Mehul's POV
" Dad, you wanted us to come as soon as possible to go and have dinner at Suresh uncle's place. Are you serious? I was so tense that something was wrong. We came all the way from Delhi to Surat to attend a dinner? Is it some kind of a joke dad.? "
" Relax son, trust me nothing is wrong, go and get ready. We are getting late. We will talk once we get back. "
I was irritated but got ready as I didn't want to argue with him. We all reached the uncle's haveli. It was as lavish as our's... standing there in all its glory.
Suresh Uncle, I mean, Mr Suresh Mansukh Kothari is a very traditional man. His values are quite deep-rooted. He is one of the biggest exporters of Indian ethnic handicrafts. I was always fascinated with the beautiful artworks that increased the glory of their Haveli ( mansion).
But this time I felt that it was looking even more beautiful... I used to come here as a child as uncle's son Vimal Bhai and Mudit Bhai were very good friends. Vimal had a very irritating sister.
She was very young and used to follow us everywhere. I still remember the way she was. following us like a shadow, I used to avoid her like plague as she used to fight with me and then tell our parents that I was teasing her.
Our parents always scolded me, though they knew it was the other way around.
" Welcome Vipul, Sita Ben and Mehul. Nice to meet you after such a long time. Mehul you have turned into a very young and handsome boy. I remember you coming here like a small boy and now you are taller than me. " I smiled and touched his feet.
He patted me on my back and gave his blessings and then hugged me tightly." So what are you doing these days? Vipul told me that you have joined his business and you are taking care of your jewellery stores in Delhi and all over India?? That is increadible beta. I know you are working very hard, God bless you. " He said.
We all went inside their Haveli, it was looking as if I was visiting some Palace, because all the art pieces were incredible. The work was so intricate, everything was looking very pretty, the perfect combination of traditional and modern.
Whoever had designed the interior of the house must be simply incredible. I greeted Reema aunty and smiled at me and hugged me. My mom and Reema aunty both went inside. We all settled in the drawing-room and I asked uncle about Vimal.
He said, "He is taking my business to a higher level. He had even started the online store of our products. So he is usually travelling. He was in London last week and will come back in a couple of days. Our handicrafts are famous worldwide. We have the best artisans from all over India. We buy the best of their products at very good prices so that they can also lead a respectable life."
" That is incredible, Suresh. Our sons are working very hard and I am sure they'll take our business to the next level. Even Mudit is doing very well, he is taking care of all the overseas orders in most of the countries and all over India with the help of Mehul. Right now he is gone for his honeymoon... but he'll be back in a day or two. By the way, why didn't you come for his marriage? I was too upset with you," said Dad.
" I know Vipul I would have come at any cost but you know that my mom was not well. She was unstable at that time. Doctors are saying she might not survive for long now. All she wants is to see all her children settled before she dies."
The food was laid out on the very huge dining table. All the traditional Gujarati food was served there. Just then I saw a tall, beautiful girl with long, black hair entered with mom and aunty.
She was wearing a beautiful white long suit. She was looking very elegant and pretty. She came towards us and looked at me for a few seconds.
Her eyes were black just like her hair, with very long eyelashes which framed her doe eyes perfectly. Beautiful !! very beautiful... I was mesmerized by her beauty.
Mehul's POVShe bent a little to touch my dad's feet. My dad said, " God bless you beta. But please, don't do it you are like my daughter." She smiled and her face lit up like a bulb.I must have been staring at her as my dad coughed and said, " Mehul do you remember her? "I was not sure what to say... I was still thinking about how to respond to it. She was looking at me through her eyelashes." Come on Mehul how can you not remember her. You have been scolded so many times because of her. She is Megha, Suresh's daughter. " My dad said chuckling.My eyes widened, I looked at her again as if I was trying to find the similarity between this beautiful girl and that irritating girl with pigtails.I couldn't find the similarity but this beautiful Megha was smiling faintly as if she knew that I was comparing her with her little self.That little irritating girl used to frown at me all the time and this one was smiling shyly...
Mehul's POV" Many years ago your dad and I decided that we will get you and Megha married once both of you completed your education and start your career. Now that you and Megha have done well with your life, we want you to get married as soon as possible. "" What ???? " I was shocked beyond limit." That means you were betrothed to her and she was to you for the last 18 years. And now you are getting married very soon." Said my dad glaring at me as if daring me to deny this marriage.I wanted to deny immediately, as who gets betrothed in this century. But I couldn't react as fiercely as I wanted because of Uncle, aunty and Dadi Ji." But... How can we get married? We don't love each other, in fact we don't even know each other properly. " I said controlling the anger that was about to surface.They were not bothered. Uncle smiled at me and said, " You will get enough time to get to know each other. We all got married like this and see we
Mehul's POV" I am s-sorry but I can't h-help you. And p-please leave my hand you are hurting me." She was sobbing now. I realised that I was still holding her wrist tightly. I left her hand as if it was a live wire.She ran away crying the moment I loosened my grip on her hand. I felt very bad for her. I did not want to scare her. I was just too angry with my own parents that they tricked me to come here.Now they wanted me to marry a girl I was betrothed to. I didn't even know about it. I behaved rudely because I wanted Megha to refuse to marry me.What have I gotten myself into? I would not agree to this stupidity. Were they all insane.We all went back to our mansion. I didn't utter a single word during the whole drive. My parents were surprised by my behaviour but they knew that I am going to react once we reach home... and I did." What is this dad? Betrothal?? Seriously?? Is it some kind of prank you are playing with me? It is n
Megha's POV" Ma, what is the matter?? I don't think there is any festival today. Is Bhai coming today? " I was curious like anything." No beta, Vimal is not coming today... but someone else is. He will come and take you away from us. Today he is coming for dinner with his parents. We are planning for you to get married by the end of this month."I was curious about this man who was going to be my husband. I still remember the day when ma told me about my betrothal. I was shocked. I didn't know anything about the man with whom I was going to spend the rest of my life.Last year during Navratri, when I was doing Garba ( Gujarati traditional dance) with my friends, one of my classmate Sachin came and asked me for a dandiya dance.He was a good friend of mine so I agreed. We were dancing with the famous dandiya songs. He was smiling like anything. I always had this feeling that he used to like me.He caught my hand while dancing and was
Megha's POVIn the morning when I came downstairs, I saw that my parents were having tea. My mom called me and said, "Good morning beta, your wedding is in 1 week, so we have to do lots of shopping. Get ready fast Sita Ben is also coming, we will go together. She is also very excited, how are you feeling? "" I don't know ma, I am a bit confused. Mehul seemed to be upset about it. What if, he is not happy about this? What if, he can't deny his parents but don't want the marriage as well? Will we be happily married then ma?"" You are thinking too much beta, he was just shocked, just the way you were.. when I told you. You don't need to worry about anything. You both will be comfortable with each other very soon and will fall in love eventually. We all got married like that only."" But ma, papa(father) .... "" Don't worry beta... he is a good man. I know you will be very happy with him, it's just a matter of time. He is a modern guy and and he th
Mehul's POVBhai and bhabhi went to their room. They were so much in love. I would never have what they have. I went out of the house.I wanted to see Rahul desperately but he was in London. If only that girl had refused to marry me, I would not be in this situation.Dad and bhai were discussing as about business and the marriage arrangements. They invited many people like friends, relatives, clients, employees etc.But I didn't want to invite anyone. I didn't want to be a laughing stock. I was not ready to share this with my friends that I don't even like the girl and I am going to spend the rest of my life with her.Only Rahul would be able to understand. I wish he was here but he is in London for the next 15 days for. I don't want to bother him with my problem while he is there.Bhai brought an outfit for me to wear for the engagement. I was lying on my bed with my head buried in pillow."Oh come on Mehul, don't behave l
Megha's POVI got engaged to him today and I really don't know exactly how I was feeling. I knew that he didn't want to but still we are engaged now.I felt some kind of jolt when he touched my hand. I didn't even look at him as I was scared... what if, he is still angry with me. Even he didn't say a single word. Oh god what kind of a marriage is it going to be.Everyone was enjoying. The soft romantic music was flowing in the air. Mudit bhai and bhabhi went to thedance floor and Vimal bhai and Sejal bhabhi followed them. They were dancing beautifully. They were in love with their partners. Their moves were simple but looked amazing because they were in love and shared a blessed life with each other.Would I never feel this way?.... I felt bad for myself.... Don't I deserve a beautiful life like them?I can't even talk to my parents about my apprehensions.It was a beautiful evening, everyone enjoyed except the two o
Megha's POV Sejal bhabhi came with makeup artist and my wedding dress. She helped them to get me ready. When my makeup and hair were done she helped me change into my wedding dress. She made me wear my jewellery as well. There was a knock at the door, bhabhi opened it. My parents and brother were there. They saw me dressed as a bride and maa got very emotional and started crying. Papa smiled and said, "Oh, come on Hetal... our daughter is looking so beautiful just like some angel, and you are crying. We must be happy that our little princess is getting married today. "I was feeling very low... They all are so happy, how can I tell them that I was not very keen on getting married.My eyes were filled with tears." Don't you dare cry now.... All the efforts will wash away with your tears." Said bhabhi making everyone smile."And we don't want to scare Mehul. Do we? " Bhai was teasing me so papa hit him on his arm lightly and wen