Shravan: Why?
Preeti: (Started clutching her dupatta in nervousness): I . I was scared. So.
Shravan: Scared?? Of Whom?? And why my room Preeti??? Wasnt your mother beside you to comfort you?? Do you even realize this is bad habit to enter someone's room like that at night.
Preeti (Angrily) : Someone?? Shravan. You are not someone to me now. Ok? You are my Husband Dammit.!! Why do I need to remind you that??? These rituals happening down is for us. Just for the sake that we complete this wedding in full traditions before the world. And I dont think I did anything wrong by coming in my husbands room. Haq hai mera. (It’s my right) (She said confidently)
Shravan was tongue tied once again.He just prayed his expressions shouldnt reveal he was actually liking the possessiveness she just showed towards him.
Shravan: Fine. But dont do that again next time. At least not till we get married properly. Is that clear??
Preeti then relaxed her boiling nerves after hearing this. She herself didn’t knew what made her so mad at him all of a sudden.
Radhika came there at that moment and saw them together.
Radhika: SHRAVAN. This is not allowed. You cannot meet Preeti like this before marriage now. (She said holding Preeti's hand and almost Pulling her towards the main door)
Preeti: Aahh Radhika wait . (She said making a Hissing sound and Radhika stopped. While Pulling Preeti , Radhika had almost held her wrist tight breaking one of the Glass bangle that Preeti wore , bruising her.)
Preeti held her wrists and still hissed in pain seeing the drop of blood there. Shravan was mad seeing that bruise on her. He instantly came there. He held her hand to check the depth of the wound.
Shravan (Gritting his teeth in anger and looking at her): Kaanch ki Chudi?? Tum acchi tarah se jaanti ho ki mujhe Kaanch ke chudiyon se nafrat hai. Phir bhi tumne isse pehni??? kyon? Tumhe kuch ho jaata toh?? Tumhari Nas kat jaati toh? ( Glass Bangles?? You know it very well how much I hate Glass bangles on you. Then why the hell did you wear them?? What if something would have happened ??? )
Radhika and Preeti kept looking at Shravan's face. He was surely looking like a Lover boy today by his behavior. Shravan still didn’t realize how much concern he showed to his wife just for a small bruise. He wiped the drop of blood with the cotton placed aside on the dressing table and then he blew some air to reduce the pain. Preeti was all lost seeing him caring her like this.
Radhika: Preeti. I am really Sorry. I shouldnt have pulled you like that.
Preeti (Coming back to the normal sense): It’s ok Radhika. I am fine.
Radhika (Smiling): Okay. Come down soon.
Radhika left the two alone once again and Shravan also realized he shouldnt have created such a big scene for a small bruise of hers. He was about to walk when she stopped him.
Preeti: You never told me you hate Glass Bangles. How would I know??
Yeah that was the Point. Shravan never told her he hated Glass bangles. Infact he himself didn’t know he hated glass bangles. Then why did he tell her that?
Shravan: So What?? It just slipped from my mouth. But that is not the point Preeti. The point is stop wearing things that can hurt you. Understood?
Saying that he walked out of the room and Preeti stood there still lost. She could now feel that not just her, even he was sensing some things and hence was behaving different with her.
After Few minutes
Preeti walked down and Rajeev came to her.
Rajeev: Bhabhi.
Preeti started looking here and there.
Preeti: Kaun Bhabhi.?
Rajeev (Smiling): Aap. Aur kaun?
Preeti hit Rajeev lightly.
Preeti: I am Preeti. I know I am your Bhabhi too. But then I dont wish you all to call me that so soon. (She then saw Shravan coming towards her and she continued again almost trying to taunt him). And someone has told me. Till the marriage is completed with full rituals, I am not allowed to have some rights on them.
Rajeev was totally confused. Shravan understood she was trying to point the sentence which he told her upstairs. Not to come to his room and all at night till the marriage is finished.
Shravan: Preeti. It’s your Mehndi. Not mine. Everyone is waiting for you. And you are wasting time here in your invalid talks.
Preeti: Someone is in a hurry to finish all this??
Rajeev chuckled and on getting a serious angry stare at him from his Bhai he controlled his laugh.
Shravan (Looking back to Preeti): Dont make me pick you and keep you before the Mehndi Girl. Walk there and get this done. Because till you finish this ritual, Di is not allowing me to go back to my room and continue my work. Understood?
Preeti frowned at him for being so rude . He was still bothered of his work than this function?? They both shared an eye lock for some seconds, and then Anjum and Kriti finally came there to take Preeti.
The Mehndi was getting done in Preeti's hands. All the other ladies and girls of their family were also getting the Mehndi applied in their hands. Shravan , Rajeev were busy aside talking on some business matters. No doubt Shravan didn’t fail to keep giving glances to Preeti in between every word he spoke to Rajeev and that Rajeev was easily realizing. His Bhai was actually falling for some girl like that for the first time. He didn’t show it to Shravan that he could see him stealing glances of his wife and he continued talking to him. Kishore was busy in clicking the pictures of his family while getting the Mehndi applied. Aarti was sitting along with Nani and Daadi and was seeing her daughter's smile and happiness on her face.
Mehndi Girl: Which Letter should I draw at the Centre??
Preeti: Y. Y for Yuvraj.!! (She said smiling)
No one heard her saying this but Shravan who was passing by stopped when he heard it. He instantly came to Preeti .
Shravan: How do you know my Nick name??
Preeti then realized what she just told the Mehndi girl. She stopped the girl from drawing "Y" on her hand and then replied instantly.
Preeti (To the girl): Wait. Not Y. It should be “S”. S for Shravan.
Mehndi girl smiled and then started drawing and Shravan still didn’t get his answer. He sat before her and then asked her again.
Shravan: Did Daadi or Nani tell you this?
Preeti: (Confused. ): May be. I am not sure Shravan.
Shravan: What do you mean Preeti. You just took this name "Yuvraj" which no one else than Nani and Daadi knows is my Second name. Then who the hell told you.?
The Mehndi girl became conscious now. For the first time she was seeing the Bride and the Groom fighting before the marriage. Preeti gestured him to stop this conversation and he just gave her a cold glare and left .
Preeti (To herself): Why did I tell Yuvraj?? And no one told me that Shravan's nick name is Yuvraj too.
This was again an addition to the unusual situations she was facing in this Raj Mahal. She sometimes felt to tell everything she felt to Shravan atleast . After all he was the one whom she is connected to now. But would he understand??
The Mehndi was done and now the whole family was busy in dancing and enjoying the snacks. Kishore was the one to lead the dance from the Grooms side and All the Ladies were supporting the Bride's side. Preeti was also been pulled for the dance and she was happy to enjoy it the way she always dreamt of. Indian Weddings are always filled with fun, emotions, and lots of happiness . She was enjoying her every bit of marriage ritual.Shravan on the other hand was just busy in admiring her. He himself didn’t knew sometimes why he admired her so much?? What was it that he had started to feel for her?? Preeti tried to pull Shravan for the Dance but he denied.
But when Kishore started singing the song himself and came to Shravan and Preeti, he pulled both of them at the Centre of the Hall for the Dance and they both couldnt help but dance together a bit and then with the family . Preeti was heartily dancing with her husband and so was Shravan with his wife and family.
At Night
The whole function was successfully completed. The Guests
had left and the family were sitting and relaxing on the Couch. Anjum and Preeti were very much
engrossed in admiring the Mehndi Designs. Radhika , Kishore and Kriti were checking the Pictures clicked from Kishore's camera . Shravan and Rajeev also sat there with everyone discussing some business and thats when Saroj walked to Preeti.
Saroj: Preeti.
Preeti stopped admiring her Mehndi and got up.
Preeti: Ji Daadi.
Saroj: I need to give you the Khandani Bangles of this house. Only Khurana Bahu of this House is been given this and inturn she would gift it to her next .
Preeti smiled and waited for Daadi to open the box. Everyone were watching this scene now. Even Shravan. He knew What these Bangles were. They belonged to his mother once and now they would belong to his Wife. The moment Daadi opened the box and Preeti saw the bangles, she moved an inch back. These Bangles?? They . They were the same ones she saw last night in her dreams. The same bangles which Shravan was chasing her for in the dreams,. The same bangles which that Maasa snatched from her and pushed her out of that room. How is this possible?? How can she get those same bangles now??
Daadi: Shravan. Come here and put these bangles in Preeti's hand.
Shravan had already seen that confused look on Preeti's face seeing the Bangles. But he didn’t deny Daadi. He stood before Preeti and then took the Bangles from his Daadi's hand. He then looked at Preeti and asked her.
Shravan: Now would you let me wear this bangles to you??
Preeti immediately looked at him and faked a smile. She moved her hands slowly towards him and he made her wear them slowly making sure he doesnt hurt her small bruise which the earlier glass bangles gave her some time back.
Part 20
The Khandani Bangles were finally in Preeti's hands now and she was strictly warned by Daadi not to remove them off until the marriage is done. Preeti was so much in confusion. SHe wanted to tell everyone about her dream where she had seen the same bangles been snatched from her. She knew there was some connection between the Room which was restricted for others to see in Raj Mahal , her dream and everything that was happening with her these days. Shravan was with Rajeev and Kishore and was watching Preeti and trying to understand what was making her so restless. He could see she was sitting on the Couch alone and staring at the bangles. He walked to her and then sat next to her.
Shravan: Liked them??
Preeti came back to her sense and looked at Shravan
Preeti: Shravan. These bangles. I saw them before.
Shravan: (Little surprised): Okay. In your dreams may be. Right??
Preeti was speechless. How did he knew this? She nodded a Yes.
Preeti: How did you know?
Shravan: Ofcourse Preeti. I have heard girls dreaming about getting such Khandani Bangles and stuff. Every Bride adores these things. So are you.
Preeti: No Shravan. It’s different. The dream I saw had you too.
Shravan: Okay. So what ??
Preeti: So. It was not something natural Shravan. I mean I.
She was going to continue her talks when they were disturbed by Anjum and Kriti.
Anjum: Shravan. Didn’t Daadi tell you, You and Preeti need to maintain some distance now. No meeting alone before marriage.
Shravan: What The Hell.!!! Di what is all this non sense ??. Doesnt Daadi know we are already married. We are just performing Rituals now. Nothing else.
Anjum: Yes Shravan. We all know. (She said giggling and blushing on the fact that her Shravan so desperately believed he was married)
Kriti: But Shravanji. Rules are Rules. If you guys want to meet and talk, we will help you. I mean pass your secret messages to us and we will pass it to the other. But no meeting alone.
Anjum pulled Shravan's hand making him stand and then started dragging him from there
Anjum: So times up now. Let Preeti rest . It’s too late.
Saying that she took Shravan with her and Kriti waited with Preeti who wasnt happy with this.
Kriti (Seeing Nervous Preeti): It’s just a matter of 2 more days and then you both would be together. Talk as much as you want. Okay??
She smiled and then took Preeti back to her room. Preeti's talks were left unfinished and she didn’t know if she would even get time for explaining all this to her husband .
Preeti still didn’t change her clothes. For sometime she tried to forget everything that she felt and only concentrated on the happiness that she was getting by these marriage rituals. She stared at her Mehndi and then at the big “S” drawn in the centre of her palm. Her Mehndi was dark and she literally bit her lip understanding what this sign meant. Darker the Mehndi. the more love a husband showers on his wife.
She smiled and then touched the “S” written on her hand. Closing her eyes feeling it and thats when she saw something more horrible.
FLASHBACK STARTS
The whole Raj Mahal was decorated with lights as there was a very important occassion here. The Son of this House Yuvraj Khurana was getting married to the Princess of Sultanpur Divya . The Mehndi ceremony was performed with the Bride and Groom together in Raj Mahal. It was been a tradition of the Khurana Family that the Groom has to apply atleast a small inch of Mehndi in his hand before marriage. And hence Yuvraj was sitting with his would be wife Divya for getting this done. Maasa was sitting next to her Son Yuvraj and was smiling at her Would be Bahu Divya . Yuvraj wasnt happy. His eyes were searching someone . Someone he loved. Someone he wanted to get married to instead of Princess Divya. Maasa could see this and so she purposely sent a Maid to call Chanchan. The same girl who her Son was interested in. Chanchan came there with teary eyes, holding her Dupatta on her head and bending her head down.
Chanchan: Maasa. You called me.
Maasa : (Looking at the expressions on her Son's face seeing her and then back at Chanchan): Dont you remember what’s been followed here?? You need to hide your face before the Mens of this House??
Chanchan felt a tug in her heart. Whom was Maasa asking her to cover her face before? The same man whom she already considers to be her husband?? The same man whom she had already given her soul and heart?? Yuvraj was angry. He looked at Maasa in anger and then tried getting up to leave from there but Maasa held his hand.
Maasa: Chanchan. This girl here(who was applying the Mehndi to Yuvraj) is very slow. Come here and apply Princess Divya's named Mehndi on Yuvraj's palm.
Chanchan gulped her cries and then walked to Yuvraj. He too wasnt confortable to make her do this. But since Maasa was beside him,he extended his hand for Chanchan to draw the Mehndi. The moment she was about to write a "D" on his palm, he held her hand before his Maasa and then looking in his Maasa's eyes, purposely made Chanchan draw a "C" and not "D" . Maasa's anger had reached heights seeing this.
Yuvraj: Chanchan meri Zindagi hai Maasa. Main Chahe kisi se bhi Shaadi kar lo, par Sirf Chanchan hi meri Biwi rahegi. Humesha. ( Chanchan is my life Maasa. Even If I get married to anyone, only Chanchan would be termed as my Wife. Forever)
Maasa angrily pushed all the Mehndi cones that were before her in anger making everyone in the room including Princess Divya Shocked.
FLASHBACK ENDS
Preeti's opened her eyes and then she looked scaringly aside. As if she was trying to search where Maasa was. She was afraid of this Maasa. She was very afraid. She started walking restlessly towards the door. She was convinced now. All this couldnt be just a dream. THis was a dream from her Open eyes. She wasnt sleeping. Then why did she still saw all this when she closed her eyes feeling Shravan's name on her palms?? No. She had to do something. Either she had to find the whole story and the reason why this was happening with her or she would need to tell this to Shravan. He was the only one whom she always saw in her dream. May be he too must have seen some visuals like this?? SHe opened her door to go to Shravan's room but then she suddenly remembered what Anjum and Kriti had told her. She wasnt allowed to meet him like that. Then how would she tell him all this??
She cl
osed the door and then picked her Phone to ring him. After almost 4 to 5 rings he answered her call in a sleepy voice.
Shravan: Hello.
Preeti: Shravan.
Shravan opened his eyes instantly hearing her voice.
Shravan: Preeti?? What happened?
Preeti: Shravan. I need to talk to you. Now.
Shravan: Huhh!! I am listening. Continue.
Preeti: No. Not like this. I need to meet and talk .
Shravan (Sitting on the bed leaning on the headboard): Are you mad?? Didn’t Di and Daadi tell us we aren’t supposed to meet alone?? And especially not at this time.
Preeti: I know Shravan. And thats the reason I called you. But I cannot tell all this on Phone. I am waiting for you at the Garden behind. Dont be late.
Saying that she kept the call and wrapping a Shawl on her shoulders she opened the door and walked down to go to the garden.
Shravan (Cutting the call)( To himself): She has lost it completely.
He got up from the bed rubbing his eyes he slid the slippers in and walked down .
Preeti was walking restlessly in the Garden waiting for Shravan to come here. No doubt in few minutes he was there and she hurridly walked to him.
Cursed Bride Page 13