The Journey from Ms. Sharma to Mrs. Who [✓]

Chapter 29-Edited

Chinmayi's POV:

Deepak and me entered the temple premises as the positive vibes just surrounded us. My heart felt unburdened now, and I tried not to think of anything else. We washed out feet and found our family. Megha came running to me and asked if I was doing okay. I smiled and nodded but she is so smart that they could read me even through my silence.

She mouthed, "I'll talk to you later, don't you dare hide anything from me."

I smiled as Lakshmi aunty came and asked us to look at the Lord's idol.

Lord Krishna playfully held his flute and flashed his beautiful and blissful smile. I just prayed that may everything go according to his accord. If Deepak is not the right guy, then so be it.

A tear slipped out of my eye as I gracefully tried to hide it. The priest brought the Arathi plate and to hand it to me. The cream of hesitation touched the debris of my heart, and with every passing second, curiosity and unasked questions pounded everyone's minds.

Analysing the situation, Deepak sweeped in and received the plate and smiled. He looked at me to convey that this is not the right time to break the news and as if we had a lot to talk about it even before we, you know, share the cloud of unwillingness in this marriage.

That look did make a lot of sense. First we should be logically equipped and then, let emotions conquer. For now, it is definitely go with the flow, kind of thing!

I held the other end of the plate as we performed the rituals told by the priest. My brothers were ringing the temple bells while Veera, Bhabhi and  Megha showered flowers at the Lord's Feet. My soul found some sort of peace in this ambience and with Deepak around.

I looked up to him for his honesty and well he did man up to tell me the truth instead of having a loveless marriage.

"Pooja sampoorn hua... Jai Shri Krishna!", hailed the priest.

"JAI SHRI KRISHNA!!"

***

The 2 P.M blaze of the sun found its way through the car window.  The silent ride back home meant the world to me. Everyone was indeed tired and we needed this rest because the Shastry's had invited us to their home to celebrate Megha's birthday and well solidify matters for the wedding.

Lakshmi Aunty ensured that Deepak and me exchanged numbers and well, we were obliged to. I am a typical girl, why would I text him first?

He is the one who doesn't want this wedding, let him plan, explain and get me also out of it. I have a carreer to think about, not some fate-playing drama.

Who is he after all...

"Chinnu- Chinnu?"

"Huh?"

I woke to Bhabhi's voice.

"You slept like a log in the car. How are you feeling now?"

"Go-good Bhabhi-"

"Ok, we reached home, you can go to your room and rest..."

I'd really like that. But if Ma or anyone saw Veera and or or me they would catch hold of us to ask how our meet up was and trust me I am a terrible liar.

"Bhabhi, my head hurts-"

"Aww, it's because you didn't have food na, I'll arrange for some food, and ask everyone to talk to you later. I know they'd be pretty excited to know what happened. Well, so are we, but you now need rest. Now, be a good girl and come out of the car dear."

I really love it when Bhabhi understands and pampers me. As I walked through the mansion , Bhabhi was my shield.

I saw that Megha wasn't around and Bhabhi immediately understood.

"Megha went home, Chinnu-"

"Yeah, she- I understand"

I really wanted to talk to her. Well, I had so much to tell her, but now it was high time that she went back home. She had been here all day and well, I understand.

"Charan?"

"Everyone's in his/her room dear."

I reached my room as Bhabhi helped me change my clothes. She asked Anirudh to bring some food for me from the kitchen.

He really looked suspicious because he has never seen me this weary or tired. Megha, Anirudh and me were like the trio from our childhood days.

He definitely could understand me, if he really sees me through. But, I think he also knew that I needed some food and sleep more than anything else right now and so, he spaced out.

The shades of dusk hit my eyes as I remembered that Megha's party was to start in another hour!

It's a tradition that Anirudh and me follow, i.e., go there a bit early, play a prank on her and well, clean up the mess later! But this year, amidst all of this, I really couldn't plan anything.
I heard a knock at my door. It was Anirudh.

"May I borrow some time, Ms. Sharma?", he teased.

"Oii, just simply come on in!"

"See Chinnu-"

"Anirudh, I don't want to lie to you and yes there is something going on, but right now we need to focus on the prank-"

"Aa-

Huh-

Well-

Huh, okay. Charan stopped by an hour ago and requested me not to plan for a prank this year. He wants to do that and then make it up by proposing her with the ring!"

"Whaaaaaaatttt????????"

My mouth literally fell.

"Ring aah? When did he go and buy?"

"He took Dhaadhi's permission and went along with Bhabhi to shop for the ring, this afternoon. "

"Oh, where is he now?"

"He is with the elders, talking stuff. You get ready, let's go there before the others. It's still her b'day and we haven't even shown our faces to her."

In twenty minutes, I got ready.  I wore a simple beige chudidar with matching jhumka. I chose golden heels to go with the suit and well Anirudh looked damn smart in his white shirt and blue jeans.

"Ready to leave?"

"Yes!"

"Did you tell the elders?"

"Yes sleepy head. I arranged it all..."

"Oh good!"

As we left the mansion, and crossed the road, we saw a beautiful 3 storey cream house with a lush green lawn.
As we rung the door bell, we heard cat like footsteps. As the door opened, the sight was horror-struck and good lord, terrifying.

Megha was crying and her eyes were red. Her kajal was smudged and her hair was swinging by in every possible direction.But my eyes didn't leave her right cheek.

It had a red mark of a hand impression.

***