Chapter 79

Vimal agreed to marry Chaitra but he informed her parents that he need to speak to Chaitra and he entered the bride’s room after knocking the door. Before he could even speak Aadhi and Malini walked out and Chaitra stopped him showing her palm.

Chaitra: Vimal, don’t be the sudden groom and agree to marry me. Just turn back out and walk away. I can handle the mess in my life and I don’t care about what people talk about me at my face or at my back. That is for me to worry and handle. You don’t have to take my mess over your shoulder. I m warning you so better leave. I need to change and get out of this hell.

Vimal saw the tears from the corner of her eyes and she was gulpinng so hard to stop them from rolling down her cheeks. His heart ached and he clenched his fist on seeing her in pain and he couldn’t speak a word.

Vimal: I will wait at the altar.

He turned and walked out of the room leaving her in shocked state. Aadhi and Malini who heard everything since the door was open, entered the room and hugged her.

Aadhi: Chaitu, destiny is bringing you together Chaitu, please agree baby. He might take time but he will never hurt you for he himself knows the pain. He will cherish you Chaitu and its clear that the universe is giving you a chance, please don’t deny it.

Malini: Girl, I knew you are Vimal bro’s destiny and this wedding would never happen. Now don’t blame that I did something to stop the wedding because I didn’t. Now if you don’t agree then I swear to scream to everyone here about your one side love for him. Don’t be a dumbo and go embrace your love. Who knows your life would be like the sudden wedding I read yesterday, so intense.. so hot and so cool.

Chaitra’s mom and dad entered the room and hugged her with a smile.

Prabhakar: Chaitu, I don’t care that the donkey left with his family and I don’t mind going back home just like you said but I couldn’t do that after destiny has given a chance to my daughter’s long term onde sided love.

Aadhi, Malini and Chaitra were shocked while Rani only smiled caressing her daughter’s hair.

Rani: We knew long back but too late that he was married already. We thought you really wanted to move on and that is the reason we arranged for this marriage but after everything happened today I think you should give a chance to your love. He is a gentleman so I didn’t mind pleading him to marry you because I m sure he will be a devoted husband. Now that he agreed you don’t make it difficult for everyone and get married.

Prabhakar: Or if you think this is totally absurd then we shall leave and I will always be proud of you. I will apologize to Vimal and we shall just treat the guest and go back home.

Aadhi and Malini touched her shoulder and Aadhi pleaded her with her eyes whereas Malini threw daggers with eyes literally threatening her.

Chaitra: Ok fine, let me touch up a little to look good in photos.

They hugged her and Rani and Prabhakar walked out leaving the girls to get ready. Vimal saw them smile and Hari and Prabhakar hugged each other.

Hari: Vimal, go sit on the stage and let the priest start fresh.

Rishi: Wait a minute, I have a dhoti and white shirt, get changed into it.

Vimal: Why do you have dhoti and white shirt ?

Rishi: Let me remind you that my wife have mood swings and what would I do if she wanted me to be dressed in a dhoti and white shirt at Chaitra’s wedding ?

Rishi rushed to the parking and returned with a shopping bag. Vimal entered the groom’s room and got changed into the dhoti and white shirt. He stood before the mirror and took an exaggerated breathe and closed his eyes to relax his mind.

Vimal: god, you literally made my life a playground and use me as ball, kicking to your own wish and mood. She doesn’t deserve a broken man like me. She is pure as morning dew whereas I m stuck in a tsunami of stress and oh my god… that fucking dream woman ?

Before he could think further the door opened and Rishi called him out for the wedding. Vimal sat on the stage, the one he never thought of sitting for the second time. He watched Chaitra walking towards the stage and Aadhi made her sit next to him. They carried out all the rituals in silence and it was like everything happening in a lightning speed and the priest gave the nuptial thread to Vimal.

Kavitha and Aadhi stood behind Chaitra looking all happy and Vimal gulped and looked at Chaitra who was already looking at him. Rishi nudged him and Vimal tied it around Chaitra’s neck. They moved on to next ritual and Vimal crouched down to slid the toe ring but he gulped on seeing her toes which resembled to the toes of the woman from his dream. He shut his eyes for a fleeting moment and cursed his mind and opened his eyes to do the task in hand. He slowly held her toe and felt a spark which made his heart thud against his rig cage. Chaitra fisted the saree and curled her toes feeling his cold touch. Vimal gently held her toe and slid the ring. Later both the families and all the guest blessed the couple with flowers and the newly wed couple sought blessing from their parents before they were taken to separate rooms.

Chaitra stood before the mirror and looked at the nuptial thread on her chest, her eyes caught the sight of the gift Vimal gave her minutes ago. She sat on the bed holding the gift in her hand when Aadhi and Rishi entered the room and locked the door. Adhi sat next to her and Rishi sat opposite to her on a chair.

Rishi: Life has its own way of doing miracles in our life isn’t it ? I don’t have to power to read your mind and I certainly don’t know what will be your decision and how you will act now but I wanted you to look at me and Aadhi. Our life is an example to you, he will never hurt you, you are in safe hands. I strongly believe you two are destined to be together.

Aadhi: Chaitu, isn’t the gift bro gave it to you ? Shall we look what he had chose for you ?

Chaitra removed the gift wrappers and looked at the ring box. She looked at Aadhi and Rishi before she opened it and immediately closed it with a gasp.

Aadhi: Hey, what did he gift you ?

Aadhi picked the box from her Chaitra’s hand and her jaws dropped on seein the toe rings in it. She showed it to Rishi who just chuckled and rose to his feet.

Rishi: I don’t need to say anything more or anything less. Listen to your heart and lead your life. Take care of him and I know he will take care of you.

Rishi held Aadhi’s hand and they walked out leaving Chaitra to think on her own. She was now looking at the toe rings and was shocked and surprised.

Chaitra: Why did he gift me a toe ring ? Is he mad or did some confusion happen at the store when he bought a gift for me ?

In the meanwhile in the groom’s room, Vimal was sweating and looking at himself when Rishi entered with a smile.

Rishi: I m so proud of you buddy. Wash your face and get ready to have your first breakfast with your wife.

Vimal: Rishi, do you think I could do this ?

Rishi: You will be the best husband and I m sure your sister will start fighting after she gets to know from Chaitra about how you treat her. You have gone through a lot Vimal and I m not expecting to start things immediately but just think about yourself and Aadhi. Don’t let Chaitra go through what you and Aadhi had endured. Talk to her and give her the comfort. She is very kind and she would understand you. Finally I have one thing to say and that is you are one lucky man Vimal, you are truly lucky. Lets go now.

Rishi and Vimal walked out of the room and the couple were made to sit together to have breakfast. Rishi and Aadhi sat opposite to Vimal and Chaitra while Malini sat next to Chaitra and watched Rishi feeding Aadhi with his hands.

Malini: Aadhi, you are so lucky girl. Look at Rishi bro, he is feeding you like you are the only person here and nobody else exsit around you two. Am I right Chaitu ?

Chaitra: Ofcourse Aadhi is a lucky girl. Our Rishi bro is a gentleman.

Hari: Our Vimal is gentleman too. Am I right Vimal ?

Vimal choked on the food and Chaitra’s caring instinct immediatey kicked her and she started patting his head and passed him water. Vimal was grappling with his ocean of emotions and hardly ate the food whereas Chaitra kept asking for more and ate to her heart and licked her fingers which Vimal saw from his peripheral view.

Kavitha insisted on Vimal and Chaitra stay at her home but Rishi convinced her and Hari that the couple should be left alone to handle their life so finally they decided to accompany the couple to Vimal’s home and stay for few hours before they are left alone. Kavitha and Rani with Hari and Prabhakar left early and Rishi, Aadhi, Vimal, Chaitra and Malini got in a car with Chaitra and Vimal in the back seat with Malini who was pushing Chaitra close to Vimal.

Malini: God, now I will be fifth wheeling and both my brothers are lover boys so I will be left alone watching these four romance so please send some one for me.

Chaitra nudged her with elbow and Malini gave her a smirk.

Malini: What happened Chaitu, are you feeling tired ? Don’t worry, now you have your husband and is shoulder is reserved for you so lean and sleep to your heart. I will wake you upon reaching your home, sweet home.

Chaitra scooted towards Malini and pinched her arm glaring at her while Rishi and Aadhi were laughing out hearing Malini’s teasings which continued until Rishi stopped the car at Vimal’s apartment.

Malini entered the home and saw Kavitha and Rani ready to welcome the couple with aarti. Vimal and Chaitra stood at the entrance and before their mothers started welcoming them Malini stopped them.

Malini: Vimal bro, hold your wife’s hand and give her a warm welcome into your home and life.

Vimal didn’t look at Chaitra but his palm slowly clutched her soft palm and Chaitra felt the sweat and chillness in his palm. Once they were welcomed Vimal let go of her hand and they got seated on the couch with space for a person to sit between them. Malini sat between them and immediately Chaitra glared at her.

Malini: Don’t glare at me Chaitu, if you both leave space then sure a third person would occupy it so its a lesson you should always stick together.

Malini rose to her feet and immediately both Vimal and Chaitra tried to close the distance and ended up sitting close to each other with her arms brushing. Both of them froze to the  touch and Vimal moved a little and sat without touching her.

Prabhakar placed Chaitra’s trolley in the hall and Kavitha placed it in Vimal’s room. Vimal removed the garland and excused to his room and Hari followed him with Kavitha. Vimal stood in the balcony holding the railing and Hari touched his shoulder.

Hari: Vimal, I can understand your state now but be patient with her and give a chance to this marriage. We have seen Chaitra grow up just like Aadhi, she is a very kind girl and she knows everything about you so she will understand that you will need time. Just don’t push her away Vimal.

Vimal bobed his head and the rest of the day he stayed in his room and occassionally moving out and having conversation with the men. Rishi drove to his home and returned with a box that Aadhi asked for and gave it to her. Chaitra stayed in the guest room with Aadhi and Malini. By night they had dinner together and everyone left leaving the couple alone.

Vimal saw Chaitra dressed in a simple saree and seated on the couch. He sat opposite to her and fidgeted with his fingers.

Vimal: Chaitra……