-10-
It was a slightly rainy day, with the soft drizzle making the air feel fresh and the ground damp underfoot.
The skies were a gentle gray, with clouds hanging low, casting a serene ambiance over the town.
Jayasvi and her family were visiting her relatives for a Puja, a sacred ritual that drew extended family members together for blessings and prayers.
The house, an old ancestral home, was filled with the fragrant aroma of incense and the sound of traditional hymns.
Jayasvi was dressed in a long black vintage dress that enveloped her curves beautifully, accentuating her slender frame.
The dress had delicate lace detailing at the sleeves and hem, giving it a timeless elegance.
Her long, glossy hair was tied in a French braid, intricate and neat, with a few loose strands softly framing her face.
She wore a pair of simple white bellies that added a touch of understated grace to her ensemble, the contrast making her look effortlessly stylish.
As she moved around the house, helping with the preparations, the fabric of her dress swayed gently, and her braid swung lightly with each step.
She wasn't wearing any makeup, allowing her natural beauty to shine through, with just a bit of kajal making her dark brown eyes stand out even more.
The droplets of rain outside added a rhythmic background to the bustle inside, where family members chatted, laughed, and worked together to ensure the Puja went smoothly.
Jayasvi took a moment to appreciate the scene around her—the warmth of the gathering, the flickering flames of the oil lamps, and the vibrant colors of the traditional attire worn by her relatives.
Despite the chaos and the occasional stress of family functions, there was something comforting about these gatherings, a reminder of her roots and the bonds that held them all together.
She was serving food to all the guests helping everyone and cursing herself for wearing a long dress since she knew it will get ruined today because of all the work.
Just than her phone started vibrating in her pocket.
She took it out finding it to be Raghav.
She excused herself before moving away from the crowd.
"Good morning", she wished softly after picking up her phone once she was done cleaning her hands quickly.
"I hope I am not disturbing right now", he spoke. Of course, it was Sunday morning. He must have thought she is free. Before she could reply she was called inside.
"1 second", she whispered going inside without hanging up.
"Anjali, I was just talking to my friend that you were always so beautiful but your daughter really left you behind in beauty.
She is so beautiful and tall. I couldn't just look away from her", she spoke looking at Jayasvi who passed a small smile to her.
What kind of compliment was that? Jayasvi thought forgetting about Raghav still being on the call.
"Oh stop it Sushma. Her mother is still so beautiful. Just think how beautiful she would've been in her youth", another woman spoke. Some people are so free. Jayasvi wondered. Was she called inside to hear all this?
"Really Rashmi, it would take so long to find a perfect husband for her", the woman Sushma further spoke closely noticing Jayasvi who knew it was coming.
She was going to turn 21 for god sake. Should she talk about the fact that there son is getting divorced?
Why are they so interested in everyone's marriage?
"Aunty, we aren't getting her married right now. She is just too young", Anjali spoke trying to divert there attention.
"We are telling you Anjali. Start searching fast, it will take time to find the appropriate proposal for her.
You shouldn't choose for something less since your daughter isn't lacking anything.
She is no less than anyone in terms of money, looks, manners and academics.
What else a family wants in today's time", Rashmi further spoke smiling too sweetly at Jayasvi who wanted nothing but to get up from this place.
"You know she can just know the boy right now.
You know there is this family I know. They are really rich and are looking for a girl for their only son.
He is 23. They can talk for the time being", Rashmi further spoke.
Jayasvi took it as her time to leave the room.
She looked at her phone to speak to Raghav but he already hung up.
Maybe he couldn't hear her or got some work.
She wondered before sighing. Her grandmother called her for some assistance.
Jayasvi spent the rest of the day attending to her duties at the Puja, her mind occasionally drifting back to the phone call with Raghav. She couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The conversation with the guests about her future marriage only added to her anxiety.
The rain had picked up by the time she finally managed to sneak away for a few moments of solitude.
She stepped out onto the balcony, watching the raindrops dance on the ground.
The cool breeze was a welcome respite from the heat and the noise inside.
She pulled out her phone and saw a message from Raghav.
Raghav sir: I guess you were busy. Call me when you're free.
She dialed his number, hoping to catch him before he got too busy with his day. He answered on the second ring.
"Hey, sorry about earlier. It was so chaotic here," she said, leaning against the balcony railing.
"It's fine," he replied, his tone unusually curt. "What's going on?"
She quickly filled him in on the day's events, including the unsolicited marriage advice from the guests. He listened quietly, but she could sense something was off.
"So, your family is already looking for a husband for you, huh?" he said, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"Not really. It's just some overenthusiastic relatives. You know how it is," she said, trying to downplay the situation.
"Yeah, I know," he said, his tone still cold. "But it seems like everyone's in a rush to get you married off."
His words stung, and Jayasvi felt a knot form in her stomach. "Sir, why are you saying it like that? It's not like I have any control over what they say."
"Maybe not, but it sounds like you're not exactly shutting them down either," he said, his voice growing harsher.
She was taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor. "Sir , what's going on? Why are you being like this?"
"Nothing. I'm just tired of always feeling like I'm the second option," he snapped.
"Second option? What are you talking about?" she asked, confusion and hurt mingling in her voice.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Jayasvi. It's like you're always one foot in, one foot out with us. And now, with your family already planning your future without even considering me..."
Jayasvi felt her heart drop. "Hey, that's not fair. I've been honest with you about my feelings and my uncertainties. This isn't about choosing someone over you."
"Isn't it?" he challenged. "Because it sure feels like you're keeping your options open."
She struggled to find the right words. "Sir, I..."
"I have to go," he interrupted. "We'll talk later."
He hung up before she could say anything else. Jayasvi stood there, staring at her phone, feeling a mix of frustration, sadness, and confusion. What just happened? Why was he acting this way?
The rest of the function was a blur. She mechanically went through the motions, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Raghav. Later that evening, after returning home, she tried calling him again, but he didn't answer. She sent a message instead but it wasn't answered.
The following days were tense and filled with a mixture of emotions for Jayasvi.
Raghav maintained his distance, and their interactions were limited to brief, formal conversations.
The announcement of their engagement came as a surprise to her, especially when she learned that it was his grandmother who was pressuring for it.
Jayasvi had never even heard about his grandmother before.
When Rajeev found out about the engagement proposal, his reaction was explosive.
"You want to sell my daughter, don't you?" Rajeev screamed at his wife, kicking a chair across the room. Jayasvi flinched, trying to hide behind anything she could find.
"I knew this. You were teaching her to whore around. I can't believe she is having my blood," Rajeev sneered. Jayasvi felt tears pooling in her eyes as she heard her father attacking her character so viciously.
Rajeev stormed toward her, grabbing her hair tightly.
"Tell me, did you meet him? What made him so interested in you?
This was why you were going to college, right?
You were actually doing all these things.
You just wanted to trap some rich man," he accused, pushing her to the ground.
Anjali and her mother-in-law, Ganga, rushed to help Jayasvi, who was clutching her elbow in pain.
"Please leave her. They sent the proposal; she didn't even know about it," her mother pleaded, trying to protect her.
"I'll not marry her off to them. Do you think they find a good match for their son in our daughter?
Do you think she is so special? Go on with this proposal and just witness her crying her whole life.
Mark my words, she'll cry her whole life," he cursed, storming inside.
Jayasvi couldn't help but cry at her fate.
While other girls received their father's blessings, she got his curses.
She ran to her room, locking the door, and threw herself on the bed, crying into her pillow. Soon after, Raghav's parents arrived at their home, causing a stir among the neighbors who were shocked to see so many cars and security around their apartment.
Jayasvi looked dull from days of crying and thinking about her father's words. She appeared weak, which Vandana noticed when Jayasvi served tea and snacks while they discussed the engagement. Jayasvi was wearing a lavender suit with palazzo pants.
"Raghav's dadi will come on the day of the engagement. You don't have to worry about the engagement's preparation. It can take place in one of our hotels," Vandana spoke softly. Rajeev had been silent until then, but hearing her, he couldn't hold back.
"My daughter is my only child. We have enough to marry her off well.
We don't need anyone's support in that," his voice was sharp.
Jayasvi tightened her grip on her dupatta, fearful of his outburst. In recent days, he had continued to hurl insults at her, questioning her character and disrespecting her.
"Rajeev ji, she is our daughter as well. We are just saying you don't have to take any pressure. It's us because of whom everything has to go so fast. We will do our best so it's a dreamy moment for both of our children," Gajraaj spoke, trying to diffuse the situation.
"If you have already decided everything for my daughter, I don't think I have anything to say," Rajeev said, shaking his head. He looked at his daughter with hatred in his eyes. He never thought his own blood would make him feel so helpless.
Jayasvi kept her head down as Vandana called her closer, gently asking her about the shopping and everything she might need for the engagement.
"Jayasvi beta, what do you need for the engagement? Have you thought about your dress?" Vandana asked softly, trying to comfort her.
Jayasvi shook her head, still too overwhelmed to speak. Vandana gently lifted her chin, looking into her eyes. "It's going to be okay. We're here for you," she assured.
As the days passed, the preparations for the engagement began in earnest. Jayasvi felt like she was caught in a whirlwind, with little control over her own life.
Despite Raghav's distant behavior, she tried to focus on the positive aspects of their relationship.
She remembered his kindness and the moments they shared, hoping that this engagement would bring them closer.
She sometimes felt scared of the marriage since she wasn't able to contact Raghav for so long.
After her father got to know everything, she didn't even have the right to deny to the marriage proposal.
Vandana asked her to join them for the shopping but she wasn't in the situation to do that.
She just asked her to choose whatever she thought was right.
Vandana being the understanding and loving mother-in-law went ahead with the engagement proposal.
After her extended family got to know about the whole engagement, there were different reactions to it.
Everybody was asking why her family was getting her married so soon.
Jayasvi did agree to it. She thought it was just meeting time for her.
She had time to choose. She don't even remember agreeing to the marriage but here she was sitting in her room waiting for one of driver send by Vandana to pick her up for the engagement party.
Vandana told her excitedly last night, how she wants everything best for her.
She chose the best makeup artist and Jewellery for her.
She didn't really see her dress till now.
Jayasvi looked at her hands having a dark color of henna in it. The mehendi artist was of her mother's choice who came yesterday. She sighed rubbing her face thinking about her life when she saw her mother coming in the room.
"We need to go", Anjali spoke. She could see how stress and tired her daughter was looking, this was all so fast for her. Her mother was going to accompany her while her grandmother would later come with her father.
Jayasvi nodded her head getting up from her bed.
She was dressed in light pink suit as she followed her mother.
They soon reached the hotel where the manager was already waiting for them.
Jayasvi was offered a welcome drink but she was in no mood to eat or drink anything.
She politely refused as one of the staff member showing her the room in which she was going to get ready.
Her mind would go back to what her father continued to tell her everyday.
"You think marrying in a rich family will make you happy. Remember your father's words, you'll cry the most there"
Jayasvi remembered how she always heard that God hears the wishes of parents quickly.
What if He heard this also? A curse. But that was what she was to everyone.
If she hadn't been born, her mother wouldn't have been tied to her father.
Maybe this was how she should be punished.
She took a deep breath, trying to control her tears, and looked at her phone. No messages or calls from Raghav.
Jayasvi felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she walked through the grand hotel lobby as directed by the manager who was helping her move towards her room.
The lavish decorations and bustling staff made her feel even more out of place.
The past few weeks had been a whirlwind, and she barely had a moment to process everything that was happening.
Her father's stern words echoed in her mind, filling her with dread and uncertainty about her future.
As she entered the suite where she would be getting ready, Vandana greeted her with a warm smile and a hug. "Jayasvi, you look beautiful even without the makeup," Vandana said, her eyes shining with pride. "I can't wait to see you all dolled up."
Jayasvi forced a smile, her thoughts still tangled with anxiety and sadness. The suite was filled with a team of stylists and makeup artists, all ready to transform her for the engagement ceremony. She sat down in front of the large mirror, the room buzzing with activity around her.
Jayasvi forced a smile, feeling overwhelmed by Vandana's enthusiasm.
The makeup artist and hair stylist started working on her immediately, and she felt like a doll being dressed up for a show.
Her thoughts kept drifting back to Raghav and his sudden distance.
Why hadn't he reached out to her? Was he having second thoughts too?
As the stylist worked on her hair, Jayasvi's phone buzzed with a message from Raghav. Her heart raced as she quickly opened it.
Raghav: I'm sorry for being distant. There's just been a lot on my mind.
Jayasvi's heart sank. She had hoped for a more reassuring message, but at least he acknowledged the distance. She replied with a simple, Okay and put her phone away, trying to focus on the present moment.
When her transformation was complete, Jayasvi barely recognized herself in the mirror. The makeup artist had done an incredible job, enhancing her natural beauty and making her look like a princess. Her outfit was a stunning orange lehenga with intricate gold embroidery.
As she walked out of the room, her mother gasped. "You look stunning, Jayasvi. Raghav is going to be speechless."
Jayasvi smiled weakly, still feeling the weight of uncertainty on her shoulders. She followed her mother to the grand room where the next ceremony was to take place. The room was filled with guests, and she felt all eyes on her as she entered.
First, there was another ritual where Vandana was gifting different things to Jayasvi.
She was made to sit down. She noticed how there were only females in the room.
They were singing folk songs, joking, and laughing.
Vandana moved forward with an older woman whom Jayasvi had never seen before but assumed was Raghav's grandmother.
Many women from her side were commenting on how she looked like a goddess with the dupatta on her head.
Jayasvi got up to touch the feet of the older woman, slightly pressing them just as she had seen her mother do when meeting any elder in the family.
"May God keep you happy," the woman, Gauri Hooda, blessed, keeping her hand over Jayasvi's head.
Then started the ritual where Jayasvi was given a red dupatta to place on her head and lap, just so it could hold the things they were going to gift her.
They started putting different jewelry boxes in her lap with Vandana making her wear the diamond jewelry which matched her dress.
Jayasvi felt like a doll at the moment when it was finally the last thing to do.
Her mother-in-law put vermilion on her forehead before placing it in her hair partition.
It somehow meant that she wasn't single anymore.
Vandana placed a set of beautiful bangles matching the dress and slowly started making Jayasvi wear them with a smile.
Jayasvi remembered how she always wanted to wear bangles.
Looking at her hands filled with the matching bangles of her dress made her realize how much things had changed.
It was her engagement today. After Vandana made her wear the bangles, she placed two gold bangles in her hand.
The ceremony proceeded with more blessings and gifts from the women of Raghav's family.
Jayasvi tried to keep a polite smile, but her mind kept wandering back to the nagging feeling of Raghav's recent aloofness.
As the ritual came to an end, Vandana escorted her back to the main hall where the men had gathered, including Raghav, whose eyes weren't ready to look away from her.
As she reached closer to the stage, he offered her his hand to help her climb up.
She shivered when she felt his touch on her hand.
This must be the first time he actually touched her and it felt weird.
She gulped down feeling blush covering her cheeks.
She could see cameras capturing every moment making her feel more shy.
A shy smile covered her lips as she got on the stage.
Standing beside him felt weird and the weirder part was that she should be angry with him at how he behaved with her but she felt different butterflies in her stomach at the moment.
As the engagement ceremony unfolded, Jayasvi felt a whirlwind of emotions. The hall was adorned with flowers and glittering decorations, creating an atmosphere of celebration. She stood beside Raghav, her heart pounding with nervousness and uncertainty.
When the time came for the ceremonial exchange of gifts and rings, she felt a mix of anticipation and hesitation. She extended her hand as tradition demanded, feeling a rush of goosebumps as Raghav gently made her wear the engagement ring.
His touch sent a shiver down her spine, and when he looked at her with such intensity, she couldn't help but feel weak in the knees. She blinked nervously, averting her gaze as she placed the engagement ring on his finger with trembling hands.
The ceremony proceeded with a lavish lunch where guests mingled and congratulated the couple. Jayasvi tried to smile and engage with the guests, but her mind was elsewhere, processing the whirlwind of events that had led to this moment.
As the afternoon wore on, guests began to depart, and Jayasvi was escorted to a room that had been prepared for her.
It was a beautiful suite in the hotel where the engagement had taken place, decorated with flowers and candles.
The reality of what had just transpired hit her all at once, and she sank onto the bed, feeling overwhelmed and unsure about the future that lay ahead.
Her emotions were in turmoil, torn between duty, family expectations, and her own feelings.
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