THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

8. Marriage Registration, Sweet time

             Rutuja was up early and getting ready in front of the mirror. She had already folded her bed and slid it below the other bed so no one would notice. Rishikesh got up as Rutuja was about to go to the kitchen for preparing breakfast. She greeted him with good morning and he greeted her back. She said get ready and come out soon Ashish and Harshada are going back at 9 am today and I am going to the kitchen. He said, ok I will be there soon.

She left the room and started preparation of breakfast, Rishika and Harshada came to help her. They had finished cooking breakfast before mother came into the kitchen. Rishika and Harshada were setting up the table while she was chopping vegetables for lunch. Rutuja had finished most of the preparations for lunch before having her breakfast.

Soon after they finished breakfast Harshada got ready to leave. She left at sharp 9 am as she had some urgent work to be done. Rutuja and Rishikesh were going to miss their best friends. After they left Rishika helped Rutuja with the rest of the preparations for lunch. They all had lunch together and then both finished cleaning the kitchen and dishes. All relatives at Rishikesh's house left after lunch.

The house was more silent without many people present. When Rutuja and Rishika came out of the kitchen Rishikesh told Rutuja to get ready as they were going to do the registration of their marriage. Rutuja said, ok I will be back in a few minutes. She got dressed and came back to the living room in five minutes. Rishika said, "Wow Rutuja you are so fast" it would have taken me at least 15 minutes to get ready. Rutuja just smiled at her and said let's go Rishikesh.

Rishikesh got up and they left the house in unison. Rishikesh and Rutuja both got on the bike and he started to speed it up Rutuja was going to lose her balance if she didn't hold onto something. So, she hesitantly held onto Rishikesh's shoulder. Rishikesh was surprised at first then, his lips curved into a smile. They arrived at the office a little early than she predicted. Both got off the bike when he parked it. Then went inside the office.

Rishikesh had already filled out the registration form and taken the signature of Panditji who performed their marriage as well as who have witnessed the Marriage. It consisted of our parents as well as relatives. The only things left were his and her signature which they filled there themselves and submitted the form. When the details were enrolled in the data list they were given a "Marriage Certificate". They both said "Thank you" and left the office.

Rishikesh started the bike once they both were seated. Then, asked her, Should we stop by a Cafe? She said yes and he took her to the Cafe where they both sat leisurely. Rishikesh called the waiter and ordered two coffees and two slices of chocolate cake. Rutuja thought, "Why did he order a chocolate cake?" and wanted to ask him. She asked Rishikesh "Do you like chocolate cake? He smiled and said "I love chocolate cake" it is my favourite. Hearing that it was his favourite she got excited and said mine too. At which both laughed.

A few minutes later their order arrived and they enjoyed it talking with each other about random things. When they finished Rishikesh went to the counter to pay the bill. After he was done they went back to the house. It was almost 4 pm when they returned. Rutuja got fresh and Rishika called her to her room. She asked Rutuja "How was your time with Rishikesh?" Rutuja said, "I had a great time with him". It was fun "I found out that chocolate cake was his favourite" and coincidently mine too.

Rishika said, "It's good to hear that, you enjoyed your time together". Rutuja said, "I think that I am a lucky girl to get a husband like Rishikesh". He knows about what I am feeling even without telling him. Rishika said, "I am lucky too as he is my brother" and personally, "I think that you two make a good couple". Rutuja's face flushed by her words and Rishika said, look who is blushing teasingly.

Rishika and Rutuja had a good time talking with each other. Rishika told her what her parents like or don't like. She told her all the things that she knew about her brother and Rutuja carefully made a mental note of each thing. While they were talking Rishikesh and Aniket sat in the living room watching TV. Mother asked them where are girls and Rishikesh said, mother, they are busy talking in Rishika's room.

His mother thought it was good that Rutuja was enjoying herself with Rishika as a friend. Soon it was evening. Rutuja and Rishika got fresh and came out of the room so they could prepare dinner for the family. They started with dinner preparations while others sat in the living room chatting with each other. Rutuja and Rishika were having a good time in the kitchen as they kept laughing together while doing their work.

When food was finally prepared they both arranged the dinner table smiling at each other. Everyone in the family was glad to see that they were behaving like they have been friends forever in such a less amount of time. The dinner was good as it was the favourite food of all the members. Later Rutuja and Rishika were cleaning the kitchen together. They finished their work and went to the living room. Parents were still there so, Rishika said mother "We will be going back tomorrow afternoon as we both have morning shifts the next day". Father said ok to them.

When they both went back to their rooms they were exhausted. Rishika fell asleep as soon as she got to her bed. Rutuja made her bed then made Rishikesh's bed. Rishikesh came to the room and saw his bed neat and clean. He thanks Rutuja for that. She said you don't need to thank me for such simple things. Rishikesh said, "I will think about it".

As Rutuja didn't say anything more Rishikesh got under the covers and turned the lights off. She said, good night Rishikesh. He said good night to her and fell asleep while Rutuja pretended to sleep as she couldn't.