Some changes were made to this chapter and you may find some new characters....

I suggest you to read it again

Edited and published on 14-11-2018

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Meghna

"So your answer is no then?"

"Then what is it Kishore, how can you do this to me?" I asked fisting my palms.

"Baby, I thought he forgot about this but what can I do if he called me after all these years. He said he searched everywhere for me and that at last he got my information"

"Say No to them!" I spoke taking a seat again.

"Is it a game or what? It's ridiculous grandpa... Let go off that promise, who'll do this for the promise they made years ago... It's 2017 not 90s!" I rattled.

"No dear... He can't, it'll effect his pride and also he can't break the promise which he made. You're literally breaking their friendship by saying no and their relationship wouldn't have value if we do this!" Radha said giving me a sad, warning look.

I looked at my mom who's watching us "What do you say?" I asked her.

"I heard a lot about Malhotras... He's Kishore's friend and I'm sure they must be good people.. So why don't you say yes!"

I closed my eyes pressing my fingers to temple expecting to ease my headache.... "I'm still 23 for God's sake .... Don't you think its too early for marriage?" I didn't open my eyes because I'm sure I'll broke down.

Marriage means taking responsibility and I'm not ready for this... I didn't even enjoyed my freedom, bachelor days.... What will happen to my life after this marriage?

"Baby, I got married at 21 itself.. I know you're scared of this sudden thing but I'm sure you'll get used to it... You're a grown up woman, you're not still our little girl!" Mom spoke hugging me and caressing my hair.

"Let me think.. Bye for now, I'm leaving " I grabbed my keys, handbag and walked out of the house with mom following me closely behind.

Malhotras.... The ones who owned the company in which I'm working? These people are not the ones I think right?

Meghu... The world is big! And I'm sure they're not the ones you're thinking.....

"You'll be staying with us right?" Mom asked getting my attention. I glanced at her before drifting my eyes back to roads.

"Yeah. I'll leave tomorrow" she nodded and we fell into silence after that.

As soon as she got out of the car she rushed inside and yelled "Our daughter is getting married!"

"Mom!" I yelled at her outburst. I saw Mr philips and Ghaffar giving us strange looks.

"What? Really?" Joseph asked coming towards us.

"No! I didn't say yes yet" I denied

"But you'll have to say yes eventually" Mom spoke sitting beside her husband.

I slumped across them and Joseph joined me placing a comfort arm on my shoulder "Have you seen him?" he whispered.

I shook my head "Kishore wants me to marry his friends grandson because of their silly promise. Isn't it ridiculous?" I spoke rubbing my right eyebrow.

I noticed our parents exchanging looks and Mr philip asked Ghaffar to leave. He left the house not before throwing me a look "You don't want to get marry?" Mr Philip asked me.

"No!" I answered leaning my head on Joseph's shoulder.

"Problem solved. Say 'no' to them. It's simple" he said looking at mom while caressing my hair.

"It's not as simple as you say Joseph. Kishore doesn't listen to anyone - he wants to send Meghna to their home. He told me to convince her" she said looking at us.

"Whatever. I don't want to marry now - end of discussion" I told them and left upstairs to my room.

The next day Kishore called me and tried to convince me a lot but I stood to my ground saying I don't want this marriage. I'm not yet ready for this, hell I don't even know if ever I'll be ready for this huge step in future.

The thought of marriage scares me to core. Why don't they understand it? I just wanted to live my life happily without a care in world - if I'm married, will I get to do anything of my wish?

"Still thinking about your marriage?" I heard someone sitting beside me on bench.

I glanced to my right and saw Ghaffar looking ahead to the sun which is now setting down "Yeah..." I replied looking away from him.

"Just say no to them. Why are you still thinking about it if you don't want to marry?"

"I couldn't say No to my grandparents. I love them..."

"Do one thing. Just leave them - I mean go and live the life you wanted to. And then come back here only after you're ready for this thing"

My eyes snapped at him in shock "No. I don't want to hurt them by doing that"

He shook his head smiling at me amusingly "Oh then what will you do? Agree to this marriage?"

I let out a sigh "I don't know. I'm so scared - I don't even met them"

"Go meet him once and then decide"

"Will it be okay if I meet him before you know....."

"Come on Meghna. You're getting married to him, it's the least request you can ask for before setting your foot in this thing"

I nodded at him "Yeah..."

"I'll go with you, if you want" He told me with a smirk playing on his lips.

"Sure. I'll let you know" I said and left inside bidding him byes.

.........................

A week later...

"Is this saree looking good on me?" mom asked in front of me as she's watching her reflection on mirror which is in my room at grandparents home.

I studied her keenly thinking she's prettier than me no wonder my dad fell for her.. She likes shopping, cosmetics, fashion more than me that's why she's behaving like this without caring me... I frowned deeply and shook my head before speaking "You don't care about me. Do you?"

She whirled and gave me a look of hurt, I know I pushed her buttons but what can I do, they literally forced me to this marriage. My wish to marry someone who I love buried deep down the earth and now I'm here waiting for the day to arrive... My wedding day. It's tomorrow....

Kishore contacted them as I said I wanted to meet him before wedding. I don't know what happened they talked and agreed for this. I went to the cafe with Ghaffar in anticipation to meet him but he never showed up - not even a message or call from his grandparents.

We left to home and I told everything to Kishore and tried to convince him that he doesn't want this marriage that's why he didn't show up. The next words came from him shocked me...

"He said he's busy that's why he didn't show up and they wanted you guys to marry next week. So get ready dear"

"Baby, we're doing this for your best. You'll have Happy life with Malhotras.. Don't worry. Okay!" she assured me taking a seat beside me on bed.

"It's big thing for me mom... How can I handle things, I don't even know how to cook for myself. How can I live there alone... I'm just.. Scared

What happens to my work? Would I continue with my job? Will he snatch my dreams? Firstly, is he good enough for me? Will he care about me like you guys? Will he love me?" tears started flowing down my cheeks and I wiped them.

"Everything will be fine darling. Stop worrying..." mom hugged me and soon Radha joined us explaining how to behave with them and all.... I rolled my eyes scoffing at how she's still treating me like a kid.

The wedding is at registrar office as Malhotras didn't want press to know about it, I wonder why? May be they have some problems.... Kishore took care of all the things and he want no one to be invited just my best friend and her family... We've no close relatives. Joseph left to match last week and Mr philips is out of station - they doesn't know anything about this...

Joseph will flip once he come to know about my wedding. He'll definitely stop talking to me....

Mom placed my outfit for tomorrow and bidding byes they left my room. I switched off bedside lamp and stared at the ceiling... These are the last few hours left for my freedom and bachelor life, I would be in someone's home by this time tomorrow.. Away from my family... I wish that I wouldn't regret my decision saying yes to this marriage..I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

.........................

The next morning I was draped in a green and pink combo saree. It's beautiful yet heavy for me to carry but I didn't complain and did my make up wishing if only I convinced kishore to invite Ritu she'd be here with me doing my make up.

Yes, Kishore ordered me to say nothing about the groom or wedding to anyone so I told what he ordered me to do. I'll tell once the time comes.... I finished and looked at my reflection and satisfied grin crawled on to my face. Mom and Radha came guiding me to ganesh idols which is placed at the entrance and I prayed to god....

Mom took my bag with necessities and we got into car to office... I can feel sweat forming on my forehead even though there's an AC inside I guess its because I'm nervous. By the time we reached my heart rate increased and my palms were cold with sweat and I wiped with hanky...

We entered inside and all the way I kept my head down so that I don't panic when I saw people around us.... I think its an auspicious day because I saw many couples waiting outside, and soon I found Kavya "Hello" she greeted my family and hugged me "Are you okay? You look like you've went on a marathon" she hissed pulling away.

"I'm okay Kavya. Just nervous!" She told that her parents didn't make it so she came alone and I'm happy that she's here with me. she fixed my make up again and stood beside me holding my hand assuringly.

I thought we're going to wait but then after a few minutes I heard a few people wishing someone...

"Kishore... Its time. Shall we go inside?" I heard a manly voice speaking and lifted my head to see a man who's similar to kishore's age smiling at us.

So.. He must be Mr Malhotra!

He came and stood in front of me and giving a smile he caressed my head "God bless you Meghna!"

"Prateek will you step aside so that I can have a look at bride!" I heard a high pitched voice from behind the old man whose name I get Prateek Malhotra.

"Hi... I'm Prateek's wife Rekha. You're beautiful and you're perfect for my grandson!" she spoke urgently hugging me which I didn't expect. She pulled away and I smiled at her eying behind them for their grandson.

"Where's Jai?" Kishore asked.

"He's coming" Rekha answered and we got inside. The office looks rich with white tiles and filled with people here and there.

"Jai, what took you so long?" Rekha asked someone and I went stiff in my spot.

He's here! I wish he wouldn't come saying that he doesn't want to marry but no!

Meghna.. That's it! You'll be a married woman and not a bubbly cheerful girl from now!

"Maggie... He's so handsome. You won a lottery babe... Look at him" Kavya whispered lowly to me.

"No and Don't. Ever. Call. Me. Maggie" I gritted out. She gave me a teasing smile and looked behind probably to get a peek of my soon - to-be husband.

I shook my head managing to take calm breathes and resisted to look up at him, my future husband as I heard his voice "Sorry, I've to take call in the middle of the ride. That's why I'm late!"

"Are you ready?" Prateek asked him.

We got no reply so I assume he just nodded at them, after a second I felt presence beside me and I know that's him, Kavya took a few steps back to stand with my family.... I looked straight ahead to some papers which were lying.

"So Mr Malhotra, I assume this couple is getting married now?" one of the officer I guess register asked.

"Jai Malhotra and Meghna Prakash narayana"

"Yeah.. You can start now"

"You two should sign here and then you can exchange garlands" he spoke looking at us.

Jai took hold of the pen which is lying on papers and signed instantly, he placed down the pen and passed to me. I let out a sigh and signed it without thinking any further "Here, take this" Rekha came to us and handed garlands.. One to him and one for me.

I turned to face his chest as he's almost 6'3 I didn't look up at him. He put garland on me and they're waiting for me to do the exchange....

Come'on Meghna.. What are you waiting for? Look at him....

But I can't let myself to peek a look at him. I let out a huge sigh and slowly lifted my eyes to gasp at the man in front of me.

I can't believe my eyes...

I'm married to my.....

What the hell?

At last my guess is right I'm married to Mr Jai Malhotra who owns Endless fashions and he's... None other than my boss.

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Before asking any questions related to the plot of this book plz I request you to read the New authors Note...

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