The Prince's Bride

The crisp morning sun was rising and spreading its warmth. A handsome man in his jogging attire was running and enjoying the morning sun. Sweat was dripping on his chiseled sharp jawline. His charcoal hair was messy and sticky due to sweat. He wept his face with the towel.

He opened the black gate of a mansion. The immaculately and neatly trimmed mansion garden welcomed him. Huge trees surrounded the outer wall, blocking the view from outside. Seasonal flowers gave beautiful colors to the garden. Birds were chirping. Colorful butterflies were flying. There was a beautiful fountain in the middle of the garden, with a lady carrying a pot, from which water was flowing.

The view in front of him curved his lips in a huge smile. His parents with his two-year-old daughter in his mother's lap were sitting on the garden chair and having their morning tea. the garden chair and having their morning tea. He jogged to them.

"Good Morning mom and dad." He moved to his daughter who was wiggling in her grandmother's lap to attract her father's attention. She was nibbling the cookie.

"Good morning princess. I will shower and then play with you." He pecked her forehead and moved inside the mansion.

"Da...da... " She started crying. Her cheeks were red. Rani sa gave her a pacifier and distracted her attention from her father by showing her birds and butterflies that were just flying around.

"Kavya, look at those butterflies." She walked to the rare black rose on which a colorful butterfly was sitting. Princess Kavya tried to grab the butterfly.

In the meantime, Prince Jai Singh showered. His chestnut hair was neatly combed. Droplets were dripping from his hair. He wore his black yoga pants and white polo t-shirt. After getting ready, he went down to meet his daughter and have breakfast. He was famished.

" Good Morning buddy." He turned to the source of the voice and he was startled to find his best friend- cum -manager Arjun sitting on the eight-seater antique wooden dining table with a glass top. The table was filled with delicacies. His stomach grumbled at the sight of the food in front. His daughter giggled at the sight of his father. She lifted her hand and squealed to attract her father's attention.

"My princess." He picked his daughter. She hugged him and then peppered his face with wet kisses. He started tickling her.

"Da...da no." She spoke in between her laughs. He sat and made her sit on his lap. He started eating his food in between feeding his daughter.

"I will not be coming to the office today," Jai told Arjun while eating his food.

" Let me finish this yummy food first, then we can talk. Ma, today you have cooked. The food is so delicious. My stomach is full, still, I'm craving for more." Arjun wiped his face and picked up his coffee.

"You are such a foodie." Jai had an amused expression on his face. " We all eat to live but your life is food." He chuckled and gave Kavya a slice of Apple to nibble.

" Don't make fun of me. I love food and that is it." He took a sip of his coffee.

"Will you both stop your childlike behavior? You both are bantering like a five-year-old. " Raja sa spoke in a rather strict manner. Both the men were baffled by the tone of the elder man.

" Arjun, your guess is right. Today's breakfast was cooked by me. I don't know how you always recognize my cooking." Rani Gayatri Devi was amazed by this fact. They all chatted for some more time.

Kavya was getting cranky as she was feeling sleepy. Jai cradled his daughter in his arms and in no time she slept. Prince took her to her room. It was an average size room having a circular bed covered with a net canopy and curtains on the four corners. It had a dollhouse in a corner. There was a cot and a barbie print chair. The matching table and chair were kept on one side. A wall unit with a dresser occupied one wall of the room. The whole room was decorated in hues of pink. Even the sheer curtains were in the contrasting shade of pink. He laid Kavya on the cot and secured her. He positioned the baby monitor and then went out.

"Arjun, I am coming for the meeting." He tossed the phone on his bedside table and went inside his walk-in closet. His things were neatly arranged. Formal on one side and informal on the other side. He took out a navy blue suit with a white crisp shirt and a matching striped tie.

After getting dressed he went in search of his mother to inform her about his departure to the office. He knocked on his parent's room. His mother opened the door and shifted to the side for him to enter.

" Ma, I'm going to the office. Kavya is sleeping in her room. I have fixed the baby monitor. I will be back in the evening." Jai stood up to go when his father Yash came.

" I'm coming with you. My presence is required in this meeting." Yash gestured to his wife to give him the file and his office bag. Father and son duo walked out.

The driver opened the door. Jaivardhan opened his laptop to review the important aspects of the deal. He was engrossed in his work that he didn't realize that they had reached it.

They went directly to his office where Arjun was waiting for them. They joined him.

"Jaivardhan, the associate from The Royal Orchid will arrive in a little while. Have you read the contract papers? Arjun inquired to which Jai nodded.

The office phone buzzed announcing the arrival of their business associates. They went to the boardroom. The meeting started. The marketing head gave his presentation. Everyone in the room was enticed by the presentation. They were happy and the deal was latched with the signature of both parties.

" This needs a celebration," Arjun announced in a chirpy tone. They walked to Jaivardhan's office.

"Of course, this indeed needs celebration." He walked to the window and unrolled the blinds to let in the evening sunlight. His dad sat on the receiving chair opposite his son's chair. Arjun stood at the side of the table.

The office was decorated in contrasting colors of blue and gray. It was giving a warm and cozy feeling.

" Celebration would take place this Saturday after the arrival of Rahul and Rashi. I have a surprise for you, Jai ." Yash had a mysterious glint in his eyes and winked. His son was amazed by his father's act. They got up to leave as Jai was missing his daughter and also his employees had already left for the day.

Anaira pov

The room was filled with the buzz of a mobile. A girl freaked out hearing the mobile.

" I should get ready fast and finish my work else aunty won't let me go to Anjana's wedding. " Hurriedly I moved to the washroom and took a shower. I took out my clothes and got ready in red leggings and a red and white Kurti. Not having any other option, I left my wet hair open. Neither do I have the time nor do I have the luxury of possessing a hair dryer.

I was running towards the kitchen when I bumped into someone.

"My highness, you are awake. I thought today you will not wake up but alas! God does not hear me." The lady was still in her nightclothes. She hit her forehead with her hands. Her hair was like a bird's nest. She was in her late fifties.

"Sorry, aunty. I am going to the kitchen." I walked away hurriedly avoiding any type of bickering with my aunt and thus spoiling my morning. The kitchen was a mess and I cringed.

"Oh no, how can I forget that Meena aunty won't come this week."

I hit my head with my hands for skipping such an important piece of information. I started by cleaning up the kitchen and then made aloo curry and puri accompanied by semolina halwa and cutlets.

"Anaira, how much time will you take? I'm famished."

Aunt barged into the kitchen looking angry. The sweet aroma filled the kitchen.

"What are you waiting for? Should I send you an invitation for laying the food on the table?"

She stomped her foot and went out of the kitchen.

"What a Drama queen she is?"

Seeing her going out I released my breath which I was holding unknowingly. Not wanting another round of drama I quickly picked up the dishes and arranged the table. I served everyone and stood in one corner. My twin sisters and uncle pleaded with their eyes to join them but out of the fear of lashing out at my aunt, I stood aloof. She dislikes it when I sit with them at the table. I started clearing the table and filled myself with the leftovers and went to my sweet abode.

Although the mansion was quite big there was no place for me inside the house. My abode was a small room in the outhouse. It was a small room that had a small bed on one side and a small cupboard on the other side. On one corner was a small table on which there was a statue of Lord Krishna and pictures of some other gods. It was like a small temple.

I kept on staring at Krishna's statue with the question in my mind, when will my days change? All of a sudden the doors of the room opened and my dear sisters barged in.

"Here take this."

Leena forwarded a bag to me. On opening it, I found there was a dress in it. I was looking at her questioningly.

"I know you don't have anything appropriate to wear. Do you want to go to the wedding in these clothes?" Leena sat beside me and took out the dress. It was a white and red lehenga. The top was white and the lower was red and white. The lower part was embroidered with golden work. The dupatta was red. There was a border of gold color and dots of golden color all over it. The white blouse had strings to tie and there were golden tassels at the end.

" It is so pretty. Are you sure that I should wear it? I mean won't aunty be angry, if I wear your dress."

I was hesitant as I didn't want any sort of happenstances to take place that would force my aunt to stop me from going. I consider the twins as my sisters, my friends. I can do anything for them. On the other hand, if my aunt somehow finds that I am wearing Leela's dress then she will lash her anger at me.

"Don't worry, ma doesn't know about it. We will leave at six PM. Be ready on time ."

Leena leaves the room to get ready. The twins wore their lehenga. They were wearing heavy jewelry. Both of them were looking pretty with minimal makeup and beautiful curls dangling from the side of their forehead enhancing their beauty.

" Ma, we are going. Anaira is accompanying us. We will be back by the morning."

Sheena explained everything to her mother. Upon knowing that I was going with them and she would have to do the chores, she felt disgusted.

"Why are you taking her with you? She is unlucky."

Aunty asked in a high-pitched voice.

"Why do you always treat her like that ma? She is such a nice girl."

Leena put her head on her mother's shoulder and wrapped her hands around her shoulder.

Their moment was broken when I entered the room. Seeing them like that tears brimmed in my eyes. I longed for this love from their mother but I am disappointed. In moments like this, I miss my mother very much. Why did she have to leave me at such an early age? They turned towards the sound of footsteps.

"I'm allowing you to go with them. Take care of my daughters."

Aunt had a smirked smile. She made an unpleasant face and walked from there.

"All men in the marriage would faint today."

Sheena walked near me and took me in her embrace. I felt my heart bloom with happiness.

"Am I looking so bad?" I started looking at my dress and tried smoothing it.

"No, dear you are looking so pretty that no man would be able to resist you."

Sheena laughed at my innocent question. She kept her hand on both of my shoulders. I wore the lehenga that Leena had earlier given me and paired it with silver danglers. Since I was not a makeup person I applied minimal makeup, just a red matte lip color, and kohl. My big doe eyes are accentuated with the application of kohl. The three of us moved out. After bidding goodbye to their parents, we drove off.

Leena was driving the car when all of a sudden an approaching car's lights blinded her. To avoid a collision, she turned the steering wheel. The car was out of control. Leena was trying her best to control the car but was feeling helpless.

The car turned to the muddy road. The car was moving at a high speed. Leena applied brakes with full force but the car didn't stop. Boom the car collided with the tree and came to halt. The impact with which the car collided was not too much hence we all were not injured much. All of a sudden, we saw a figure knocking on Leena's window. Expecting the worst we locked the car inside and caught each other's hand. I started searching for my mobile.

Third-person pov

They were scared to open the car for the stranger but they also needed medical care. After a few minutes, they heard the siren of the approaching police van. Seeing the accident a few people gathered, which encouraged the girls to open the door and come out. The stranger helped them by giving first-aid treatment. He had the medical kit in his BMW. On getting down the girls realize the presence of the sleek black BMW.

The cops came forward to help them. In the beginning, they were reluctant but discovered that there were female cops too, hence they took help from the police. Their car was towed as it was not in a condition to be driven. The cops dropped the girls at the wedding venue.

"Thank you so much sir for helping us. You were like a blessing in disguise." Leena came forward and thanked all of them for helping.

"No need to thank us. It is part of our duty. Get your car repaired in the morning and next time better be careful while driving. Better safe than sorry." The inspector on duty curtly replied.

The girls left the inspector after bidding them goodbye and promising to drive safely.

They entered the venue and were awestruck by the beauty of the place. Fairy lights lit the path which was adorned with different flowers. White flower strings were hanging down. At the entrance, there was a beautiful statue of Lord Ganesha with an earthen pot and a dietitian in front of the statue. A flower rangoli was made on the floor below the idol. The inside was decorated with marigold strings and fairy lights were adorned everywhere.

Anaira pov

After inquiring about the whereabouts of the bride we ran to meet our friend. We knocked on the door and entered.

" What happened? Why are there bandages and blood.? Are you all alright?" Anjana, our friend, the bride, ran to us. Worry was laced on her face. Seeing her like that I shook my head and went forward and hugged her.

" Hey, where are you running? You are the bride here, behave like one. Raj would think of you as a lesbian if you behave like this with us. " A roar of laughter filled the room.

We girls rushed to the washroom to give a touch-up to our faces. We cleaned the blood from our hands. After straightening our clothes and making ourselves presentable, we joined our friend.

"You are looking so pretty. Raj will not be able to take his eyes from you." Leena spoke appreciating her friend.

" I bet he will run away with the bride. " Sheena joined her sister in teasing her friend.

" Come on, girls. The Barat (groom's procession) has arrived. Be ready Anjana. " Her mother spoke. Soon her eyes fell on the girls.

"Oh my God, what has happened to you all. ? Do you need medical help? Should I call her father to check you all?" She kept on blabbering.

I came forward and hugged her. "Aunty, we are absolutely fine. No need to bother uncle. Spend some time with Anjana." The older lady patted her head. "Are you sure?" I nodded at her.

Looking at her beautiful daughter all decked up as a bride, her eyes filled with happy tears. She took some kohl from her eyes and applied it to the back of her ear.

" God save you from evil eyes. My daughter is the prettiest bride. Today you are going to start a new journey. My blessing is with you. I know my daughter will be successful in her new life. At any point in life, if you feel the need for a shoulder, I am always there. Be courteous but stand up against mistreatment. God bless you. We are always there for you. This home is always yours." Her voice was hoarse. Tears formed in her eyes. Hiding her emotions she quickly hugged her daughter and went away.

Raj Pov

"The procession has reached the bride's place. Everyone is busy dancing. They are not thinking of my ordeal. I'm feeling agitated seeing the delay. Here I'm waiting to have a glimpse of my bride and they are busy dancing."

Suddenly Raj's father asked them to stop as it was getting late. The auspicious time for the wedding rituals was nearing.

" Dad, I love you. Only you understand my ordeal. Love you, dad." My grin grew wider in the anticipation of meeting my bride. Her parents welcomed me. Some rituals took place. I was getting impatient. Her brother came forward and accompanied me to the podium where the ritual of var mala, (exchanging of the garlands) would take place. My patience is now abandoning me.

My heart skipped a beat on seeing the view. The person for whom I was impatiently waiting was in front of me. My wife is all decked up in a beautiful wine color lehenga. Her dupatta(shawl) was draped on her head. She was looking like a goddess decked up in traditional jewelry. She was looking beautiful. I forgot to blink my eyes. My heart was beating drastically as if it would rip off my body. With slow and steady steps she came near me.

"Your alluring beauty is driving me crazy," I whispered only to her ears. A beautiful blush crept on her face which increased her beauty. She was looking like a ripe strawberry and I felt like ravishing her then and there. A hand in front of my face brought me back to my senses.

" Back to earth bhai." My brother was swaying his hand in front of my face. I scratched the back of my head. We were given the garlands which we exchanged. The rituals started. Her friends were teasing her. She was blushing and I was trying to control myself. Marriage was completed and we were asked to seek testing from the elders.

Author's Pov

The marriage was executed and everyone got up for bidaai when Sheena's eyes fell on a familiar silhouette. She was surprised to see the stranger. She moves in his direction to confirm.

Miss accident pov

I thought of clearing my doubt and hence tapped the shoulder of the person who turned and faced her. He was surprised to see her.

"Hello Miss accident. We met again accidentally." He grinned at his statement.

" Hello, Mr. Stranger. You are right, we met again accidentally. Had I known that you were coming here, I would have joined you." I chuckled

" What a joke! You all were not even trusting the cops and you would have joined me ." He started laughing hysterically.

Before I could reply to him and exchange pleasantries, aunty called me as Anjana was asking for me. We hugged each other and tears escaped from my eyes thinking that now my bestie is married and would live with her in-laws. I looked at others and even their eyes welled up.

In the morning, uncle sent our car to the garage for repairs and dropped us at home.

We were very tired and hence went to our respective rooms. But mom being mom, called Anaira and allotted all the household chores to her and went away. I felt bad for her and tried to help her but she was adamant about doing everything on her own. She sent me away.