As dawn peaked above the horizon, setting its glory upon the Shivapuram village, Kushi finished the rangoli. The white outlined design on the soiled platform was neatly drawn with care. It was beautiful. Just like the heart of the person who drew it.

Kushi smiled with satisfaction, brushing a hair tendril that had fallen on her forehead backward with her rangoli hand, smearing the white color accidentally to her forehand. Her scarred left hand itched. She badly wanted to scratch the itch. But instead, she hurriedly stood and rushed inside the house to get a move on with her daily chores.

She couldn't waste time. Or else she'd get scolded badly from her mother.

As she stepped inside the house, she came in front of her father and stopped abruptly. He was praying standing in the middle of the open rooftop house, with closed eyes. Seemed like he just woke up as he was still in his vest and night pants. It was his usual routine to come out as soon as he woke up and pray to God standing under the open rooftop.

She calmly started to step aside. But at the same instant, he opened his eyes and his serene expression changed into an annoyed one.

'How many times do I have to tell you not to show your face early first thing in the morning?' Shashi Gupta said irritated. Without another word, he turned and left inside toward his room.

Kushi bit her lip. She was used to it. But it always hurt, as it was hard to hear these words from her parents.

She braced herself. Sure, as she expected, her mother, Garima, swept into the room, her saree extravagant as usual and her hair neatly braided into a bun.

'Ababba! How many do I have to tell you not to bother people early in the morning? Don't you want them to have a nice peaceful day?' Garima scolded.

It was hard to believe that they both were mother and daughter. Usually, a mother was the person who'd cherish her child despite all the odds and ill comings. But here the story was different.

'Sorry, Amma,' Kushi said. 'I didn't realize Papa woke up already.'

'When did you know anything?' saying Garima left the room.

Kushi sighed.

She wondered how a person could change drastically after one single night. If that fire accident hadn't happened and if she didn't jump into the fire to save her little brother, she wouldn't have left scarred. Even more, she wouldn't have negligent parents.

When she was eleven-year-old, her parents left to some celebration in family friend's home. She and her little brother were left alone at her neighbor's house. She left her five-year-old brother in their house and went out to play with her neighbor's daughter when the fire occurred. Don't know what caused the fire. The neighbor aunt came out safely. But she could hear her brother's screams from inside. Without thinking much, the eleven-year-old walked into the fire to save her brother. She did not care the pain that passed through her as she came in contact with fire. Her thoughts were only on saving her brother. She got to her brother, but they both stuck inside together. She covered her brother with her body and took the brunt of the unfortunate tragedy.

When finally, they were rescued, she was left with scars on her fair skin-parts of her left side of the body, starting from her neck to the back were badly scarred. She was only glad her brother was safe.

But unfortunately, her parent's attitude toward her changed. Those who cherished her as a boon from God, saw her as an omen. Their golden child was no more a golden one.

Kushi ignored the hurt that clenched her heart and walked toward the kitchen. Keeping a milk pan on the stove, she started making tea for everyone.

It was eight in the morning when Kushi settled the dining table with breakfast. Garima came there and checked the dishes. Idly and peanut chutney.

'Chutney consistency should be softer,' Garima commented and tasted. 'Hmmmmm... spicy. Next time, reduce the chilies.'

Kushi nodded.

Just then, her brother Rishabh joined them, followed by Shashi.

'Good morning, everyone,' said Rishabh cheerfully.

Kushi nodded smiling. While Shashi and Garima said 'Good morning.'

'What special, Di?' asked Rishabh, taking his seat.

'Idly,' said Kushi serving her father and mother. Before she could serve Rishabh, he did it by himself.

'Hmmm...' Rishabh moaned at first bite, 'Chutney superb! Did you try something different, Di? Please do like this always.'

Kushi smiled.

'Of course, she will, beta.' Garima fussed over Rishabh, adding more idlies to his plate. 'Eat more. You are not at all eating well.'

'Amma...' Rishabh shook his head and winked at Kushi.

Kushi smiled. She did not mind. She was used to it. She lost her desire to get her parents affection.

Just as they were finishing, a man wearing a long kurta and dhoti, paired with a shawl and cloth sling bag entered the house calling out, 'Shashi ji.'

Shashi looked up and said, 'Arey! Shastri ji. Please come in.'

'Looks like I came in at a wrong time,' Shastri said awkwardly.

'Nothing like that. We were just finishing,' Shashi said and was about to get up when Kushi asked respectfully.

'Have you had breakfast, uncle ji?'

Shashi and Garima glared at her but plastered smiles turning to Shastri. But, Shastri noticed them and just smiled.

'Thank you, beta,' he said genuinely thankful to Kushi. 'If not now and everything goes well, I will soon have your wedding feast at once.'

Kushi blinked while the Shashi and Garima shared glances.

'What do you mean, Shastri ji?' Shashi asked, getting up.

'I finally got an alliance for Kushi bitiya, Shashi ji,' Shastri said happily.

Shashi looked more relieved than happy. Whereas Kushi?

She doesn't know what to feel. Marriage?

'Does they know everything about Kushi?' Shashi asked.

Shastri glanced at Kushi. 'How about I wait in the living room? We can sit and talk.'

Shashi nodded.

A few minutes later, Shashi and Shastri were sitting in the living room while Garima stood next to her husband. Rishabh left for his college while Kushi was in the kitchen.

Though she was in the kitchen, she leaned next to the door and listened to their talks.

'Now tell me,' Shashi said.

'He is twenty-eight. An orphan. He doesn't have anyone, but he is a hard-working man from what I hear. He did not go to college. Just like you, he has a convenience store in the city. I met him in a marriage when I went to Delhi. During our conversation, he told if I know someone who can take care of the house and cook well. I asked about him around and everyone talked positively about him. I think he can be a good man for Kushi bitiya.'

'Did you tell him about Kushi?' Shashi asked.

'I did not yet. I thought once I talked with you, I can tell him.'

Shashi looked thoughtful.

'We have gone through a lot of alliances for Kushi bitiya. But nothing worked out. I think it is because they both might have been destined together.'

'Let's don't get our horses up,' Shashi said. He rubbed his chin. 'You said he have a convenience store. Is it his own or lease? I want to know his financial stability.'

'I guess he do have financial struggles. He opened his shop one year back and that too on lease.'

Shashi nodded with a slight smile. 'Ok. Call him. Don't tell anything about Kushi's scars. I will give him an offer. He cannot resist. Then he will not have a choice but marry her.'

Shastri frowned. 'Ah... He did not seem like a man who cares about money.'

'Why would he not? He is young and should have dreams if he is thinking of settling down.'

Shastri continued to frown.

'Kushi is twenty-three already. I cannot keep her with me life-long. I want to send her off as soon as possible.'

Kushi who heard her father's words bit her lip. Was she that much of a burden that they want to get rid of her?

'Ok. I'll call him and see when he can make it here.' Kushi heard Shastri say and there was a little contempt in his voice as he spoke.

At least an outsider has some pity towards her. She hated that. She never wanted anyone's sympathy. She wasn't looking for sympathy but a little affection.

She wondered if that was even possible.

━─━────

A/N:

Hi friends!

Here is the first chapter.

How is it? I wanted to give a glimpse of Kushi's life at first. Coming next will be our heroes.

Let me know what you think. I always love stories on marriages. What do you like?

Please vote, comment and share your feedback.

Best,

Revathi.