Chapter 9

Someone came and told me that my mom was calling me so I went there. She was standing there with aunty and Priya. When she looked at me, she said, " Rahul, go inside your dad needs to talk to you." I was a bit surprised … what was she doing here but I just nodded and went inside. Uncle and dad were looking happy. " Rahul with God's grace and Kabir help, we found a very beautiful, sensitive, sweet-natured girl for you, she is ready to get married to you at such short notice. She is an angel, but promise me you will take very good care of her and you will always keep her happy, because if you don't, I'll kill you with my own hands." I was surprised, how did Uncle find the girl so easily and so soon? but I just nodded. " But who is the girl?" " Well, it is Priya," Dad told me. What ?? Is he joking with me ? No doesn't look like. Oh, my god!! I didn't even know. how to react. I kept on looking at both of them. I couldn't believe my ears. Then Uncle asked," Do you have any problem with that Rahul." " No, but is she ready to get married to me?? If she has agreed, then it is fine with me." I said "Yes Rahul, she has agreed but as you know it is such short notice, still she gave her consent to get us out of this situation, you need to understand the situation as well and you need to be very nice with her and take very good care of her. You will have to give her time to adjust so that you both can develop some feelings for each other. Please let her be comfortable before you even think of starting a marriage. My dad said to me, glaring at me. I just nodded. Uncle asked me, " Beta, I hope I can trust you with my most precious possession." " Uncle please just rest assured I will take very good care of her," I replied. Uncle hugged me and told me to get ready. Mehul was waiting very anxiously for me. " What happened?" I told him that I am getting married within 30 minutes." What? Has Uncle found a girl for you? Who is she? ...Come on say something, who is she?" He was very curious to know. " Priya " "Priya? Who Priya? ….You mean Priya? Are you serious?" " Yes " "Wow !!! That's great Congratulations !!! I am so happy for you. " He was grinning now as he knew, I had feelings for her. I didn't know how to react. I didn't even know what I was feeling right now. I never thought this was ever possible. I had feelings for her but I always suppressed them. I thought it was unethical to have such feelings for her as she was too young and was almost like a family. I thought if Uncle and aunty came to know about my feelings for her it will affect their relationship with my parents. I didn't want that, so I avoided her. I still remember an incident when we had a party at our place, I was 16 at that time and she was 12. I was looking at her and one of my friends asked, " Why are you looking at that child?" That sentence always remained in my mind. I can't be attracted to a child. I didn't want anybody to call me a cradle snatcher. She was almost my family. I was still thinking about her when Rohit told me to come for Jai Mala, I followed him. I noticed that he has a mischievous smile as if he knew something. But what? I was waiting for her when I saw her coming with her parents. I was mesmerized to see her. She was looking, as if she was from another world. Just like some pure, innocent angel. I felt as if my heart skipped a few beats. What was happening to me? Mehul pulled my hand and whispered, " Close your mouth otherwise, some insect might enter it." I pulled myself together and as she came near the stage, I offered my hand to help her climb the steps. She holds it after a few seconds of hesitation. As soon as our hands met I felt as if I got a current. We exchanged garlands and then took Pheras while saying our vows. Uncle officially handed over her to me. She was mine now. Mrs Priya Rahul Kapoor. Wedding night After all the rituals were performed mom told me to go to study as dad wanted to talk to me. I went there and my dad said, " Rahul I wanted to talk to you and I want you to pay heed. Leena was a very irresponsible girl, I don't want you to have any connections with her. She didn't even think about our reputation. We would've faced humiliation, if Kabir had not come up with the marriage proposal. Now that you are married to her, I want you to understand that it was a sudden decision and she doesn't have any feelings for you. You need to be very nice to her. Give her time to adjust and try your level best to make this marriage work. But don't impose yourself on her, just take things at a slow pace." I said, " Yes dad, don't worry I cut all the connections the moment I read that letter and as far as Priya is concerned, I will take care of her and be nice to her, I understand all this." Dad's expressions became softer and he smiled at me and said good night. I went to my room. It was decorated with flowers and candles. Oh, this is so awkward. After we had a little talk regarding her decision to get married to me, I found that she is really very sweet and innocent. For her family comes first, she didn't even think about her happiness. She was more worried about my dad's well being, how selfless she was. She was looking very pretty, but tired, so I suggested that she should change. She started undoing her hairstyle. I tried not looking at her but it was difficult so I opened my laptop and pretended that I was busy. Her wedding dress dupatta was stuck and she was trying to detach it but it was secured with many safety pins. I asked her, "Do you need help? I can call mom." "Yes, this is very complicated, I can't do it on my own... pls call her." I went out to call mom, but she had already slept. I came back and said, " I am sorry but mom was very tired, she has already slept." I went near her and asked, "I can't find anyone right now to help you, but I can, if you want." She hesitated but as there was no option she nodded. I removed her hair to a side and started removing those safety pins. Her proximity was bothering me. My hand brushed against her bare back and she shivered. Her reaction to my touch was exciting me even more. Her skin was like porcelain. I had to control myself. Then I helped her and she changed into her night wear. She was looking cute in that. I couldn't trust myself at the moment, so I decided to take the couch instead of sharing the same bed. She said she would sleep there but I refused. It was too small for me but I couldn't afford it to sleep beside her. She slipped under the covers and slept within minutes. I kept looking at her.