Chapter- 1

Rithu's POV

It was a bright Monday morning I was traveling on a bus. The time is about 8.30 am when everyone rushing to their school, college, and work. Sitting on the window side seat and listening to my favorite songs I watched the passing building, vehicles, and people. Though the climate is quite sunny, I am enjoying the warmness on my skin.

Today I missed my regular bus where my friends and I usually travel. The bus journey is blissful when we have a friend who tells us interesting gossip. This half an hour of travel will never bore us but today I am missing that.

When I reached my University I walked to my class looking down. Suddenly someone pulled my bag from behind. I turned to find my friend Nithya, she smiled brightly and I took off my earphones.

"Good morning sleepyhead," she said putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Morning," I replied with a small smile and we started to walk. We were friends for almost ten years, though I don't have any siblings, only a cousin sister and Nithya gave that sibling feel to me.

"I thought you would come earlier Nithya, why are you late?"

"I also missed our bus Rithu,"

"Oh, I see," I smiled.

"Let's go to our class, I need to do a" she said with enthusiasm and we reached our department.

The classes since it is our final semester and we were having only our project work. Me, Nithya, and Shana, three are in the same group. There are only two months left for my Master's degree to finish and I am working hard to finish my project.

On the other hand, my parents were planning for my marriage as recently my dad got hospitalized when he fainted in his workplace with severe chest pain. He was diagnosed with atherosclerosis and we had treated that immediately.

The doctor has advised him not to do any heavy works and to take enough rest. So he was worried about everything, especially about my life, and wanted me to get married as soon as possible.

I want to work and I want to lead my own life for at least two years without anyone's help but my father's compulsion and his health condition have made my mind accept this.

After finishing off some important works in my project I noticed the time at 4.30 pm. I packed my things and Nithya gave me some documents in a pen drive for my reference to print the thesis; since there's only a week for us to submit our project, so we have to make everything perfect for getting good marks. I am always a good student and sometimes I will be the class topper anyhow, there is no use in getting good marks since I am going to get married to an unknown stranger, I don't know what he's up to.

I reached my home at 5.30 pm when I entered, my parents were busily discussing something in the living room and they looked as they were waiting for me. There is something going on.

"Rithu, you came!" My mom exclaimed plastering her face with a smile.

"Yes mom," I replied and walked into my room.

I changed my clothes and went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. When I was about to drink that my mom called my name and I went there to see them.

"What mom?" I asked and looked at their faces.

After a small silence, my dad started to speak.

"Rithu do you know my friend Kishore; he's having a son running a business in Chennai and Friday they're coming here to see you," hearing that I got a little nervous. I don't know what to say it's very sudden and my mom smiled at me like it's not at all a big deal.

It is not a shock I already know that yesterday my dad was speaking about me to someone on the phone, and in the evening he went to give my photo to them but it is much unexpected.

"But dad, please wait for at least a month," I said to him cause I not even finished my final exams.

"No Rithu we can't wait, it's the best proposal and you already know everything right?" he said like it was his final decision.

I said nothing and I want to think about this so I went to the terrace and sat on the bench. I gazed at the devoid cloudy sky which resembled my current life.

What I did in my life, what I achieved?? I asked myself.

Nothing!! My subconscious replied mockingly.

At that time my mom came and sat beside me, she placed her hand on my hand, and I know what she's going to say.

"Rithu I know what you're thinking dear you know dad is not in a good health and we also want the best for you so try to accept this.

Life renders various situations Rithu we have to accept all and go through that so don't confuse yourself and accept this," my mom said. She is also right if I go against this my parents will only suffer. So I made my mind to get married.

"Okay mom, I can understand," I said halfheartedly with a small smile.

My mom was happy with my decision and she hugged me.

"Don't worry about anything dear we are always with you and we will do only the right thing for you?" my mom assured.

I didn't sleep that night thinking about every possibility to escape from this situation but that will only show I am not a good daughter to my parents.

The next day I went to my college everything was the same; I didn't utter a single word about this marriage proposal to Nithya and Shana because I felt really shy.

During the break, I went to the library to read something because I love reading and I am damn bored of studying only the subject books for almost two months for this project work. I took some random newspaper and started to read, in the business column there I saw a man he's so good looking with a manly smile and that article was about him.

A young businessman named Vikram owns a rapidly developing architectural firm; he is now constructing a mall with high facilities in Chennai and his native is Coimbatore, where I am living. I gazed at the features of that man for some time but I don't know why. But soon I shifted my thoughts hearing a creaky sound of the chair, I turned over the page automatically and continued to read some local and national news then I felt even bored, so I closed the newspaper and went back to my class.

As days passed, my project neared its completion stage. I got a signature on my thesis from my project guide, and I am doing my final touches. During a busy day, Nithya called and asked me to come to the canteen so I went. Since we are doing our projects with different faculties we don't have the chance to meet often.

Sipping my favorite strawberry milkshake Nithya waved her hand to notify me, I smiled and saw another one for me on the table.

I wanted to tell her that I going to get married but I am still feeling shy, yeah I am very shy when it comes to love, marriage, etc. But I have to say this or else she will get mad if she finds out on her own,

Without having another choice I told them everything and also the tea came while we are chatting and heard my story. They first didn't believe me and teasingly congratulated me but when I said that it's all true they became surprised.

Nithya asked me about whom I am going to marry, and what he is doing but I don't know the answer to her question.

I said I don't know him Even his name.

They were surprised even more.

"Then when are you going to meet him?" Nithya questioned me.

"This Friday, I think so," I said pursing my lips.

"Oh...Congratulations," Nithya teased again. I just stared at them angrily for teasing me but I can't control my laughter so we laughed and started talking about my marriage.

As time moves, we three girls were so engrossed in discussing our future life and husband without having a thought that we were getting late to reach our home.