Ojasvi
After Vedant left, I found myself lost in thought, trying to make sense of the whirlwind I was caught in.
How could I possibly work on this marriage? The circumstances under which Vedant and I got married made no sense. We barely knew each other.
How was I supposed to carry on with a relationship built on such shaky ground?
And if things didn’t work out, would I even be able to get out of this marriage?
I couldn’t shake the thought of the consequences that might come from trying to leave a marriage tied to such a powerful family.
Singhania. When Vedant had mentioned his full name, it had finally clicked. The Singhania family wasn’t just any family—they were one of the most distinguished, wealthy, and influential families in India, with their businesses stretching across the globe.
They were like diamonds in the world of wealth and power, and I… I would be like a stone among them, dull and out of place.
No. I had to reject Vedant when the time came. There was no way I could live up to the expectations of such a family. With that thought, I resolved myself.
Just as I was deep in thought, there was a knock at the door. I looked up to see Vedant’s mother standing there, her face soft with concern.
"Beta, it's 8:50 p.m. Come down for dinner," she said kindly.
I nodded in response, but she didn’t leave just yet.
“We can ask for a wheelchair if your feet are still hurting,” she said, her eyes glancing worriedly at my bandaged feet. "Let me tell Ramesh to bring one."
“No, no, Aunty, it's okay. It doesn’t hurt that much,” I hurriedly reassured her, not wanting to cause any more trouble.
She hesitated. "But still—"
“I’m fine,” I insisted with a smile. She gave me a reluctant nod.
"Alright then. Come downstairs when you're ready," she said, patting my head softly before walking away.
After a few minutes, I gathered my courage and made my way downstairs. As I descended, I saw that most of the family was already seated, leaving only a few empty chairs.
Uncertainty crept in as I wasn’t sure where to sit, and the room, filled with unfamiliar faces, made me feel even more out of place.
"Ojasvi, beta, come here. Sit beside me," Vedant’s badi ma called with a warm smile, patting the chair next to her. Her husband sat on the other side.
I sat down, feeling slightly relieved that someone had guided me to where I should be. Still, the awkwardness lingered in the air, especially since Vedant wasn’t present.
I didn’t know the rest of the family well, and their attention on me was unnerving.
"Feel comfortable, Ojasvi. Just think of us like your own family," Vedant’s father said warmly.
My own family? I thought bitterly. How could I think of them like my family when my real family didn’t even care for me? Still, I nodded politely, trying to force a smile.
Dinner began, and the room was filled with the quiet sounds of cutlery and soft conversation. I half-expected Vedant’s grandmother, dadisa, to say something to me, but to my surprise, she ate in silence.
Her earlier outburst had made me wary of her, but now she seemed calm, almost too calm.
Suddenly, someone cleared their throat, and I looked up to see Vedant’s father glancing awkwardly at his brother, who was busy eating. Badi ma elbowed him lightly, prompting him to speak.
"Cough, cough… Oh yes, Ojasvi, beta, what do you do? I mean, do you work?" Bade papa finally asked.
I nodded, feeling a bit more confident. "Yes, I work as a teacher."
Everyone at the table nodded, as if in approval. It confused me. Why did they all seem so satisfied with that answer?
"Beta, what are your hobbies?" Vedant’s mother asked, her tone friendly.
"Um, I like reading books… and singing," I answered, my voice soft. Again, everyone nodded in unison, leaving me even more bewildered.
"Do you… uh… have someone you like?" Badi ma chimed in next, raising her brows as she asked the question with a playful glint in her eyes.
My face grew warm with embarrassment as I shook my head in denial. Everyone smiled, almost as if they were relieved.
"Do you like today's dinner?" Vedant’s dadisa suddenly asked.
I nodded again, offering a shy smile. “Yes, it’s delicious.”
"Do you like the house?" came another unexpected question from dadisa, her piercing gaze on me.
"It’s beautiful," I replied, wondering where this was going.
"Do you like us?" she continued, her expression unreadable.
"Yes, you all are very kind," I said, my confusion growing by the second.
"Did you like the bedroom you’re staying in?" she pressed.
"It’s good and clean," I said cautiously.
Then came the final blow.
"Do you like the idea of living here, as Vedant’s wife, with all of us?"
I nodded instinctively before realizing what I had just agreed to. My heart sank as the weight of her words hit me, and I quickly froze, staring in shock.
But before I could protest, dadisa stood up, clapping her hands in satisfaction.
"Bus phir! Beta, reh lo yahan hum sab ke saath. Tumhari haan bhi aa gayi hai!" she said happily, patting my head as if the decision had already been made, and then she walked out of the room, leaving me speechless.
"Welcome to the family, beta!" Badi ma said cheerfully as she stood up. Her husband nodded approvingly before following her out.
"My Vedant is a good man," Vedant’s mother said, standing and patting my cheek gently. "And if he ever dares to make you cry, I’ll cut him into pieces," she added with a wink before leaving with her husband, who gave me a playful thumbs-up as they exited.
I sat there, completely stunned. What just happened? Had I accidentally agreed to stay here… as Vedant’s wife? How did everything spiral so fast?
Now, only Vedant’s dada sa and I remained at the table. He offered me a kind smile, perhaps sensing my bewilderment.
"Ojasvi, beta, don’t take this too seriously just yet," he said softly. "Think carefully, by yourself, and tell us your decision. It’s just that everyone likes you and wants to see you settled with Vedant. But I’ll tell you this—my grandson will keep you happy, and that’s a promise I can make. You won’t regret it."
With that, he smiled warmly, stood up, and patted my shoulder before leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I stared at the empty table, still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions and decisions I hadn’t even realized I’d made. What was I going to do?
