When you do something with a lot of honesty, appetite and commitment, the input reflects in the output.

   A. R. Rahman

   Chapter 9:

   "Aakash," Mrs. Sharma called out.

   Aakash turned around, fear written on his face.

   She walked toward him and hugged him. "Thank you for that, Aakash. Thank you so much," Mrs. Sharma said, tears brimming in her eyes.

   Aakash was surprised. He did not see that one coming. And for some reason, he was not angry with her. He should be. After all Riya's parents are the ones who wrecked their relationship that would have lasted a lifetime had it not been for them.

   Aakash nodded curtly. "Anything for Riya, Aunty. Anything for her. It's her happiness I want for her. You probably took it away from her already, but I did my best to ease her from the guilt. The relationship I shared with her is one that was unbreakable. It's going to take her a long time to get better, but she'll be fine. I promise."

   He walked away without further ado, not wanting to hear anything Mrs. Sharma was going to say next, but he heard her next words anyway. "That's why I thanked you, son. For everything you've done to keep her happy till now, and for what you told her just now, to ease her guilt. Thank you."

   Riya walked to and fro in her makeup room. She asked for some time alone after the wedding, and her mom did everything to ensure that she got what she wanted. She still had the reception to go, and she was not looking forward to it. Wasn't a girl's wedding supposed to be the best day of her life?

   Her thoughts went to starting a family, and she felt like puking. Her mind went racing to other less intimate alternatives. Test tube baby? What about adopting? She'd ALWAYS wanted to adopt a child. Yes, that was exactly what she was going to do. But before that, she wanted a minimum of three years to get settled with her married life, and the US. Somehow time flew and it was time for the reception.

   She had to admit, she felt so beautiful. She had always dreamt that looking at her husband in a kurta-pyjama during the reception will cause butterflies in her stomach, but one look at Madhan and she wanted to crawl underneath the ground.

   He did look better than he normally looked, but he didn't give her butterflies like she wanted. How she wanted to love her husband, but the fact that she couldn't pained her. Not even if she tried so desperately.

   She didn't care if anyone thought she was so shallow. For chrissake, she just got out of a relationship with the most perfect human being on earth. Sue her for being judgemental and shallow. She knew she wasn't exaggerating when she said Aakash was her soul mate. She could swear on her parents that Aakash was the best partner for her.

   There was a lot of tension between her and Madhan as they posed for pictures. People came up the dais and congratulated them. Riya tried her best to smile. It was what she was best at. No one could tell she was faking it.

   Madhan was getting very worried about how Riya was acting. He wondered if she was forced into this marriage. What was he thinking. Of course she was. Who would in their right mind choose someone like him. He never made an attempt to talk to her, and neither did she. But he inched closer to her time and again, to avoid any awkward confrontations about why they weren't talking.

   By eleven in the night, only Riya's and Madhan's close relatives were remaining in the hall. It was a big hall which could hold upto five hundred people, and the floor was tiled in marble. They all placed their mats on the floor, and plopped the pillows and blankets.

   Her cousins were playing around and the elders were talking and laughing. At one point, Riya overhead Mrs. Roy's conversation with her relatives. "It wont take even a year for those two lovebirds to give me a lovely grand daughter or grand son," she said, cheerily.

   WHAT? Love birds? Grandson or Granddaughter? No! Something must be done immediately.

   "Ahem, excuse me, everybody," Riya shouted.

   Everyone turned to look at her curiously. Mrs. Sharma looked alarmed. Riya was never fond of public speaking.

   "Thank you all so much for this wonderful wedding. I must especially thank my mother and father for making this day the most special day in my life. Thank you, my dear mother and father in law. I'm extremely grateful to have another set of understanding parents. And I mustn't forget my brother, who made sure the food was really good. My grandparents, aunts, and uncles, thank you guys so much too. "

   Everyone clapped. And they all said it was no biggie.

   Riya continued. "However, I couldn't help but overhear what my dear mother in law said about me and Madhan. And the fact that we'll be giving her a grandson or granddaughter in less than a year."

  Madhan looked appalled. "Mother," he exclaimed.

  "Oh please, I can totally see how you both are already in love," Mrs. Roy squealed.

  Riya smiled tightly. "As much as I really like Madhan, I'm afraid we wont be starting a family, until I'm comfortably settled in the US, and with my married life. I hope you guys will understand that, and will not pressurize me in starting a family every now and then. And please, don't speculate rumors that we cannot conceive, because we are clearly doing this out of choice."

   Silence.

   "That will be all. Thank you again," Riya said quickly, and ran to her room in the wedding hall, which was meant for their first night.

   Madhan sighed. That was totally uncalled for, he thought. He shot his mother a what have you done look and chased after her. What he saw totally surprised him though. Riya was unfolding a mattress, and fluffing a pillow on the floor. She gracefully spread out a blanket and slept.

  "You can take the bed," Madhan offered, not knowing what to do.

   "No, it's fine. Why should you suffer? I'm okay," Riya said.

   Madhan was stressed. Their first date went on well, but their first day after marriage was a total flop. She just wouldn't open up. In time, Madhan decided he'll somehow get her to open up about what was bothering her. And when he slept, he was sure he heard Riya softly sobbing.

   Riya woke up to find Madhan missing from his bed. She headed to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. When she came out, she found her mattress and bedsheets neatly folded and Madhan holding a cup of milk.

   Riya eyed the milk warily. "Without sugar. Just the way you like it, " Madhan said, cheerfully. "Good morning, dear."

   Riya was stupefied. She told him about her preference of milk on their first date, and was so impressed he remembered it. But she scowled the moment he called her dear.

   "I have a name," Riya said, taking the cup from his hand.

   Madhan chose to ignore that. "Everyone is ready for the going away pooja. You'll be coming with us to our house."

   Riya dropped her milk in shock. "No," she whispered. "I'm not ready to leave yet. I can't just leave my family like that. Don't make me leave," she half sobbed, and whispered.

   Madhan's heart broke. He knew how attached she was to her parents.

   "Get ready," Madhan said, curtly. "We leave in fifteen minutes."

   When Riya came out, her eyeliner was smudged and she looked like a wreck. The beautician wasn't required today, but from the looks of it, she should have stayed.

   Once the pooja was done, it was time for the ceremonial goodbyes. Mrs. Sharma tried to stay strong for Riya, knowing that she would burst into tears any moment. Her daughter was leaving. Leaving for good, to the US.

   "Ma, Riya will be leaving with her parents today," Madhan said, to Mrs. Roy.

   Riya looked at Madhan with her tear streaked face in awe. Madhan did not spare her a glance.

   "Of course not," Mrs. Sharma said, shocked. This wasn't according to their customs.

   "Madhan, " Mrs. Roy said, sternly.

   "Ma, I know what I'm doing. She'll be leaving with her parents today. And will be staying there till she leaves to the US."

   Mrs. Sharma objected. "My daughter will be leaving with you. Do you know how long I've been waiting to get rid of her," she asked, trying to lighten up the moment.

   Madhan didn't crack a smile. "Let's go dad. Reshma, call the driver," he ordered, giving no room for any other talk. Mrs. Roy was muttering something under her breath, and Mrs. Sharma turned to look at her daughter.

   "What did you tell him," she asked, softly.

   "I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU GUYS," Riya said, running to her father, and hugging him. "I can't. I just can't," she sobbed, into his chest.

   Mr. Sharma rubbed her back. "It's okay, sweety. It's okay. Let's go home."

   In the car, her brother was munching food, least bothered about what was happening, now that Riya wasn't leaving any time soon. Her mother silently cried, not letting anyone see her. And her father was trying hard to prevent an emotional breakdown.

   Both Madhan's and Riya's relatives left right after, having witnessed a rather peculiar wedding. It didn't please her mother, but she knew that her mom didn't want her to go just as much as she didn't want to leave.

Please vote and comment! <3 Thanks for reading xx