Prem Vivah

• Teen Khwab •

The couples stood up to take blessings of everyone, and Sarita lovingly patted their heads, saying in a soft voice - "Humesha Khush Raho."

"Congratulations." They expected a better reaction from Nishikant, but he regarded them with a formal wish, and delivered an artificial smile, holding no delight.

"Thank You," Naina said gently, trying to smile after her father's cold response.

They touched Phulla Bhua's feet with pure sincerity in their hearts and the grey-haired woman affectionately caressed their heads while saying amusingly - "Dhudho nahao aur phulo phalo, aur jaldi se humein ek pyari si gudiya ya guddu ke darshan karao."

Samaina blushed at her mischievous comment, their cheeks deepening into the bucket of crimson paint, and Phulla Bhua made another remark - "Itne sharmao mat, abhi dene nahi keh rahi hoon...par zyada wait bhi mat karwana."

"Kya aap bhi." Naina looked at the smiling woman with a bashful expression, restraining her growing temptation to fulfill her wish.

"Kya? Kuch galat keh rahi hoon kya main?" Phulla Bhua said with a fake solemn look, and this time Sameer interrupted - "Bilkul nahi kaku, aap bilkul sahi keh rahi hai, bahut jaldi aapki iccha puri ho jayegi."

Naina swiftly glanced at her husband with a hard look casting her face, and Sameer quickly winked at his infuriated wife to clarify her doubt that he wasn't serious about his promise to the grey-haired lady. He was kidding to annoy her.

"Dekha mera hero kitna samjhdaar hai, humesha aise hi rehna, aur is pagal si bacchi ko khush rakhna." Phulla Bhua happily cupped the young bride's chin while directing her jovial eyes at the tall guy, who positively nodded his head.

Samaina earned blessings from Balloon which of course was a forceful action from her side because she wasn't delighted at all with the fact that Naina found such a good-looking, charming, caring, and loving husband. She kept her giant palms on their heads while pushing a reluctant smile on her lips, and Phulla Bhua was watching her daughter-in-law's acts with a sharp expression.

Pranali lovingly embraced her sister-in-law who was finally wedded now and shared a piece of imperative advice with her in a meek tone - "I am happy you got married to your love, but now listen to me carefully. Apne beech ka pyar kabhi kam mat hone dena, jo tumse ho paye woh karna sameer ke liye. Always remember, arrange marriage me toh do logon ke beech pyaar ho ya na ho toh itna shayad fark nahi padhta hoga but love marriage me agar distance aur bitterness aa gayi na toh bahut...bahut takleef hoti hai."

Naina calmly listened to Bhabhi's suggestion and felt immense grief and pain in her voice. It felt like Pranali wanted to tell her something important but decided to control herself at the last moment. Naina woefully stared at her sister-in-law and asked her - "kya hua hain Vaini? Dada se phir ladai ho gayi kya?"

"Arey nahi, sirf aise hi keh rahi thi main." Pranali quickly concealed her anguish behind a plastic smile on her face.

"Pakka?" Naina still wasn't sure.

"Ji, itna overthink mat karo, aaj tumhari shadi hui hai...so you should enjoy your day to the fullest," Pranali replied to her with a sweet smile and patted her cheek.

Naina just hummed, her gloomy eyes focused on her sister-in-law who was trying to show the world that she was a happily married woman with a cute daughter and loving husband, but nobody knew the harsh reality she experienced nearly every day after getting married to an Egoistic and Chauvinist Man like Prashant. He might be a very good and caring partner but during arguments, she faces a thoroughly different side of him, no matter what. She won't ever forget how he claimed her to be dishonest and disloyal to him when he found her having a friendly chat with her regular patient who unfortunately happened to be a Male and not a Female. That day was the day when she decided to start maintaining a distance between them and give no other chance to her so-called husband to judge her loyalty and honesty in their relationship.