PRAKRUTHI
✨

I looked at the nuptial chain that resided on my neck and then I looked at the beast of a man sitting next to me and performing the rituals as per the priest and that's when my eyes fell on a couple of folks who stood flabbergasted.

Kedar's first cousins were here. My eyes first fell upon Prarthana aka Pattu my father's sister's daughter who was now a part of this family. She was shocked to see me getting married to Kedar. She was pregnant and so I noticed Rudra Bhavaji (brother-in-law) her husband holding her hand and making her sit. Rudra Bhavaji's elder brother Omkar Anna(brother) and his wife Mukta Vanni(sister in law) couldn't believe their eyes.

Especially Mukta Vanni... because she was the one who had set up these proposals. I still remember when we were invited for Mukta Vanni's daughter Kathani's birthday and that's the first time when Sharadha aunty met us. It was told that she was planning to shift from Los Angeles to India. Pattu was all the time with Sharada aunty asking them about the place they lived in... Hollywood.

And then Sharadha aunty suddenly asked my dad Avanthi and my hand for both her son Kedar and Neil. I was shocked. Avanthi was turning 24 but I had just turned 21. Avanthi was a working professional since last 2 years but I had just been selected in a campus interview. I had dreams and ambitions. I didn't want to agree to this but when dad looked happy that he didn't have to run around for us and our proposals and above all Sharada aunty had permanently shifted to India and her children would also do the same my father looked happily content.

I didn't want to say a yes but I couldn't deny when Mukta Vanni spoke to me, I realised that it's not such a bad thing.

I mean l...come on I don't have a boyfriend, I'm an average looking middle class girl from Mangalore who was ambitious to achieve heights in life. I loved developing software and I wanted to do it forever without any so-called man objecting or giving me permission for it. For I know one thing for sure. I DON'T NEED ONE!!!!

And here I was getting a proposal where Neil was open minded, didn't object or even interfere in my decisions. The only problem was I would have to request a work from home or find another job for myself in future because Neil was going to either settle in Los Angeles or in Mangalore to handle their newly set up business along with his brother Kedar who was going to marry my elder sister Avanthi.

But the sudden change in plans I am sure has left Mukta Vanni speechless. She looked guilty but it wasn't her mistake. It was her brother-in-law the one and only Mr Neil Nayak's selfishness...

And then my eyes fell upon Neil who stood next to my sister Avanthi with their mouth agape and in a state of clear shock. They definitely didn't expect this.

PRARTHANA
✨

Shizuka Vanni and I kept looking at each other in horror. This was a mess. And this somehow felt like a repeat telecast of our own lives when we saw both of them staring at us and then at each other.

'You both have any idea what would happen if anyone would get to know what you both were attempting to do? You both are grown up mature individuals...and I believe every problem has a mature solution. You think by taking this step your problems would resolve???'

Wooow!!! Shizuka Vanni has turned fire after she has become a mommy. I pity our little Kathani and of course Omkar Anna. If Kathani ever plans to run away like these two and if Anna supports her. She would probably first hang Kathani upside down and then probably turn the 6.5ft Demon into 3.25 ft each two. She's dangerous!!!'

'Answer me!!!' she yelled and I softly said

'Shizuka Vanni please... slowly...I may pee now. You are scaring me!!!' I said and she shot me a look.

'Ok...I'm invisible!!! Let me go and see how the preparations look... saying I walked out of the room.

I went silently and stood near the window. I could still hear Vanni yelling at them both. Thankfully we were on the third floor. But if someone finds both groom and bride in the same room above all Vanni yelling at them they would know what's the matter.

I mean...ok they had second thoughts but they can't back off like this. There is a way to handle everything. I mean we had asked them before if they are interested in marrying but now each one has come out with their own stupid love story and Vanni is having a hard time tackling them both.

I mean they are backing off on the day of the wedding. They could have said it well in advance. How can they back off now.

Kamaths and Nayaks are doomed.

Just then I felt a hand on my shoulder. And I turned around and there stood my husband Rudra and my brother-in-law Omkar...more my brother if I could say who looked really scared of his wife right now.

'Mannnn she's loud!!!' Rudra said

'But she's not wrong! They can't do this. I mean our families had asked them before finalizing the wedding and now when guests have arrived people are here, they both want to marry somebody else is this a joke??? I mean all these years Krishnakant uncle stayed away from us. He was my father's younger brother but they broke ties due to property disputes. All these years their family was in Paris. I mean we didn't even know that we had first cousins.

Now that Krishnakant uncle is no more all that Sharadha aunty wished for was for them to settle in Mangalore like good old days and get both her sons married to Indian women. Luckily Prarthana's aunt's daughters were just perfect for the Nayaks and in no time the proposal was fixed. Ananth Kamath uncle was so happy knowing the fact that both his daughters will be married to good men in the same household and will become the daughter in law of the respectable Nayaks. But it looks like everything doesn't go as per our plans!!!' said Omkar Anna pointing towards the 'not a couple anymore' folks.

'I can't marry her Vanni...I don't love her!!! I love my girlfriend...and that lady like whatever is in disguise in that room there is nowhere near her' said Neil

'Oh please!!! Don't you dare utter a word about my sister. You were unfit for her. Anyways...but... Even I want to stay away from his scary monstrous brother...that creature doesn't even smile!!! What is he ??? The other name for depression??? I can't marry him and anyways I have realised Rahil is my true love...and fuck caste I love him!!!' shouted Avanti

'And you both realise this now??? You Neel!!! Weren't you crying over your breakup with Camellia and you...Avanti...you said you are single...from where did this boyfriend appear??? Do you both realise your stupid no can not just affect your lives but also the two people who were going to marry you both! And what about your family??? Your parents??? Is this some joke??? Listen to me both..I was the one who spoke to your parents and got you both set up with those two innocent people waiting for you both in the wedding altar there. You can't screw up their life!!!' Vanni yelled but suddenly her phone rang and her expressions changed.

All that left her mouth was 'Whatttt!!!'

We walked closer to her and I asked her what happened while all she said was...

'Lets go downstairs!!!'

The scene at the altar left us frozen. Avanti and Neil were shocked and ashamed of themselves. Shizuka Vanni, Rudra and Omkar Anna were trying to grasp what just happened.

Kamaths and Nayaks were doing everything mechanically. Our parents felt terrible for what we had to see.

Kedar Nayak was tying the red beaded nuptial chain to Prakruti Kamath!!!

Prakruthi who was going to be his sister in law was now his wife.

Kedar whom she would consider like an elder brother was now her husband.

Other than this they knew nothing else about each other...
All they knew was that this was

Destiny's exchange offer!!!

PRAKRUTHI
✨

After the rituals I was given a new saree and some jewellery. I was supposed to change into it and come back in sometime for a few other rituals. I walked into the dressing room where Mukta Vanni, Pattu and Avanthi were waiting for me. Mukta Vanni and Pattu showered a bunch of questions upon me but I was in no mood to answer anything.

'Please leave me alone Pattu... Mukta Vanni... Kedar and I have thought enough about this and reached this decision. And I am not upset over anyone!' I said looking at my sister who stood staring at me silently with moist eyes.

I was about to go to change my saree when I heard Avanthi say...

'But I am Pakku!!! Who asked you to take such a drastic step?' she said and I was pissed.

What does she think? I roam around saying yes to anyone and everyone around me and marrying random men is it? I was already upset over how she chickened out but when she tried to preach me I lost all my cool. I turned around and looked at her scrunching my eyebrows and said

'Oh really? Then what had you expected me to do? Run away like you from the wedding at the nth hour?'

'I didn't run away Pakku! I was here. I denied marrying him.'

And I was even more annoyed.

'Your so-called fucking denial decision came a night before your wedding Avanthi. What do you think life is hunnn? Do you even know how dad managed to get us married? He has given us the best of everything Avanthi... although we were middle class, he never said no to even our smallest of wishes.

He got us educated in best school and college, he enrolled us to every damn extra curricular activity which cost him a whopping amount, may it be swimming, may it be your taekwondo, may it be my classical singing classes. It wasn't easy for him to run a home with three children, a bedridden wife and so many responsibilities Avanthi. But dad did everything without a complaint.

To get us educated in best of universities he sold his one and only shop and to get us married he got a loan upon this house Avanthi. How can you be so casual?' I asked and she looked shocked.

She took a step closer and held my shoulder and said
'Kedar is a tough man to adjust and live along Prakruthi. I have tried to talk to him in last 2 weeks. He is wierd. He never speaks up, only discusses business, he is almost emotionless Pakku!!!

How could I marry someone like that? What if we didn't gel well? What if we weren't made for each other? What if we get divo-'

'So you cooked up the Raahil story?' I asked and Mukta Vanni looked shocked. She looked elsewhere and said

'No...I love Raahil. It wasn't a lie' and I rolled my eyes and said

'You can't lie to me Avanthi. I'm your sister. I know you.' I said and I noticed pain in her eyes. She looked guilty.

'I could have helped you pay the 20 lakh Rupees. I would have took a loan.' she said and I chuckled saying

'Loan requires something to be kept as a guarantee or someone to be a guaranteer. And you know how much you earn. Listen Avanthi...I don't have any complains against you... nor am I blaming you...all I am saying is that accept my decision and don't judge me. I won't judge your decision. I'm neither greedy but of course I will do everything to keep the house where my mother's last memories reside. And if that makes me a gold digger infront of you...I don't care.' saying I walked away to get dressed.

She stood rooted looking at me. I knew I had hurt her but I didn't have an option. She had chosen her happiness and I had chosen mine. My dad!!! That smile on his face...that satisfaction...I could do anything for that and come on...it really didn't matter whom I married. I had to adjust either way around.

That's what happens in an arranged marriage. Adjustment!!!

I was glad atleast here I didn't have to pretend along to be the perfect wife or perfect daughter in law drama.

One less burden!!!