3.

M O K S H

I was getting married, getting married to the girl of my family's choice. It wasn't as if I had a say in anything. It was all decided by my grandparents. They wanted me to tie the knot with the Agarwal daughter whose name supposedly was Raina and sign off my life for a business merger.

To say I was enraged would be an understatement because all I wanted was to run away and never come back. If it was in my hand I would have never agreed to this because all this marriage-over deal was just baseless to me, as if I had a say in anything. Sigh

Taking a deep breath I got ready in my red sherwani and perfectly gelled my hair back. I heard the door opening and Mom walked in with a pleasant smile.

"Kya khoob lagti ho, badi sundar dikhti ho", I sang as I twirled her making her chuckle. My mom's giggles were melody to my ears. She was a trained professional singer and had a really beautiful voice.

[Translation: You look great, you look very beautiful]

"Hayyee mera beta! Kitna Sona lag raha hai, Kisi ki nazar na lage", she rounded her arms around me and cracked her knuckles casting all the evil eyes off

[Translation: Aww my son! You're looking so good, no one should cast an evil eye on you]

"Abhi itna handsome beta hoga fir nazar lagna toh banta hai na", I said straightening my imaginary collars. Mom scrunched her face and slapped my shoulder making me laugh

[Translation: Now, if you have such a handsome son, then people will cast bad eyes only]

Mom's expression gave it all. She was really happy with everything and I felt bad thinking of snatching her happiness. It wasn't rare to see her smile since she had a happy-going aura around her but there were only a few occasions when she smiled wholeheartedly and today was one of them.

"Aise hi haste-hasate raha kariye Mom, bohot acchi lagti ho", I smiled softly at her and took her in a side hug

[Translation:Keep smiling like this mother, you look very nice.]

"Agar aisi hi hamesha khi-khi karti rhi toh logo ne pagal samjha hai mujhe", she replied

[Translation: If I keep laughing all the time then people will think I am crazy]

"Kisiki majal hai ki Moksh Mehrotra ki Maa ko kuch khe sake", I said looking at her and making her smile

[Translation: Who dares to say something to Moksh Mehrotra's mother?]

She took hold of my face and planted a tender kiss on my forehead making me close my eyes. She made me wear all the pieces of jewellery and helped me in getting ready. She pinned the family heirloom's broach on my sherwani's pocket and then patted my broad square shoulders.

"Ayo ladies and gentlemen", the door burst open and walked in the sole cause of my constant headache and mood swings from the last 28 years of my existence

"Oh Nevan beta you came, now come on help your best friend, I'll just go down and check the arrangements", Mom said and walked out of the room before passing me a look with read BEHAVE

"Aur Bhai? Kya haal chaal?, sunne meh aaya hai shaadi kar raha hai", Nevan joked and slumped on my bed making me look at him in disgust

[Translation: and bro? How are you? I heard you are getting married]

"Nhi khud ko barbaad kar raha hu, wanna join?", my voice was filled with irritation. Nevan sensing my foul mood sat straight and looked at me attentively

[Translation: No, I'm ruining myself, wanna join?]

"You okay bro?", his voice was laced with concern. I just nodded and sat on the bed beside him.

"I just don't know yaar, she's 6 years younger than me, you see the age gap? It makes me feel like an uncle-"

"You are one bro!", I glared at him with my murderous gaze when he butted in the middle to which he made a zipping of his lips expression

"Above all, everything's happening on short notice. It was only a week ago that I landed back in Delhi from my work tour and Dadaji announced the alliance. Everything was fixed without my consent and they want me to be happy with all the happenings", I put front my miseries to which he listened carefully

Nevan was my best friend since diapers. Our parents were business associates but we became friends the moment we came to our senses. We would always stick around no matter what. We went to the same playschool, same high school, same college and even graduated the same year from the same University.

We travelled, went clubbing, and partying and mostly did everything together. We had been inseparable ever since then and even if Nevan would behave as an ass, I would stick together with him.

Nevan and I had an easygoing aura around us. We were only serious during work and in the office. Or else at home, hamse bada joker koi ho hi nhi sakta. In the corporate world I'd a reputation to keep so I'd my cold emotionless facade pulled on because it teaches us that your worst enemy can be your closest friend.

So we refrained from showing our emotions since trust issues were at stake. At work, I was the strict, heartless, cold, short-tempered cocky boss.

But in the four walls of our abode, I was always smiley and fun to be with. Ziya and I would team up and prank everyone. Mom, Dad, Chacha, Chachi, dadi, dadu, Vivaan and Vihaan Chacha-chachi's twins and even the helping staff.

The whole house was a victim of our shenanigans, we spared none. Even Nevan would join us ganging up against everyone. haste khelte aur chill raha karo na yaar, yeh kya gandi si sadi hui shakal banakar manhusiyat failani hai

[Translation: always be happy why spread negativity around yourself]

"Dekh Moksh! Yeh teri zindagi ka sawal hai, aur teri hi nhi Raina ki bhi. I think you should at least talk to her and let her know about your opinion and thoughts to avoid future mishaps, what if she's also being forced into all this, at least both of you could work things out", he reasoned and passed me his phone

[Translation: See Moksh! This is a question of your life, not only yours but also Raina's.]

I looked at him still in doubt to which he blinked assuringly at me and I finally took the phone from his hold and dialled the contact. If someone asked me who the person I sought comfort from was, my answer would be Nevan without any second thought.

He was my unpaid therapist, but I wasn't a fool to admit it in front of his narcissistic self. He was a clown and would be the same to me forever.

The phone kept ringing but no one received it. I tried for the second time but still no response. Dejected I handed him his phone back.

"Koi baat nhi dost jaisa tu hai na, life meh tu barbaad hona hi deserve karta hai", he patted my shoulders in fake sympathy and gave me a pitiful look

[Translation: It doesn't matter friend, the way you are, your life deserves to get ruined ]

"Haramkhor", I scoffed and swatted his hands off me

[Translation: bastard]

"Ek toh mai tujhe Gyaan de raha hu, upar se tere nakhre alag", he whined with a pained expression on his face as he dramatically sat on the bed

[Translation: On the one hand, I am giving you knowledge, on top of that your tantrums are different.]

"Gyaan utna hi de jitna gaali sunne ki capacity ho", I replied and he made an offended face but before her could say anything Ziya knocked on the door and entered inside

[Translation: Give knowledge only as much as you can listen to abuses.]

"Bhai, everyone's waiting for you", Ziya was my only baby sister after all the other cousins. She was jigar ka tukda and I was protective of her. [Translation: piece of heart]

I nodded to her and we descended the stairs and reached the living area. I smiled at everyone and Dadu hugged me, "I'm proud of you my son, you'll thank me for my decision one day mark my words"

The next hours passed in a blur and in no time I found myself sitting on the wedding altar with my bride beside me. To be honest she was weird, she was acting so weird. Her body was trembling a bit and her back was stiff.

The whole time she had hidden her hands under her long vile and I wondered how were things visible to her from beneath such a heavy outfit. I fight back the urge to question her, behen tu thik hai na?
[Translation: sister you're all right?]

But then I realised that she's my supposed wife and it'd be absurd if I referred to her as my sister. Awkward ho Jana hai sab kuch.
[Translation: Everything will become awkward]

And imagine the horror, what if she replies with, ji bhaiya!, Na Bhai na! Ladke friend zoned hote hai, bro zoned hote hai, crush zoned hote hai. Mai nhi chahta ki next day news mein headline chape 'Moksh Mehrotra ki biwi neh usse shaadi ke din hi kiya bhai-zoned'. Meri toh koi izzat hi nhi rhegi!

[Translation: yes brother!

no bro no! Boys are friend-zoned by girls, they get bro-zoned, crush-zoned. I don't want the headline to be in the next day's news 'Moksh Mehrotra's wife has bhai-zoned her on her wedding day'
I will have no respect left at all]

I caught a glimpse of her hands and they were all bare, void of bridal heena. Kyu aaj kal ladkiya ka mehndi lagwane ka shawk utar gaya kya? Ya market meh koi naya trend aaya hai?

[Translation: Why have girls lost their interest in applying heena these days? Or has a new trend emerged in the market?]

Even though it was my wedding, Ziya was more excited than I was. She had both her hands covered in henna which she refused to remove even after it dried up and the flakes covered her entire room.

She protested and only removed it after complete 6 hours. Ladkiya aur unke nakhre! By God!
[Translation: Girls and their tantrums! Oh God! ]

Soon it was time for pheras, Ziya tied a very tight knot and both of us stood up from our places. Honestly speaking with each passing round around the holy fire I felt a sense of protectiveness wash over me. I felt a sense of possessiveness and responsibility towards her, maybe it wouldn't be so bad as it seemed like to spend the rest of my life with her.

After the seven rounds, I was passed the mangalsutra and I took it as my fingers slightly trembled.

"Dekh Bhai Moksh, aakhiri mauka hai bhag ja", the devil in my head voiced out and I shook my head to get rid of the intrinsic thoughts
Nhi nhi! Shaadi per focus karte hai! Shaadi per focus!

[Translation: Look Moksh, this is your last chance, run away.

: No no! Let's focus on marriage! Focus on marriage!]

With shivery hands, I took hold of the nuptial chain and leaned a bit towards her. Her jasmine fragrance filled my nostrils and I felt dazed all of a sudden. Shaking my head I tied the chain around her neck, while hooking the loop, my finger brushed against her porcelain skin. I felt her getting rigid under my touch and I shuddered with our proximity.

Ziya forwarded the plate of vermilion box and taking a pinch of the red power I filled her hair partition. It was strange that she didn't lift her vile throughout the whole fiasco. I heard her sneezing and she rubbed her nose.

Finally, we were announced, husband and wife and relief washed over me as I was tired from all the sitting. Haye meri kamar! Suhagraat per ham bed tode ya na tode per yaha baith baith kar meri kamar saachi tut jaani hai...

[Translation: oh my waist! I'm not sure whether we would break the bed on the wedding night or not, but sitting here is going to break my back for sure.]

Time passed in a jiffy and now it was time for the vidaai. I expected her to at least lift her dupatta now and cry hysterically with her family. But to my surprise, she didn't cry, or wail rather it looked more like a formal event. Strange!Yeh Puri family hi pagal hai!

[Translation: Strange! This whole family is crazy!]

One by one she met all her family members who flashed their fake tears and I looked at the drama unfolding with a bored look. I was least interested in their third-class TV serial wali acting and wanted to get away from there as soon as possible.

She was standing in front of her father, he whispered something in her ear to which her whole body language went rigid. With furrowed eyebrows, I neared them and took hold of her cold palms.

"It's time to go!", I announced and flashed a fake smile to her father aka my father-in-law. I don't know why but I did not like the man even a bit.

I walked her to the car and helped her settle in. My mother raised me to be a gentleman and I surely was acting like one now. Meri maa ko garv hoga mujhpe! Proud
[Translation: my mother would be so proud of me]

Soon everyone settled in the cars and bidding farewell to her family and my now in-laws the car drove out the driveway. I was tired of so much drama from the Agarwals. The family was so strange and nutcase. Ek dam satrangi parivaar!

[Translation: strange family]

The car sped through the highway leaving behind the family. My guards closely followed us for security since it was late at night.\

Fuck you people!

Raina sat beside me completely immobile making me concerned about her. I wanted to ask her to remove her vile at least now but decided otherwise. Agar vho offend ho gyi toh!
[Translation: what if she gets offended?]

I being a complete gentleman passed her my handkerchief when I heard her sniffing and whimpering.

"Paani?", I passed her the water bottle which she gladly accepted with a small thank you.

[Translation: water?]

Confused I sat comfortably in my seat since it'll take us at least 2 hours more to reach back home.

Her voice, sounded different this time, rone ki wajah se ho sakta hai.
[Translation: maybe because of crying]

Even her height was a bit taller, heels pehni hogi usne.
[Translation: what if she wore heels?]

She seemed a little slimmer and thinner, who knows diet per ho!
[Translation: who knows she's on a diet?]

And her skin tone was a shade lighter this time. Strange! Facial ya skin treatment kar waya hoga pagal! Kuch bhi sochta hai tu! Apne dimag ke ghode daudana band kar

[Translation: Strange! She must have done a facial or skin treatment! You think anything foolish! stop racing horses in your mind]

I mentally chided myself and closed my eyes slumping into the plush seat. I was jerked awake from my seat when the cars stopped and the familiar gates of the Mehrotra mansion came into view.

I stretched awkwardly trying to ease out the soreness in my muscles and stepped out of the car. I jogged towards the other side to help Raina but Ziya beat me to it.

Both the ladies walked towards the doors and another hour was followed by all the welcoming new bride, Pooja, grahpravesh and post-wedding rituals. Gosh, I was so tired that I  would sleep the moment my back would hit the bed.

They took Raina and made her seat on the living room couch and everyone settled around her as if watching a showpiece. But all they seemed to me were, makkhiya bhin-bhinaying on stall food.

The torturous hours came to an end and the most anticipated time came. Everyone was excited to catch a glimpse of the new bride. Suddenly curiosity filled my nerves and I felt giddy on the inside.

"Radheyshyam kaka, ek glass pani dena please", I requested the house help who quickly obliged and passed me the glass of water

[Translation: Radheyshyam uncle, a glass of water please]

Honestly, the suspense was killing me, and my throat ran dry. Matlab Bhai itna bhi kya chupana? Aisi kaunsi hoor ki pari ho tum?

[Translation: I mean bro, why hide so much? What kind of fairy are you?]

Radhika Bua walked towards Raina and stood in front of her. I shrugged my shoulders bored and continued drinking water but her next statement shocked me to the core.

"Yeh Raina nhi hai", I spit out the water I was drinking. I choked and coughed as the fluid entered the wrong pipe but no one came to my rescue as everyone was still in a state of shock.

[Translation: she's not Raina]

I stared at the mysterious woman who was my now wife baffled. The atmosphere suddenly turned tense and silence followed in the whole mansion. Hey Prabhu, hey hariram krishn jagannathamp premanand yeh kya hua?

[Translation:O Lord, O Hariram Krishna Jagannathamp Premananda, what happened?]\