I sipped the tea, enjoying the early morning sunshine, as it rise along the horizon while relishing the burn it left past my throat and soothed the headache which had formed since last evening when Tayi Ammi had informed us about the wedding rituals by next week and our Nikah and Rukhsati by the end of the month. And ever since the confirmation, everyone, especially the girls, have been eager to go shopping, and had made plans to do so today.

I came out of my thoughts as my Ammi sat beside me with a smile and reciprocated her action before nodding as she asked, "Exam ki tayari hogi?"

(*Are you prepared for your exam?)

She breathed deeply and stared out of the window while I gazed at her as she softly explained, "Hum aapse yeh sab aaj keh rahe hai kyunki jab tayari shuru hogi toh pata hi nahi chalega ki yeh doh hafte kaise beet gaye. Humesha yaad rakhe ki har rishte mai tarbiyat ke saath badlav aa jate hai. Manik se nikkah hone ke karan esse bohot se rishte honge jinme badlav aa jaye. Ho sakta hai ki aaj joh Tayi Ammi aap se itni mohabbat karti hai, wo kal aapke saas hone ke naate aap se kuch umeed rakhi hai aur agar aap un par kayam naa ho paye toh aapke rishte mai khattas aa jaye."

(*I am saying this today because when we will start preparing for wedding we won't realize how these two weeks flew by. Always remember that with change in conditions, a relationship changes too. Because of your wedding with Manik, a lot of relations will change. Your Tayi Ammi, who loves you so much today may have expectations from you as a mother in law, and if you fail to meet them, there may be chances of your relation with her getting strained.)

I looked at her, taking in her words carefully as she cupped my cheek and continued, "Bas ek baat jo hamesha yaad rakhna ki aapko har rishte ko nibhane ki koshish karni padegi lekin jo taluq aapka aur aapke Shohar ka hoga uss ke aage koi rishta bada nahi aur unki khushi humare liye itni hi zaroori hai jitni hamari aapke liye."

(*But, one thing you need to remember is that you have to try to have a good relation with everyone, but nothing should come in between the bond between you and your husband, and his happiness to us matters as much as yours does.)

I nodded my head before she pressed a kiss on my forehead and left me once again, alone with my thoughts about the drastic change my life is going to be in a few days. Looking out of the window as the birds chirped, welcoming a new day with new hopes, I got up to get ready for college.

•◇•◇•◇•

I sighed as sweat trickled down my forehead as Cabir, Manik's younger brother, picked me up from college. Once settled, he started up the car and asked, "Pass hone ke chances hai-" he turned towards me with a mischievous smile before completing, "Bhabhi jaan?"

(*Any chances of passing?)

I glared at him, huffing in irritation as he laughed, enjoying pulling my leg and smacked his arm to stop him. He had been one of the cousins who had been extremely close to me because of an age gap of just two years between us. Once he was done making fun by further embarrassing me by teasing me about his brother and I, he informed me, "Shaifa Chachi ne tumhe sidha market drop karne ko kaha hai kyoki tumari parso mangni ke liye dress aur jewellery kharidna hai aur pehle hi tum college se itni late ho gayi. Baaki sab tumhe thodi der baad join karenge."

(*Shaifa Chachi wants me to drop you at market since you need dresses and jewelry for your engagement day after tomorrow. Everyone else will join you later.)

I nodded even though my stomach was growling in hunger since I didn't have anything since morning.

I stared out of the window as Cabir drove through the over crowded streets of the market, where people didn't know the meaning of a car's honking as they loitered on the roads as if it was earned by their fathers, while the street vendors shouted loudly and women tried to strike a bargain with them.

I sighed as we finally stopped at a showroom and stepped out of the car before Cabir drove off while I met my mother who was already going through dresses for me. She smiled as I went beside her and showed me the ones she had chosen and asked me to try them out, while simultaneously promising me to eat something after we were done here.

I looked in awe at the white colored heavily embroidered joda with jaali sleeves while the neckline, the wrist and the waistline was decorated with the green colored stones. The dupatta had the same combination with borders full of heavy work. I went to my mother, who was busy going through some lehengas and whispered in her ear, "Ammi, please ask the price for that white joda."

I pointed to indicate and Ammi too loved it and immediately asked in a loud voice, "Bhaiya, what is the price of that white Anarkali suit?"

"It costs 35,000." As we stared at him in amazement at such a hefty amount, he explained, "The embroidery done on it is handmade and it is already stitched."

"Leave it, Ammi. It isn't even that beautiful," I murmured, knowing my parents' financial situation and didn't want to add to the burden of buying such an expensive dress just for three to four hours and knew that my father had given 20,000 for my shopping. Ammi nodded as she looked at me before we moved forward.

After hours of trying and rejecting, we finally settled for a heavily scallop sequin crop top and skirt while the no fuss sleeves gave it a touch of modernity. I collected the bags while Ammi paid for them before we stepped out in the scorching heat and went to a nearby restaurant to eat something.

•◇•◇•◇•

It was nearing midnight when I stepped out of my room for water, oblivious to the time as I studied for my last exam tomorrow. The moment I stepped out, I heard the rumble of the car and noticed it was Manik, who had just come back from the office, looking tired with his hair ruffled. He looked surprised at seeing me awake and I explained, "I was studying for my exam and wanted water." I hesitated for a moment before asking, "You want me to serve your dinner?"

"Sure. If that isn't a problem," Manik replied, and I shook my head, since I was going to take a half an hour break. Walking to the kitchen while he went to his room to freshen up, I pre heated the dal and the shahi paneer before deciding to make fresh rotis from the dough stored in the fridge since the preserved one had become stiff.

The ticking of the clock while my bangles clinked against each other echoed in the silence as I rolled the dough in a ball and evenly spread it before placing it on the hot tawa. After puffing it up by cooking it on a direct flame, I applied ghee on it, and wrapped it up in a cloth to keep them soft. While I was making another one, Manik stepped out of his room in trousers and plain tshirt and I arranged his plate and took it to him as he setted on the dining table.

After preparing three of them, even though he had two at night, I sat beside him as he had his dinner, my eyes slightly drooping in tiredness. My eyes snapped open when Manik asked, "Dinner kar liya tumne?"

(*You had your dinner?)

I hummed, giving him a dry response since I was embarrassed to reveal the truth, not wanting him to think I was trying to impress him. When he arched his eyebrow for an answer, I sighed and replied, "Nayi. Hum dieting kar rahe hai uski wajah se humne raat ka khana chod rakha hai."

(*No, I'm dieting due to which I don't have dinner.)

Even though I had a flat stomach, I was aware of my heavy bosom and thick thighs  which made me look more short than I was. Due to this, I wanted to reduce since I was going to have only one wedding and wanted to be my best.

"Hume nahi lagta ki aap ko uski zaroorat hai. Aap eesi hi achi lagti hai," Manik said and I averted my eyes, my cheeks warming in shyness at his compliment.

(*I don't think you require that. You look nice as you are.)

I nodded before informing him about the dates of rituals that had been finalized when he asked. A comfortable silence engulfed around us as he had his dinner while I stared off in the distance, my mind flickering to every concept I had mugged up while my stomach protested in hunger. I looked up and met Manik's gaze when he said, "Kaha khoi hoyi ho?"

(*Where are you lost?)

"Voh kal exam hai toh usse keh stress hai thoda sa," I murmured.

(*I was stressed due to tomorrow's exam.)

I met Manik's gaze as he held a piece of morsel in front of me, and ordered, "Come on, have it. Staying hungry, especially when you're stressed, isn't good for your health."

I tried to protest, but shut up immediately when he narrowed his eyes at me in warning. He fed me, while I ignored the fact that I can eat on my own, and savored the spicy food, my belly sighing in contentment with every bite I had.

"How was the shopping today?" Manik asked, and I replied, "Yeah. Everyone of us bought dress and jewelry for mangni. It was so tiring and the heat wasn't helping. But, we really enjoyed it.

He hummed in acknowledgement as I ate the rest of the chapati with the sabzi. After we were done, I picked up the empty utensils, while Manik got up.

I carried the used utensils to the kitchen and Manik checked the front doors. While soaking the dishes in water, I became aware of the presence behind me, my hands slightly trembling in nervousness as he watched my every move and waited for me to get done with my task. Once finished, I turned around, swallowing as our eyes met for a moment before I looked down, tucking the strand of hair behind my ear and nodding when he asked, "Agar yaha ho gaya kaam toh chale?"

(*If you're done in the kitchen, shall we retire to our rooms?)

We didn't utter a word as we moved towards our rooms, mine on the way to his, and when we reached my room, I turned towards him as he said, "Thanks for the dinner. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I whispered, shutting the door as he walked towards his own room as the realization dawned on me that it wouldn't be long before we will be sharing the same room, along with one of the purest relationship as a husband and wife.

Thank you for reading! Do let me know you views in the comment section and vote if you're liking the story so far. They're really encouraging.

Have a nice day ahead! Stay safe.❤