Destiny's Fusion

Runaway Bride-to-be (PART ONE)

As I came down I saw Mom on the phone talking to one of the relatives sharing all the programs and events that would take place during the marriage..

My brother-in-law was busy watching the cricket match with dad...

My sister was sitting on the chair near the dining table with her one leg on the other chair applying the nail polish.

I walked towards her and sat on the chair beside her.

"How does it look?" she asked showing me her manicured nails. She had put sparkling red nail polish.

"It looks nice" I said with a smile

"I know right..!" she then went back to manicuring her other hand

"So what have you decided...You’ll go with what your family thinks is right for you or your silly infatuation" I knew she would ask me that and I replied deliberately

"I think I’ll manage…You don't have to worry about it...”

She looked at me quickly surprised that I was so calm and composed...

"I do worry because you’re my Roopy…you don't ever think before you do something" she sighed

"I care about you Roop" she tucked the strands of hair falling on my face behind my ear

"Just do what’s best for you and this family okay? I know you will"

I couldn't say anything to that because she was just being a responsible elder sister while I was being the spoiled selfish younger one...

"Listen up everyone! We all will be heading to Bangla Sahib (gurudwara) in the evening to get the blessings of the almighty for finding us such a good family and boy for our Roop...” mom said happily and looked at me lovingly...

My sister pulled my cheeks to show how proud she was of me.

"Ouch! It hurts!" I said pushing her hand away.

"Cry baby!" she teased with a big grin

"Yes yes... You’re right we are blessed and it’s all because of sache pasha (almighty)...he always does what’s right!" Dad said proudly

Harsh got up from his seat and spoke looking at all of us

"And the best part is after the marriage we'll be business partners with the Grewal's, they have decided to merge their factory with ours!"

So this wasn't just about the guy but expanding the business I thought disheartened

"Ohmygod! Really?!" my sister asked excitedly looking at Harsh

"Yupp...It’ll be all ours honey, once Roop is married" Harsh said proudly...

My dad walked up to me and touched my face with his warm hands

"I’m so very proud of you Roopinder, my darling daughter"

He then kissed my forehead gently and I just faked a smile because that was all I could do...

after the lunch I quickly went upstairs to my room saying that I’ll take some rest and Preeti di told me she'd call me or wake me up if I fall asleep when they leave for the Gurudwara in evening..

I entered my room and Sammy was relaxing on the floor as usual...

He barked as soon as he saw me and waggled his tail impatiently.

I sat on my bed and bent down towards him to scratch his soft furry ears...

He rolled over happily so that I would rub his belly too...I sighed looking at his cute face

"Wish my life was so easy like you Sammy. You just have to wiggle your tail and everyone would love you...No hard work needed" I scratched his ears and his legs moved in satisfaction

"You would be the only one who would still love me after I run away...Isn’t it?

Because you’re my googlywooglywoooshiiee!" he barked again and licked my arm...

Suddenly my phone vibrated and I picked it up from the corner of my bed...

It was a message from Raj

"Hey Baby...Good news I booked the tickets for us... Flights at 2:20am...You’ll have to leave by 1am...I know it’s scary but then it isn't love if it isn't crazy right?!...I know you'll make it...I’m on my way from here...So see you soon! Love ya!" I stared at my phone blankly...so this was it! My last day with my family...Didn’t know it would come so soon.

.this would change everything wouldn’t it?

But I can’t be without Raj...

I love him too much and he's absolutely right, it isn't love if it isn't crazy...

I quickly searched a taxicab number in my cell through net and dialed it up. The number wasn't fake so I booked a taxi and provided them with all the details and arrival time, half of the work was done but the other half seemed more than difficult saying goodbye Now I couldn't even do that because they won’t let me go if I did..

I guess it’s a silent one then...

I sighed weakly and went towards my wardrobe to take out the salwar-kameez for the evening then took a long relaxing bath and changed into it...

After a light make-up while combing my hairs I heard Preeti di's voice from downstairs

"Roopy! Come downstairs, we are leaving!" Sammy barked and went scrambling down the stairs. I checked my appearance once in the mirror then quickly accompanied my family. I along with mom-dad left in our own car while Preeti di and Harsh went in their SUV...and as always Sammy had to stay back with Kripal...

We reached the Gurudwara and suddenly I found myself spiritually at peace...

I felt so peaceful and light as if the entire burden that I was carrying upon my heart had just disappeared vanished somewhere...

I covered my head with the dupatta and removed my slippers and entered the holy place first, my family was following behind...

I closed my eyes and bowed my head to pay my respects and get blessings from the almighty

"Forgive me babaji (almighty) I know what I’m doing is wrong but if I get married to Kawal...it would be wrong too...I can’t destroy lives...Just be with me babajee(God) and give me strength to do what’s right..I know you will take care of me" I knew he would hear me out...

I then, looked over at my family…They seemed happy...grateful and praying for my happiness but my happiness was leaving...going away from me and I couldn’t let that happen... mom...dad...Preeti di... Please forgive me, my conscious apologized, but I'm going after my happiness...there's no other way...

Tears filled my eyes this was just...More than difficult...

I lowered my head and went outside...

While waiting for everyone at the main gate...I heard a voice suddenly

"You were crying? What’s wrong??" I looked up and it was Preeti di, she must have seen me rubbing my eyes

"Its...it’s nothing...just something went in my eye...dirt maybe"

"Aww! Come here, My Roopy, I know you too well...you’re a pathetic liar" she hugged me and I couldn't help it, I hugged her back tightly...

"You won’t forget me right? Once I leave" she smiled warmly

"If that was the case then I wouldn't have got married Roopy...we all love you too much and that won’t change ever! You hear me?"

She didn't exactly get what I meant but I was happy they would care even if I left not the way they wanted me to...

"Stop worrying now and relax! babajee (almighty) will do everything right" it felt nice to hear that and I was desperately hoping the same.

“Oh! I can see some sister bonding happening here" I saw Harsh smiling broadly at us

"Stop it Harsh...” my sister hit him lightly on the shoulder and I smiled...

"Okay dad...mom we'll take our leave" He bowed down and touched mom & dad's feet...my sister sighed "yupp...It’s time that we head back...Roop take care of mom-dad..Be good!" she lightly pulled my cheek then hugged mom and dad

"We are hoping to hear good news from your end too" dad said while looking at Harsh

"Daaaad!" my sister grumbled and became red like a tomato

"You would soon I guess...” Harsh chuckled with a smirk, mom-dad laughed

"Drive slowly and reach home safely you both, we'll keep you updated about the wedding arrangements..." they both then left in their car and we headed home in ours...

But all the while I was restless, impatient...the choice I had made was eating me up from inside but the truth was better than living a lie all my life.