THE FORCED MARRIAGE

THE SEARCH OF TRUTH

ROSHNI:
I was involved in the gossips with others that I didn't notice something. I came back to sense when I noticed that Mr Malik was not within us. I could then recall that he was also not there when the Roka Ceremony was happening nor when the pandit ji declared about the dates related to wedding rituals. I was worried. At that time only I saw Mishti coming towards me. I hold her hands and asked her
'Mithai!'
'Yes di. Is there anything you need?'
'No no, actually I wanted to ask you something.'
'What?'
'Mithai where is your brother? I have not seen him from a long time. He was not there in the Roka Ceremony nor was in the ritual discussion.'
'Are you talking about Shiv Bhai?'
'Yes.'
'Actually Bhai wanted to attend the ceremony but there was an urgency in his office so Vipul Bhai called him and he has to go.'
'Oh! Did he informed Shivani or Shiva uncle?'
'Yes Bhai had informed daddy regarding his departure.'
'Oh! Good then.'
'And he will return late night today because the work is very large.'
'Ok. No worry.'
'Hmm.'
Saying so Mishti left the place. I came towards the place where my friends were gossiping.
'So what is the topic you are discussing?'
'Roshni good that you came.
'Why?'

'Actually Avi was talking about the shopping that we have to do for the engagement, bangles giving ceremony, haldi, sangeet and mehendi ceremony and wedding.'
'Hmm. So when you guys have planned for the shopping?'

'Actually Roshni I was planning to take the Malik family's sons and daughters with us for the shopping what you say?'
'Uhm! If they agree to go with us then only we can force them to come with us. Right?'
'Hmm.'

'So let us talk with them that whether they are interested to go with us or not.'
'Right yaali.'
Saying so I and my friends went to the family head who was Shivani aunty. As my friends had a hope which was me because they cannot face Shivani aunty's aura so I asked Shivani aunty for the sake of my friends.
'Shivani aunty?'
With her kind but dominating expression she looked at me and said
'Yes beta do you want to say anything?'
My mom was sitting beside Shivani aunty. She was looking at me in her that expressionless face like she does not bother what I say or not say. But I told aunty
'Aunty actually I had a request to you. Please don't say no then we will fill bad.'
'What is your request beta?'
'Actually aunty my friend Avilasha was planning that as the wedding is knocking the door. So can we all go for shopping regarding the wedding purpose?'
'Uh! Sure you can go for shopping why asking me? But wait if you really want a permission for you shopping ask you mother. She will give you.'
As per Shivani aunty's suggestion. Before I could ask my mom. She interrupted in the middle of the conversation.
'Well, if you really want to go for the marrige shopping then I would suggest that you take Matu with you as the wedding is her.'
'I know that the wedding is her and I am going for shopping not for any other purpose but for her wedding purpose only and we do not have any intention to ruin her happiness.'
'What I said follow that I don't want any other statement. Understood?'
'Yes. But I have to ask for not to let Matu didi only come with us. I have come here to ask aunty that whether she can give us the permission to take her family childern with us?'
'Why would she....'
Shivani aunty interrupted my mom and said
'Roshni beta if you really want to take my childern with you then I would suggest that you can. By the way you are quite close to them so if I tell them they would feel bad so you only ask them. It would be better.'
'Aunty but if they not listen to me then?'
'I know whom are you indicating. Don't worry your aunty is there. She would talk about it. For now just inform.'
'Okay aunty.'
Saying so I went away from there. I went to my friends and told them
'Shivani aunty have accepted the proposal.'
"YES.'
'But wait.'
'What is the matter now?'
'Raahima aunty have accepted the proposal but she has a demand.'
'What is it?'