Bani’s POV:
After previous incident I can’t make myself more embarrassed by looking at him so I maintained my gaze lower. Just then I heard “Bani, What are your future goals?” in a manly voice and looked in it’s direction finding the owner of that voice. My eyes landed on an elderly person who is of my father’s age. He was looking so stiff in his three pieces suit. He is probably Veer’s father.
I just shook my head to search few words to reply when I heard him saying “Are you planning to work after the marriage?” I was shocked to hear the last word he said. Marriage…? So my marriage is fixed now. I was brought back to my senses by my mother who just shook my shoulder indicating me to speak.
I looked at her and diverted back to the person, probably my father-in-law and said “Uncle, actually… I always dreamt about my future right from my childhood. Though my childhood goal is no more attractive for me as I always changed my future in the passing stages of my life. Now, since my mind achieved that maturity I am aspiring to crawl into advertisement profession. I had always been very imaginative about things so I am aspiring to become one.”
I was surprised by recalling my words. I have spoken my heart towards him. He just smiled at me and then nodded at some other person who was in his mid-twenties. He was smiling chirpily and I think he must be Veer’s brother.
“Are you happy with this marriage? Do you like him?” Veer’s mother asked me. I was beyond shocked. I couldn’t express anything as memories of Jai were revolving in my mind. All the way I only loved him. Even though he left me, I still can’t forget him as I loved him. Even though I stopped loving him, I can’t forget our memories. I fear to trust anyone again.
I looked at my parents and then nodded at her. She started smiling and I could notice the tears forming in her eyes. I don’t know why but I just hugged her to console her. The warmth she gave me was so emotional. I moved back and my mother hugged me and kissed my forehead.
I didn’t know anything now. He asked me to refuse for this marriage. He asked me to refuse because he can’t afford to marry me. Probably he loves someone. How unlucky I am that I am being married to a person who doesn’t wants to marry me.
My mother-in-law pointed at the man and said “Tapish, call our priest and find out about the auspicious dates for their marriage.”
Tapish said “Maa, I think you are getting too hyper with this marriage. We will go slowly with the marriage. Don’t worry.” My mother-in-law slapped him on his thigh and said “Obviously I am excited with this marriage. I want everything to be well arranged.”
My mom then said “Anita, I know you are happy with this marriage. At least take some breathe now or else you will faint before the marriage.” My MIL pouted and said “Shut up Idiot, Don’t forget that we are going to be in-law’s now.” They both broke into laugh while all others were staring at them for their weird laughter.
“Oh god, what will happen when these two will become in-law’s now. They both have already turned crazy.” My Dad said pointing towards the two ladies.
“Samrat, if you really want to sleep on the bed today then don’t joke on them being weird. All our laughs will vanish once we reach our bedrooms.” My father-in-law said and everyone burst into laughter.
In the hall there were only two people who were still unaffected of the things happening there. One is me while the other one is him. Don’t know when he left the hall and walked towards the backyard.
My parents and his parents were talking about few things related to the marriage. I was lost in thoughts until I was brought back by someone.
“Bani….Can I call you like that?” Tapish said looking at me.
I smiled at him and nodded at him to call me the way he likes. He smiled widely at my response and sat beside me.
“So Bani, I am Tapish, I am Veer Bhai’s brother.” He said rubbing back of his neck. (Bhai is brother)
I smiled at him and said “Anyone can find it out by the way you call him as Bhai.”
He smiled sheepishly and said “I know it Bani but I wanted to introduce myself. You know we will be great friends in future.”
I laughed at his actions and pulled his cheeks and said “Of course Tapish, you are so cute.”
He pouted and said “Bani, I am not cute anymore. I am now grown up so everyone calls me handsome.” I laughed and said “Oh you are a playboy ha… I want to know about those people who call you handsome because I don’t find you such.”
He frowned at me said “I am the most eligible bachelor after my brother. As soon as I enter my office people just stare at me. Even yesterday when I entered my office all the lady staff were ogling at me. I don’t know why but they were blushing at me.”
“Did you forget to wear your pants?” I said controlling my laughter.
“I really hate you know.” He pouted
“It’s okay baby don’t be sad now.”I said with childish tone.
“Excuse me I am no one’s baby especially not yours.” He said faking his anger.
We both burst into laughter. I felt nice in his company. He is surely a sweet soul now. I hope even his brother will be just like him rather than any moody person.
“I think it’s time for us to leave. We will talk about the arrangements of the marriage. I will connect with the priest and finalize the dates for the upcoming events.” Anita aunty said while getting up from the sofa.
I was again pulled into the thoughts by the mention of my marriage. Don’t know why but I am feeling that marrying is not the right option especially when the latter doesn’t want it. But the circumstances are forcing me into this.
“I am eagerly waiting for your arrival Bhabhi(Sister-in-law).” Tapish said while smiling at me.
I just smiled at him with thoughts in my mind.
“Just Bani, I don’t want to feel like an elder when you call me as Bhabhi. After all you are a grown up right?” I laughed while he narrowed his eyes and then smiled.
“By the way where is Veer?” Anitha aunty asked Tapish.
He doesn’t like this marriage so he left from here. I don’t know who to share this that he doesn’t like this marriage. Not for Love marriage but I at least expected for a marriage with mutual consent.
“Maybe Bhai went to attend some important call.” Tapish said trying to act cool by seeing the tension in his mother’s face.
After the greetings they left the house followed by my parents who went to sendoff them. I stayed back in the house and walked into my room.
I collapsed on my bed thinking about my marriage. It is not like I love Jai even now but I am a broken soul now. I am betrayed by the person whom I shared my every emotion. I can never trust anyone that easily as my beliefs are shaken up. I loved him so much but yet he left me. I still have feelings on him but I don’t have trust on him anymore. For me trust is more important than love. I am afraid of falling in love with anyone else as the fear of getting betrayed is filled within me. What if that someone leaves me….yet again?