FF - |As Fate Would Have It| Chapter 9 June17 - Page 5

Life partners they say, are similar, and fit the other's half; they can be expressed as two parts that make a complete whole. Similar to Yash, Aarti was never accused of being selfish. But her act of sending YashJi away wasn't purely selfless

Indeed, she gave him that offering of meeting with Arpita to allow herself a few minutes to collect herself. For, although it was an everyday occurrence when a beautiful girl married a handsome young man, it was seldom when the man who had pledged his life, his afterlife, and his every moment in between, to express his love for another mere hours later.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Aarti finally expelled the breath she felt she had been holding within herself, since the past 3 weeks the minute Yash walked out their room's door.

Without moving away from the bed she reflected. The serenity of the night offering her the avenue to think, and finally own up to her thoughts.

A marriage – even one that gives the couple many months to plan is stressful, and the stress multiplied when the marriage is in haste. Not having the a proper moment to herself since being deemed the bashful bride-to-be, Aarti did not know what to make of her current situation. The only thing she knew was that she had said yes to an alliance with Yash because of one vital reason: the cost of marriage was taken care of by the Schindia family for the sole purpose of the hurried festivities. They had said - and lived to prove their words true - that they did not want the Dubey's to spend a single penny. Every expense was taken care of the Schindias, and perhaps that alone had convinced Aarti.

Aarti was 11 when both her parents had died. For 3 years after, she was shuffled from the homes of many relatives, who quite frankly did not like the idea of having another mouth to feed. At 15, after realizing that she was to be the only constant in her life, and too battered and bruised, she had fled a distant Mama's house. It was then when she had met with the Dubey's in a chance encounter. Although strangers, theirs hearts were larger than her relatives. Ma had taken an immediate liking to Aarti and had convinced her to stay by them. It had broken her heart to see such an innocent young girl all alone, and she wanted to provide her with many things, most importantly, love.

Anewed by their love, it had taken Aarti many months to adjust to her new life. For the first time since her parents had died, she had her own room, new clothes during every festival, and food that was not spoiling rotten. And no one used her as a punching bag. It had taken her a long time to get accustomed to loving hugs, and pats of appreciation, for she had been so used to slaps and punches. She no longer fliched whenever someone came into her bubble of safety, and what were once frown marks, were diminishing to be lines of smiles.

She was so grateful, for she knew not many others had her luck. If she had to, she would pay for the love the Dubeys had bestowed upon her, with her life.

It was then she had decided that she would never be a burden on the Dubey's and would make sure to be the perfect daughter – do as they say – and perhaps, just perhaps they would not get rid of her.

Although theirs was a home rich with love, the expenses told otherwise. And Aarti knew that if she were to ever marry, she would not want a lavish wedding. Hers would be a small affair, because she did not want to burden her family with a fairytale wedding. She did not want to pay for their love, with a monetary cost.

They Dubey's did not know of this, of course, for they truly thought of Aarti as their own, but she had made up her mind. If she was to be a married woman, she would do it on her own terms. When the Schindias had sent the proposal, it had seemed too good to be true, and when Ma had mentioned it to her, her answer was an immediate yes. It was not that YashJi's was the first proposal for her, but is was the first that met her secret criterion.

Coming back to the present, Aarti shifted slightly on the bed. Without the knowledge of time, she knew for certain that daylight was imminent. Without knowing what the morning light would bring for her, Aarti made her mind: she would play the charade of being YashJi's wife for as long as he needed her. She could not go back to the Dubeys. That would be too shameful, and would warrant others to talk. The girl, who had no real family, no real parents, could not even have a real husband. Fate, as it was proved again, did not side with an orphan child. But Aarti did not wail or lament. She had lived a life on borrowed moments, and knew how to make the most of them. She would use her stay, her relationship with the Schindias to live like a real married women, for when the charades ended, she would use the memories to help put her to sleep every night.

Feeling a single tear trail down her cheek, she got up off the bed, and made way towards the bathroom.