The Ladies Hostel

chapter 27:Preeya Weds Azhar

Titir's POV :
Navan just looked back and found me standing on the other side of that busy road struggling to cross! He worriedly rushed to me and hold my hand!

-" I can cross the road myself"- I confidently said.
- " Yeah, I witnessed that"- He shrugged!

Navan texted me yesterday that Preeya called him to attend her wedding ceremony. He knew all those things that were going inside these hostel regarding Maya aunty's approach for making me agreed to marry his son and eventually Preeya's daring decision! He tried to communicate with Preeya but she did not response.
" I was so surprised when her number came on my screen. Mom was in my room then. She probably thought her to be my girlfriend as I was looking shocked. She imagined that caught red handed look was for her presence."- Navan explained in a way that I could imagine the full scenerio.

" Then?"- I laughed and curiously asked.
He could not answer till we passed the huge crowd.

" Then what? She went away to her room without asking any question ".

We could not come to a conclusion that what should he buy for her. We spent more than an hour searching for a proper gift.

Being totally hopeless when I just entered into Navan's car an idea just peeped inside my head.
" Navan, a painting can be a great option? specially if it is one of Aunty's creation? Isn't it? "
- Yeah! That sounds good. But what if she does not like it?
- If "you" do not have any problem like to collect it, I think this gift will be something that she is gonna keep with her for long - I said what I felt.

- " Hmm. Now I have to choose one from hundreds of paintings. Tough job". He looked tensed.
- " No worries, Navan. Pick one that you personally love." I patted my fingers on his hand.

-Mom's painting, madam. All are equally favourite ". He smiled and the car stopped near my hostel.

I unlocked the room with my key and entered inside being exhausted.

Today was Preeya's wedding. Thousands of lights lit the hostel. Preeya herself arranged this grand programme. Maya aunty wanted to make it at some expensive community center but Preeya denied and said - ' This hostel has become my own home. If you don't mind, I want to arrange the programme in the rooftop by my own expenses. And to be very honest, I cant afford that lavish arrangement in an expensive hotel'.

Surprisingly Aunty agreed with Preeya's proposal though in a rude way!
- " Well, My bad luck! When Azhar born, from that time I dreamt for his marriage with a fair, Slim, tall and cute girl with straight hair from a rich family who is also well mannered like me. No belly fat, No ex boyfriend, No dark circle!

I am such a nice lady. But Alas! got a daughter in law who has no connection with her family!

But anyway, I am going to help you in every possible way to arrange this programme in your favourite hostel! After all it's my son's marriage. ceremony! I have to make it beautiful. Otherwise the society is not going to accept me anymore. Oh god, who knows Titir,hat bitch shayla bhabi is going to mock about my bad luck"

After making that dramatic session she went away.

I just could not just digest the fact that
girl like Preeya is just compromising his " self dignity ". Sacrificing her whole life too. For what? For me?

Trust me, I felt like committing suicide. My guilty feeling reached it's peaks and I found Preeya talking with Azhar about the last minute preparation!

Preeya was folding her dresses and putting that in two big suitcases. She kept the phone on loud speaker.

I did not want to hear their conversation. But it just entered in my ears! Unintentionally and Unfortunately.
- " Honey, I am chilling with my hot girl friends. This is the last time meeting with them being intimate. Looking at their small waist, bigger boobs and, you know na? Ha Ha Ha"

I just came out of our room and straight away rushed to the washroom. I literally puked thinking how dirty was his way of talking.

I splashed water on my face. Repeatedly. In the foggy blur mirror, I saw a guilty face for whom a beautiful soul is in fact going to be burnt for the rest of her life"

The scattered sounds of Azhar's dirty smile, the image of the news of the allegation of rape against him, his evil mother, the smile of my curly hair darling, her jokes started haunting me.

Suddenly everything becomes blurry...

___________________________________________

" Titir, where did you keep that scissor?
I did not get it with the flowers and ribbons "- Nipa di asked me.

" In my drawer. Wait, di" - I stopped applying my lip shade.
" Oh God!! incredible "
-" What? " I looked around.
- You are a queen Titir. You are a queen!!
- Hold it. I smiled and gave her the scissor from my drawer.

By the way, I had put on a designer dress that Preeya had just gifted me half an hour ago.
" Titir, Listen. The world is so unpredictable. Adaptation and acceptance can make thing easier. I have to marry Azhar. This is my destiny. I have accepted this already. Accept it, Titir. Accept it.

I hugged her so tight and wanted her to enter in my core! I could not say anything just continued saying " Preeya, Preeya".

She wanted me to smile so I promised to myself that I would not cry in front of her. I pretended as if Preeya was going to have the best life partner ever.

" You are looking so posh! Absolutely perfect daughter in law of the greatest Maya khan"- Momi apu said.

" You are so lucky sis! So many palaces, huge business! Your life is settled dear" -Sneha continued.

I just fled away from that otherwise I would react in a bad way.

Preeya's POV :
Everything is predestined. It was my destiny that I would leave my house and come here being roommate of Titir khan and marry a man like Azhar. I was born to bear all these unexpected things.
"You are going to get The great Maya as your mother in law! " - Inner soul started talking sarcastically.
" Yes. And the great Azhar as my life Partner as well who used to have different girlfriends for different occasion " - I surprisingly smiled since I could reply something!
" Apu, don't move. I am struggling to set your lashes"
"Hmm"

author's note: Unedited Version.