chapter 21
"The priest chose tomorrow's date as the best date for marriage." Jian's Onna announced. He thumped his hand lightly on the table, satisfied. Both families were sitting together, discussing the marriage date and related arrangements.
"Tomorrow?" Jian's eyes went wide, a silent panic reflecting in them. Jian asked.
"Do you have any problem?" Her Onna asked angrily. His expression hardened instantly. She lowered her head in embarrassment and said a low, 'no'. She bit her lip, avoiding eye contact.
"Onna, if Jian does not want to get married tomorrow, then I don't think we should force her." Arisu suggested. He spoke calmly but firmly, catching Jian's eye. Jian smiled a little as she realized his effort of making her easy.
"I don't think Jian has any problem. If you have any problem, then I think, we will have to change the date." Her Onna said.
Arisu looked at Jian, a question etched on his face, asking whether she wanted to postpone. She shook her head, a slight, almost imperceptible movement, giving her approval so that her Onna won't scold her.
Arisu didn't say anything. He simply nodded, accepting her decision.
"So, tomorrow is fixed..... We can't arrange a very grand marriage, but it will be done with all the rituals. I hope you don't mind this." Her Onna asked Arisu's dad.
"Of course not ,Heman. We are family. It is totally up to you, how and when you want your daughter's marriage. We don't have any problem. Jian is a good girl and we are happy to have her as our daughter-in-law." Arisu's dad smiled warmly, reaching across the table to pat Jian's hand.
Her Onna smiled and they all hugged each other. The tension in the room finally seemed to ease. They all agreed on having a small marriage, and no engagement, as there wasn't any time for that. In most Bhagavat cultures, marriage is most important while engagement is just a choice.
When, both the families were planning the wedding, Arisu asked Jian to follow her. He gave her a quick, meaningful glance. She went with him to her room and asked.
"What happened Ari?" She asked. She closed the door behind them, lowering her voice.
"Jiji! I may sound a bit weird, but I want to ask you something."
"Ask anything Ari. I promise I'll reply truthfully." She took a deep breath, readying herself.
He smiled. A small, reassuring curl of his lips.
"Do you have feelings for Jinman?" He asked.
"Are you insane? No! I don't have any feelings for him. Oh my god! How can you think so! The only feeling I have for him is that of fear. I am scared of him like hell. Every time I am with him, my eyes only wander around his waist, wondering when he will remove his gun and kill me! He is a murderer Ari. I can NEVER love him." She shook her head violently, her voice rising with genuine distress. She explained.
Arisu seemed satisfied with her reply. He let out a slow breath of relief.
"I am glad. But trust me, Jiji, I will protect you from him." He assured her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, his thumbs rubbing soothing circles.
"Oh! When did you become my knight in the shining armor!" She joked. She tried for a laugh, though it sounded slightly shaky.
He ruffled her hair in a sarcastic way. A playful gesture that broke the intensity.
"And...one more important thing. Don't tell Jinman about our marriage, okay?" He said.
"I know. He will try to stop the marriage, if he finds out." She asked.
"Exactly."
"But why is he doing this Ari?" She asked. She frowned, genuinely confused by Jinman's motives.
"Because he is a psycho. Forget about him. Whom are you sending wedding invitations to?" He asked excitedly. He clapped his hands together, abruptly changing the subject.
"My three girlfriends from school. And, one from the hotel. Whom are you calling?" She asked.
"Five of my stupid friends and our manager." He replied.
"Do you think our manager will come? I mean, at our wedding?" She asked.
"I don't know. But I should give him the invitation. We should do our work, right. It's up to him, if he wants to come or not." He said.
At that time, Arisu's mum called him to leave for their house, for further preparation.
"Bye for now. And...look beautiful for me tomorrow, love." He winked, a charming smile crossing his face, and left.
Jian couldn't blush or smile. A cold knot of dread formed in her stomach. Her thoughts stuck at the last word Arisu said. 'LOVE'. Only Jinman called her that, and somehow her heart clenced in fear. She shivered, rubbing her arms as if to ward off a chill.
'What if he finds out about this marriage? Either he will kill me, or he will kill all of us. So, it is better he doesn't find out about this. Lord Suviran, I will pray regularly and I will go to the temple every weekend; but please let this wedding go normally. I want to get away from Jinman. Please, don't let him or his men find out about our wedding.' She prayed. She sank onto her bed, burying her face in her hands, the fear of Jinman a heavy, suffocating weight.
However, things didn't turn the way she wanted.