Chapter 3

Adhira entered her room with Vimal following her and saw him staring at her. She huffed and pulled him to sit on her bed not before pushing away the scattered clothes on it.

Vimal: Aadhi, I can’t let you sacrifice your life for the sake of my love. I will talk to Manjari and stop this arrangement.

Aadhira: Bro, I already like that man. I don’t think he is anything like you spoke about him. He is the one who helped your love. He sent his parents to our home and look everything is happening without any problem. Now show me his photo and may be I will reject him if he doesn’t look close to my crush.

Vimal: No, that is not happening.

Aadhira: Now I m curious. Either you show me his photo or I can wait until evening to meet him.

Aadhira saw his face and with a gentle smile held his hand.

Aadhi: Bro, if you can worry so much about me then why will I not worry for your life ? Enough of living to our father’s wishes. I know I m young but matured enough to decide things for us. I don’t want you to suffer your life marrying someone of our father’s choice. And about me, you know me very well bro. If that man is really a rock then don’t you think I can melt him just like how I melt my brother to write my assignments ? Come on, show me his photo.

Vimal: Sometimes I wonder who is elder among us Aadhi but remember I m always here for you. You don’t have to go through anything for anyone’s cause. Live for yourself.

Aadhi wiped a drop of tear from the corner of her eyes which she had masked for a long time and saw the photo in Vimal’s mobile. She clutched her heart and plopped on the bed blinking in shock. Vimal pushed her and she return to the reality and once again took a look at the photo to confirm if she wasn’t dreaming.

Aadhira Mv: Oh my god, my destiny is really in my favour. Awww my crushy baby.

Vimal: Aadhi, tell me you will reject him. Please.

Aadhira made a sad face and stood by the window while Vimal stood frowing and waiting for her reply.

Aadhi: Do we have a choice to decide our life bro ? What our father decides will happen and I m a very obedient daughter so I will agree to whatever our father decide for me. Didn’t you hear what he said to our father in law and mother in law ?

Vimal: our father in law , mother in law ?

Aadhi: Not yet mine but your future father in law ok ? Our father said that I m his pride. How can I let him down ? Let it go brother, what is written in destiny will happen. Now you should leave for office and don’t forget to buy some special sweets for your brother in law.

Vimal walked out of her room and Aadhi started twirling around that she would finally meet her crush. Also she was sure that her father will accept to the proposal. Vimal called Manajari as soon he started to office and updated her everything that happened in the morning. She was so surprised on knowing that her brother actually stood for her and sent her parents to fix the marriage.

Manjari squealed in excitement but Vimal spoke nothing or expressed his excitment about the wedding.

Manjari: Vimal, aren’t you happy that we will get married ?

Vimal: I m Manjari, but I m worried for my sister. I know your brother and how do you expect me to be happy knowing my sister’s life will be ruined just because of me. I m sorry Manjari, I lied to you about my family. Mine is just like your family in following all the stupid customs and traiditions but you don’t have to worry, I will be in support of you.

Manjari was calm for a while and Vimal sighed in frustration.

Vimal: Manjari say something, I promise to take care of you.

Manjari : If your family is just like mine then why do you think Aadhi’s life will be ruined ? Both our families follow the stupid customs so don’t you think that we are actually exchanging places so what difference will it make ?

Vimal: Atleast I will be in support of you but I can’t the same if my sister’s wedding is fixed with your brother.

Manjari: He is not a monster and I think Aadhi will survive in any place.

Vimal: What the fuck do you mean by she will live in any place ? She is my sister dammit.

Manjari: Vimal, I meant she could change my brother. Afterall he too deserve someone in his life and now with me in your life, you can be assured that he will take care of Aadhi.

Vimal: Whatever, I will talk to you later and I hope your parents really reject my sister for your brother.

He cut the call and Manjari grit her teeth and threw the mobile on the bed.

Manjar Mv: For god sake, let mom and dad fix both the marriage.

Raghavan and Vaani returned home and Manjari tried her best to hide her excitement. They heard footsteps and Rishi entered the livinng followed by Sudhir.

Rishi: Why did you call me dad ? Is everything ok ?

Raghavan: Manjari, I hope you know about Aadhira ?

Manjari: Yes dad, She is a very calm and polite girl. She follow every word of her parents, the customs of the family.

Raghavan: Atleast she is sensible to wait for her parents choices in her life. Now get back to your room.

Manjari bobed her head and rushed to her room and shut the door. In the living Rishi looked at his father and knew he had planned something.

Raghavan: Rishi, I kept my words and talked to Vimal’s parents just like you wanted. Now its your turn and will agree to my condition.

Rishi: what is it dad ?

Raghavan: You will marry Vimal’s sister Aadhira. She is perfect for you and just now you heard about her from your beloved sister for whom you fought last night. Aadhira is 21 years old, doing her final year college. I have seen her with my own eyes and trust me she is the perfect one for you.

Rishi: You wanted me to marry a child dad ?

Raghavan: 21 is the right age for wedding Rishi. Me and your mother have a age gap of 11 years. Aadhira is just 9 years younger than you. Age is just a number. I don’t want to wait any longer to find a girl for you so either both the wedding will happen or I will find a man for Manjari of my choice.

Rishi grit his teeth and for the first time he wanted to fight his father for his life but just the thought of his sister he made his mind.

Rishi: Alright, I will meet the girl and my decision will be final. You won’t force me and get Manjari married to Vimal.

Prithvirajan: No my dear grandson, that will not happen. Its either yes or no at all. Get ready we leave in the evening as a family and fix both the wedding.

Rishi was shocked to hear his grandfather’s words that came out as an order. On watching the elders leave Rishi stormed to his room and slumped on the couch in frustration.

Rishi: Why the fuck do they want me to marry someone so younger than me ? I hope she is what Manjari said. I don’t want to end up with some annoying brat and lose my peace.

Manjari who had heard everything started dancing in excitment that both the wedding will happen for sure since their grandfather had decided. She started selecting the best outfit to impress Hari and Kavitha.

At the same time Aadhi made some banana pulp and mixed it with curd and turmeric before she rushed to her room. She locked the door and stood before the mirror with the paste in her hand.

Aadhi: The secret of my beauty is banana. Come on Aadhi, your crush should fall in love at first sight with you. Step one glow your face naturally, step two – select the best dress and finally prepare some shock treatment for him that he will never forget our first meet.

She played a song in her mobile and started applying the pack on her face and shaking her hip to the beat of the music.

In the evening Adhi got dressed in a beautiful peacock green silk saree with matching blouse. she braided her hair in french style and adorned it with some flowers. She twirled around holding the pallu of her saree and stopped picking the nude lipstick to highlight her baby lips.

Just as she heard the sound of cars she quickly made her way to the back of their home and hid herself. Raghavan and Vaani got down from the car and following them she saw a beautiful girl dressed in full length gown wearing expensive jewels. She looked at herself and a frown appeared on her face.

Aadhi Mv: Am I looking too much dressed for my age ? Who cares, I m the most beautiful girl and my sister in law the next beautiful girl.

She saw Prithiviraj following them and her curiosity killed her to get a glimpse of her crushy baby. Just as everyone entered the home, the door of the second car opened and Rishi stepped out royally talking to someone over call. He cut the call and locked the car still trying to hide his frustration.

Aadhi couldn’t avert her gaze from him. Rishi was dressed in a tailored button down peach shirt and black pant. She watched him rake his fingers through his hair all set to make his entry. A naught smirk appeared on her face and she stepped forward making sure her path was clear of anyone.

Aadhi: Hello Uncle…….

Aadhi screamed and Rishi halted in his steps trying to locate the annoying voice. She waved her hands with a smile while Rishi grit his teeth and looked around to check whom she was calling but to his dismay there was none other than him.

Rishi Mv: What the fuck ?

Aadhi: Hello uncle, where is the groom ?

Rishi lost his last string of patience in him and was about to lash out on her but Aadhi scurried back to her room and quickly pulled out all the clothes in her wardrobe looking for a peach outfit. She pulled out a maxi gown with full length sleeve and got changed into it quickly. She was patiently waiting for her mother to take her to meet her crush.

Hari, Kavitha and Vimal welcomed Rishi’s family and Raghavan introduced Manjari and Rishi to Hari and Kavitha. Immediately after introduction Hari started questioning Rishi about his school, college, business. Rishi felt like he was in a interview and wanted to run away from everything.

Prithviraj: Don’t you want to talk to Manjari or question her ?

Hari: She will live with us and we will take care of her but I will be sending my daughter to your home under Rishi’s responsibility so I need to know him.

Prithviraj: You should call Aadhira and let Rishi meet her first later we shall talk further on fixing the wedding.

Hari looked at Kavitha and she immediately stepped out of the living and entered Aadhi’s room.

Kavitha: Aadhi, you are so lucky, Rishikesh is very handsome and well settled. I think he is the one for you.

Aadhi Mv: Rishikesh, my crushy baby is Rishi.. my Rishu…

Kavitha held her hand and they arrived in the living. Rishi was completely shocked to see her and she had changed into a costume to match his shirt. Further to his shock Aadhi touched Prithivi, Raghavan and Vaani’s feet for their blessing.

Vimal cursed her clenching his fist while Hari bore a proud smile about his daughter.

Rishi held his grand father’s elbow and gestured him to walk out to talk so the duo excused from everyone and returned to the porch.

Grandpa: What is that so urgent that you can’t wait until we return home Rishi ?

Rishi: Grandpa, she is fake, please stop this proposal. I can’t and I will never marry such a brat. Please grand pa I beg you. I have always listened to all your words and for once please let me decide my life. She is not the one for me.

His grandpa pat his shoulder and they returned to the living. Rishi sighed in relief that he wouldn’t have to marry the annoying girl he just met but everything was short lived.

Grandpa: Rishi likes Aadhira and wanted the marriage to happen at the immediate auspicious date.

Rishi was extremely shocked while Aadhi stood blush creeping her cheeks. Everyone was happy to hear his decision.

Rishi Mv: She called me uncle so probably she wouldn’t want to marry me and here none seem to care about her decision. May be her decision will stop all this nonsense.

Rishi: Please check with her if she is ready for this wedding ? She might be having some thoughts about her future husband so her decision matters.

Aadhi Mv: So sweet of Rishu, he cares about my decision. You are really a gentleman.

Hari: Aadhi, I like Rishi very much still I want to know your decision.

Aadhi: I trust you daddy, you will always want the best for me so I accept this proposal.

Rishi Mv: Wow, she is puppet to her father’s choice. Now I will have to marry a brat who has double face and behaves a puppet to her father’s words.

” What about you ? You took agreed to your grandfather’s words so you are a puppet too” his conscience mocked him.

Finally they decided both the wedding to happen on the same day and that was exactly in a month’s time. Manjari and Aadhi were so happy but stayed calm hiding their excitement. Vimal was upset and worried for his sister. Rishi was at the verge of killing someone at the turn of events. Hari informed Aadhi to serve sweets to everyone and she made her way to the kitchen.

She returned holding a tray and served sweets to everyone. Just as she stood before Rishi he looked at her gritting his teeth but Aadhi winked at him that made him choke on his saliva.