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 all are happy. Aren't we ?"
" We would have given you time to know each other, Mehul. But as you can see that Dadi Ji is not well so we need to get you married sooner. You will be married to each other within a month as soon as we find a suitable muhurat ( auspicious time). Mudit and Sneha are coming back day after tomorrow. I'll tell them to come here." Dad said.
My parents had always taught me to respect our elders, so I didn't say anything but how can I get married to an unknown girl?
I know that girl was really irritating when we were children. Who gets married like this?? I don't want to get married like this, I want to like somebody, fall in love before I get married.
I wanted to marry a girl of my own choice. Ughhh I looked at my mom, pleading her silently but she smiled as if she was assured that Megha was the best girl for me to get married.
I don't want to get married but I can't say anything because if I deny here both dad and uncle would get angry. Their friendship would get affected and they've been friends for more than 40 years... What do I do???
I would have to talk to Bhai. I will wait for him to come. He persuaded dad for his marriage with bhabhi. Their's was a love marriage. Yes, I would talk to him...
I was very angry with my parents. They didn't tell me about this arrangement or betrothal. Were we living in the 21st century?
Did this Megha know about this? I looked at her but she was looking downwards without a single expression on her face.
Why is she not saying anything? Is she mute now? What happened to her irritating shrill voice? Why is she not opposing this stupid betrothal? Is she stupid?
Oh god !! How will we be happily married when I don't even like her?? I was getting annoyed now.
All of them decided that they would call Panditji and find a shubh muhurat ( auspicious time and day ) for our engagement and marriage.
I was simmering with anger. I saw Megha going out of the room I went after her. As soon as she was out of the room I caught her hand and dragged her to the next room. She was shocked as hell.
" What is all this? Did you know about it? How can we get married? We don't even like each other? Please tell your parents you don't want to get married. Did you know about this all these years? " I was furious and she could see that she seemed frightened. Her face became pale.
" I...I... No, I didn't know, it w.. was... y..you?? M..my mom t.. told me that I was betrothed to someone last year. But she never told me that it was you." She was on the verge of crying.
" Ok, so now you know that it was me. But nobody bothered to tell me anything. Listen I don't want to get married like this. Please tell your parents that you don't like me. " I told her in an angry tone.
" I c-can't d..do that. My d-dad would never l-listen to me. I can't... " She was stammering.
" What do you mean you can't?? You have to. We would never be happy. I am not happy about the fact that I am forced into this marriage. Let me assure you, if I am not happy, I will not let you be happy. " I blurted.
" I can't d..do it. Y..you c..can d..deny if you w..want." She was crying now.
" You know damn well I can't do that."
" I am s..sorry but I can't h..help you. And p..please leave my hand you are hurting me."
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
Mehul's POVI was just thinking all this when dad came to me and sat beside me." Mehul, promise me that you will behave nicely with her. She is new in this house and she needs your support. She is your wife, so she is your responsibility. You have to take care of her. You should not be rude to her. She needs your love , care and attention. Please be nice to her, she is here to be with you and for that she left her loving family behind. She deserves your love. Don't forget that, if you didn't know her, she also didn't know you. If you are not in love with her, she is also not in love with you. That means she might be feeling exactly like you. Now go to your room and Please be nice to her. I hope you are getting my point. Don't let me down or be ready to face the music..." Dad left after saying that.I got up and started dragging myself towards my room when I saw bhai standing there. He came and placed his hand on my shoulder and said, " I know what is going on in y