THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

4. Long Drive, Meeting Her Brother

             Rutuja was eating breakfast when her father got a call from Rishikesh's father saying that Rishikesh will be coming there to pick Rutuja up in an hour. Her father said I will ask her to be ready before he arrives here.

Her father kept the phone aside and called her. She answered him immediately saying yes father "Do you need something?" Her father said, "Yes I need you to get ready soon as your fiance will be here in an hour to pick you up for your shopping". She said ok I will go and get ready now while finishing her breakfast.

She finished her breakfast and hurried towards her room to get ready. Then took a look at her clothes to decide what to wear. At first, she was thinking about wearing "Jeans and Tshirt" but, then changed her opinion and wore an umbrella frock dress as she thought "What will her family say about her dress, while she was going out with her fiance?"

After getting ready she heads to the living room to wait for his arrival. For her family she was acting happy but, her mind was a complete mess and only two people could tell what was really going on in her head and they were not there.

A bit later Rishikesh arrived at her house to pick her up for shopping. He greeted all the members of the family with "Good Morning" before, he asked her father for permission to leave. Her father readily gave permission for him to go with his daughter.

Rutuja followed Rishikesh out of her house and saw him starting his bike. She thought "Yep, no car today" smiling at him. He thought "What is she smiling at?" so, he asked her "Why are you smiling?" She said, "I am smiling because I will be riding a bike with someone after a long time. He said, "Oh! That's the reason". But, was curious about who she used to ride a bike with. His curiosity took the best of him and he asked "With whom would you go on a bike ride?" She said, "I would go bike riding with my younger brother. He asked, "Would your brother always take you with him?" She said not always but when we both needed fresh air to cool our minds we would do it.

He said you really have a good brother and I think he cares a lot for you. She said yes Aditya is definitely the best brother I could have got. Now let's go before family members start shouting at us she said laughing. He laughed with her and said get on then. She got on the bike and they speed up the way.

A few minutes later he slowed down a bit and asked Rutuja, "Do you want to go on a long drive right now?" She said, "Sure I would love to". He turned the bike towards the road which was silent with fewer vehicles on it. A little later he parked his bike as they came near the beautiful waterfall. Both got off the bike and took the view in. The nature in that area was beautiful with lush green trees and a waterfall between them. It was a pleasant sight away from all the crowds. She said this place is wonderful and he was pleased to hear that.

They enjoyed the silence together for a while then, he took her back to the destination of shopping which was a Jewellery shop. Then they looked for a design of "Mangalsutra" which would suit Rutuja. After looking at the designs available they finalized one that they both thought would suit her. He paid the bill then, they were ready to go.

He dropped her at her house and her parents asked him to take a seat. Her mother asked, "Did your shopping go well?" He said yes it went well. Then she asked, "Can I see it?" He said sure go ahead offering the Jewellery box to her mother so she could look at it. Her mother said it's really a good design it would suit her well. He just smiled at her mother knowingly.

Aditya came down to the living room as Rishikesh was about to leave. He said, Rutuja "Did you arrive home just now?" She said, "Yes I just came home from shopping". "When did you arrive?" He said, "I just arrived 30 minutes later after you went shopping". Now I just wanted to talk with you and your fiance. Father I am going to borrow my sister and her fiance for some talking. Without waiting for his father's reply he took both of them to her room.

He closed the door of her room and made them both sit on the bed while he was still pacing the room. He was obviously tense because of the situation. He asked Rutuja "Did our parents force you to say yes to Marriage?" She said, Yes we were forced but just a bit we said yes ourselves for the Marriage after I told him about my secret job. He accepted everything about me and I accepted him so you don't need to worry about it. Aditya turned to Rishikesh and asked him "Do you know about my sister's job and how risky it may be?" He said, "Yes I know that she is a Scientist and the risks along with it".

Her brother calmed down visibly by now then, asked "Do you know her best friend's name?" He said no I don't know her and her husband's name. Her best friend is Harshada who is a Doctor by profession and she tells everything to her. She is married and her husband Ashish who is a Chemical Engineer like you knows about her being a Scientist too.

Rishikesh said Ashish's name sounds familiar to me. He is my best friend. Her brother said could you show us his photo. He said sure took his phone and show them an image of his friend. Rutuja said, "OH MY GOD" this is awesome getting excited like a little kid. Both boys laugh at her demeanor. Her brother says ok I accept you as my brother-in-law. Rishikesh said thanks Aditya I won't disappoint you.

They all went downstairs laughing at Rutuja. Her parents let out a sigh of relief at that. Rishikesh went home and their mother asked Aditya and Rutuja to freshen up and come to have lunch. After changing they went to have their lunch. Lunch was pretty good and preparations of "Mehendi and Sangit" had already begun.

Aditya and Rutuja were talking with each other about the whole incident. Her brother said, "I can't believe it." Our mother asked you to take 3 weeks off and after coming here they told you that, "you will be getting married", "My God" this is totally crazy. "What wonderful parents we have got?" "How can they tell you such a big decision so carelessly?" She said to be careful about yourself or you might be next. He said I will be careful about it.

While they both were busy talking with each other. Elders of the family went to Rishikesh's house for giving them a formal "Wedding Invitation" after they went to the temple to keep the invitation in front of god. Elders from Rishikesh's family also came to Rutuja's house for giving the invitation. It is a ritual where both parties give an "Invitation" to each other.