Today Is The Day!

Chapter 1

Kirti was awoken by the melodious chirps of birds from outside her window. The white window panes shone in the early morning light. She squeezed her almond shaped eyes and looked at the clock, 6.am. She yawned, stretched her arms and turned towards her left.

His wide forehead was relaxed, mouth lightly open, sleeping on his stomach with the right knee folded upwards occupying three quarters of the bed. Himansh was sleeping like a baby.

She bent down and kissed him on his cheek. “Good morning, baby” she whispered. 

“Go back to sleep sweety, it's still early” he mumbled as she entered the bathroom.

Kirti set out with her yoga mat to carry out her daily ritual of exercise. Her constant weight gain was a problem. Himansh loved her the way she was, but it was important for her to get fit to tackle the present situation.

The tranquility of silent mornings accompanied with the cool breeze transported her. Today she revisited the day Himansh had proposed to her 10 years ago.

Kirti was 24 and single. It was a matter of worry for her parents. She had been rejected by 3 prospects already and in frustration had agreed to marry whoever the 4th was.

“The boy's family will be here by 12 noon” her father had announced. 

“We do not have much time for preparations” her mother joined in. 

“You will have to borrow a saree from your cousin for now” she added as an anxious Kirti mindlessly wandered around the house thinking that this was the end of her freedom. 

She climbed the flight of marble stairs that took her to the multicolour tiled terrace. She had often come here to paint, draw, listen to music, be by herself and find peace. That day she prayed that her mind would be as clear as the blue sky and the clouds of doubt, nervousness and worry go away with the wind of clarity. She was scrolling down through a list of songs when her phone rang. 

“Kirti…” Himansh said. 

“Hi, how are you? All well?” she said casually.

“Are you fine?” 

“Ya, what's going to happen to me?” 

“Stop lying, I know there is--” 

“There is nothing. I am not --” 

“Please let me talk to uncle once. I'm sure he will --” 

“No!” she almost shouted.

“Kirti please. I will always take care of you, keep you happy and be a good partner. I will talk to everyone, I will convince them. But I can not proceed without your consent. Today is the day”. The urgency in his voice was clear.

“Is he proposing to me?” She thought.

They had known each other since college. Good friends then, good friends now. Although she wasn't too much into marriage, never thought of herself as marriage material but she knew she could not deny it. That's why she always wanted to marry someone she knew. She wasn't against arranged marriage but she could not bear the thought of spending her life with an absolute stranger.

“What makes him think Papa will agree? No wonder it's going to look like we were having an affair and I can not be the reason for him to be ashamed again. He's so happy, I can't upset him”. 

“Kirti, are you listening?” he interrupted her thoughts.

After a few minutes of silence, Himansh promised he will not talk to anyone from her family. 

Kirti sank into the ocean of her thoughts. She wanted so much from life. She wanted to be a traveller, a professional dancer but she'd have to be content with becoming the wife of a stranger for now.

The following few days tested Kirti and Himansh's endurance. Her father learned that Himansh was willing to marry her. It was obvious for him to misunderstand the situation. He reluctantly called the prospect's family and apologized.

He felt humiliated and refused to talk to her. Her uncle tried to mend the broken bridge. He advised him to forget the past and convinced him to visit to Himansh's house before deciding further.

Two days later, they approached his family with the wedding proposal. 

“How's the boy? And his family?” her mother asked when he got back. 

“I have invited them to come for dinner this evening to make the engagement official” he replied, smiling a little, hurrying outside to buy sweets.

That evening everything went smooth and swift and what look like another sad day in the beginning ended up becoming the day that changed their lives. “What just happened?” were Kirti's first words when they spoke that night. 

They were married 8 months later

It was a grand affair and Kirti was happy to have got what she wanted, companion in a friend. Himansh's family had returned to their native soon after. Their life was perfect but a tornado was waiting to hit it.

 

To Be Continued...

CHS