Marrying my mistake

40. Ishani's POV

Today needs to be made into a telly serial, ohh wait I'm sure Ekta Kapoor must have made one already. But it was clearly the worst day.

I assumed that everyone will understand and be happy for the couple Reet Sid. I also knew I would hear a few complaints from Neil's family but I did not think it would go and become a tussle about my character.

I went out to the balcony to smoke and took off the windchime. Maybe we needed to hear each other before the path for our matrimonial bliss began. With so much tussle I doubt even god could get us bliss. I wish me and Neil had sorted our love and affection days ago. Maybe before the sex or even after it. Only if I wasn't that drunk, I though ruefully.

No doubt Neil had changed past that night but I had not. Yes, I loved him, but if the sex had happened after clearing our feelings, this backlog of emotions would never rise up. I liked. No, I loved Neil.

He was my companion and somehow today I realise that being different makes us one. Our attitude towards life together makes it more happy and exciting.

The next morning I was lazing in bed wearing a pair of short denim shorts and sweatshirt when my mother walked into my room, "Ishani what are you wearing today?" And for gods sake pack your bags before the wedding".

"Maa I can always jump the balcony and come here to change." I saw her eyes bulge out and look shocked. I smiled and did not say much except quickly getting up to start packing clothes in the array of suitcases kept. "So I take it we are going ahead with my wedding." I asked maa as she passed me an ombre peach and orange saree. "Yes beta, your mother in law called and cleared the air."

"Really?" My eyebrows went up, for someone who had publicly called me 'modern' how did this change happen? "Maa, how come?" "Ishani beta love has great powers. You just need to trust it's potential."

It was 11 already. When I tided most of my room and I set out a sombre looking light golden anarkali suit with a fuschia duppata that was adorned with many golden tassels. I came back from the bath when an idea stuck me. As Chang came and made my face look all pretty and perfectly glowing, like last night had not happened, I was busy on the phone arranging my big surprise.

Sometimes you needed to show more than a little love to smoothen the differences. When I was willingly taking this plunge I wanted Neil to know I wanted in. This relationship deserved my 100 percent.

At 12 when the ladies started arriving for the paath I went downstairs. I was wearing these huge gold earrings which made my ears hurt already. Chang had worked his magic and I glowed along with some classic thick eyeliner and a deep pink lipstick. I surely wasn't the demure bride people expected me to look.

Soon I had a gaudy red and gold embroidered chunni on my head and the pooja started. Everyone was enjoying the songs the lady sang. Now religious ceremonies during marriages often become dance fest's when people decide to shake a leg in front of god.

When Neil's family came I got up and touched everyone's feet. This was my exercise of the day touching twenty peoples feet is no joke.

Typically the bride and groom cannot go to each others functions except the wedding, Sagan and cocktail nights. So Neil was missing which made my heart cry a bit. The sound of chants and religious songs filled the air, the heavy use of incense added to the whole holy effect. After a few hours the pooja ended and Neil's mother called me aside, "beta my reactions might have been a bit too loud last night." She stopped and looked expectantly at me.

I knew my lines perfectly well, "ohh no. Mummyji! I understand. Family comes first," in reality I was beyond offended because she knew me since I was a kid and I did not fit the description last night.

She smiled and called over my mother, "she is my daughter and this misunderstanding is now clear." Both the ladies hugged as I started looking around. I needed to escape, my grand plans for Neil could wait. This environment overwhelmed me, so did these heavy clothes.

I slipped to my room and called Lata, "Ishani aren't you getting married?" She laughed. "Lata what's so funny? Can you please meet me?" We decided to meet at 6 at a popular bar. I quietly started preparing things for Neil's surprise. At 4.30 in the evening maa called me for tea and when I went down in a tee and pyjamas. She looked at me and admist all the relatives said, "Ishani your relatives are here. Your Chai shall be served in your room. Please dress like a bride it's your wedding," I nodded and ran back mortified at the embarrassment.

I dressed in a black sweater embellished with black glittery sequins and my favourite blue denims I was about to wear heels but decided I couldn't wear them. Two days of dressing up were enough I wore my UGGs though they hardly looked like a fashion statement I was happy with the plushy comfort they provided. My hair was already styled due to the morning function and devoid of makeup my skin glowed.

I picked my bag, car keys and made my way out. Thankfully no one saw me going or else I would have to lie about it. Tonight I wanted to be a free bird and this seemed my last chance. I reached Hybrid. Now this was a new bar and everyone who was someone wanted to be spotted here. I took a table and ordered two cosmos, cliche but I needed to think of this as a girls night. My plan was to get back before dinner.

I spotted Lata who was wearing a clingy yellow number, she looked too dressed up and not in a nice way. "Ish" "Lata" we hugged and air kissed. "Ishani so much to catch up on. How's the whole Sid Reet issue now?" Over the next hour we chatted and drank a few Cosmos. Lata looked at her phone, "ohh I invited Andy to join us. I hope its okay?" I nodded sipping my drink and looking around the crowd was awesome and people were having fun.

I saw Andy walk in with a frown in his face. Maybe it was Rianna's fault I presumed and got up to meet him and my head was spinning, I literally fell on him, "woah, you are drunk Ishani."

His statement shocked me. "No ways I'm not Andy. Let's get you something to drink and get this party started." He looked at me doubtfully and told the waiter to get the house special for us all and a bottle of water. As the waiter approached us I couldn't help clapping my hands in glee for on his tray was a big bucket which he introduced as lemon Margarita. There was a drink in the biggest wine glass ever with small fruits on top, sangria. The third was served on a plate, there was a bottle which looked like a bottle of blood from the blood bank, it was rightly called bloody Mary!

I was happy to try them all. Soon we were having a gala time drinking and laughing when I saw Lata fidget with her phone. "I'll be back in a bit. Loo run," she got up. "Should I accompany you?" I asked as she nodded a no and went.

It was me and Andy soon we started discussing Rianna. And between trying those drinks and offering him a shoulder the night became tipsy and serious. "Andy its been quite a bit. I think we should check on Lata and then I need to leave. My parents are going to yell on me for this stunt." I got up wobbling and went towards the loo when I saw my phone my face started heating up.

There were numerous missed calls and messages. Each of them were from my mother and the last ones were from Neil. I was in trouble.

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