Hemadri's POV

The commercial capital of India is also known as the city that never sleeps. It is the perfect blend of culture, customs, and lifestyles. Mumbai is India's most cosmopolitan city, the birthplace of Indian cinema, dotted with plenty of architectural landmarks from the Victorian era.

From poor to rich, you will find everyone located all over Mumbai in their respective societies. The lower middle class and poor living in Chawls typically two to four-storeyed buildings that have single occupancy rooms next to each other on a particular floor, with a shared toilet on each floor and two exits on either side.

Upper middle class living in flats, one-story houses who are basically working in commercial markets and services. Then comes the riches, Bollywood stars, business, fashion, and top industrialists. This city has everything and the chase to earn money never ends.

I was dressed in a traditional lehenga and now setting my hair properly. I picked up the bracelet from the dressing table and tied it around the wrist of my left hand.

A loud voice interrupted my actions with "Hema hurry up! They are here"

I glanced at the figure standing at the entrance of the room "Maa... I don't want to do it"

My mother walked inside and said "it happens Hema.. Everyone feels nervous"

I made a face, she isn't understanding my emotions. She pinned up my dupatta and took me downstairs. I had no choice but to plaster a smile on my face for her and my father's happiness.

I descended the stairs with her and the hall was filled with relatives and friends. My mother kept her hand on my shoulder and I glanced at her.

She smiles broadly "chalo beta..."

I walked ahead and stood beside a young man of my age. He is Rishi Mehra, son of the top industrialist of Mumbai. Like every parent, my parents selected the best life partner for me. He was well settled and educated but I wasn't yet ready for marriage.

Rano, my mother forwards the ring and I picked it up from the box. I glanced at the person standing in front of me, he forwards his hand and I slid the ring into his finger. He did the same and I was now officially engaged to him. Everyone clapped and exchanged warm hugs with each other.

I am Hemardri Kashyap, daughter of Alok Kashyap who is CEO of a multinational company. He had worked hard to reach the position and build his own house in fast pacing city. My mother Rano Kashyap had been his biggest strength and they had raised me with all the love, care, affection, and concern that every parent has for their daughter.

I wanted to pursue my further studies in foreign but they didn't allow it because of being conservative. I have been raised in an environment where girls have been put under a lot of restrictions from returning back home before 6 pm to not staying overnight at friends' places. The family, pride honor respect mattered a lot to them. My life had just been around my family and relatives. I had hardly seen or enjoyed the life that is meant to be full of excitement and thrill.

I wanted to become independent before binding into a new relationship but my parents were adamant to get me married. I couldn't deny my father's request and agreed to get married. However, they weren't just reasons for the acceptance of this alliance, it was my failure of not getting clear the interview at the university for my master's level.

The function ended in about two hours and I went upstairs to my room. I removed the jewelry and then threw myself on the bed. I was now feeling so suffocated and helpless. Sometimes, family over-protectiveness becomes a hurdle to our dreams and desires which they don't understand. I could be wrong but I needed my freedom which I wasn't given.

My father Alok enters the room and said "hema.. Beta"

I got up and smiles at him "haan papa"

"Rishi ke maa baap se maine baat ki hai! Wo log tumhe shaadi ke baad bhi job karne denge.. Tumne ek badi delhi ki company mein apply kiya tha na? Uska kya hua?" he questions.

I gulped down my throat, I didn't apply in Mumbai but to London's University after my graduation as I wanted to continue my studies overseas and lied to my family knowing they won't allow it. I said "papa selection hua nahi"

"Koi baat nahi hai.. Maine Rishi se baat ki hai uski kaafi pehchaan hai!" Alok said with a smile.

Rano walks inside next and places the shagun items on the couch which was placed in the left corner of the room. "Kitna kuch de gaye hai ye log sagai mein.. Aur yahan abtak kuch tayari hi nahi hui hai"

Alok smiles and said "ho jayengi Rano.. abhi shaadi mein 5 din baaki hai"

"Yuhi nikal jayenge paanch din.." Rano replies.

She sighed deeply, I said "Maa.. Mujhe"

Rano eyed at me "are graduation ho gaya na.. Masters karna hai toh shaadi ke baad yahi Mumbai mein kar lena"

I gave up, they won't listen to me. Why is marriage given so much importance in a girl's life? Isn't their life beyond marriage?

Alok caressed my head and said "beta tujhe itni door nahi bhej sakte hum.. Teri bua ki beti bhi gayi thi kya hua uska? Ladke se dhoka khaya usne.. Nahi chahte tere saath bhi kuch aisa ho"

I smiled lightly "usme galti uss ladke ki thi papa! Par ofcourse society ko toh aurat ke character pe hi ungli uthani hai" I said in a sarcastic way.

Rano gave me a look "Hemadri behes mat kar humse. Rishi bahut acha ladka hai muskil se milte hai aise rishte koi kami nhi hai waha pe khush rahegi tu.. Chalyie ji kal ki tayari karte hai"

Alok nodded and went out with her. I sighed deeply, I called the agent who was helping me with London University admission and requested him to try once more. He nodded and I ended the call. 

The day ended in blur aftermath, the house was filled with all relatives who had traveled from different cities in India. This is the time when family unites and the occasion of the wedding brings the family even close. The memories are to be cherished forever but I wasn't pleased with this.

I had lots of questions in my mind, will my life partner understand my feelings? He will let me leave life the way I wanted or I will end up getting the burden of restrictions on my shoulders again? I am not against arranged marriages but I had some desires for my life partner what if he doesn't stand up to my expectations and can I even blame my parents for it later on? No, definitely I would be standing in the witness box and questioning why didn't I compromise. 

Another day began and my mother enters the room with a saree in her hand. She forwards it to me and said with a smile "jaldi se isko pehenke aaja neeche sab intezar kar rahe hai mehendi ki rasam ke liye"

I held it and changed, I descended downstairs and my cousins pulled me with them to the dance. I plastered a smile on my face and danced to the traditional songs. My cousin Shrishti noticed some sadness behind the smile and said "kabhi kabhi family ke liye apne sapne chodne padte hai"

I stared at her and asked "really?"

"Dekho hemadri.. Main mumma papa ke against jaake US chali gayi thi kya mila mujhe? Dhoka.. Chachu chachi bahut ache hai jo mujhe shaadi mein invite kar liya maa baap hamara bhala hi chahte hai" she explained.

I sighed deeply "zaroori nahi hai jo aapke saath hua waisa mere saath bhi ho?"

"Hemadri.. Family ki respect se badhkar kuch nahi hota hai" she comments and I was annoyed hearing her.

Rano came and said "chal baith mehendi lagwa"

I sat down and forwarded my hand. I saw my father dancing with my mother and there was a smile on their faces. I guess, this was my faith marriage with Rishi, and hopefully getting a job in Mumbai. 

Day of Wedding

I was sitting in front of the mirror and the beautician was doing my make-up for the big day. My mother walked inside and kept her hand on my shoulder. She kissed my head lightly and said "kabse intezar tha iss din ka.. Aaj meri beti apne ghar jayegi" her eyes became emotional.

"Toh ye mera ghar nahi hai?" I questioned glancing at her through the mirror.

"Hai aur hamesha rahega lekin aaj naye rishton mein bandhne jaa rahi ho tum" Rano said.

Alok called out and Rano goes to see what have happened. The lady said "mam aap lehenga pehen lijiye pehle"

I nodded and she walked out of my room. I got up and stared at my wedding lehenga kept on the bed. I picked it up and at the same moment, my phone ranged. I glanced at it and it was the agent, I immediately answered his call "yea.."

"Hemadri.. Bahut confusion ho gaya tha! Tumhara interview clear ho chuka hai aur infact your visa is also approved.." he said leaving me in a state of shock.

"What??" I said in disbelief.

"Haa.. name ki confusion hui thi aaj hi university se call aaya mera paas agar kal tak tum london nahi pahuchi toh tumhara admission aur visa cancel kar denge" He said.

"Lekin mujhe koi email kyun nahi aaya?" I questioned him.

"Spam mein hoga.. Just check it" he spoke. I ended the call and looked at my emails, indeed it was in the spam mails.

Tears of happiness brimmed down my eyes as my dream came true. My eyes then fell on the wedding lehenga leaving me completely still in my place. Dream or family honor which should I choose.. I was standing on a difficult cross path. 

To be continued...