"jakhm pe marham tere Naina
Phul pe shabnam tere Naina"

JANHAVI

We had an early morning flight today. I woke up at around 6:30am when Ishan ji was already awake.

"Aap uth gayi? Jaldi se ready ho jaayiye 10 baje flight hai hamari" Ishan ji said.

I nodded and got out of the bed.

I wanted to go to the bathroom but I actually didn't know which one was the bathroom. If I went about trying all the doors in the floor won't I look silly?

Ishan ji perhaps understood my dilemma and said, "Room se nikalkar right wala bathroom hai"

I smilee at him, grateful for hus understanding nature.

Soon, both of us got ready, took blessings of his parents and left for the airport.

Just before we would reach the airport, Ishan ji spoke up. "Bhabh..". I raised my eyebrows and he looked away.

He was going to call me bhabhi, Seriously???
But what's his fault?

After a while he mustered the courage to speak again. "Janhavi ji, airport mein shayad paps rahenge toh ek do photos mein has dena bas. Wo log agar kuch puche to jawab dene ki zarurat nahi hai." I nodded because I had never been into all this and I was least interested in public attention. I loved being an socially awkward introvert.

As we got into the airport actually we got surrounded by a very few people who wanted photos with Ishan ji, I was kind of ignored which I didn't mind at all. We got into the aeroplane and the only conversation we had in the journey was

"Aap kya khayengi?"
"Abhi bhook nahi hai. Aap kha lijiye"

We landed at the Mumbai airport and that's were actually paps surrounded us. People were shouting "ISHAN ISHAN ISHAN SIR IDHAR DEKHIYE" like that and some of them also were talking about our marriage but as Ishan ji said, I smiled in some of the pictures maintaining a distance from him and then we got out of the airport.

As far as I knew, nobody lived his house of Mumbai but a car was already waiting for us. I was confused but didn't question. He signalled me to get into the car and we made way to his house.

Man this is huge.

The house was really really big. I really wanted to tour the house but today was a tiring day. Maybe some other day would do.

We got freshened up and then he asked me "Aap ne flight mein bhi kuch nahi khaya.. main kuch order karu kya?"

"Main kuch bana leti hu, order karne ki zarurat nahi hai" I said.
"Nahi Janhavi ji aap tired Hain, I'll order something. Kya khana pasand karengi?" he said in a concerned tone.
"Momo chalega?" It's my favourite actually.
He nodded and ordered momos for both of us.

When the delivery guy arrived, Ishan ji came to me. "Aap please order lelengi? Actually main jaunga toh..." I understood his issue and nodded. I took the delivery and thanked the delivery guy.

The aroma of steaming momos filled the air as Ishan ji and me sat across from each other at the dining table.

ISHAN

As we savored their meal, I couldn't help but steal glances at Jahnvi ji, admiring the quiet strength in her demeanor. She may have been thrust into this marriage unwillingly, but there was a resilience in her that I found both intriguing and admirable. From what I know about her, she was never treated well at her house. I took a mental note to be kind to her whatever the situation is.

After finishing their meal, I suggested taking a stroll in the garden to unwind from the long journey.

"Janhavi ji, agar aapko koi takleef na ho to hum thoda garden mein tehel sakte hain, like I will give you a tour of this house. It's yours as well after all."

Jahnvi ji hesitated at first, but ultimately agreed.

"Accha chaliye" she said, curious to explore her new surroundings.

As we wandered through the lush greenery of the garden, I pointed out various plants and flowers, sharing snippets of memories associated with each. I tried my best to keep her engaged and entertained. After all

Bhaiya ne jaisa bola waisi toh nahi hain.

As we reached a secluded spot beneath a sprawling tree, I turned to Jahnvi ji.

"Janhavi ji, I know this marriage wasn't what either of us expected, but I want you to know that I am here by your side. I may not have all the answers, but I promise to stand by you every step of the way. I may not love you but I will support you and accompany you. You will never feel alone I promise."

Jahnvi ji looked at me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty.

"Thank you, Ishan ji," she murmured softly, the weight of her gratitude hanging heavy in the air. "I may not have chosen this path, but I am willing to walk it with you, for better or for worse."

J

ANHAVI

It was dawn and we both were watching TV when Ishan ji broached the topic of our upcoming reception. "Janhavi ji," he began, "I think we should go shopping today for our reception attire. It's just two days away, and... You know."

I looked at him with a questioning look. I did not want to face hundreds of people who would ask me how I ended up with Ishan ji instead of Raj. He perhaps understood my inner dilemma and answered my questions before I could state them.

"Zyada koi nahi, mere teammates,coaches aur kuch school friends hi ayenge. Don't worry aapko koi kuch nahi bolega" He assured with a smile.

I nodded, a flutter of nervousness coursing through me at the thought of high-end fashion that too with Ishan ji by my side. Nevertheless, I agreed, determined to do whatever it took to uphold his image in front of his esteemed colleagues and friends. After all u have some duties as his wife.

We went out to some exclusive designer shops in the city, where the price tags

Dekh ke aakh phati ki phati reh gayi.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the extravagance of it all, knowing that these dresses would likely be worn just once.

But I pushed aside my thoughts, reminding myself that this was Ishan ji's world, and I was supposed to get acquainted to all this extravagances.

Some attendant approached Ishan ji, perhaps she knew him priorly. "How may I help you today Ishan? she asked.

Ishan pointed at me, "Meera, she is my wife as you may know?" Meera nodded. "Hmm toh hamara reception hai parso, we don't have enough time to get something tailored, so why don't you show us something that would work and so with a bit of alterations." Meera smiled again and approached me.

"Hi mam, Ishan is lucky to have a wife like you. You look really pretty." I flushed at this comment. Never in my life had anybody appreciated my looks...

Haan Raj ne... Shit I should stop thinking about him!

I thanked Meera and she lead me to some section of the store.

As we perused the racks of designer gowns, I couldn't help but feel out of place amidst the opulence surrounding me. This was all too much to take in a day.

Before I knew it, I was being ushered towards a section filled with cocktail gowns, each more revealing than the last. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realized that these were not the kind of outfits I was accustomed to wearing.

"Ishan ji," I murmured softly, turning to him with a pleading look in my eyes, "I don't think I can wear these dresses. They're too... revealing for me."

I felt a wave of insecurity wash over me as I voiced my concerns, fearing that Ishan ji would be disappointed in my inability to fit into his world.

I know I would never fit into this world.

But to my surprise, he didn't dismiss my feelings or belittle my discomfort.

Instead, he nodded understandingly, his eyes filled with empathy. "Janhavi ji, I understand. Let's see if they have something more suitable for you."

With that, he approached the stylist "Meera not these, sab koi aajkal Western pehente hain. Please show something like Sari or Anarkali. Aur mujhe bhi kurta sherwani type ka kuch Lena hai". I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Ishan for his sensitivity towards my feelings, even in a situation as trivial as shopping for clothes. He didn't even let her know that I was uncomfortable in those and managed situation so well.

Though we finally found a dress that felt right for me, yet I couldn't shake off the lingering doubt in my mind. Was I truly worthy of someone like Ishan, who moved effortlessly in a world of glamour and sophistication?

Guys I would not make Ishan like the toxic men after forced marriage because Ishan is not at all toxic man! He is the sweetest guy I have ever seen. I'm so sure that he will try his best to accommodate if he falls in such a situation.