SUHANI

"What's your to be husband's name?"

The henna artist asked bringing me out of the trance to reality. The reality of me getting ready for Veer.

Day after tomorrow I will be sitting beside him as his wife. How did these two weeks passed so suddenly? Was not I beside Beeji scolding her for taking care of herself and now here I am getting married in less than 48 hours.

My family is elated running around the whole house to double-check the preparations. Beeji, Mom and Dad just can't keep calm, Bhai is sulking in the corner and Vaidehi is not talking to me! This is what this marriage news has done to me in these two weeks.

Beeji wanted a grand celebration for her Favourite Granddaughter but looking at her health everybody denied it instantly. Grand celebration is not above her health. Anyways Celebration for what? The loveless marriage? I know neither Veer nor I will be happy in this marriage. We just said yes for Beeji. I won't be surprised if we are divorced after a few months. Once, your trust is broken it's not easy to trust again on the same person.

Ever since Vaidehi got to know about this marriage she refused to talk to me.

We had an ugly fight two weeks ago about the same, "You are marrying that cheapster? That ugly frog? How can you Suhani? Did you forget he is the one for whom you cried for months? That person never failed to bring a tear to your eyes and now you are marrying him. Are you mad or what? Marrying him simply means you are signing up for more tears, stress and humiliation. Suhani just move on, please. Why are you hell-bent on destroying your life ?" She screamed at my face clutching my shoulders in a tight grip.

" Vai, I just did it for Beeji. You know her health..."

" Shut up Suhani. You and I both know that it's not the only reason. You still haven't moved on from him. He still has a place in your heart. You still expect him to love you back. Isn't it? Beeji just wanted to see your marriage you could have married anyone but no you chose to marry him. That man who had crushed your heart, your feelings. You are marrying him because you had already dreamt about a married life with him. You can't think of marriage if it's not with him. You still love that man who had crushed your heart into tiny pieces. Who..." I slapped her across her face. It was too much to hear for me, " Shut up Vaidehi", I don't know what provoked me to slap her, Her words? Or the truth in words? But I instantly regretted raising my hand on her as tears pooled in her eyes.

I gulped looking at her accusing eyes on me and her hand on her cheeks," Vai...I..."

" I have had seen you crying for him numerous times hiding from all of us and I am not at all happy with this marriage " she whispered and left the room.

I tried to stop her but she ran to her room and didn't dare to open the door till the next morning. I thought her anger will vanish as soon as she will gulp down her favourite Dhokla but it never happened. Neither she looked at me nor talked to me. There was a distant look in her eyes. I have never seen her like this. We had fights before, we had beat the shit out of each other a hundred times but this time it was something else.

She was participating in all the functions but not once I had seen a smile on her pale face which was highly unlike her.

Everyone thought as I will go away after marriage so she is sad just like my brother. Only I know it is because of our fight. She is disappointed with me.

" Veer is the name of my dear Son-in-law " Beeji sat beside me offering Orange juice while smiling at the henna artist who looked in her 20s.

The henna artist nodded her head with a polite smile and focused on the henna.

Beeji sat beside her asking about her education, family, job and marriage. She was gossiping with her as if they are some long lost friends.

Friends. Lost friends.

"Veer! See that tattoo is so cool " I pointed towards the elegant butterfly tattoo that was scribbled on the board outside the tattoo store.

" Ya ya it's nice" he said uninterested relishing the flavour of our favourite chaat.

" That's not nice that's very very nice " I am sure my eyes twinkled looking at it again. It was so beautiful.

We were as usual roaming after our tuition session with Vaidehi, Aarav and Raina who went to the ice cream store.

They would take almost an hour to decide on the flavour of ice cream they wanted to eat. As I and Veer loved Chaat and would get it first we would start roaming the market before them and later they would join.

" Okay, it's very nice. Now eat this otherwise it will get cold " he pulled me with him walking forward trying to divert my attention but I was too smart to fall for his tricks.

I pulled him back, " Nahi Ji Not that easy to fool me " I Smirked at him and he rolled his eyes, "fine. Now, what's with that butterfly?"

" I want that butterfly tattoo on my wrist " I chirped excitedly but he just shook his head at once, " No," he said and started to drag me with him.

"But I want it that's so beautiful " I argued trying to free my hand from his hold, he turned towards me and again said in a stern voice " No means no Suhani ".

"But why?" I sniffed at his loud voice and that's when he calmed down," because it will pain ".

I ran away to sit on the bench in the park. I wiped my wet eyes and looked at the sky. He was rude to not let me get that tattoo.

After a minute of silence, I felt someone sitting beside me, I turned to look at him smiling at me. I snapped my face Otherside huffing at him.

"Suhani " he poked my arm. I jerked away from him turning to the other side.

" Suno Na " he sat on the other side and again poked my arm. I again snapped my head to another side.

There was complete silence for a minute. I craned my neck to look at him but found it empty.

I looked here and there worried for him. Suddenly there was a tap on my shoulder I jumped aside horrified. He burst out laughing. " Oh god Suhani " he laughed holding his stomach. I glared at him and he made me sit on the bench and sat beside me.

I sat facing opposite to him, " See what I bought" he chirped excitedly. Hearing the excitement lacing his voice I turned towards him but with a poker face. He smiled cheekily at me showing me a Henna cone to me.

I looked at him confused and he took my hand in his, " You wanted that beautiful butterfly on your wrist right?" he said softly and started drawing some pattern on my wrist with the cone.

My insides churned as he held my hand so softly. His lips curved in a soft smile. Looking at his peaceful state I was drowning in that moment. The frown on my forehead was long gone. My lips too curved into 5 inches long smile. I couldn't help but admire him. Did I mention he looked more beautiful than the butterfly?

"Done" he chirped.

I expected an unrecognisable design with some lines lying here and there but I was pleasantly surprised looking at the beautiful, very beautiful butterflies resting on my wrist.

I didn't expect him to be a good artist. " Wow !" I jumped up and down looking at the design. "Careful !" His arms were in the air around me, ready to catch me if I fall.

" This is lovely " I whispered dreamily looking at it.

He said nothing just smiled at me.

I stood on my toes and did the unexpected, I kissed his cheek. As soon as I did it both of our eyes turned wide as saucers. It was unintentional, I was just too excited.

I was horrified of his reaction. I looked at him to say sorry. His ears turned pink. Was he angry?

"Sorry! I was too excited " I quickly said closing my eyes and then ran away from there.

When at a good distance, I looked back at him to find him rooted to his place with his hand on his cheek. He looked dazed but I was too embarrassed to face him so ran to my home dragging Vaidehi along who was eating ice cream peacefully.

"I am so happy to see you happy Bacchi. May God bless you both" Beeji smilingly ward off the evil from me and I was back to reality. I was zoned out again.

I gave her a small smile and looked at my henna. Does he remember our moments?

Stupid. Why would he remember? He has so many good things to remember why would he remember you? You were just a fling did you forget? Don't expect too much from this marriage.

You know the reality.

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Please ignore grammatical mistakes.

Mehendi Ceremony✨✨

Veer's decent drawing which got him a kiss🌚🌚.

Editor:- ❤️✨

Thanks for reading ❤️.