Here After!

16. New Day Dawns

Anu

In the morning, I awoke to a comforting sensation, wrapped in someone's embrace. Before opening my eyes, I took a moment to recall the events of the previous day. When I finally opened them, I found him gazing at me intently, our proximity almost startling. With a smile, I greeted him, wishing him good morning. His response elicited a shy reaction from me, and what followed took me by surprise. Before I could fully process it, everything returned to normal as he settled beside me.

Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, I was left speechless. The realization of what had just happened flooded me with embarrassment, making it difficult to meet his gaze. Lost for words, I could only manage a feeble "Okay" as he excused himself to freshen up, leaving me to contemplate the unexpected encounter.

After his departure to the washroom, I found myself in a state of bewilderment, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed me. Was it a fleeting moment of passion or simply a figment of my imagination? Regardless, the lingering awkwardness hung in the air, leaving me grappling with a myriad of conflicting thoughts.

As I lay there, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over me. The intimacy we had shared felt both exhilarating and disconcerting, stirring a mixture of excitement and apprehension within me. Part of me longed to confront the situation head-on, to address the unspoken tension between us, while another part feared the repercussions of such a confrontation.

Lost in my thoughts, I found myself replaying the events of the morning, dissecting every word and gesture in search of clarity. But the more I dwelled on it, the more elusive the answers seemed to become, leaving me feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

The sound of my phone ringing snapped me out of my reverie, signaling an incoming call from Mom. Answering quickly, I listened as she outlined the agenda for the day before the wedding, urging me to get ready and join the preparations. With a brief acknowledgment, I hung up and began to gather my belongings, mentally preparing for the busy day ahead.

As I laid out a selection of dresses for myself, a thought occurred to me. Remembering scenes from countless Indian soap operas, where the male lead is often presented with a choice of outfits by the female protagonist, I decided to extend the same courtesy to Giri.

Upon his return from the shower, I presented him with the options, only to be met with a bemused expression. "I thought I'd choose my own outfit, but since you've already taken the initiative, I'll go along with your selection," he said with a shrug.

Handing him the chosen garment, I offered him some privacy to get ready, stepping away to give him space as he prepared for the day ahead.

Upon my return, I found Giri ready to head out, and to my surprise, he suggested we go together. Agreeing with a nod, I followed him out of the door. Outside, he joined Anish and Papa, who were enjoying their morning tea, while I made my way to the kitchen, only to be met with a disapproving glare from Mom.

With other relatives present, she held her tongue but couldn't hide her displeasure. Inquiring about Giri's whereabouts, I mentioned he had stepped out and expressed my intention to fetch him some tea. However, Mom insisted I wait, mentioning she was already preparing another batch of tea.

Glancing around, I busied myself with minor tasks, attempting to distract myself from the awkward atmosphere. Finally, Mom emerged from the kitchen with a tray of tea, breaking the silence that had settled between us. As she handed me the cup, her expression softened slightly, and I offered her a small smile in return, grateful for the gesture of peace amidst the tension.

Amidst the flurry of activity, the day raced by in a blur of excitement and anticipation. Giri and I barely crossed paths throughout the day, our moments together fleeting and scarce.

I caught glimpses of him here and there, often in the midst of helping Papa and Anish with various tasks around the house. It struck me how seamlessly he had integrated himself into the rhythm of our family, his presence a comforting and reassuring presence amidst the chaos of wedding preparations.

As the evening wore on, the house was engulfed in a vibrant tapestry of laughter and conversation, as relatives and friends gathered to share in the joyous occasion. The air was filled with the infectious energy of celebration, a palpable sense of excitement reverberating through the halls.

Later in the evening, Pradeep and his friends arrived, their presence adding to the festive atmosphere. Anitta, radiant with happiness, seemed to be basking in the glow of anticipation for the days ahead. Unlike me, she had meticulously planned every detail of her wedding, and for her, this moment marked the culmination of her dreams, a testament to the love and commitment as they embarked on this new chapter together.

All of a sudden, I found myself engulfed in a wave of sadness, unable to discern whether it was regret, envy, or something else entirely. My sister's impending marriage, with its joyous celebrations and careful planning, stirred up a mix of emotions within me. Seeing her embark on this journey, having had the time to choose her partner and build a foundation of understanding, left me feeling a complex blend of emotions that I struggled to comprehend.

Have I sacrificed my own happiness for hers? I pondered this as I grappled with the reality of my situation. The pivotal decision of my life was made within a mere two-month timeframe, leaving me with little opportunity to truly understand Giri or our relationship. Everything seemed to have unfolded so suddenly for us, and now I found myself questioning whether we truly knew each other at all. In the midst of a house bustling with family and friends, brimming with joy and celebration, I couldn't shake the feeling of isolation and uncertainty gnawing at me from within.

Suddenly, I was jolted back to reality by a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I found Jinu, our cousin, standing there with a mischievous grin. "Lost in thought, Anu?" he teased. "Or are you devouring your husband with your eyes? Remember, he's all yours." His words caught me off guard, but amidst his banter, one word resonated with me: "Eat/Food."

That's it! I realized I hadn't eaten anything since afternoon, and my hunger was likely fueling my unsettling thoughts. With a sudden surge of happiness, I grabbed Jinu's arm and dragged him to the food counter. There, I served myself a hearty portion, relieved to have identified the cause of my melancholy. Jinu, taken aback by my sudden change in demeanor, followed suit and began to serve himself.

We gathered around to eat, and out of nowhere, Anish appeared, teasing me for not informing them earlier. He joked that I should have at least thought about Giri. I simply shrugged off his remarks. Then, Jinu, in his own style, recited a famous movie dialogue, "Sapadu mukkiyam bigilu" (Food is important).

The teasing continued, and soon Papa joined us, gathering all the cousins for dinner. Anish even went to fetch Giri, who seemed occupied elsewhere. After the meal, the elders instructed us to retire for the night, reminding us of the early start the next day.

Exhausted beyond measure, my mind couldn't conjure up anything else as I collapsed onto the bed, longing for the solace of sleep.