• Second Chances •

17. Will You Be My Honeymoon?

"Your voice is hurting my ears. Really!" Ram tried to close his ears. He then looked at Aditya and complained, "How do you even live with her?"

Aditya just shrugged. "What can one do now? Ho gayi meri kismat kharab."  

Brinda hit them both. "Shut up!"

Then she turned to glare at Ram again. Hands on her hips, she asked, "Are you seriously not going to have any functions?" 

Ram shook his head. "No. It will be very uncomfortable. I barely know Priya. Please understand, Bri! I...I don't want this. And more than me, she does not want this. She does not like all this. Don't put us in a spot. Also, there are financial issues. So let's not force her." 

Brinda's face softened on hearing that. She sat down beside Ram and huffed, "Okay, fine. But when did you get the date?" 

"Soon. We have applied. Let's see when that happens..." Ram answered.  

"Well. Until that happens, why don't you try and understand Priya? Get to know her better?" Brinda wiggled her brows.  

Ram covered his face and sighed. "I know it is necessary but god, she scares me. I don't know how am I going to live with her? I have to share everything now. The bed, the washroom...ugh. I am worried. I have lived my life my way for so long now." 

Brinda slapped the back of his head. "It's weirder for her. Get off the high horse. Tumhari baarat waise nahi ja rahi uske ghar." 

Ram pushed her offending hand away and snapped, "What?" 

Brinda exhaled noisily and moved closer to him. She placed a hand on his and explained, "Listen. Priya is the one who is making the maximum sacrifices. She is leaving her home, her comfort and coming to stay with you. She is the one who needs to be whining. Not you."

Ram nodded his head. She was right. Priya was in a far worse position than he was. She was the one who had agreed to come and live in a strange, new house with a strange, new man. He needed to stop complaining. 

"You are right." 

"I am always right!" laughed Brinda. 

Aditya added. "Ram, please. Treat her right." 

Brinda looped her hand with Ram's hand and pulled his cheek. "He will. I am sure." 

Then she reminded Ram. "Anyway. I am sending you a few ring designs. Shortlist them. You cannot escape exchanging rings, registered marriage or otherwise. Okay?" 

Ram smiled and dropped a kiss on her head. "Oh yeah. I will need that. You are a sweetheart, Bri." 

"I know!" Brinda giggled like a small girl again. "Also, what do you want to wear? Traditional or shall we stick to suits? And I was thinking. Maybe we can have a small gathering at home to celebrate the marriage. What say?" 

Ram opened his mouth but Brinda continued to rant nervously. "I will have to book a photographer too."

"Bri..." Aditya started.

Scratching her head, Brinda grabbed her purse. "And catering...oh my god! We have to have the best food. Okay? Uff. Too much work. Ram, I will call you, okay? Bye! Answer my texts!" 

Ram's heart was full of love for Brinda. He looked at her affectionately and whispered, "Bye. Take care." 

He eyed her walking out of the cabin, rather flying out of the cabin and the similar melancholic feeling settled over his heart. Here was this girl, who didn't share anything with him. Yet, she was far more invested in his life than anyone else in his family. And before he could stop himself, he heard his lips saying, "Shivina is the one who is supposed to do this..."