Chapter-1:

Seven hours later, I'm seated in a chair waiting for the commencement of the event that is supposed to make today the best day of my life. I'm really hoping it doesn't turn out to be the day that ruins the rest of my life. I'm getting married to a virtual stranger in a couple of minutes and loads of people have walked into the room to wish me and walked right out too.

I'm really tempted to just walk out or, at the very least, rationally explain to the groom and his parents why I can't marry him. However, I know just how much his parents have spent on today. Plus, maybe they'd feel humiliated if I walked out the very day of the wedding. Maybe my parents would also feel humiliated because there are so many relatives on both sides here. Everyone is really friendly with each other in both families, everyone but the two who constitute the link between these two families.

There are so many factors that went into making today and it's really not fair on my part to pull out now. So I'm just going to shut my mouth and go ahead with this. I'm wearing an expensive saree and exquisite jewellery, my hair made up in some really elaborate style. If I need to be a mute pretty doll today, I will. I really wish I didn't have to though.

"Cherica, can I have a word with you?" a voice that I don't recognize breaks into my reverie.

I turn to find a man decked in an ornate outfit. Who's this? Oh wait, there's only one person who'll be dressed like this on a wedding day and it's the groom.

"Sure," I try to get up carefully, trying my best not to wrinkle or otherwise damage the very expensive saree his parents bought for me.

"Here, I'll help you," he holds my palm in his and pulls me up in a swift second.

One look at his unfamiliar face and I'm privy to the worry shining bright through the fog of mysteriousness clouding him. This must be really important. Deciding to put aside my misery for the moment, I look around to find a place where we can talk in private. What I find, instead, is even more aunties smiling and winking at me.

I roll my eyes and turn back to him when he gestures with his eyes to outside the hall. A short stroll leads us outside, where he begins to speak after checking to see that we're alone.

"I know this is probably not the best time for this but do you really want to go through with this?"

I absentmindedly nod at first. When the words finally register in my head, I gasp. Does this mean he's having second thoughts too? If so, then I can get out of this without feeling guilty!

"What?" my hoarse voice sounds.

"Look, not meaning to offend you or anything but I can't get rid of the feeling that you don't really want this. The first few days I saw you, you were this energetic girl who seemed just so happy to be alive, you know, that kind of thing. But for the past few weeks, you've become withdrawn, you always look like you dread everything about life and you just don't look happy, at all. If it's the prospect of this marriage that's doing that to you, I'm really not sure it's the best idea to go ahead with this. You hear me?"

I feel my eyes can't be open any wider as I stare at him, my jaw hitting the floor. The one who did my eye makeup must be cursing me right now but I don't care. Is this him telling me it's alright if I want to end this whole affair now?

"I really don't want to force you to reply so please do reply. I think you're a beautiful and talented human but, truth be told, I don't really know you. You don't know me that well either. If we go through with this, we're committing to each other for the rest of our lives. Let me be the first to tell you that you've got a whole lot ahead of you. You're only twenty and on the rise doing what you love as a profession. You shouldn't have to settle for someone you don't even know the first thing about. I don't want you to ruin your life and I don't want my life to be ruined either. Please think it through and give me a reply now."

"Are you being serious?" my voice rises at the end of the statement.

"One hundred percent. No pressure, but I need you to do the same. This is a decision that'll affect the both of us for the rest of our lives. It's your decision. I'll support whatever it is," he looks right into my eyes as he speaks.

I feel overjoyed. I can call this off! My euphoria comes crashing down when the thought of all those people sitting inside that hall pops into my head. Am I letting down all of them? Most importantly, am I letting down my parents? How do I go forward with this without discussing this with them? And his parents too! They've only been really sweet to me since the day we met.

"No offence, but I can't help feeling you're overanalyzing this. Tell me what you're thinking, please," he squeezes my hand.

"Look, I'm really glad that you're telling me that you're okay with me not going through with this. I've been thinking that we rushed way too fast into this for days together but I was too scared to tell anyone. I'd definitely want to break this up now before it's too late. The thing is I'm worried about how the people in there are going to react. I don't want my loved ones to feel I've let them down," the dejection in my thoughts weighs heavily on my mind and aids gravity in pulling my head down.

"Cherica, look at me. Look at me. I want you to hear what I'm saying."

I half-heartedly lift up my head to meet the strong gaze of his determined eyes.

"Now you listen to me. This is purely you and me here. Whatever you decide will have a direct impact on your life and mine only. No one else gets a prominent say in this. I'm sure your parents will understand, and I'll make mine understand as well. If anything, they have to be happy that we're doing what's right. They ought to be happy that we're saving ourselves from what could be a lifetime of misery. Decide as if this is only your business, because it is. Go on then, think properly and tell me."

My voice now firm, I state, "I've made my decision."

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There's the first chapter! If you're reading, tell me what you think.

What decision would you make if you were Cherica? What would you do if you were Devaj? Any other questions?

I'll try my best to upload once every week or once every two weeks. Until next week, voila!

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