Chapter 12: Beginning of the Married Life:2
Tara smiled shyly as she kicked the rice filled "Kalash" (bowl) with her henna ridden right foot.
Today, after almost six weeks of her actual wedding she was stepping in Sushant's house as a new bride. And as per Indian rituals kicking a rice filled kalash gracefully and walking on red colored "alta" filled milk was part of mandatory rituals.
Unlike her actual day of marriage, for once, she felt hopeful that somehow the marriage may have a chance. Not a romantic chance but may be a civil chance.
She glanced sideways at Sushant who smiled at the flashing cameras as they stepped into the house together as man and wife.
Over the last three weeks, Sushant showed her a new avatar. Well, he was definitely not the romantic protagonist like the characters he portrayed, but, he was much better than the psycho that Tara assumed him to be.
Through Tara's face brimmed with happiness giving the media their much wanted "byte", she was still unsure of the sudden nature shift that Sushant manifested. He was acting civil and she didn't like it.
Five years she had monitored him post that fated night when she realized Sushant was a total psycho. Not for a single day her fear could subside because every news she collected was always a bad news and surprisingly her father never allowed her to break the so called engagement. Very unlike the loving Shyam Chowdhury, yet, his behavior was mysterious and unfatherlike.
Tara bit her lips unsurely as she remembered the conversation with her father before her marriage.
"But Baba.... when I said we are dating, I was naive and young and... Can we not rethink this?"
Shyam Chowdhury had given her a weird smile.
"Beta, human beings are not perfect. So dont expect Saxena to be your Prince Charming. But remember this old man's advice, if you have an opportunity, just grab it... Trust me, Sushant is an opportunity that you need to grab. May be you dont see it now but in a couple of months or may be in a year you will see"
Being a Political persona, Shyam Chowdhury never talked clearly, riddle was his middle name.
All Tara knew was simple, her father had plans and he wont stop until they were executed. He was not the sitting Home Minister of the State for over a decade for nothing. He knew what he was doing.
Tara's chain of thoughts were shattered as some unknown females giggled and stopped them at the base of the staircase that led to the first floor. Some stupid ritual where the girls in the family stop their brother from entering with the new bride. Tara huffed, she was tired and she needed to rest her shoulders. The recovery was not yet complete.
Did Sushant read her discomfort?
Tara wasn't sure, but the next moment he was throwing a wad of cash to them as he led her to their bedroom. That doomed bedroom where Tara had once hidden to give him her surprise.
Discomfort settled in her mind.
But she brushed that aside and stepped in wearing a confident expression.
"Dont forget, he thinks that night it was you, not Lata. So pretend accordingly..."
Once they were inside, Sushant let go of her hand.
" So , you finally made it to the room... huh!!! That morning I would have killed the person if anyone had said I would end up marrying the woman who destroyed my plans..."
Tara stared.
She wasn't expecting anything better.
This was more like the Sushant she was anticipating.
" Saxena, you could have called off the marriage , you know. But now we have a reception to attend in the evening. Can we discuss things later?"
Tara wanted to put a full stop to the conversation. Now was not the ideal time for it.
Saxena gave her a nasty look and stormed off mumbling, "Sure, be my guest. But there's lot to discuss "
And with that the bedroom door banged shut on Tara's face, leaving her both relieved and terrified.
ONE MOMENT AT A TIME GIRL... ONE MOMENT AT A TIME she told herself as her weak body collapsed on the bed.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone