chapter 26

A Day to Remember“SURPRISE…” Shiva almost shouted. Pratham, his whole family, Sarv, Ankit, his girlfriend Sahana, and Shiva’s parents were waiting for us. “What?” I stopped dead in my feet. Pratham was wearing a sherwani, and everybody else was dressed in their finest clothes. And they all were smiling and beaming at me.“Welcome to your surprise wedding,” Shiva announced merrily. She was smiling ear-to-ear.  “WEDDING?” I almost screamed, about to faint.My expressions must have risen alarm because both Pratham and Sarv started towards us. Shiva gestured at them to stop. She pulled me to a corner and explained, “I know it is sudden for you, but we have been planning it for weeks now,” she started, and I just stared. Seeing me so confused and flabbergasted, she continued, “Swear on Rakshit that you don’t love Pratham Khatri. Swear on him that every day you don’t dream about being with him.” Tears welled up in my eyes.“Ishana, true love doesn’t knock many times. He loves you so much…” I wanted to say something, but she continued, “and he knows. He knows about Dev, Kunal, and Santosh. He knows about your mother. He practically choked it out of us a few days after the fashion show. He loves you despite everything. He loves you despite the horrendous label you now associate yourself with. He really loves you. And if not for yourself, marry him for HIM. Because I don’t think even Sarv loves me as much.” I was dumbfounded. “You, Ishana Mathur, today will become Ishana Khatri legally. Today, you are changing your status for the better,” Shiva declared, and the words Ishana Khatri rose butterflies in my stomach, but I didn’t move.“Remember your father’s last words to you?” she asked, and I just looked at her. “‘Don’t fall for a man who is not willing to marry you. If he loves you, he will make you his own.’  ‘If you do something that you cannot tell me by looking me in the eye, then don’t do it. It is morally wrong. Always make sure that you make me proud, now and forever.’”“There is one man Ishana, who is standing with his whole family to make you his properly. It is not a game, it is not fake, he is as genuine as any boy can be. And marrying him is one decision you can proudly take in your father’s eyes.”I didn’t respond to her words; tears were brimming now. I walked back, and Shiva followed confused. Pratham gave me his hand. He was looking dashing in his golden-red sherwani. As I took his hand, everybody relaxed. Together we all went inside the temple, and the priest locked it.The fire was burning, and the priest started some chants. I was too lost to even focus on what was being said. We sat, exchanged garlands, Pratham filled my maang with sindoor. He tied mangalsutra around my neck. We stood up, took saat pheres, and then Shiva’s parents stepped forward. I was speechless all throughout the ceremony, but when the priest asked them to come forward to do my kanyadaan, tears escaped my eyes. “You are our second daughter,” her mother whispered to me as she wiped my moist cheeks. Pratham, who was smiling fully throughout, held my hand tight indicating ‘I was not alone, not any more’. And just like that, we were married.Together we took blessings of the priest and all elders. His entire family hugged me and welcomed me into their fold.We were sitting and chatting in the temple when the priest came out and handed us a paper. Pratham took the paper and read it carefully. “As per your request, there is no date. I will add the date once you confirm,” the priest smiled at me. I was stunned. At this, his mother informed me that the priest was Pratham’s father’s friend. He had agreed to marry us today, but the certificate will be issued once the contest was over. “This family is very resourceful. You will never find any troubles here,” she smiled and caressed my face lovingly.They all hugged us, wished us, and then Pratham and I drove away.  Present Day in Ishana’s House“Hold on!” Ravi finally spoke up. Ishana paused. She was smiling ear-to-ear. “You really did marry because you still are Ishana Khatri,” he exclaimed. “Wow… what a wedding, one to never forget,” he was smiling with her. He was genuinely happy, and Ishana could see it.“Where is Pratham? Why has he never made a public appearance? Do you keep your marriage a secret because of your profession?” he asked, and the smile on her face vanished. “Please don’t tell me he betrayed you too,” he asked, slumping on the sofa. Pratham was a genuine hero, her love, her life. Did he really?