A Forced Love-Marriage (To Beast)

Chapter 1

Dreams are my new hope. A forced Love-Marriage (To Beast). By Nidhi.

A piercing noise hit my eardrums, I opened my eyes slowly yawning as I stretched my mouth. Holy Moly! Its 6:30 am I'll be late. Ughh! God why I hate morning? "Nal honey wake up you will be late for your convocation" my mom shouts from the kitchen.

Peering over the edge of my long duvet I looked outside from my French window the view was spectacular twilight was melted away, now the golden sunbeam was merging into the endless jewel blue sheet of sky. Throwing the duvet on the side which was snaked around my body I walked towards the window, a slow whispering wind hit my skin lightly a smile crept on my face. The early morning dew was visible on grass, the soft green leaves were dancing with a cool breeze. Though I hate mornings as my energy level was zero at this time I feel more energetic during nights I know it's quite weird. Sleep always dragged me back to bed but today a burst of excitement was budding inside me as the four long torturous years of my college were going to end today. I have been waiting for the morning so long, yes today was my convocation and my parents were here to attend the ceremony. I huffed a blow and shut my alarm clock, it snoozes at every 15 minutes.

OK so before I start my journey I'll give a brief introduction to me. Hi, I'm Nalini Gill a 22-year-old girl. Presently I was doing Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design)  and also taking business development weekend classes suggested by my elder sister Ananya. She was three years older than me she was 5'5' and has thick long brown hairs quite beautiful she looks like a model. She has a lanky figure. Currently working with one of India's biggest news channel as an editor.

I'm a fun-loving, carefree girl. I'm a strong believer of god and believe God resides in every individual it just takes an effort to see them. I was born and brought up in Delhi.

My height was 5 feet with slight curves at the perfect place because I was addicted to junk food. I have big plain black eyes its shows and endless depth of black sky with a touch of violet flare in it and straight black hairs which end at my hip. I look average like any Indian girl but I love to wear nose pins, juhmkas (Indian earrings) and anklets.

Here I was staying in a 2 bhk flat with my sister. Suddenly my phone buzzed I got a message from my bestie Gargi. Hey! Nal I'm in a cab and will be reaching there in half an hour.

Gargi and Priya were my batchmates and my best friend in college we trio of three were together from the first year.

Gargi was staying with her Uncle and Aunt in town because her parents are way too overprotective for her and Priya was staying in a 1 bhk apartment with her brother. They both had to travel via local transportation to college while I was staying near to my college.

Throwing my phone on the bed I hastily got up from the bed and walked towards the bathroom. Once I was done with my morning routine, I walked back to my room and started getting ready for the ceremony.

I straighten my hair leave it loose and applied makeup on my face keeping it minimal with a slight touch of smoky eyes.

"Wow you look stunning" Gargi and Priya speak up in the chorus.

"Thanks, both of you start getting ready or else we will be late," I said while ironing my saree.

"Nal do my make up na" Gargi says while winning like a puppy.

"Ok," I said.

"Mom helps me with the saree" I shouted from my room.

After 1 hour of struggling with Saree and it's drape we all were ready. All thanks to my Mom she helped us with Saree.

I was wearing a chiffon Pista color saree with a pearl-embellished border. There was a rule in my college for convocation to wear Indian wear it can be a Saree or kurta and the color scheme was pastel shades.

I survey my reflection in the mirror, my lips were parted Oh my goddddddd, I looked pretty good. "You look beautiful." my Mom said and she kissed my forehead.

Gargi and Priya took their clutches and began walking outside the room while me behind them.

My father was really excited about me getting graduate today. Because he always thinks that I was not able to cope up with such a hectic college life and definitely I was getting detained very soon.

"We will be there by 11:00." my father says then hugged me and kissed my forehead.

"Have you guys booked the cab?" I asked both of them while typing on my phone.

"Yes," Gargi says while playing with the drape of her Saree.

"Let's go," Priya said taking hold of my hand, I would easily fall sooner or later with those high heels and heavy Saree.

We all three were seated in the cab giving the driver the direction and address of venue, as we crackle down the road we clicked selfies. The ceremony was not on college premises it was in a five-star hotel. Coz they have some guest who is part of Bollywood and politics.

As we reached the venue we all three were jumping with excitement, handing the money to the driver we walked towards the main gate of the hotel, the guard asks us to show our college ID. Once he looked at our ID he allowed us to go inside.

My eyes darted to the hotel's main entrance the aura speaks only one thing "Posh". "Wow it looked really expensive and dreamy," Priya says while walking further.

Once the ceremony was done we all clicked pictures with our batchmates, teachers and also with our parents. It was 5:30 pm and my feet were hurting like hell.

I was way too tired but my parents were really happy and decided to celebrate me getting graduated. So me with my parents along with Gargi's and Priya's family we all went to Taj hotel one of the posh hotels of India. This flagship Taj hotel offers you splendid views of the Arabian Sea and Gateway of India.

The dinner went fine we chatted on random things talking about our future job. "When you will tell them Nal it's high time." Gargi speaks up a mouth full of deserts.

She was talking about me moving to New York for my first job till now my parents were not aware of my decision only my friends and my sister knew about this.

After graduation, my plan was to move abroad and work there for at least two years.

"Um... I.. Yr .. I will be telling them today hope for best" I explained slightly confused.

We all left restaurant bidding goodbyes to all of them, all three families moved in different taxis.

Once we are back at my place I quickly make my way towards my room to change into my black shorts and a plain royal blue tank top. I was so lost in my thoughts when my phone vibrated popping up a message from my childhood friend and my soul sister.

Jhanvi. Congratulations girly!!!! Time to take a new step towards your dream. Did you tell them about moving to New York?

Nal            No, not yet Jan, I'm afraid what if they say no.

Jan          It was your dream to work abroad and also to get married in church.

Nal          Shut up Jan I'm nervous.

Jan         Go right now you big girl

Nal         Okay

Jan        Waiting for your reply..... Bye

Flashback four months ago

"Nal..Nal where are you" Gargi barges in my room while shouting on top of her lungs.

"See this Lauren International Inc. Is hiring Indian designers for their new clothing line of Indian fusion wear you can apply here as you have excellent knowledge of fabric manipulation and embroidery techniques." She said excitedly. As this was my forte to work on such intricate things.

"Um..... But what about Mom Dad. They will never allow me to work abroad." I replied nervously I know they will be least happy to know that.

"First apply and wait for their reply," Gargi says dropping ph on my couch.

Okay, I huffed.

I immediately send mail along with my portfolio and cv.

After five days I received one mail from Lauren International Inc.

**********

Dear, Ms. Nalini Gill

Greetings from Lauren International Inc.

I hope you are doing well.

We have gone through your work and shortlisted your cv for our fusion line.

But you have to undertake one project before giving you a final confirmation of the job as it is a part of our project.

Details-

You have to design two ensembles On Indian fusion wear following the design process and illustrations. Click a picture of the garment giving all details of fabric and design send it to us.

It's a time-based project so you have to complete it in two weeks.

Thanks & regards

Amanda Sean

Head Designer.

I worked on this project with all my heart day and night finally completed this project after 12 days.

The project is done and mail sends along with all work.

Ten days after my response. I got a mail Lauren International Inc.

**********

Dear, Ms. Nalini

I hope you are doing well.

You have been shortlisted for the post of the assistant designer at Lauren International Inc.

And you will work on a fusion wear line for fall-winter this season. I'm attaching a confirmation letter with the details of the job and salary.

See you soon

Thanks and regards

Ashley Jhon

Hr

"Wowwwwwwww" I shouted on my highest pitch while jumping on my bed and dancing like a maniac I got a job offer I can't believe. Now I have to get ready with my all documents for flying to the USA my inner voice speaks up to me. Yayyy it will be fun.

But I notice one thing Priya was behaving oddly since I was working on this project.

End of flashback.

"Mummy Daddy I need to tell you something". I walked towards them while biting my lips nervously and chipping my nail paint this is my habit while I'm nervous. They both raised their attention to me. I seated on my brown bean bag opposite to them.

"Actually I... Um I.. I.. I got a job offer from Lauren International Inc. From New York as an assistant designer for their new line of fusion wear and they are giving me a decent salary higher than my expectations." I stuttered trying to finish my sentence in one breath. This was my regular response to everyone when I feel nervous.

Hearing this my Dad's expression changed to bit concerned and sad my Mom's eyes widen with shock. We kept staring for each other for a while. They have puzzled look plastered on their faces.

"It's a big opportunity please Mom Dad let me try it, I want to prove myself," I said trying to sound light and matter of fact.

"Congratulations my cupcake" Ananya shouted behind me while dropping her orange bag on the table placed near the door I walked towards her she hugged me tightly and suddenly she realized that the room was filled with awkward silence.

"What??" She said knitting her brows

"I told them about a job offer from Lauren's," I said lowering my gaze.

Then we both begged and argued after like eternity my parents agreed but there were conditions to it. Now comes the real part my sinner self mocked at me.

I have to visit them twice a year.

I will be staying at Jhanvi's place they trust her more than me coz she was there with me like a shadow she lives in the same street so my parents know her personally.

I have to video chat them daily.

Last but not least I can stay only for one year........ Well, I can extend it my sinner self speaks.

Then my parents embraced me in a heart-melting hug.

I love them to the core. I was thankful to god to have such a wonderful family. This was my best day of life. I ran up to my room and jump to my bed and with a sweet smile, I fell asleep.

Keep loving and cherishing my book love you all. May God bless you all.