Prarthana's POV:

My uncle had come to pick me up to take me to the wedding stage. As per GSB traditions this is how a bride is been took infront of the groom before Varamala (garland exchange) ritual. This should be the happiest moment for an uncle but here my uncle and aunt were looking tensed and frightened for me. My uncle (maamu) was still trying to talk to my father...

'Bhavaji (brother in law) this is wrong...just for the sake of your family name...this is so wrong...Pattu is your only child how can you just...I'm a lawyer Bhavaji I will stand up against this...Pattu is like my daughter...Tomorrow when my daughters grows up and if this situation came in for her I would fight the world and you here are not ready to fight your parents...I'm disappointed in you .. shi' he said looking down and my father stood mum. My mother was silently shedding tears while my Mayi (aunty) consoled her.

My maamu came to me and asked me 'Pattu...I know you don't want this marriage charda (child)...I don't care what your father or grandparents want...you are my only niece and I can take care of you...no one can force you to marry Pattu...you are 18+...you have all rights to voice it out and choice to marry is in your hands...Tell me Pattu you don't want this marriage? I will stop it!!!' and I looked at my Mamu. I'm glad he loves me so much but my eyes landed on one man who is my world. My father. My Deva.

Who was sitting on the plastic chair burrying his head low with a lost expression on his face. Now that is beyond what I can ever take. My father was always my hero. And he cannot sit like this like he lost a battle. Never in my life would I ever like that expression on his face. My eyes welled up. I closed my eyes tightly and stood up firmly saying...

'This marriage is happening according to my wish Mamu. I think you didn't listen to what my grandparents told yesterday to everyone. Rudra and I looked and liked each other and are our marrying because the horoscope reader says two marriages can't happen the same day and Rudra is the elder one. So'

'Stop lying Pattu...I know you...you are covering it up for your selfish father here' my uncle roared

'Mamu please...I told you na...it's all my wish...Deva didn't force me..he loves me a lot...he always cares for my dreams...my wishes...he is' and before I could continue my dad engulfed me in a bone crushing hug. He was weeping non stop on my shoulder.

I don't know why I felt my father wanted to tell many things to me but he is hiding something. I tried to ask him but next second he stiffened himself and wiping his face looked at my uncle and said 'Time to take her to the stage Ananth'

One last time the beautician did a touch up and the photographer clicked a few solo pics of mine as I was ready to be taken. I took a look at myself in the mirror. I was looking beautiful. Probably I haven't looked this pretty ever in my life. Thanks to the expensive designer saree and the jewellery. My mother and grandmother wanted me to wear more but I stopped them from making me a jewellery showroom. I honestly didn't want anything from them now. I was angry and upset both.

But then the saree and the jewellery perfectly suited my skin tone. I was looking beautiful. That man there on the stage is a lucky dude indeed!!! But then is he even interested. Am I interested?
Do we both care???
He denied saying no to the marriage but he was least interested too about this marriage. Is he been forced or he is like this by nature???

Last night I tried to google a little about him. He is one of the richest business tycoons in South India. 27 year old. The youngest to expand an empire. He also owns his own business other than his hereditary business which he and Shivansh have taken over.

But he's a strange fellow. I didn't find him on social media. I didn't find his pics. I heard he was a private person. The engagement pics had not yet been printed but then my cousin sent me the engagement pics she had clicked on her phone. And I happened to see his face.

He was tall...fair and yes I was right he is a beardo!!! Thick moustache and beard and that chic man bun tied well. He sure was a hunk!!! And huge!!! His well built chest and broad shoulders hugging his white shirt. He was a 'hulk' indeed. I although wasn't too thin. Come on I weigh 70 kgs for god sake and I am 5.6'. And he is probably 6...6.1 maybe. I still looked tiny infront of him. I swallowed a lump. He was definitely hot!!! But is that enough to marry someone? After all I don't know him at all.

My thoughts were broken when my uncle lifted me in his arms (it's a tradition to bring the bride to the stage) and carried me all along the crowd and he stopped once we reached the floral mantap on the stage slowly putting me down. I didn't lift my head up.

There were a bunch of priests who held the silk cloth in between me and him so we can't see each other. But then he is so tall...I'm sure he can already see me and I'm feeling his gaze on me already. I must be blushing right now but whom are we saying here? We hardly know each other. They say this is the most beautiful moment of a GSB wedding affair and the hymns priests sing right now before the Varmala (garland exchange) is the most melodious of all. The cloth was removed and the priest asked me to make him wear the garland by looking at him. And that's when I lifted my head up and I looked at him.

My breath hitched. He had chocolate brown deep eyes...a fair skin... sharp jaw blades... His thick beard and moustache complimented him really well. He was way more handsome than in the picture I saw yesterday. In the purple sherwani co-ordinated with my saree he looked like a Greek god who came alive!!! Jaw-dropping handsome man indeed!!!

The priest was asking me to look at him with complete devotion and here I was looking at him with anything but that emotion. He was sexy!!! He was tempting!!! He was too hot to resist. Definitely way more beyond my expectations when it came to good looks. His Adams apple looked so tempting to me. Shutup Pattu!!! Stop looking at him so lustfully. But then his gaze was sharp, piercing my soul from within. I helplessly couldn't break the eye contact. His brown eyes were mesmerizing. He was too tall for me to make him wear the garland and he stood there like a rock.

My Maamu lifted me up and I made him wear the garland without breaking the eye contact. It's like his eyes had captured mine and I can't move. Or maybe I didn't want to!!!

He slowly made me wear the garland again looking deep into my eyes making my throat go all dry. He had this deep desirable aura which I had felt on the day of engagement itself. Now I can look straight into it however cannot think straight after looking at him.

I shamelessly performed every ritual looking straight into his eyes and he was so intimidating that not once did he break our eye contact.

During the kanyadan ritual (giving away daughter in marriage) my dad was extremely emotional I also had tears in my eyes but then my eyes met his and I saw his sharp gaze soften a little. He isn't that dark I believe but he is mesmerizing.

My body was trembling and shivering the minute he tied the mangalsutra across on my neck. I felt goosebumps across my neck and my hands went cold when his fingers touched my neck. I didn't have the guts now to look at his face and I could feel his face too close to my neck as he was trying to hook the mangalsutra to my neck. His hot breath hitting my right cheek and ear made blood rush onto my cheeks...I must have gone red like a cherry now. His long fingers were magical when they came in touch with my skin.

When for Saptapadi (seven promises with seven steps in marriage for seven lives) I was asked to hold his hands and walk on the little hills of rice designed on the stage. When he held my hand I couldn't really see my palm. I am so tiny infront of this beast of a man. His grip on my palm was so tight. He is strong. My mind registered every move.

With every step I took closer to him my heart was thumping louder.

He already has an effect on me!!!
And I don't even know him...

My...my husband!!!

As now I am

Mrs Prarthana Rudra Nayak!!!