I'm not particularly happy with this part. I rewrote it twice, but it didn't come out to what I liked either time. So I hope this doesn't suck, too much.
Chapter 4
Descending the stairs and walking towards the mandap was probably a distance of mere meters. To Prachi, it seemed like the journey took forever. Her dress itched, her jewelry was much too heavy, and the pins in her hair felt more like torture devices than hair accessories. All in all, she was one miserable bride.
Milind watched Prachi stealthy as she walked towards him. She was beautiful, no question she was. However, between the heavy wedding attire and the ostentatious jewelry, her loveliness was lost. She looked a little like a sacrificial lamb. She took her seat beside Milind, and concentrated on the fire. The priest's humdrum chants continued on but Milind and Prachi were engrossed in thoughts of their own.
Hazily, they performed the necessarily rituals, and it wasn't until Milind was tying the sacred mangalsutra around Prachi's neck that she looked up at him. She blinked. The man was absolutely gorgeous. She'd never seen him this close up, nor studied him this intently. A strong jaw was covered with just a hint of facial hair, she was glad he's taken the liberty to trim his beard; his eyes were a deep amber, and contained in them some mystery Prachi couldn't yet unravel; his lips full, his mouth strongâŚhe'd even gotten a haircut!
Prachi's stomach did a little flip. She instantly chided herself for it. She needed to be so repulsed with the idea of marrying Milind Mishra that she kept him at arms length at all times. She wasn't supposed to be drawn to him. But she was.
Prachi's farewell had been a rather drawn out and painful process. Prachi had forced her tears back; she didn't want to upset her mother and sister more than they already were. Finally, she sat in the car that would take her to her new home. Milind and Prachi sat on opposite sides of the backseat. It would seem that they were in deep thought. Really, they were just trying to find some solace in the silence that engulfed them. Prachi shed silent tears, while Milind stared blankly into space.
The silence was deafening. It was awkward.
Thankfully, they arrived at Milind's house, and were welcomed by Milind's family and his old chawls friends. No business associates were present, and Prachi was glad. The last thing she wanted was to deal with her colleagues. After the 'GrihaPravesh' ceremony, the guests, mostly middle-aged women with rather rotten senses of humor left no stone unturned in making the newlyweds cringe with their suggestive jokes. They especially targeted Prachi, wishing her "good luck" and that she was in for "a long night". They have no idea what they're saying Prachi thought amused. She would indeed need "good luck" for her "long night", but for different reasons.
Finally as the crowd dissipated, and only a few close ones remained, Prachi was brought to Milind's room. It was exquisitely decorated. The bed looked like a piece of art, adorned with flowers and silken sheets. The numerous candles, fragrant, provided the only illumination. The room smelled like vanilla and fresh flowers. Any bride would be lucky to have this as her wedding suite. Any bride except Prachi.
Unsure of what to do, she sat on the bed and waited for Milind to arrive. They still had their sleeping arrangements to take care of. No way in hell would she sleep on the same bed as him. Minutes passed.
Downstairs, the guests had all taken leave. Milind and Mishra ji sat in the den. On rare occasions, Mishra Ji indulged in drinks. Today was one such instance. He watched Milind nurse his drink, lost in thought. He smiled, knowingly.
"Nervous?" he asked his son. Though they cared deeply for each other the father and son hardly talked about their feelings and for Mishra Ji to come right out and ask how Milind was feeling, was odd.
He shrugged. "Milind, I know you are a grown man, and I know you know how to handle your responsibilities well, but as a father, I consider it my duty to give you this bit of advice"
Milind nodded, and listened. "Beta, you've begun a new chapter in your life. You have an increased responsibility now, towards Prachi. In fact, your responsibilities towards her trump your responsibilities towards me or Sukriti."
Milind remained silent. "Son, Sukriti will eventually leave this house as someone's bride, and lord knows I won't live forever. You'll have to complete this long journey of life with a companion, with Prachi. I am proud that you've chosen her as your life partner, because I know she will be there for you through thick and thin, she's Inder Shah's blood, after all"
"These first few years of marriage are crucial in building a lifelong relationship, an unbreakable bond. You're to be more than just her husband, more than just her lover. You have to be her friend, her guide, her follower. You have to complement her, as she will complement you. Love is a beautiful thing, and I'm ecstatic that you've found it, but you'll find that through the passage of time, love seems like it isn't enough to carry you through. Trust, respect, and commitment to each other become equally important"
"I hope you at least consider what I'm saying to you, and I wish you the very best, Beta"
With that, Mishra Jee got up, and slightly caressed Milind's forehead before walking out. Milind sat, slightly numbed. His father had never opened up to hi in such a way. Today, after marrying Prachi, his father had considered his son a worthy man. Worthy enough to share some of his wisdom. Milind felt light. If his father ever found out the truth behind his marriage, he'd be heartbroken. No, thought Milind. He couldn't have that. He wouldn't have that. This marriage needed to amount to more than just a contract. Somehow.
Trudging up the stairs to his room, he mindlessly turned the knob and walked it. A startled Prachi faced him. Damn. He'd forgotten that he now shared his personal space with someone. No, not with just someone. With this wife. Giving her a small smile, he walked closer.
She stood up. Her heart beat quicker. Why was her heart beating so fast?
He walked past her, and Prachi let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. A very long night this would be, indeed, Prachi thought grimly.
