Hope

The Call of Fate

After a long period of anticipation, there was still no way to contact Rahul. Ananya didn't know where his aunt lived or how could she approach him. All she wanted to ask him was if he'd be okay with her further study. She was seeking Rahul's support. Since it was clear that he approves of her, there was no other issue. But this thought was eating away at her mind. 

"I must talk to him, I must find some way to get in touch with him. It is about both our lives, and I don't want to burden him with my aspirations without him knowing about them in the first place", Ananya spoke to herself.

To her surprise, as if the Gods were truly listening to her, she received a message from Rahul's cousin. He came to her house in order to give her their phone number, so that she could call Rahul anytime she wanted. Ananya sighed in relief and thanked him for being so considerate. Rahul's cousin was happy to help, in fact he told her that Rahul was the one who asked him to give Ananya his number, so that she can talk to him if she wanted.

So Rahul was thinking about her after all, and it was just her imagination that he didn't notice her. She smiled to herself and made up her mind to call him soon. Taking deep breaths, she dialled the number, hoping that Rahul would be the one who picks up the call. It was as if he was just waiting for it, he answered the call immediately.

Ananya : "Hello, is this Rahul?",

Rahul : "Hi Ananya", he replied;

Ananya smiled at the mention of her name, "How are you doing?", 

"I am good, how are you doing? What are you upto?", Rahul asks nervously.

"I am doing great as well. I was just wondering if you had any questions but that'd be stupid since you never spoke to me alone when we first met, I guess my charming self was enough for you to say yes huh?", she teased.

"No its not like that, I just trust my family's choice, and I am sure you do too. In fact I am sorry that I never gave you any chance to ask me any questions and was wondering if you'd like to know anything about me?", he replied.

"Well I mean your aunt was pretty descriptive herself when she first told us about you, and I was really impressed by your family's background. I just wanted to know if it'll be okay for me to study further, or work in a similar field for that matter?", she asked nervously.

"I wouldn't have any problem with that, but you should ask my parents as well because its them really, who makes all the family decisions, but of course I'll support you in every way possible",

Ananya smiled to herself and that was all she wanted to hear. Rahul's support. Even if his parents did have a problem with her studying further or having a job, she didn't care because as long as Rahul supported her, she could win any battle. She wanted to be friends with Rahul before she could be his wife. And Rahul assured her that he'll do anything she requires.

They spoke for a little bit longer, and Rahul seemed like a really laid-back, quiet, yet a mature person and Ananya fell for it. She was happy that everyone in their family were so intellectual and mature. She decided that she is going to marry Rahul after all and whatever little  thoughts she had in her mind disappeared. She was now looking towards a bright future with her better half.

After a few weeks, a date was decided to get Rahul and Ananya engaged. Rahul's family came back to Ananya's town, and the ceremony took place at Ananya's house itself as it was pretty big to accommodate at least 80 people. The decorations were kept natural as she had a huge lawn, and the trees were wrapped with fairy lights, the whole set up was just magical.

Ananya's mother gave her a saree which she wore in her wedding, and asked Ananya if she would wear it on her engagement. Ananya happily accepted this precious gift and made a few amends to the saree. As the stylist arrived to do her make-up, she blow dried her hair and kept them open. The stylist made sure she took full advantage of her long, luscious hair. Ananya looked breathtaking that day.

Her parents were looking at their daughter with teary eyes, they never thought that their daughter would grow up so soon, and today it was her engagement!

The groom's family arrived at their house. Ananya looked from her window. She noticed Rahul's four sisters, and his younger brother, who was much too young in Ananya's opinion but she decided not to judge. Rahul's other two sisters who were already married, also had children. Ishika had two boys and Avika had a baby girl, all curled up into her arms.

Rahul had a very serious look on his face but Ananya had always seen him that way so she thought maybe that's just how he was. She rarely saw him smile. As Ananya's family was welcoming Rahul's, she finally saw her mother-in-law. Ananya didn't knew that she was Rahul's step-mother because this was never disclosed to her family in the first place. She looked at the woman, she seemed poised but also had a cunning look on her face.

She was judging everything around her, from the house to the decorations and Ananya's family too. Ananya made a mental note to get on her good side as soon as possible or this might create trouble for her in the future. 

Rahul sat on the couch and everyone was waiting for Ananya to come. She entered with her friend Kavita, and started approaching the groom. She looked at Rahul and he gave her a weak smile. She then stood next to him and exchanged the rings. Rahul's mother was still giving her dagger looks, but Ananya didn't focus on her at all. She was only interested in looking at Rahul today.

After the ceremony commenced, everyone was asked to help themselves with food. Her mother-in-law would comment on everything on how the food was oily, how the variety of food was too low, how the gifts given by Ananya's parents weren't good enough, they didn't put enough cash in Rahul's envelope while welcoming him, etc.

Ananya's parents were on their tows to make sure that she was satisfied at all times but they were failing miserably, or at least that's what her parents thought. The function finally came to an end and as everyone was about to head back, her mother-in-law whispered in Ananya's ear while hugging her, "You think you are so qualified to do what you please, but don't think for a moment that you'll ever get control over my son or my family".

Ananya was shocked to hear this, too shocked to even reply. What had she done wrong? Did her mother-in-law not approve of her? Ananya was in a dilemma. After every one was gone, and Ananya's family changed into something comfortable, she decided to speak about this with her parents.

Her parents already knew that her mother-in-law wasn't easy going but instead of breaking ties over such a trivial matter, her mother explained it to her that this is how mother-in-law's have been since the beginning of time. They give their daughter-in-law a very hard time, mostly because they are very possessive of their son, and that only means that Ananya has to take care of Rahul and his family as nicely as she can.

Ananya understood what her mother was getting at and assured her that she wouldn't think about this too much. After all she had Rahul's support, and she was sure that Rahul would help her getting on her mother-in-law's good side in no time.

Her wedding was in six months and she decided to learn as much as she could from her mom to make sure that she lacked no skill, was short of no talent, and was ready to become a good daughter-in-law.

Ananya had no idea that her stepmother-in-law was a witch who wouldn't be pleased until she wanted to be pleased by someone in the first place.