[a desi arranged marriage story] ── bound by an arranged marriage, they never saw love coming-until it did, without warning ──
[Mentions of BTS, if you hate or dislike them then please leave respectfully]
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"They're sneaky, aren't they? I mean, how did they even manage to hide it from us?" Idika spoke, disbelief evident in her voice as we sat in the car, making our way to the Gateway of India.
I shook my head, still processing the revelation. "One year! A whole year! And we had no clue."
She crossed her arms, huffing. "I know right, I'm still mad at her, but I'll let it go because she's happy."
I chuckled, keeping my eyes on the road. "Okay, now leave that. Let's focus on us," I said, trying to sound serious.
I heard a soft laugh before she shifted, resting her chin on her palm, elbow propped on her knee. "What should we talk about, Husband?" she asked, a cheeky smile playing on her lips.
I tried to stifle my own shy smile, but it was a lost cause. I parked the car a little away from the main area, making sure to double-check the locks before stepping out. As soon as I was satisfied, I reached for Idika's hand, lacing our fingers together as we walked toward the Gateway of India.
The place was bustling with people—tourists clicking pictures, vendors calling out their best deals, and locals simply enjoying the evening breeze. The scent of street food lingered in the air, mixing with the salty sea breeze.
Idika looked around, taking it all in with a soft smile. "We've been married for a year, and we never once came here," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as the breeze played with it.
I nodded, then let go of her hand to pull out my phone. "Let's fix that—time for a photoshoot," I said, opening the camera app with a grin.
I took plenty of pictures of her, capturing every little expression, every fleeting moment. Then, I switched the camera to selfie mode, making sure to take a few shots of us together, preserving our memories in the best way possible.
We got our tickets for the yacht and settled in, enjoying the soft breeze that carried the scent of the sea. The gentle sway of the boat and the rhythmic sound of the waves created a soothing atmosphere as we sat close, taking in the peaceful moment together.
Idika took out her phone, capturing pictures of the birds and the boats passing by, completely engrossed in the moment. I, on the other hand, found myself admiring the most beautiful view in front of me—my wife. She giggled as she scrolled through her pictures and then handed me her phone, momentarily setting it aside to take in the breathtaking scenery.
The Gateway of India stood tall and proud in the distance, and right beside it, the iconic Taj Mahal Palace exuded timeless elegance. The golden hues of the setting sun reflected off the water, making everything look even more picturesque.
Soon, our yacht ride came to an end, and before leaving, we spotted a photographer nearby. We asked him to take our pictures, wanting to capture the moment. After a few clicks, he handed us the printed copies, the glossy paper reflecting our smiles frozen in time. Idika held the picture delicately, tracing it with her fingers, a small, content smile gracing her lips.
"Shall we go?" I asked, watching as she looked up, nodded, and thanked the photographer before paying him. We walked back to our car and got inside.
"So, where to next?" I asked, starting the engine.
"Marine Drive," she replied with a grin. "It's almost sunset, and you know that's one view you can't afford to miss from there."
Shaking my head with a smile, I steered the car toward our next destination—Marine Drive.
Idika sat on the pavement, her legs swinging slightly above the large rocks as she gazed at the waves. I excused myself and walked over to a nearby stall, returning a few minutes later with vada pav, bhel puri, and, of course, two cups of chai.
We enjoyed our snacks, savoring the flavors while the breeze carried the sounds of the bustling city around us. It was strangely peaceful despite the chaos—a perfect blend of energy and tranquility. Once we finished, I disposed of the plates in a nearby dustbin and returned to find Idika lost in capturing the moment through her camera.
She let out a content sigh before resting her head on my shoulder, her phone still loosely held in her hand. I smiled, soaking in the moment, knowing this was exactly how I wanted our day to be—simple, warm, and filled with us.
"This is the third best day of my life," she whispered, but I caught it. "What about the first two?" I asked.
"The first one was when we got married," she said with a smile. "And the second was when I opened my own makeup studio."
I couldn't help but smile at her words. "I'm honored to be the first," I teased, my voice filled with affection. She lifted her head from my shoulder, her eyes sparkling as she gave me a soft smile before turning towards the sunset. "I've never seen anything more beautiful than this," she said, her gaze fixed on the sky, painted in shades of pink, purple, with hints of yellow and orange. "Neither have I," I whispered, my eyes not on the sky, but on her.
🧸
"What would you like to have?" I asked, handing her the menu.
"Alfredo pasta with a can of Coke," she replied with a wide grin, her eyes silently conveying something only I could understand. The moment she said it, memories of our first date came rushing back, making me smile.
"I'll have a large Margherita pizza and a lemon mojito," I said, and I noticed her smile widen at my choice. A conversation unfolded between us without a single word being spoken—just stolen glances and shared memories.
"Here, have this," Idika said, holding up a forkful of pasta near my mouth, urging me to take a bite. I obliged, smiling at her as I savored the taste. In return, she casually took a sip from my mojito.
We shared our meal, sitting in the comfort of our restaurant, lost in the warmth of each other's presence.
