The Broken Heart Syndrome

CHAPTER 17

RHYTHM

The next few days are a whirlwind of activities, from dress shopping to manicure-pedicure to waxing and whatnot.

Gabi has taken upon herself to turn me into a new woman. I have been waxed and polished within an inch of my life.

Mom is slowly but finally getting around this wedding. That's why even though I didn't want to go to all the appointments that Gabi has arranged, I go to all of them and take her with me.

And for her sake, I try to add some oohs and aahs or she would stare at me with worry filled eyes whenever she thinks I'm not looking. She needs to believe that I'm happy with this arrangement otherwise she'll take me and Rohan and run away.

I can't let that happen.

There's so much chaos at my uncle's place. People coming and going for decoration and stuff, that we couldn't sleep properly. So, a couple of days before the engagement ceremony, I book us a hotel room in a nearby hotel for just the three of us.

Since my mother wasn't going to be able to celebrate my wedding with Hindu customs, we decided to do things a little unconventionally. We had the Mehandi and sangeet ceremonies yesterday. I wore a dark green, dhoti-style Punjabi salwar kurta, braided my hair into a fluffy fishtail braid, added some flowers to it to give it a bridal touch with some light makeup.

I would tell you what happened at the ceremony but for the life of me I have no idea what I did after I handed my hands to the henna artist.

Today is the big day or let's say the semi-big day and for the life of me I don't wanna wake up. I don't wanna open my eyes and face the day.

Today's schedule begins with the Haldi ceremony in the morning, followed by the grand engagement party that starts early in the evening and ends with the tilak ceremony.

I have been able to keep my anxiety at bay but since last night the pit in my stomach has kept on widening. Every time I focus too much on what's happening around me, I feel like throwing up.

Everyone knows now that zoning out is my favorite hobby, but the rate at which it has been happening in the last couple of days has me pinching myself every five minutes to stay alert.

I feel gentle hands caressing my back, "Rhythm, beta wake up. It's late."

"Mmm." I groan and bury my face in mom's lap.

She laughs and says, "Come on now, you can't stay in bed today. Remember?"

"Don't remind me." I grumble.

This makes her laugh which in turn makes me smile.

"Just few more minutes." I mumble and go right back to sleep.

After a few blissful moments of sleep, I hear two voices trying to wake me up or maybe it's three.

"Didi wake up!" this little shit shakes me up so hard that it makes my head spin.

"Stop it you little butthole!" I bark.

He cackles, "Wake up or we will have to send anyone else to your engagement."

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's do that."

He laughs and pulls me up by my arms in a sitting position.

Rubbing my eyes, I reach for my glasses on the bedside table when I see Gabi standing at the bedroom door smiling warmly at the scene.

"Hi Gabi." I greet, sheepishly.

"Hello Rhythm." She replies happily.

"Sorry about this." I start but she waves me off.

Hurrying out of the bed, I run to the bathroom and get ready for the day.

Tying a bathrobe, I open the door to mom setting up the breakfast on a nearby coffee table. She's shooing Rohan's hands away from my food.

Mom smiles when she sees me, "Come on now, eat your breakfast. You'll need a lot of energy today."

It all looks delicious but feel like throwing up if I eat. So, I settle for some fresh juice for now.

Mom brings out a yellow saree for the Haldi ceremony.

"Hurry up, we have to be at your uncle's place in an hour."

And in the next half hour, we are at my uncle's place to find the whole terrace beautifully adorned with exquisite decorations for the Haldi ceremony.