Like A Phoenix From The Ashes

Chapter 3

"Aanya, Chandra aunty wants to speak to you," my brother called when I was in my own world of thoughts. She started congratulating me for the alliance and I seriously didn't like the thought that my single life is coming to an end.

"Thank you Chandra aunty", I replied.

"What is he doing? Where is he from? How old is he?" she started showering me with such questions.

"He is working in Noida in some reputed company, he is basically from Pune Maharashtra, he is 6 years older than me", I started answering all of her questions.

Even though she is my paternal aunt, she always has been like a mother that I never had. She was always there for both me and Arun and would never stand back to help us in any ways possible. So I thought that it is my duty to answer all of her questions and I did so.

It was around 2 in the afternoon when we reached home, and so I went to bed as soon as I completed my work like removing my makeover, changing into my comfy PJs and untangling my hair. I slowly leaned on my pillow and drifted into the dreamland.

I woke up as usual at around 6pm and thought that everything happened today was just a dream and nothing else. I went to the living area and saw Arun and my dad discussing stuff about the engagement party.

"How and where to arrange the party?" asked Arun to dad.

"We can arrange the party here in Pune. We can then discuss with Shubham's family regarding the location for the wedding" replied my dad.

"How big of an engagement party should it be? Should we invite everyone we know or just kith and kin?" Arun's questions continued.

"Arun, you can invite your friends if you want. No need to invite everyone I think. Just close relatives are enough I guess. Let us discuss it with Shubham's family and then we can proceed further" dad replied.

It was concluded for the day. There were not many talks regarding the arrangement of the engagement party the next few days. Arun called Shubham and discussed about the ideas regarding the party arrangement and finally everything was concluded that it will be held in the next three months in Pune only, so as to make it easier for the relatives to visit the ceremony without any problem.

Days went by and discussions were all made, arrangements were done and the day finally arrived. Everyone visited my place with the idea of leaving to the venue altogether. Our house was filled with laughter, happiness and even a little bit of sadness because of the absence of my mom.

Women occupied my room and even the guest room to get ready, whereas men all crowded inside Arun's and dad's room to get ready. We helped each other to get ready by setting each other's hair, doing makeover, perfectly setting the saree plaits and so on. Everyone somehow managed to get ready at around 10am and everyone was looking prettier than me, who was actually the woman of the day.

We all left to the venue at 10.15am and as we reached we saw that Shubham's mother and brother was at the entrance welcoming everyone. My dad and Arun joined them and welcomed everyone that attended the party. My aunts took me to my room and helped me with final arrangement of my hair and saree and jewellery. My hair was tied into a braided bun and was designed with a white floral garland. I was wearing baby pink saree in the traditional way and matched my saree with same colour studded necklace and earrings.

I was looking in the mirror that was placed inside the room and couldn't believe that today I will be getting engaged to someone and will become someone's fiancé, till the day we get married. Nervousness hit me like a wave when it was time to go and stand in front of everybody and exchange rings. My aunts were with me when I made a move towards the stage and I saw Shubham standing there with a smile on his face. He was looking very handsome in his dark blue blazer suit, with a cream button up and messy, yet elegantly set hairstyle. My heart started beating faster with the view before me and somehow my nervousness flew away. I smiled and moved towards him and after all the regular rituals we exchanged rings.