Chapter Seven

It was the day of the wedding and everyone was going crazy. Not just from happiness and excitement, but from work too. In both houses, everything was hectic. Nonstop people were running around and it was crazy!

Whenever Khushi had her read romance novels or anything romantic, she would always imagine herself in those blissful moments. And now, today, on the very day of her own wedding, she didn't want to be taken away by her soon-to-be husband. She didn't love him and even after all the sweet things Mona had said, she didn't think he could ever love her, nor that she could ever love Arnav.

Khushi had to get ready so she washed up and then got out her bridal wear. She wore the petticoat and then put on the blouse.

She looked at her reflection and realized that her bra was sticking out from the top. So she decided to take off her bra and simply wear it. It was a good thing there were cups within the cloth, so her nipples wouldn't show.

She was arranging the sari when she looked up at her reflection again. She noticed how much cleavage was showing and she got nervous.

What if he tries to do something? If he does… how am I going to feel about it? Then again....

Khushi looked at the scars on her body. There were big patches of light pink running from her waist to her back. As she was wearing a sari, many parts of her flesh were exposed. The scars on her shoulder peeked out as the blouse hadn't fully covered them. The scars on her back were much worse than what could be seen from the front.

Shaking the thoughts out of her head, Khushi went back to arranging her sari properly. Just as she finished, her mother came in.

"Khushi, we need to talk."

"Yes Ma?"

She gestured Khushi to sit and she did.

"Look Khushi… on the night of your wedding, you- how do I put this… experience new things."

Khushi's eyes widened and her mother continued.

"A lot of things can happen during your suhag raat."

Everything Khushi had ever dreaded was one thing, but having the talk from her mother was something off the scale, that it scared her more. She remained frozen, listening to what her mother had to say, her eyes so wide that it might have fallen out.

"Understood," Sumitra asked when she finished and Khushi simply nodded.

Sumitra smiled and held Khushi's face. "Remember one thing though Khushi: after tonight, the only person important in his life, is you. Whenever he goes through a rough time, he'll always look at you for support. Don't ever let him down, or he'll be weak forever," and with that, she left to call Khushi's friends to help her finish getting ready.

Khushi sat in front of her vanity table and thought of what her mother said.

After tonight, she'd be his strength.

After tonight, the most important person in his life, would be her.

As her friends came in and helped her do her makeup and put on her jewelry - while teasing her - Arnav and his family were on their way to Khushi's place. Arnav kept thinking about the talk he and his father had before leaving:

"Know one thing Arnav: after tonight, you two will be bonded forever. She will miss her family and her old life now and then. It is your responsibility to make sure that she never feels alone. She'll always look at you for your support. Also, you will realize that after tonight, all you can ever care about is her. When she's happy, you will feel happy and will want to be a part of it. When she's sad, you'll feel like hurting yourself and whatever it was that hurt her. And that all your strength will come from nowhere else, but her, because you love her."

Arnav kept thinking about his father's words. But the thing is, did he love her? And will she ever love him? Would she ever trust him and give herself to him?

Before he even knew it, they had arrived to Khushi's place. They were greeted by a red ribbon-barrier. Khushi's friends weren't being easy and demanded for money, or they wouldn't receive their dulhan. Khushi watched from upstairs and smiled at her friends' childish acts, but didn't get to see for long because her other friends made her go inside. Arnav had that same weird feeling he had before, and looked up, only to see no one.

Eventually things cleared out and Sumitra welcomed them. Arnav was taken to the mandap and he sat down. After quite some time, Khushi was brought down. Arnav couldn't help but gaze at her. She looked amazing, not caring that she was covered in a deep maroon shawl to help cover her burns, or that most of her face was covered by her veil. The only thing that went through his head was whoa.

But it wasn't just Arnav who was gazing.

Khushi was nervous and when she'd look around from underneath her veil, she would feel nails being dug onto her back, due to everyone watching her. That is, until she saw Arnav. The moment she looked at him, she couldn't look away from him. He was in a maroon sherwani that would just catch anyone's attention. He looked like such a gentleman and truthfully, he looked hot!

Khushi couldn't believe she was thinking this. She tried to look away, but her eyes remained on Arnav. They sat her down next to Arnav and they looked at each other from the corner of their eyes.

The ceremony began and Arnav and Khushi got up to make their seven rounds - their seven vows. They sat back down and Arnav was handed the little pot of vermillion. Sumitra slightly pulled back Khushi's veil as Arnav took a pinch. He brought his hand up and Khushi shut her eyes as he filled in her parting. Everyone clapped and when Khushi opened her eyes, their eyes interlocked, but not for long. Arnav was handed the mangalsutra and he placed it around Khushi's neck. His touch sent a chill through Khushi and she looked up at him. Their eyes interlocked once more and they looked away at each other.

Khushi was now a married woman. She was now a new person.

*~*

It was time for Khushi to leave her home and go to her in-laws. Many tears were shed and Arnav felt bad. He didn't want to see her cry.

Wait, what, he thought. He couldn't figure out why all of a sudden he had these feelings until he remembered what his father had said.

Khushi was seated in the car and then Arnav went around and sat next to her. The car pulled away, taking Khushi to her new home.

*~*

Khushi was in awe when she arrived to her new home. Her new family had gone all out in decorating the house. Many people awaited them, Khushi surprised by the number of family friends. Mona stood at the door, ready to greet her new devrani. Once the task was complete, the newly-wedded couple was brought inside.

Many close friends of the family came to congratulate the newly wedded couple. Every time they did, Khushi would smile softly and observe the guests' expression. It was clear that some were shocked by the burn scars on her face, but none of them said anything about it.

Slowly, the guests began to leave. Once they did, Mona took Khushi up to her husband's room, which was now her room as well. When she entered, Khushi took note of the various trophies, certificates, and plaques that sat on a shelf against the wall. There were a few guitars, causing Khushi to wonder if Arnav played well. Khushi also took note of the very neat desk that sat in the front left corner of the room, holding two iMac monitors. The walls were a simple shade of light gray, a few pictures scattered on it here and there of him or of the family.

Mona seated Khushi on the bed. "Nervous?"

Khushi pursed her lips and didn't say anything.

Mona smiled softly and caressed her cheek. "Don't worry, he's a sweet and kind man. He'll take good care of you Khushi; I promise you that."

With that, Mona left, leaving Khushi to look around at the room once more. The various pictures caught her eye, until her eyes landed on a photo frame. It was on the left nightstand, and Khushi moved over to it. It was a picture of her with her parents, smiling brightly.

Khushi picked it up. How did he get this?

"Your mother gave it to me."

Khushi gasped and turned around to see Arnav. She was so absorbed into the picture, she hadn't even realized when he had entered the room.

Arnav slowly walked over to her. "When you were still in the hospital, Ma gave me the picture after I asked her for it."

"Why?"

"So that whenever you're missing you parents, you'll always have them right next to you."

Tears threatened to pool in Khushi's eyes, so she she looked away at the picture.

There was a knock at the door and the nurse came in for Khushi's dressing.

"I'll leave you to it," Arnav said, and he left the room.

Khushi watched as Arnav left the room. The nurse helped her to remove her jewelry and clothes so that she could redress the wounds.

He could have stayed. He no longer has to leave the room. He could have stayed if he wished. He could have even done it himself. Then why did he leave?

"You've gotten yourself a sweet husband," the nurse smiled. "He's very respectful of you."

Khushi glanced up at her.

"He could have stayed in the room, but he chose to respect you and left. It's not every day that you find a decent man like him anymore."

Decent, Khushi wondered, and then looked at the door.

"So many men these days are pigs, willing to do anything to gawk at a woman shamelessly. But your husband? A true gem he is! He must really care for you."

Maybe he is a gem. But does he care? Does he feel anything for me? How could he?

Khushi looked at the mirror in front of her, looking at the wounds on her front. Not much of her front had been burned, only a burn running from from the side of her left breast to her back and another beneath her left breast, moving to the back. Her back had gotten most of the damage, her front the least. As for her face....

Khushi reached up and touched her face. The nurse noticed and looked at her.

"Who could ever love someone with a face like this?"