Rukmini

Chapter 27

Today is the day when everything will be brought to a standstill.
A day when my life would change.
A day when all these façades will finish.

A day that holds the importance of the Day Of Judgement in my life.

Today will be the day when everything will finish, and wrap up.

A day, at the end of which I would either meet Arjun dada or help my father reach the gates of hell.

In any case, I shall have to do something that kills a part of me.
In any case, I shall have to die.

It is a day when I shall face the wrath and hatred that my father has cleverly tried to hide for nearly 21 years.
The wrath and hatred that was so strong that it prevented him from even informing me of my own older brother's death.
If Mayuresh and Shashank wouldn't have told me of the truth, I would never have been able to know that Arjun dada had passed away.
(Mayuresh and Shashank were Vikramaditya's friends in college whom Rukmini befriended, refer to chapter 16. They had been working for Rukmini's father and Abhimanyu and helped them in their shady businesses.)

'Rukmini, open the door !', screamed Sameera as she pounded on the door of my room.
That was enough to pull me out of my reverie.

Come on Rukmini. Just one more day. Everything's going to end, anyways.

'Coming vahini.', I said as I tied up my hair into a bun, and opened the door.

'Rukmini kiti vel ! Lagna la ushir hoil, chal ata sagli tayari patkan karuyat. Nahi tar muhurta chukel.', she started blabbering as she entered the door with lots of stuff, and then locked the room.
(Rukmini, how long did you take ? You'll delay the wedding, now we'll have to get ready as fast as possible, or else we'll miss the auspicious time given for the marriage to start.)

'Vahini, it's 4:30 in the morning ! You can't expect me to wake up earlier than this. The wedding begins at around 8:30, and I'm up so early !', I exclaimed angrily, faking a furious bride.

'Sorry Rukmini. I know its your wedding, and you ought to have had some more time to rest and prepare. Unfortunately, we've got a muhurta of 8:30 in the morning. Anyways, here's your towel. Go have a bath. I'm waiting here.', she said.
(Muhurta = Auspicious time)

'I've already had a bath. I put on my gown only because you hadn't brought my sari and accessories.', I replied honestly and sternly.

'Impressive. Here's your sari. Go put it on, and then come here. I shall adorn you and style your hair. Rukmini, don't forget to wear a Nauvari.'
(Nauvari = nine yards sari)

'I know vahini. I'll be back in a jiffy.', I said as I grabbed the sari and went to the bathroom to change.

Best of luck Rukmini. I love you. - Arjun dada's voice echoed in my mind.
I wiped the unfaithful tears that rolled down my cheeks.

'Chala Rukmini tai Sawant, ready waha. Aaj nikalacha divas ahe.', I said to myself in attempt to cheer myself up.
(Come on Ms. Rukmini Sawant, get ready. Today's the Judgement Day.)

I got ready in the green sari that vahini had given me and looked into the mirror once again. I gave myself a strong, confident smile.

You can do this Rukmini.

I walked back into my room.

'Wow, Rukmini you're looking so beautiful. The sari totally compliments your complexion and features. It looks perfect !', she said.