Chapter 3

Amma:- mother (mom)

Appa:- father (dad)

Ayir:- pandit 

Thali:- natural chain 

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(Before 2 months, on the day of Koushalys's marriage)

Koushalya's POV

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" Koushy let me put this Jasmine's on your hairs....it will look gorgeous " spoke my mom while pinning more Jasmine's on my hair. Happiness was evident in her eyes. 

After all, it's her and only daughter's wedding. 

After arranging Jasmine's on my hair, mom left to look after other arrangements.

I never saw her happy like this ever since my dad left us all alone in this world. It's been three years since he left us. only I know how my mom suffered without my dad. 

Before three years ago we were a small and happy family. dad was working as a bank manager and mom was a proud homemaker while I was pursuing M.com. We were all happy and satisfied with whatever we had, but God decided to snatch this happiness from us. He snatched my dad. the pillar of our happiness from us in the name of an accident. 

The doctors tried their best to save my dad, but they couldn't save him. He left us. My dad left us. 

I still remember, my dad's biggest dream was to get me married to the guy he chose for me. He wanted to do my kanyadaan. he wanted to give me a grand wedding. He wanted to play with his grandchildren. 

But before he could complete his wishes, God snatched him away. 

It took us a long time to overcome the disaster of our life. After dad, it was just me and mom. It wasn't the same as before. But still, I managed to bring a smile to amma's face. 

After completing my master I worked as an accountant in a leading firm. When I turned twenty-four, mom asked if I wanted to get married or what. At first, I said no as I don't want to leave my mom all alone. But later my mom made me understand that it's her wish to see me happy with my husband. As it's every mother and father's dignitaries job to get married to their daughter's before they turn twenty-five(note the sarcasm) And I couldn't deny her. As a mother, she is right in her place. 

So finally I agreed to get married to the person whom my dad chose for me. 

Sanjiv.

mom's one sister suggested Sanjiv to me, and soon both families met and talked about it. He's working in the same place where my dad used to work. 

Initially, I liked him, he's kind of an introvert so it's always me who starts a conversation between us. But I didn't find it as a barrier between us, cause I think once becoming Comfortable with me, he will open up. Other than that I didn't find anything wrong with him, he's a nice guy with an attractive aura around him. 

Slowly I'm getting myself ready to be a wife. From today I'm going to live a new life. I hope everything goes well.

My chains of thoughts were broken by someone's voice.

" Seems like the new bride is busy dreaming of her husband " I heard one of my cousins tease me and other cousins laughed at it. I gave them a smudge smile whileconsentient on checking my attire. The red Kanchipuram saree with a golden border looked best on me. 

" Stop teasing her and bring her soon, the air is asking for her " comes my mom's hurried tone.

I turned towards her as I heard her voice, and Amma looked at me with tear-filled eyes. I knew it. She is missing Appa on this special occasion of my life. 

mom kissed my forehead and said " my daughter become a well-grown woman now " 

I smiled and wiped her tears. mom took kajal from the dressing table and put a dot of kajal behind my ears, in the below line of the neck. From evil eyes. Well, it's her believe what I can do in this. 

" I'm going to miss my daughter a lot, " mom said with a smile yet tears in her eyes. This is the only thing that I'm scared of. I have to leave my mom alone. What will she do alone in that house? I need to talk about this with Sanjiv. I'm sure he won't have any problem with my mom staying with us. I can't leave her alone like this. 

" Mom, I don't want to leave you alone " I whined with worries on my face. 

" Then don't leave me alone," said my mom, with a smile I didn't understand what she said. Doesn'tDon't she wants me to get married? But she was the one who asked for it. I'm just fulfilling her wish. Then why this sudden change? 

" What are you saying Maa?'' I asked being confused.

" What I mean is, get married and soon give me my grandchildren's so I won't be alone at all " saying this mom laughed making me go shy all of sudden. 

" Ok...ok....now enough of teasing, let's go air is asking for you, "mom said and took me outside of the bedroom.

As I came out, every single person's center of attention was me, and it kinda felt weird yet good. 

Slowly taking care of my steps I  to the mandap and sat beside Sanjiv. As soon as he felt my presence his eyes found me. Giving a nervous smile I looked down. The air was blabbering something god knows what it must be. I can feel everyone's staring at me like they are seeing me for the first time. The music, air's blambrings, Sanjiv's proximity, and the non-stop noise of people's. For me, this all is too much to handle right now.

Till now I was fine, don't know what happened now. I'm feeling so different and confused. Should I run away from this marriage? Will he Will, he ever love me as my appa did? Am I doing the right thing by marrying Sanjiv? Why I'm scaring the shit out of myself. Koushy calms down and everything will be fine. He's going to be an amazing husband. Just have some faith in him.

I had a brief conversation with myself and it made me more nervous. Does every girl feel like this when they're gonna get married in Just a few minutes? Or is I walked just me overthinking? I think I'm missing my dad so much that's why I'm having all these thoughts. 

Coming out from my thoughts I gave full attention to the mantras which air was asking me to repeat after him and I did the same. 

In the next few seconds, your guide Sanjiv tied the thali around my neck, for a moment everything stopped arousing me and I looked at Sanjiv who was tying the knot around my neck. Our close approximation wasn't helping me to avert my gaze from him.

We took seven vows as we are told by you. All of the present people greeted us for long and happy life with each other. mom had tears in her eyes, a source of happy tears. 

Finally, we are married.

From now, I have to adapt myself to the new life with my husband. 

My husband, doesn't it's sound so good to hear? It does. 

And then, just like that, I started to develop feelings for my husband who wasn't sure about his feelings.