His Little Bride

Pretension ||21||

"How long, Mira?" Aunty asked from outside the changing room.

We were out, shopping for the party tomorrow, while Uncle and Karthik went to the office to check the arrangements.

"I think I need help aunty" I said, opening the door for her to come in.

I tried to hook the dress up many times but my hands weren't reaching.

Aunty came inside and hooked it.

"Wow! You look so beautiful in this dress, Mira!" She exclaimed.

It was an elegant red, off shoulder gown. And I looked different in it. More mature and more... feminine?

The dress was hugging my body so perfectly, making me look curvier, and also maintained the decency.

"Its perfect, Mira. Do you like it?" Aunty asked, excitedly.

"I love it"

.

After the dress was done, we still had some time to kill so we went to the salon. I anyway needed a haircut.

Pampering ourselves is important. Self care, self love, it all might sound selfish to some people but I believe that for a healthy living, we should always pay attention to what we want! What we need.

We forget this sometimes. I do, too. And that's OK, too! Life takes us through different phases. Some happy. Some not so happy. We can't be same all the time! We change and we grow. And we'll grow better if we look after ourselves whenever we can!

And I want to grow into the best version of myself.

.

When we reached home, Karthik and Uncle were already there. We ordered food online and had dinner together. I was very happy that they're here.

"Karthik Mira, come sit here with me" Uncle called us.

Karthik and I went, and sat on the sofa in front of him. Aunty was also there.

"Beta, how's everything going between you two?" He asked us, a bit hesitant.

Oh my God! Did they get to know about us?!

My eyes widened, and I looked at Karthik. He was looking at his father, calm and composed.

"Fine" he said, firmly.

"Good" I added, smiling a little.

"Very good" Uncle smiled at us. "Beta, I and your Mom, we think that you both should go somewhere, have fun you know! Since the time you both got married, Karthik had been so busy with work and everything. I believe you both hardly got any time together to go around and see things, right?"

Very right!

I looked at Karthik, expecting him to reply. For I didn't know what to say now.

"We're fine, dad." Karthik said. His jaw was slightly clenched and I could sense that he didn't want to talk about it.

"Karthik, look we know it's an arranged marriage and it'll take time for you both to... you know, understand each other and accept each other's presence in your lives. And for things to become better, you'll have to give time to this relationship. Give time to each other" Aunty said.

I just sat there, listening to everything. I knew they were trying to set us to go on a honeymoon kinda thing. And I also knew that Karthik wouldn't agree for it, ever!

"We have planned a holiday for you to Europe-" Aunty was saying when Karthik interrupted her,

"Mom, please!" He stood up at his place, "I told you we're fine. We don't need this."