Yuvaani

Engagement ? Isn't the wedding in 'Eight days' not enough ?

"Ask him" I replied to Papa, to which he nodded.

He was supposed to be gone by now, but he didn't. Isn't that what he is doing nowadays- Just imposing his final decisions on me and going ?

I looked at him. His eyes held emotions, but he didn't utter any.

Men.

"Can I say something ?" I asked.

"Yes" He encouraged me to say further.

"I don't want to marry him, Dad. Isn't this the enough reason to stop the marriage ?"

"You'll thank me later for this marriage, I bet" he spoke in a challenging tone.

I was about to answer him but he added "Tomorrow we have to go for jewellery shopping. And yes, take a few days off from your office, as far as the wedding is concerned" and he left without considering my response.

I quickly took my phone and called Aarush. Within two rings he picked up.

"Hello ?" He asked

"I really need to talk to you, it's important" I stepped straight into the topic, as I was concerned dad might call him right now.

Are his qualities being transferred into me ? My good brain has something to say. See. And he's always in opposition. As far as speaking directly on topic is concerned I'm in hurry. You stupid brain. His voice brought me back out of my trance.

"Umm- say, is everything alright ?" I sensed concern in his voice.

"Dad is asking for engagement. I told him to discuss it with you as I know my opinions don't really matter here. I want to ask you a favour if you don't mind"

"And that is ?"

"Cancel the engagement from your side, please. To be accurate there are only seven days left, and tomorrow they are taking me for shopping ! I seriously don't want any kind of rush- as in, if one more function is added in least time possible, it would be a fuss !"

"I understand, don't worry I'll handle it. I don't want engagement too. So I guess it'll be a win-win situation for both of us" he informed me his will.

"Okay, thank you" I thanked him as he'll take care of the circumstances.

He'll take care, Vaani. My good brain came in the picture again ! Why can't he just shut up and let me talk ? But I decided to reply my brain, but I heard Aarush's vocals instead getting me to reality.

"Okay, bye" he bid me bye.

I placed my phone on the table and dropped myself on the bed covering with blanket. Thinking about numerous things I've to do before the wedding takes places.

It's better for me to accept and don't resist it. My emotions were not letting me to get married. My will to not marry, was resistant. I'm letting go of all those. I don't want to be a human who decides on the basis of emotions. I wish I would have a button to turn of my emotions inside me !

God has sent him to me, I'll accept and hope for the best. I know he would never love me. I'll devote my life to his kids. I'll try to be a good mother. I'll try to be the person whom Priya wanted for her kids. Just the thing is I will be emotion-less.

That's the best idea ! Yes. No emotions. No desires. No attachments. No sufferings. I've read somewhere that Gautam Buddha once said that 'desires are the cause of suffering' - I'll eliminate that. That's my mantra for my happy life.

Well, if we look at the plus point- no one will force me to have kids. As we're already having two. I mean his kids. I know they'll never be mine. He seems too possessive to share. I sighed. I'll manage that too.

______

Next morning I woke up, got ready and told my parents that I'll be back in an hour. They agreed and let me go.

I'm heading to office as I've an important work there. I've to submit my resignation letter. Yes. I have to do this. I thought about it couple of hours. Kids and Job can't be done simultaneously. And for me ? No way. I literally suck at multitasking, at times. Maybe when the kids will grow up I'll rejoin.

They're just to be a year old and I can't let them suffer due to my leniency or lack of attention to them.

I stepped inside the building and all the memories were having a slideshow. How much I was willing to get a job here ! My hardwork. My interview. My first day. Lunch breaks. My friends. My colleagues. My projects. Everything !

I knocked at Sir's cabin and he asked me to come in. I stood there as he was working on his laptop.

"Yes ?" He asked and his gaze shifted again to his desktop screen.

"Sir" I gained his attention again and forwarded an envelope to him. He patiently opened it and read it.

"Have a seat" he gestured after reading. I obeyed.

"So, why actually you have to resign ?" He asked me. What the freak ! I've clearly mentioned in that letter as it's personal.

"Sir I mentioned-"

"I know. But why ? You're the employee who is capable of reaching heights. You've potential" I consider his concerns. But I want to ! What's his problem ?

"I'm getting married" I spoke so he finally shut up. And nods.

"It'll be approved after a day" he informed me. I nodded and took the leave.

I didn't really cared about this month's paycheck. As I knew even if I worked half a month, they won't give me according to what I've worked. So I decided to let it go.

I came home and went with my parents for shopping. I tired to choose everything of minimal amount, but my parents did otherwise.

So we brought a ring, a necklace, two sarees, three suitcases and little bit accessories in need.

We came back home and it was almost seven at night. I went to the kitchen and brought water for them.

"I want to talk to you guys" I said.

"What is it now, go and rest !" Mom said.

"I want to go out for two days" I declared.

"Where ? And why do you want to go ? Can't you see the wedding is approaching ? Or are you planning to run off ?" Mom accused me of the thing I would not even do in my dreams. But okay. As I promised myself, no emotions.

"I want to live alone for two days, without you both, without any drama, and without any imposition" I cleared.

"Imposition ? Are you serious ? Are you even aware what are you saying ?" She yelled at me again.

"So what should I do ? Die here ? And if you think I won't be back, so I won't give you time line. I said two days. I'll be back. IN TWO DAYS"

"You aren't going anywhere. That's final. What will they say ? Before wedding the girl ran away ? And what about us then ? What will we face ?" Mom was ranting mercilessly. But Papa intruppted her.

"Let her go" he said. I looked at him if he was serious. Seemed that he was. That was unexpected to me.

"What are you-"

"Let her go" he repeated looking in mom's eyes.

"I trust my daughter. I've seen her growing up. She never broke my trust. And she never will. Even though, everything might go against her, she will never hurt her Papa. She knows how her father worked hard to gain the respect and made his place in society" he added.

Papa trusts me. He knows me. I was overwhelmed by the faith he has in me. That's true, I won't ditch him. I just want fresh air and peace of mind to tolerate what my future life holds.

"When you want to go, beta ?" He asked me.

"Tomorrow" I said. This time, I felt proud they he had faith in me. He believes me that I won't betray him. I won't run.

"Okay" he kept his palm on my head as if he was blessing me.

I went to room and packed my bags in the new suitcase. While buying my parents must've been thinking that I'm taking this as to take my stuff to my married home. That's true, but one major reason is this two day trip too. I was planning since so long, which I'm executing now.

Now I have no restrictions. I'm free as I never was. No office excuses so that I can return in a hurry. No financial problem, as I've saved enough money. Nothing !

I packed my stuff quickly and slept.

________

The two days went swiftly in Mahabaleshwar. I went there for experiencing waterfall. It gave me kind of satisfaction. The water thaught me- the show must go on. No matter how, where and what. The show must go on. We should keep walking even if we're being through hell. Correct. Why should we even stop in hell ? We have to fetch out ourselves. Because no one is doing that for us.

The weather was a little chilled as compared to Mumbai. Mumbai ! As we know, I need to describe it's weather ? It's world famous by now, I guess !

This solo trip was relaxing. I've been lazy on bed not getting up for I don't know what time. Because I have nothing to rush about ! Just relax and chill. That's it.

I returned home on the third day and my mother kept ranting and running mercilessly around every corner of our house stating the fact 'Marriage is in four days' like seriously !

"Maa, it's five days" I tried to correct her. Tried being the keyword here.

"Why are you counting the wedding day ? You idiot ! Now help me to clean this table, wash the veggies and keep it in fridge tub, and yeah, fill the bottles and keep it in fridge and cut those vegetables too" she gave me a long to do list.

I bagan doing those I'm same sequence as stated by her. Plus, I got something for free. Lectures. Today's lecture was on 'how to be a good daughter-in-law and how to hold kids and tips to understand what they want' I listen to her patiently.

Then at night, we were setting my suitcase bag. Putting all my necessary stuff in the bag, so that one night before the wedding, there will be no rush. Few necessary things are still on their place as I'll need them. Few pair of clothes and necessary accessories.

Next morning I came to know that Mrs. Nair had called and she wants to talk to me. So I have to go to her place. She insisted me that she'll send Aarush to pick me up and drop me, but I politely denied as I know these are his working hours. And I can be there by myself.

I changed myself into a simple white kurti and jeans, and looked at my phone for the address. She sent me her address and live location. I got into their society. A huge lettering outside the society has been done, indicating the name. Lotus Venus. The society was huge ! And we'll maintained. The watchman took the details and allowed me. I was just at the entrance and I was already stunned seeing the society !

Right in front of the entrance gate, there was a huge fountain. Actually there was a horse as a sculpture and the foundation had been surrounding it, as if giving it a shower. Walking further, I found appartment A. And next to it was a general store shop. Where all the necessities would be available. Then I walked further and saw appartment B.
The society has been seem to set in a rectangular box. In front of B, there was a game section. Like badminton court, table tennis etc. I didn't read further. But beside it, there was a lawn tennis court. I moved further wondering how huge is this society and, it's not even a joke to stay here by rent. I finally got to see appartment C, which I've been searching for. Right next to it, I can see apartment D. And two apartments E and F in front of it and a swimming pool with kids garden facing them.

I was in awe. I went to C section and the parking was spacious. I read the owner's name and on sixteenth number it showed Prakash Nair. Maybe his father's name is Prakash, I guessed. It showed fourth floor.

I took a lift and got to the fourth floor. The floor was clean as f-. There were four flats on each floor I guessed as there were four flats on the fourth floor.

I rang the bell of number 16. "Coming" I heard a lady say. She opened the door and it was none other than his mom. He welcomed me in and made me sit.

I was speechless. The luxury ! Are they sure they want me to be his bride ? I'm such a middle class girl with a normal everything. I felt inferiority complex. Insecure.

Their home has a livelyness within. Vihaan came to me and sat next to me.

"Mami ?"

"Yes, baby boy"

"You look beautiful ! You are here ?"

"Thank you cutiepie, I want to talk to your family that's why I'm here"

"Can you come on my birthday ? I am five years old! We are having a biggg birthday party ! Haina, Nani ?" He was to enthusiastic and excited for his birthday.

[ Isn't it ]

"Yes, baccha !" She tried to match his enthusiasm.

Later he began playing with his toys. "Thank you for coming, please make yourself comfortable Vaani beta." I smiled at her.

"What you wanted to talk aunty ?"

"First of all, you can call me Maa. I wanted to thank you personally, for accepting this marriage thing. Thank you beta. You gave me hope. Infact, you are my hope, for my son. I don't know- I can't explain-"

I placed my hand over hers. "You don't need to explain, aunty. I can understand" I stated.

"Again aunty ?" She fake glared.

"M-Mumma ?"

"Better" she gleed.

"I want you to know something, the main reason for you calling me here. So it would be easy for you" she added being a little nervous.

"Beta, I know it's difficult, but please hear me out" my grip on her hand tightened assuring her that I'm here and I nodded to indicate the same.

"When you'll come here as a bride, there are few things in his room. Please don't touch them. Like, it's Priya's stuff. And Aarush is kind of you know-"

"Possessive"

"Yes, so- I don't want you to face anything baccha, that's it. I know I raised a gentleman. But few things just irk him !" I felt her genuinely concern for me. Like she's saving me from a big thunder Strom !

"I understand Mumma, please don't worry. It's too soon for him. Genuinely. Like I too feel, he must get some more time-" I tried pacifying her that her son is no wrong. Anyone would want more time.

"I agree beta. But I know him. He would choose to be alone rather than-" a deep voice intruppted her.

"Mom !!!"