Threads of Tradition: Tales Of Indian Arranged Marriages

4.

The tension in the air was palpable as the Khanna family gathered for a lavish dinner party at their sprawling estate. The table was adorned with elegant china and crystal glasses, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows on the guests’ smiling faces. But beneath the surface of this picture-perfect gathering lay an impending storm.

Kavya stood in the kitchen, adjusting a bouquet of fresh flowers, her heart heavy as she tried to suppress the unease that had been building for weeks. She had hoped that this gathering would be a chance for them to reconnect, a moment to showcase their unity in front of family and friends. But she could feel the familiar dread creeping in, the realization that Arjun’s ambition and insecurity often overshadowed her presence.

As the evening unfolded, Kavya moved gracefully among the guests, engaging in light conversation, her smile firmly in place. Arjun was his charming self, engaging effortlessly with everyone, but his demeanour shifted the moment they found themselves alone. Kavya could sense the change; he was on edge, fidgeting with his cufflinks and glancing at his watch, impatient and frustrated.

“Are you ready to leave?” he whispered tersely, cutting into her conversation with his cousin, who was animatedly discussing her recent vacation.

“Just a minute, Arjun. I want to catch up with Riya. She was just telling me about her trip,” Kavya replied, attempting to maintain a lighthearted tone.

He scoffed, his voice low but filled with disdain. “It’s always about what everyone else wants, isn’t it? Can’t you ever think about what I need?”

Kavya felt a sharp sting at his words, the laughter around them fading into a distant hum. “I’m just trying to be supportive, Arjun. It’s not always about you. Can’t we enjoy this moment together?”

His expression hardened, and the atmosphere shifted, charged with tension. “Supportive? Do you mean being a passive spectator to my life? That’s not what I want from my wife. I need someone who contributes, who doesn’t just cling to my every word.”

The hurt in his voice pierced through her, and Kavya’s heart sank. “That’s not fair. I’ve been trying to build my own life here. I thought you would understand that,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

“Understand what? Your so-called dreams? When have you ever prioritized our life together over your whims?” he snapped, drawing attention from the nearby guests.

Kavya’s face flushed as she felt eyes turning toward them, the hushed whispers amplifying her embarrassment. “Arjun, please. Not here,” she whispered, desperation creeping into her voice.

But he seemed unfazed, his arrogance on full display. “You think you can just waltz through life without consequences? Maybe if you spent less time daydreaming, you would realize that your little blog won’t help us maintain our status.”

The cruel words cut through her, slicing away the fragile thread of her self-worth. At that moment, Kavya felt her spirit begin to shatter, the walls she had built around her heart crumbling. Her dreams, her aspirations—everything felt trivial in the face of his relentless ambition. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, but she fought them back, unwilling to display vulnerability in front of the very people who should have been her support system.

“Arjun, please, let’s talk about this later,” she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Talk about what? Your incessant need for validation? You know what you are to me? A trophy. A beautiful decoration on my arm,” he hissed, the venom in his voice echoing around them.

Her breath hitched as his words crashed over her like a wave, drowning her in despair. The weight of his contempt hung in the air, suffocating her. She was no longer the vivacious woman who dreamed of starting a blog or expressing herself freely; she was reduced to a mere accessory, a hollow version of herself.

Before she could respond, Kavya felt the tears she had been holding back begin to spill over, streaming down her cheeks. She turned away, unable to bear the humiliation any longer, retreating from the room. Her heart raced as she stumbled into the quiet hallway, her mind spinning with confusion and pain.

The laughter and chatter of the party faded behind her, replaced by the pounding of her heart and the ringing in her ears. She leaned against the wall, her shoulders shaking as silent sobs escaped her. What had happened to the love and warmth she had hoped for? Instead, she felt lost and trapped, suffocating in a relationship that should have uplifted her.

Kavya sank to the floor, burying her head in her hands as the weight of her situation bore down on her. She contemplated the reality of her marriage, questioning her worth as Arjun’s partner. Was this really what she had signed up for? Was this the love that had once felt like a fairytale?

She had spent so long trying to support him, to find a place within his world, but at what cost? As the tears flowed freely, she realized that she could no longer ignore the truth. Arjun’s ambition, while admirable, had become a poison in their relationship, and she had allowed herself to be consumed by it.

Hours later, as the party began to wind down, Kavya felt the heaviness in her chest. She knew she couldn’t continue this way, living in the shadow of someone else’s dreams while her own faded into oblivion. It was time to reclaim her voice, confront the reality of her marriage and seek the strength to stand up for herself.

Taking a deep breath, she wiped her tears and prepared to face Arjun once more. No longer would she accept being a mere ornament in his life; she would fight for her dreams, for her happiness, and most importantly, for her sense of self. It was time to take a stand, even if it meant risking everything.