2 Years Later

January 5th 2016

Arpana woke up hearing the sound of her alarm indicating that it was time for her to wake up.

But Arpana didn't want to wake up now. She wanted to curl up and go back to sleep as it's her only escape from reality.

Arpana yawned as her feet touched the cold floor. After stretching a little, Arpana went to the washroom to do her morning chores.

Over the past 2 years, she had been following a particular routine which mainly consisted of work and sleep. Arpana tries to avoid her parents as much as possible. At the moment the only thing they talk about is marriage.
Arpana hates the word marriage with a passion. How can she marry some stranger when she's still in love with Vihan? He might not be in this world anymore but in her heart, Vihan is still alive.

Everyone's telling Arpana to forget Vihan and move on but how can she? She has devoted her whole life to his name. A second marriage is not even practical. However, her parents are threatening her using Devi's name. They are telling her that if she doesn't marry again, then no good proposals will come for Devi. Arpana finds her parents logic stupid. Why would anyone dig the girl's sister’s past or worry about why the bride’s sister is not married? Arpana felt as if her head was going to burst in the shower. She tries to avoid these topics but all she could think of now in the shower is this.

Finally, Arpana came out of the shower pushing all her thoughts aside and got dressed into her formal Saree and tired her hair into a low bun. Arpana felt as if something was missing and like usual it was her vermillion. It has been two years since she has filled her hair partition. According to her customs and traditions, women are not allowed to wear the nuptial chain around their neck or fill their partition with vermillion after the husband's death. Arpana picked up her vermillion, but in disappointment, she placed it back on the dressing table and picked up her bag to leave before her family woke up.

Arpana is currently working as a banker in one of the private banks near her home. However, as Arpana was leaving, her eyes caught the attention of the wedding picture of Vihan and hers. Arpana picked up the photo and gently stroked it "hope you’re happy wherever you are now" Arpana muttered and placed the photo down where it was and left as usual without having any breakfast.

"Good morning Arpana" Sakshi (Vihan's sister) greeted Arpana as she sat in her place. Sakshi works alongside Arpana in the bank as well.

"Good morning Sakshi. How are you today?" Arpana asked Sakshi.

"Actually Arpana, I've got some news to tell you," Sakshi informed her sister-in-law.

"What is it Sakshi?" Arpana asked Sakshi curiously.

"My marriage is fixed" Sakshi told her

"Hey, that's great!! Congratulations Sakshi!! I am so happy for you. If your brother Vihan was here today, he would've been extremely happy for you dear." Arpana said, feeling very excited.

"But Arpana, I don't know if I'm happy with this marriage. I don't even know the person well. So far I know it is his second marriage and his name is Arjun and that he is working as a pilot for Air India. I haven't even met him once in Arpana. I tried telling my parents that I am not happy to proceed with this marriage but Mom and Dad are not listening to me. I don't know what to do." Sakshi complained to Arpana.

"Sakshi, calm down. If you're not fully happy then maybe I can talk on behalf of you with your parents" Arpana suggested.

"No Arpana, there will be no use. They won't listen. It will just anger them more and especially when you talk for me. Remember, they still hate you for my brother's death" Sakshi reminded Arpana.

Arpana felt very upset hearing Sakshi's words...
Seeing Arpana's sad face Sakshi apologised. "I'm sorry Arpana. I didn't mean to hurt you. I don't like my parents for blaming you for my brother's death either because there is no logic...” before Sakshi could complete her sentence Arpana interrupted her.

"Sakshi, let’s not talk about Vihan now," Arpana said.

"I'm sorry Arpana. I didn't mean to hurt you in any way" Sakshi explained her point to her sister in law.

"No no, it's fine Sakshi. Maybe ask your parents if you can talk to that guy. Maybe after speaking to him your opinion on this marriage may change" Arpana suggested.

"Apparently he's at work now. His shift patterns are totally different to mine as well so I guess getting hold of him is going to be difficult. I guess there's no use in protesting, so I'm just going to go ahead with this marriage" Sakshi said.

Just as she finished her sentence their colleague Meera arrived and started her daily dose of gossip with Sakshi "did you know Amaya got fired yesterday. Apparently she..."

Arpana however, shifted her focus from them and started to do her work. The gossip session between them was part of their routine every day. Meera is a sweet girl, even though she gossips about everyone and attempts to create rumours. Arpana had heard Meera gossiping about her personal life such as Vihan's death many times but Arpana lacked the energy to go and ask Meera why she's doing this, Arpana was very good at ignoring people and things now.

Soon the day came to an end. Sakshi and Arpana walked together home as they were neighbours. Arpana has to pass through Sakshi's house before reaching her own house. Damini's blood boiled seeing Sakshi with Arpana. Sakshi hugged Arpana and said bye. Damini didn't exactly like her daughter being close to her ex daughter in law because of how she still believes that Arpana is the reason for Vihan's death as their horoscopes didn't match. Damini does not intend to forgive Arpana but she holds no grudge towards Arpana's family anymore. Arpana could clearly hear Damini scolding Arpana and she entered her house.

Arpana's mom and dad were sitting in the lounge waiting for Arpana to return. "Arpana, look at this picture. Lokesh bought this proposal for you. This guy’s name is Nikhil; he's an architect currently looking after his family business. Just like you, he married once but his wife left him for some reason. He's a perfect match for you Arpana" Arpana's mother explained to Arpana.

Arpana was very annoyed and frustrated. Every single day, when she returned from work her parents had someone's picture to show her. "Ma, I'm tired now. Let me take a shower" Arpana made up an excuse like every day and went to freshen up.

"Arpana stop!! You are really getting on our nerves now. Why can't you move on and marry someone else?" Arpana's father questioned her.

"Pa, I can't move on so easily. It is easy for people to say move on but only the person experiencing understands the pain!!" Arpana said in annoyance.

"But Arpana seeing you like this gives us immense pain. You are only 26. It's easy for us to find better proposals for you now. As you age, it will become harder for us." Arpana's father explained.

"Pa, if I'm a burden I will move out. I am earning enough even though it isn't a lot. But I can live independently and support myself!! Also just for your information you can't force anyone to get married using the age excuse. A person can only get married when they're ready. I don't believe your age decides how desirable you are!!" Arpana finally vented out her anger.

"Arpana stop speaking to your father disrespectfully. We're only saying for your good!! Do whatever you like but just think that you're ruining your sister's life as well." Arpana's mother said.
Arpana was fed up with this lame excuse. Why are they bringing her sister into this?

"If you want to get Devi married go ahead, I'll make sure to be out of the way so I won't be the reason that she will never get good proposals" Arpana told her parents this time raising her voice a little.

"You’re so disrespectful Arpana. You never had the habit of listening to us!! If you had, then you would have listened to our words and would not have married Vihan. I thought you had learnt your lesson after his death but you clearly haven't" Arpana's father said. Arpana was very hurt by what her father had just said. Arpana ran up to her room wiping away her warm tears.

Every single day something similar happened. This is why Arpana tried her best to avoid them. Arpana really wanted to move out of this house for some peace!! 

.........................................................

Here is the next chapter!!

Who might this Arjun be?

Arpana's parents are a bit annoying right just like Arjun's mother?

Any memories of the Nikhil Arpana's mother is talking about? You might know him from my previous story....

How is the story so far?

Please give me feedback on this chapter if you liked it 😊❤❤