Jaanvi:
My house was buzzing with people. Lots and lots of people. Seas and seas of bodies entered and left the house, their footsteps drowned out by the loud chatter taking place in the atmosphere in the otherwise placid environment. It was only the noon before my engagement ceremony and guests were already arriving. From the florist to the caterer to the wedding instructor, all sorts of workers engaged in the wedding ceremonies teemed around the house, sidestepping and falling over each other to finish all the decorations before the night when the groom's family arrives.
I stood atop the marble staircase of the hall and took in all the bright colours and decorations. Flowers were artfully decorated on each of the walls in classic Hindu fashion, the floor was draped in soft red embroided carpets and sitting platforms were set up near the pooja room, sorrounded with fluffy pillows and cushions, the pillors holding the floors together were twined with colourful flower garlands and the large bay windows that overlooked the lawn were covered by beautiful gold tapestries that glinted in the afternoon daylight.
The wedding caterers were rushing from room to room, double checking all the decor while shifting the furniture from one place to the other. Papa was having a deep conversation with the electrician who stood atop a wooden stool and was fixing the artificial crystal chandeliers onto the ceiling.
On the corner of my eyes, I saw my sister Priya striding across the floors, talking animatedly with her friends as they all veered towards the balcony upstairs.
Slowly I descended the stairs as my gaze caught on the dinner table which was already setup and was filled with delicious food whose mouth watering aroma wafted to my nose, tempting me. At the same moment, my stomach grumbled reminding me that I haven't eaten anything since the morning, too caught up in the preparation of my engagement party. So I slowly sneaked towards the table as inconspicuous as possible and as I was about to reach for the festival sweets that was displayed on the table when mom's voice rang through the commotion, halting the movement of my outstretched hand dangling over the plate.
"Jaanvi!!!" Mama came rushing towards me, a look of horror on her face and a poor looking wedding planner hot on her heels.
"What are you doing down here? Aren't you supposed to be getting ready? And what have I told you about stealing sweets from the table? You must not behave like this in front of the groom's family!!"
She chastised me, with a look of disappointment in her eyes.
I rolled my eyes at her as I said
"Yes, yes, mom I know. I still have plenty of time to go dress up, and the groom's family is not here yet. and I'm starving so bad. It's your fault for not letting me have a proper break fast this morning anyway!"
"It was just breakfast jaanvi, you're not going to die of hunger, and I saw you scarfing down a whole box of cookies your aunt brought you this afternoon, so don't play victim with me"
she said dryly, clearly not bothering with my accusation.
I huffed as I withdrew my hands reluctantly and I turned towards mama.
She was already dressed up in a soft pink saree with off the shoulder blouse, the front was decked with stonework in an intricate pattern.
A diamond necklace was wrapped around her neck as her pearl earrings winked against the bright light.
"You look beautiful mama, one might even confuse you for the bride" I grinned at her as she blushed
"Oh Thankyou dear, this outfit was hanging in my closet ever since your cousin ankita's reception ceremony and I never had the chance to wear it untill today... speaking of, you should go and get dressed too, the ceremony is about to start soon"
she hustled me up the stairs and half dragged me towards the top floor where my bedroom is situated.
The wedding decorator was watching our exchange with an amused expression as I turned and waved at her, smiling as she grinned and waved back.
Once mom has ushered me inside the room and shut the door, she went and ruffled through my closet, set in a quest for finding an appropriate dress for me to wear.
She went through the layers of clothes twice before she sighed in exasperation, clearly not having found a dress to her liking and turned to me.
"What is this Jaanvi? Why is your closet so dull and empty of any nice looking dresses? What are you going to wear now when the ceremony is only a hair's breath away? I cannot see you parading around wearing any of this rusty gowns which have seen better days"
she complained, her lips pursed in a frown.
I inwardly rolled my eyes at her dramatics as I pulled a random dress from the closet and examined it in front of the mirror.
"It all seems good to me mom, maybe you should stop bothering me and go look for Priya, she is no help at the preparations, she is loitering around the house with her bunch of Chihuahuas whom she calls friends"
I told her, feeling a bit guilty to direct her attention towards my sister, but mostly just smugly satisfied to the thought of my sister squirming under mama's chastisement.
"Fine, I'll go check on her but you better wear something presentable or else I'm not letting you have dinner too"
she warned, pointing her finger at me as she exited the room and the door closed behind her with a click.
I let out a sigh of relief as I turned towards the mirror, gazing at my reflection for the first time since the morning.
My dark hair fell to my back in waves as it enveloped my oval shaped face, a line of freckles dusted across the ridge of my nose as my cheeks held a soft blush of pink in them.
Bright hazel eyes stared back at me, something oddly seemed like excitement caught between the orbs.
It was only then the full weight of what is happening today hit me.
Today is my engagement,
I'm going to get engaged!!!
And in a week's time I'll be married and would be going to my husband's home to live there forever.
Like all Indian marriages, my marriage was not born out of love. It was arranged by my parents, who carefully picked and hand-selected my groom who, according to them would be my perfect match.
Even though my my marriage was one of convenience, I long since resigned to my fate since when
I was a girl.
Then, I used dream about my future husband, like any other Indian girl used to. Even tho our country has long since evolved from the olden times, still some practices were not completely out ruled in tradition.
Love is only a possibility after marriage, either you manage to fall in love with your husband or learn to coexist with him in the same space, building a more platonic relationship. These were my only two options, but strangely I was not upset by this notion at all.
I have always been a romantic, have always wanted to fall in love with a man and share with him a deepest bond like the couple's in romantic movies. It does not bother me that he was not the man I chose, but was rather the man chosen for me. No matter what, I was prepared to give him my heart and love him with all my being.
My only hope was that he would be the man worthy of my love and would reciprocate my feelings. The possibility of my wishes bearing fruit was still equivocal, but I'm willing to take my chances. Afterall it's the only thing I've got to lose.
A sad smile pulled at my lips at the incredulity of my situation and I just sighed and pushed those thoughts off my mind. Now's not the time to worry about my future implications, I've got an engagement to attend to.
Sighing, I turned and picked the dress I have bought for my engagement, holding it up for examination.
it's a grand electric blue two piece lehenga, the long tulle skirt accentuating the waist and fell to the floor in sea of blue chiffon frills. The gorgeous silk blouse was the same blue that matched the skirt, was adorned with sequins and lace.
It looked beautiful, too beautiful that I was stuck with a feeling of self consciousness for a moment. I was too caught up in staring at myself with the dress in front of the mirror that I almost didn't hear the impatient knocking of my sister on the door. Startled out of my haze, I opened the door and my sister barged inside the room, indignation colouring her features.
"You traitor!! You set momma after me!!" She exploded at me, her hands poised on her hips and a dark scowl on her face, which was supposed to be intimidating.
I laughed, shaking my head at poor attempt before saying "well, you deserved it, you were supposed to be helping in the preparations, yet you ran off with your friends"
"It's my only sister's engagement, can't I have some fun?" She whined, clearly trying to win me out with her puppy dog face.
I scrunched my brows in thought "well, seeing as you left me alone and went and had the fun all by yourself, I only see it fit that you suffer with me too" I quirked.
She rolled her eyes at me and muttered under her breath "whatever, momma gave me an earful about proper social etiquettes and sent me here to help you with the dress, she wouldn't hear my reasons, obviously, she clearly thought I'm getting spoiled by my choice of friends" she complained and plopped onto my bed.
I sniggered at her response in amusement. "I'm sure she did"
Her eyes flashed as she pointed her finger at me "it's all your fault anyway, and why are you still staring at the mirror? Get dressed, it's almost time" she regarded me with an assessing look in her eyes.
I frowned as I pulled off my dress and dressed in my new engagement outfit
" This dress is a mistake, it totally overshadows my appeal" I complained to Priya as she studied me
"You're seriously whining about this dress? It's so beautiful, I've never been so jealous of you" she stated, giving the said dress a long wistful glance.
I turned towards the mirror and combed through my dark curls
" you think so?"
I questioned, still wanting to be sure.
She stood from the bed and came towards me
"You really look so beautiful sis, now quit complaining and let me turn you into a doll, Arya will be falling head over heels for you at first sight"
she assured, and picked up the make up bag and helped me put on some makeup.
I blushed red at her words, on hearing his name. Arya Chauhan, my future fiance. Thinking of him made butterflies erupt in my belly, and my heart to beat faster. I have only seen a picture of him, and he looked so handsome. I cannot wait to meet him in person. I was practically vibrating with excitement that Priya poked my cheeks and commented
"Thinking of your Prince charming already? Calm down sister, let's get you ready for your first meeting!" She beamed at me and began applying some eyeshadow and mascara on my lashes.
She straightened when she finished and motioned at the mirror "all done now, you are ready to go meet your soon to be husband" she chirped as I gazed at my reflection. She did truly made me look like a princess, I looked beautiful.
Before I could stare at my myself for any moment longer, mama burst into the room
"What are you both girls doing? The groom's family has arrived and still you are not downstairs----"
She stopped midsentance as she took me in, her eyes shined with tears as she peered at me
"my, my, Jaanvi, you look so lovely dear, I'm sure everybody would be captivated by your beauty" she smiled and hugged me.
I hugged her back and beamed at her. "thankyou mama"
"What about me? How do I look?" Priya pouted, clearly wanting mama's attention as well.
"You look Lovely too dear, I have the two most beautiful daughters ever" momma murmured as she stared at us. "Now you must come and greet the groom's family, hurry, both of you!"
She rushed us out of the bedroom and ushered us down the stairs. I gripped the bannisters as I descended the steps. And papa came towards us with the groom's family in tow.
A lovely old woman stepped up to me and gave me an hug, she smiled at me and said
"You look even more beautiful in person, hello dear, I'm Arya's mother, and this is my husband....." She turned and slowly introduced everyone in the family. I saw all faces except the one I was searching for.
My sister who had the self control of a squirrel all but blurted
" where's the groom? We are all excited to see him too"
My mom gave her a look before saying politely " yes, Aasha, Where is your son? I was waiting to meet my son in law"
My soon to be mother in law laughed before saying "he's outside answering a business call, he'd come in any minute now"
We all looked towards the entrance when a tall young man walked through the doorway, his long strides elegant and graceful as
he stalked toward us. My heart was beating a mile a minute, my palms suddenly grew itchy, making me to rub them against my skirt.
His photo did not do him any justice, he looked beautiful, more beautiful than any man I've ever seen. His eyes were warm shade of baby blue, bright and endless like the ocean set below sharp pointed brows, pronounced cheekbones that emphasized his angular jawline. His chocolate brown hair was long at the top and cropped at the sides and styled back perfectly for the occasion. He his three piece navy blue suit fitted his broad shoulders and wrapped around his chiseled body, showcasing all the finer details of his torso. I stared at him unblinkingly as he greeted my parents and turned towards me.
He extended his hand and drawled "hey, I'm Arya. So we finally meet"
he smiles at me as I shook his hand, but it was tight lipped and closed off, the kind of smile you give to hide the fact you're uncomfortable. Quickly I released his hand and stepped back. I didn't expect such a kind of reaction from him in our first meeting, maybe he's getting jitters?
I politely smiled at him as I said " hi, I'm Jaanvi, it's good to meet you too."
He inclined his head in affirmation and put his hands inside his pockets.
"Oh dear, what a lovely pair they make"
mom gushed as she looked at us, making me blush and look away.
My mother in law nodded her head enthusiastically
" I know right, they are going to be the talk of the entire town" she said, grinning at us.
Dad then engulfed Arya in a man hug, and put his hands on his shoulders. He said
"Come on then, let's start the ceremony"
Mom and dad walked forward with Arya's family in tow, as me and my sister trailed behind them.
Priya nudged me in my shoulders and whispered
"now I'm really jealous of you"
my cheeks turned red as I replied
"stop teasing me"
she winked at me before she turned and strode toward her friends, leaving me alone.
I felt eyes on me as I looked up and my eyes met my fiance's who's intently staring at me.
A blush crept up my cheeks as I realised he'd caught on to our conversation. And now he was looking at me with a knowing gleam in his eyes.
Oh shit.