CHAPTER 3

Marriage day

Today is marriage day and both brides were sad. Tina was sad for two reasons, first, she was not going to marry the person whom she always wanted to and second, her love was going to marry another girl in front of her eyes. While Sia was scared for her future, she was uncertain about this marriage. 

Sia slowly walked toward the mandap  (where marriage takes place), and her mother helped her to sit on the mandap beside Abhimanyu. Gaining the courage, she turned toward him, who was sitting with an emotionless face. By looking at his face, she can't tell whether he is sad, upset, or angry. She was scared of him, she knows somewhere she is responsible for all this mess. If she didn't enter the room or tried to stop him, then all this would not happen. But, this is her fate and she can't do anything. He is her husband, and she will do anything to make this marriage successful. She came out of the trance when the priest asked them to join hands and pray to God. 

Tina who was sitting beside Viren staring at Sia and Abhimanyu, today Sia snatched her love. She snatched Abhimanyu from her, she calmed her heart saying their marriage is a forced one. Abhimanyu will never accept her. Moreover, it's Sia's bad luck, she has to marry a rapist. Sia digs her own grave through this marriage and she will enjoy her condition. She wanted to see Sia and Abhimanyu in pain, she wanted to take revenge for all her sufferings and this marriage is a way to revenge. 

Later, the priest asked both couples to stand up from their places and started taking rounds around the holy fire. After that, he asked to fill the vermillion in the bride's hairline and tied a nuptial chain around her neck. Abhimanyu followed the priest's instruction, he fill her hairline and tied a nuptial chain around her neck without looking at her. 

Finally, the priest declared them husband and wife. 

Sia entered Abhi's room slowly and saw him pacing in the room angrily.  He walked to the cupboard, picked up the alcohol bottle, and started drinking. Sia sighed sadly, and slowly she entered the washroom to change her clothes. In the washroom, she stood under the shower and started crying profusely. She was scared of him, she was scared thinking of what he would do tonight. What would he do? Will he beat her or try to force her, after all, he tried to molest a girl once. She closed her eyes and tried to shrug off all her thoughts.  She wore her clothes and walked out of the washroom. 

She saw him still drinking while sitting on the sofa. Abhimanyu raised his head and saw her staring at him, he looked at her puffy eyes and felt bad for her. Suddenly, reality strikes him, and for the first time after that incident, he felt some emotions which were not good for him. He didn't want to experience anything, he didn't want to feel any emotions that only hurt him. To calm down, he picked up the bottle and drank in one go.

Sia got shocked when she saw Abhi stand up from the sofa. He slowly started walking toward her, looking at her dangerously. She started taking a step back and kept walking until her back touched the wall. Before she could react, he caged her between his arms. 

Sia was feeling uncomfortable, because of her deep-neck nightie. She didn't want to wear this, but this is the only night dress available. Maybe it's her friends who packed this at the time when her marriage was fixed with Mihir, tomorrow the first thing she will do is go and buy a decent night dress. 

She came out of her trance when she felt Arnav's cold hand on her shoulder. He was trying to remove the strap, she tightly held his hand and stammered "What are you doing? Please, leave me." 

"Don't act naive. You very well know what I am doing. " He said in a husky voice while caressing her cheeks. Her eyes widened in shock listening to him. She started pushing him when he held her hand tightly and said, bringing her mouth near her ears, she could feel his hot breath on her skin "Why are you behaving like this? You are wearing this night dress, obviously to seduce me. If you want sex so badly, you can just ask me. No need to use this cheap trick. "

Before she could reply, he picked her in bridal style and threw her on the bed. She hisses in pain due to the sudden jerk, he hovers over her and says in a husky voice, roaming his hand all over her body " Indeed, you have a sexy body. Let me taste you after all you are my wife. Don't worry, I will make sure you enjoy it." 

Tears started rolling through her eyes, she was feeling humiliated by the way his hand touched her body. Words are not coming out of her mouth, she starts struggling to come out of his hold but all in vain as he tightens his hold. He slowly started leaning toward her lips, she tightly closed her eyes in anticipation. Suddenly, he got up and straightened himself. 

Not feeling his weight over her body, she opened her eyes and tried to sit when suddenly she screamed in pain when he held her hair in his fist and warned her " This is the last time, I am warning you not to use this cheap trick. You wanted to seduce me so, I accept you as my wife. Never, I hate you. I am in this condition because of you. I am in this unwanted relationship because of you. Remember, stay away from me. I will never accept you as my wife. If you want, you can finish this marriage. I can't do this thanks to my father, but you can if you want. Mark my words, I will never accept you as my wife." After saying this, he removed his hand from her hair and left it with a jerk. He walked angrily inside the washroom. 

He came out of the washroom and saw her crying sitting on the bed. He knows she is also a victim but he has to do this.  He doesn't want her to keep any expectations with this marriage, she needs to know he doesn't want to do anything with her. He averted his gaze, walked to the sofa, and slept while Sia kept crying until sleep overtook her. 

The next morning, Sia woke up with a bad headache. She turned her gaze toward the sofa, where he was sleeping. Tears started forming in her eyes remembering his harsh words about her. She closed her eyes tightly, and she built courage "Naina, you are a fighter. You can't lose yourself. You can't give up." She took a deep breath and walked inside the washroom to start her new day. She has decided to go to the hospital as she doesn't want to stay with him. She needs peace, which she can't get in this house with him. 

After taking a bath, she wiped her body and came out wearing a bathrobe. She made sure she didn't disturb his sleep. She wanted to go to the hospital before he woke up. She hurriedly started applying lipstick, and by mistake, the comb fell on the floor breaking his sleep. She cursed herself for her carelessness. 

She rushed inside the closet and came out wearing an office suit. He was confused when he saw her. Sia, who was combing her hair, looked at him through the mirror. She saw his confused face, she thought in her mind "Why was he staring at me? Did he want to know, where am I going? Didn't he know I am a doctor?" 

Then she scolded herself "Of course, how did he know, it's not like our is a love marriage or arranged marriage. It's a weird  kind of forced marriage."

"But, he was Tina's best friend and ex-fiance. Didn't she tell him about her?" She argued. She knows the answer, Tina hates her. Why would she talk about her?

She turned toward him and said, " I am going to the hospital."  Abhimanyu looked at her and asked "Why? Are you sick?" 

She shook her head and said "No, I am a doctor. " Abhimanyu was shocked to hear that his wife is a doctor. He looked at her, she is beautiful, innocent, and has a good career. Her life got spoiled because of him, she deserves a much better man than him. 

He composed himself and snapped at her "Why are you telling me? As I told you earlier, you are not my real wife. I am not interested to know about your life. I don't care where you are going." After saying this, he walked inside the washroom and closed the door with a thud. 

Sia sighed sadly and walked downstairs. 

When she reached downstairs and saw Viren feeding Tina while everyone clapped for them. She felt a pang of jealousy seeing this, she is happy for her sister but she felt sad thinking about her married life. What would be the future of this marriage? She is scared of him, he was accused and spent 3 months in prison. Did she want a happy married life with a criminal? 

She came out of the trance hearing her mother-in-law's voice "Sia, what are you doing there? Come here, have breakfast." 

"No, mom. I am getting late to the hospital. I will eat there." She replied with a smile, her mother-in-law tried to stop but Sia protested and walked out of the house after hugging her mother-in-law. 

Abhi's mother was crying sitting on the bed, her husband asked her with concern while sitting beside her"What happened? Why are you crying?" 

"Nothing, I got emotional when Sia addressed me, Mom. It's been so long since I heard “Mom " from Sia's mouth." She said while crying, putting her head on his chest. Abhimanyu's dad just held her tightly, understanding her pain. Abhimanyu is their only son, and seeing their son dying daily is very painful. They kept crying at their fate.