Anurāgaḥ

Chapter 2

~ Subha ~

I could hear the hustle and bustle throughout the house while I was trying to sleep. Common man, it's my day off, I need to sleep. Why was everyone being so noisy this early in the morning anyway. That's when it clicked.

Today was the day the grooms family was coming to see me. 

I jolted up and immediately ran to take a shower. If my mother found out that I was still sleeping after she constantly warned me last night that their family would be here at lunch time and that I had to be ready by 11:30am, I would be dead. 

By the time it was 10:45am, I was out of the shower, in my clean clothes, and starting my hair and makeup. 

"Good morning Subha," My mum came into my room with a soft smile holding a pink saree.

I smiled at her as she set all the jewellery to match the saree on my bed.

She pat my head lovingly and as she was leaving the room she said "They're on their way already, get ready quickly we still have to a lot more preparations to complete," she closed my bedroom door and left. 

That's when my nerves started kicking in. 

Most girls have expectations on what their wedding should be like.

I wasn't any different.

I had planned my wedding down to the T by the time I was 17. The only thing missing was the groom.

I was never adamant that I had to fall in love first and then get married. But it sure would be nice. But in saying that, I was never against arranged marriage either.

I was open to my parents decision and I believed that they'll do anything only my betterment. I wasn't scared of arranged marriage or anything. I've seen how it worked out for my parents and my brother. 

All I ask for is a nice mother-in-law, a caring father-in-law and a loving husband. The rest I can deal with later. As long as I have my new family and old family standing beside me, I'm sure nothing can harm or affect me. 

But that doesn't mean I won't get nervous. A complete stranger is coming to see me with the potential idea of marriage. If this works out that means I'll be spending the rest of my life with him. Not only him, I'll be with the rest of his family as well. 

Shaking off all thoughts I told myself everything will be fine, "It's okay Subha, it's only a meeting, no one is fixing your marriage just yet, you'll have some time to get to know each other." 

Finishing off my makeup, I went to go put on the saree, constantly assuring myself that everything will be fine. 

---------- 

It was around 12:10pm when I heard a car pull into our driveway. 

I silently clutched Pooja Vadina's hand tightly as she was trying to pin mallepoolu onto my hair. 

"Subha, stop stressing too much" she replied still concentrating on the task at hand, "The guy would have to be dumb to not be swept off his feet the moment he sees you." 

She looked at me knowingly, "I know how nerve-recking it can be, trust me I felt the same way when your Anna came to see me," she pat my head with care, "if it's meant to be, then destiny and fate will play its part and everything will go well."

I smiled up at her, "Thank you Vadina."

We continued talking with her mostly trying to calm me down. A few minutes later Amma came up to my room with a glowing smile, "They're waiting shall we go?"