Ch-12
Maha Lakshmi gave it to me when her husband intervened.
"Son, there is an auspicious time in another hour," the old pandit said. He looked like he was in his nineties or eighties.
Laya wondered how he was still holding on with that much age.
"Since we have fixed the auspicious time. Shall we start the segment? Get my future-daughter-in-law ready?" Maha Lakshmi said.
"Aunt, but Rahul is not here," Durga tried to say.
"It doesn't matter," Maha Lakshmi said.
"But you didn't let the segment happen when my sister is absent, Aunt!" Abhinav almost yelled at her.
Maha Lakshmi looked at him with a frown as he raised his voice at her.
"Abhinav…" Laya's weak voice could be heard in the silent room where a storm was brewing. Her voice attracted the commotion. Maha Lakshmi looked at her with displeasure.
"It's my fault. You shouldn't yell at aunt. It's just wearing a saree and adorning a few ornaments. No big deal. And it's one of the biggest days in my life. I will get ready. Before that… apologize to aunt," Laya said. Maha Lakshmi didn't expect Laya would take her side and support her. She thought she would support her brother. Ahh… what she could expect from her son's choice. He has a good eye on good things. And Laya was one of them.
A thing? But not heart?
"I am sorry, Aunt," he said to Maha Lakshmi. He knew his sister would not support him only when there was a strong reason. So, he apologized if not he wouldn't even give a damn to it.
"Sister-in-law, please help me in getting ready," Laya asked as she tried to get up. Due to the weakness, she almost lost her footing and was about to fall but Harish Chandra held her in a flash giving her a kind smile, mumbling careful to her. Her heart warmed up a bit and smiled at him in return.
Abhinav carried Laya to her room while Durga followed them. Sharada and Sitamma followed Laya too.
Laya smiled bitterly after reaching her room. No one supported her just now apart from her youngest aunt and her ill brother. Even her big brother said nothing, he just watched the drama as her mother-in-law went in her way. Maybe they never cared about her. All the while both her mothers [Sharada and Sitamma] and Durga, got her ready she didn't budge. They got her bathed quickly… even though she shouldn't bathe due to her health condition due to the segment she has to bathe in. After that, they draped saree to her and helped her wear jewelry, and put on a Bindi in between her brows. In half an hour she got ready. She denied make-up on her face as everyone knew her health condition. Despite that Durga applied red lipstick to her just to hide her sick lips.
"Laya light makeup would do for you. You look like a ghost now," Her sister-in-law persuaded her.
Sighing she replied, "Do whatever you want,"
Durga wiped her lipstick and applied very light makeup in an attempt to hide her patient look. After she was done there were only ten minutes left for the auspicious time.
"Laya… Apologize to the groom's side when you reach down," Raghuram said to her and left without even listening to her opinion on this.
Even though she decided to trust her brother…. For once she felt bad as the wedding continued normally.
When the time is up, she was taken downstairs where the segment was going to happen.
The groom's side sat on one side while the bride's side sat opposite to the groom's side relatives.
When she was about to sit, she held her sister-in-law's hand for support and bowed her head slightly, and started, "I am sorry for the inconvenience that happened because of me in the morning. I was careless with my health. This won't happen again," Laya said.
Maha Lakshmi opened her mouth to say something but she was beaten by Harish Chandra's words.
"We aren't angry, beta. We are worried about your health. Take care of it," he said with a kind smile. Laya lifted her head and met her future father-in-law's gentle eyes and nodded at him with her weak smile.
She sat in her place. The pandit read the marriage date in Sanskrit according to the tradition and explained it to them. She felt a lightning strike in her world when she got to know her marriage would be in the next three days. She badly wanted to scream and cry and shout at someone. But she held all her complaints back.
She heard from her sister-in-law that the groom left just after she came down due to some work. She smiled bitterly at her situation. Laya understood her mother-in-law's temper. She was fierce and she would have to face trouble in the future. And her father-in-law was kind. As for her husband… she doesn't even know what and how he is. Much less about his attitude. But she has to prepare herself for the worst.
Everything happened in a short time. They exchanged Thamboolam as it's late and the groom's family stayed back. Not in their house but in the guest house near their house.
That day night….
"Laya… shall I bring dinner for you," Durga asked.
"Sister-in-law, I am tired. I will rest. No need for dinner," she said.
"Eat," Arjun's voice could be heard behind Durga.
Laya looked at him with hurt, disappointment, and sadness making him feel worse.
Laya nodded her head at them. Seeing Laya's action, Durga went to get her food.
"It's for your good. They are good people," Arjun said.
"Yes yes… My mother-in-law is a really good person." She said in a mocking yet weak tone.
Arjun sighed in exasperation.
"Laya…" he started.
"Brother, I need to change. Please call someone," she cut him off. She was not in the mood to listen to his words right now. Arjun knew she was beyond hurt right now. So, he didn't dare to disobey her. He left the room to find his mother to help Laya.
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Author's Notes:
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