Chapter 3

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 not funny, dad. Please say something. I will not get married like this. I don't even like her. She used to be very irritating, I can't even think about getting married to her." I was shouting.

"Calm down Mehul, let me tell you it is not any kind of joke. You are getting married to her as promised years ago."

"Promised??? Dad, how can you do that? This is 21st-century, dad, not 16th. Betrothal??? Who gets married like that now? What if, I was in love with someone else? What if she wants to marry some other man? This is illogical dad. I won't agree to this."

"Are you in love with someone, Mehul?"

"Maybe"

"You are not... I know. The only girl you were interested in got married to someone else. I know that and what was her name... Esha? Right?"

I just stared at him... How does he know about her?? He smirked at me and said, "Did you think I would never get to know about that? You are my son, Mehul. I know everything you do, everything that happens in your life." I just rolled my eyes.

"Megha is a gem of a girl... You will be very happy to have her as your wife. Trust me."

"Dad, if this said promise was made approximately 15 years back then why me? Why not Bhai? He is older than me. Why was I betrothed to her? I asked.

"That's because she is much younger than Mudit and he was like a brother to her. Mudit was Vimal's friend and she always called him Bhai. Moreover, it was Suresh's suggestion. We made the promise to each other to tie you and Megha in knots in front of his parents."

"But dad it is not fair. I don't want to get married like this. Neither of us would be happy if we marry."

"Mehul, get one thing very clear, you are getting married in a week. So you better be ready for it. Call your friends if you want. You have no other option. You can't get out of the situation. I can't spoil my relationship with Suresh. His family has done a lot for me. What is your problem anyway? There is no one special in your life and you are 27. It is time for you to settle down. I want you to marry Megha. If you will not do what I say, or you don't treat her well... I will disown you. Now the ball is in your court. Come on Sita I have called my designer, I want the best designs for my would-be daughter-in-law. Select designs for Megha, Sneha and yourself." Mom followed him to where the designer was waiting for them.

I just kept on looking at him. Did he just say that he would disown me if I don't do as he promised? Ok fine, I will marry her. But she would never be happy with me.

***

Megha's POV

Earlier that day

Everyone was busy in the haveli. Mom and dad were very excited. Even Dadi was very happy. Mom instructed Maharaj Ji (cook) to prepare all kinds of delicacies. What was so special. House was bursting with activities.

"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 about to say something when my mom called me. She took me back to our home. That day she told me that I was betrothed to someone.

I didn't know how to react to that. But I knew one thing for sure that I could never say no to my parents. Though I was a modern girl, still I could never let my parents down.

My father has always been my hero. He provided me with everything. He would always do what is best for us. He is a very traditional man but still, he never stopped his children from doing anything. He just taught us all the good moral values. Bhai and I never did anything wrong, as we wanted our parents to be proud of us.

If my father has promised my hand to someone, he must be really good for me. I will get married to the person. I will not let my father down.

In the evening I was working on my latest project when my mom sent for me. I was curious to know about my would-be husband. I came downstairs and was going towards the drawing-room when I saw Sita aunty.

What was she doing here?? Oh, that means... Mehul???

I didn't know how to react. He was quite arrogant. But at least I knew everyone in his family. It was a mixed feeling.

I greeted Aunty and touched her feet. She smiled and hugged me very tightly. We walked to the drawing-room. I saw Uncle and dad talking to a tall, handsome man. He was ogling at me. I greeted Uncle too and he introduced me to him. He smiled at me and after that, we all had our dinner.

He really complimented my mom for such a great treat. He seems to be... ok. He used to come to our place with Mudit Bhai. Then he stopped coming. I just know that he went to Dehradun to study. He seems to be very sweet and humble. The way he behaved with my parents and Dadi, I was impressed with him.

When my Dadi gave him shagun to him, he looked very confused. It seemed that he had no idea about our betrothal. He objected once or twice but our parents paid no heed to it. They were busy discussing the marriage.

I was feeling out of the place so I decided to go out. As I walked out of the room, I felt a strong hand pulling me towards another room. It was Mehul. I was shocked at his behaviour.

He asked me if I knew about all this and asked me to call this wedding off. To say that he was annoyed would be an understatement. He was furious. I was getting scared that I would have to marry him. I couldn't say no to my father so I told him that he should deny getting married to me.

He was still holding my hand very tightly. I started crying and asked him to leave my hand. As soon as he left my hand I ran from there and came to my room. I cried for a very long time. I didn't know what to do... Shall I tell my parents that I don't want to get married to him? But they seemed so enthusiastic.