AAHANA'S POV

They say going back into your past will cause emotional turmoil in your present life.  I guess that's what is happening with me right now.  Sitting in a corner of my own room, looking at some random pictures and thinking about my parents is the only thing I have been doing all this afternoon.  I had no siblings because mom had multiple cysts on her uterus.  I was born with great difficulty for them.  I guess that is the reason why my mom is so strict and always worried about me.  They wanted to adopt a child but no family will have huge heart like Soham 's. 

" You are here?? " my Mom walked in sitting beside me

" Mom,  how is it?  How did you take when your mom expired at a very young age? " this was my first question.

" You are worried about your stay at his place?  Don't Be. I am sure they value you enough that they don't impose any kind of rules for you to live with them Aahu.  " she replied holding my hand.

I smiled weakly at her.  The folds on her hand shows the amount of effort she took to make me smile and live like this.  She might be a house wife  but I am sure me or dad may not have survived without her presence.  Suddenly tears brimmed my eyes imagining Soham,  how he would have been without his mom.  How much he must be craving for her love and affection.  Like kusum says,  same shit at different levels people undergo.  I laid head on my mom's lap silently tears leaving my eyes.  She chuckled,  I know she must be thinking some joke in her mind. 

" Aahu,  you need to get ready.  All your cousins are eating my brain away.  Kusum told me she left you alone for some time.  Aahu,  look at me " she said lifting my head in her hand.

" Don't think much,  it's going to be a beautiful day with happiness filling your life.  Embrace it . Come what may,  you will have Soham with you and my child you for him.  When you could survive alone without anyone except your only friend and parents,  I can imagine,  you will be happy with him too.  " she said smiling widely.

She patted my head and left me alone again.  Today around midnight is my marriage.  When half of the world sleeps,  I stay awake and enjoy my happiness.  If I look on bright side,  some part of the world wakes up at that time maybe.  Moving from my place,  I decided to freshen up a bit before kusum and some stupid stylist come and help me for hours. 

" Can I come in?  " I heard someone knocking my door.

" Yes " I said tying my hair in an bun.

" Chitra! " I exclaimed as she hugged me tight. 

" What Is it girl?  You are attending my wedding?  Don't you have practical exam tomorrow?  Chemistry I assume? " I asked her removing her hands from me. 

" I have it in the afternoon " she said holding my hand.

" I missed you,  you were not coming to orphanage now a days what happened? " she questioned me.

" I took leave for twenty days. Had to do shopping and all.  Plus you people had exam too.  Stupid rains! Your exams got delayed and landed up just before my wedding!  Kusum had to correct some of your papers! " I said smiling at her.  But her face had no emotions in them.

" What happened?  Is everything alright?  Are you sad that I am going to get married?  " I questioned her.

" Nothing like that.  I miss my parents.  They did not contact me after I came here.  I never had family life.  Do you think my mom will get worried just like yours when I get married? " she questioned me.

" No.  I will be there for her to help you.  You still got so many years!  Don't waste your single - dom.  I want you to enjoy it to the fullest " I said patting her head.  She smiled weakly.  Something was off. 

" Do you think those are my real parents?  " she asked me and I was shocked to hear such words from her mouth.

" Time up!  Now just shut up and sit in your place!  That is here on this stool  so that we can experiment on you! " Kusum barged in.  And Chitra went quiet smiling a bit. 

" I will help your mom " Chitra said walking back.  I couldn't even reply or make her understand that these are hard times for her.

With the help of a stylist, I got ready.  Wearing a light blue Lehenga with dark blue contrast I was nervous as hell.  This is not the color for the wedding but still, I chose to wear this.  With light embroidery passing throughout the Lehenga,  I felt happy looking at myself.  When I asked Soham if I could wear any color I wanted all I heard was,  that he would accept me the way I was and so color of the costume didn't matter when I have a good heart and personality.  It was a bit assuring but I am still nervous. 

" Are you ready?  " Kusum asked me while I nodded my head.  It was all a blur,  I was so nervous that I didn't feel like looking at anyone.  Does this happen with Every bride?  Rituals took place one after the other, I saw Soham smiling at me.  It made my nervousness reduce a bit but still, I was not feeling anything except happiness in and around me. 

" You are looking beautiful " he said holding my hand.  Then I realized we are actually married now and I am his wife officially. 

" Why do you have a shocked expression on your face?  " he asked me while my cousins started giggling.

" I am married to you" I stated looking around me.

" Yes,  thank you" he spoke softly squeezing my hand.  I didn't cry nor did my parents.  Even while sitting in his car going to our home,  I didn't cry because I didn't feel as if I was leaving my home behind.  All I could sense was he was here with me,  holding my hand, assuring me that he was there for me and I didn't need to feel alone. 

Is this what we call companionship? 

This is what my mom was talking all the time?

" Are you OK? You haven't spoken much.  Are you tired?  Do you want to sleep? " he asked me.  I just nodded my head no. 

" I am happy.  Thank you" he said.

" Why do you thank me so many times?  I have not done any charity.  I wanted you as my partner so I chose to marry you.  You never need to thank me for anything in your life.  " I said resting my head on the window and looking out.  He held my hand and gave a slight squeeze indicating to me that he understood what I meant. 

It took us one hour to reach his place as we swam in the traffic and even got down in the middle to watch the sunrise.  When rays fell on us, I then observed that he wore a light sky blue sherwani with golden embroidery lacing it.  I was so engrossed in my world that I did not realize he might be feeling lonely because of my silence.  Not wanting to make him feel left out,  I reached out and held his hand smiling at him.  He returned it squeezing my hand. 

I like his gesture of him. 

When we reached his apartment,  I saw his people greeting us.  The whole staff from the orphanage and his workplace were there to welcome us.  Being a little shy from this unwanted attention I had a tight smile on my face but when I saw children, my face lit up immediately!

Congratulations!

That's what is written on the cards they were holding,  I saw Chitra guiding them. 

" Thank you all so much!  We are very lucky to have such a warm welcome!  Please stay for breakfast as well as lunch.  As you all know,  we got married in the early hours,  please forgive us for not hosting the party tonight.  Assuming all of you need rest for the hard work you have done these days without me,  I am giving you off tomorrow.  " Soham announced while his office mates cheered loudly.  As we reached his apartment,  Aunt came forward to help his dad with the rituals that are usually done by his mom. 

As I entered,  I saw that it is a simple apartment with minimal furniture. 
Photos of his mom with a baby which I assume is of his late sister.  Dhruv greeted me with his glowing pregnant wife,  with whom I could connect well.  I was not feeling uncomfortable,  I actually felt as if I had attained peace. 

Is this normal? 

Or I am abnormal?

" Aahana? " Soham's dad called me asking me to accompany him to a room.

" This is my room.  But if you want you can stay here instead of his boring ones.  You know whenever you both have a fight,  you can come here and I will sleep with him" he spoke winking at me while I chuckled at him.

" But we have another room,  what's that used for? " I questioned him.

" We never needed it, child.  Your mother-in-law said when Soham has kids we will use it.  I don't want to force you into anything.  It will be used when it should be. I called you here to talk with you about something" he said making me sit on a chair while he sat on the bed opposite to me. 

" As you know, we don't have my wife nor my daughter here in this house for the past one year.  We forgot what is happiness. I am very happy to have you here.  Although this house looks dull,  plain and boring I can assure you,  you will be the happiest person if you can understand both of us.  I or my son will never force you to stay the way we want.  You can be yourself.  Decorate this house or leave it the way it is. Shout on us or start quarreling with my son,  I don't mind. I miss everything.  I want you to know, that you are now a part of our family and we will stand by you no matter what happens so don't ever feel alone ok?  I won't interfere in your married life nor will give you tips on how to manage it but if you need me I will be there.  Soham has suffered so much in his life.  The least I could do for him is to get him married to you.  I am happy that I have a daughter like you for me now." He said with tears in his eyes.

I had tears too.  I could feel the pain he had gone through when his wife and daughter expired when Soham was in jail. He suffered so much too.  Looking at his age and the smile on his face while wiping his tears,  I determined that I would stand for him too.  I will try to bring happiness and what all Soham and Dad lost in this past year.  The only thing which makes me worry is

Will I be able to do it? 

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