Destiny's Fusion

Hopeless Situation

After a long, relaxing bath, I changed into my salwar-kameez (which was as comfortable as a worn pair of jeans) and sat on the balcony.

I drew my knees to my chest and let out a sigh.

How am I supposed to tell them now that I love someone else and want to marry HIM! Not the guy they have already chosen for me!

I thought about solutions, but each one seemed to aggravate the problem. My family would be crushed...Especially my father who has done so much for me.

I grabbed my arms tighter and settled my head on my knee. Tears of frustration fell from my eyes.

I'll have to talk to Preeti di about this ASAP before it gets more serious, I mumbled to myself when Preeti di opened the door.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping if you were so very tired?!"

she asked teasingly as she took the seat next to mine and crossed her legs

"Did they leave?" I asked quickly, hoping I didn't sound too nervous.

She laughed, "So that's why you pretended to be tired! You wanted them to leave, right?"

"Di, why didn't you tell me about all this before?" I asked angrily.

She let out a giggle, "Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise, silly!"

A surprise dealing with my future. Brilliant. Before I could protest, she rambled on.

"He is perfect, isn't he Roopy?! KAWALPREET SINGH GREWAL! Not like my Harsh, of course! But he is perfect for you. My little sister! Mrs. Kawalpreet Singh Grewal. Ooooh I can't wait! You can thank me later!" she completed with a grin.

I plucked up my courage and started nervously, "Di... I...I have to tell you something..."

"Now don't say that he is nothing like the Prince of your dreams because even you know that isn't real." Preeti di said bitterly while crossing her arms and glaring at me.

"It’s not that!" I spoke up before she misunderstood my problem.

"Then what is it?" she asked drily, "He is smart, good looking, rich and comes from a good family. He'll keep you happy and after this afternoon, I can say that he really likes you!"

"But I don't love him di(Sis)!!" I shouted at her.

My sister stared at me blankly for a few seconds and then began laughing. She clutched at her belly and tears rolled down her cheeks. She woke up from the chair and didn't stop laughing.

I was totally confused and irritated with her response to my situation.

"Do you think Harsh and I were in love before we got married?" she asked. She said the word 'love' as if it were a profanity.

"No!" she carried on, "We didn't even know each other very well but after we got married the understanding and bond of love got stronger and that's how it's going to be with you too! Once you're married to him, you'll eventually start caring and even grow to love him!"

She pinched my nose and patted my cheek, "It'll be okay Roopy. Trust me!"

"You don't understand, do you?" I turned away from her and clutched the balcony railing.

Preeti di stood next to me and carried on, "Nope, I don't understand because I'm dumb and you're my smart sister! So tell me what's bothering you?"

This was it.

I had to tell her. If I didn't, I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life (especially if I ended up becoming Mrs. Kawalpreet Singh Grewal).

"I can't do this! I can't marry Kawalpreet because... Because there is someone else whom I met in Mussorie during my time there!" I hesitated before completing, "You were right about me caring for someone!"

She looked like she was going to say something, but there was no stopping me.

"His name is Raj... Raj Singhania. He is not as rich as the Grewals, but he loves me a lot di.." I wiped the tears away, "He... He was always there to cheer me up whenever I got sad thinking about home and now I know that he is the one for me. My heart knows!"

Finally, the truth had been revealed.

For a few moments there was silence. "Have you made all of this up just to get away from this marriage? Because if you are, then we can tell them and I'm sure they'd postpone the wedd.." she said anxiously.

"No di! I am not! I really do love Raj a lot. I just can't think of getting married to anybody else. I can't marry Kawalpreet... I just can't!" I pleaded as I gripped her hand.

But there was no reaction from my sister. She was silent for a moment then headed towards the door. I couldn't let her go without giving me the hope that I so desperately needed.

"Di please say something! You will make Dad understand this, right?! Then all of this wedding-shedding business will stop!"

I held her shoulders firmly waiting for her answer but she glared at me and removed my hands from her shoulders.

"If you know what is best for you Roop, you will start accepting things as they come! If you still don't understand then I'm very sorry... I won't destroy my sister's life because of her silly infatuation with a boy. Now stop this nonsense and come down to have dinner!"

After flinging her cruel words at me, she left the room and I stood there motionless... My heart broken and pain engulfing me. Tears began making their descent down my cheeks.

My only hope had just pushed me away and ignored my plea... Her cold words were still ringing in my head...

I laid down on the bed and cried my heart out, but there was no-one to hear me out and give me a solution to this problem.

My door opened and Kripal peeped in.

"Choti baby, khana lag gaya je tussi neeche aa jao." (Dinner is served. Please come downstairs)"

I turned my face so that he didn't see my tears.

"Mainu bhuk nahin hegi!" (I am not hungry!)

"Tussi kaho te thwada khana main ute laiyandawa?" (If you want, I'll bring you your food up here), he said gently but I was too distressed to think about food.

"Main kaya na mainu bhuk nai hegi. Jaoo ab!" (I said I'm not hungry! Now leave!) I shouted at him, raising my head a little from the pillow that I had grabbed tightly. He was surprised by my rudeness but quietly left the room.

I held my head with my hand & tears again filled my eyes.

"Malkin, choti baby nu bhuk nai hegi," (madam, she is not hungry) kripal told mom.

"Not hungry!?" She exclaimed, "How is that possible? She hasn't had anything since she arrived home. I'll bring her downstairs..." As she began walking towards the stairs Preeti di stopped her.

"Mumma, why do you worry? She is just too tired and too deeply in love... You know the symptoms of love, right? Sleepless nights, restless nature and no hunger! Its love at first sight, mom! She'll be better in the morning. Let’s have dinner now!"

Preeti di tugged mom's hand and led her towards the dining table.

Mom was hesitant to let the issue go. "Are you sure Preet? Because she never ignores home-cooked food!"

"Yup! I'm 100% sure mumma! C'mon! I'm starving!"

Preeti di told her husband and Papa the same thing and that evening they sat for dinner without me as I cried upstairs.

Preeti di did so for my own good but leaving me alone for some time wasn't going to change anything...

It just made me realize that I was now alone and only I had the power to correct my already decided fate...