Married To A Stranger

Sreesha Pov:

Weird.

Weird was the only word I could think of at the end of the day. Somehow Anju and Anvika ended up having Nihal and Tej’s names in their Mehndi filled palms.

Anju and Anvika had the same expression as us when they realized about this. From the looks of Nihal’s smirk, we could easily find what is the secret behind Nihal’s name in Anju’s hand. But what about Anvika? There is no way that either Tej or Anvika act like that because let’s face it, they can’t even talk with each other without feeling awkward, all they do was looking at each other with googly eyes.

That night Anju took her revenge by applying Mehandi on Nihal’s hand when he’s sleeping. Which leads to quite a show on the next morning. The day ended before we know with all the dance practice as that evening was ‘sangeet’. Veni arrived in the evening with Aadhya but not Arjun as he was ‘busy’. Everyone knows that it was not true, but no one questioned her and tried our best to let her enjoy our monkey business.

That evening sangeet started with mom and dad’s dance mimicking Ved and Niya and then the couple’s dances. People who expected Karthik and I’s performance would be more sensual than others were proved wrong by Tej and Anvika’s performance. They have amazing chemistry between them. If only they could make a move… Anju and Nihal performed a song teasing each other. And Veni performed a group song with all of us warning Ved to be careful with Niya. Soon the ceremony ended with lots of fun.

The next day was quite a hectic day. Anju and Anvika took care of bridal makeup while Karthi looking after the guests with Ved’s parents, Nihal and Tej are dealing with Groom’s unnecessary questions like ‘she didn’t run away right’ and ‘she will show up at our wedding without fail right?’.

Like seriously? Who would think like that? Normally some girls do, but a guy? I don’t know. I can’t believe I’m friends with these weirdos all these years.

‘Yeah, like you’re any better than them’

‘Oh hey! Long-time no sees’

‘Stop being sarcastic’

‘I’m not that weird okay?’

‘Yeah right! Did you forget the day of your wedding? When You prayed to God to make Karthik runaway with some other girl so the wedding would stop?’

‘Don’t blame me, he was a stranger to me at that time’

‘A stranger you fell in love with?’

…

“Sree, what are you doing here? The priest is asking for Niya, please bring her soon that Groom monster is killing us with his stupid questions” Karthi said running his fingers in his styled hair. He looks dashing in his sherwani which matches my saree color.

His hand slowly reached my lips tracing an outline making my eyes flutter closed and then he started wiping at the corner of my lips… wait, what?

“You’ve some drool over there,” Karthi said smirking.

It took a whole minute to understand what he just did. Did he just say that I was drooling over him?

‘Glad you’re back’

‘It’s not my fault that my husband is handsome’

‘Yeah right!’

I walked towards him blocking him between the wall and me. “W-what are y-you doing Sree?” He stuttered a little. Just the reaction I wanted.

“Do you know how much I missed you since morning?” I whispered in his ear making him stiffen. He groaned and was about to place his lips on mine…

“For god sake, keep your hands off of each other. Why do I’ve to be the only one to walk on you when you’re on it?” Anju whined.

“We did not do anything… yet,” I said smirking.

“God! woman, are you trying to kill me?” Karthi muttered only for me to listen.

“Yeah right,” Anju said sarcastically “That Pundit ji was eating everyone’s brain to bring the Bride and here you guys are eating each other’s faces. Karthik, Ved is asking for you. Sreesha we need to take Niya to Mandap and for the love of God stop making googly eyes you both, it makes me sick” she said making gagging noises. Karthi left shaking his head muttering something under his breath while I pouted.

Can’t a wife spend some alone time with her handsome husband?

“Let’s go” she yelled again.

The moment we entered the bride’s room we’re bombarded by lots of questions from Niya. Anju dismissed her queries and asked others to help her taking Niya to Mandap. She was a nervous wreck.

But the moment Ved’s searching eyes met hers, she stopped feeling nervous and a smile graced on her lips, same goes to Ved too. But the only difference is his mouth was literally touching the ground. Nihal started acting like he was wiping the drool on Ved’s face winking at the photographer to snap a few pictures of the current situation. Karthi and I sat at the place of Niya’s parents and gave her away to Ved. It is called kanyadan. In less than an hour, Niya and Ved tied a knot for a lifetime.

After their wedding, Niya started throwing tantrums on us saying “you guys are waste, why didn’t you steal his shoes” started whining like a baby.

“Oh, shut up drama queen, we have a better idea to make him suffer than stealing his stupid shoes, trust me you’ll enjoy it,” Veni said winking at Niya who started grinning like a fool.

Only my friend can act like this.

“Really? Tell me about your plan” she said coming close to us.

“Aren’t you tired with all these rituals? Go get some sleep” Veni asked Niya trying to divert the topic.

“Nice try,” Niya said sarcastically.

“Sreesha beta, can I have a word with you?” Ved’s mom called me. I nodded and followed her. “Get her ready for their wedding night dear, I might have done that myself but I don’t think your friends would be comfortable with me in the same room” I was about to deny but she stopped me saying “From now I would be Niya’s mother figure, so it would be really uncomfortable for her” she said holding my hands, I smiled understanding her position.

After Anvika finished her magic on Niya, she looks dead drop gorgeous. I thanked Anvika for her help and asked her to take Niya to Ved’s room. She just smirked and did as I said. Veni and Anju came back after decorating Ved’s room and asked about Niya. I told her that she was with Anvika.

“Stick to the plan Sree, don’t back down soon. At Least we need to demand one lakh” Anju warned me, I nodded.

We took Niya to Ved’s room and locked her in there making Anvika look at us puzzled. When Ved arrived there we literally blocked his way and demanded him for money.

“Why are you blocking my way now?” Ved groaned.

“Give us one lakh and go see your beautiful wife” Anju demanded.

“One lakh? Why the hell I need to give you that much?” He half-yelled.

“Because you have to?” Veni asked him like a question.

“As if you three devils could stop me” he smirked pushing three of us aside like the hulk he was and started fidgeting with the doorknob.

“What? Is your hulk energy not working on this poor old door” Anju said, pouting?

“You sneaky little rat, you did this, didn’t you?” He asked Anju sending her an accusing glare.

“Hey, it’s not me this time, it’s your mouse’s idea, ” Anju said smirking at Ved and me.

“You stupid mouse, give me the keys now,” he asked turning towards me glaring.

“No can-do dog, the key cost a whole one lakh rupees,” I said sending my partners in crime a victorious wink.

“Corruption is too much in India, now it spread to marriage rituals too. Tomorrow the first thing I’ve to do is educate your husband and his friends to be careful with you evil trio” he mumbled shaking his head. He went to his parents’ room and came back with the money and handed it to Anju.

“Just because you gave us money doesn’t mean we’d support you when you hurt her. Try to hurt her and be ready to say goodbye to Mother Earth” I kinda threatened him.

“My wife is so hot giving all these threats” we heard Karthi’s awe-filled voice from there hideout earning a slap from someone.

“You guys can come out, you too monkey” Anju called out Nihal and the others.

“As if you’re Miss. India” we heard Nihal mumble earning a solid glare from Anju.

“You guys can bicker all the night but give me the damn key so I could finally see my lovely wife” Ved half-yelled making all of us snigger at his impatience.

“Now now Ved, be nice to us, the key to your room is still with us,” Veni said smirking.

“Veni, not you too” he groaned.

Just he was about to say something, Anvika stood beside him slipping something in his hand. His puzzled face soon turned bright and showed us the spare key to his bedroom.

“Traitor” Anju mumbled.

“Sorry guys, but he’s my only brother,” she said sending us an apologetic look.

“You’re the best sister ever,” Ved said giving her a side hug and slipped into his room.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Okay now, all girls in one room and all boys in another” Veni ordered.

“B-but-” Karthi was about to argue with the arrangements but was cut off by Anju’s glare.

“Try to argue with us, we won’t help you tomorrow,” she said waving her index to him.

“Help with what?” I asked her anxiously.

“Nothing, I planned something for the newly wedded couple” he mumbled looking everywhere but me.

“Really? You’re the best” I said grinning ear to ear.

“If only you know” mumbled Veni.

“What?” I asked puzzled.

“We’re sending them Paris” Karthi said almost immediately.

“Cool” I said feeling a bit jealous.

“Okay now, get out of our way,” Anju said linking mine and Anvika’s hand while Veni hooked her arm to my other arm dragging me to the guest room.

‘I’m so jealous right now ‘ I thought, pouting.