Chapter Six

Rajveer

 

  After the engagement, we went back home and I went straight to my bedroom and lay down on my bed thinking about everything that happened earlier.

I shouldn't have told Roshni all those, but she deserves to know.  I shouldn't be feeling guilty, it's for her own good. I hope she cancels this marriage, I really hope she does. I haven't even got the chance to get into a serious relationship and here I am now, engaged to a girl who I don't even know a thing about. This is so perfect!

I really hoped she'd decide not to get married anymore, the wedding was in three weeks. She was the only one who could save two lives from being ruined now.

"Raj," I heard Sam calling as she barged into my room without knocking on the door. I remained silent. I was sure she only came to provoke me more by talking about the engagement and how much she hated my so-called  fiancée.

"I don't like that girl at all, she's so ugly." As I expected, Sam started complaining about how plain she was.

"Girl? Which girl?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"Who else but that fiancée of yours." she rolled her eyes.

"Oh." I sighed.

"I hate her already." she cringed. "-it's like hate at first sight, she's just too plain for my liking." she spat, venomously.

"Hate is a strong word." I reminded her in case she forgot.

"She's ruining your life Raj. You should also hate her. she's such a—" I cut her off immediately.

"I'm exhausted right now Sam, I want to rest," I sighed. I was not in the mood to listen to her ramblings. 

"Fine. Goodnight," she said with attitude and stormed out of the room.

So much drama in my life!

I stayed up for some minutes thinking everything through again before I finally drifted off to sleep unprepared.

~~~

I awoke with a slight headache the next morning to my cell phone ringing. I fumbled around for it on my nightstand and saw it. My eyes widened on their own accord when I saw seven missed calls all from my friend, Yash. I quickly called him back and he picked at the third ring.

"ARE YOU SERIOUSLY GETTING MARRIED?" He screamed through the phone.

"Yes." My answer was curt.

"WHAT? I didn't know you were in a relationship " came his confused voice.

"I wasn't until yesterday." I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Your parents forced you right?" He asked. His voice was calmer now.

"They didn't force me, I agreed on my own free will." I emphasised on the word 'Agreed'

"But why would you do that?" He asked in disbelief

"It was for mum, she really wants me to get married to that girl and for her sake, I agreed." I explained.

"So you're getting married before me? That's so sad."  he feigned hurt "-how is she? I mean your fiancée?" He asked.

"Believe me when I say she's too quiet and too plain just like Sam said," I replied. I could hear Yash laughing hard over the phone.

"You're in trouble dude," he chuckled.

"It's not funny Yash," I said, sternly.

"Of course it is dude," he laughed more and I joined him involuntarily. His laugh was contagious.

"You can say that again," I said.

"I have to go now, I will come visit you immediately I return to India," He promised.

"Alright dude," I smiled.

"And I wouldn't dare miss your wedding for anything in the world," he teased.

"My wedding is not important, you can miss it if you're busy," I said with all seriousness, but he just laughed it off.

"I will definitely attend. I want to get to know my sister in law well." he teased again and I hung up on him, feeling irritated by the thought of being married in just few weeks.

The wedding was in less than three weeks, I was  glad I was able to tell Roshni my feelings about the marriage.

"Are you in there son?" I heard dad asking as he knocked once on the door.

"Yes." I answered tersely and he walked in and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Are you alright Raj?" He asked.

"Obviously dad, why do you ask?" I questioned.

"I know you don't really want to get married but you're doing this for the sake of your mum, but I want you to always remember I am on your side," he said with a smile on his face.

"Thanks dad, I'm grateful for all the support you have given me." I appreciated, wholeheartedly.

"You can always count on me, I'm here for you. Always." he patted my shoulder, before leaving my room.

Dad was a very understanding person that sometimes I wondered how he always got along with mom, because she could be very scary when provoked. I guessed that was what they call love.

Roshni

   

What Rajveer said yesterday really hurt me. How could I get married to him when he openly told me he didn't love me neither did he want to give our marriage a chance. I should tell mum and dad what Raj said and to tell them I didn't want to get married anymore. But will they take it likely? – I wondered. They were so very happy about the wedding and had been lookimg forward to the day their only daughter would get married. I didn't have it in me to break their hearts and shatter their hopes and happiness –  I knew for a fact, they would be disappointed and heartbroken if I decide not to get married anymore. They would cancel the wedding in a heartbeat, but deep within them, they would be sad and ashamed to face Rajveer's parents afterwards. If this was the sacrifice I would have to make to keep my parents' respect intact, I would do just that. I just hoped he would be able to love me after our marriage.. My thoughts were interrupted by mum knocking on my door

"Roshni dear," she called

"Come in, mum." I said.

She walked into my room and settled down on the couch beside me. "My baby is getting married soon." she looked sad. " I will miss you a lot, Roshni."

"I will miss you too mum, you and dad." I said with shaky voice. I couldn't comprehend what the future was holding for me.

"I hope you are happy about the marriage, are you?" She asked for reassurance.

Should I tell her the truth? – I asked myself.

"Roshni?" I didn't even realize I was zoned out, until mom called, bringing me back to reality.

"Yes? What?" I stuttered.

"I asked you a question," she said.

"Of course mum, I'm so excited," I faked a smile.

"I hope he is as excited as you are too and I hope he knows how lucky he is to have someone like you." she smiled "- a daughter doesn't belong to her father's house, she belongs to her husband's family immediately she is married, I will miss you so much sweetheart," mom said as a lone tear escaped her eye.

"I will miss you too mum," I said hugging her as tears began falling from my eyes, uncontrollably.

What am I going to face at my in-laws house?

Mom stayed in my room and we talked about random things before she left for her room.

______________________________

(Fast forward to the day of the wedding)

______________________________

The day finally approached. My wedding day with Rajveer. After my last meeting with him, we didn't see or talk to each other again, but it wasn't as if I had his number or he had mine...or did he? I had no idea.

I didn't know what to feel, should I be happy because it was my wedding or sad because I was getting married to a guy who didn't like me.

"You're looking down today, what's wrong?" Mum noticed.

"I'm nervous mum," I admitted.

"That's expected, today is your wedding, it happens to every girl, so try not to be too nervous," she advised.

"I don't think I can do this, mum," I admitted.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I'm scared of going ahead with this marriage," I blurted. I should just tell her everything.

There I said it, I hope she understands.

"Stop saying nonsense, Roshni, as I explained to you, it's perfectly normal to feel nervous and you're still behaving this way? Look, I am your mom, I want only the best for you. You love Rajveer, don't you?" She asked.

"Yes I do but—"

"But what?" Mom interrupted.

"I...don't... Kn..."I couldn't find my voice and I started to stutter like an idiot.

Why can't I just speak up!

"You love him and I am sure he loves you too, so don't worry about anything." mum reassured.

Oh no!

"But mom—"

"No buts, Now go up and take a shower then come down for breakfast, Vid, Payal and Isha are already downstairs," she said. Why didn't she allow me to speak up?

Hard luck!

"Alright mum, I will be right down," I sighed exasperatedly.

"Sorry Rajveer, I won't be able to cancel this marriage anymore. At least, I tried talking to mum right? Should I get married to him or cancel everything and face the consequences afterwards?" I was in a deep dilemma!