Aarush

They turned back to the source of the sound. It was me. I was really willing to listen to what my mother was notifying Yuvaani. She's not supposed to leak those things to her. Those are private, right? And why is everyone hell-bent on attaching her strings with Priya?

"What ?" Mom said. And note that she said so casually as if nothing happened. But it was evident in her eyes what I was referring to.

"What are you -" I began, but she cut me off.

"Yuvaani, please give us a minute" she asked normally.

"Sure" Yuvaani replied, sensing some tension here. It was evident in her face.

Mom dragged me to my room, asking me what I was doing here at this time. She also mentioned that I was supposed to be at the office.

"What? Do you really care about this? I think you don't. Don't divert the topic. Why are you telling her all the things about Priya, huh? YOU AREN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT." I was frustrated and yelled at her.

"What? She has the right to know." She said as if explaining the whole damn thing to me.

"Which right are you talking about ? You clearly know that I don't share anything with people. Don't invade my personal space !" I made it clear to her.

"What personal space ? She should know. She's your wife to b-"

"WIFE ! WIFE ! WIFE ! I FUCKIN' DON'T CONSIDER HER ONE. SHE ISN'T MY WIFE. AND YOU KNOW WHO IS." I practically screamed at here.

I was vexed. Since the past few days, they literally can't stop talking about her. At a point it was obvious to break out. Definitely. And it affects you more when it's against your will.

The following moment, I felt my left cheek heated. Did she just-

Slapped me ?

"Don't talk shit. She's your wife and you'll be rightfully her husband"

I lost the urge to argue further. I was mad at her and it would made things worse. I grabbed what I came for. My file. And I stepped out of room harshly.

What magic have you done on my family, huh ?  I wanted to ask her so bad as she stood in anticipation when I was passing by.

Within few hours, my anger subsided as I engrossed myself in work. It was late evening I returned home and directly went to my room.

"Hey" Di said as she entered my room and I didn't bothered to reply her.

"Have your dinner" I heard plate placed on the table.

"Actually, I want to talk about something important. May I" she asked me to which I nodded.

"Actually, Mom was saying to remove Priya's clothes from her closet as-"

"Leave" I have a blood death shot glare. And she obeyed. Can't these people understand that a man, who had returned from office immediately needs to rest ? But no. Angrily I kicked the wall and hurt myself.

I freshened up and changed into my tee and tracks. It was too much to take. I placed my babies on the bed and put pillow on either side of them.

I hugged them and somehow I complained to them. They continued their baby voices as if they were understanding everything. They remind me of Priya. I remember how Priya was hesitant to name them after her. She wanted to name them with 'Pa' in their initials. P for Priya and A for Aarush. But I dominated and named them after her. When our babies were just born, the elder one, Priyansh was looking exactly like her. And that moment, I was so convinced, and I named him Priyansh.

She too was utterly happy. She even confessed her love for me that day, as I named our son after her. The love in her eyes spoke it all. She loved me more than anything. She was delighted that I was her husband, and she wished to be mine forever. These were her words.

"Da-da-da-da" I heard Pihu coo. While Priyansh was busy drooling over my shoulder. I looked at her and kissed her lightly.

"Yesshh Mera baccha" I replied in a baby tone.

[Yes, my kiddo]

We played for sometime and I lull them to sleep. And then I had my dinner. Defeatedly, I grabbed the suitcase which was above our cupboard, and pulled it down. And began putting her dresses into it.

I internally somewhere knew, I had to do this someday. But- it's hard somehow. I can't explain. I held a kurti which was above of all. A white slit one. This was her favourite. She wore this on our first date, along with ripped jeans. I hugged it and sniffed it deeply.

It purely had her essence. My eyes moistened, but I controlled it. Neatly folded it and kept in the suitcase. My heart felt really heavy-

I began doing this to some of her clothes and my eyes landed to one of her dresses. This.. she wore I guess, on our date night ? Maybe. After marriage date night.

"Come on Aarush, don't cheat" she said tightening the blindfold on me.

"I ain't" I said chuckling.

"Follow me" she held my hands and leaded me.

She suddenly stopped to which I assumed we've reached. She took off the blindfold, and I saw our room decorated by fairy lights, balloons, rose petals, candles and what not !

She locked the door and hugged my arm tightly. "You liked it ?" she asked. Her eyes were helding a hope of a positive reply. "Tell me na" she hit my chest lightly to which I dramatically winced "ouch"

But I was really lost in her eyes, while she was nervously looking into mine. "I loved it"

"Really ?"  Her eyes beemed in joy and she gave me a chaste kiss.

"Come here" she took my hand and made us stand before the table. There was a cake, which she indeed made.

"Happy Valentine's Day, My heartbeat" she wished me. I greeted her back and we cut the cake, fed each other followed my a good wine.

Wine was something my family won't allow, so she brought it secretly informing me few days back.

My trance broke as a pit of clothes fell on me. Umm.. she was cute. I folded her rest of clothes neatly and placed it in suitcase. And I had a tight nap.

____

The next two days went swiftly as I wasn't interacting with my family. Today is my re-wedding day. We've issued this date in the court a week back. As he was our family lawyer, he manages it all.

I was in the court waiting for her family. I dressed nothing special. Just a simple white shirt and a blue pair of jeans. I dressed my babies simple too. Priyansh was wearing his cars tee and half pant. And Pihu was wearing a cute little floral frock.

The Parekh family came in sight. They came next to us and greeted us. Our lawyer informed us the procedure and we were taken to the court room for marriage registration purpose, and our names declared we went in.

We submitted the required documents. And, we were called front and she was asked to sign first. Later, my lawyer asked me to do the same. I left a heavy breath and looked at my kids.

They were looking at me with doe eyes. They're innocent. And as a father, it's my responsibility to give them the best life I can.

"This is for you, Priya" I said and signed the declaration.

Claps were heared and I felt awkward. I looked at her as I felt her gaze on me. She smiled a bit, I can clearly state it was a forced one. Our families greeted each other and parents sounded happy.

'I'm sorry Priya. I'll love you always. No matter what' I apologised internally.

Then we were taken to the temple to terminate the marriage with 'rituals' according to her parents.

We were made to sit before the holy fire and Panditji were chanting mantras. I glanced at her, she was devoid of any expressions. She just looked at the fire blankly as if it's the most important and interesting thing in the world.

But she looked good. Her red saree and mininal accessories suited her. Panditji informed me to forward my right hand, and she would keep her hand on mine.

But Priyansh began crying. Is this a hint ?  I was getting up but Panditji out me to halt saying it would be a bad omen it I quit like this. But Papa forwarded him to me. He sat on my laps and sucked my left hand's thumb.

It was difficult to handle him as my one hand was busy doing rituals. Pihu stepped close to me, sitting on my same lap as of Priyansh. Then they both cried fighting on my lap. They weren't listening to any family member today.

They want me. Just me. My babies.
"Da-da-da-da" she cried louder calling me out.

"Can I-" To my surprise, it was Yuvaani. I nodded hesitantly.

She took Priyansh on her lap and cooed him. He began playing with her saree and stood up on her lap. She held him securely so he won't hurt him.

And we followed our rituals. Then we stood up and exchanges our garlands. I was asked to fill her hairline with vermilion. I did. It felt strange. Like- it's something different. Unexplainable. As if I'm doing and undoing the right ging at the same time.

Priyansh came to me and tugged my jeans asking me to hold him. So was my daughter. I made them hold my index finger and took our seven pheras. Later, I held them.

"Vivaah sampann hua, abhi se aap dono pati patni hai"

[The wedding is over, you are a married couple from now on]

We took his blessings along with our elders. Her parents were emotional but still her face didn't held any emotions. Her parents hugged her and cried.

"Please. Don't" saying this, she backed herself from their hold and looked at me to continue further.

We shifted her bags from their car to ours and drove us home.
 

___

Author's Note-
[ If I'm mistaken in any of the rituals, please forgive me. Whether it be Court marriage or Marriage at temple. If you think I'm mistaken please correct me, your reviews are welcomed]