I have decided to release the first chapter early, offering you all a glimpse into the story.
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✿ Vaidehi✿
"Ma, where are the pair of jhumka I bought a few days back? I'm getting late," I complained, rifling through the mess in my room and checking every drawer.
"Vahi hoga.." (They must be there...)
"Nahi hai Ma.. dekh liya maine.." (No, they're not, Ma... I've checked...)
She entered my room, scolding us all, and ran her hand beneath the rack, finding the missing jhumka. They must have fallen there.
"Aankhe hongi tabhi to milega, samne hi tha. Mai sab kuch sambhal ke rakhti hu, kuch milta hi nhi h tumhe." she scolded before leaving the room. I didn't have time for this; I was already running late.
(If you had eyes then only you can find, they were right in front of you. I keep everything organized, but you can never find anything.)
Aap rakhogi to aapko hi milega na.
(If you have kept it, then only you can find it na)
I quickly put on the jhumka, combing my hair in a rush. It wasn't a big deal; just a casual outing with Avika and Samaira for coffee. So, I opted for white Anarkali set.
I just loves getting ready. It is something I could do as a job, but unfortunately, no one's offering me that position.
Hayee nazar na lag jaaye mujhe kisi manhus ki
(May god protect me from evil eyes)
"Where are you going?" My father's gaze caught me as I descended downstairs.
"Voh..bapu.."
"What?" He prompted, tapping his knees.
"Actually, Avika, Samaira, and I are going for coffee," I replied, keeping my tone low, hoping for his approval.
"I'll let you go, but don't make this a habit and be back before 4 PM."
4 PM? But isn'it 1 already?
"Ji" I gulped and made my way out quietly, but not before catching my mother's muttered words.
"She's been spending too much time with that fatherless girl. That Khurana couldn't care less about his daughter. Atleast, you should keep an eye on yours"my mother whispered, her words cutting through the air like a sharp knife.
I know she was talking about Samaira but she don't have any right to talk about her in this way. Had there been any level below the ground then my parents are there, they are still living in 500 Bc. And Sam is someone who is way to modern for them, well she is my senior but still we are good friends.
I stepped outside and found my friends already waiting for me.
"Hello, darling," Avika greeted with a wave, her eyes gleaming with excitement, while Samaira checked her watch, her expression one of slight impatience. She is too punctual, I wonders how her clients bear her.
As soon as she started the car, our hearts jumped into our throats. I didn't want to meet my end so soon. But the way she is driving, I could see my death sitting beside me.
Bhagwan ji abhi to bahut sari fantasy bachi hai.
(Oh god! I have many fantasy still left.)
"Sam, we're going to die at this rate," Avika exclaimed, her eyes meeting mine in shared anxiety. I nodded in agreement, but Samaira just increased the speed in response.
"That's good! You both are fortunate enough to get a chance to die with me, while others out there are dying for me," she chuckled lightly, turning on the radio.
"At least think about others, they could end up under our car," I said, trying to inject some reason into the situation, but it seemed futile with Samaira's reckless driving.
"You know, my innocent Vaida, my car is meant for others to get under. You just sit back and enjoy the show. Let me know if you want me to pick up the pace," she replied, playfully pinching my cheeks before I pushed her hand away.
This girl is really some kind of Psycho.
Main kahaan iss pagal ke chakkar mein phas gyi.
(Where am I stuck because of this crazy girl)
"Pta hai Vaida, agar mere pass Dusra dil hota na, to teri smile pe pakka aa jata." She winked at me, before squeezing my cheeks.
(You know Vaida, if had another heart, it would have fallen on your smile)
"Dusra kyu , pehla kyu nhi?" I asked, stopping her hands from assaulting my cheek.
(Why other? Why not first?)
"Pehla to kud pe aa chuka hai" She smirked and I just hit my forehead at her response. How can someone be so self obsessed?
(Because first one has fallen for my own self)
"Wait! Wasn't that Shlok? Oh god, he looks so handsome and hot in off-white," Avika exclaimed, peering out the window, and I could feel my cheeks warming up. But this heartless Samaira didn't even slow down, let alone stop the car. At least I would have had a chance to say "Hi" to him.
Didn't you send him ten messages this morning already? Stop being so desperate.
"Ohooo.. someone is blushing! It's giving off such a natural makeup look," Avika chimed in, always ready to tease me at any opportunity.
"Well, Sam, how was your date?"
"Avika, why are you always so desperate to know about other people's love lives?" I interjected before Samaira could reply, knowing she probably wouldn't.
"Because I don't have one." And she turned to smirk at a guy going on the road side." Main sirf taka- jhaki karke line his mar sakti hu" she replied with a pout, and suddenly Samaira took such a sharp turn at her usual breakneck speed. For a moment, I forgot if I was still alive.
Bapu agar mein 4 baje tak nhi pahuchi na to iss ladki pe murder case kar dena.
(Bapu, if I didn't reached home till 4, then file a murder case at this girl)
"I rejected that bastard in 2 minutes." She spoke, her hands swiftly moving on the steering wheel.
"2 minutes? And then someone was saying I don't judge a book by its cover." Avika, winked at me, swiftly whistling at Sam.
"Yes, I judge it by its description. There's a huge difference between someone born to lick your heels and someone born to make you wear them," she said with a proud smirk, but neither of us quite understood her. Sometimes, she just talks way beyond our comprehension.
And once again, our car was having a conversation with the air, at God knows what speed. And I prayed to god for my dear life.
Ahaa.. Mujhe ghar jaana hai.
(Ahaa.. I want to go home)
"I am going to Italy," she spoke casually, decreasing the volume of the radio and applying the harsh brake. We were standing outside a cafe. Now, should I say thank you god or thank you Samaira, because I reached here with all my bones.
"So, I decided to have a coffee date with you guys before going" she explained. We both smiled at her as we stepped inside the cafe, which was already bustling with a crowd, but my smart friend had already booked a table for us.
"Yaar, can you get Michael Morrone for me from Italy?" Avika pouted.
"Why not? After all, he will be living in my purse there , na? Look at his face and then look at yours, and then jump in a bucket of water before asking again," Samaira retorted.
"Hayee dard ho raha Sam" Avika pretended, placing her hands over her heart.
(It is hurting Sam)
"Enough of your nonsense. Place the order, I am coming. Bhai seems to have caught my lie," she smiled and walked to a corner.
"I knew it, she wouldn't have told them that she is going to be late today. You know, Vaida, an idea came to my mind?" Avika placed the order and started speaking eagerly while I kept an eye on Sam turning back, she was talking or more like cursing someone.
"What?"
"How about I impress her brother? This way, I will be living with her and will be able to put some emotions in her. Good idea, right?"
"As good as your face," I replied nonchalantly.
"I already knew that, after all, I'm so pretty."
"Madam, itni bezati main to nhi sehta" the waiter said as he stood there with our order. Avika's face frowned upon hearing his words.
(Madam, I wouldn't have beared this much humiliation.)
"What, Vaida, were you insulting me?" She gave me an accusing look, while I tried my best to hide my smile. I really have a bad habit of smiling at the wrong moments.
I remember once, a relative of mine was explaining how her son got into an accident, but I started laughing upon hearing it. That idiot pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.
"Asshole, creep, blind, brotherfucker, bitch, fucker, kutta, chu..." Samaira returned, muttering curses, and my eyes fell on her coat, which was now in her hand.
"What happened?" We both questioned.
"That son of a brotherfucker threw his cold coffee at me and destroyed my overcoat. May he rot in hell, may he die by lightning falling on him, may he..."
"Alright Sam, he will die now, don't worry." I pulled her chair.
"I've been bathed once with water, and twice with cold coffee today. All the assholes seem to be flocking to me."
"That's good, Sam. I'm waiting to have some in my life. Why don't you lend me some?" Avika quipped, and we both burst into laughter. I rummaged through my purse as my phone incessantly rang – it was Bapu. Checking the time, I realized it was already 3 PM. Shit!
Mere dil ka telephone bajta ring ring...
"Hello?" I answered.
"Come home straight, they are coming," he ordered before abruptly ending the call. The Health Minister was coming today, with a proposal for my marriage to his older son. Seriously, I was not going to marry that old guy – he was over 30.
Don't Know about others but my bapu is - Happiness ke liye haanikarak.
"Hey, wait a sec. Vaidehi, did I click your picture? No, I didn't, did I? My bad! Now stand here in a flying kiss pose, and send this pic to my Shlok jiju. Don't forget to tell me his reply," Avika instructed, and I sighed, feeling exasperated. Samaira, on the other hand, seemed to be admiring the whole scene. She really was the most boring girl I had ever met.
"Guys, I have to go. Bapu called me; the health minister is coming with a proposal." I stood up, pushing my chair and carrying my purse.
"Don't mind, but your Bapu has lost it. In general, budha sathiya gya hai." she sighed, her fingers furiously tapping on the wooden table.
(Don't mind, but your Bapu has lost it. In general, the old man has gone crazy)
"Don't forget to send me his pic, who knows I might end up with him?" Avika smirked at us.
"Avika, don't you think you are ending up with every second guy. One wait moment you like him, othe moment someone else" Samaira spoke, taking a deep sigh.
"So, what's wrong with that? I'll have all my dream guys together. But, Vaidehi, reject that guy. Spare someone for me, girl. You better be staying with my cutie Shlok jiju," Avika teased me , by taking his name intentionally.
As soon she took his name, I turned into whole tomato. His name is so pure, like his love - Shlok. My own , personal Shlok.
Boyfriend personal hi hota hai, public property nahi hai ki lend kar diya.
(Boyfriends are personal only, not public property for lending out.)
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"It's your choice today, but remember, if you keep rejecting good proposals like this, I'm still getting you married at the end of this year. And then you'll regret it because that man won't be any good compared to these. So put this in your head," Bapu ordered, twisting his long mustache.
I nodded, swallowing hard. He was kind of scary, the way he talked and walked, it only made me afraid. He wasn't like other cool dads.
They arrived, I glanced at them behind the curtains. As my mother has already told me not to come until asked for.
"Vaidehi,... Vaidehi .. arey kaha mar gyi"
("Vaidehi,... Vaidehi .. where have you died now?")
"Coming!" I rushed holding my skirt elegantly as Ma instructed, but I am on my way to reject this proposal. I placed the plate of tea on the table and stood there with my gaze meeting my mother's.
"Come, take a seat," Ma said with forced cheerfulness, gesturing toward the man seated beside her. He looked to be in his last thirties, far too old for me by my standards.
They started their own political talks ,while, I was busy in my own thoughts. My toes curled up, my eyes focused on my father and brother ,and my ears hearing how they are trying to find their advantage from this marriage.
My father always wanted a boy, a boy who could carry over his legacy, but sadly both my sisters arrived before my brother, Shikha di is married and Ma-Bapu has cut off all contacts with Yashu di because she didn't agrees living at their terms, and I am the only burden left over their head.
I haven't told him yet that I'm already in love. Not just love, but a deep, profound love that fills every corner of my being. I've dreamt of a love marriage, because the idea of an arranged marriage terrifies me. It haunts me, because I have it's dark haunting side.
I've been fortunate enough to have every material that money could buy, courtesy of my father, for whom wealth was never a concern. Yet, amidst this abundance, there was a glaring absence of something far more precious – love. How different things might have been if he had only shown some affection towards us sisters. Was it my fault for being born a girl?
It hurts. And sometimes it bleeds as well. It is like a pain which has no solution, all you can do is to cry over your ill fate.
And in those moments, when everything feels shattered, I can't help but wonder, why was I even born?
"So, beta, what are your hobbies?" She inquired and it made me come back to the reality that, I am still sitting between those people.
"Rejecting proposals," I thought wryly, but replied with a hesitant, "Um..."
"My daughter is an excellent cook. She manages the entire household flawlessly. She'd be perfect for your son," Ma chimed in, her eyes pleading with me to play along.
Why don't you just say my daughter is an excellant maid? Get her for free along with some bribe from us, as small gift , to help us get rid of this burden.
"We'll see about that," the man retorted, smirking and winking in my direction, god save him from my evil eyes. I will curse him so badly that he will go to hell.
Janwar, salla , kutta , kamina. Ankhe nikal lungi ab agar ankh maari to.
(Animal, scoundrel, dog, rascal. I'll gouge your eyes out if you dare to wink at me again.)
"Mr. Chauhan, I believe this alliance will strengthen our political ties," His father , the health minister interjected, spreading his arms at the back and crossing him legs.
"Hmm... certainly," my father replied, whispering something to my brother, a hint of malice in his tone.
"Vishesh, go talk to her," the man's mother urged, and I barely managed to stifle a laugh by pinching myself.
Ye Vishesh itna bhi Vishesh nhi h.
(This Vishesh didn't strike me as anything special)
We walked toward the garden area in silence, and I braced myself for his interrogation, playing with the hem of my dupatta , wrapping it in my fingers randomly. While, my other hand moved over the flowers, lightly, he kept walking by my side both his hands in his pocket.
"Do you know how to cook?" he asked bluntly.
"Yes,I can make a bheja fry," I replied, chuckling like a kid, playing with the hem of my dupatta. Such a bad habit I have.
"You seem too outspoken," he observed and I could feel his hand hovering downward at my back side , and I just moved a bit away in response. I would have slapped him but he is the son of so called health minister.
"Is that a problem?" I made a pout, somehow controlling my urge to beat him with my sandals.
"I'll make sure you conform to my standards. I need someone to cook and clean for me—I have more important matters to attend to. Disobedience won't be tolerated."
I will make sure. Am I some kind of clay toy? That can be molded into any shape.
Muh pe chappal marungi na to sab standard yaad aa jayenge. Standard vala banta hai bada. Agar dam hai to book boyfriend ke jitne standard pe pahuche.
Standard chahiye Bhaisahab ko.
(If I beats him on his face with my slippers, he'll remember all the standards. He talks big about standards. If he have the guts, match up to the standards of a book boyfriend.
Mr. Wants Standards.)
"Why not just buy someone then? You won't find your ideal bride through a proposal," I clapped at my idea, jumping over.
"That's enough!" he snapped.
"N-no, I want to tell you something, let me finish. I won't keep you in the dark..."
"Speak clearly.." I looked into his dark eyes while he spoke, the wrinkles around his eyes were clearly visible.
"I can't bear child" I said with a mournful expression. Without waiting for a response, he marched back to his parents, whispered something in their ears, and they rose, their hands folded in apology as they rejected the proposal.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief—yet another rejection under my belt. But I knew I would face consequences for my defiance—this was my fourth rejection after all.
Finally they are gone! *Sighs*
"This girl!" Ma twisted my ears, while I protested her to leave.
"Ma..ouch..Ma.. Bhai.."
"What did you said to him?" Bhai, held my chin tightly making me look at him forcefully.
"N-nothing Bhai...I s-swear" I pleaded, trying to escape his harsh grip.
"Don't worry Harshvardhan, she is going to marry in the end of this year for sure" Bapu declared with a hint of pride, his hand pressing against his knee as he twirled his large mustache confidently.
"Bapu, please, just listen to me," I implored, my voice trembling with desperation. "I promise I'll do whatever you ask of me, but please, let me complete my college first. I-I don't want to get married some stranger. Please..."
"You're getting married this year and to whom I want you to, and that's final!" he retorted firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And what good will the college and job do to you? I can't trust you girls. Just do as I say."
I retreated to my room, shutting the door firmly behind me. With trembling fingers, I dialed his number, relief flooding through me when he answered after just two rings.
"Can we meet?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, the anticipation coursing through me like electricity.
"Sure! I'm on my way," he replied, his eagerness matching my own as I squealed in joy, covering my mouth.
Quickly changing into simple attire and securing my hair into a loose bun, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of seeing him again. We met often, yet each encounter still filled me with excitement and joy.
Madly, wildly, irreversibly in love with him, our future together was already planned by us down to the smallest detail—the venue, the theme, the flowers, even our vows. We had even joked about marrying each other in every lifetime, renewing our vows year after year until the end of time.
But the fear is starting to consume me, a gnawing sensation that grows stronger with each passing day. Deep down, I know that my father will never agree to our alliance. I remember vividly how he disowned Yashika di, declaring her as nothing to us, just because she decided to study furhter. He even threatened to hunt her down if he ever discovered her whereabouts. But what if, against all odds, he does agree? I shouldn't lose hope, should I?
I am already his, my breath, my soul and each of my heartbeats are for you Shlok.
Pehli baar hai ji ,pehli baar hai ji
iss qadar kisi ki ,dhun sawar hai ji
jiski aas mein hui , subah se dopehar
shaam ko usi ka intezar hai ji
hosh hai zara, zara zara khumar hai ji
chhed ke gaya wo , aise dil ke taar hai ji ...
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Word count - 3319
How was the first chapter? Hopefully, it would have stayed up to your expectations.
Favourite Scene?
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Just don't demotivate yaar, I really need some motivation.
love you all !