Manik Weds?

Chapter Two

It was a gloomy Monday for the poor soul who was looking outside the window and weeping softly. She was chewing the bread she got for breakfast and was constantly looking outside the window, trying to find an escapade through the mist.

She heard the main door getting unlocked and her aunt, Padma entering with a bottle of water and a bag.

“Listen to me very carefully! Alya will be getting married and I don’t need the face of a jink to be anywhere around downstairs! Just lock yourself up and here are some needful!” With that, she stepped outside the gate and it banged against the wall making her shiver.

She looked at the bag and then again outside.

It was around nine at night when the groom arrived with much delight of the bride’s sight but not to her parents.

“Why did you let her run away Padma? Do you have any idea what the Malhotras will do to us!!” Alya’s father screamed at her mother who rolled her eyes “Dhruv fell in love with her and she ran away!! Also, he is 10x richer than Manik and he doesn’t have a family to take care of!! Do you have any idea how happy my daughter will be??”

Her father thought for a while and hugged her “I seriously love you! But if we don’t get anyone married to Manik, the whole society will ignore us!”

“Oh dear! You worry a lot! Why did we brought up Nandini then? Won’t she payback all the love we showered upon her all these years?” Saying so, Padma and her husband laughter hysterically.

Nandini was lying on the bed when she felt someone coming inside and she was granted with the most surprising slap. It was very sudden and it increased her pulse rate but her aunty cared less.

“You are going to get married to Manik right now! And I want no questions!! Get ready fast!” As she walked away, a sudden vibe covered Nandini’s heart which spoke of utmost positivity.

This might be the escapade she was always searching for! She quickly donned in the bridal attire and waited for the artists to get done with the makeup.

What if the husband tries to get physical with her? What if he turns out to be a drunkard? What if..

Heaving a big sigh of utmost agony and pain, she looked at the mirror.

She had always been considered a jinx. Her parents left her when she was just one. She was adopted by her aunt and her husband who was the most cruel to her. She never fell in love because she never had the guts to. Her life was always like the one people would never ever dream of.

She was a jinx, an omen for her family and now a responsibility or rather a burden for her husband whom he will curse for the life. Life goes on, so does she.

It was around midnight and Nandini was waiting for her husband in her new room which belonged to her husband. He was named Manik for she heard some whispers of how dapper and amazing he looked! He was having a talk with his friend outside while she was just looking at the mirror which was just across the bed she was sitting on.

None of the people from the groom’s side could know that she wasn’t Alya and that was a fact she the most scared of. She had to face the consequences now. But, she was habituated to every punishment for her whole life was severly punished only.