AarYa FF : Wish Upon A Star(Chapter 4 - Pg 26) - Page 14

"I know. This is your mother's wedding dress. All these years I safeguarded it for my little Aarti." , she said as she grabbed my hand to kiss it. "See that sari , it was your mother's favorite ! Wear it today for the engagement."

"I don't think wearing these precious clothes in such an out of luck function is a good idea!"

"Aarti!" , she grabbed me by my shoulders , her tearful eyes coercing me. "Don't say that again! My child's wedding is the best thing in this world."

"Im sorry bebe i didn't mean to--"

She held her head , maybe my words really made her upset . She didn't respond but lightly murmured , "Go take bath."

I nodded & left .

I was not at all enlivened with the fact that I was marrying a very handsome man. The truth was neither he nor me wanted to get tied with each other. It was plain family pressure. One thing was evident , he too was suppressed by his father. Then , he had no choice too. Eighty percent of arranged marriages are based on horoscope matching , there is not exactly any harm but his cold attitude reflected how much he disliked the idea of marrying me . And to the piece of information that I was being bartered , well I was too repelled to even contemplate. I was'numb.

Drying the unmanageable locks of my hair I came out of the washroom. I saw two girls , seemingly my step sisters salivating over my mother's exquisite clothes. One of them picked up my engagement dress & started trying on her.

"Excuse me what are you doing?" , I asked grabbing my dress back.

"I want it back!" , the snob answered back.

"Why?"

"Because I liked it!"

Looked like my step father had really spoilt his dear daughters. It was evident from their clothes , manners & weight.

The other girl said , "This is our home & every thing here belongs to us!"

"This is my home too & these dresses are memories of my late mother." , a lump for forming in my throat , something i really hated.

"Give it to us!" , both shouted together.

"Never!" , I was firm.

"Alright then." , one of them headed to the drawers & took out a pair of scissors. She grabbed my mother's wedding attire & ripped it.

"Stop! What are you doing!" , I was too late to take any action.

The dress was torn apart & so was my heart , my soul. Most fond remembrance of my mother was lying on the floor in innumerable pieces. I looked at them with repugnance . I wanted to kill them with the same scissor , in fact I rose to seize it in anger but the swines left the room in hurry. Meanwhile bebe entered . She saw me sitting besides the pieces of my mumma's dress , staring the loss.

Comprehended what had happened in her back , she hesitatingly murmured , "Its alright. Your mother didn't have a peaceful marriage. Its good you are not wearing that ill-fated dress."

I stared her with disbelief but I knew it was only to pacify me. Beneath the numb surface, I had an explosive temper and I seethed with dark, deep emotion. At some stage, however, I had learned to suppress those feelings.

She continued , "Your dress for the engagement is safe."

I wasn't in mood to reply.

She heaved a deep breath and proceeded , "This is the reason Aarti. This is the reason why I want you to get married quickly. This is hell. I have seen your mother blazing here ! I know Yash , he is a pleasant boy. He'll treat you like a princess."

"I don't want to me treated as a princess , but as a human being." , I claimed with affirmation & sorrow.

***

'Beautiful' . He didn't say it; his mouth framed the words in silent appreciation and I lip-read them .

He was accompanied by his father , who liked like a carbon copy of my father , a passive looking mother who came forward to kiss my forehead and some loud relatives. While from my side the only company was bebe & my father. Poor he! Much to my contentment my benevolent sisters had gone out with their mother to a kitty party.

The ceremony was short lived & after it got over , much to my misery I & Yash were asked to spend some 'quality time' together'

I had nothing to do , neither he had. He was busy texting & I was busy staring the knife kept on the table.