Married But Why?

Chapter 5

Ananya’s POV

When Rudra and I left for his parents’ place, I thought it would be somewhere close, but I was shocked when I realized we had been driving for almost two hours. After a two-hour-long drive, we finally reached there. To my surprise, the house was decorated like today is the marriage. I looked at Rudra, but he was not surprised at all.

For these after-marriage rituals, I chose to wear a red saree and kept my hair straight. Since I have long hair that comes to my waist, I can wear backless without a second thought. But don’t worry, I am not wearing backless today. Rudra was wearing trousers and a shirt. Once we got out of the car, he came near me and held my hand.

The palace was magnificent, its grandeur evident in every corner. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and golden embellishments, reflecting a royal heritage. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, their light casting a warm, ethereal glow throughout the halls. The floral arrangements, consisting of roses, lilies, and marigolds, added splashes of color and a delightful fragrance to the air.

In front of the palace was a huge garden with perfectly manicured lawns, blooming flower beds, and marble statues. A beautiful fountain stood in the center, water cascading down in a mesmerizing display. Trust me, I was so eager to explore every corner of this place. Well, let’s do that later. First, we will do the rituals.

Rudra and I walked to the entrance, and my mother-in-law was waiting for us at the doorstep to welcome us. She did our aarti (an Indian ritual to welcome the newlywed couple) and then dropped some oil on both sides of the door.

After that, she placed a kalash filled with rice in the center of the entrance. I kicked the kalash lightly and entered, placing my feet in the plate full of wet alta (a mixture of vermillion and water). Then there was a white cloth on the floor on which I had to leave the marks of my feet. I slowly placed my feet on the cloth, and finally, I was inside the house properly.

Rudra was beside me. Then we touched the feet of some elders. Rudra and I touched his dad’s feet and heard him say, “God bless you both.” Then we moved to his mother, and she also blessed us, saying, “May God give you lots of happiness.”

Soon the priest announced that everything was ready, so all of us moved to the temple for prayer. The priest chanted some mantras, and Rudra and I did the aarti of the God. It took us almost ten minutes to complete the aarti, and soon we were in the living area again. Did I tell you it was not a simple ritual ceremony with family only?

The living area was filled with excitement and chatter. Guests dressed in vibrant and elegant outfits mingled and exchanged greetings. Children ran around, their laughter adding to the festive atmosphere. There were so many guests, and it was like a grand function. Frankly, I was shocked to see them. I was lost in my thoughts when I heard Rudra, “What are you thinking?”

“Why are so many guests?” I asked, and he replied, “Because we are married, and guests should come.” Well, I was not satisfied with his answer, but I remained quiet. Did I tell you he had changed clothes and now he was in a sherwani and was twinning with me?

After some time, Mom came and sat beside me on the couch. She told me, “Ananya, now we will do a special ritual. My great-grandmother-in-law started this Bengali ritual, which we have been following for years. In this ritual, Rudra will take a vow to fulfill all your needs and protect you for his life. He will gift you too.

That sounds like fun, right?” I nodded, and soon Rudra and I were seated on the couch. There were so many gifts placed on the table in front of us. With the priest’s announcement that the auspicious timing had started, we began the ritual.

Mom gave me a red wedding dupatta, and I was ready. She turned to Rudra and instructed, “Rudra beta, give all these things to your wife one by one and take the oaths.”

Rudra picked a jewellery box and gave it to me, saying, “Ananya, by giving this necklace to you, I swear to cherish and honor you, to provide for you, and ensure your happiness.”

Wow, this sounds so cute.

Next, he picked the set of bangles, gave it to me, and promised, “With these bangles, I promise to protect you and stand by your side through joy and sorrow, strength and weakness.”

Rudra then picked up a beautifully woven saree, placed it lightly in my lap, and said, “With this saree, I vow to respect and uphold your dignity, to support your dreams and aspirations as my own.”

Finally, he took the small box containing the antique bracelet, handed it to me with a gentle smile. “This bracelet belonged to my grandmother,” he said. His eyes were showing a mix of emotions. “With this heirloom, I vow to give my trust and loyalty to you, to be your confidant and have your back in every storm of life.”

If you have already become his fan, then please stop, something is still left.

He stepped back and sat on his knees in front of me. He took my hand in his and said, “Ananya, today I promise not to be just your husband. But I vow to be your partner, your friend, and your protector. I promise to support you in all your goals, to listen and to understand, and to grow with you as we start our journey together.”

As soon as his words registered in my mind, I felt a mixture of emotions. Despite our complicated relationship and rivalry, this moment felt genuine. I saw the glimpse of the man I always wanted. The words I always wanted to hear from my partner. It brought back a faded memory in my mind, but it was not clear. It felt like I had lived those moments before.

Once Rudra was done with his vows, the priest told me to touch his feet. Listening to the priest, I forgot for a moment I was surrounded by people. I looked at Rudra and found him already staring at me. However, soon I came out of my thoughts.

I placed all the gifts aside and stood on my feet in front of him. I think in the last few days, today was the day when I was fully involved in all the rituals. Therefore, without waiting for a moment, I bent down and touched his feet.

I was confused, but I just kept everything aside and decided to live the moment. Who knows how long they are in my life? When I figure out why Rudra married me, I don’t know what I would do.

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After all the rituals, only one ritual was left, and that was my first rasoi (a tradition in which the newly wedded bride makes something sweet). I went to the kitchen with my mother-in-law and saw everything was on the platform.

I started making Suji ka halwa (semolina pudding). While I was cooking, my mother-in-law asked me, “Ananya, did you like everything?” I smiled and replied to her, “Yes, Mom, it was so good. Frankly, I thought there would be only family members for these rituals.”

She replied, forwarding the sugar to me, “We wanted it to be that way. But Rudra said he wants to celebrate every moment of his marriage.” I nodded, and suddenly I remembered something and thought to ask.

I turned to my mother-in-law and said, “Mom, if you don’t mind, can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” she said, and I hesitantly asked, “Why doesn’t Rudra live with you all?”

She told me, “To be honest, there is no specific reason. He bought that palace a long time ago. We were living in the USA at that time. When Rudra completed his studies, he wanted to come back to establish his business here.”

I nodded, and she continued, “His father arranged everything. This was our first home, or should I say palace. We have had this place for generations. He lived here for some time, and when his business was established, he bought his own house. You know, he himself planned what he wanted in his home. He was spending all his time there to complete it. So it happened naturally.”

She added further, “Once the palace was ready, he started living there. In all the time he has shifted almost everything there, so it happened naturally. There was nothing planned.”

“After a few years, we also came back and started living here,” she completed, and excitedly I asked, “Does Rudra have any siblings?”

“Yes, he had. But she is no more now,” she said, and I saw her eyes getting wet. “Ohhh, I am sorry,” I said and side-hugged her.

“It’s okay. You are family now; you should know all this,” she said, and soon the suji ka halwa was ready.

“Let’s go and have lunch,” she said, and we made our way to the dining room.

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We spent the entire day there. We had so much fun. Some of Rudra’s cousins were teasing him for getting married so early. I met some of the best people. The entire day I didn’t feel like I was meeting them for the first time.

I spent the best time of my life. Soon, Rudra declared that we should leave now. I bid goodbye to everyone and promised my mother-in-law that I would visit her soon. Yes, we bonded really well. Currently, Rudra and I were in his car.

He was driving calmly while I was enjoying the view. We were passing through the road filled with trees on both sides when I heard Rudra, “What are you thinking?”

I looked at him and said, “Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked, and I told him, “For planning everything.”

Suddenly I felt the color was drained from his face and asked hesitantly, “What planning?”

I remembered our conversation with his mother and told, “Mom said you wanted to celebrate every ritual of your marriage.” “Ohh, no worries,” he said, and again we were silent.

Suddenly my phone pinged, and I noticed a message on my cell phone. I checked and found it was Akshat’s message.

From Akshat: Hey, where are you? Why are you not receiving my call?

To Akshat: I am busy. I will meet you tomorrow.

I replied to him, and after a few minutes, Rudra declared, “We are here.”

We both came out of the car, and I almost yelled, “Fuck.”

As soon as those words came out of my mouth, Rudra asked, “What?”

“Oh, nothing. I am going to sleep,” I replied and ran to my room.

Yes, it was already midnight.

“Ananya?”

“Ananya?” Rudra was calling me from behind, but I ignored him.

Soon I entered my room and made my way to the washroom. I checked and murmured, “s**t, I hit my monthly cycles.” I changed into comfy clothes and did my other business and made my way to the bed.

I was wrapped in my blanket when Rudra came into the room, calling me and asking, “Hey, what happened? Why did you run like someone is going to kill you.”

I peeked out of the blanket, “I am tired. I want to sleep.” “I am not buying it. Tell me the real reason,” he said and waited for me to tell him.

However, I remained quiet, and he added, “Why?”

“Girls have so many issues that can’t be shared with everyone,” I told him hesitantly, and he argued, “I am your husband.”

“Then too. I am not telling you,” I said, and he came forward, warning me, “Ananya.”

Suddenly he stopped and said, “Are you on your periods?”

I nodded, and he came closer to me, asking with concern, “Okay. Just have a rest.”

“Does it hurt?” he asked, and I nodded yes.

“Do you want anything?” he asked further, and I thought for a while before replying, “I want ice cream.”

“What?” he said in shock.

He asked me further, “Ananya, where would I get ice cream at this hour of the night?”

Listening to him, I got angry and said sarcastically, “Then why did you ask? What’s the use of you being a billionaire if you can’t arrange ice cream for your wife?”

After that, I slept, and he left.

I was sleeping calmly when after almost one hour, I heard footsteps in my room. Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard Rudra, “Ananya?”

I avoided him, and he called me again, “Ananya?”

I looked at him, and he showed me a carry bag in his hand, saying, “Here it is.”

“Oh my God!” I said and sat on the bed.

I snatched the bag from his hand and asked, “Where did you get them?”

“How does that matter? Just eat it,” he replied.

I ignored him and opened the bag. There were so many ice creams and that too my favorite flavors.

“Wow, my favorite vanilla flavor.” I tasted it and was enjoying it when something clicked in my mind.

I thought, “Wait, how does he know I like this flavor?”

I looked at another ice cream and Rudra, who was sitting on the couch.

I grabbed another ice cream and started eating, thinking, “Something is there that I am missing. Stop enjoying your married life, Ananya. Please start working and see how you ended up in this mess?”

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