Part 1
The huge four poster bed, that dominated the room, was decorated with rose petals. The room itself was covered with soft lights and a gentle breeze. At the center of the bed sat a very unhappy bride with her head bowed down. Astha was made up in a beautiful red sari. Her beauty was enhanced by the exquisite jewellery that came as part of the gift from her sasural.
The main jewel on Astha's face, her sunny smile, was completely missing. Astha was in deep thought as she mulled on her circumstance that led to this marriage. She had been a hard working and brilliant student of commerce who wanted to continue with management studies. Her parents however were normal middle class people with a limited income. Her father was getting retired next year. He did not want to delay Astha's wedding any longer.
All her pleadings fell to deaf ears. Even tears did not work. Her parents were equally persuasive. "Astha you will definitely not get a better sasural. They are old money but more importantly, they give a lot of value to culture and tradition. I am sure you will have a very respected place in the society. And look at Shlok? At such a young age he has achieved so much. He is responsible enough to run the business with Niranjan Sahib. He does not have any bad habits. What more can you ask for?"
What more can I ask for? She thought to herself. How about freedom? some laughter, more fun? independence? equality? love and respect? At that word she cringed. At least the rest she could cope with but not this. Shlok had come to meet her on the day of the engagement. His face remained unsmiling as ever. Surprisingly he came to talk to her after the engagement.
"Astha, for your sake don't agree to get married to me. Don't ask me anything else. I cannot help you. If you truly want happiness stay away from me. I don't believe in love and definitely not in marriage." He finished his speech harshly and walked away without a backward glance.
By then it had been too late. The engagement was already over and the date for the wedding was fixed in three weeks time. But even then Astha had tried, like a fool, to talk to her mother. Kalindi at first refused to believe Astha. She then called Anjali for the sake of her daughter's happiness.
Anjali had rubbished these so called beliefs of Shlok and reassured Kalindi and Avdhoot. How Astha wished she did not have to go through with this. Marriage was a different thing. But this? How could she go through this with her so called husband? Her hands were sweating and her face was marred with a frown at the unpleasant thought.
That was when Shlok entered the room. How lucky I am, to enter into the bedroom with a beautiful but reluctant bride. He threw a rude look towards the bed and shut the door with a definite click behind him.
Edited by ipkkndfollower - 11 years ago
Anupamaa
Hindi TV Shows
50