ARRANGED BY DESTINY [CHOI SEUNGCHEOL]

CH: 45

Seungcheol

I saw Nishi being fully ready with a kurti set. She was wearing a pastel blue kurti and the dupatta was of two colours, blue and pink. She wore pretty pink earrings and was braiding her hair. She looked so focused, on everything.

“Maa”
“Hmm?”

“Nishi would be rejoining her job from Monday. And…” For the first time, I was hesitating infront of my mother, “What happened? You can always tell me anything you want, you know that, right?” I nodded “I think we should do Nishi’s Chuda removal ceremony.” I paused for a second, “She would be returning back to work and you know… I just think”
“Are you worried about her?” her words made me stop whatever I was thinking to tell her.

“It’s just I think she might not be used to chuda and wearing it to her workplace, I am a bit skeptical.
“That doesn’t answer my question, Seungcheol.”

I sighed, “Yes, I am just worried about her maa. I always worry about her”

“That’s what I wanted to know. Then let’s do it tomorrow, I will give a call to Somi after some time.” She cupped my face and smiled. “I know you are worried, but trust me, I am worried about her as well, she looks so fragile and as a daughter-in-law of our family, I would never want her to go through any problem. I know marriage comes with a lot of things, comes from adjusting to a new household, new parents, a husband, and other family members, and then comes the responsibilities, beliefs, culture, and almost everything and how different they can be from their own home. That’s why remember when I told her on the very first day if she doesn’t want to apply sindoor, it’s fine. Applying sindoor or not doesn’t make her any different and she will be your wife. And we both know, how Nishita didn’t change her surname after marriage and I personally think if a woman doesn’t want to change her surname after marriage she doesn’t need to; doesn’t matter what others say, one should do what they want to and should do.” She took a pause, “And always remember when I came to this house as your dad’s wife I was happy and everyone treated me with love and care and never let me feel I was not in my home. Your grandma would also help me with cooking since I was a working woman and I just know how much she loved bickering with me. Your grandfather always supported me and both never had any objections with me but yes if I was wrong, I was corrected and your dad as well, never raised his voice at me even if I was so wrong at times, rather he would try to solve the problem with me once we calmed down. If I was given so much love, care and freedom then why can’t I do the same for your wife Seungcheol? Why should I be different with her?” I always knew mom was adored in our home, grandmother always showed how much she loved mom. One time, mom was cooking something and did some mistake and she even got a cut on her finger, my grandmother scolded but my grandfather came and took her stand. That’s how much she was adored here.

“So, don’t worry too much. This is just the starting Seungcheol.” I nodded, “Now go and rest, it’s late already and you came home a while ago” I nodded and left after I told her goodnight.

Nishi turned to look at me, “You know I always heard women wear chuda for atleast forty days to show that they are married or just got married, some even wear it for one or two years” She got up and walked toward the bed, and sat beside me. “And when I was told about chuda and everything, I was wondering how would I look with chuda because I wear bangles only on occasions and some sort of function.”

“Nishitaaaa” her words her mid cut off because of Heesung’s voice. He knocked on the door and she went to open it, “What happened?” I asked him while walking towards him.

“Bua and Somi are here and everyone’s waiting for you two downstairs. Let’s go”

I saw Nishi looking hesitant for a second and then we headed downstairs.