Dear Arjun

Chapter 18: A birthday gift

Seher's POV

"Oh my God!"

I heard Bani squeal as soon as I walked into our backyard garden, that was decorated for my engagement ceremony with Shubh.

God! Even thinking about is putting me into a mood, how the fuck am I even gonna go through with this!?

Yeah, God bless your future life, my subconscious commented with pitiful eyes.

"You look so pretty! I can't even believe that this is really happening!" Bani exclaimed, walking towards me and pulling me into a warm hug.

"Who knew that among the both of us, you would be the one getting married first!" She added, pulling back.

"Well, it's not my wedding today, Bani, I'm just getting engaged" I replied in a low voice so that only she could hear me.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked, frowning and glanced around our surroundings to make sure no one was eavesdropping on our conversation.

I sighed. What am I doing? Why did I say that? What was it even supposed to mean?

I passed Bani a fake smile before lying "Nothing, Bani"

"It's just that...well, even I can't believe that this is really happening" I added but this time what I said, wasn't a lie at all. I really cannot believe that this is happening.

"Ah! There comes my beautiful daughter-in-law" Our conversation was cut short as we turned towards the guests, hearing Shubh's mother, Mrs. Anjali Patel's voice.

I drew in a deep breath before walking towards them.

"You look so beautiful, Seher, my Shubh is a lucky man, I must say" She added with a wide smile before pulling me into a hug.

"You look great, dear" Shubh's father, Mr. Bhavik Patel said while patting my head lightly.

"Thank you" I forced out a short reply.

"Come, I'll take you to your groom" Mrs. Anjali Patel said before leading me towards an alter like area, a few steps away from where the guests were seated, where stood her son along with my family.

Shubh smiled at me, his eyes glimmered with happiness as I walked towards him along with his mother.

I faked a smile at Shubh and even though I was upset with this arrangement...this engagement but yet I couldn't help but feel bad for the man smiling at me happily. This probably has to be the happiest moment of his life as, most probably, it'll never be happening again in his life considering the fact marriage is a one time thing in our cultural believes.

He must have numerous expectations from his better half but he was getting a partner who couldn't even give him a genuine smile on our supposedly big day.

"God! This is the first time that I am seeing you in a saree..." Shubh paused, drawing in a deep breath.

"And you look...amazing" He continued before pulling me into an unexpected hug, catching me off guard and just for our families sake, I decided to play along and hugged him back.

"Now let's not delay the ceremony any further..." Mrs. Anjali Patel said and just on cue, one of her helps stepped ahead with a silver platter, covered in white roses and in the center of it were placed two rings, that shined brighter than my future.

"Seher..." Mrs. Anjali Patel handed a one of the rings...a ring that I was supposed to put on Shubh's finger.

"Shubh, my son..." She smiled handing him the other ring that was meant for me.