Silence can never be misquoted.

        -Anonymous

Chapter 8: The Wedding

   Madhan spent the next two days with his family. He was at home very relaxed and bonded with his sister. He accompanied his mother and sister for shopping in the evenings, to buy what was necessary for the unofficial engagement. 

   The unofficial engagement was between the two parties only and finding out if the girl and guy like each other. The official engagement was when they called their relatives and friends over.

   His mother wanted him to wear a veshti on Friday, but he strictly said no. He was wearing his formal shirt and pants and having it no other way. His sister bought a new half sari, and was quite excited about it. His mother was too busy deciding exactly what gold jewellery to wear. 

   After all, a wedding is the only time you can actually flaunt your jewellery.

   Riya spent her last three days single crying her eyes out. A third person would wonder why she would even agree to marry him, but sometimes marriage isn't all about love. It's about the security and comfort you get out of it. Riya was no doubt still in love with Aakash. But she couldn't share it with anyone. 

   She wanted to tell Madhan about him, but she didn't have the guts to. She decided to never let him know. He would feel hurt and extremely bad. But the main reason why she didn't tell him was because she was afraid he would say no. And if he told her mother the reason, god knows how royally screwed she was.

   Riya's mother was extremely busy having to run errands here and there. She was happy Riya agreed to marry him. She knew her life was settled if Riya married Madhan, but she was also sad to see her daughter hurting. Age to her was really important. She knew Riya thought she was thinking about society and what they'll think but that wasn't the case. 

   As they grow older, she will feel more insecure about her age, and if her husband was younger she would worry if he will go for younger women. Riya read a lot of books, and she wouldn't be surprised if she grew paranoid and conjured up scenes from books in her head.

   Mrs... Sharma left Riya to herself. If she spoke to her about it, Riya would just get more angry. Riya probably hated her right now, but later she'll thank her. She knew it. Aakash was a delightful boy, but he was just starting his job while Riya had already worked for three years, and only because he dumped her, he went to London. Otherwise, he would have stayed back for her. Now, Aakash was a nice boy. She didn't want his future to be ruined for love. Now was the age to explore and discover what you are and what you want.

   The official engagement went on smoothly. Riya and Madhan didn't talk much. All they had to do was stand next to each other or sit next to each other most of the time, for the pooja. Riya had to go all decked up and sit on the dais, and then the groom's mother was supposed to give her another sari to change into and she had to change again.

   It was a very tiring ceremony, and not to mention long. Her friends from school were there. And to say they were surprised and sympathetic was an understatement. One of them even had the nerve to comment saying that Madhan was fat and ugly, and her other friends had to shush her up. 

   But she wouldn't. She further continued asking Riya why she would choose HIM instead of Aakash, and she wasn't soft either. 

   Riya's mother heard the conversation. She sensed danger, and immediately intervened, allotting miscellaneous jobs to her friends. Giving Riya a warning look, she resumed her work. Riya sighed. It was a close shave. But for how long can she keep up this act?

   Mrs.. Roy was thrilled beyond doubt. She was very worried about her son getting married, as she was quite aware of his looks. Though as his mother she shouldn't be thinking that, but the truth hurts. Girls in this generation expect a lot of things. Before, family background was enough. Now that's one of the last things that's looked into. 

   The sari she bought for Riya was one she fell in love at first sight. She knew Riya would look amazing in it, and she did. In fact, she could sense that her son couldn't take his eyes off her. Hoping that he'll keep Riya happy forever, she signalled Reshma to bring in the fruits. 

   The engagement took place perfectly, and there were no mishaps. But both the households were in a frenzy as they had a wedding to prepare for in three weeks. It was a miracle that they found a marriage hall.

    Luckily Mrs.Roy happened to know a friend who was about to cancel their reservation for the marriage hall, and said she would take it instead. It was either three weeks later, or six months later. That's how booked all the halls were. Besides, it was July, and that's the peak wedding season.

   Until the engagement, Madhan was hesitant to ask for Riya's number. Now that they were officially engaged, he knew she wouldn't hit him with a slipper. (:P) But he asked her mother anyway. Riya's reaction to his text message was totally unexpected, though.

Madhan: Hi. This is Madhan. :)

Riya: Yeah I know...

Madhan: How? :O

Riya: I got it from Reshma a longggg time ago.

Madhan: Then why didn't you text me before? :|

Riya: I was waiting for you to ask for my number. Guess you don't have the guts. I expected better.

Madhan: ...

   Madhan flinched. He couldn't understand why Riya was being so cold and rude to him. If she didn't like him, why didn't she say so? Why is she going through with this? He decided to ask her about it. 

Madhan: Why did you agree to marry me if you hate me that much?

Riya: I don't hate you?

Madhan: You sure act like it.

Riya: Excuse me. I think it's natural for every girl to expect their fiancée to have the guts to talk to her directly. And not through her MOM.

Madhan: Pardon me for being gentlemanly.

Riya: Ugh. First of all, I'm supposed to say you are gentlemanly. Second of all, you are not excused.

   Riya sighed. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She was desperately trying to make an effort, but he was being absolutely annoying. Come on, couldn't he have asked for her number directly? Why was she even making a big deal out of this? Oh right, she needed a reason to not like him. 

   Why did she agree to marry him then? Riya felt sick in the stomach. She really was engaged. And not to the love of her life. Her heart ached once more as she thought about Aakash. 

Riya: Look, I'm sorry. I'm just having a really bad day. I'll ttyt. Good night.

Madhan: Good night. 

   Riya was lying down on her bed. By the next morning, her soaked pillow had become dry. She checked her phone to have received one text message. A thrill ran down her spine. Aakash used to send her good morning texts every day. Her smile turned into a frown when she saw whom the text was from.

Madhan: Good morning. Mom and Reshma are going sari hunting. They asked you and your mom to join them. Let me know if you need someone to pick you guys up.

   Riya got out of bed and went to brush her teeth. She went downstairs to see her mother.

   "Mom," Riya said, washing an apple and taking a bite out of it. "The Roys have asked us to join them for sari hunting. Are we going?" 

   "You are. I'm not. I've got the invitation shopping to look after," Mrs. Sharma said, cutting the vegetables without a glance at Riya. 

   "I'll come," Riya said, rather too eagerly.

   Mrs. Sharma narrowed her eyes. "Use this opportunity to bond with them. After your wedding you won't be able to spend time with them."

  "What do you mean? I'll be living with them."

   "Don't be silly. You'll be moving to the US, remember?"

   "WHAT?" Riya shouted, dropping the half eaten apple.

   Mrs... Sharma then gave her complete attention to her daughter. " Why are you so surprised? I thought I'd mentioned he was living in the US, alone, and with a good job."

   "Mom. Please tell me you're joking. I didn't even think about me having to leave. Let alone moving to another country."

   "Riya, don't do this. You did live there before. It's not some random country you're going to."

   "No, but I'm going with a random guy, who I haven't even known for a week!" Riya shouted angrily, leaving the kitchen. She went back to her room to reply to Madhan but he had sent another text.

Madhan: Are you guys coming?

Riya: WHY DIDN'T YOU EVER MENTION THAT I HAD TO MOVE TO THE US WITH YOU?

Madhan: What? Er, I'm certain I made it clear to my mother. She also assured me that the message had been passed to your mother. Did she not tell you?

Riya: I have to leave right after my wedding don't I?

Madhan: No. You don't, sweetheart. You can take maybe a month or two to move? I understand that it will be difficult to leave your family. You can take all the time you want.

   Madhan was feeling miserable. Riya was acting really cold and heartless towards him, but yet she didn't ask to call the wedding off. He was taken aback when Riya posed that question to him. Their relationship at this moment was very shaky. Anything he did or didn't do would be enough to cause an earthquake.

   Madhan clutched at his hair and felt a patch of hair. Oh shoot, hair fall. The only good thing about him was his hair. He couldn't lose that too. He spoke to his mother, and also mentioned about RIya's reaction. 

   "I did tell her mother about it. I'm sure she told Riya, but I guess it didn't settle in until she actually realized she had to move. It's understandable. Don't break your head over it. And son, that was a wonderful thing you said to Riya, " Mrs. Roy said, cupping one side of his cheek.

   "Proud of you, son. I'm glad I was able to teach you something," Mr... Roy said, winking at him, and kissing his wife on the cheek.

   Madhan was overwhelmed with happiness. The love his parents had for each other made him crave for his own. He started dreaming about Riya and him in the future, with three children, all happy and satisfied.

   "Someone in lalala land," Reshma asked, nudging him at his side. Madhan gave his sister a deadly glare. "No. Was thinking about different ways of keeping myself entertained while you guys shopped." Reshma smiled gleefully. "Is Riya coming?" 

   Madhan looked away. Thinking about how Riya felt made him feel sore. He wanted to keep her happy, but he wasn't sure now. Why was she always being so indifferent to him? She was fine on their date, but ever since the engagement, she was always jumpy, and moody.

   Three weeks later, it was finally the day of the wedding. All arrangements had been made. The Roys and Sharmas were as busy as heck, and the guests were bubbling with activity. A South Indian Wedding usually took place for two and a half days. The first day was something like another engagement, and family get-together kind of thing. The next day was the actual wedding, and that evening, the bride and bride groom get totally decked up, along with the guests too, and take pictures.

   The head priest came along with his posse, and started all arrangements for the pooja. It was five in the morning, and the only guests around were the relatives of the respective families. Riya was getting dressed by the beautician, and Madhan was nervously patrolling the hall.

   The last three weeks were quite tolerable in his opinion. Ever since that confrontation, Riya was considerably nicer to him. At least, he could tell she was making an effort. She didn't talk to him much. Rather, she spoke more to his father, mother, and sister. He didn't mind that. After all, he had a lifetime ahead of her to talk to him.   

   The wedding went without a hitch.

   Riya looked at herself in the mirror. She fiddled with her mangalsutra, a sacred necklace that symbolized her marriage. She was married. 

   She was MARRIED! How she wanted to cry.

   She was happy to say that she made an effort to be nicer to him, but she couldn't just get herself to think of him that way. Her parents seemed really happy as everyone congratulated them, and her mom even cried when Madhan tied the thali around her neck.

   It took every ounce of self-control to not get up from the dais and run away. 

   Riya sighed as her thoughts went back to Aakash meeting her a couple of hours before her wedding. She was outside in the garden, sitting wistfully and trying not to let anyone see her cry. 

   "Hey, " Aakash said, softly. He breathed in the fresh floral scent and plopped down next to Riya, a bit far away but comfortable enough.

   "AAKASH? " Riya squeaked, rubbing her tears away vigorously.

   Aakash chuckled. "The one and only, " he said, smiling softly.

   "I can't believe I'm telling you this of all the people, but no one won't understand. Be my best friend right now, please?"

   "Of course. I came here as a well wisher, and well wisher will I leave as well."

   "I don't know what I'm doing," Riya wailed. She was talking quite rapidly and letting out her pent up emotions. "I'm getting cold feet, and I desperately want to run away now." Talking to him felt like nothing had changed. It had been so long since she met him, but her emotions were quite messed up. She still loved Aakash so deeply, and was extremely grateful he was here. Even though he wasn't there as her husband, he was there for her as a best friend. That wasn't enough, but it was the best she had.

   "Arhem. I came here to talk to you, Riya. I want you to understand something clearly. We are over. Completely over, okay? Which means that our chapter is closed. Not forgotten, but permanently locked and closed. You are now going into a new phase of your life. A married phase. And you know what that means now right? You have to give your heart and soul to Madhan. You don't have to feel guilty or upset, or that you are betraying me, " Aakash said, softly. 

   He knew how Riya felt, and even though it pained him to tell her that, he knew he had to, otherwise, Riya wouldn't move on. It was quite obvious that between Madhan and him, HE was most definitely the better person for Riya. But her parents couldn't see that. All they could see was the age, he thought bitterly. Madhan was a fricking five years older. You would think a couple of months wouldn't make a big difference right?   

   Wrong. It made all the difference.

   "You are no longer mine, " Aakash continued, trying to control his unshed tears. "You belong to Madhan and only him. I want you to keep that in mind. Don't hate him. First try to be friends with him okay? I can feel the tension between you two. He seems to be crazy in love with you already." Aakash paused. It was so difficult to proceed.

   "Open up to him slowly. Get to know him. Riya, look at him. Give him a chance, " Aakash pleaded. "If not for you, for me. You deserve happiness. Don't do this to yourself. I was so angry with your parents for making you sacrifice your happiness for theirs. But after thinking long and hard, I realized it needn't be that way. You deserve all the happiness in this world. Go get it. Let yourself free. I free you of all the burden hereafter. I want you to have a family. You know how excited you were to become a mother. Live that dream. Bring up your children proudly, and make us all proud too. "

   "Enough Aakash. Thank you for the motivational and heartbreaking talk. It will help later, but not right now. Right now, all I want to do is jump into your arms, so that you can protect me from everything that's happening right now." Riya said, not looking at Aakash.

   "I must leave. If people see the two of us together, they'll start talking."

   "Stay please."

   "Riya, I'm sorry, I can't."

   Riya laughed bitterly. "All these years, I was the one so paranoid about people seeing us together. Today, it's the other way around."

   Aakash got up. "One more thing Riya..."

   Riya looked up. "Yes?"

   "Tell him about us. He deserves to know."

  "No! I can't!" Riya whispered. "He'll not marry me."

   "You can't do this to him," Aakash said, tremendously shocked.

  "Okay, I'll tell him."

   "Thank you." Aakash left the garden and walked back towards the marriage hall. He didn't notice someone following him from behind.

Author's note again :P

I didn't wanna leave it at a cliffie :P but I was thinking of adding spice to it ;) :P 

so who do you think followed him? :P :D

Something is wrong with the Mrs... guess I replaced all the . with ... by accident!  Sorry!!