Mehul's POV
She 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... Are they one person only??
Not possible...
She folded her hand and said namaste to me. I just said hello...
She was sitting exactly in front of me between aunty and my mom. She was talking sweetly with my mom. Was she the same girl who used to shout at the top of her voice and her voice was shrill. She was talking so softly that I couldn't even hear her across the table.
We all enjoyed the food and then went to the sitting area again.
" Aunty the food was amazing, I ate like a glutton. Thanks for the delicious dinner. "
" There is no need to say thanks beta, this is your home. You give me a list of all your favourite dishes and I'll get it prepared for you while you are here." Aunty said smiling.
" Oh !! No aunty, if I would eat like this for a week, nobody would recognise me in Delhi. I would have to spend more time in the gym. " I was grinning at the thought of heavenly food.
Everyone laughed and then dad said, " How is aunty Ji Suresh? Let's go and see her. "
" I was about to say that, she can't come and meet you, but I know she would love to meet you, specially Mehul. " Uncle said.
We all got upstairs, to go to her room. I remember she used to tell us stories and would make delicacies for us specially Laddoos. She was a God-fearing lady. we went to her room she is lying in bed. Her face lit up the moment she saw all of us. My dad and I touched her feet and she beamed at us. I helped her to sit properly as she requested.
She held my hand in her fragile hands. I sat down beside her. She touched my face with her hand and said, " You have become a nice young man, but you never came to meet me. Did you forget this old lady? "
" No dadi, I did not forget you. I just got a bit busy. I had gone to study and then we settled in Delhi. Now I am helping dad and Bhai. I am sorry I didn't come to meet you. " She smiled lovingly.
She turned towards uncle and said, "Suresh, I hope you and Vipul remember the promise you made to me and your dad? I think it is time to fulfil that now... I may not live for another year, so I want that it should happen now. Consider it to be my last wish. " Tears started flowing from her eyes.
What was going on?? I looked at my father but he did not say anything.
Uncle looked at my dad and asked, " Is that ok with you Vipul if we do it?"
Dad smiled and nodded. Uncle looked at aunty and she came up with a Pooja thali. She handed it to Uncle.
Uncle brought the thali near Dadi Ji and she smiled at me. She applied a Tilak on my forehead and gave me a coconut and gold coins.
I was stunned why was she doing it, I looked at my mom and dad. They just smiled and nodded at me.
I couldn't help asking, " What is this for Dadi Ji? " Though she was smiling brightly, she also had tears in her eyes.
Uncle hugged me and said, " 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. "
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
Mehul's POVBhai hit me with his elbow and I winced. I looked at him and he was smirking at me. So, my dear brother. You better close your mouth or some insect might go inside. By the way what are you looking at? She is not even pretty. Right ? "I just rolled my eyes and again looked at her. Vimal bhai had already left. He was escorting her along with Sejal bhabhi. She was walking towards me shyly and slowly.She reached the stage, bhai pushed me in her direction and told me to help her. I extended my hand towards her and she looked at me, as if she was surprised at my gesture.Then shyly she placed her hand on mine and I helped her to climb on the steps which was tricky with her very heavy dress. I felt some kind of tingling in my hand. That was weird so I released my grip on her hand and she was standing in front of me now for Jai Mala or Varmala (exchanging garlands).Everybody in our families were on stage, Sneha bhabhi and Sejal bhabhi