The applause and laughter had barely faded into the night when two lives lay shattered in their wake. What was meant to be a sacred union—the holy bond of marriage—had instead become a cruel imposition of society's stubborn will.
No vows of love had been exchanged; only tears streamed silently down their faces. Arjun had invited Shreya to meet him at a nearby restaurant, but she had expressed her inability to come. Understanding her circumstances and the demands of propriety, he had gone to her neighborhood instead.
Little did he know that a single innocent meeting would entangle him in a catastrophe that would forever alter the course of his life. From that day onward, he found himself trapped in an endless cycle of public humiliation and torment.The spectacle was finally over. The guests had dispersed to their homes, leaving behind only the exhausted groom and the quietly sobbing bride.
They stood beneath an old tree, seeking its silent support. The doors of the houses around them had long been shut. The soft glow of dusk had given way to the deep, enveloping darkness of night. Their stifled sobs echoed faintly against the walls, returning to them like unwanted reminders. No one cared anymore. Yet the weight upon their hearts grew heavier with every passing moment.
In a low, weary voice, Arjun said, "I don't know what will happen now, but if you had listened to me and come to the restaurant, this shame and this uninvited disaster would never have befallen us.
"At his words, Shreya broke into even heavier sobs."Alright, alright… please don't cry anymore," he said gently. "We must face the coming challenges with mutual understanding and courage. Rest assured on my part—I cannot consider you my wife. A marriage forced upon us holds no validity in my eyes. Your wishes, your identity, and the decisions you make will always remain paramount for me.
"Shreya lifted her tear-filled eyes and looked at him. "It is not your fault," she whispered. "We should blame only the circumstances—and the society that refused to hear our voices."They stood in silence for a while.
Then Arjun spoke again, "Come, let's go home."Shreya looked at him uncertainly. "Home? To your house?""Yes," he replied.
"Do you really think anyone here will let you live in peace now? I doubt your family will even allow you inside until their anger subsides. Come with me."Shreya nodded in quiet acceptance."My mother is ill," Arjun continued, "but she won't trouble you. I will explain everything to her. You can stay there with dignity for as long as you wish. You will face no hardship. In such dire circumstances, perhaps you should consider accepting Raghv Sir's proposal. There would be no shame in it."
That night, they made no promises of love or forever. They simply listened to each other with care and resolved to stand together, at least in the name of humanity. They vowed to support one another through whatever lay ahead.
Shreya said softly, "His family was never willing before. After all this scandal, they will never agree. Raghv will not go against his parents now. If he truly loved me, he would never have listened to them in the first place.""But he knows the truth," Arjun replied. "He knows I went to meet you only because he asked me to."Shreya shook her head. "He can sacrifice anything—including me—for his position and social prestige. If his love had been real, he would not have obeyed his mother and father."
"Then come to my house for now," Arjun said. "We'll see what to do next. Once we reach home, I'll speak with Raghv Sir."Yet inside, Arjun was gripped with anxiety.
People had already recorded the drama and uploaded reels on social media. If it affected his job, what would he do?
His mind raced in countless directions.
The incident would surely devastate his ailing mother. And what of his younger sister, Ranjana, now living in her in-laws' house?
The scandal could bring an earthquake into her peaceful world. He would have to explain himself to everyone—that he was merely a victim of circumstances. But who would listen?
Only Raghv Sir could possibly rescue him from this crisis now.The question remained: how would he take Shreya home?
His steps grew heavier, as though his feet were sinking into the earth with every stride.His mother had woven countless dreams for her son. Seeing this forced marriage would surely break her heart. That fear gnawed at him relentlessly.
She had always told him, "Son, marry only the one who pleases your heart. Your happiness must be part of it. Only when both boy and girl are willing does a household thrive."But what had happened today stood in complete opposition to her dreams.Then his thoughts turned to his little sister Ranjana. Her marriage had already taken place, and she was happily settled in her marital home. Yet if society learned that her brother's wedding had been forced upon him, her in-laws would surely taunt her. The fear that her laughing, joyful world might be crushed under the weight of social judgment tore him apart from within.Throughout the long night journey, a storm raged in his heart.
Shreya sat quietly in the corner, her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty about the unknown future. Neither could speak to the other, yet the turmoil in their minds refused to subside. Sleep remained miles away from both.
Arjun kept thinking: How will I face my mother? What will she say? What effect will this have on my sister? Where will I find the courage to confront everyone?
In Shreya's heart too lingered an unnamed dread. Raghv had only introduced himself to her over the phone two or three times. Would she truly be accepted as part of his family, or had society's stubbornness merely thrust her into this darkness? Her future now seemed shrouded in shadow.
But there was no turning back. Whatever was destined would unfold. They would have to wait and see where fate would lead them.
© Copyright Pushpa Chaturvedi
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