"Don't ask me what I think of you. I might not give the answer you want me to."

Arundhati's POV

I called up my boss and got a leave extension. My parents wanted an engagement as soon as possible. I wasn't...that much into it, but I went along with it. I hadn't yet figured out Neil that well.

I had been hit hard after my divorce. Not only had I left behind a home and a husband, but also my adopted son. I had slipped into depression. I was still under medication. Some days were okay. Some were hard. And some days I lay on bed, weeping, wishing it was all a dream and I was back in my plush Boston pad with the love of my life and my son.

I said yes though. I felt it was the only way to get out of my depression. I felt we deserved half a chance. He seemed wonderful. I hoped he was. Our engagement date was set for five days later. Neil's ma wanted a big affair, I heard, but he shot it down saying he wasn't making a spectacle out of it. I was relieved. I couldn't find it within myself to muster up courage to face ogling relatives. Especially his, who I knew would particularly dislike me.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that his mother didn't exactly like me. But I remembered his father, Nishikant uncle. Good friend of my father's. Nice and decent, just like Neil.

So we agreed to have a small ceremony at our house with very close relatives.

I wish I had been warned of what was to come. I would have wished for a large, gaudy reception instead.

**

The day dawned nice and bright and warm. It was May after all. I had a smile of my face that not even the worst of news could wipe off. I felt giddy with excitement. Bhabhi and mother seemed more excited than I was. Bhabhi got me this fantastic ghaghra set. I'm not that into traditional gear but this one had me drooling. It was this brilliant intricate floor length button-down kurta paired with a full, long skirt. Long sleeved, buttoned till my waist, it flared out magnificently. And it was a brilliant soft black.

I was in love already. I giggled like a small girl, that's how excited I was.

The entire day, bhabhi dragged me from one place to another, getting me groomed. Nails here, haircut there, facial somewhere else. For once, I followed, as enthusiastic as her.

The time was set for 8 pm.

I was getting my finishing touches by bhabhi when the bell rang. I stood up immediately.

"Sit" she laughed, "Someone would get it."

I laughed back nervously.

Presently, one of my cousins came to call me out. I stood up, observing myself in the mirror. I looked...beautiful.

"I love you, bhabhi" I hugged her tight, holding back my tears, "I really do!" she simply giggled.

They were in the living room. Neil, his parents, another couple with a younger son. Cousin, I figured. Neil looked up when I entered, and his jaw fell open. Literally. I'm not even kidding. He was dressed well too, in a simple but wonderfully cut dark kurta set.

The open jaw curved into a small smile and then a smirk. I smirked right back. I failed to notice his mother staring at me with distaste.

"The brahmin checked the horoscopes" Neil's dad spoke on seeing me. He has stress lines on his face, I noticed. "They match very well, I'm glad to report."

Neil's smirk transformed into a full grin.

There was a call for rings, and a priest literally appeared out of nowhere. My eyes were on Neil the whole time, I didn't even notice who else was in the room.

The ceremony was small and quick. In the end, we were to exchange rings. I turned to bhabhi, who handed me a small red box. Dad and I had gone out a couple of days ago to select it. His hand was warm when I reached for it and slipped in the ring. There was some amount of applause in the background. He went next, turned to his cousin for the box. A small black velvet box. He opened it to reveal a large, brilliantly cut diamond set on a slim platinum band.

His eyes were on me as he slipped in on. I could see playfulness.

"Who would ever think this wasn't her first?" a voice cut through the applause.

My eyes snapped onto the cousin's mother, who stared back unrepentant. I knew my face fell.

"Shweta aunty!" he whipped towards her.

"Really, Neil, a smaller ring would've done" she said, her voice sharp.

I felt as if someone has not simply picked on an old wound, but had shot me right in it. With a hunting rifle.

Did I not even deserve a big engagement ring?

In a rage-infused stupor, I slipped out the ring and flung it on her face.

"Keep it" my voice shook, and I could feel my throat closing, "Keep the bloody ring."

"Arundhati-" Neil turned to me

"Get out" I was shaking.

"Don't talk to him like that!" his mother piped up.

"Stop it, lady!" I screamed back, "Stop this bloody farce of civility."

"Arundhati, don't talk to my Ma like that" my eyes shifted onto his face. His playfulness was gone. He was staring back at me with a frown. Was this how it was going to play out? Would I be victimised all my life for that one mistake? I couldn't continue, I realised.

"Leave" my voice was a broken whisper, as broken as all my dreams, "I want nothing to do with you."

Nobody from my family tried to stop me. They knew an insult when they saw it.

Neil looked down at me for a few moments, emotionless, but I broke eye-contact first. I couldn't, I simply couldn't.

"We'll leave" he said as he crouched down to pick up the ring.

He turned, and by the time I mustered enough courage to look up, he was gone.

**

Hi reader,

Keep liking and voting if you like my words:) every read, every comment, every vote makes me want to write some more! I never thought I would ever write a love story that began as a traditional arranged marriage, but I'm sure y'all have figured that it's more contemporary in nature than the usual traditional arranged marriage story.

Well, that's the way I like it! a little old-school, a little modern, a whole lot of real:)