THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

3. Engagement

  It was 5 am in the morning when she woke up. She thought it is Wednesday today so I will be able to meet my brother tomorrow. She got ready and when she was about to enter the kitchen, she saw that Panditji was already there to decide the date of "Engagement" and "Marriage Ceremony".

Her mother offered him breakfast and water. While Panditji was busy matching Rishikesh's and her kundali to find the appropriate date and time for both events. He found the date and time and said, today is a good day for their "Engagement Ceremony" it should start at exactly 6 pm. "Marriage" will be on "10th June" at "10:30 am". It is just two days ahead so start the preparations now. Her father said ok panditji. Later he finished his breakfast and left.

Her father called Rishikesh's father while Rutuja was still in shock. She thought "What I have gotten myself into?" first my father told me that, he found a boy for me, then he asked me to meet him on the same day and agree to the marriage. Now I will be having my "Engagement" today and two days later I will have to get married "What the heck is going on with my life?" And the worst thing is I don't even get to select my outfits. "What a great family does I have?"

She then took a plate filled with poha and started to eat while thinking "How would Harshada react, when she will tell her the events of the day?" Her thoughts were blurred when her mother called her and told her that, her father called Rishikesh's father and told him about the date and time of both ceremonies and they have agreed to it. You will need to get ready by 4:30 pm as his family would be arriving here at 5 pm. She said ok mother.

She helped her mother and aunt to cook lunch then sat with them for eating. It was almost 12:30 pm when they finished cleaning. Rutuja went to her room thinking about how? So many things have happened in her life in just two days. It was just like getting unexpected surprises, which blasted on her like ticking time bombs.

The first thing she did after going to her room called Harshada and tell her about the day's event. Harshada said, "Wow, What is a dramatic life you have got?" I would have never believed that this would happen in real-life but, now I got to believe it. "Could your life get any crazier?" She said, "I don't know about it myself?" Enough about myself tell me "How is your life going?" Harshada said, "It is going good actually and today is a special day as Ashish is going to cook dinner tonight". Oh! Then today is going to be a wonderful day for you. Thanks, bestie, said Harshada. I will tell you later about tonight's dinner details. Ok then, I will tell you about mine bye.

Time was passing too soon for Rutuja's liking. It was almost 3:45 pm and there was a knock on her door. She opened the door to find her mother outside, her mother got in and took out a sari and Jewellery for her to get ready into and said to be in the living room by 4:30. She got ready quickly and went to the living room before time. Her mother said Rutuja you look beautiful today. She thanked her mother and went with her mother as she wanted to give her something.

Later she found out it was a ring for Rishikesh that she wanted to show her. It was definitely a good ring and suit him perfectly. It was almost 5 pm now and Rishikesh had arrived there with his family. Her parents welcome them and ask them to take a seat. All the preparations were done. They started early as they had to put the rings on each other's fingers at exactly 6 pm.

After the ceremonies were done with they put on rings on each other's ring fingers at the proper time. The elders were talking about the marriage settings and both Rishikesh and Rutuja didn't want to listen to all that so, he asked her father could he talk with her. Her father thought it would be good for them to talk with each other and gave permission.

Once, they were away from the living room they took a sigh of relief. They both talked about the preparations going on in their families. She said my family members are very excited and all the preparations are almost done. "What about yours?" He said the things are done at my house too except for one thing that we will be doing together tomorrow. She asked, "What is it?" He said we will be going together to buy you a "Mangalsutra". She said "Oh! I totally forgot about that. Nonetheless we will be having a good start. I just think we should be happy because "Marriage" is a once in a lifetime thing and we should enjoy it. He said I totally agree with you on that. Now let's go everyone will be waiting for eating dinner.

They went to the living room smiling and their parents got happy at that sight. They had dinner together enjoying every moment of it. Then Rishikesh and his family were about to go back home, his mother called Rutuja and said tomorrow you will have to go with Rishikesh to buy "Mangalsutra". She said ok mother. His mother smiled at her and they left.

Rutuja was happy for everyone but, only she knew how dangerous it was if the group which was aiming for her would try to aim for him. Rutuja and Harshada shared their stories. Then, Harshada went to sleep. But, Rutuja was thinking "What to do?" about the situation that was in front of her until she fell asleep by the day's exhaustion.