18. shaadi mubarak (congrats on the wedding.)

•°•

Over the course of the next few days, things happened so fast that I hardly got to stop and catch the moment. I never thought anything apart from the office could exhaust me to the point I'll fall asleep the moment my body touches the bed. Every function, and ritual, as it was performed with utmost attention and importance, occupied every waking moment of my schedule. I've no idea how Priya is handling all of this. It's been over four days, and I haven't talked to her properly yet. Yesterday, it was our Sangeet and during most of the function, both of us were too occupied with our families and their wild dances to spare even a moment for each other. The news of marriage came as a shock. While I knew we'll be getting married by the end of this month, I was not prepared for it to be the next week immediately. The date of the wedding was set to be on the 25th of December in the morning. I hate day weddings. It was my dream to have a night wedding but one glare from mom and I shut up. Presumably, an auspicious time matters more than my dream wedding.

Currently, I was in my room, trying the outfit I have to wear for Haldi. I finally have a day off for myself. The Haldi is set to be tomorrow evening and the next morning, I'll have to sit on a fucking horse and ride it until the wedding venue. Alright, I know this is all a part of a wedding and blah blah, but can you blame me? Riding a horse was not a part of my plan when I decided to get married. I tried to convince mom to let me drive in the car but she rejected the idea completely, stating it was her dream to see me climb a horse in my wedding outfit.

Excuse me, Mom!? My humiliation is your dream!? Thank you, I finally know I'm not your favorite son. But you didn't have to rub it like that!

I'm not giving up though. I'll try convincing dad. He is a man, he should know how humiliating it is to ride a horse in your Baraat. It all looks fancy and stuff on television, but try being that Dulha who has to sit legs spread on a six feet animal while people dance like maniacs to the sound of loud drums and trumpets around them. Imagine if the horse loses her shit and throws me off? Priya will be a widow before even becoming a wife! No, I can't take the risk. I have to make mom see the big picture. Her dream is not more important than my life.

Once I had tried on the outfit, I turned to the mirror to check if it looks good. It was a yellow kurta with white dhoti pants. The sleeves ended up until the elbow and I was glad Mom kept my preference in mind. I can't do with full sleeves. The kurta had artfully done mirror work all over it and the pants were plain. The outfit fit me perfectly.

I removed it and wore my previous clothes back before folding the outfit neatly to stash it in the cupboard. Plopping down on the bed, I picked up my phone from the nightstand and shot mom a text that the outfit needs no alterations. My fingers automatically gravitated towards the phone book, scrolling through the contacts until it landed on Priya's name. I decided to call her. It's been so long since I heard her voice that's not muffled by screams and music.

"Aditya,"

I smiled. I love how she never says hello or hi, just, Aditya.

"Priya," I mumbled, folding my arm beneath my head as I stared at the ceiling with a smile.

"Kuch kaam tha? (Something important?)" She queried.

"No. I just wanted to hear your voice." I confessed. Imagine, old Aditya saying this. He could never.

Her breath audibly hitched.

"Khana khaya? (Did you have lunch?)" I asked her softly.

"Not yet. You?"

"I just had my lunch. You should eat something." I said, frowning at the unfamiliar buzz of voices coming from the background. "Where are you? In the office?"

"No, in the hospital."

I shot up straight. "What!? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Aditya, calm down." She said with a gentler timbre. "I'm absolutely fine."

My panic receded.

"Then why are you in the hospital?" I asked. "Is someone else not feeling well?"

"No," she answered. "Your Reshma Bua called me here."

My frown deepened. "What? Why?"

"I don't know. She said she wants to run some tests on me. Maybe fertility and all that?"

I raked a hand through my hair. "And you agreed?"

"I thought it was decided in your family."

"No, baba, why would I say yes to something so ridiculous!?" I got off the bed, grabbing Bhai's car keys from the table.

"I don't think it's ridiculous. I'm thirty-one. It's normal for your side of the family to wonder if I'm fit to become a mother or not." She explained.

I rolled my eyes. "Priya, shut up. And send me the address, I'm coming to get you." I hung up, leaving my room hastily. Mom asked me from the living room where I was heading to. I gave her a vague answer and left the house.

I know it wasn't just a fertility test. Two days ago after dinner, Reshma Bua and Mala bua had brought up the topic of Priya's possible past relationships and her almost engagement with her previous fiancé. Whol Dad shut them up instantly, I knew they weren't satisfied with the lack of attention towards the topics they find important. I'm sure they called Priya to get her virginity test.

I groaned, hitting the steering wheel as I encountered traffic on my way to the hospital. Fuck, Reshma Bua vexes me so damn much. If she even said a word to Priya about her character because she isn't a virgin, I'm going to lose my shit.

Five minutes later, I was finally parking the car in the parking lot of the hospital. When I entered the clinic, I immediately spotted Priya and Reshma Bua making their way toward the laboratory for the tests. Mala bua noticed me first but before she could say a word, I strode towards Priya and ripped her hand off Reshma Bua's hold before bringing her behind me. Reshma Bua startled.

"A-Adi?" Reshma Bua looked at me in shock, her eyes frantic as panic settled in them. "Me-Mein toh bas- (I-I was just-)" she stammered, trying to come up with a reason to justify her pathetic thinking.

"You were just what!?" I snapped, fueled by anger and disgust towards my own family.

"Tere bhale ke liye kar rahi hoon ye sab mein, Adi. (I'm doing this for your own good, Adi.)" She looked into my eyes with a sudden boost of confidence.

"Aditya, she is right-" Priya spoke up.

I silenced her with a glare. "Do you even know what she brought you here for!?"

She blinked up at me innocently. Fuck, should I keep her somewhere safe where no one can touch her with the wrong intention!? "She brought you here for a virginity test, Priya," I revealed, watching with a heavy heart as shock settled in her pretty brown eyes and her fist around the back of my shirt tightened. She lowered her head, sliding to the right to hide behind my back.

"Toh kya galat kiya maine? (Then what did I do wrong?)" Reshma Bua shot aggressively. "Ikkatis ki hai ye. Pata nahi kis kis ke saath- (She is thirty-one years old. Who knows how many she has-)"

"Enough," I growled.

"Tu mera hi mu band karwa. (Right. You tell me to shut up.)" She scoffed, crossing her arms on her chest. "You tell me," she turned to the nurse that was watching all the drama with wide eyes. "Humara baccha pacchis ka hai, aur yeh aurat ikkattis ki. Cheh saal badi hai! Kuch toh kiya hoga na isne? Aise akeli toh rahegi nahi. Kisi na kisi ke saath toh soyi- (Our boy is only twenty-five years old, while she is thirty-one years old. She is six years older! She must have done something, right? She won't stay alone for so long. She must have done it with someone-)"

"Bas! (Enough!)" I snapped, appalled by how this woman's thinking process works.

Priya turned and rushed out of the hospital.

"You're impossible!" I shook my head at her, turning around and striding out of the clinic to find Priya. My feet came to an abrupt halt when I noticed her black range rover driving out of the premises.

A grunt escaped my mouth and I kicked a random car's tyre. Why can't one thing in my life go smoothly!? Raking a shaky hand through my hair, I stormed towards Bhai's car and got in. I don't care how they come back home. I hope they don't come at all. If they even have a little bit of shame left in them, I wish they go back to their towns. They've spoiled so many good functions of my wedding with their negativity and backward thinking, but every time I overlooked it keeping in mind that they are elders and my father's sisters. But this is the limit. They didn't just humiliate Priya, but also embarrassed me and my family. How am I supposed to face her now? What must she be thinking about me? That I've such relatives in my family!?

I hope she is fine.

I hope she doesn't assume that the rest of my family thinks the same about her? For God's sake, Neelam bua is absolutely in love with her. Dadi always teases me with her name. Dad can't stop telling his friends who his to-be daughter-in-law is. Everyone in my family is so happy about the wedding.

Slamming the car door close, I headed towards the elevator.

Everyone was still in the living room when I entered the house. Mom and Neelam bua got up quickly upon noticing my state and rushed up to me.

"What happened?" Neelam bua asked with a concerned laced voice.

"Let them come first. I'll tell you." I said, walking towards the couch to sit down.

"Who?" Mom approached me with a glass of water.

"Reshma Bua and Mala Bua," I answered, taking the glass of water from her. "Thanks," just as I took a sip, the doorbell rang. I waited patiently as the two women walked in, looking every inch guilty and scared. If they think I'm going to let this go just because they're older than me then they are so wrong.

"Ab bolega bhi? (Will you speak up now?)" Bhai asked impatiently.

"Reshma Bua took Priya to a clinic. Wanna know for what?" I looked around, meeting everyone's eyes for a fleeting second. "For a virginity test," I revealed.

Meghna and Bhai gasped while dad looked at his sisters furiously.

Neelam bua chuckled humorlessly and Dadi had her head in her hands.

"Dimag tumhara ghaas charane gaya hai kya, Reshma!? (Are you dumb in the head, Reshma!?)" Dad bellowed.

Mom flinched back. I was surprised too. We've never seen him this worked up. But then again, they've done things worthy of deserving this side of him.

Reshma Bua whimpered. "Kya galat kiya maine!? (What wrong did I do!?)" Wow, she was still defending herself. This woman deserves applause. "I was only thinking about our Adi!"

"Then don't!" I snapped. "Don't ever think about me if this is what it results in!"

"Adi, you're still a kid." Mala Bua glared at me. "You won't understand why it was necessary."

"Well, I'm not a kid. Let me know." Dad placed his hands on his hips, regarding them with a furious glare.

Mala bua stuttered in her response.

I took in a shuddering breath. "Do you even have an inkling of how embarrassing it was on our end? You did not just humiliate her, but you humiliated everyone sitting here." I mumbled, my voice raspy. Dadi placed a comforting hand on my arm. "What must be she thinking about me, Dadi? I disappointed her." I whispered, sniffling as my eyes watered up.

"Mera baccha, ro mat. (Don't cry, darling.)" She brushed off my tears with her shaky hands. "Reshma, tu ja. Apne ghar ja. (Resham, go back home.)" She spoke up curtly.

"Ma-Maa?" Resham bua said with hurt etched in her voice.

"I'll tolerate everything but not tears in my Adi's eyes." She stated in a clipped tone.

Oh.

I sniffled harder.

"Pack your bags and go back home. Both of you." She decided.

"Maa, galti ho gayi mujhse. (Maa, I made a mistake.) I'm sorry." She apologized.

No, don't apologise. Just leave.

"Ha, Maa. I'm also sorry." Mala bua joined.

I sighed tiredly. Their drama just never ends.

"Nahi, jao tum dono. (No, both of you leave.)" Dadi didn't budge.

That's right, Dadi. Don't give up.

"Maa," Reshma Bua sniffled. "Please, I'm sorry. I promise I'll not repeat my mistake. I won't even speak in any matters from now on. I'll stay quiet in one corner. But please don't ask me to leave." She begged. "Inhone chutti li hai office se. Shlok Bangalore se wapas aa raha hai, aur Amita bhi college se aa rahi. Sirf iss shaadi ke liye. Please aisa mat kijiye. Mein chali jaungi toh woh sab bhi nahi aa payenge. (My husband has taken a leave from office. Shlok is coming from Bangalore and even Amita is coming from her college. Only for this wedding. If I go back, they won't be able to attend the wedding.)"

Tch.

Now I feel bad. No matter how much I dislike Reshma Bua, Amita and Shlok Bhai are nice people. He even bought me an expensive watch on my birthday last year.

"Tu bata, tu kya chahta hai? (You tell me, what do you want?)" Dadi asked me.

Waah, dadi, mujhe villain bana do aap. (Wow, dadi, you make me a villain.)

"I just don't want them to create anymore blunders." I murmured.

Dadi hummed. "Did you hear him? No more blunders. Attend the wedding functions, and go back home. No more tamasha (drama)" she warned the two.

They nodded.

"Jao apne kamre mein. Arpita, unke liye plate laga do, aur kamre mein hi khana de dena. (Go to your room. Arpita, serve them food in their room.)" She instructed.

The three women left the living room.

I got up and strode to my room. My head was reeling with countless thoughts and assumptions it's surprising I'm still acting sane. What if she has already told her family about it? What if her uncle calls the wedding off? And Preeti? She is so protective of Priya, she'll definitely be against this hitch now. Oh god, I've fucked up again. It's over. No sane woman will ever continue with a wedding that'll bring her into a family where people with such toxic mindsets reside. I've lost her.

"Adi," the door gently pushed up, revealing Dadi and Neelam bua.

I heaved a breath. "It's over, na?"

"Oh, c'mon, don't be ridiculous!" Dadi waved her hand in dismissal. The two entered the room and Neelam bua sat on the bed while Dadi took my hand to hold in hers. "How are you going to fight off the upcoming obstacles of a married life if you give up right at the beginning of it?" She hummed inquisitively.

"I'm scared. I like her so much, Dadi."

"Pata hai. (I know.)" She nodded. "Jhalakta hai teri aankhon mein. Har roz dekhti hoon mein. (It reflects in your eyes. I see it every day.)" She murmured.

"I'm sure she'll put this past her, Adi. Didn't you say you love her maturity?" Neelam bua reminded me. I nodded in response. "Then she'll understand that you or anyone except the two had no part in this. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. And Bhaiya is going to call her Uncle. He'll explain everything and apologise on Reshma Di's behalf. Priya hi teri dulhan banegi. (Only Priya will become your bride.)"

I hope so too.

"Call her," Dadi advised.

"No. I don't want to know what she has to say."

"You do," Neelam bua placed her hand on my knee. "You're just afraid of your worst fear becoming true. But as I said, you've nothing to worry about. Call her. She must have been so hurt. Maybe talking to you will make her feel better?" She suggested.

I hummed, considering the thought.

Dadi and Neelam left the room, closing the door on their exit. I fished out my phone from my pocket, contemplating whether I should go with bua's suggestion or not. I don't want to ruin this more for myself than it already has.

Chucking the negativity aside, I garnered enough courage to hit the call button. It rang for a few seconds before she answered.

"Hello?"

I let out a troubled sigh.

"Where is she?"

"Did something happen? She came back from somewhere, tossed her bag on the bed, and locked herself in the bathroom. It's been thirty minutes now." Preeti sounded worried.

My eyes widened in disbelief. "What!?"

"Yes, she-"

"Who is it?" A meek voice cut through the background.

"Aditya," Preeti answered.

"Do mujhe. (Give it to me.)" Priya urged.

I heard a few noises of shuffling and then a door closed.

"Aditya,"

"You had me worried sick. Are you fine?"

"I am."

"You're lying."

"I need some time alone. Can you not call me for a while?"

My heart cratered to the depths. "I'm so sorry, Priya."

"It's okay. I just need some time. Bye."

I opened my mouth to speak but she had already hung up. "Bye," I said to the black screen of my phone.

The rest of the day passed painfully slow. Or maybe it was because I spent it working. I should read. Slamming the laptop close, I walked to my shelf and picked up a book from my to-be-read column before settling on the ottoman near the window and opening the first page.

I didn't realise when it was time for dinner.

Once I had filled my tummy, I went back to the book. It was about two individuals falling in love from alternate worlds. Due to odd happenings in the universes, the stars shifting, galaxies exploding and all, a strange phenomenon happens where the doors to the alternate worlds open every once in four thousand million years for a split second. The male lead was calling his best friend when the line cross-connected and the call reached the female lead's telephone. The story was absolutely stunning with the way it was written, and I was completely submerged in the plot. Well, that is until Bhai came and ripped off the book from my hands, drawing me out of the fictional world.

"It's midnight. Let's go to sleep." He said, putting the book on the nightstand. I obliged half-heartedly.

The next day went in preparing for the Haldi ceremony and all. In the evening, I was in the community hall of the building, getting smeared by Haldi all over from the ladies of our society. They were having fun, alright. And when I was told to remove my kurta, I even saw a few aunties along with some young girls giggling coyly. What has the world come to. Once the function concluded, Meghna helped me back to my room.

"I'll pull out some fresh clothes for you. Get a shower until then."

I nodded, walking on my tiptoes to avoid dropping haldi stains on the floor. Once I was in the bathroom, I shed off all my clothes and hopped inside the shower.

Fifteen minutes later, after a thorough clean of my body, I stepped out with a towel wrapped around my waist. When I left the bathroom, a pair of black sweatpants and a white v-neck t-shirt were waiting for me on the bed. I quickly put it on and lay on the bed. My spine stretched and my back finally got the rest it was begging for since this morning. I groaned in relief.

Picking my phone from the nightstand, I unlocked it, sucking in a sharp breath before I pressed Priya's number. I haven't talked to her since yesterday. And we're getting married tomorrow. I have to talk to her. See if she is as nervous as me. But still happy.

She answered on the third ring.

"Aditya,"

I smiled in relief. "Mujhe laga nahi uthaogi. (I thought you won't pick up.)"

"Why?"

"Bas aise hi. (Just for no reason.)" I answered. "Where are you?"

"Kamre mein. (In my room.)"

"Haldi ho gayi tumhari? (Did your haldi end yet?)"

"Ji, bas abhi. (Yes, just now.)"

"What did you wear? I wore kurta and dhoti pants."

"Saree." She whispered. "Yellow saree."

I shot up straight. "You wore a saree!?"

She hummed.

"Abhi pehni hui hai? (Are you still wearing it?)"

"Huh? I- I mean yeah." She stammered.

"Utarna mat. (Don't remove it.)" I said, grabbing my gift for her from the drawer.

"What?"

"Utarna mat," I commanded and hung up. Dialling Preeti's number, I waited until she answered.

"Boliye, Janaab. (Speak up, Mr.)"

"Can you sneak me in?" I bit my lower lip.

"Wh- What!?"

"Can you or can you not?" I asked.

"Okay. But call me when you reach. Don't ring the doorbell." She warned me.

"Alright," hanging up, I left my room and eventually my house. Thankfully, no one paid attention to me. I know I was acting on pure instinct. And maybe I was going to regret this tomorrow. But fuck it. She is wearing a saree and I need to see her.

I hired a cab and told him the address.

I could have asked for her photo but I knew she'll deny it. And the photo cannot do justice to how she looks in real life. The gift's waiting for her touch too.

The driver dropped me off in front of her society gate. Paying him the fare, I walked in, taking an elevator to her floor. The moment I stepped out, I called Preeti.

"Stay there." She whispered.

A few seconds later she opened the main door and waved me inside. She had an amused grin on her face as she sneaked me toward their room. She was definitely enjoying this whole ordeal.

"Never thought you're so bold, Mr. Shrivastava."

"Blame your sister," I murmured. "Thanks,"

She nodded towards the door. "You've two minutes." She warned.

I hummed and opened the door, stepping inside.

Priya was seated on a chair when I entered. Upon seeing me, she stood up with a gasp, her hands on her mouth, causing the end of her saree to ride up, revealing her belly button. She was soaked to the bone yet she hadn't changed. Just what I had told her.

"Aap yaha kya kar rahe hai!? (What are you doing here!?)" She rushed up to me, holding my arms as she frantically looked over my shoulders before meeting my eyes. "Aap pagal toh nahi ho gaye!? (Have you lost it!?)" She hissed.

"Why didn't you change?" I asked her.

Realisation hit her and she stepped back.

"Hmm?" I took a step forward, causing her to step back instinctively.

"You- You said not to." She answered, shivering softly as a cold wind blew in from the window.

I removed the gift I had brought for her from my pocket while taking a step forward again. She looked everywhere but me. I tossed the cold metal behind her, trapping her by the waist before tugging her close. She gasped, visibly surprised. When she looked down, I had already fastened the clasp and took a step back.

"Ka-Kamar bandh? (Waist belt?)" She lifted her gaze in confusion.

"When I first saw you in the saree, I knew I had to get it for you." I rubbed my nape sheepishly. "You look beautiful. Do you like it?"

"You came all the way here to give this to me?" She asked, sounding slightly amused.

I nodded.

She turned to the full-length mirror, feathering her fingers over the metallic belt with a soft smile on her face. My eyes seemed glued to the sight. "It's beautiful. Thank you." She looked at me through the mirror. I met her eyes and nodded.

"If you're done, let's go!" Preeti hissed from outside.

"I'll have to leave," I murmured, taking a step back.

"See you tomorrow, Mr. Shrivastava."

"Indeed, Soon to be Mrs. Shrivastava," I smirked and turned around, opening the door to leave.

I can't wait for tomorrow to come now.

When I reached home, everyone was too busy to question my absence. It surprised me, to be honest. The groom had disappeared for more than an hour and no one even cared. Not even a text.

The next day, it was all chaos. I couldn't even keep up with my thoughts. To be honest, I didn't get a chance to think. Everything happened so fast and if I was left alone for even a moment, I was only filled with dread and nervousness. To my luck, the horse was cancelled at the last minute because Dadi rejected the idea. Mom was disappointed but didn't say a word. For a split second, I considered climbing the horse to make her happy but then chucked the thought away. I love my mother but my nonexistent self-confidence says no.

We reached the wedding venue in two hours. No, it wasn't that far. The car was slow. Sometimes even the random people joined and danced. And Vikram had absolutely lost it. Nisha Bhabhi looked so embarassed. I couldn't help but snicker.

I was more eager to see Priya in the wedding outfit.

When it was time for her to come, a Bollywood song came up that suited the bridal entry and she walked down the aisle. She looked devastatingly gorgeous in the pink lehenga. And that kamar bandh, she had worn it around her waist. After she was settled beside me, I leaned into her slightly.

"You look absolutely breathtaking."

She smiled. "You look handsome."

The Panditji cleared his throat and we both snapped our heads to the front, becoming the target of everyone's teasing smiles and giggles.

"Ready?" I whispered to her. Subtly, of course.

She hummed.

And in less than three hours, we were officially husband and wife.

They are finally married!

Anyone's excited!? Because I am. Lol. So much coming in the upcoming chapters.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.