chapter 2

...AUTHOR POV:...

Chal, kal tera bhi vrat tootega," Raghav teased, raising his glass.

(Come on, tomorrow even your fast will break)

Rishi chuckled faintly. "Haan, lagta toh aisa hi hai."

(Yes, it seems so)

"Honeymoon pe kahan jaana hai, kuch socha?" Raghav asked, leaning back on his chair.

(Where do you want to go for honeymoon, have you thought about it?)

"Yeh honey-woney moon pe nahi jaana mujhe," Rishi said, shaking his head. "Sab bakwaas hai."

(I don't want to go on this honey-woney moon...Everything is nonsense)

"Kyun bhai? Shaadi ho rahi hai teri, kuch toh maze kar le,"

Raghav taunted with a grin.

(Why bro? You're getting married, enjoy at least a little)

"Mujhe nahi karna maze," Rishi said quietly, eyes fixed on his drink. (I don't want to enjoy) "Main theek hoon."

(I'm fine)

"Abey tu gadha hai kya? Itni sundar ladki mili hai, kal shaadi hai aur tu yahan muh latkaye baithe hai?" Raghav laughed, half exasperated.

(Are you stupid? You got such a beautiful girl, the wedding is tomorrow and you're sitting here sulking?)

Rishi didn't reply - just hummed faintly.

"Rahul," Raghav's tone softened.

"Hm?"

"Tu ye shaadi karna chahta hai na?"

(You want to do this marriage, right?)

Rishi took a deep breath. "Nahi... mujhe koi shauk nahi hai. Par maa itni chinta kar rahi thi, toh maine haan bol diya. Sach bolun toh... mujhe koi khaas farak bhi nahi padta."

(No... I have no desire. But mother was so worried, so I said yes. To be honest... it doesn't really matter to me)

"Beta ji, shaadi ho rahi hai, koi gudde-gudiya ka khel nahi. Wo ladki apna ghar, parivaar chhod ke aayegi yahan. Tera kuch farz banta hai uske liye," Raghav said, his voice serious now.

(Bro.. this is a marriage, not a doll's game. That girl will leave her home and family and come here. You have some responsibility toward her)

"Bilkul. Yahan usko rehne mein koi takleef nahi hogi," Rishi replied calmly. (Absolutely. She won't face any trouble living here) "Par maine usse pehle hi bata diya tha - mujhse wo koi umeed na rakhe."

(But I had already told her - she should not expect anything from me)

"Kya matlab?" Raghav frowned.

(What do you mean?)

"Matlab yahi ki wo meri patni hogi, usko saare haq dunga. Par usse zyada... koi umeed na rakhe. Pyaar-vyaar ki nahi," Rishi said flatly, his eyes distant.

(It means she will be my wife, I'll give her all rights. But beyond that... she shouldn't expect anything. Not love)

"Aur wo maan gayi?" Raghav sighed, pouring another drink.

(And she agreed?)

"Man na hi tha," Rishi scoffed, swirling the whiskey in his glass.

"Itna paisa dekhke kaunsi ladki nahi manegi?"

(She had to agree...Which girl wouldn't agree seeing so much money?)

"Par bina pyaar ki shaadi ka kya faayda," Raghav said, shaking his head.

(But what's the use of a marriage without love)

Rishi smirked. "Ab har kisi ki kismat apki tarah thodi hoti hai -paise nikalwane gaye the, aur bhabhi le aaye." (Not everyone is lucky like you - you went to collect money and came back with a wife)

Raghav chuckled, "Abey chhod na..." (Oh leave it...)

Both burst out laughing, their voices echoing faintly against the haveli walls. Inside, the laughter and music of the women continued, but out here - under the dim yellow bulbs and a sky heavy with silence - their laughter slowly faded into a long, uneasy quiet.

The night stretched heavy - full of light, sound, and a strange kind of loneliness sitting quietly between them.

...NOOR POV :-...

This bed was so damn uncomfortable. I barely slept all night. How do these people even manage to sleep here? And the wind - it was freezing.

Even at seven in the morning, the whole village was awake. People had bathed, eaten breakfast, and were already chatting like it was noon. Meanwhile, I'd just woken up. God, I can't wait to go back home.

"Noor, jaldi naha lo!" Mumma shouted.

(Noor, take a bath quickly!)

"Haan haan... ja rahi hoon," I groaned, dragging myself to the bathroom.

(Yes yes... I'm going)

I looked around and sighed. Back home, I have a shower. Here? A bucket. Just a bucket and a mug - not even plastic, but an aluminum one with salt deposits on the sides.

I sat down and started washing it. The moment that icy water touched my hand, I yelped.

Immediately, someone banged on the door. "Noor? Kya hua?"

Mumma's voice.

(Noor? What happened?)

"Geyser kidhar hai!?" I shouted.

(Where is the geyser!?)

From outside, I heard laughter - mocking, teasing laughter.

"Yahan geyser nahi hai, ese hi nahalo," Mumma said, still laughing.

Ab beta, yahan sab aise hi karte hain," she said casually.

(Now dear, everyone here does it like this)

I kept calling her, but she ignored me. Eventually, I gave up and took the coldest bath of my entire life.

I'm never-ever-coming to another village again.

After surviving that torture, I sat down for breakfast - kachori and jalebi. In the morning. Who eats oily food this early? I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss my chia seed lemon water and omelette.

"It's fine, Noor," I told myself. "Just two more days and then you're out of here."

"Beta, taiyaar toh ho jao," some lady said.

(Dear, at least get ready)

"Masi, shaadi toh raat mein hai na? Abhi se kyu taiyaar ho jaun?" I asked.

(Aunt, the wedding is at night right? Why should I get ready so early?)

"Arre shaadi raat mein hai, rasme toh abhi se hain na," she replied.

(The wedding is at night, but the rituals start now)

"Rasmon ka kya hai, woh toh pajame mein bhi ho jaengi," I muttered under my breath.

(Rituals can happen even in pajamas)

"Noor! Jitna bola ja raha hai, utna karo," Mumma snapped.

(Noor! Do as much as you're told)

"Meri maa, mere paas kapde hi nahi hain itne!" I said dramatically.

(Oh my god, I don't even have that many clothes!)

"Itni si baat? Aao, mere saath," Laxmi said and took me to her room.

(Such a small thing? Come with me)

It was quiet, filled with bridal stuff - lehengas neatly folded, jewelry boxes half-open, smell of mehendi in the air.

"Yeh suit pehen lo," she said, taking out a beautiful pink embroidered suit from her wardrobe and handing it to me.

(Wear this suit)

"Uh... kuch normal sa de do na. Ye toh bohot heavy hai," I said, trying to refuse politely.

(Give me something normal. This is very heavy)

"Arre le lo. Waise bhi, kal ke baad main ye sab pehnungi hi kahan," she said, her smile fading mid-sentence.

(Take it. Anyway, after tomorrow where will I even wear all this)

This time, I couldn't ignore it. "Ek baat puchun?" I asked gently.

(Can I ask one thing?)

She nodded.

"Tum is shaadi se khush nahi ho?" (You are not happy with this marriage?)

Laxmi looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Esa nahi hai... sab khush hain," she said quietly.

(It's not like that... everyone is happy)

"Sabka nahi pucha maine," I pressed, my voice softer now. "Tum khush ho?"

(I didn't ask about everyone. Are you happy?)

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, she glanced toward the door, walked over, and quietly locked it. Within seconds, tears welled up in her eyes, and she suddenly hugged me tight.

Okav... I was not ready for this. But fine - tea and drama are always welcome.

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