Prem Vivah

• Tantalizing Periods •

The hall was occupied with close relatives from both sides of the families, and Sameer was sitting quietly on the flattened cloth, his eyes focused on the ongoing agni kund. He has been performing Ganesh Puja alone as per customs, and his heart was content with the fact that he was getting married to his ladylove. He placed betel nuts and leaves on the brass plate and gave it to the priest.

Aditya was doing the same at some distance, pouring drops of ghee into the burning fire. He got engaged to his childhood love last year and since then there hadn't been a single day he didn't wait for this moment. He didn't know how excited Radhika was for their marriage but he was undeniably waiting to make her his wife and give her the title of Mrs.Jadhav. Even while doing all these rituals he couldn't stop thinking about HER. How beautiful she would look in a Maharashtrian saree with a gold ring on her nose and that shy smile accompanying her lips.

Sameer was gently blinking his eyes, his patience thinning bit by bit, and his friends could see how eager and restless he was to meet Naina.

Anshuman was standing a little far with hands folded against his stomach, and his serene gaze shifted to Anjali, who was seen pressing her forehead. She didn't seem to be enjoying this function and it pricked him deeply. He looked here and there to confirm no one was looking at him and then decided to ask her why she was looking in anguish.

"Hello." Anshuman greeted her in a soft voice.

"Hi," Anjali replied to him normally.

"Sir dukh raha hai?" He asked her with solemnity laced in his voice.

"Haa I don't know why." She said in a low voice and kept blinking her heavy eyes.

"Tumne nimbu pani piya? Medicine li?" Anshuman asked her in a concerned tone and roamed his head around the hall to spot a waiter.

"Peeyugi thodi der baad," Anjali said gently and exhaled in exhaustion.

"Tum kal raat soyi nahi hona?" He guessed as she seemed worn-out and mild dark circles could be seen under her eyes.

She peered at him with astonishment in her eyes as to how he could feel her pain and tiredness without suffering from it.

"Haa woh actually ek hafte ki chutti leni haina toh kaam double aa gaya hai, upar se mujhe migraine ki problem bhi hai," Anjali answered him with a small smile on her dull face and Anshuman grabbed a chair for the beary woman, gently making her sit above it.

He suddenly went out of the hall and Anjali stared at him in confusion, wondering where this punjabi boy disappeared now????

Sameer and Aditya were following the instructions given by the priests, and their yearning to see their respective brides in traditional clothes was intensifying with the passing time.

Anshuman returned to Anjali with a medicine sachet in his hand and told her - "Take this, it's specifically for headache. You'll feel better."

Anjali held the packet in her loose grip, her eyes not moving away from his gentle smile, and she mused how opposite her ex-boyfriend was. She never felt that he cared for her or loved her, if anything he did then taunt her -- blaming her -- using her -- shouting at her -- and slowly killing her love for him. She shivered while looking down at the medicine in her hand and Anshuman brought her water bottle.

She took the migraine medicine in one gulp and thanked the concerned boy with a benevolent smile.

Anshuman took an empty chair from nearby and sat beside the journalist girl, silently showing his love and worry for her migraine headache. Anjali felt quite relaxed after some time and her pink lips swiftly donned a soft smile as she stole a quick glance at Anshuman readjusting the silver-toned bracelet on his right wrist, then raking his hand through his inky mane.