Manik pov

Ohhh... These sun rays, can't they see I'm tired.

Well, as it is shining brightly means it's high time. Let's wake up or else my routine workout will suffer.

I slowly open my eyes to see a cute pouty sleeping face in front. She looks so pure, innocent. I admire her then suddenly yesterday's incidents came to mind.

I'm married now. I have never ever thought, leave thought not even in my wild dreams I have imagined, I would do arrange marriage that too with a girl whom I didn't know anything about, not even her name.

After the wedding ceremony, I deliberately avoided going to my room. As I knew if I do so, I have to listen to her, answer her and the wedding night... NO ...NO... NO...

I walked out to study room as I don't want others to know this and sat on the chair resting my head back.

CREE...

Door opened, I turned back and saw a man walking in.

I went back to my position and closed my eyes as I'm hell tired.

Man- what's up man! Don't u know its not good to keep ur wife waiting on ur wedding night. ( he chuckled) took a sit in front of me.

Manik- shut up cabir! why r u laughing at my miseries? (I stated slowly as I'm tired even to talk)

Cabir-(confused) miseries? Why is it so? I heard she is pretty, man.

M – chuck it man. Who cares if she is pretty or not. ... She is not my type.

C – (raising his eyebrow) and how do u know that?

M – (opening his eyes, looking at cabir) oh god.. u know me na... I believe in love and wanted to do love marriage but got trapped in this hell.

C – (trying to understand his point) well about marriage and the girl I don't know, but about love... u can love her after marriage also.

M – (getting his back straight) No yar... U r not getting it. (palming his face n moving his hands) I ... I kinda like her... or maybe more. (whisper but is audible to cabir)

C –(astonished with his confession) who? Nandini!

M—(eyeing him, confused) what!! No... Now, who is she?

C – (unbelievably) God... Don't tell me,u don't even know the name of the girl u just married.

M – Oh... she ... well, mom told me once but I forgot.

C – (suddenly realising) ... but wait, if not she then who?

M – hmm...

C – arey.. who do u like?

M – oh...amm... Soha

C – (shocked) what!! That co-actor of urs... Are u out of ur mind? Then why the hell do u marry Nandini?

M- don't shout man.. even I don't want this to happen. I did it just for my mom and...

C – And ... ....yar (getting irritated with part-part, slow-motion revelation)... just cut the suspense and split it out.

M – (sigh) do u remember I was out for a week for the shootout and came home yesterday early morning only.

C – Ya ... so?

M – mom was waiting for me. She stated that I need to get married soon. ... Initially, I was shocked to react, as she never brought this topic before me till then, but soon I recovered and tried to oppose... when she cut me and carried on her words. ... She said that Alya denied marrying before me. So I need to leave my single status soon. .... And suddenly she said that she got a girl for me. I was numb to react. ... then she told me that it's dad's best friend's daughter and it is his last wish to turn their friendship into stronger relations. ( sigh)

That's it I could not oppose any more. ... I know... how much she misses him, how much she respects him n follows him.

Then she dropped the biggest bomb, that the wedding is today itself. I was lost of words and my mind went blank... but then I can understand why is she doing this?

C – (curiously) why?

M – because of the rumors of me being gay, dating my producer.

C – (getting everything into his head) Oohhh... ...

(To light up the environment)  ... Then why she agreed to marry a... GAY?

M – (eyeing him with deadly looks)  Caaabiirr....

But cabir is least affected by his never-ending glares.

C –(chuckling) ok, ok, sorry baba I can understand.

M – shut up! or else I'll kill u right here.

C - but u know what ... u can't kill ur sweet sister's suhag(husband) ... ...(laugh).. .. ok fine... but on a serious note, why she agreed?

M – hmm... I don't know maybe she is one of my crazy fans.

C – haw.. u r so full of yourself.. (Chuckle) by the way what are u doing here?

M – hmm... I don't want to face her now. I'll leave after an hour when she would sleep probably.

C – (standing up ) fine as u feel like. But if u like someone else then wouldn't u be destroying her life? .... why can't u forget Soha? I don't like her. ...  I mean she didn't do any wrongs ... but she is a bit ... showy, proud and...

M – shut up yar... it's nothing like that. She is a good, confident, smart and quite talented actor. I very much enjoy working with her. .... and about her.. I don't know. (sigh)

Cabir can understand my state of mind and decided to stop further talked and excused himself.

I took a nap resting my head on the chair.

I got uncomfortable sleeping in sitting position and the tight heavy sherwani is adding to it.

I opened my eyes to check the time.

"it's 3:45 am. she must be asleep by now. I should move" I thought.

---------------------

I entered the room, it was decorated beautifully. My eyes fell on the bed.

"she is not here. Where is she? Did she run away?... wait... that's not the case.."

I saw turning her back to me standing before the mirror in bridal attire, maybe removing her earring. She looked beautiful. I could see her through the mirror but she didn't turn. Maybe she did not know my presence.

"If she had known my presence she would have definitely turned, who could resist my charm?"

I crushed the thoughts and walked into the washroom, changed to my shirt and half pants... Finally, I feel light.

I came out, she was standing close and our eyes meet for the very first time. She looked just indescribable without any jewelry, hair tied in a bun. .... What am I thinking?... I broke our eye meet and went to bed. She went in. I was hell tired to even think about her any more, I fell asleep immediately.

(sigh)

keeping every thought aside, I move to get up when my eyes fall on the GREAT WALL OF CHINA on my bed....the pillow wall between me and her ... between us .... and whats this!

I stick out a yellow note from the pillow. "'do not disturb' what! What is she thinking?" I murmur.

I got up and went to the washroom to change into my tracksuit for exercise. Coming out I take a look of myself in the mirror for the start of the new day and turn to walk out of the room.

THUD... Crackling sounds of falling bangles.

"Oh.. shit.. I must have woke her up." I turn to her...

"waw ... didn't I say not to touch my thing? ...  What u broke now, Ma?" she said still closing her eyes, yawning badly out of tiredness, and sitting up. ...Wait .. Wait... Did she call me Ma? From which angle? Where does she think she is?