My arranged wedding

I promise

It's finally the day of the engagement.

Decorations, music and other preparations were being done.

Asha walks about in her net abaya styled suit looking for Shalini. Tanya paces around the room in her grape embroidered saree mumbling repeatedly "Where has that girl gone to now?"

Asha runs into Tanya's room

"She isn't at home mum."

"Then where is she? I hope she doesn't do anything that will break this alliance, it's only a matter of an hour before the engagement starts."

"I'll look outside for her."

"Wait, you're the only one who knows where she always goes to. Don't tell anyone about her disappearance, else everything will crumble. Get her home on time please Asha."

"I won't tell anyone mum, I promise."
Asha leaves the room clutching her phone in her hand.

*

"You look dashing Vedant." Indira complements Vedant who gives her a smile.

Indira in her embroidered satin chiffon teal saree glees all over. The past years of her life seemed to show no signs on her face. She's a proud single mother holding Shagird as her valuable posession.

"That's not fair mum, I'm your son for crying out loud and you haven't told me anything yet." Shagird stops and and looks around "Where is the ring?"

Indira answers "Ruchi is with it, she'll be here soon."

Just then Ruchi walks in wearing a green embroidered desai saree.

"I could have come earlier but the groom's mum also has to look stunning."

Ruchi then shows them a white diamond silver ring and continues "I had to choose the best ring I could find. Vedant's wife must always wear the best ."

"I'm sure she'll like it." Vedant mumbles with a straight face.

"He's feeling shy already." Ruchi plays around with Indira who playfully shoves her away.

"I will like to go out for a while, I'll be back soon." he excuses himself without waiting for any of their responses.

He exits the room and sees Asha darting out of the house looking distressed. With how messed she looked he was sure something was up, whatever it was he knew it wasn't good.

Asha tries to wave down a taxi to no avail and complains aloud "Shalini had to go there today of all days !!! Mum will kill me if she doesn't get home on time."

She calls Shalini's phone but gets no response. Just then she hears her name and turns back to see Vedant.

"What are you doing here? You're meant to be inside getting ready."Asha asks with shock all over her face.

"I'm looking out for you, why did you leave the house in such a hurry?"

"I...wanted to see someone before the ceremony."

"You were looking really scared if not worried. Your mum also looks weird too."

"I'm looking for someone, that's all."

"Who are you looking for?"

"Please just go, the ceremony is about to start and you know you're supposed to come out first."

"There's still some time before the engagement. If you don't tell the truth, I'll be forced to call the engagement off."

Asha froze.

"No Vedant please...I'll tell you the truth." She pleads.

"Go on, I'm listening." Vedant urges with folded arms.

"Shalini is not at home, I'm looking for her. No one is supposed to know about this, not even you" she admits feeling guilty of breaking a promise to her mum.

"You should have said that a long time ago... She's with another man?"

"Of course not." Asha frowns "She has been single until you came along and my sister doesn't cheat."

"Okay." He holds his hands up as if surrendering "Have you really looked around the house?"

"I have an idea of where she could be."

"Where?"

"The temple."

"The temple? Is this some kind of joke? She has an engagement and she's at the temple?" a perplexed Vedant laughs dryly.

"It's not funny ... there's a part of the temple where she feels at peace, she goes there to dance..she goes there when she's having problems or missing someone very dear." Asha explains.

"Someone as dear as who?"

"Our grandmother, Hema Maheshwari. Shalini was especially close to her. They shared something in common; dance. Grandma would always take us to a part of the temple where she taught us how to dance, I was never really interested but Shalini was always eager to learn ... Shalini won so many competitions but grandma suddenly died and she lost all her confidence. Although she's stopped competing, she still goes to the temple to dance... grandmother would have loved to be here today that's why she's over there."

"I never knew that."

"Now it's only you and I that know this, no one else at home knows."

"We don't have enough time left, let's get her back in time." He paused knowing that he could easily call if off because of her absence but he suddenly felt otherwise and continues "I brought my car." He points at the Nissan Versa some distance away from them.

Vedant drives Asha to the temple where they looked around for Shalini. Asha mistakenly bumps into Suhasini and profusely apologises.

"Hey Asha, I was just on my way to your house for Shalini's engagement, what are you doing here?"

"I...I came to get some items, the ceremony starts quite soon and everything has to be ready right?"

"Yes that's right, I'll be on my way now so I don't disturb you ... see you at the house."

"Yes ...see you there ."

"How do we always see her here?" He ponders loudly.

Asha looks around " I don't know but Vedant we have to split, you go that way and I'll go this way. I don't think Shalini will still be at our spot."

They went to different parts of the temple but Asha was lucky enough to get to Shalini first. She calls Vedant and tells him to go home.

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