Harsh And Divine

Chapter 26

Vidhushi was overwhelmed to see her own house in Goa after so many months. It brought the same warm feeling that she has always felt for this house. However, if she had come back after completing her thesis, the feeling would have been a million times more joyful.

As they all came out, Kunal quickly held Vidhushi's wrist. Her mother gave them a look but when he didn't make any attempt to leave her hand her mother entered the house alone.

"What?" She asked, blankly.

"The wedding is on Friday." He stated.

"I heard that."

"I mean to say that you should invite your relatives to the function. And don't worry about the expense. Tell them that I will arrange for everything and that they can call my assistant for a refund.

Vidhushi scoffed.

"Don't worry, Kunal. Those who really want to attend my wedding will come at their own expense." She answered.

Kunal hesitated but then accepted her decision.

"I will send a parcel tomorrow morning. Go through that. Okay?"

"What parcel?" She asked.

"You will know when you see it." He assured with a smile.

Kunal hugged her and mumbled 'good night' as he swayed her lightly.

She let him do it as she inhaled the familiar fragrance.

"Go." He said.

Vidhushi turned around to enter her house. But, after walking few steps, she turned around again. Looking at him for a while, she finally spoke.

"Can you... think about this again?" She asked. Both of them knew what she was talking about.

"No. And, don't ask me this question again." He answered immediately, with a clear frown on his forehead.

Vidhushi meekly nodded and finally, entered her house.

"Are you okay?" Her mother immediately asked as soon as she entered.

"Don't worry mumma. He won't hurt me." She mumbled and entered her room.

"And I am not hungry." She said as she closed her room.

For tonight, her mother let her be alone as she knew that she would be crying her eyes out in silence.
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By 'parcel', Kunal probably meant a truckload of items. He wasn't exaggerating when he said that he would take care of everything. Three helpers loaded seven cartons in her house. Before leaving, one of them gave her a box which was the last item to be delivered.

She was alone at her home. Her mother told her that she was going to meet her friend. So, she didn't inquire much.

Being alone, she decided to open the carton boxes. The first box that she opened had a set of two sarees: one yellow and one emerald green. Each had a small card attached to them. The yellow saree was for her 'haldi' ritual and the green saree was for her 'mehndi' ritual. As she pulled out the dress, she was amazed by its weight. Each dress was the heaviest she had ever worn in her life. The work done on the saree was spectacular and she didn't even want to predict the price. So, she kept them aside carefully. The next carton had jewellery that matched with the sarees. She opened the velvet boxes and realised that every set was Kunal's ancestral jewellery. With shivering hands, she kept them back inside. All of this overwhelmed her.

The next four boxes had dresses and related items for her mother, as Kunal had promised. They also contained new dresses that she was supposed to bring with her to her new home. By the time she opened the last box, she was already tired of analysing everything. However, the last one was the most precious. It was her wedding dress...A bright crimson red saree with matching diamond jewellery. She couldn't help but be curious to see her own wedding dress that she was supposed to buy for herself. Carefully and gently, she removed the dress from the cover. It was so delicate, soft and heavy. She wondered how she would actually bear its weight during the marriage rituals when the bride is supposed to sit and stand numerous times. She thought of trying the dress once but then thought against it. She didn't want to ruin it in any way. Kunal would kill her if anything happens to the gifts that he gives her. So, she arranged the things back and kept them one by one in her room...in one corner.