The Indo J'taime

Prarie.

I put the saree's pallu over my shoulder. This is it I guess. I walked over to the groom who's face was hidden along with mine, which was under the ghungat. I walked over to the ceremonial place with my dad's hand in mine. My mental state wasn't stable, it was going up and down like a seesaw. Times raced and so did the mantras chanted by the 'pandit' [priest in Hindi].
"Abh var vadhu ke mang me sindur bhare "
["now the Groom may fill the the bride's forehead with the sacred sindur"]
This is it I thought. I was finally getting married to a guy I don't even know properly. When I am only 18. Holy cow, my life sucks. I closed my eyes tightly and a strong hand gently shook my arm.
I slowly opened my eyes, taking my own sweet time. It was Elliot, my boyfriend. I smiled at him squinting my eyes a little at the sudden flash of light and we kissed. Not with lust. Not one a hurry. A pure morning kiss.
"Good Mornin' babe", he said in his thick French accent,placing the loose ends of my brownish golden locks behind my ear.
"Morning morning", I replied back pulling him into my dorm room bed and snuggling up his chest. His silk blue tie and robes brushed over my right cheek while he caressed the other one with his finger.
"Get up sleepy head"
He was right. I probably should. I was already late for the breakfast at the great hall and Mcgonnagal will kill me if I'm late to her class and which will result in her deducting her own house marks. And I do LOVE my house. So, I nodded at him and got up from my bed and made it. Elliot helped me in that. No wonder he's the best boyfriend in the world. I quickly ran into the shower. After around 15 minutes I was out. All dressed in my ironed red robes. I combed through my curls for the last time and was ready to go.
We parted in the Great hall as we had to sit according to our houses, and sat next to my best friends Marlene, Dorcas and Lily. And yes yes James was of course there. I mean you'll find James wherever Lily is, right?
Our table was pretty lively and lit.
"So how's it going with Elliot, Prariee?", suddenly popped up Sirius when he sensed the chat dying.
"Well, he's pretty nice. Better than you of course."
Oh did I mention Sirius Orion Black. The most notorious troublemaker in Hogwarts is my ex boyfriend?
"Sad he doesn't call you Prarie like me.", he did that foolish smile again. I hated being called Prarie, except it was Sirius calling me that. I mean who shortens the name Prerna to Prarie? Probably only Sirius.
"But Prerna, what about your parents?"
"Are they gonna be okay with this?"
Lily and James were right. Oh how much of an unintelligent dumbass I was to make that promise? The only excuse I have is I was dumb and excited. And if I promise my parents I CANNOT turn back from it now, or ever.
"I don't know. I mean they might already have the bachelors ready. I'd say yes and they might come all the way to hogwarts right now along with the pandit and make me marry the guy over here.", they laughed and so did I but we both knew it was a huge problem. And for the first time not even Lily or Remus knew the solution to this.
The bell rang. We waved each other and got to our scheduled classes. The exams were coming soon and I knew I was failing in history of Magic.
Tring tring tring tring. Oh do fucking stop I thought and slammed my hand over the alarms clock. It fell down with a crack and stopped. At last. I turned on my other side and my eyes saw Elliot. He was sleeping peacefully as his chest did this pattern of rising up and falling down. He looked so calm; like an angel. His bare toned body was half revealed and half his by his grey blanket.
"I love you so much Elliot Delacour. J'taime ", I whispered.
"So you kind of learnt french, huh?"
Crap. He was awake. He smirked a little and opened his eyes. His dirty blonde hair was messy and he was still in his deep morning voice. My cheeks were scarlet under his shadows when he pecked me on the lips.
"J'taime Prerna."