FF - |As Fate Would Have It| Chapter 9 June17

This was a mistake.

Not having the nerve to look up at her new groom, Aarti kept her head bowed, and patiently waited for YashJi to elaborate.

At 23, she was well informed about the relationship a man and woman had, but limited in experience. Hers was a family that placed importance to Indian values. She had never been in any relationship, and frankly, preferred it like that. She wanted a love as pure as Radha and Shaym's. And a marriage as beautiful as her parents. And for that she had waited.

They say patience is a virtue, and pays well. 23 years of chastity reaped the reward of a husband as pure as YashJi' or so her friend's teased, and her parents glorified.

Less than 3 weeks ago, the proposal of Yash Schindia had come for Aarti, and without meeting each other, their alliance fixed by both families. The grooms-side had no demands, but wanted the wedding to take place as soon as possible, and Aarti's parents had been in awe with how soon their daughter was being whisked away, to a family that already loved her, and into a house that would keep her as royalty.

As a spectator watching the preparations for her wedding, Aarti was told to keep out, and focus solely on being Mrs. Yash Schindia. It was not like she needed the time or space to prepare, however, as she had all the trimmings to go from being a single lady, to a married woman. She was beautiful, knew how to keep house with ease, and would undoubtedly give multiple, beautiful, heirs to the Schindia family.

Seeing YashJi for the first time at the wedding ceremony, Aarti superficially thanked the Lord. At 28, he was as male as one could get, with a height to match her own, and confidence that would be needed in a lifelong union.

There was no exchange during the wedding, except from a curt nod from him after he placed the manglesutre against her neck. Just a pinch of vermilion, and black beads entrusted among gold, and she went from being a daughter to the Dubeys, to being the daughter-in-law of the Schindias; a small ceremony, but one that would mark her forever.

A chatter, with the ocassional giggle-outbursts that is to be expected of the friends' of the bride, Aarti was placed on top of her marriage bed, and teased endlessly by her friends, chiding her about the supposed activities of the night. Sitting poised on the bed, Aarti's ghoongat was fixed to cover her face, and she was reminded to allow her dulha to lift her veil only after the moo-dikayi sum was paid in full.

As the minutes passed, Aarti kept reminding herself of what Ma had told her before she took her down to the mandap. Yash is your life now. It will please us most in knowing that you have pleased him. If there is anything I can tell you in your final moments before you become his wife, it is to guard his secrets as your own, and protect his honour with your own. In a lifetime there will be many misunderstandings, and many broken hearts, but in the same lifetimes there will be the clearing of misunderstandings and the love that will mend broken hearts. Be patient, for I know you can be.

With her hands placed elegantly on her uplifted legs, and her eyes kept low, she waited as the minutes melting into each other, without moving, without so much as breathing with effect.

And that is how he saw her. And that is when it slipped from his lips, "This was a mistake."