The silence was deafening. The truth was out finally. I can’t stand this abusive marriage any longer. Naira pulled me into a hug. “Come dhi, let’s not stay here any longer.” She tried taking me away when dadi stopped her. “Where are you taking her? The minute your sister hit Aditya, this relationship ended. This marriage will not happen and Keerti will stay here and try to solve her problem. All of you can leave.” She said and pulled me away from Naira, I tried struggling but could not get out of her grip. “Woh major hai aur uski decisions kudh le sakthi hai. Aur woh apni decision bata chuki hai. Ab aap uski haath chodenge toh acha hai. Aur haan, aap log ki soch itna gandha hai hume nahi pata. Aap log aapki beti ko kush nahi rak payegi toh bahu ko kaise rakenge?” Naksh says stopping Dadi and freeing me from her hold. “Badtameez. Tumare himat kaise hooyi hamare baare main aise baath karneki?” Papa raised his hand when chachu stopped him. “Usne kya galat kaha? Aap ko businesski nuksaan dikayi dethi hai, par hamare Keerti ki abuse? Nahi. Aap yeh sab dekne ke baad bhi iss admi ki saath de rahe ho. Main nahi chaathi ki meri bachoon iss gatiya soch ka asar pade. Main aapni 5 bachoon ke sath yeh ghar chod kar ja rahi hoon. Sorry maa par yeh hona hi tha. Chal Karthik, teri shaadhi ki tayari karni hai.” He says and leaves. “I’m sorry dadi, par aap se yeh umeed nahi tha. Aap ka soch aisa hai toh please meri shaadhi par maat ana. Iss negativity nahi chahiye hume. Chalo.” He says and leaves holding my hand.
IN THE PALACE FOR MARRIAGE
“Keerti, I’m really sorry. I should have been there for you when you needed me the most. I should have forced them to wait before your marriage. I’m really sorry. Karthik sobbed into his hands. “Karthik, please yeh sab chodo tumare shaadhi ke baad sab clear karenge.” Chachi said hugging him. “Dulha rota hua acha nahi lagta.” Mansi teases him. “Cry baby cry baby. Whhaaaan whhaaan.” Luv and Kush chorus. “Cry baby? Ab dekte hain.” He says running behind them. “I’m sorry Keerti hum bhi uss samay help nahi kar payi. Maaf kar dena.” Chachu said standing beside me. “Kya kar rahe ho aap. Chodiye na. Jo aap aaj kiya hai woh hi kafi hai. Thank you. I love you both.” I say hugging my chachi and chachu. “Wahan bidai ki rona chal rahi hai, yahaan kya hua? Ladke walon rote nahi. Chalo baarath nikalna hai.” Vivaan says and a chorus of haan come from Misthi, Rose and few aashram kids. “Baadh main gappe marna. Dulha kahan hai? Usli nazar toh ootani hai.” Badi nani asks. “Yahan hoon. Fatafat chalthe hain.” Karthik said adjusting his turban. “One second. Tum mere bhai ho ya meri sister-in-law ki husband?” Rose asked. “Bhai hoon. Yeh kaisi doubt hai.” He says fake scowling and all of us laugh. “Bhaiya aap ki bhai kaise huye?” Luv asks. “Meri shaadhi main ladki walon kam tha aur yeh mera bhai bangaya.” She says smiling and all of us leave for the mandap. The marriage went on superb. Chachu and chachi did all the rituals of parents.
TIME SKIP TO AFTER BIDAI
We had the palace for 2 days and will have to leave only day after after a day of rest. I couldn’t sleep that night so I went near the pool side to get some fresh air. I saw Naksh coming the same way and caught up with him. “Yahan kya kar rahi ho?” I asked him. “I was just thinking. It’s beautiful right, to marry the person you love. Sab ko nahi milta.” He sighs. “Sab ko milta hai. Bas kuch log ko der lag jathi hai aur kuch galtiyan.” I smile. “Tujhe pata hai? Hum same college main the. Hotel Management.” He says smiling. “Haan pata hai. Mujhe laga ki tujhe nahi pata.” I smile foolishly. An awkward silence fell. “Awkward!!” Both of us said at the same time and started laughing. “Keerti, you know it’s ok to cry about what happened right? You don’t have to be strong in front if me. I know what it feels like right now. After a broken relationship. My shoulders are free. Just thought you should know.” He says giving me a warm smile. “That’s was the reassurance I needed. Not a shoulder to cry on but one I can lean into.” I said feeling grateful. “They are free anyways.” He says and splashes some water on me. We were talking about anything and everything on earth. When we were about to leave and go to sleep we heard 2 voices. “Where are you taking me? Atleast allow me to keep my eyes open. I might fall.” Said the girl. “Never. If you are scared I have no problem in lifting you. What’s say?” Came a male voice. “Gayu, Vivaan. What are they doing?” He whispered. “Lagta hai hum romance ke waqt par spy kar rahe hain.” I chuckled. “What?! Not Gayu also. Now I’m going to be alone. I’ll have only Misthi and Kuhu with me.” He complained. “Let’s first see what’s happening.” I said. “Gayu, I know you are tired, sleepy and angry for waking you up. But, I love you. I just wanted to confess.”
Vivaan cleared his throat. “Wow! I didn’t know you loved me. Guess what? I I’m in a relationship with you for almost a year now. Obviously I know that you love me and I love you too. Maine kya kya socha? Tum mujhe propose karne wale ho etc etc. Main maaf bhi karde tha mujhe utane ke liye. But no. 3 in the night you wake me up and tell me you love me.” Gayu says in a super sweet tone. “I thought girls find it romantic. Anyway…” he was cut off. “Romantic? This is suicidal. Who gave you this idea?” She asks. “Karthik ne diya. Main uss ko nahi bataya. Aur haan Naira pe yeh try maath karne ko bhi kahunga. Teek hai. Ab toh aja.” He says patting the place next to him. “Aaj toh tum rocking lag rahi thi yaar. Note to self, never anger my lady. Kya hua tumhe aaj?” He asks kissing her face. I had to hold Naksh with all my strength to not go and strangle that poor lover boy. “Tum kuch zyada hi protective ho. Don’t do anything. After today you should have realized Gayu doesn’t need a Knight In Shining Armour.” I say patting his hand. He sighs and stays put. “Pata nahi, kya hua. Mujhe sirf yeh dikha ki dhi dard pe hai aur woh use aur mare jaraha tha. Papa ne mumma ko kafi baar maarte the. Mujhe jab mara maa ne usse chod diya. I can stand anything but not abuse.” She says and leans on his shoulder and closed her eyes. They stayed like that for some time and dozed off. “We better move before the protective brother strikes.” Naksh says and I follow him to leave.