Chapter 5

*Mridula Pov* 

I continued to smile even after entering Aunty’s room thinking finally we can be normal with each other unlike in the past nearly two years. 

“What is it, Aunty?” I asked her and released my smile when I saw her having a serious look on her face. 

“Will you do something if I ask you to?” she asked, folding her arms making me frown. 

“Of course! What shall I do?” I asked back. 

“Marry my son, Tajwar.” she replied and I immediately stepped back, not believing her words. 

“What?” I asked her thinking she may have said something else, and I heard it in this way. 

“Marry Tajwar!” she repeated and I shook my head. 

“I don’t understand! Why do you want me to marry him, Aunty?” I asked her frowning. 

After a few seconds of silence, she mumbled “I think you are exactly what he needs in his life. I want him to be happy, which can happen because of you.” 

“Me? I don’t know anything about him, Aunty. How can there be even one percent of a chance for that to happen by me?” I asked her hugging myself not knowing why did she even think about this. 

“Your Mom wished for you to be married to one of my sons, and I too have the same wish.” she replied, and I still didn’t feel like I should do this but hearing my mom’s wish and Aunty’s made me sway a little. 

“But… but I don’t even know him, and he too doesn’t know me. I don’t like him too.” I said, frowning and rubbed my neck suddenly feeling uneasy with all the talking. 

“You know he was kidnapped right?” she asked to which I nodded, remembering one of the maids gossiped a little about it, but I immediately asked her to stop it. 

“He got really affected by all the torture the kidnappers put him through and is still recovering. He… he is detached from all of us even now. He is not talking to any of us properly and is all alone without letting any of us enter his world. Now, all he needs is a caring person who shows him that there is someone with him.” she explained slowly and I immediately felt sad for Tajwar. 

“I wish there is someone who can show him that, but I don’t think I am that person.” I mumbled shaking my head. 

“I am his mother and I know for sure that you are that person.” She said stubbornly and I just wish she is not asking me this. 

“I… don’t think it is a good idea, and I don’t deserve to be married into this family too.” I said looking down. 

“Mridula! If there is anyone I can trust to be in this family, then I will choose only you even with my eyes closed.” She stated, and I stared at her in surprise and also with relief that I followed my mom’s words and never disappointed Aunty. 

Even after hearing her words, I felt like all this is going too fast so I started thinking what to tell her and how to say that without making the situation worse. 

“It’s ok! I can understand if you don’t want to marry him and don’t want to stay in this family connected.” she said before taking a step to leave the room, and my eyes widened. 

“Ok! Ok, ok! Fine!” I said in a hurry for seeing her having a look of disappointment in her eyes and slumped shoulders. 

“Are you sure?” she asked, staring at me, and I slowly nodded, to which she sighed in relief. 

“I know you would listen to me, Mridula. We will have the wedding this week itself.” She said smiling. 

“That soon?” I asked her feeling terrified. 

“Yes! Everything will be arranged soon, and we will even inform your parents even though they may not be able to come here.” She replied and started talking about everything. 

“Did you ask him?” I asked her fidgeting with my hands, stopping her in mid sentence. 

“Who?” She asked, frowning. 

“Tajwar!” I replied, not feeling good about the topic with her talking about the arrangements when she didn’t even ask him. 

“I will and he will definitely accept.” she said with confidence. 

“You will stay at the guesthouse only until the wedding.” She added before walking outside the room, and I followed her, but walked outside into the garden to take a deep breath. 

“What have I done?” I mumbled hugging myself feeling my decision hitting my stomach. 

How could I hurry to take a decision in this type of scenario? I should have asked for some time or even say I cannot marry so soon. I am only going to be twenty two in a few weeks. 

“Is it true?” I heard a sound and turned to see Dileep walking near to me. 

“Yes!” I replied in a whisper. 

“Did she force you, Mridula? Because if she did, then I can get her off your back. You need not to do this.” He said, holding my hand. 

“Your brother needs someone.” I mumbled frowning, but he just snorted. 

“It is not your duty.” He stated to which I frowned more. 

“I… I don’t know! I have never even dated.” I said, trying to hold my tears with the idea of marrying a stranger, even though I know the family will protect me. 

“That is my fault! I thought you would get hurt so I stopped you to date and even threatened a few.” He said frowning. 

“It’s ok! You were thinking about me.” I said smiling. 

“I am still thinking about you. You need not to go with this and just say the word.” He said stressing with assurance. 

“I can’t back out.” I mumbled, shaking my head, and he immediately left my hand. 

“You may get hurt.” he mumbled back. 

“Is there something you can tell me?” I asked, to which she looked away and sighed. 

“If this is what you want.” He whispered before walking away, and I stared at his back in confusion. 

“I am thinking of taking two weeks leave to get settled in, Aunty.” I mumbled breaking the silence while she is getting me ready. 

“Leave for what?” she asked, frowning while arranging the saree. 

“Job!” I replied and she immediately stopped doing the work and glanced at me. 

“Didn’t you resigned?” she asked frowning. 

“I should?” I asked, frowning back. 

“Yes! You are going to be the daughter-in-law of Ivaan and need to be attentive to all the duties you will have. And you need to take care of him too. So, how can you manage everything?” she asked and I suddenly felt like I can’t breathe anymore. 

“It’s ok! Take some deep breaths.” she said, rubbing my back. 

“I didn’t think all that. So, I have to leave my job?” I asked, coming out of panic. 

“Yes! But after he gets better you can help your uncle and me.” she replied before continuing to do all the work, arranging the ornaments and then little make-up while I continued to hear her words. 

“I know you are feeling the fear of not being able to live up to expectations any of the daughters-in-law may have in this family. So, I thought of something, which can help you.” she said when we sat there waiting for someone to call us. 

“What is it?” I asked her feeling glad she understood my one problem and decided to help me. 

“When you get free time after he leaves for office, you will get some training regarding how to behave in any social party or even in some personal gatherings. You will know everything about how to deal with everything too.” She explained and I slowly nodded. 

“Ok!” I mumbled and repeated the word when we got called to go to the stage. 

When I walked near to the stage, I saw a limited number of guests, and then I saw Dileep, who is standing there moodily. After that day, he asked me many times about whether I am sure or not. 

I said what needs to be said to that every time, but yesterday he said he will support me if I need anything. I glanced at Uncle who seems to be joyful, but surprisingly he too said he will be there for me if I need support. 

I sat beside Tajwar, whom I haven’t seen in the past one week and even now suddenly feeling shy thinking he is going to be my life partner, and he too didn’t say a word like me. 

I felt glad when Dileep sat in my parent's place and did all the rituals but sad that they were unable to come here in such a short notice as per Aunty. I smiled at him feeling more than grateful and then glanced at Aunty, who is also happy. 

I took a peak at Tajwar when he started applying the vermilion, but was not in a position to understand what he is feeling as he had a blank expression. 

“Eww! You are my sister-in-law now?” Dileep said gagging and hugged me when we walked inside the house from the garden after all the guests left congratulating us. 

“Eww! You are my brother-in-law too.” I whispered, smiling and then glanced to my left to see Tajwar standing with impatience. 

“Why don’t you both go and take a rest?" Aunty asked observing the same. 

“Is it what it is called these days?” Dileep asked making me gasp in shock and Aunty to hit his head. 

I followed Tajwar already knowing all my luggage already arranged in his room. I smiled when I entered the room, but immediately felt like I should be somewhere else and not here with all the shyness. 

“Now, go to your room and sleep.” His words made me turn towards the washroom from where he is stepping out. 

“What?” I asked him in shock. 

“Can’t you hear? Go to your room and sleep.” he repeated and I slowly blinked staring at him. 

“To the guest house?” I asked without taking a step back. 

“You live in the guest house? I thought you stayed in the guest room on this floor.” He replied and walked near to the bed. 

“This is my room too!” I whispered, but in a way he can hear it too. 

“Switch off the light, while walking out.” That’s all he said before lying down. 

I slowly stepped outside after switching off the light and walked toward the guest rooms to see them locked, which were not when I saw them the last time. 

Not knowing what to do, I returned to his room and saw him sleeping while snoring a little. Without making any sound, I walked near to the cupboard and took out the simple saree which Aunty bought in this one week along with many others. 

After walking outside the washroom still not making any sound, I walked near to one of the two chairs nearby and settled in it. 

Is this real? Am I really going to spend the night on a chair on the first day of marriage? I thought, but leaned back and drifted off into sleep after deciding to ask for a key to one of the guest rooms. 

Nevertheless, when I am still not completely asleep, I heard a shout making my eyes go wide and look around in fear. Then I glanced at the place from where it is coming from before getting up. 

What should I do now? I thought before gulping.