Chapter 4

Mehul's POV

" Many years ago your dad and I decided that we will get you and Megha married once both of you completed your education and start your career. Now that you and Megha have done well with your life, we want you to get married as soon as possible. "

" What ???? " I was shocked beyond limit.

" That means you were betrothed to her and she was to you for the last 18 years. And now you are getting married very soon." Said my dad glaring at me as if daring me to deny this marriage.

I wanted to deny immediately, as who gets betrothed in this century. But I couldn't react as fiercely as I wanted because of Uncle, aunty and Dadi Ji.

" But... How can we get married? We don't love each other, in fact we don't even know each other properly. " I said controlling the anger that was about to surface.

They were not bothered. Uncle smiled at me and said, " You will get enough time to get to know each other. We all got married like this and see we all are happy. Aren't we ?"

" We would have given you time to know each other, Mehul. But as you can see that Dadi Ji is not well so we need to get you married sooner. You will be married to each other within a month as soon as we find a suitable muhurat ( auspicious time). Mudit and Sneha are coming back day after tomorrow. I'll tell them to come here." Dad said.

My parents had always taught me to respect our elders, so I didn't say anything but how can I get married to an unknown girl?

I know that girl was really irritating when we were children. Who gets married like this?? I don't want to get married like this, I want to like somebody, fall in love before I get married.

I wanted to marry a girl of my own choice. Ughhh I looked at my mom, pleading her silently but she smiled as if she was assured that Megha was the best girl for me to get married.

I don't want to get married but I can't say anything because if I deny here both dad and uncle would get angry. Their friendship would get affected and they've been friends for more than 40 years... What do I do???

I would have to talk to Bhai. I will wait for him to come. He persuaded dad for his marriage with bhabhi. Their's was a love marriage. Yes, I would talk to him...

I was very angry with my parents. They didn't tell me about this arrangement or betrothal. Were we living in the 21st century?

Did this Megha know about this? I looked at her but she was looking downwards without a single expression on her face.

Why is she not saying anything? Is she mute now? What happened to her irritating shrill voice? Why is she not opposing this stupid betrothal? Is she stupid?

Oh god !! How will we be happily married when I don't even like her?? I was getting annoyed now.

All of them decided that they would call Panditji and find a shubh muhurat ( auspicious time and day ) for our engagement and marriage.

I was simmering with anger. I saw Megha going out of the room I went after her. As soon as she was out of the room I caught her hand and dragged her to the next room. She was shocked as hell.

" What is all this? Did you know about it? How can we get married? We don't even like each other? Please tell your parents you don't want to get married. Did you know about this all these years? " I was furious and she could see that she seemed frightened. Her face became pale.

" I...I... No, I didn't know, it w.. was... y..you?? M..my mom t.. told me that I was betrothed to someone last year. But she never told me that it was you." She was on the verge of crying.

" Ok, so now you know that it was me. But nobody bothered to tell me anything. Listen I don't want to get married like this. Please tell your parents that you don't like me. " I told her in an angry tone.

" I c-can't d..do that. My d-dad would never l-listen to me. I can't... " She was stammering.

" What do you mean you can't?? You have to. We would never be happy. I am not happy about the fact that I am forced into this marriage. Let me assure you, if I am not happy, I will not let you be happy. " I blurted.

" I can't d..do it. Y..you c..can d..deny if you w..want." She was crying now.

" You know damn well I can't do that."

" I am s..sorry but I can't h..help you. And p..please leave my hand you are hurting me."