfit for me on special occasions, claiming I was old fashioned.

"I don't want to wear that." I protested.

"You have no choice here, I am the boss remember?" Vid said 

"Yeah right." I rolled my eyes.

"Allow her choose what she wants for once." Isha said, irritatedly, but Vid chose to ignore her "do whatever you like," she huffed.

Vid's gaze averted to Payal who had been busy with her phone ever since she woke up. 

"Payal! Why are you acting as if you are not present here. We need to get Roshni prepared for her engagement ceremony. This is not the right time for you to be so absent minded." Vid scolded.

"I am sorry guys, my boyfriend just won't allow me go." she grinned sheepishly. 

"Forget about him for now and let's help Roshni here." Isha chipped in.

"Just give me two minutes guys." she said with her attention still focused on her phone.

"You shouldn't have come here at all, because it's of no use." Isha pointed out. 

Payal was about to answer back at her, but I intervened. I did not want argument to start. 

"Stop it you two, today is my engagement and instead of you two getting along, you are both here arguing about insignificant things." I yelled.

"I'm sorry for lashing out at you," Isha apologized to Payal who just rolled her eyes in response.

"She's looking beautiful isn't she." Vid asked smiling.

"Of course she is, but not as beautiful as I am." Payal joked.

Isha burst into laughter.

"I wouldn't concur to that," Isha said and we all laughed at the silly expression Payal had on.

"That hurts." Payal said, feigning hurt. 

"You guys are wrong, Payal is much more beautiful than I am." I countered them.

"That's my friend, always being honest." Payal squeaked and hugged me very tightly. 

"We are going to miss you after you get married." Isha suddenly stated out of the blues.

"I am already missing you so much already." Vid said as her eyes began to glisten with tears.

"I will miss you guys too, but that doesn't mean we won't be seeing one and other anymore after I am married." I reasoned.

"I just hope your in-laws are kind people." Vid said.

I smiled. "My mother in law seems nice, though I haven't met any one else from their family, I believe they are all nice people."

"You mean you haven't seen your husband to be yet?" Isha asked with her eyes wide opened.

"Yes." I nodded, shyly. 

"What! If I were you, I wouldn't allow my parent force me into an arranged marriage, unless he is handsome of course." she laughed. "what if he is ugly? What if he is a dwarf? What i--"

"What if he is not among the categories you mentioned?" Isha asked with her brow raised.

"We all know you Payal, you would never want to get into an arranged marriage. Everyone knows the type of a person you are." Vid said.

"Of course. Why would I agree to get married to a complete stranger?" She asked no one in particular.

"I don't care about his looks that much, I just want him to be matured, responsible and most of all treats  women with absolute respect." I voiced out. 

"Enough guys! I think the groom's family is here!" Vid said peeping through the window. "Four cars are outside."

"They are definitely here!" Isha squealed.