Today is September, 30th, 1990, a beautiful Sunday morning the day I am getting married. I just turned 20 last Sunday 23rd October. I was not very happy getting married as I didn't even know the man I was going to get married to, it was all arranged by my parents. I have two older brothers and two younger sisters. They were all getting ready and a lady from a beauty salon came to dress me. The lady started doing her job on my face and she started putting on some light makeup. I was just sitting without a smile on my face. I wanted to cancel the wedding, I didn't want to get married today but then I saw my parents smiling. I thought this was a sacrifice I am going to make for my parents who have struggled their whole life to give us a good life. I smiled back.

I was ready to go to church to get married. Wearing my white gown I walked hand in hand with my father. I was looking at the altar at the man I was going to marry. He was not at all like I always dreamed of but was entirely the opposite. I loved to be married to a tall man but he was short. I stood beside him and I never remembered the ceremony. I just heard the priest declaring us husband and wife. Can I make a u-turn now? Is it too late? Yes, it was too late I am now married. That too to a man I never even met. I belong to a very Orthodox family never allowed to meet the guy I was going to marry. I was engaged to him and that too our parents met and decided. Then we never talked on the phone, never even met. And today I am his wife, it sounds strange doesn't it, but it's the truth.