Like a Phoenix from the Ashes

Chapter 3

“Aanya, Chandra aunty wants to speak to you,” my brother called when I was in my own world of thoughts. She started congratulating me for the alliance and I seriously didn’t like the thought that my single life is coming to an end.

“Thank you Chandra aunty”, I replied.

“What is he doing? Where is he from? How old is he?” she started showering me with such questions.

“He is working in Noida in some reputed company, he is basically from Pune Maharashtra, he is 6 years older than me”, I started answering all of her questions.

Even though she is my paternal aunt, she always has been like a mother that I never had. She was always there for both me and Arun and would never stand back to help us in any ways possible. So I thought that it is my duty to answer all of her questions and I did so.

It was around 2 in the afternoon when we reached home, and so I went to bed as soon as I completed my works like removing my makeover, changing into my comfy PJs and untangling my hair. I slowly leaned on my pillow and drifted into the dreamland.

I woke up as usual at around 6pm and thought that everything happened today was just a dream and nothing else. I went to the living area and saw Arun and my dad discussing stuffs about the engagement party.

“How and where to arrange the party?” asked Arun to dad.

“We can arrange the party here in Pune. We can then discuss with Shubham’s family regarding the location for the wedding” replied my dad.

“How big of an engagement party should it be? Should we invite everyone we know or just kith and kin?” Arun’s questions continued.

“Arun, you can invite your friends if you want. No need to invite everyone I think. Just close relatives are enough I guess. Let us discuss it with Shubham’s family and then we can proceed further” dad replied.

It was concluded for the day. There were not many talks regarding the arrangement of engagement party the next few days. Arun called Shubham and discussed about the ideas regarding the party arrangement and finally everything was concluded that it will be held in the next three months in Pune only, so as to make it easier for the relatives to visit the ceremony without any problem.

Days went by and discussions were all made, arrangements were done and the day finally arrived. Everyone visited my place with the idea of leaving to the venue altogether. Our house was filled with laughter, happiness and even a little bit of sadness because of the absence of my mom.

Women occupied my room and even the guest room to get ready, whereas men all crowded inside Arun’s and dad’s room to get ready. We helped each other to get ready by setting each other’s hair, doing makeover, perfectly setting the saree plaits and so on. Everyone somehow managed to get ready at around 10am and everyone was looking prettier than me, who was actually the woman of the day.

We all left to the venue at 10.15am and as we reached we saw that Shubham’s mother and brother was at the entrance welcoming everyone. My dad and Arun joined them and welcomed everyone that attended the party. My aunts took me to my room and helped me with final arrangement of my hair and saree and jewellery. My hair was tied into a braided bun and was designed with a white floral garland. I was wearing baby pink saree in the traditional way and matched my saree with same colour studded necklace and earrings.

I was looking in the mirror that was placed inside the room and couldn’t believe that today I will be getting engaged to someone and will become someone’s fiancé, till the day we get married. Nervousness hit me like a wave when it was time to go and stand in front of everybody and exchange rings. My aunts were with me when I made a move towards the stage and I saw Shubham standing there with a smile on his face. He was looking very handsome in his dark blue blazer suit, with a cream button up and messy, yet elegantly set hairstyle. My heart started beating faster with the view before me and somehow my nervousness flew away. I smiled and moved towards him and after all the regular rituals we exchanged rings.

We met every family member from each family and took their blessings. We chatted with everyone and laughed and enjoyed each other's company. However, it was time to return home and we all left bidding goodbye to everyone. We reached home at around 4pm in the evening and I was really tired after a busy day. I changed into my PJs, removed my braided bun and let my long hair flow till my waist. I gently removed all my jewellery and placed them inside the boxes and then removed my makeover and washed my face thoroughly to remove the tiredness from my face.

Dad and Arun and his friends were discussing the events and also about the relatives of Shubham that they met for the first time today. I was really tired to sit and listen to any of their conversation, and so thought about running into my room, getting on my bed and sleeping peacefully as long as possible by hugging my pillow.

I went into my room and was about to drift off to a wonderful dreamland when my phone started beeping. I checked my mobile screen and blushed looking at the messages on it. It was Shubham.

“We reached home just now. Hope you also reached safely”, it read.

“We also reached home half an hour ago and I just completed changing into my PJs. I was really tired and thought about napping for some time. So I’m in my room”, I replied.

“Oh great, hope I am not disturbing. You really need a very good sleep because you were looking really tired today when you left to home”, he sent.

“I’m not used to wearing saree and jewellery on regular basis, my saree, makeover, hairstyle and everything else was quite tiring today. So I was feeling very much tired I guess” I replied.

There was a long pause and I thought that he might be busy with taking care of the stuffs after the engagement party like bidding his friends goodbye, sending his relatives off to their homes, sending away his friends, and so on. So I gradually drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up, it was around 7pm and there was no sound in the home. I slowly went outside and checked that there was a coffee mug filled with tea in the table and some snacks to enjoy with the tea. I washed my face thoroughly and went to have my tea. I forgot that my mobile phone was in my room. I slowly got up and went to my room with my tea and snacks and switched on my laptop. I checked my emails and other such updates for the day and somehow it was time for my dinner.

I went out and saw my brother sending some of his friends off and dad busy with his newspaper. I went to kitchen to help Bhagya aunty with preparing something for the dinner. I had my dinner and went to sleep at around 10pm. It was when I checked my mobile and saw messages from Shubham.

“Being a girl, how can you say that wearing saree is tiring? You city girls need to learn to love and also to follow our traditions”, was his reply.

I seriously got pissed with his tone and thought that he is not having any right to use that tone with me.

“Being a city girl doesn’t mean that I do not cherish my tradition and all. I said I was tired because it was a hectic day for me with continuous standing and smiling to everyone, bending constantly to get the blessings from the elders and all. I meant it that way and not like I am a modern girl and love wearing only western outfit”, I replied.

I saw that he had read my message but didn’t bother to reply. It really pissed me off and I just let it go thinking that he might also be tired because of the busy day. I just left my mobile phone on my desk and drifted off to sleep.

It was a Monday morning and I woke up at around 7am as usual. I got up from my bed and went to washroom to brush my teeth and wash my face and to take a shower. After shower, I came out and pulled my black jeans with a white tee. I matched my outfit with a black ballerina flats and applied little bit of makeover like a mascara like, lip gloss and little bit of face cream and went to have my breakfast and morning coffee.

I left to my office and waited for the company cab to arrive. As I was waiting, I thought about checking my mobile phone. There was not any message from Shubham after me snapping back at him yesterday. I texted a “Good Morning” and left it at that. My cab arrived and I was on my way to office. I was listening to some music while browsing through the social media sites, where I have my personal account.

We reached office and my day started as usual, with only difference that my left ring finger was containing a ring that made me realise that I am not single anymore. I was greeted by my colleague Asha and she started whistling slowly after seeing my finger. I gave her a small smile and started with my work.

Day went by and there was nothing special today. No messages from Shubham and it made me wonder whether I was being too rude to him. I thought of making the first move and called his number in my mobile, while returning home. After many rings he picked the call.

“Hello Shubham. How was your day? Are you in office or reached home?” I asked.

“Hello Aanya, my day was fine. How about yours?” he asked me.

“My day also went by as usual. Nothing special though. There was no message from your side today. So I thought of calling you” I said.

“Oh I was really busy today” he replied.

“Oh okay. I thought you are mad at me because of my reply yesterday. Sorry for being rude in my reply. I shouldn’t have done that” I said.

“No you shouldn’t have Aanya. You cannot snap at me like that. I didn’t say anything wrong there right?” he asked me.

I was seriously pissed off by his remark here. How can he just snap at me like that and tell me that I don’t have any rights to express my feelings here. Is it going to be like this always, like him dominating me and me apologising always, as there was not even the mention of a “sorry” from his side.  

“I’m not saying you were wrong there Shubham. All I meant was your remark regarding me being city girl and not being comfortable in saree and all made me really feel angry. It’s not like every girl will be used to wearing traditional wear all the time right? Especially in this century” I replied him.

There was a long pause and he left it at that. Then he replied with an “Hmm”, and the conversation went to other direction regarding whether I had my food on time and so on.