Recap

Sam faints after Aayush promises Granny that she would wed Harish. After she wakes up, her Father tells her that she doesn't have any other choice then marrying Harish and he tells her about their family dispute. He then leaves for Granny's funeral. Sam calls Aayush but he tells her that she shouldn't try calling him again. She gets frustrated and decides to end her life. So she goes to a bridge to drown herself. Just as she decides to jump, the memories of her loved ones cross her mind , which prevents her from going any further. Luckily, Aayush rushes to her and pulls her away from the edge. He convinces her that she should marry Harish and that destiny doesn't want them together. He also tells her that she has to meet an important person and Harish comes to see her. He tells her that he is fully aware of the situation and assures that he would take care of her. He then takes Sam to the car and Aayush drives both of them to Sam's house, after which he leaves immediately. Harish also invites him for the wedding. Meanwhile, Sam's Father enquires where they have been , for which Harish lies to him. Sam is shocked that he didn't reveal anything about Aayush to her family and she wonders why. She is then shocked to know that they were going to be married the next week itself.

Sameera's POV

A simple engagement ceremony was performed and my Mother helped me get draped in a new silk saree . A beautician was called to make me look like a bride ! I was made to sit along with my family while Harish and his Mother sat opposite to us. The priest performed all the rituals and the marriage date was fixed. I was in my own world while the ceremony took place. How things would have been if Aayush had been sitting opposite to me, along with his parents ? I sighed ! I could never accept this stranger as my husband, I thought as I looked at Harish. He was dressed in a jeweled suit, chatting and looking extremely happy.

Till the wedding, I shut myself in my room and cried day and night. I couldn't accept the fact that I was going to marry someone other than Aayush. I tried calling him, but his mobile was not reachable. Scared that something was wrong, I called Karthik and asked him about Aayush's whereabouts. He said that Aayush was fine but he stayed at his home all day. I asked him to check out on him whenever possible. All my friends were stunned on hearing the tragic news. They always thought that Aayush and I would end up together happily. I couldn't blame my Granny , she thought it was for the greater good.

I spent all the time looking at pictures of Aayush and me. Our happy times. I kept reading my diary in which I had recorded all our happy moments together. I just hated my life. Hated destiny for separating him from me. I cursed and I threw things around . I knew I would become mad eventually. My Mother would come to my room often to discuss the stupid wedding plans. I didn't show my agony to her, as I didn't want her to become distressed. Our house was filled with relatives who had nothing better to do than come to me and ask how many children I was going to have ; that Harish was the heart throb of all girls in his college and that I was lucky to marry him etc. I tried very hard not to show my anger towards them and I just kept my mouth shut for which I received the title of "The shy bride".

I even thought of running away somewhere, from all the nonsense, somewhere far away, but I was under house arrest. There was no way for me to escape and even if I went to Aayush's house, he would drop me back here. I spoke to Radha every single day and she told me that they would stand by me no matter whatever happened and that all would be fine. She was the only person who handled my temper and emotional stress. She said that since college was now over, all of our friends had gone in different paths to pursue their career. Vaibhav had got a job in Delhi, Shabir had joined in a dance academy in Bangalore, Sushma was going to pursue higher education , Radha, Shabir and Karthik had got jobs as well, but Karthik was going to concentrate on his writing career too. None of them were going to be in the same city as me. But Radha assured me that they would somehow come for my wedding.

The wedding day approached and my dread increased. Two days before the wedding, I was forced to come out of my room to purchase the wedding dresses. My Mother, Harish, Harish's mother and I went to the garment shop. They kept on searching for sarees that would suit me. I sat on a chair at the far corner ,biting my nails. I never bothered about the purchase. Every time they asked me if I liked a particular dress, I would say, "Anything is fine !". My Mother got angry at my attitude that she asked me to behave properly to them. I knew Harish had been watching me closely for a long time, but I didn't care .

"Sameera, what is your favorite color ?", he asked me.

Trying to sound polite, I said, "Pink ! Why ?"

"Just a moment !", he excused himself and went away.

He came back after sometime with his hands behind him.

"Look at this Sameera !", he revealed something in his hands.

It was a beautiful pink Benarasi saree. I loved it the moment I saw it.

"Yeah. Good", I said.

"Are you sure you like it ?"

"I said Yes !"

He placed it near me and said, " Even if you come for the wedding wearing jeans , I will marry you."

He smiled and went outside the shop, asking his mother to buy whatever saree I liked.

I was moved by what he said. What if he is a good person, full of hopes of getting married and I sat here lamenting ? I felt that I was giving him a hard time. He knew everything about me , yet he remained silent about it and he had never disturbed me till now, after that incident.

I decided to get the saree he gave me. I felt respect for him. It was not love or affection, just respect. I was determined about that.

The next day, I was being prepared for the wedding. All the bridal rituals were performed. Henna was applied all over my hands and legs. After I washed it off, it appeared bright red in color and it looked fascinating. I tried not to get excited for the wedding, as it was being done against my wishes. I went to sleep praying that life would be fair to me .

I was woken up early on the wedding day. The remaining rituals were performed and I was clad in the pink saree . There were multiple coats of makeup on my face , the saree felt heavy after it was draped, and the jewellery added weight to it. All these made me highly uncomfortable and Mother promised that I would forget about it during the wedding process.

I was dull the entire time . Nothing seemed to make me happy. My friends came to see me before I was taken to the marriage hall. Radha and Sushma hugged me and said that I was a beautiful bride. I tried not to cry when I asked them if Aayush had come to the wedding.

They looked at each other and nodded. My stomach churned . I wishedthat he wouldn't come. Witnessing my wedding would make him even sadder. I wondered why he had come. Karthik, Shabir and Vaibhav also came to visit me before the wedding.

"Congratulations Sam. You look beautiful !", said Shabir.

He wasn't sarcastic and funny like his usual self. I guessed the reason. It was because I wasn't marrying Aayush. The others were like Shabir too. They faked a smile and it wasn't hard to guess.

"It's not easy for me too. I promised Aayush that I wouldn't try to take my life again. Is there any other way for me to get out of this mess ?"

Everyone remained silent.

"So I guess this is the end then.", I said sadly.

"Sameera, if that guy gives you a hard time, let us know at once. We will make him regret it.", Karthik said to me.

"He won't. I hardly talk to him."

Mother came in suddenly.

"Sameera, hurry up. It's time !"

Radha hugged me for one last time.

"Goodbye my friends ! Please take care of Aayush.", I said the last sentence quietly and followed Mother outside.

I was led to the mandap by Mother , Radha and my female cousins. It was beautifully decorated and there was bright lighting everywhere. I was made to sit near Harish , while the priest indulged in the process of the holy rituals. We faced the entire hall filled with guests. My eyes searched for Aayush everywhere. But, I couldn't find him. I called Radha who stood behind me.

"Where is he ?", I whispered.

"I can't find him either.", she replied.

Disappointed, I turned back to find him. I finally found him standing near a pillar at the far right corner of the marriage hall. Our eyes met briefly. We couldn't stop staring at each other. I completely forgot the world around me. The last thing I wanted was to get married to someone other than Aayush. I had an urge to get up and run to Aayush . But, I couldn't. My family would be disgraced in front of our relatives and it would bring shame to them.

I was brought back to my senses by Harish.

"Sameera, are you okay ? ", he asked, looking at my teary eyes.

"Yeah. It's just the smoke.", I blamed the smoke coming from the holy fire in front of us.

He wiped my cheeks and promised that it would end in a few minutes.

We were asked by the priest to repeat some chants after him. After that, the sound of the "nadaswaram " ( musical instrument played at south indian weddings ) paced higher and the priest handed over the "mangalsutra " to Harish. This was it ! I belonged to someone else !

I shut my eyes tightly as he tied it around my neck and secured it with three knots, according to tradition. I couldn't help crying. Everyone around thought those were happy tears, but only I knew the reason behind it. How much it would have hurt Aayush to look at me getting married to Harish ! I knew I would never forgive myself for hurting him this way. My parents looked extremely happy and Mother wiped away tears - happy tears.

We were then escorted for lunch. Mother asked me to feed Harish, a sweet ! I mentally slapped myself for not dying before . I did as she said and in turn he stuffed another sweet in my mouth and everyone laughed. Why couldn't anyone here understand that I am totally disinterested in this marriage. All the people around teased us ( the usual nonsense they spoke) . After what seemed like a long time, I was taken to a room to get ready for the evening reception ceremony . I was already exhausted and now I had to be clad in a lehanga and again the makeup process began. I wasn't a person who would complain frequently, but since this was the worst day of my life, everything seemed to get me on my nerves.

Harish and I welcomed everyone who came up to the stage to congratulate and bless us. He never spoke a word to me since morning. I thought if he maintained the same thereafter, I would be happy. Aayush didn't come for the evening ceremony , so I thought he had left. That would be best for both of us because if I would see him, I wouldn't stop myself from crying. I had to fake a smile to everyone that day. After the ceremony was over, Mother escorted me to the same room and I was astonished to see my travel bags packed .

"Mom, why are my bags packed ?"

"Harish and you are leaving tonight for your honeymoon !"

My jaw dropped !

"WHAT ? NO !", I shouted.

"What do you mean by saying "No" ? Harish wants to take you to Goa !", she smiled.

"Mom, I don't want to go !"

"I am not asking your permission !", she said coolly, "I don't understand why you hate this marriage my dear . Harish is a wonderful person and he has made sure that you are comfortable, since the day he came to know that he was going to marry you !"

If only you knew what I am going through, I thought. I was scared that he would do something to me, against my wishes. But, from what Mother said about him, I believed that he wouldn't do anything like that.

"Fine !"

The flight was at 9 p.m and I hadn't eaten properly too. Father and Mother dropped us at the airport and happily bid us goodbye. I wore a salwar and I had worn many bangles on both my hands. It obviously indicated that we were newly married and much to my disgust, people smirked at us. Morons !

After we boarded our flight, I fought to stay awake because I was completely insecure to travel with Harish. He asked if I needed anything and went off to sleep. It was just a 2 hour journey to Goa and I was determined to stay awake. During the entire journey, my mind contemplated as to what will happen as soon as I go off to sleep that night. I promised myself that I would never allow Harish to touch me ! I managed to stay awake and I shook him up from his sleep when the flight landed. We landed safely and Harish carried my bags too. A cab was waiting for us outside and we reached a resort by the sea. It was almost midnight and my eyes drooped . A resort worker rushed forward to carry our bags and he led us to our room.

It was a huge room with a majestic bed in the center and a huge window with a view of the sea. I could hear the sound of the waves crashing on to the beach. I spotted a huge couch at the far end of the room and I decided that I would sleep there. After the helper left, Harish closed the door. Seizing the opportunity, I said,

"I am going to sleep there.", I pointed to the couch, "Good night !"

He stared at me , a cold stare but it disappeared as fast as it had come.

"Make yourself comfortable !", he smiled and went off to take a shower.

I was clueless as to what would happen to me during the night ! How could I trust him ? How could I sleep in the same room with a stranger ? God save me !, I prayed as I dozed off on the couch.

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It's Sam and Harish now . So, what do you think must have happened to Sam that she ends up in New york? What made her to ? Any wild guesses ?

Don't forget to vote and comment .