Their Equal Share

14.Wedding Night

Finally,the night came which I feared,I was anxious that what would be coming next after he comes in. Harini and my mother-in-law made me settle in his room few minutes ago in-spite of my hesitation.To my relief he was not in the room when I came.

The sound of door opening made me to realize that I am sitting on his flowers filled bed.Or to be accurate our bed hereafter,but still that fact didn't seem to register still in my mind maybe because we still didn't exchange any words.If possible today would be our first time to talk with each other.

He stood there at the door examining his room,once his neat and clean room now completely filled with scented candles which was the only source of light in this room and different flower bundles and garlands hanging around the bed.For anyone it would seem to be a romantic wedding night setup.But I didn't feel any kind of romance here between us.

We merely know each other or to be precise we don't even know each other but only knew basic details about each other which details would not even satisfy a interviewer to provide us a job.

When his eyes finally finds me sitting on his bed he marched towards me with heavy steps and halted straight in front of me.I being anxious as hell stood suddenly from my place.

"Hmm...I.."he cleared his throat,he looked every where avoiding me,I took myself to look at him,he was in his casuals unlike me.All credits to Harini.Note the sarcasm.

But he looked completely fresh and handsome still in casuals.Why do I take the liberty to appreciate him whenever I see him?What had got into me after seeing him?Arrghh...all those questions are frustrating me.No girl,accept that he is attractive and you are quite attracted to him since the moment you had seen him in the photo.A little voice in me said to me.But I shut it off immediately as he started to talk.

"I tried to tell you before marriage but I didn't find an opportunity to talk with you.I tried many times to tell you but circumstances didn't allow me to."he sighed frustrated running his hand into his hair.

"You..see let me come to the point.I am not interested in this marriage,not now and never.I was forced into this with no other option.I can never be a husband to you as you think.You are free to do whatever you wish, I will not bother about it.And I too want the same,I want you to not bother me.If you wish I can also give you divorce to you." he finally looked at me with blank expression.

I didn't dare to utter a word I tried my best to keep my face void of any emotion.He was still looking at me for any reaction,may be he was expecting me to shout,cry, accuse or even snap at him.But I just nodded my head without uttering a word.He looked me for few moments,I think I saw a little hint of surprise and shock but soon vanished from his face.

I turned towards the bed and took a set of pillow and quilt and again faced him "I will take the couch" without any further word and not giving him any opportunity to say another word I quickly settled my self on the couch and turned towards the other side of the couch giving my back to him.All the while he was watching me.After few seconds I heard his footsteps fading away,maybe he would have gone to bed.

Sleep was far away to me,I laid there processing everything in my head.I was too never interested in this marriage because of my opinions about marriage but still I wanted to give it a try,thinking that all marriages would not be same.Again it proved that my point was right. At least he had told me before hand about his opinion.I can divorce him.But..but what would my parents think?how would they react?They will really feel guilty after knowing the truth.

If I divorce him immediately,their guilt and worry that they had spoiled my life by this marriage will give them many sleepless night.I could not imagine them being worried for me,it would make me feel bad and burden to them.A lone tear escaped from my eye thinking about them knowing about this.

I cannot allow myself to see them like that.Then my in-laws,my dad's and father-in-law's friendship would become destructed.My in-laws would also be as sad as my parents,they seemed really happy and satisfied for their son,as if they had given him something valuable.

They to would have felt happy seeing his son taking next important step in his life like every parents.I can't disappoint all these people by saying the truth to them.If he wanted, he can tell it to everyone himself, as he told to me.I cannot take the first step,I will not dare to hurt all of them by my words and decision.

Soon,all the candles were melted leaving the room completely dark,I turned straight facing the ceiling.Time and fate only will be answerable to all my questions.Darkness consumed me making me to sleep with my thoughts of upcoming days.

Though I slept late at night I woke up earlier.I was met with his sleeping face when I opened my eyes.His body was completely turned towards my side.I got up slowly making sure not to create any noise.I slowly marched towards the bathroom with light steps.After thirty minutes I was ready after my bath and he was still sleeping.

I slowly opened the door and stepped out shutting the door behind without creating a noise.I was not surprised to find all the elders already present in living room having their coffee,except for my brother,Harini,my cousin and Ram.

My mother was the first to spot me,"Ah...there she is.My daughter has come early in the morning.She is always a early riser.Even during holidays she wakes up earlier but will soon take a nap at noon saying that she is tired."she said and everybody in the room laughed.Is she is praising me or joking at me?I think both.

"Come Niranjana have your coffee.Has surya woke up?" I really felt awkward with this question in front of everyone."hm..no aunty he is still sleeping"I said taking my coffee.

"No..formalities dear.You can call me mom and Prabhu as dad.Your are a daughter to us." I smiled at her thankfully. "Do I have anything to help you aunty?" I asked her when I completed my coffee.

"No..no need dear we have maids for every work but as a ritual you should make something sweet for the family members.If you don't know to cook no problem you can just instruct the maids to prepare what you want." she told still smiling at me and her husband that is my father-in-law or new dad also nodded his head.

"We will not compel you dear if you cannot, no problem,I am not much into these formalities but I respect them.Nowadays girls are also very busy in their studies and education just like men.So they may not find time to learn cooking, even my wife was not good at first when we were married but now she learnt it.I had seen many women working in my company who are bad at cooking but very brilliant in their work.

I just smiled at them "I know to cook dad,being a daughter of a chef and my mother is also good at cooking then how could I be without knowing to cook.Moreover I love cooking.I will prepare the sweet." I could see my father and mother looking at me with proud smile.

I excused myself to the kitchen and started my work.