House Of Gold

Chapter 2: Our Wedding Night!

Mina Chetti, wake up,” my mom called out to me. I groaned and covered my face with the blanket, but suddenly, I felt cold as I struggled to find my blanket. It caused me to get up and look at my mom hovering over me with her arms crossed around her chest and my blanket on the floor.

“Get up now… Did you forget today is your wedding day?” my mom asked.

“Mom, it’s 3am. Can’t I sleep a little bit more, please?” I pleaded.

“Early bird catches the worm; now get up and go to the bathroom,” she replies.

I didn’t bother to argue because she wouldn’t let me sleep even a wink more. I mean, come on, I couldn’t get a wink of sleep last night, and I didn’t close my eyes until almost 2:55 a.m. ‘If I fall asleep at the wedding, it’s going to be her fault,’ I grumbled in the bathroom. Soon, my door opened, and the conversation between my grandmother, Ruhi Bhate, and my mother began.

“Is it necessary for my grandbaby to stop going to school?” my grandmother asked.

“Mom, please, I know what’s good for my daughter. Besides, this will teach her responsibilities,” my mom replies.

‘Responsibilities? What kind of responsibilities? Motherhood? Childbirth? I don’t think so.’ I leaned against the door and continued to listen to their conversation. My grandmother told my mother that she always allowed her to choose her destiny but was deciding on my fate.

“But Mom, you didn’t let me marry the man I wanted and chose for me to marry into the Chetti family,” my mom replied.

“This is not the time to reminisce about past regrets… I still feel bad about it, but Rishu Divakar wasn’t the right man for you! Aman Chetti is the one who is genuinely for you,” my grandmother said.

“Mom, please forget about this conversation today because Mina is getting married to Ranjit,” my mother replied.

‘Wow, my mom and dad weren’t in love before? Grandma Ruhi wanted her to marry into a rich family, and now, she’s doing the same for me.’ I turned on the shower and went inside, hoping my mom didn’t think I was listening to their conversation. Instead, I’m now fully awake.

After a refreshing shower, my mom, Auntie Kareena, Grandma Ruhi, and my older sisters, Leela and Neha, joined them to help me prepare. There are a few other women whom I’ve never seen in my life, or maybe I have as a baby… Leela and Neha started to apply Henna tattoos on my hands and feet, and the rest of them styled my hair. Auntie Indira, Kareena, and Grandma Ruhi decided to find jewels for me to wear.

Three hours later, finally, they’d completed bedazzling me, and I was in the room with my grandmother. The rest of them went downstairs to welcome the guests. However, my husband isn’t even here yet, but the room is adorned with red and gold decorations, and the music is blaring so loud.

“Princess, Can I give you some advice?” my grandmother asked.

“Sure, grandma,” I replied.

She takes my hand in his, “You always listen to your husband, and I know you’re still young, but he’ll be more experienced than you. You should do whatever he says and respect your in-laws; I don’t even have to worry about that because you’re a sweet girl,” my grandmother said.

“I understand and promise not to disappoint you,” I said.

“I wish you happiness in your marriage and hope your love story lasts forever and ever,” she said. I gave her a soft smile; “I love you, Grandma,” I said.

“Me too, dear,” she replies.

“The groom has arrived,” Auntie Kareena’s voice echoed.

‘I suppose my freedom has ended! I’m officially a married woman at seventeen.’ I gagged at the thought of it. My grandmother stood up and stretched her hand out for me, holding onto my hand—- “Are you ready to meet your husband?” she asked.

‘What did she expect to say? Yes! No, I’m not ready…’ “Yes, Grandma Ruhi, I’m ready,” I said with a smile. We opened the door, and my mother and Auntie Kareena were already awaiting our entrance; then they announced my arrival… My husband looked up; he’s handsome, but still, I’m not fond of this marriage.

‘Why did he agree to marry a seventeen-year-old girl? I mean, he’s five years older than me, like, come on. Does he have some fetish?’ I shrugged off the thoughts because I shouldn’t judge him solely based on his character, right? I sat down next to him, and soon, the wedding began. We did all the traditions followed by the Mehendi ceremony. Leela, Neha, my cousins Anushka, Aasmi, Kamala, and two other dancers performed to Subhanallah. After their beautiful performance, a male and female duo performed another song: I Love You. The wedding was full of lively performances, and my family and his family also performed the theme song in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. After the ceremony, we arrived at the Sharee household and, also beautifully decorated, we headed to the room… He locked the door, and I sat on the bed, hearing his footsteps slowly approaching me and sitting beside me.

“I’m Ranjit Sharee, an accountant and romance author. I’m the oldest of the Sharee family, and I could have any woman I want,” he said.

‘Narcissist? Is he not? I mean, who even says that on their first night.’

“Whatever. You’re a narcissist. Who says that on their first wedding night?” I replied.

“Humph! Me, Ranjit Sharee, a narcissist, that’s the first… No woman has ever called me that before,” he said.

“I’m not just any woman. I’m Mina Chetti, and the Chetti bloodline doesn’t boast,” I replied.

He removed the veil and came face-to-face with him. I couldn’t help but blush, but soon, I unknowingly closed my eyes.

“Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, you’re already mesmerized by my beauty,” Ranjit said.

“You wish! I’m going to change,” I replied.

He pushed me on the bed…

‘No, we can’t…’