Chapter 10
For all my fellow Michians, hope the wedding in my FF, makes up for the divorce in today's episode. 😒
Prachi's wedding day arrived and the enormity of what she was doing hit home fully. She got dressed and made up, the entire time, almost numb with fear. Prachi finally got a few minutes to herself. She wished she had someone to talk to about the doubts and fears assailing her but the only other person who understood why she & Milind were getting married was Milind himself
Meanwhile, Milind was getting ready, feeling quite calm as if it was just another business meeting, he was preparing for. What he wasn't prepared for was Prachi phoning him, a few minutes before he could leave the house. "Milind, are we doing the right thing?" asked Prachi. Milind could hear the doubt in her voice and no matter what he didn't want to force her into something she didn't want to do. "Prachi, it's not too late, if you want, we can still call this off.", said Milind calmly. "I'm scared Milind, I don't know what are we getting ourselves into.", said Prachi softly. "I don't know either, we'll make it up as we go along.", said Milind. When Prachi said nothing, Milind continued, "Prachi, I'm going to have to make a lot of promises to you today but the only thing I can really promise you is that I have always been honest with you and I always will be. You need to decide whether that's enough." Prachi felt the ice cold fear that had gripped her loosening its hold. "I guess, I'll see you shortly.", replied Prachi.
By the time Inder came to see if she was ready to go downstairs, Prachi felt almost calm. Inder looked at her with tears in his eyes and hugged her very tightly. As Prachi walked down the stairs, she saw Neev in the crowd. Milind may said that he didn't have any expectations of her as a wife but that didn't mean Prachi didn't have any of herself. And from this moment on, Prachi promised herself that no thought of Neev will ever cross her mind except that as of a friend. Finally she met Milind's eye. He looked calm and that somehow reassured her. The rest of the day passed in a blur of rituals, prayers and activities. The only thing that clearly stood out in Prachi's mind was her family's teary farewell to her.
Ali's family and Milind's family from Pune were there to greet Prachi when they arrived at their house. After all the necessary rituals had been performed, everyone left and Milind found himself alone with his new wife. Milind suddenly felt awkward whereas Prachi emotionally drained and physically tired after the long day, just wanted somewhere where she could lay her head. "You can sleep in the main bedroom, I'll take the next room.", said Milind. Prachi nodded of, the minute hit her head hit the pillow but it was Milind who spent a long restless night plagued by self doubt. All day, he had been certain about the decision he had made, not even seeing Ayesha had made him doubt the path he had taken until he had been left alone with Prachi. She had looked so vunerable, still wearing her bridal sari with the tiredness showing on her face. It struck Milind that, no matter what the reasons were for them entering this marriage, he was now her husband and was responsible for caring and for protecting her.
Milind woke up the next morning to find breakfast waiting for him. "You didn't have to do this.", said Milind still feeling slightly awkward around her. "I had to make breakfast for myself anyway.", said Prachi smiling. Prachi was feeling a lot better after a good night's sleep. She was still unsure about a lot of things but like Milind said they'll figure it out as they went along. Prachi returned to her parent's home later that morning. She found it very easy to ignore all the jokes and innuendo. Aferall, the previous night had been more like a sleepover at a friend's house than a wedding night. Prachi thought she ought to feel different. But she didn't particularly feel like a blushing bride. Prachi Mishra really didn't feel any different from Prachi Shah.
Edited by blackcurrant - 17 years ago