Chinmayi's POV:

Bottling up feelings is the most toxic thing a person can ever do. The pressure, the pain, the lie that you thread to, the follow up of the lie, and what not!

It's seriously a pain. I know that Megha is going through a lot right now, but the guilt trip that I ventured throughout, each time I make an eye-contact with her is abysmal. In other words, this is the pure version of best friend guilt.

But today of all days, I felt I needed her to know, with Deepak and me constantly planning on how to really get away from this so called destined  match making, it felt perfect.

The past few days have been a cat on the wall situation, family's interest versus our own, but Deepak's constant logic and support, made me stick to our decision. I found a friend in him, and well, a secret does bind two people with that bond.

And this is quite a deal-breaker, don't you agree?

The plan, made out of a lot of iterations and trial runs, was this, first, they'd fix Megha's and Charan's wedding date, then Veera's and Eeshwar Ji's. In the swing of this joy and  happiness, Deepak would break it to both our families that he is not interested in this alliance.

Well, we had to do it together, but I took this as a chance to make him repay for the pain he caused me. Even though it was an initial jolt of this unbearable feeling, it did take a toll on me.

"Chinnu...", Megha whispered.

We were sitting in the main hall, all nicely dressed, the Joshi's were here, and surprisingly so was Megha's mother. Don't really know what happened there!

"Yes..."

"Are you sure about this? I am really getting scared..."

"Megha, I am as sure as our friendship-"

"Chinnu this is not the time for you to convince me with the friendship logic..."

"Deepak and me thought of it in every possible angle Megha. We are not the right people for each other."

"Shhhh-"

"What?"

"I think we are a bit loud-"

I looked around. Yes, the whole family was there and it was kind of silent and so us whispering would really not help here.

When I glanced at Deepak for probably the hundredth time since he arrived, I felt calmer and light. He looked back and smiled at me and gave a reassuring nod.

Dadaji stood up and looked at all of us.

"Hare Krishna!

Today is one of the most happiest days of my life.

Being this old and seeing your grandkids grow up is a blessing bestowed by the Divine Himself.

For me, even if these kids are going to get married, they'll still be my children.

The prayers of their parents, each one of them is tying a knot with their better half from a very noble and cultured family.

Our bahu Diya, has definitely been the light of our lives. I definitely hope my Veera and Chinmayi would bear the light of this family in the Joshi's house as well.

There is a saying which summarises to the fact that the more we give, the better we get.

On this note, when my son's are ready to do Kanya-daan, we are equally happy to invite our Lakshmi home, in the form of Megha.

She has lived in this home for a really long time and I feel it's God's will in bringing Charan and her together.

Thank you all. Our family priest is here, with all your consent let's start with this."

Everyone nodded and smiled but  the cloud of terrible vulnerability crawled under my skin.

How am I supposed to break the hearts of my grandparents?

Everything just blurred in front of me.

What am I going to do?

I felt a nudge from Megha, she could really get what was going inside my head but even before we could have a conversation, Megha and Charan were called in the front and I saw Ma and Papaji and also Megha's mother taking their places, to finalize their wedding dates.

Sorry, I may be missing out on the details, but my heartbeat was the most loudest thing that I could actually hear.

I felt the ground splitting and tears pricked my eyes. I felt like that dark black cloud on a bright sunny day. I am definitely going to suck everyone's happiness.

"August 15-"

"Shubh Mangal!"

"Hare Krishna!"

Well these were the words that I could hear, while I connected the dots.

My best friend is getting married to my brother on August 15th. Truly it is an independence for her. As my inner self felt happy for them the shadow of fear turmoil swirled within.

"Chinnu come!"

WHAT?

Why are they calling me?

Isn't it supposed to be Veera and Eeshwar ji?

Well that was the plan, right? All happy stuff and then sad stuff!

"Chinnu?", called Bhabhi.

"Ha-"

I mindlessly stood up as my eyes wandered to my only saviour.

He looked equally puzzled as I saw him and his parents trying to take their seats alongside my parents.

"You look so lost", whispered Megha as she met me midway.

"Didn't you not hear what the priest said?"

I nodded a no.

"Chinnu, it's really auspicious for the family to set rishta for the girl of the family after fixing her brother's rishta-"

"But- Veera, girl?", I choked in helplessness.

"Chinnu, own sister-"

"But-"

"Are you still sure about this?"

I reached in the front. Everyone's eyes were on me. I sat down nervously.

Anytime now...

I looked at Deepak with all the hope and prayed real hard that all should go well.

What's next?

With time accelerating, and silent succumbing, everything happened as I just witnessed.

"Deepak's and Chinmayi's horoscope matches perfectly. It also fulfills the fact that both brothers should marry girls of the same house.

This alliance will bring harmony, peace and success not just for themselves but for the families too.

Santaan ka praapti bhi bahut accha hai.

It's a clean match.

And, seeing the calander,  September 23rd of this year seems like perfect date.

May the Lord bless this holy matrimonial union."

***