Published on: 11/12/2022

---

Rampal Mansion glowed like a fairy tale castle, with colorful lights hanging in every nook and corner. Everywhere laughs, giggles, and smiles filled the air. Rampal elders were ecstatic and grinning from ear to ear. After almost five years, the marriage is happening in the Rampal mansion. The only remaining bachelor heir of the Rampal empire is getting married in two days, on Valentine's Day. Of course, it broke some young hearts in the process.

Well, what to do? He has fallen in love. Hard and deep. Never to rise on his feet again. No matter what his experienced brothers advise, he is hell-bent on marrying her.

Brother, let me warn you one last time, women are like marshlands, calm and collected on the outside, but you'll never know what's inside.

It's not too late to back out. Run, run while you can -

Smack!

Yuvaraj swirled his head, his eyes widening, and a sheepish smile spread across his lips. "Uh... honey, when did you come?" He asked his wife, Dara, hiding the microphone behind him.

"Oh... just when you started talking about Rampal Mansion and something about fairy tale castles," she retorted with a cunning smile. He gulped in fear, making everybody around the stage chortle.

"And about the marshland, I know a thing or two. I'm a woman, after all, you see." She gave him a sly leer. "And how about I help you understand?"

"Amm... Ummm... It's okay, honey. You don't need-"

"I want to, honey." She used the same sugary voice as him. "Come, let me explain to you," When she was about to drag him by the collar, suddenly, he took his smartphone and said, "Hello... Yeah? I'll come, I'll come."

Putting the phone back in his kurta pocket. "Honey? I need to go urgently. We will talk later." He stormed off the stage, shoving the microphone to his elder brother beside him, making everyone guffaw.

Krishna, his elder brother, was startled for a moment before glazing over at the microphone in his hands. Then he noticed that all eyes were on him now, including his wife's keen gaze.

Ah..no...no...not me. He thought.

"Welcome to the married man club, bro." With that, he threw the microphone to the people managing the speaker and wires and gracefully left the podium.

The crowd cheered, and some old men even shouted, 'Nice save, young man,' making his lips twist a little, which promptly disappeared once he saw Naziya observing him.

"What?" He innocently inquired. He is not ready to sleep on the floor just because he couldn't keep his mouth shut.

It's a strict no-no. Nada. He is a firm-believer in 'a happy wife, a happy home' policy after marriage.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head, still watching him keenly.

In the middle of the crowd, sitting on the sofa, are the bride and the groom, watching the whole scene unfold. Kabir softly leaned into his bride's ear and said, "So, is this my future Ms. Soon-to-be Mrs. Karishma Kabir Rampel?" He teased as she giggled.

"Of course, Mr. Kabir Rampel, what else do you expect?" She responded without missing a beat.

"Maybe I should take the advice. Mera chhota bhaiya(younger brother) provided about running." He faked like he was thinking about it.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Actually, Yuvaraj was wrong about one thing, you know,"

"Hmm?" Kabir stared at her, drowning in her beauty. This beautiful being is going to be his wife the day after tomorrow. Her chocolate-brown neck will be adored with the mangalsutra. Her black hairline will be coloured with sindoor, and her middle toes will be decorated with rings.

And why in the world did the picture of his bedroom with her as his wife suddenly appear in his head?

"Actually... It is too late to back out," she answered, bringing his brain to the present.

"Hmm.. why is that?" he questioned huskily.

She opened her right palm adorned with Mehandi and had his name somewhere hidden in it. "You are already in my death grip," She declared triumphantly, closing her palm tightly before he could get a glimpse. He pouted.

"Yes, yes, I am," he declared, taking her hand into his and gently prying it open.

She yanked her hand out of his grasp as soon as she realized what he was trying to do, glaring at him and saying, "You can only see them on our wedding night."

"But we have other important things to do on our wedding night, na? To be my pondati(wife)." He innocently replied, pinching her waist discreetly. She squealed, drawing a few watchful eyes to her. Giving them a fake smile, "You boneheaded nitwit," she muttered.

"Your nitwit," he winked, drawing a scowl from her.

That evening, everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Laughing, dancing, and singing. How can we even forget the most crucial part of Indian weddings? Gossips. It was an evening that everyone remembered. As the clock neared half past ten, most elders retreated to their rooms to prepare for tomorrow.

Well, Youngsters? The night is still young for them. Especially when they had a couple of the night cornered. After a lot of constant nagging and begging from their cousins and friends, they finally agreed. And now they are standing on the middle podium in front of awaiting crowds.

"Hurry up, bro," Kabir's younger sister, Yuvanika, whisper-shouted, adjusting her sleeping daughter in her arms. No wonder Yuvaraj and Yuvanika are twins.

"Yes, Karishma, are you planning to start at least before daybreak?" Her cousin Prakash teasingly yelled, making her roll her eyes.

"I.. " Kabir started, but no words came out. Gosh, this is harder than singing or dancing. He thought. The bummed-out crowd gave him a disapproving look.

"Come on, bro. We are not asking you to sing or dance, which will be horrible if you do. Just tell us how you met and wooed bhabhi. "That's all," Yuvaraj said, shrugging. It's as simple as that. Why is his big brother making a deal out of it?

"If you want, I can give you a demo," Yuvaraj suggested, looking at his glaring yet blushing wife. Brownie points!

"No!" Yuvanika cried out in utter horror. She had heard that love story almost to the point where she knew every single line that her brother Yuvaraj would use to describe it.

It was Kabir's story that she was interested in. Kabir never told anyone, literally no one. Only one month before, Kabir opened his mouth to their parents to ask Karishma's parents for Karishma's hand in marriage. Man, she was so curious.

"But-" Yuvaraj started.

"No, buts. Kabir Bhai, tu start karo (Kabir brother, you start)" On her word, everyone again moved their eyes back to them.

Taking a deep breath, he started, "I met her on..."

---

KD's note:

Do you like the story? Press on the vote ⭐ button!

I know most of you don't read KD's note, but if you are reading this - Thank you so much. 

You have read the prologue fully, which means something in this story intrigued you to read it. It might be the story's cover that pulled you or the description. Or simply just the context.

So, please allow me to ask you: What made you give this story a shot?

Why am I asking this question? Simple. I want to understand my readers better. It'll help me write the story better. So, feel free to drop your comment. 

As a starter, I'll answer the question first. What made me give this story a shot?

A: It was a regular day for me. Nothing special. I was doing my testing work, sending emails, and attending calls. Boring! Suddenly my roommate stormed into my room, screaming and jumping in happiness. She was ecstatic- she even hugged and kissed me. And I was like - did someone hit her on the head or what?

When I asked her about what happened, that she was over to the moon, she started to narrate about the guy she met on... and the rest of the story continues in the next KD's note🤪. I'm sorry, guys. Her story contains spoilers that can't say now. Forgive me😇.

"Close your eyes - think about all the good things in your life. You'll realize you are indeed lucky."

-KD