Chapter 4

Megha's POV

In 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 thinks that this arrangement is ridiculous. He will understand as I know him and his family for decades. I know that you will be perfect for each other and after a year or so, you will be thanking me that I chose such a nice man for you. Believe me whatever I will do for you, it will be the best and you know that. So just rest assured and do the shopping." Papa said holding my hand.

I just nodded and got ready. We all went shopping. Sita aunty asked me about my choice. I smiled at the irony.

I was being asked to choose my dresses though, I didn't get to choose the person I was getting married to...

I was hurt but I selected my engagement and wedding lehnga (dress).

We shopped for other dresses and things like footwear, bags, cosmetics etc. Then we came back as aunty wanted to go back as Mudit bhai and his newly wed wife Sneha bhabhi were coming after their honeymoon.

***

Mehul's POV

Dad instructed his designer to make jewellery. Mom went shopping with Megha and aunty. She asked me to accompany them but I refused. I stayed at home. I was waiting for bhai to come. I was still sulking in my room when a man came to inform me that they have come.

I went to meet them, they just entered the haveli and I ran towards them and hugged him. He hugged me hard and patted me on my back. Then I hugged bhabhi too. She smiled at me. I asked them about their honeymoon, they exchanged a look and I could see bhabhi blushing profusely. She is very cute.

"So my little brother is getting married..." Said bhai teasing me.

I glared at him and said, "I really don't want to get married like this. Can you believe I was betrothed to a girl almost all my life. How can I get married to her? I don't even like her. How can I spend the rest of my life with her. Please, do something bhai. Persuade dad to cancel this."

"He would never do that Mehul. Dad thinks that he is under debt as our dadiji died when dad was very young. Suresh uncle's mom gave affection and love to him and treated him as her own child. So when she asked for this marriage proposal, dad could not refuse." bhai told me and I realised that there was no way out as dad will not break his promise. I am stuck in this marriage.

Mom came back and she was very excited to see bhai and bhabhi. She asked them about their trip and she also told them about Megha and how sweet she was.

Sweet... my foot. I rolled my eyes. Mom was babbling about the dresses and lehanga. She also told bhabhi about the jewellery that dad has ordered for all three of them.

"Sneha beta, you take rest today, tomorrow morning we will go shopping. Get whatever you want."

"Mom, you are forgetting, I got married last month only so I have lots and lots of stuff which I have not used even once. I don't need to do shopping."

"Yeah, my sweet child, but you are forgetting that everything is in Delhi and we have marriage here in Surat... and that too in one week. So we need to buy things from here when we go back to Delhi, we would buy more things for Megha too. Now don't argue with me and get ready for shopping tomorrow."

"Ok mom... as you say. So mom when can we meet Megha?" Bhabhi asked, looking at me.

"Whenever you want beta, but we are a bit short on time and a lot of things are to be done. Panditji suggested that they have their engagement tomorrow in the evening. You can meet her there. As it is, right now they are also running here and there for shopping and we also have lots and lots of stuff to do. So, you take some rest today and tomorrow you can meet her during the engagement."

Bhai 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 like it is the end of the world. You are getting married not being hanged till death. Now don't keep sulking like girls and get ready. It is not as bad as you think it is..."

"Really? Of course you will say that. You didn't have to get married like this. You married the girl whom you love. You wanted to marry her and anyways bhabhi is very sweet." I retorted.

"Megha is also very sweet, smart, intelligent, talented, innocent, beautiful, elegant and attractive."

"She has always been irritating. She is dumb and spineless. She didn't even utter a word to deny this marriage. I protested to some extent but she kept mum. I even requested her to tell her parents that she doesn't want to get married to me. But she said that she can't..."

"Try to understand Mehul, she must be under pressure too. I know her better than you. She is a gem of a person. Perfect for you." Mudit tried to make me understand, and I knew that he was right about the fact that she must be under pressure as well.

I got ready and we all went to their mansion. It was looking even more beautiful as it was adorned with flowers and lights. Dad and uncle hugged each other. I touched uncle's feet. He hugged me and made me sit.

Vimal bhai had also returned, he came to meet us and hugged bhai and me. Everyone looked so happy.

I was still talking to Vimal bhai when all of a sudden he stopped talking. He was looking over my shoulder. I turned to see what got his attention. Megha was coming towards me very slowly. She was looking... Beautiful.

She was wearing a beautiful lehnga and was looking like a doll.

I was still looking at her when I felt pain in my forearm. I turned to see that bhai had pinched me. He was smirking at me.

"So what do you say bro? Is she not beautiful? You can't seem to take your eyes off her." He whispered. I just rolled my eyes.

"She is just fine..."

"Ok, if you say so."

My mom, Sneha bhabhi, Hetal aunty and Sejal bhabhi all were coming with her. Mom and aunty made her sit beside me. She was looking very pretty, though I didn't want to acknowledge that. She didn't even look at me. My mom and aunty came and stood behind us.

Sejal bhabhi was holding a beautiful thali (platter) decorated with flowers and two ring boxes. Sneha bhabhi took out the ring and gave it to me. It was a very beautiful diamond ring.

Sejal bhabhi held Megha's hand for me to slide the ring in her hand. I looked at my father and he silently signed me to do it. I held her hand lightly and slid the ring in her ring finger.

Her fingers were long and delicate. I felt something weird when I touched her. Everyone clapped for us. Sejal bhabhi gave another ring to Megha and I extended my hand towards her. She slid the ring in my finger very shyly. I felt a small spark when our hands touched, this was weird...

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves except me.