Chapter 8 •8•The Tough Decision

Jivika's POV

Chachu nodded and quickly followed, getting the hint that whatever it was was something really serious.

"Where to?"

"Radhs room."

He nodded and we walked trying as much as possible to get through guests without too much conversation.

We reached the room where Chachi was sitting frozen in shock in the same position I left her. Chachu got worried and asked us what happened and we showed him the letter. I know his condition is the same as Chachi. He is breaking inside too but wouldn't show us. He removed his pagdi (a cloth turban worn around the head on special occasions as a sign of honor) by moving a hand in his hair roughly and threw the letter. "How could she do this?" he said angrily. "Didn't she think about-"

But there was a knock on the door. We all panicked and looked at each other in shock. I cautiously walked to the door and without opening the door asked, "Yes?"

"I know you girls can drag this 'getting-ready' thing for days but the Baraat has arrived. Come out fast." Relief washed through me as I heard Abhi's voice but it came with another wave of problems, Baraat had arrived. Ranbir has arrived. To marry Radhika.

"Di? Is everything alright?" Abhi asked when I didn't respond. I can trust him. I opened the door, pulled him inside and locked it again. He was shocked at my sudden action but didn't say anything when he saw Chachu, Chachi already there with blank faces. "Itna sannata kyuuu..." he stopped when he realized there's a problem. "Where is Radhika di?" He asked.

"She ran away." Chachu responded bitterly, much to Abhi's shock.

Abhi was a bit childish but he knew when to act like a man. "Are you serious Chachu? What now?" He said. "I mean... Ranbir is waiting, The Panditji is calling the bride and the press are already making an issue of why the Singhanias were not present to welcome the Baraat."

"I've to talk to Vishwa. I'll fall on his knees and ask for an apology for this insult." Chachu said painfully and I and Abhi rushed to his side getting angry.

"What are you saying Chachu? It's not your fault." Abhi said.

"Yes. Why would you do that? It's not your mistake after all." Me and Abhi were stubborn in not letting him do anything like that.

"No Jivi. It's my mistake. I couldn't give her good upbringing, good morals and values. Couldn't teach her to value family's honor." Chachu said and a lone tear escaped his eyes. I looked at Abhi thinking he would have something to do now but he shook his head in a 'no'.

"Chachu," Abhi said, "I was thinking... Vishwa uncle is your friend. Why don't you talk to him personally? If you both talk to the press together and tell them that this wedding can't take place because of some of our personal reasons, then it'll be easier for both of you."

We three looked at each other and nodded in understanding. Yes he is right.

"Don't worry about anything. I'll call Ranbir along with Vishwa uncle and Neelam Aunty to come to your room. It's right beside the Mandap. Only 20 steps. No one will doubt. And Chachu, Chachi, you can come in that room through the back door ok. Fast."

"Apne hi ghar me choro ki tarah ghoomna padh raha hai. (in my own house, I've to roam around like thieves now.)" He muttered while leaving and rushed outside without another word.

I pray this problem gets solved as soon as possible.

Abhi's POV

I walked with them inside the room where Chachu and chachi were waiting. They saw our tensed faces and Neelam aunty walked to chachi, "Preet Ji is everything alright?" She asked chachi while holding hands but chachi's head was bowed down in shame.

All because of Radhika di.

Chachu explained everything and as expected, Vishwa uncle was furious, Neelam aunty was crying and Ranbir was... shattered. His face looked like it was carved of stone. No creases on forehead, no moment of eyes, nothing. Just his breaths were the proof that he was alive. It is better to be alone than to be played by wrong people. I saw a tear escaping from his eyes but he wiped it before anyone could see.

"Now what Vijay?" Vishwa uncle screeched. "That girl. How can she do this? What about our families? Their respect? And-"

"Say something, Ranbir." Neelam aunty said while crying and shaking Ranbir vigorously but Ranbir didn't move. What could he say?

"No. This is a lie. My Radhs can't do something like that." Was all he said.

"And Why would she run away huh? She was so happy and excited about our wedding?" he blabbered.

"Ranbir Bete," Chachu said weakly, "just like you hadn't expected your fiancé, your love to do all this, similarly, even I hadn't expected my daughter to do all this but she did. This is the truth bete. You have to accept it like all of us." He said apologetically with a heavy heart.

"But what are we going to do now?" Vishwa uncle said pacing here and there holding his head. He couldn't fathom the idea of so much insult to his family, so much loss to his business and such harm to his reputation which he has earned in so many years.

Then Neelam aunty spoke something totally unexpected, "Suniye ji, from a long time, something was running in my mind which I wanted to tell you but couldn't, afraid that I would hurt your ego and Ranbir's sentiments."

"What do you mean Neelam? Say it clearly." Khurana uncle said impatiently.

"That day when Ishaani showed us the video of Ranbir and Radhika's engagement, what did you say about that girl, Jivika?"

"That if circumstances wouldn't have been such, I would have married her to Ranb-" Vishwa uncle abruptly stopped as he realized what he just said. Neelam aunty gave a victorious smile while I stood there in shock.

What?

Four of the elders looked at each other and from the look on their faces, I could say, they totally agreed.

"What the hell!" Ranbir shouted. "Is this a joke going on here?"

"Ranbir-"

"Mr. Vishwanath Khurana, this is my life and I don't give anybody the right to take stupid decisions and ruin it." He shouted at his father not caring about the surroundings. Chachu didn't say anything because he was well aware of the friction between Ranbir and his dad due to his dad's practical and economic ways. "This is my final decision. I am not getting married to someone I haven't even seen once." Saying this he stormed out from the backdoor.

But uncle was adamant. "Vijay? Please go and ask Jivika. Ranbir WILL do this marriage."

"Wait." I said in shock. "Chachu, Chachi, I know you are our elders and my parents have given you the right to choose the perfect match for Jivika Di but... not this way. Not in such circumstances. Ranbir has never even seen Jivika di. And he would never be able to accept this marriage. My Di will never be happy with this decision, Chachi." I almost begged them to give up on this idea.

"Abhi, we totally understand your worries. But she is our daughter too. We would never make any wrong decisions for her. Ranbir is a very good human being. And one day, he will accept this relationship wholeheartedly and forget Radhika. Jivika will be very happy with him. All we need to do is give them a chance. And more than Ranbir, I trust my Jivi. Even if she is thrown into hell, she can make it home. That's how good she is."

"But that doesn't mean you HAVE to throw her into hell Chachi." I argued.

She held me gently by shoulders, "We have no other way Abhi. Try to understand. Baraat is standing outside. The press from all over the country is here, all the relatives, friends are there. Please Abhi. Don't say no. Moreover if this thing comes out, there will never be good alliances for Jivi too. People will judge her character too on the basis of what Radhika did and look down upon her. Do you want such a dark future for her? Tell me?"

I had no answers. "But Chachi, please... let ME talk to di about this." I requested.

"Ok Abhi." She said with a smile.

I wish di says no. and if not, I wish Ranbir runs away too.

Jivika 's POV

I was dressed as a bride in that heavy bridal lehenga, diamond jewelry and accessories, glittering from head to toe. My heart was in a constant battle with my mind. Should I be doing this? I agreed to do this. But my heart feels so burdened. I feel like I'm snatching my sister's happiness. If I do this marriage today, Ranbir and Radhs will never be able to unite. Chachi said so many things, made me see this situation from every angle and I realized indeed this is necessary, not right, but necessary.

I don't know how and why Ranbir agreed. I don't think he would have been emotionally blackmailed by the parents like I am. Abhi said he resolved not to do this marriage but after 20 minutes came back all by himself saying he was ready. Don't know what happened.

In a few hours, I'm going to be Ranbir's wife but will he ever accept this relationship? Will he ever love me like he loves Radhs? What if he blames me for all this? What if he refuses to accept our relationship? Will I be able to bear that pain? Will I be able to bear being the 'other woman' in his life? Will I be able to bear being so close to him but still not being his?

I didn't realize that I had stopped walking. Chachu and Chachi–my parents held me from either sides and I sighed in relief. It was a reflex. Here, between them, it seemed so right, so protected. Like nothing could go wrong now.

They took me to the aisle and made me sit beside Ranbir. His face was like a stone, blank without emotions, just a hint of anger which I could guess from the way he fisted and rubbed his hands again and again.

The Panditji started reciting the mantras (holy verses) and I just closed my eyes and sat there. If this is destined to happen, no one can stop it and if it's not, no one can make it happen. This was my destiny and no one can change it.

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