{Hey all,

HAPPYYYYYY NEW YEARRRRRR!!! May this year be amazingggggg for all of us!

So, I have seen that some of the readers are not Indian or Hindu or aware of hindu traditions of marriage. I request you to please google the italicized words for better understanding since explaining each term in the middle of the sentence will cause trouble in reading. Moreover, you may ask me about the traditions here so that I or any of the Hindu readers can answer them in detail.

}

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Sneha stood at the base of the huge raised platform where Viraj was waiting for her for the varmala ceremony. Priya left her hand as Viraj stepped down and gave her his hand, as the custom was. She laid her hand in his without any resistance or expression and allowed him to help her in climbing up. She didn't even look at him.

In a blur, the varmala ceremony was concluded with the photographers doing their work efficiently. Everyone threw flower petals gently on the bride and groom as they placed the rose garlands on each other's necks.

Then a few photographs were clicked with the family members and friends followed by the grand feast for the guests. Sneha, as expected, didn't smile in any photo. No one asked her twice because they knew that a girl often feels sad at her wedding for leaving her father's house behind.

Since the bride and her parents were on fast, they patiently accepted the numerous blessings and gifts that the guests brought for them. Ananya came to call her brother for dinner but Viraj denied seeing how Sneha had to be on fast till the conclusion of the marriage rituals.

"It is time for the marriage rituals to begin. The bride and groom should come to the mandap, now." The priest from Viraj's side announced to which Dev and his immediate family members nodded.

The mandap was set up in the open field, under the starry night. It was beautifully decorated with the magnificent holy fire at the centre and two cushioned seats for the bride and the groom. The priest took his seat followed by Sneha and Viraj.

Sneha couldn't pay attention to the mantras uttered by the priests as the wedding procession began. Her whole attention was on the holy fire. She had huge respect for it and knew that all the promises accepted in front of the sacred fire must be respected till death.

So, can she make this one exception? She wondered. After all the Gods knew that this marriage was forced! Would she still be bound to the oaths that she will be forced to take now?

Soon, the most emotional part of the ceremony began.

The kanyadaan. (It is a ceremony where the bride's father gives his daughter to the groom)

The priest called Sneha's parents to come and do the kanyadaan ritual.

Shankar didn't immediately walk towards the mandap. Instead, Dev, who was standing beside him, had to keep his hand on his shoulder to remind him. To others, it felt as if Dev was encouraging Shankar to give them the gift of his daughter. But, only Shankar knew what that touch meant.

Shankar and his wife climbed the mandap and followed the priest's instructions. Sneha's heart felt heavy as this ritual came to an end. According to the traditional customs, she now became a member of the Khatri family as her father gave her to them.

At the request of the priest, Shankar and his wife left the mandap, as the custom demanded.

After some more mantras, the priest asked Viraj's mother and sister to offer the family jewels to the daughter-in-law of the family.

So, one by one, Ananya removed the jewellery that Sneha was wearing and gave it to Priya, who held them carefully. When the last piece of jewellery was taken off from her body, Viraj's mother offered the first piece of jewellery to Sneha.

"This is a small gift from me to my beautiful daughter-in-law." Meena said as she clasped a gold necklace, decorated with precious stones, on Sneha's neck. Sneha accepted the jewel without any emotion. All the while, Viraj sat beside her patiently, but he did not turn his head sideways to look at her.

Then Ananya came and offered her the maang tika and earrings. This was followed by all the jewels that a newly wedded woman was supposed to wear. All were gifted to her by her in-laws. She just accepted them.

"...And, this is from bhai." Ananya said as she opened a small slim box and flashed it in front of Sneha.

Unintentionally, she looked at the content of the box and her breath hitched involuntarily. It was something that she had not expected from him.

All the wedding traditions followed until now were those of Viraj's family. Not that she complained, but, this one thing that he gave her made everything equal.

The jewellery that Viraj gave her was the traditional Kumaoni nath (nosering) that only a bride or a wedded woman wears. She always wanted to have one and wear it to her wedding...right from her teenage years. And, now, seeing this...she was mesmerized. She couldn't tear her eyes from the elegant peacock design and the red beads engraved in the gold base.

But then she remembered her current position and the person who was giving it to her. All the excitement vanished in thin air. It just appeared like a piece of stone to her, now. She turned her gaze away from it.

"Isn't it beautiful, Sneha!" Ananya exclaimed excitedly but Sneha remained silent. It didn't go unnoticed by Viraj, though.

Ananya didn't mind Sneha's silence as she thought she was still sad over the kanyadaan ritual. So, she helped her in wearing the nath and finally stood up.

"You look so beautiful, Sneha! Just like a doll!" Ananya praised but Viraj's mother interrupted.

"Not like a doll...She looks like a queen..." Viraj's mother stated confidently.

Sneha's mind got stuck on the two contradicting statements. Doll and queen. What was she?

A queen gives a command while a doll follows each command. She thought over it.

A doll, it is, then. She told herself.

Before the priest could continue, Dev interrupted reluctantly.

"One moment..." He stepped forward.

Sneha's hope rose. She thought he was finally going to object to the wedding. And, so, she began chanting in her mind for him to cancel the wedding.

"I...want to give something to her too." Dev said.

Meena's frown clearly showed her confusion. Even Viraj turned to look at his father. What could he give her and why? They had already given her all that was bought for her.

Dev stepped forward and approached his daughter-in-law. He bent to her level and withdrew a small red-coloured pouch from his pocket. Sneha looked at the pouch in fear.

Dev slowly opened the pouch and took the content out in his palm.

It was a plain and simple gold bangle. But the unique old-fashioned design of flowers and leaves made her remember someone whom she had almost forgotten about.

The old lady whom she had seen in the washroom a few weeks ago. She was wearing a pair of the same bangles...as far as she remembered.

"Honestly, I don't want to give you this..." Dev began speaking.

'No one is asking for it.' Sneha wanted to say.

"...But, my wife had always wanted to give these bangles to her daughter-in-law." Dev looked at the bangle for a moment more before passing it to Viraj.

"Put it on her hand." He told his son.

Sneha couldn't decipher the depth of Dev's love for his first wife. It was indeed difficult for him to part with the things that belonged to his wife.

Viraj held the single bangle respectfully and slightly turned to his left. He grasped Sneha's wrist gently and slowly pushed the bangle on her hand until it rested on her wrist.

"You have earned it. So, take care of it." Dev mumbled and then patted her head gently.

Soon, came the final and the most important rituals of the wedding ceremony. After many more mantras, the priest asked the couple to take the seven rounds around the holy fire. Viraj patiently walked behind her before taking the lead.

Then came the custom of applying sindoor. Viraj took a pinch of the red-coloured powder and carefully put it in its rightful place. Sneha closed her eyes as she felt the sindoor being applied on the partition of her hair, as Ananya held the maang-tika carefully. However, Viraj was totally inexperienced in this task and thus, a small sprinkle of sindoor fell on her nose despite his trying to be as careful as he could. All the girls awed at the scene as this was considered a good omen.

"Bhai really loves you a lot, Sneha." Ananya commented with a happy chuckle.

Sneha ignored her comment again.

Finally, Viraj's mother gave him the mangalsutra which he held carefully and proceeded to clasp on Sneha's neck. At that moment, he came so close to her face that she had to lower her head in order to avoid the intimacy. It took a moment for him to clasp it firmly around her neck. When he was done, everyone cheered and the priest concluded the wedding.

"From now on, you both are husband and wife. Please take blessings from your elders." The priest announced to everyone loudly.

The words rang in her ears.

Viraj stood up instantly and gave her his hand to stand. Taking a deep breath, she accepted his help for the sake of his happiness and stood up carefully to not trip over her own dress.

Slowly and elegantly, Viraj helped her walk down from the mandap towards the elders to take the blessings. Then, they went to Sneha's parents and took their blessings too.

When the pale light of the rising sun scattered in the night sky, Viraj's mother reminded everyone that it was time for the vidaai. And, thus, slowly, everyone walked towards the exit where about 10 cars awaited them. The car at the centre was decorated like a bride itself.

Sneha's heart did well up with the pain of separation, but she didn't let any emotion show up on her face. Nor did she cry as she stood in front of her parents to hug them before entering the car. Viraj had given her privacy as he himself stood in front of the decorated car.

"I'll try to do something, Sneha...Trust..." Her father began telling her, so only she would listen.

"No, papa. Please don't do anything. I know what to do." She interrupted him.

"But..."

"Trust me, papa." She said quickly and confidently.

"I will call you once I reach...there." She said, not knowing what to call Viraj's place now.

It definitely wasn't her home.

And, without shedding a single tear, Sneha turned around and walked towards Viraj. He opened the car's door when he saw her approaching. His eyes remained fixed on her face...especially her eyes, which were hiding so many emotions, he knew.

Without meeting his gaze, she lowered herself and sat in the limo. Viraj looked at her for a moment before sighing and closing the door. He walked around and opened the door of his side. He looked once at Sneha's father and mother before entering the car.

"Drive." Viraj commanded the driver and within seconds, the car was off to its destination as firecrackers lit up the sky. From the rear-view mirror, Sneha could see many cars following them and soon, a few overtook them such that their vehicle came to the centre again.

"Sneha." Viraj finally broke the deafening silence between them. His voice was unusually calm and neutral.

She ignored his call and continued looking out of the window.

"Sneha." He called again...this time, a little louder and in a strict tone.

She still remained silent.

Viraj's fist tightened as he tried everything in him to control his rising anger and frustration. She hadn't smiled even a fraction the entire night. The only expression that he saw was a blank face...more like a bored expression.

Taking a deep breath, he swallowed his anger and spoke gently. He didn't want to scare her further.

"I know you are scared and confused over everything...but it is better for you to accept it, Sneha. I am your husband now and you are my wife. Let's forget the past and start afresh." He offered politely.

But, she still ignored his every word, even though she heard him loud and clear.

Like a fool, he waited for her to reply and accept his words like a child.

When she still kept quiet, he scooted closer to her and grabbed her arms so that she'd at least look at him. Finally, she had to face him.

He got mesmerized by her beauty again. She looked so amazing and attractive, even though half of her makeup was gone now.

Viraj kissed her forehead as his thumb caressed her cheeks.

"I love you so much. And, this is why I am ready to forget whatever you have done till now. I am ready to forgive you. You don't even have to apologize. Just accept this new life with me. I'll give you everything that you have ever desired or even thought of!" He said as their noses touched. Sneha had closed her eyes now.

"Just be mine." He said as his vulnerability resurfaced. Throughout the wedding ceremony, he couldn't stop thinking about the turn of events. Yes, he was furious and shaken by her betrayal...but, he also couldn't leave her. He wanted the wedding to be romantic and full of love...but, eventually, he had to force it. He had dreamt of this day for so long. So, how could he just let it go? How could he let her go? She was his everything, now!

Silence...was what he got in response.

So, to assert his feelings and to extract some response from her, he did what he shouldn't have done...not now, at least.

Viraj placed his lips on hers.

When he pulled back, Sneha finally gained some sense. She couldn't help but chuckle.

"So, this is what you want me for?" She asked as she looked at him...their faces inches apart.

His brows furrowed in confusion.

"To use my body as and when you desire. Fine...Go ahead. Use me. But, remember one thing...You can have my body as much as you want, Viraj Khatri, but you will never have my soul." She dared him dramatically. And, her eyes asserted her hatred for him.

And, the hatred in her eyes further fueled his frustration. And, an angry Viraj is never a good person to face.

"Oh yeah? Fine then. Tonight you will see how deep can I touch your soul too. Your body won't be the only thing that I'll possess." He said in anger.

And, without her permission, her eyes got blurry at his threats. Pushing his hands away, she turned her gaze out of the window again.

'What were you expecting, Sneha?' She thought to herself as she cried internally. If she had any hopes for this man, it was gone now.

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Sneha was welcomed in a grand fashion. The entire Khatri residence was glittered up with lights and flowers. There was no space, inside or outside which wasn't decorated. As the cars entered the premises, she couldn't help but remember her first day here.

The very first night here, she was forcefully dragged inside by Ananya's bodyguards. And, today too, she was forced to enter the house as the bride of the owner. She clearly remembered praying to God for this to be the last time she'd enter here. She was so confident about not spending her entire life here. But, how life turns the tables! She will be living her entire life here.

The thought alone made her head ache.

After the traditional welcome, she was straightaway led to the temple room. They prayed for an hour there after which, she was led to the kitchen by Viraj's mother. She cooked a sweet dish under her guidance for the Gods of the household. A bowl of the sweet dish was placed in the temple room and then, Sneha served the sweet dish to the elders who sat in the dining room.

By the time everyone ate and praised her cooking skills, she was utterly tired. Her head seemed as if it was spinning slowly in circles. But, she didn't tell anyone....not even her mother-in-law, who had been nothing but sweet and cooperative to her. Ananya irritated her beyond limits now. It seemed as if she was more excited about her brother's wedding night than the married couple themselves!

Fortunately, she was given privacy to take a nap for about two hours in the afternoon in Ananya's room. But, she couldn't sleep properly. Her thoughts went back to her family and her future. The thought of the wedding night scared her even more now as the night came nearer. She didn't want to sleep with him...her husband. And, she knew that he won't stop himself. He had told her many times about his expectations regarding their first night.

In the evening, her mother-in-law helped her take a bath and change into a new red-coloured saree. She then made tea for everyone and the servants served it to all who were gathered in the main hall to see the romantic games organized by Ananya and her cousins for the married couple.

In all the games, Viraj won...mostly because Sneha didn't even try to win them.

Finally, after the family dinner, Ananya guided Sneha towards Viraj's room.

"I am so excited to show you bhai's room, bhabhi! You will love the decorations! And do you know, no other girl has ever seen his room other than me and the maids!" Ananya chirruped.

Sneha just nodded as the headache returned. And with that, her overthinking too.

She walked in the corridor carefully as the entire path was lit with candles and fairy lights. Ananya opened the double doors slowly and gestured for her to enter first. Sneha did as asked and stepped into the dark room. Ananya followed her and switched on the lights as she knew where the connection was from.

As the lights turned on, Sneha looked around curiously. It indeed was decorated beautifully. But, her heart sank when she saw the king-sized bed. It was just how she had seen it in romantic movies. It screamed for a wild night. She quickly looked away.

"Bhai said that he will show you the room himself. For now, just know that the washroom is that way...that last door. That's the clock and under that table is your make-up stuff. So, if you want to, sort of, do a quick touchup before bhai comes...Do you need anything else?"Ananya asked.

"No." She mumbled hoping she'd leave her alone.

Ananya talked to her for a while more before finally leaving her alone in the room.

"Have a great night, Sneha! Good night." Ananya said as she winked and left the room.

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One hour passed and Sneha finally stopped her pacing. Her mind was going fuzzy as she could feel herself go crazy with anticipation and fear. Moreover, she was tired.

She knew she would be used as trash tonight. She had never thought of having an intimate session with Viraj. She never saw him in that light. And that scared her beyond limits.

'I can't sleep with him! I just can't.'

'Is this what my life would be limited to?'

'Everyone would make fun of me!'

'What if I'll be forced to have a child with him?'

'He will force me to have a child with him too.'

'Even my children will grow up in this weird psycho family!'

'And, papa will keep on trying to find one way or the other to bring me out of this mess.'

'What if Viraj or his father will kill papa to make me submit completely?'

'I should run away from here.'

'But then, what if Viraj would really marry Priya to avenge me, just like his father?'

'I'll run away with Priya.'

'How long will you run, Sneha? And, how far? He will always find you. He will always torture you.'