First Meet

Part 2: First Meet

Sanjana called Meera’s mother to propose Meera’s hand in marriage. Words could hardly describe their happiness; they couldn't believe this was really happening. What a grand alliance it was! Sanjana sent Arjun’s photo to them, wanting Meera to see her brother. Meera’s mother and aunt were thrilled, but one person was unhappy: the BRIDE herself. Meera was crying uncontrollably and refused to look at Arjun’s picture.

“I don’t want to get married. I want to study,” Meera’s voice trembled with tears, her heart heavy with the weight of her words.

“Silly girl! What do you think studying will do for you? Anyway, you have to get married someday. Why not now?” insisted Meera’s aunt, Vedha.

“Amma, please don’t do this to me. I can’t leave you,” Meera sobbed.

“Meera, please try to understand, dear. I wouldn’t pressure you if your father were alive, but we can’t pass up such a good alliance,”

Meera’s mother, Narmadha, pleaded, her words carrying the weight of a mother's love and worry.

“But Amma…”

Cutting her off, Narmadha asked, “Don’t you love me?”

“I love you so much, Amma,” Meera said, hugging Narmadha while crying.

“If you love me so much, please agree to this marriage. I’m asking you, Meera.”

“Okay, fine… If this is the only way to prove my love for my mother, then okay.” Meera rushed to her room and locked the door behind her.

Narmadha looked at Vedha helplessly.

“Don’t worry, Narmadha. We know her. She’ll be alright,” Vedha reassured her.

Narmadha nodded. Just then, they saw Rima, Meera’s friend, approaching. Narmadha explained the situation to her.

“Leave it to me, Aunty. I will take care of her,” Rima said.

“Thank you, dear,” Narmadha replied gratefully.

Rima knocked on Meera’s door, but she received no response. She called her friend again, but she still received no reply.

“I won’t attend your wedding if you don’t open the door,” Rima emotionally blackmailed.

The next moment, Meera opened the door and hugged her tightly. Rima stepped inside the room, pulling Meera with her.

“What’s the problem, Meera? Why are you upset?” Rima asked.

“Amma is arranging my marriage,” Meera replied, still teary-eyed.

“Really? Why is she doing this to my friend? These parents are always like this. They only think about their problems. I understand you lost your father, but can’t she support your education? Why can’t she endure some difficulty for your happiness?” Rima pretended to be supportive.

Meera looked at her wide-eyed.

“Why are you saying this, Rima?” she questioned, making a sad face.

“Am I saying anything wrong? Can’t you see how happy your mother is? This is the best chance to make her happy, Meera. Just think about her. She has struggled so much after your father’s passing. Do you really want her to suffer even more? She would feel relieved if you got settled. Didn’t you notice how sweet the groom’s sister and family were? That’s why your mother wants this marriage to happen.”

“But what about her brother?” Meera asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Do you want to see him?” Rima inquired.

Meera looked shocked. “Is he here?” she asked, biting her nails nervously.

“Yes…” Rima said, showing her the cover holding Arjun’s photo.

Meera turned away, pouting. Rima revealed the picture.

“My God! How handsome he is!”

Meera still did not turn around.

“Meera, look at him.” Rima gently turned her by the shoulder. “See this.”

Meera cast a glance at Arjun’s picture. She gulped.

“Doesn’t he look rigid? Why doesn’t he smile?”

Rima rolled her eyes.

“It seems like a stage program! How could he smile in that situation?”

“What if he smiles? Would someone push him off the stage?”

“Oh my God! This girl… Only God can save him from you!”

...

The marriage date was fixed. Sanjana wanted the wedding to take place as soon as possible. Arjun asked them to complete all the pre-rituals without bothering him.

“Didi, I will come to Lucknow two or three days before the wedding,” he said.

“Don’t be late, Chintu. Please be on time,” Sanjana urged.

“I will try, but what can I do if I arrive early? Please don’t torture me with rituals,” he said with a stern expression.

“Okay, okay. We are going to Lucknow today,” Sanjana replied.

“Alright, take care,” Arjun said as his family prepared to leave.

Arjun headed to his computer spare parts company, Int.com, while his family went to Lucknow for further arrangements.

---

Int.com

Arjun was reviewing a file when he heard a voice say, “May I come in, Mr. Groom?”

Arjun rolled his eyes at his friend Sagar.

“Just stop it, dude,” he replied.

“Are you not a groom now?” Sagar teased.

“Not for you, though!”

“Of course, yes! Your wife is my sister, so who are you to me?”

Arjun raised an eyebrow. “When did our relationship status change?”

“When you got spellbound by a childish girl.”

“Spellbound? Not me!” Arjun smirked.

“The great Arjun, who didn’t want to get married, is now ready to wait for a girl for three years too. What’s that all about?” Sagar laughed.

“That’s why I agreed to this marriage. I’ll be free for three years.”

“Don’t try to pull that excuse with me. Remember, I’m Sagar.”

“Okay, fine. I like her,” Arjun admitted.

“That’s my dude! When will you head to Lucknow?”

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

“I will try to come as much as possible, but don’t you want to meet Meera before the marriage?”

“Everyone will start making fun of me then,” Arjun sighed.

“You will only get a chance if you go to Lucknow.”

“I will go after we finish our work here.”

“Work will never get finished here.”

“Okay, fine. Two days before the wedding…”

“Not at all. I will handle it here. You need to be there at least four days before your wedding.”

“Will your sister Pooja also join you?”

“She is busy with college admissions but won’t miss your wedding and all the fun. She enjoys these rituals.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll leave tomorrow night, then.”

“That’s my dude.”

Lucknow

Arjun’s family members liked Meera very much. Meera was surprised by the gifts they gave her for the Shagun ritual. She felt numb when she saw the jewellery and sarees.

Four days to the wedding…

Arjun finished all his tasks a little earlier and reached Lucknow, which surprised his family. Once in Lucknow, it was tough for Arjun to be patient without seeing Meera. However, he wasn’t ready to ask anyone, knowing they would tease him.

Dining

“Chintu, when will Sagar and Pooja be here?” Arjun’s grandmother asked.

Pooja’s college admission was today. Now that it’s done, they’ll be coming tomorrow,” Arjun replied.

“Nani, you didn’t mention anything about Meera?” Sanjana asked her grandmother purposely.

“What can I say? She is everything I wanted for Chintu’s wife.”

“Yes, she is gorgeous,” their aunt Ganga added.

Naturally, everyone’s eyes turned to Arjun, who continued eating without showing any reaction.

“Aunty Narmadha told me they will go to the family deity’s temple tomorrow,” Sanjana said.

“Shall we go there?” Ganga asked.

“No, no, mami. Let them do it. We shouldn’t disturb them, right?”

Arjun left after finishing his dinner. The next day, he planned to go to the temple to meet his soon-to-be wife before the wedding.

The Next Day

Arjun arrived at the temple and searched for Meera. He spotted her approaching with a Pooja plate in her hand. A smile crept across his face. She was so simple, yet more beautiful than a picture. He stepped before her, startling and causing her to drop the plate. Some vermilion particles got into her eye, and she began rubbing it. At that moment, he said,

“Wait... I’ll help you,” as he clasped her hand gently.

Meera looked at him, recognising who he was. Her eyes widened in shock as she noticed her hand in his grasp. She twisted her hand to break free from his gentle yet firm grip.

“Let me go… Leave my hand… Amma…” she called for her mother.

She started to fidget as hot water spilt on her feet. Her tears took Arjun aback, and he didn’t know how to react, looking at her in bewilderment.

A man in his sixties approached them.

“Hey, how dare you? Let her go,” the man growled.

Arjun ignored him and kept his gaze on Meera, hoping she would clarify who he was.

The man raised his hand to hit Arjun, but Narmadha arrived with Rima and stopped him.

“Kaka, he is the one Meera is marrying,” Narmadha explained.

The man was taken aback. He grasped Arjun’s hand apologetically.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know who you were. I was frustrated seeing someone misbehaving with our village girl.”

“It’s okay. What’s your mistake?” Arjun said, glancing at Meera, who was still teary-eyed and sniffing behind Narmadha.

The man turned to Meera and said,

“Crazy girl, can’t you speak up? What would have happened if I had hit him? Sometimes, you act like a child. Look at your face; you look like you’re in front of a teacher who doesn’t complete the homework.”

Narmadha felt embarrassed.

Seeing Meera’s sulky face from the man’s scolding, Arjun bit his lip to suppress a smile. She was adorable, and he didn’t expect such an introduction to his soon-to-be wife—correction… “Baby Wife.”

“I’m sorry, Damadji, please forgive her…” Narmadha apologised.

Arjun didn’t want to embarrass her more.

“It’s ok, Aunty…” He said, looking at Meera.

“When did you come?” Narmadha asked.

“Just this morning… I’m leaving. You carry on.”

Narmadha walked into the temple. Arjun saw Rima standing hesitatingly.

“Do you want to say something?”

“Brother, please forgive her. She gets scared easily. She’s still a child at heart,” Rima said hesitantly.

Arjun looked at Meera, who kept glancing back at him while walking with Narmadha.

“I hope your BABY friend doesn’t ask for a cradle to sleep in after our wedding,” he thought with a grin.

He got into the car and drove off while Rima burst into laughter, unable to contain herself.

To be continued…