Warrior - Chapter Twenty Seven

The day is finally here.

I'm getting married - again.

Although the day has felt slightly strange, it also feels all too familiar. The day started with me waking up to the sound of muffled music. When I finally finished washing up and showering, I headed down for breakfast and found my house to be a chaotic zoo with people running this way and that. In the middle of breakfast, Buaji arrived, and the first thing she did was smother me with hugs and kisses, happy that her Sanka Devi was getting married again.

She sounds exactly like Amma, just crazier.

In fact, both sister in-laws got absorbed into wedding details - not to mention into the Raizada factor. I finish up my breakfast as quick as possible and not a second after I'm done, I'm whipped away by Payal to get my nails done. After that whole shing-ding, I'm whisked right back to the house to start getting ready for my wedding.

Payal had helped Amma find a really good makeup artist, who I'm sure Amma paid handsomely given that its for a wedding that was planned so quickly.

I mean woman must be booked!

But I'm sure as soon as she heard what it's for - especially who's future wife it's for - she dropped everything.

Hours pass by and finally, I'm all decked up in my bridal wear, adorned with jewelry, covered in makeup, and draped with my dupatta over my head, concealing my bun.

"Oh my gosh Di, you look absolutely stunning," Payal squealed besides me.

She charged at me with a hug, squeezing the shit out of me.

"Geez Payal, are you trying to put my arms in casts," I scowled.

She instantly pulled away. "Sorry! Sorry! Don't wanna break you on your big day!"

Crazy girl.

"I'll go let Amma know," and she leaves, along with the makeup artist, leaving me alone.

I simply sit there quietly, looking at myself in the mirror. A memory instantly plays before my eyes, and instead of looking at my present reflection, I see the reflection of me in my bridal wear from two years ago. I see the girl who is slightly anxious; excited yet worried of what was to come.

Excited, because she had always looked forward to one day getting married. Worried, because she wondered if she would be able to do it right.

Oh how stupid she was to be worried for all of the wrong reasons.

Blinking away, I snap out of the memory. My real reflection looks back at me now. That anxious girl that had excitement and worry was gone, replaced by an expressionless one, who wasn't thinking nor feeling a thing.

No excitement.

No worries.

Nothing.

The door to my room opens and I hear people coming in. Amma, Payal, and Buaji come in, along with some other people I give no shits for. Amma looks at me in amazement and tears, and soon I'm in her arms, the woman crying.

Again, I see memories flashing before my eyes, Amma doing something similar to this, two years ago.

It's suddenly as if I'm a robot. Though I'm responding to everyone speaking to me, I'm also unaware of what's going on. All I can see is the parallels from two years ago, reflecting what was happening in the present. When Buaji embraces me and blesses me, I see her doing it from two years ago. When Payal lights up with delight and excitement, I see the girl from two years ago behaving the same way. When I'm taken downstairs and Babuji looks at me in amazement and pride, shedding a few tears, I see the actions of the same man from two years ago instead.

All I can do is reflect, and that's it.

When we even left the house, I don't know. All I know is that we've arrived to the reception hall where the wedding would be taking place. Since I hadn't cared for the details throughout the planning, I had no idea of any of the wedding arrangements. So one can imagine my surprise when I see that we have arrived to the biggest, the most sophisticated, not to mention the most boujiest reception hall in the entire town - The Palace.

Only the elite of the elites did their events here. I mean this place really is a damn palace, looking like some huge ass castle out of a fucking fairytale! I'm pretty sure this was made by the original families, so should I really be surprised that due to me marrying Arnav Singh Raziada that our wedding is being hosted at this place?

Abso-fucking not!

And I bet you everything I fucking own that no aunty is missing this party tonight, not one fucking one of them - especially not the ones I embarrassed to the gutter.

Heck, bet you those aunties from the engagement will be here too- ah! Spotted them! I'm right!

I'm led inside of the palatial hall, and inside we're greeted by the event coordinator, Meher. Apparently she's been working with Amma and Shalini Singh Raizada to get this thing down to a tee. Meher leads us upstairs to my bridal suite - that's right, bridal suite - and it looks more like a whole ass fucking loft that could fit a whole family. One wall was taken over by windows, while another had a massive vanity with so much more shit than I could've ever managed.

Well shit, I could've just spent the whole fucking day getting ready here instead.

As we wait for the guests to arrive, as well as for the Raizada's, the ladies are all chilling out here. And like I said before, bitches-of-aunties with no damn self respect had showed up and had the gall to try and hang around in the bridal suite.

Bitch, we both fucking know you're only here because the wedding is here at The Palace and that the Raizada's will be here as well. Lets not fucking act like it's cause you actually care about me.

Fortunately, all it takes is one glare at the bitches, and they're out the door, ready to shit in their saris.

Bye bitch!

The reception is due to start at 8 PM, and at exactly 8 o'clock, Arnav Singh Raizada and his family arrived.

Payal and all of the other girls go rushing to the windows to see them, then they all rush down to the entrance where they have their gate set up. Amma placed a kiss on my head and smiled at me, as does Buaji, and then they both head to the door where Babuji is standing. He gives me a smile as well, and then all three of them head down to greet their future son in-law and his family, as does the other ladies.

I'm left all alone in my vast bridal suite, and honestly, I don't mind it one bit. I'm actually really relieved to be alone for a moment, even if it gives chance to more flashbacks from the past to play in my mind.

For whatever reason, the memory of when him and I entered the reception hall of our wedding, plays in my mind. I can see the way we both met in the middle of the hall before making our way to the mandap. As soon as the memory of us sitting down together at the mandap plays in my mind, I recoil with disgust and come back to the present.

Fucking hell-!

Payal and her posse of girls come giggling and running back in.

"Oh my gosh Di! You won't believe how much money future Jeeju just gave us," Payal exclaimed.

Given that its Arnav Singh Raizada, I can imagine it's a lot.

All of the girls start bubbling with joy as they chatter about the success at the gate, Payal holding an envelope with what I'm assuming is a check cause it's absolutely flat.

Geez, how much did he give them, though?

Moments later, Amma, Babuji, Buaji, as well as Meher return. One look at their expressions was enough to understand that it was time to start this drama, so I stand up. Some of Meher's assistants come into the room, one of them handing me a bouquet of red roses while the others make final adjustments of me, my veil, and my outfit. When I'm all set, Meher pulls out a walkie talkie and speaks into it, and some guy responds. Then everyone is ushered out of the room, me being the last one to be led out.

We come down to the foyer which leads to the main hall. Payal and the other bridesmaids - none of whom, by the way, I chose -  are all quickly fixed up by Meher's other minions, as well as my parents, while Meher and two of her other minions focus on me. Meher's walkie talkie speaks through a few times and Meher responds to it, and soon enough, the show begins.

First, Amma and Babuji walk in, Amma holding a small bouquet of flowers in her hand as her arm is linked with Babuji's. The doors are briefly shut for a moment, and then opened once more for Payal to lead the way for the other girls, all of them holding small bouquets like Amma's as well.

Honestly, I had no idea that they would have any; I mean I have zero knowledge of the details of this wedding.

And it's my wedding, my second one at that.

Guess that speaks for itself, huh?

The doors to the hall are closed for a bit, and I'm taken to stand before it. While Meher and her minions focus on last second adjustments on me, I just simply stare at the door while holding onto my bouquet.

"Now remember Khushi," Meher began, "when the door opens, you're going to walk down the aisle and join Arnav. The two of you will stand together for a moment, and then you two will take your seats on the stage."

Oh? Well this is different than last time.

Meher's walkie talkie comes to life once more, she speaks into it, and then the doors before me open.

"Alright Khushi, go."

I walked forward, then turn left at the corner and see a few of the guests as I enter the hall, music playing around us. They're all standing by their tables, watching me. The carpet I'm following slants right, and as I pass more tables, I notice many aunties I have insulted straight into the gutter.

Told you they'd be here.

Shifting my glance away to focus on what was ahead of me, I instantly spot my future husband.

Arnav Singh Raizada is looking absolutely handsome in his sherwani. Heck, the man looks like he could be a fucking Raja from the fucking kings and queens period! And his outfit is totally on point with mine.

I spot Shalini Singh Raizada and Aryan Singh Raizada standing not too far away from him, as well as Akash, NK, and my other soon-to-be in-laws. All eyes are on me - even Arnav's. Heck, the man hasn't once dropped his gaze from me.

I soon reach his side and look at him for a moment, aware of the MC and his words to our audience. Arnav gives me that small, polite smile of his and lifts my veil, and I return a small smile of my own. We then turn our attention to our guests, who are clapping and cheering for us, the photographer and videographer before us, snapping and recording away.

Once all of that is done with, Arnav leads me up to the stage, Payal and Meher's minions coming to help. Arnav and I take our seats, the MC going off about stuff I don't really care to listen to. Instead I pay attention to our families, who come standing behind us. They're all interacting with each other, Buaji joining as well. They all exchange small conversations before the photographer asks for everyone's attention. Numerous pictures are taken and I feel like my face is going to split in half from all of this smiling I'm having to do. A few pictures are taken with the whole family, with just my family, with only Arnav's family, with only the elders, and then with only the younglings. Once that's done with, several pictures of us are taken as well, before the man finally steps away with his videographer buddy.

Scheisse! Finally!

"You look beautiful."

I turn my attention to Arnav, spotting that small, polite smile of his. "Thanks. You look handsome, as well."

"Thanks," he smiled, glancing down before meeting my eyes once more. "Do you really like your outfit or are you just being nice?"

I look down at my bridal wear, moving my hand over it. "No, I really do like it," and I look back up at him. "Are you asking because you're nervous? Because I know how much it means to you and your parents."

Arnav lets out a small chuckle. "Yeah, I guess you can say that."

I watch him for a moment. "Well, no need to worry."

"No need to worry," and he gives that small, polite smile once more.

The MC lets the guests know that they will all get their chances to come up and take photos with us.

Yay.

Group by group, people come up to meet us. I meet a few family friends and business associates of the Raizada's, and that's how most of the introductions go. Since no one from my side is really from my side, there's not really anyone to introduce other than Buaji, and that's already been done.

As for the aunties?

Oof... the aunties.

These motherfucking skanks don't got an ounce of fucking shame!

I mean imagine! Imagine having been insulted to the dirt and yet still - still you show up to that person's wedding as a guest, beaming like a motherfucking disco ball, and then having the audacity to introduce your daughters.

Don't be so surprised that some of these asswipes were hoping for Arnav to magically get bewitched and call off the wedding.

Idiots.

When the photos are finally done, the MC announces that it's time for everyone to head outside to where the mandap is set up. The guests are all led out, and then Meher and her assistants come to my side to help lead me out with Arnav and our families. As we're walking down the aisle leading to the mandap, I glance around at the guests around us, spotting a few whispering and muttering to each other.

Yeah, yeah, whisper it up all you want.

When we reach the mandap, our families have us stand where we should and the pandit starts with the processions. A quick flash of the pandit from my marriage to him crosses my mind, but I quickly force myself not to.

Not now, Khushi! Don't let that prick invade now!

Unlike earlier in the night, I force myself to focus on the present. I try to focus on the pandit, as well as on everyone around me. Fortunately, it works for me just fine, and I only stay aware of the present - aware of the garlands being exchanged, aware of being seated before the pyre, and aware of the mantras that are being said. Finally, it's time for Arnav and I to make our vows, and we all stand up. As the pandit goes on with his words, I follow behind Arnav as we go around the flames. Again, it all just feels too familiar. And again, my mind tries to play games with me, trying to reflect back to the past. However, I force it down, and continue trying to focus on the present.

I will not let those stupid flashbacks take over, I will not have an episode among all of these fucking people! Pipe down and stay the fuck down!

The pandit tells me to go forward, and so I do, leading the way. As we continue to walk around the flames, I glance out at the guests and notice that bitch Mrs. Das, whispering and muttering to one of her friends, who tries to hold back her laughter while throwing flower petals like everyone else.

Fuck off bitch, and take your buddy with you.

All seven rounds and vows are completed before we're asked to be seated once more. Arnav is soon handed the small pot of vermillion by Shalini, and Amma lifts my tikli out of the way. Arnav takes a pinch of the red powder, then looks at me. For a moment, our eyes interlock. Then, without another word, Arnav fills my parting, some of the powder drizzling down to my nose. Everyone starts clapping all around us, NK letting out a whistle. Shalini then hands Arnav a mangalsutra, which he takes and places around my neck. When he draws back, he gives me that small, polite smile of his, and I return one of my own, pinching my lips together. 

And so it is done.