Miracle Marriage

Chapter 20

Open Heart

We reached Sivagiri late that evening, Appa and my neighbour-uncle were waiting for us at the station. They came in a rented car, we left immediately after our arrival.

"Everyone is waiting for you two, the whole village is so lit like a festival," Appa said

"Really! I can't wait to meet everyone," I was, of course, so excited. I cast a quick glance at him, unsure of his emotions. Is he as keen as I am? I'm not sure why he was gazing at me, but I felt a strange tingle inside my tummy. Just his eyes and smile falling on me made me flush. I think I am at the peak of lovesickness.

When we arrived at my street, it was decorated with light bulbs all over, just as Appa had said, as if it were ready for a big festival. Since she is marrying the son of the village chief, who is her "Murai-mama." (maternal brother, or mother's brother, who is the "eligible (to marry) uncle" for the sister's daughter) Durga's wedding will undoubtedly be celebrated as a festival in the village. She always imagined a life with him, so I'm simply thrilled that he is expressing his passion in such a visible manner for her. When we got there, my Amma was waiting for us with Durga, who was very excited to see our car reach. I raced out of the car and hugged Amma and Durga, my eyes brimming with their joy. When I was so busy with my family and friends, I completely forgot about him. Appa was bringing him in, and Amma was asking him awkwardly strange queries.

"Dei, he is not a little kid, he won't get lost anywhere. We are seeing each other after so long, and you don't even want to talk with me?" Durga pouted

"It's not that, di, I was just making sure he is comfortable here. Even if the doctor is very open-minded, I have to at least check, right?" I reacted

"Are you still calling him doctor?"

"Yes, he told me that doctor is fine and he likes it,"

"You didn't change much, but became a little cute and chubbier in churidar," I missed Durga's laughs, it's like birds quarrelling with each other, but in a good way.

"He bought me these, I also like them," I replied with a shy smile.

"I can't believe this, I am seeing all girly expressions on my beloved King. You didn't marry a doctor, ma, he is for sure a magician. How did he change you?" Durga suddenly became all dramatic, typical of her. I rolled my eyes, "Quit being so dramatic, my Queen," we laughed at each other after so long.

"I will take that as a compliment dear best friend, soon to be a bride. Being a magician is not that bad." We blinked and noticed the doctor standing in front of my room listening to our conversation. I was so ashamed that I shrunk to the bed and Durga's laughing volume went up.

"Come on in Doctor and have a seat. We couldn't talk much then, my name is Durga Bharathi and I am Sathya's childhood friend," she introduced herself very charmingly.

"Hello Durga Bharathi, I am Balakrishna Chandrasekhar, your friend from childhood Sathya's husband," he said with a broad grin, joining her sassiness.

"Can you both please stop?" I felt more embarrassed that I covered my face to hide that discomfiting expression. Durga and Doctor soon became so chatty like best friends. She began to tell him about my clumsy past stories.

"Do you wanna know doctor, one time, my mama's friend confessed his feeling to Sathya. What she did was hilarious," Durga unveiled one of the incidents I never want anyone to find.

"Stop, Durga... please," I tried hard to stop her but, "No, No, don't stop Durga, tell me," he kept encouraging her with a smile.

"Ayoo..." I couldn't take it anymore and sat on the corner of the bed, sipping on the coffee Amma brought earlier.