Chapter Four: he is possessed by the spirit!

"Father I am not ready. I am not. Please father cancel this alliance. I am not ready for marriage. Please, dad." Nividita begged her father. But Mr. Anihrud, "my dear I didn't want to go against your will. But we are now growing old. We can't protect you. But Vyom can keep you safe. My dear, you have to get married to Vyom. Please, my dear, this is a father's beg. It is for your safety." Her father begged her. She couldn't refuse that. The news declared it would be a solar eclipse after 5 days. This made everyone stunned. They have to hurry. In five days five rituals. Engagement, Turmeric, groom acceptance, Henna, and the wedding. The rituals had been started taking place.

1st day, engagement. It was conducted in the bride's house. Vyom, the groom, and all his family had arrived at Nividita's place just on time. Vyom Pratap Agnivirya, Mr. Pratap Agnivirya, Mrs. Paveen Pratap Agnivirya, Mr. Vidyut Agnivirya, Mrs. Avni Vidyut Agnivirya, Mrs. Arti Yash Agnivirya and her son, Ishaan Yash Agnivirya. The Agniviryas were 3 boys. Pratap, the eldest one, Yash the second one, and the last son, Vidyut. They had married Praveen, Arti, and Avini respectively. But unfortunately, Yash had passed away 5 years ago in a car accident. And Arti became widowed with her 23 years old son, Ishaan. Since the death of her husband, Arti had been feeling insecure about being separated from the rest of the family because of her husband's death. Especially on the issues like property and inheritance.

And Arti who had secret feelings for her brother-in-law had got a chance to confess her feelings for Pratap. He didn't accept this proposal of Arti. But she never failed to be seen as an important person in other's eyes. Especially in Pratap's eyes, she was always in a try to prove herself better than Praveen. But for Pratap her all tries were insanity! He was loyal to his wife.

This family was quite mysterious. Vidyut also had his motives. Even though he was married to a beautiful girl, Avni, and had got a daughter Payal, he couldn't control himself whenever he saw gorgeous girls. Likewise, he couldn't control himself when he saw the beautiful girl, Nividita. He wished her to be his wife. He hated his wife and the mother of his daughter. Wanted to be with that middle-class pretty girl. He dreamed the engagement to be his.

And Parveen was also there with that fake smile of hers. Though the reason for her hatred for Nividita is still hidden, she despised her so much. Even she was the wife of the head of the family, she had no right to her son's wedding. Just pretending! Her life was full of pretense.

The Basus accept their future in-laws with a lot of love. Nividita hadn't finished dressing yet. She was putting on her earrings. She was gorgeous that day. How would she be at her wedding if she is beautiful like this today! But that spirit spoiled her entire mood. The lights started blinking, that cold wind came, she started shivering, through her dressing mirror, she saw a wried face. He looked humane but his eyes were entirely black. He wore normal clothes, but it was all black. His face was white like a floor. The heights around 6.5 fit. What would she possibly do when she saw this scary creature rather than running. On her way running, she bummed with her husband-to-be. She hugged him tightly because she was scared of what she saw in her room a while ago. But guests and their families considered it as Nivi missed Vyom. And they imagined how much they love each other. Even though Nividita was scared of what she saw earlier, the engagement ceremony was completed without any problem. Nividita didn't sleep the whole night thinking about what she saw. She tried to call Vyom since she was very scared at the same time she didn't make her parents worried. But Vyom was in deep sleep dreaming about his wedding and marriage with his love Nivi in this big mansion.

Poor Nivi! She hadn't even one person who shares her worries. Her fiancé isn't answering his call. She texted, "Vyom, I am worried. This spirit is following me. I tried to tell you. But you were excited about the engagement. I didn't want to ruin your mood. But before our engagement, I saw that spirit. With my own eyes. Please… I don't know what to do. I know I trust you, right? I will do whatever you say. Please tell me. I can't sleep. Please answer my calls and messages."

The morning had come. Nividita's eyes weren't closed even for once. The 2nd day and the 2nd ritual. Turmeric. (Haldi) the groom's family arrived on time. That mysterious family. After Nividita's parents and her in-laws applied the turmeric before Vyom (in his presence) he told them that he wanted to talk to Nividita in person and took her to her room. And shouted at her.

"What is it? What did you text last night? Are you insane? Are you out of your mind? The doctor told you not to stress yourself, didn't he? I told you it is all your imagination. You created unnecessary drama at the engagement ceremony last night. And you make yourself busy with this even today? Nivi, there is nothing like that, ok? Stop it already!" He went to the windows and tried to put himself together!

Nividita felt guilty and went to him. She put her hand on his shoulder "I am sorry. I didn't mean to irritate you, vyom. Sorry. …Vyom? Are you listening to what am saying? Vyom?…"

He turned his face to her. He unusually saw her. In a scary way. She got scared. "Vyom, what's wrong? Are you feeling ok? Why do you give me that look? Please stop it. It scares me." He threw her on the bed under high pressure. "Vyom? What are you doing? I will shout! Leave me!" He suffocated her. He caught her mouth and tried to rape her. During the confrontation, he tore her sari. Mrs. Mohini came to check on her daughter. This time Nivi got a chance and throw him away from herself. And opened the door. She wore her sari like an old woman to hide the torn dress.

Mrs. Mohini, "my dear, I think I heard a sound from your room." Nividita tried her best to smile and said "here? No, mom. You must be mistaken. I and Vyom were having fun." Mohini smiled and said, "oh! Love is blooming between my daughter and son-in-law. How sweet!" Nivi remembered her situation and smiled. Her smile wasn't sweet as before. But bitterness was seen on her face. Vyom went out. "What happened? Mother-in-law? Nivi what did I do?" She saw him in his eyes. There was a pain in her eyes. "Nothing. You did nothing. Look Vyom the Turmeric ceremony is over now. So you shall go home." Mohini was puzzled by her daughter's reaction "my dear, is there any problem? And why do you wear your sari like this? You are young. Just leave your sari. Wear it like the youth." Mohini tried to correct her daughter's dressing style. But Nivi "no." Her mom was shocked. "I mean, I am getting married. So I should practice some things from here. Don't you think Vyom?"

She cried a lot. He once promises her that he won't force her for anything. But now, even before marriage, she forced her to do the impossible. "What is it? What have you done? Let me believe that I make you wait for this relationship? Did I make you annoyed by distancing myself from you? Or … or are you showing your true colors? How my life be after marrying you? You promised me not to force me into this relationship. And you will wait for me until I fully accept you… but this? What was that Vyom Agnivirya? What was that?"

The 3rd day was for Groom's acceptance ceremony. It was held at the groom's house and the tradition excluded Nivi. So she spent the whole day alone in the house. Surprisingly that scary creature that terrified her didn't come that day. But technically it was there. He was beside her. But he was invisible to her. The spirit seemed also sad. Sadness was there in his face. But why? Nividita made her mind so busy thinking about yesterday's incident. She never expected him this much cheaper. "How could you stoop so low like this, Mr. Vyom Pratap Agnivirya? How could you?"

Her parents were very excited about this alliance. She decided not to ruin their happiness. "I will deal with this on my own. I don't get involved with my family. This matter is between me and Vyom. And tomorrow she will explain every detail. That spirit was all around Nividita. He walked behind when walked. He sat beside her. Why did that spirit wander around her? What were his real motives?

The fourth day. Mendi (henna). On this day the bride will get drawn her hand and decorated by Henna. And most importantly, her husband's name will be written on her hand. The Agniviryas came with henna as a gift. Arti was so cunning. She started chatting with Mohini immediately. Pratap saw Vidyut seeing his daughter-in-law. So Mr. Pratap went to Nividita. Nividita was being drawn the henna on her hand.

Anihrud neared to his wife, Mohini, and said "look Mohini! Just look house they are treating our daughter. There is one wish in my life that I want to fulfill. That is, getting a nice husband and good-hearted in-laws for my only daughter Nivi."

Mohini continued "then your wishes have already come true. Nivi has got Vyom. Such a nice lover and a good son-in-law. And such a caring family who consider our daughter like theirs. We are blessed Anihrud. We are."

Mr. Pratap went to Nividita and sat beside her. "How is going dear?" He asked Nivi. There was genuine father's love in his voice. "It's all good, uncle" "here eat these sweets. Don't worry I will feed my daughter-in-law by myself!" But Nivi refused "uncle… no … please" Mr. Pratap "No Nivi. You have to stop two things. First, your hand is full of henna drawing so you can't it. But you have to. Because tomorrow is your wedding. And on your wedding day, I don't want to see my daughter-in-law be weak. Let me tell you a secret, I love you more than Vyom." She smiled. "Don't tell him he will get jealous" Nivi forgot everything and started laughing again at her father-in-law's jokes.

"And the second one is, stop calling me uncle. You can call Vidyut like that. But after today on, you can call me dad. Because Vyom calls me like that. Ok and Praveen, call her mom. Vyom will be happy to hear that. He loves her so much. You and his mother, are his world. So we have a deal?" He asked with a smile. "Yes, dad!" She answered.

Arti went to Praveen and said "look at her! Just look! This middle-class girl is taking all that you have. Look, first, she took your son away from you. He loves her a lot. He will do whatever she asked to make her happy. And today, see, your husband is also being attracted to her" Praveen got extremely furious. "Arti? What's wrong with you? Stay within your limits. How do you think my husband? She is just a poor and ordinary girl. She is getting into our family only because of Vyom." Arti smiled and said to Paveen "why are you shouting at me. See the reality. Don't ignore this girl. Because she is very cunning and dangerous. Yesterday she took your son by this innocent smile of hers and by the name poor. Today she is taking your husband, by acting as a good daughter-in-law. Tomorrow…. Who knows what will she snatch from you? Maybe your life… or property?" Parveen started worrying. Arti's words were effective. "Arti please, stop it already!"

"Dad, where is Vyom? I want to talk to him." Mr. Pratap smiled, "what are you talking about? Vyom spent the night with you and your parents, didn't he?" Nividita got puzzled "dad, he didn't come here last night. The last time I saw him was yesterday on the functional." This made everyone shocked the Agniviryas and the Basus went out to find Vyom. The groom is missing on the eve of his wedding! Strange!

Everyone was searching for Vyom. But no one knows his whereabouts. "Vyom…. Vyom…. Vyom my son…. Vyom my dear…. Vyom" everyone is shouting. But no one did find him. Nivi went to the terrace. She saw Vyom trying to jump from the terrace. "Vyom" she shouted everyone saw the terrace. They were shocked. "Vyom please, don't do it. Ok, I forgave you. Everything that happened yesterday I forgave you. You don't have to do it. Please calm down. Please for my sake. Come down." She managed to save him but then he suffocated her. People downstairs shouted and run to save her. "Vyom leave her alone. Vyom what are you doing? What is the matter with you?" Everyone shouted at Vyom. He finally got into his senses and released her.

After putting herself together, she spoke up. "Vyom, you are possessed. You are possessed by the spirit. The spirit that follows me, wants to kill you. These three days. You were not yourself." This time Paveen got a chance to scold her. "What are you talking about? Do you hear it for yourself?" But Nividita made them understand. "Yes, mom. He is possessed. On the day of turmeric function, Vyom, you tried to rape me." Everyone including Vyom got stunned. "What? Me? Did I tried…?" Nividita hugged him. "No Vyom you weren't. But the spirit did that. I know you don't do anything that hurts me. I didn't realize it. But today when you tried to kill me, I understand you weren't doing those awful things."

Even that day passed. The Basus were sitting around the table, thinking about today's incident. "When you got consciousness after two years, we thought every problem in our life got solved. But no." Said Mrs. Mohini. Nividita accused herself of this. "Mom please, don't say that. After I and Vyom got married this will end. As the priestess said, after the solar eclipse, the evil spirit that is behind me will vanish. Then we will be happy again. This tale will end soon, mom." Aditia "I hope so, sister. Once you and Vyom got married, no evil spirit will come between you two." Anihrud suddenly stood up and "I know why all this keeps happening to us." Mohini also stood up "and why is that?" "We moved to a new house but we forgot to bring the family idol. That's why a spirit is wandering around us. I will go and get it now." Said, Mr. Anihrud Basu

Nividita tried to stop him. "Dad what are you doing? Tomorrow is my wedding day. How do you go on then?" He smiled "my sweet daughter, how would I miss your wedding day. I promise you. I will come on time. I will surely attend my daughter's wedding ceremony." He hugged her. He said goodbye to all his family and went to Pune.