Wedding night

The most awaited day came, wedding day. Everyone is excited around except one person, Piyali. Her friends started getting nervous by looking at her calm, emotionless face. Today must be a busy day for her. A lot of pre-marriage rituals to be followed. The makeup artist, the photographers all are ready to give their best.

Bride and groom's rituals are different. So Risabh never able to Piyali then. The day is busy for him too. The wedding night came. The time to face each other, exchange flower garland following some other rituals, and most important 'saat-phere' means 'taking seven rounds' which signifies seven vows in marriage.

Risabh is looking more handsome and charming in his designer suit. When the time arrives, the priest called for the bride to join, as per custom Piyali came with her cousins and friends to the marriage stage. Her parents are waiting at the stage for her. Her parent's eyes moisten when they saw their little daughter coming slowly towards the stage and looking like a princess no actually like a queen.

She wore a designer red lehenga full of heavy golden work, her cousin and friends are helping her handle this heavy lehenga. As per the custom, the groom can't see the bride till she comes to the stage. So when that time comes and the small sheen layer of curtain removed to face each other, they are both stunned. But recovered in a while.

Risabh admitted in his mind that his bride is a show-stopper. She has light makeup on her face so she looks a little mature today without hiding her innocence.

"No doubt she looks stunning but control for some time, my son. She is all yours after tonight." Rekha teased her son. Everyone laughed on stage.

Risabh smiled softly. Only in a night, he understood his heart. She'd not given any chance to explain and the whole night and day he was restless and feeling weird. He doesn't want to see the indifference in her clear affectionate eyes. It made him hurt somewhere in his heart. Piyali also smiled in return.

'Ah, this smile is going to kill me sooner or later.'

In Risabh's Bedroom:

After marriage, Piyali and Risabh along with Risabh's family returned to their bungalow. Piyali is waiting for him in Risabh's bedroom. This is a most awaited night for a girl after marriage. After some time the door opened from outside and Risabh came, He looked dashing. Her heart is beating faster and faster. But she has to control herself and communicate what's in her mind.

Risabh's eyes are glued to her. 'She is breathtaking.'

But he wants to clarify before their big night.

"You look beautiful" He compliments her.

She smiled "You look dashing too."

Then they both giggled and fall silent.

"Piyali, I know you heard everything. But let me explain to you."

After taking a deep breath he again started.

"It was all my past. In the last three years, I had never met her. Everything had already passed."

'what?' 'met with whom?' 'no-no, I don't want to listen more, I can't bear' Piyali got shaken in her mind.

"Risabh, please stop." She turned around and closed her eyes trying to control her overwhelming emotions.

"I can understand what do you want to explain. I'll make it clear for you."

"When I decided to marry you after all I heard there is a reason. I know, it's no easy to love anyone. I'm not expecting either. From the first meeting, I concluded you must be a career-focused person and I respect that. But I expect equal respect from you for my career and passion."

Risabh was shocked by her reasoning. But She didn't give him any chance and spoke again.

"We are married now. Though we don't love each other still we have to manage this marriage. And I swear I'll not disturb your privacy and cope with your lifestyle. Same thing I'm expecting from you."

By saying this she turned around and faced Risabh.

"And I'll not torture you by reminding your past." She chuckled by saying this. "Don't Worry We'll not behave like a conventional married couple. But we can be a friend as we need each other support to make our parents happy.

Risabh is still in a daze. He has not expected those ironic words from her.

"So, Do you want this from me? But Why should we behave like this? I mean what the 'Friend' thing? We are a married couple why it sounds like we are in a contract marriage?" Risabh is losing his mind.

'What the hell she is thinking of this marriage? I am here to explain everything. Why she is making it difficult for me.' Risabh's mind is telling inwardly.

"It's not me, you want this 'show off' game and I'm playing along with you." Piyali smiled bitterly then snapped, "Yes I heard everything, every detail of your conversation. It's rude to eavesdropping but I'm happy that I did. So, no expectation and no loss." "You be relieved."

She passed by him and directly went to the washroom.

Risabh couldn't think of properly, he reluctantly agreed with her in his heart.

In the washroom, the tears fell from Piyali's eyes. She really tried hard not to control by her heart still couldn't control this feeling. Under the shower, she cried for a long and tried to wash all her emotions. Then she came out wearing a casual night suit. Risabh is seating on a couch and thinking of something.

"I'll sleep here on the couch, you can take the bed," Piyali said slowly.

Risabh came from his thought and looked at her. On a lonely night, he is with his just married wife in his bedroom. Moreover that her casual night suit, half-dried silky straight hair, her extremely fair hands designed with henna, and this-this luscious lips, everything making the situation difficult for him. She had already put her conditions on their wedding night.

"Ah" Risabh growls in frustration.

"What" Piyali came over to him worriedly. "What happened?"

"Nothing, it's nothing. We are married so it's not a big thing to share a bed. It's not for a one or two-day thing. So we can share and don't worry I'll never cross the line without your consent." Risabh tried to sound rational. But he knew in his heart this night is going to be his longest night.