"Bound by Destiny"

Chapter One: The Wedding

There was the sun, setting below the horizon and spreading a golden hue over Mumbai. It felt to me like an electric current was running through Mehta's mansion with everything that was happening inside. In a way, it smelled of marigolds and flowers mingling with old songs and nervousness.

Out in her house, Priya Sharma looked into a large mirror that reflected at her. She wore an exquisite red wedding gown embellished with jewel inserts and gold thread embroidery. Her long loose curls were done up in an intricate bun while her eyes lined with kohl glistened with both dread and determination.

Her mother’s eyes searched the room, “Priya are you set?”

“Maa, I am not sure if there is anything else I can do.”

Her mother tenderly held Priya’s face.“Everything will be okay. Arjun is a good man; we have high regard for the Mehtas. This wedding would provide financial stability for our family.”

Priya put on a fake smile but her heart was filled with uncertainty. I had been happy pursuing my career in journalism independently all along. But marrying someone like Arjun Mehta who possessed money and power would mean giving up the freedom she had before to him as a stranger.

There was no other place in the house where Arjun Mehta moved his Sherwani under pressure. The oldest son of the Mehta family, Arjun exuded authority and responsibility. He had neat hair, and tall, strong black eyes that pierced through. Yet he was about to marry a woman he hardly knew, and today he had an unusual doubt.

His father came in and gave him one hard pat. “Arjun you’re turning into a true Mehta boy now. What’s happening here today is so important for our family.”

Arjun trembled silently. “Understand Papa; I will perform my duty.

It was a grand spectacle of a wedding with guests from all over the country coming to witness two great families uniting as one. The mandap draped with silk and flowers lay waiting for them. Priya’s heart began to race as the song played on.

She turned to face the road looking around until her eyes met those of Arjun’s who looked calm but she could sense that underneath this composure there was some anxiety similar to her own. They smiled at each other while they engaged in some pleasant banter but beneath their smiles was a struggle.

Another family blessed another as the priest started chanting holy texts. As they circled the sacred fire Priya understood what it meant for her life forever more.” As their hands clamped together tightly she turned to Arjun asking if he felt likewise.”

As the ceremony was closing, a married couple had their blessings and rose petals. Destiny and tradition have officially tied them together.

The newlyweds sat down later in a large banquet room that evening and welcomed guests, with Priya sometimes forcing a smile that seemed to be just an act, like a show put on by puppets. Harsh too was Arjun; his speech with guests was quite stiff and brief.

Excusing herself from the party for some time Priya walked out onto one of the balconies to escape from all the fervent merriment. Out there she looked past the city lights over her balcony.

‘How are you?’. A deep voice said.

Priya turned around to see Arjun standing behind her, having an unreadable expression on his face. She trembled and tried another smile. “I needed some fresh air.’

Arjun shortly joined her by the railing, where there was an uncomfortable pause between them again. Later he spoke again.“I understand that this is hard for you…it isn’t easy for me either.”

She let him see through her eyes open wide in disbelief.“You know what I love about you? We need to engage in unfamiliar territory on parallel lines here.

He shook all over and kept seeing afar into the horizon.“We will find our way, Priya. Alone alone.”

When they got married in their early years, there were problems and misunderstandings. Priya was a guest at Mehta’s mansion, a huge home with luxurious rooms and personnel that catered to every one of her needs. Despite this grandeur, she felt like an odd one out.

Arjun left the house very early and came back late due to his role as the head of the family's technology company. Their conversations were polite yet hurried with no real connection.

One evening after a tough day at work, Arjun came home to discover Priya reading in the living room. He remained silent for some time while observing her before he began speaking up “How was it?”.

Priya suddenly looked up when he showed interest. “Not bad”. I took a walk around the estate. The lawns are lovely.

He trembled and then sat across from her. “I’m sorry for not being around lately. It’s been hard with work issues”.

She smiled feebly which was almost invisible on her face. “Each of us has duties”

A doorknob clicked ending their talk. A servant entered carrying two tea cups on a tray Tea sir? Madam”?

Arjun shook, and before he left the servant set the tray on the table. Priya made Arjun a cup and another for herself; the little gesture of sharing tea felt like a modest step toward intimacy between them.

As they drank their tea, the quiet stretched out with unsaid words and unsolved anxieties. Priya broke the silence also last. "Arjun, even if this marriage was arranged for financial and family reasons, I think we can still find common ground. We both are smart and skilled.

Arjun's face softened as he eyed her. You are correct, Priya. We have to work on knowing each other.

Little acts of compassion and efforts to heal the rift defined the next weeks. Priya tried to know more about Arjun's employment and responsibilities while he attempted to understand her passion for journalism and wish for autonomy.

Priya came upon an old photo book full of family images one day while perusing the large library of the estate. She smiled as she turned the pages, seeing Arjun as a little child and his harsh manner clear.

"Find something interesting?" Arjun's voice shocked her. Priya looked up and blushed just a little. "I didn't want to puck in. I was simply interested.

Arjun went and joined her. He looked at her album, it was nice. They abound in memories of these photos.

Revisiting their childhoods throughout the day led to unexpected connections and bonded them through a shared background. It seemed little but progress.

One evening they were having dinner when Arjun’s father called. It was bad news; a business rival planned to violate Mehta’s family rights. His face grew tighter with anger as he spoke with his dad. Afterward, Priya noticed that Arjun seemed stressed out.

"Is everything fine?" He exhaled deeply and massaged his forehead again."We are so much threatened by competitors. This will require our full energy to handle.”

Priya reached out to him touching his arm, “Tell me if there is anything I can do for you.” Arjun observed her proposal taken aback.“ Thanks, Priya, your help is invaluable.

That evening, Arjun lay in bed pondering over the impending crisis and Priya met his anxious gaze.“Arjun we will survive this,” declared Priya unequivocally at the end of it all.

He was filled with gratitude. They were still together. However, this sadness would last all night long. They had not yet resolved their problems and were stuck. Thus, such bonding stayed vulnerable either this impending disaster might fortify it or demolish it altogether.

The weightiness of his duties came upon him when Arjun closed his eyes. Next to him, Priya lay with a heavy heart. She knew they had only just started on their journey and that the hardest tests in their marriage awaited them.