Chapter 5 :

31 August, Saturday, 2024

2:30 p.m.

Geetanjali's POV

"Geetanjali", I heard my mother-in-law calling me from the back.

I turned around only to earn a gasp of surprise from her. She stood there clad in a deep blue traditional saree with elegant Indian jewellery. Despite her age, she looked heavenly and so fine that people would envy her timeless beauty.

She was holding a rectangular red velvet box in her hand while her face held a bright smile.

I smiled at her, "Good afternoon maa. Please come inside."

She nodded and stepped forward till she was standing infront of me. A wave of warm rosy fragrance escaped her body, filling my lungs.

"Beta, I actually saw you crying really bad yesternight during your vidaai. I was really sorry for making you leave your family but I couldn't do anything because that's how Indian marriage rituals were made", she spoke ever so softly and reassuringly that not even my mother had spoken like.

She was such a woman that even heaven would think about how they made such a pure and beautiful creation. She was indeed a gem.

I smiled and shook my head, "It's nothing to worry about maa. It's just that every bride cries since she leaves behind the family she grew up with and everything she held close to her. That's all. I'm not dwelling onto it. I had to get married and I knew that day was going to come anyways. So please don't burden yourself with those thoughts maa", I replied reassuringly.

Sometimes I doubt if she'd end up crying someday if she sees me getting even a minor cut.

"Okay as you say. By the way I have something for you", she replied and with a smile thrown at me, she looked down at the box in her hands and opened it infront of me.

The box held and elegant heavy Indian neck piece with ear pieces. The necklace was very long with several layers, it's each and every curve made very attentively which gave it an intriguing look. The diamonds just gave it the final chef's kiss. It was a blend of the Gujarati taste and modern Indian art.

My eyes were like stuck to it but I reluctantly trailed them to her eyes.

"It's so beautiful maa", I said with admiration.

"Indeed it is. And it'll really go with my daughter", she replied staring at me with a smile.

"But maa isn't Niharika too young to wear such a heavy piece? It might give her a neck ache", I replied hesitantly but concerned. Nisharika was actually very young to handle such a heavy piece and might get a neck ache.

She chuckled, "So innocent. I was talking about you. So what if you're marrying my son, you can still be my daughter. I want you to wear it because now it belongs to you. It's a hereditary necklace. Adhvik's grandma had given me this in my wedding day and now I'm giving it to you. Take care of your property", saying she kept it on my hands.

I glanced at it before looking up at her with a smile, "I will maa. I promise."

She nodded with a smile and whispered, coming close to me, "Had I been a boy, I'd have proposed you right here even if you were married. This saree is looking too hot on you to handle. I don't know how my son would resist you tonight", and she rushed out of the room even before I could reply.

I had read about such cool mother-in-laws in books but God happened to give me one. I was actually surprised at how she spoke about such a thing so casually. Whereas other MILs just love throwing taunts and mocks at their DILs, mine one was a MIL made in heaven. I admit that.

I felt my cheeks heating up at the mention of my first night.

Yesterday we arrived home late and since Adhvik had to go to his office for some emergency, we slept separately so maa wants me to sleep with him today. Gosh! she can embarass me really well.

I smiled and turned around before asking one of the makeup artists to help me in wearing the necklace. The reception starts very soon. Since the marriage hall belonged to Adhvik's family, I got ready here and soon I'll go out.

I was wearing a floral saree from Sabyasachi. It's actually in trend and Katrina Kaif had also worn a similar one on her wedding day but just in a different shade. Mine was red. The veil was long but surprisingly, despite its heavy border designs, it was actually light weighted. I loved the set.

After the necklace was put around my neck, I took my time in admiring it. More than the earrings, the neckpiece was way too good looking. I traced my fingertips over the jewelry, feeling it's hard and cold metals under my skin.

"Bhabhi—oh my God! You're looking so heavenly", I heard Niharika gasping in shock. I slowly turned around holding on the side of the veil.

I smiled at her, "Come inside Niharika."

I noticed Neha also following and her eyes also widened seeing me.

"My gosh didi you're looking damn good", she rushed over to me before holding me by my shoulders lightly and looked at my saree.

"Aunty really has the best taste in fashion", she praised maa. Yes, my MIL had chosen this one.

"Yes she does", I replied and for sometime we three talked until it was time for me to get out of the room.

Today, weirdly, I was getting some bad feeling. Like something wrong was going to happen. But I shook them off. Maybe I'm just too exhausted because of all the functions, heavy outfits and jewelries that I was feeling like that.

•

Adhvik's voice

Marriage is actually a headache when you take it as another task to complete. Now the only difference is that this task isn't going to end ever until the day I decide to divorce. But I don't think my family would be pleased to hear about it.

I had always wanted to marry a modern type woman, even if I never thought I'd get married. I knew my family won't let me stay as a bachelor forever so that's why I had found someone for me. Someone who was of my standard and taste.

Raina, a supermodel, was my girlfriend till my engagement day but I decided to break up with her because my family didn't prefer her much. Because they said that since she was a model, she'd need too much freedom in case of wearing clothes, going out with male friends and partying much. A model would anyways shoot with males and my family feared if they couldn't give her that much freedom to let another man touch my wife.

Somehow, I also agreed. I'd never want to see my wife being touched my some other man even if for commercial purpose. I'm a free minded man but it's just that everyone has their own preferences and I have this one. So I didn't protest against my family choosing someone for me.

I was never much interested in marriage things so my siblings and parents were more excited about my marriage than me, myself.

The day I had seen Geetanjali for the first time, all I knew was that she was someone I didn't want to marry. She had worn traditional clothes and that was completely fine but she gave traditional woman type vibes. I don't hate her but not interested much either. I can't help it.

But her beauty was something I found too ethereal, after my mother. She had such a flawless face that I'm sure she must've gotten a lot of proposals.

I had agreed to marry her out of choice. I did because I had to and not because I wanted to. I'm just fulfilling my responsibilities as a son. But now I'm a husband so another responsibility it is.

I'm a cold natured, reserved and workaholic man and I doubt that she'd like to stay with me for long. A woman definitely wants her husband to be comfortable with her and give her his time. And I might not be able to do that.

My head is just too messed up to even think straight.

On the engagement day, I was flabbergasted to see her. From each and every angle she looked heavenly and just perfect. Her smile, her curves, her long hair—just everything. She was actually glimmering. Her lips carried a small smile despite the enthusiasm surrounding her. Maybe she also wasn't interested in marrying me.

And when it was time for us to click pictures, I was slightly furious because I felt like I was forced to touch someone I didn't even consider as mine. But I remained silent.

The moment I touched her waist, an electric shock was felt throughout my body. Het skin was really soft and I only knew how hard it was for me not to caress her waist. It's curves were like the smooth ocean water waves, glimmering under the moonlight.

And the haldi photoshoot was like 'jale ghaon pe namak dalna'.

(Putting salt on an already burning wound)

I was already irritated because of all the rituals going on in my parents' mansion and the chaos ate my head. And I was forced to do everything. I had to touch her again but I didn't feel disgusted. It was just that I didn't want her so I didn't want to stay with someone I didn't want. This married life is so tough to handle.

In all the photos I must've looked like a grumpy person but it was just how my mood was.

I had thought my wedding day was also going to be like that but I was proven wrong.

The moment the disco sound in the background had changed into a soft and slow music, I had looked up from the fire burning infront of me to feel another fire burning but inside me heart. She was walking slowly, taking her time to approach the stage. Her hands held the hem of the veil but I did get to get a sneak peek of her face. She looked fabulous, gorgeous, heavenly.

That engagement look was nothing compared to her marriage look. That red hand embroided lehenga perfectly fit her body, it's bright colour highlighted her sand skin tone. She had some height which accentuated her figure more. Her every move was making me feel something inside me that I couldn't pin point.

Everything was new to me and seeing my bride so gorgeous, I was taken aback. I never expected a traditional woman to look so beautiful and modern. She wasn't wearing way too much jewellery but still didn't fail to mesmerize me. I admit that.

But now again, I'm back to my usual mood. It's sour again because I need to appear in my reception and answer to some nonsense questions a while later. These news reporters are another headache.

My friends were teasing me about my first night which I had actually spent at my office. I didn't want to sleep with her because I didn't even know her well, forget about loving her. I just made up some emergency and left the house.

I'll be shifting to Mumbai with her soon anyways and I'll be back to my work so I won't be seeing her much much. I know I can't stay like this forever but atleast let it be for now.

I was lost in my thoughts until I heard Divyansh, my bestfriend, whispering in my ear, "Look at your wife."

I shot up my head to find her approaching the main stage, walking down the aisle made of glass. She was wearing a floral red chiffon saree with a long veil trailing behind her. The saree hugged her curves very  delicately yet they were too evident to be ignored. The jewelry around her neck just added more details to her beauty.

Now, I know one thing that she can look heavenly in any outfit. Her eyes were on mine the whole time but I noticed the same nervousness I had noticed yesterday. Of course she'd be nervous.

I was wearing a black suit and shirt, it's coat had some red floral patterns which slightly matched with her saree. I don't know when I stood up and approached her, holding out my right hand to help her get up the stage. She looked up at me once before resting her palm on it.

As she stood beside me, I calmed down my racing heartbeats. I knew I felt nothing for het but there was some uneasiness inside me.

The cameras burst with flash lights the moment we faced them. After multiple clicks, I motioned her to stand there before I walked over to the media and said, "Good evening everyone. I'm glad that you all are here to celebrate my reception party with my wife. I'd like to inform you all that I won't be answering any questions today. Thank you."

I don't avoid questions usually but all those romantic shits weren't just my cup of tea.

I walked back to her before holding her by her waist and walked down to stage to attend the guests.

As soon as we made our way to the guests, I saw someone very familiar approaching us.

No damn shit.