The Seven Phases Of Marriage

I. SINGLE TO MARRIED

1. Married

Anxious, Antsy, and Apprehensive!

Mrs. Avni Siddharth Malhotra, a woman in her early twenties, sat in the center of a decorated bed with her face covered by an intricate red veil. It was the first night of her marriage.

Avni was nervous and restless. She clutched the soft lehenga trying to calm her racing heart.

She squeezed her eyes shut, hearing the door clicking.

A six-feet tall, golden yellow-skinned, handsome man in his late twenties entered the room - Her Husband, Siddharth Malhotra.

Siddharth's eyes wandered across the beautifully decorated room. Every corner of the room is dimly lit in golden light produced by candles surrounding it. The jasmines and roses spread all over the bed, with their fragrance setting a romantic mood.

Siddharth's eyes gleamed when his gaze traveled to the woman in a veil - His Wife. He felt an unknown pride calling her his.

He took slow steps towards the bed, with his heart beating at a much higher rate as the distance reduced.

Siddharth sucked in a long breath and sat in front of her. He took in the sight of her decked in gold jewelry and bright maroon lehenga.

Avni's hands trembled as Siddharth placed his hand above hers that was hugging her knees previously. His breathing hitched being close to her.

His hand gently grazed across her shoulder before hesitantly removing her veil, anticipating her beautiful eyes and blushing cheeks. He wouldn't deny the fact that he's as nervous as her.

Siddharth gasped in shock as he stared into her eyes, shimmering with fresh tears falling onto her cheeks. He felt a pang in his heart witnessing her tears.

"Avni, What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Siddharth questioned, stammering with his mind blank by the shocking vision. Avni ducked her head down and cried hard quietly.

He held her chin and gently lifted her head and questioned in a rather stern voice, praying for a negative "Do you not like me?"

"No, It's not exactly that," came her instant reply, hiccupping. His heart sighed in relief hearing her soft voice. He grabbed a glass of water and handed it over for her to drink. She gulped down the water, wiping away her tears.

"What's it then?" Siddharth questioned, with frustration and concern evident in his voice. The following words he heard hit him like a thunderbolt.

"I Love Someone Else," Avni uttered with enormous guilt in her voice.

Siddharth was rooted to the spot hearing her. He shook his head, thinking he heard it wrong, and exclaimed in a breath with his eyebrows furrowed, "What!?"

Avni repeated her earlier words, turning her face, unable to look into his chocolate brown eyes anymore, "I LOVE SOMEONE ELSE."

Anger surged through every cell of his body. Any man would desire 'I Love You, Husband' on their first night, but he gets to hear 'I Love Someone Else' from HIS Wife. What an irony! He fisted his hands, gritting his teeth, but nothing seemed to cool him down.

Siddharth marched out of the room, leaving a broken Avni in tears. He was sure he would regret it if he stayed any longer.

Avni neither had the courage nor the will to stop him. She needed time to collect herself and accept everything.

When she agreed to marry him, she convinced her mind to move on. Her heart betrayed her today when he touched her - Not because she hated him but because she wasn't ready. She couldn't proceed in their relationship with another man in her heart.