Devyani's excitement could give a kids run for their money. She had been working round the clock to make the wedding of her only son an unforgettable affair. Jatin watched his wife of 3 decades, ''Someone is happy.''

''Why shouldn't I be? Since this lad is born this the only right decision he took.''

Jatin smiled, but knowing Tarun he too feared the unknown, ''Are we doing the right thing? Kajal is a great girl and I don't want anything going wrong with her.''

Devyani sat across her husband, ''I feared the same and openly discussed it with Tarun. He said he wanted to marry Kajal.'' She huffed and then smiled, '''My Son has many things I don't like, but one thing I love about Tarun is his dedication towards a commitment. I know it will take time, but this going to be the best couple.'' Jatin nodded

Tarun stared at his reflection in the mirror, his life was about to change completely. He will be responsible for another life as well. 'Marriage' The word resonated his ears , it is supposed to be a bond of love, union of souls. But in his case it was different, he wasn't in love with Kajal, not even a bit but he will have to learn to accept and care for her. It was his duty and responsibility now to look after her well being and happiness, he couldn't disappoint his parents could he? Tarun took a deep breath and undid the top buttons of his attire. This mess was created by him, his mind reminded and it was time he took the responsibility of it.

''hey man, what are you doing up here. Its time we leave.'' Praveen knocked the door of Tarun's room breaking his stance. Tarun got up, fixed his attire and placed the turban on his head. It time he faced his reality.

***

Kajal's heart started thudding as the excited bunch of her cousins and friends informed about the arrival of the groom. When alone in her room she paced around nervously, her jewels making creating a melody. She stared at her heena coloured hands, it still seemed to be a dream. Everything moved too quickly, she regretted not asking her mother for some more time to understand Tarun. She feared if she would match his expectation as a wife. 'He seemed to be a good guy' , her conscious soothed her tensed nerves . before her mind could debated more, a swarm of her excited friends and cousins dashed into the room , it was time for her vows and there was no looking back.

Kajal took slow steps towards the dais looking more off everywhere but at her groom. On being close to the dais a hand extended towards her , she looked up and found Tarun smiling at her, gesturing her the take his hand. Her confusions washed away as she joined her hand with his taking her place next to him.

The guests who were being invited to bless the couple and be a part of the celebrations, started what they were expected of. They dawned the hat of critic scrutinizing the couple in whispers; everyone had their own view about the ones taking their vows. For some the union happened because Kajal's family offered large dowry, while others believed that guy lacked something which made him settle with a girl darker than him. Some even predicted that the union won't last a year.

While Devyani ignored , Sheela looked worried. She emotionally stared at her daughter who sat repeating the vows after the priest, ''You don't look happy'' Devyani wrapped an arm around her childhood friend

''I am, but scared. Is this the right decision.'' Sheela's hope filled yet nervous eyes gave away her state of mind.

''Yes it is, in fact the best one and you won't regret.'' Her friend's words calmed her heart for now. She knew Devyani would take a very good care of her.

The couple now were seated beside each other as guests wished and congratulated them. Tarun's eyes went to Kajal, she sat with her eyes on her fiddling fingers. The colour of heena ran black brown upto her elbow. He recalled the old saying deeper the color of heena, deeper is the husband's love. That moment he felt it to be false, he had no feelings for the girl next to him. His eyes moved up, he couldn't deny that deep maroon attire qcomplemented her skin, she kept her make up minimal keeping her natural glow, ''Nervous?'' He asked breaking the ice

''Don't know, all this seems ....'' She couldn't complete He smiled, ''I know, but chill we too will sail through.'' The way he said made her chuckle. Having the ice broken, the couple started interacting. It was late in the night when the curtains came down and guests departed, Kajal was to leave for her new home in the morning,

Sheela and Arun gave a teary farewell to their only child, requesting Tarun to take care of her. An emotional Kajal got a heart-warming welcome when Devyani pulled her into a hug. Kajal's tensed nerves started relaxing on finding a support in Dev yani. The elder lady shooed off the young crowd who looked eager to meet country's most sought jewellery designer. She didn't wanted the new member to be smothered with illogical questions.

After the remaining rituals and a grand reception Kajal was being led to Tarun's beautifully decorated bedroom, which hereon was hers as well. She stood at the centre of the room nervously looking at the flower decoration. She wasn't ready and hoped same from Tarun, they hardly knew each other and before committing herself completely she wanted to fall for him. The sound of the door opening made her turn, Tarun stared at her nervously before stretching his lips into a smile, ''Hi!''

Kajal bursts into giggles, tarun looked more nervous than her. He smiled and with a shake of his head replied, ''I know I look like a nervous girl, but it's mine first too.''

His words made her laugh all the way more. He stared at her for a minute, waiting for her to slow down but when she didn't he covered the distance in 2 big steps and covered her mouth with his palm, ''Do you want everyone here to share the joke.'' He asked staring down into her brown eyes. She blinked at his sudden move and stepped back all nervous, he smiled, ''should I laugh now.'' He joked noticing her nervous form, she didn't respond. Moving to the opposite side of bed he took off his watch , ''You can changed frist.'' He pointed towards the bathroom

''I will take a lot of time, you go first.'' He nodded and walked off taking his night clothes along. When he walked out, he found his wife of few hours struggling to get rid of her hair jewellery, which looked stubborn enough not ready to leave her, ''Need help?'' He asked

''Please!'' She dropped her arms thankful to him for offering help. Tarun stared at the mess on her head and started untangling the knots slowly. He pulled out the numerous pins that had been put in her hair to keep them in place, ''Tell me you designed that jewellery.''

''I did , but not the hair duo...its so irritating.'' She was pissed. She let out a content sigh as he removed the last and her dark hair came down her waist. Tarun out of the blue massaged her head, ''Better.''

Kajal felt a million butterflies attacking her stomach, she nodded and fled to change. When she stepped out, Tarun lay on the left side of the bed with his back to her. She smiled and took the right side, as soon as her head touched the pillow she dozed off.

***

After a week of their stay with Tarun's parents, it was time for the newlyweds to leave for their new home. Though Kajal protested but Devyani convinced her, ''I am not throwing you out, I am just giving you two some space to find each other . There will be a day when we will no more be able to take care of ourselves, that time we will need you.''

''Like it?'' Tarun asked as she stepped into the new apartment. She nodded, with a smile she explored all the corners of the house. Though, she had visited it once but that time it was just a vacant space. She couldn't help but applaud Devyani for decorating it beautifully, ''Would you mind some coffee?'' She asked to break the uncomfortable silence, to her dismay he just responded with a nod.

Kajal watched the milk boiling on the stove with a confusion, staying alone with him seemed tougher. They seemed to have nothing more than silence. Will he ask for separate rooms? She thought, next minute she decided to go for it in case he did.

Tarun opened his eyes when he heard the sound of cup being placed on the table, ''I wanted to speak to you Kajal, please don't take me wrong. ''

'OH MY GOD! He is going to ask for a separate room' Kajal's conscious warned. She kept her smile intact and gestured him to go ahead, ''Kajal, before we start as a couple we need to know each other as a friend. There are many things I don't know about you and same goes with you, so why not make a fresh start.'' He extended his hand, ''I am Tarun, nice meeting you''

''Hi Tarun, I am Kajal. I am still thinking if its nice meeting you or not.'' She replied tongue in cheek accepting his hand shake. He squeezed hers a little making her yelp, ''Ouch!''

''I was just checking the bracelet you are wearing, quite unique.'' He said pretending to be completely lost in her bracelet.

''It has to be, after all it came from a branded designer.'' He looked up to meet her mischievous brown eyes and after a minute both laughed. After the coffee, Tarun led Kajal to their room and helped her arrange the stuff, winning a bonus point from her.

With passing days, they had started falling in a routine. Kajal decided to work from home a little more than before, one thing  what surprised her was sudden changes in Robin's behaviour. He avoided interacting with her, it was his subordinates who spoke to her more. She had no issues until a day when Robin seemed to be a different person, he rejected her designs stating she was losing her touch and should stay home and cook. She left the place cancelling the contract, there was no dearth of work for her. She decided to accept the contract from a leading brand who were ready to pay her a bomb.

''Hey what's wrong?'' Tarun asked. As soon as he entered the apartment he found her curled up on the couch with wet eyes. She quickly sat up, and narrated everything. It took Tarun a minute to conclude that Robin had soft feelings for his wife, a part of him was super mad at the guy for having feeling for her and the other part was gloomy that Robin didn't propose her the right time, had he done it, Tarun would have saved himself from the mess.

''Its okay, you have plenty other opportunities'' He tried consoling her

''Yes, but they want me working fulltime.'' She replied bit gloomy

''See the brighter part, you get paid even when you don't have the assignment.''

''Tarun its not about money, It's about freedom of my creativity. If I work full time, I will have to dance on their numbers, design as per they wish.'' She shook her head in disappointment, it was difficult to explain people her perspective and Tarun preferred being with a brand.

''I will get you coffee.'' She said disappointed with him , before she could walk off he grabbed her wrist pulling her down next to him, ''You once said you were the brand, then stop whining and put your foot down. If they want you, they will negotiate the terms.'' She smiled, she liked the fact that Tarun had an empathizing side to. Not aware of the storm ready to hit her a month old marriage

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