[This is the second story of a short story collection. The fictional stories will be targeting issues and struggles Indian women face in society. ]

Bridal Retreat

“I can’t do this anymore.”

Tani looked up at her fiancé, Jay. She patiently waited for him to continue. They had been sitting in the restaurant for the past twenty minutes. She had been staring at the roses in the vase in front of her. The waiter stood near the entrance and kept glancing over to see if they were ready to give their order.

“What?”

“I don’t know. Nothing.”

Jay twiddled with his fingers and avoided looking at her face. The face that he always proclaimed to be his motivation and life. It was the face that he fell in love with when he met her at his cousin’s wedding. Tani’s dark brown hair, hazel eyes and her simplicity won him over. Jay couldn’t even look at her today.

“What do you mean Jay? Hurry up and tell me what you called me here for. Our wedding is in a few hours.”

Tani looked down at her phone waiting for it to blow up with texts and calls. Indian rituals and superstitions did not allow the bride or groom to go wondering outside after the “Haldi ceremony” that took place three days before the wedding. It was believed to be bad luck and not a good omen. Tani’s modernized mind never took these superstitions seriously. It would only be a while before someone noticed Tani was not at home. She had sneaked out the moment it seemed everyone was busy with the wedding preparations leaving her younger sister, Reet, to cover for her.

“Love tell me what’s wrong. You have been looking worried ever since you came back from London. Oh I know you’re just nervous. Don’t worry, it’s going to be fine.”

She smiled and reached over the table to hold his hand to comfort him. Tani’s phone began to ring but she ignored it. It rang again and this time she answered.

“What Reet! I told you to handle everything until I am back.” One of her perfectly curved eyebrow lifted up as her tone sounded a little worried.

“Wait what? Okay fine alright. Give me about fifteen minutes. Just tell them I’m in the shower or something.”

She ended the call and stood up from her chair.

“Love, I need to go. Reet said grandma was asking about me. You know they will go crazy if they find out I am not there.”

“But…I need I mean we need to talk.”

“We can talk all we want after the wedding. Love you!” She kissed him on the cheek.

“Tani wait we can’t after…”

Before Jay got a chance to finish, Tani grabbed her purse and was making her way towards the door.

*****

Tani asked the rickshaw driver to stop in the small narrow lane behind her house then covered her face with a maroon silk shawl. It was hard getting anywhere without being recognized in this small village. They lived in Punjabi, India which was towards the north. Tani’s grandfather was the head of this small Punjabi Village and the family was well- respected. When Tani was 22, her parents had sent her abroad to study and become independent. When she came back four years later, she opened a small medical clinic in the village. Her main goal was to help as many people as possible.

She stopped to admire the arrangements. The old style bungalow was adorned with small colorful bulbs. The fountain in the middle changed its color every thirty seconds. The gated car entrance was filled with flickering lights. Scented rose petals bordered with white lotus were placed where the “Bharaat” or wedding procession would enter from. The cook was working on Indian delicacies in the backside of the house. The sweet and spicy aroma of turmeric, peppers and masalas took over the air.

The family and many other relatives were busy making sure everything was fine. Someone was tensed if catering team would come on time while someone else was worried about the beautician not arriving on time. It was complete chaos but all worth it for Tani’s happiness. The whole village had been invited to the wedding and it was a grand affair. The plan was that the guests would all arrive at the house then everyone would go to the Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) for the marriage ceremony.

Tani ran towards the backway while cautiously avoiding everyone. She had told Reet to leave her window open a little so she could jump right in. Thank goodness my rooms on the first floor.

“Tani!”

Her little sister had been sitting on the bed wearing Tani’s dress with her face half covered just in case someone walked inside. They looked alike expect for the noses. Tani’s was perfectly shaped round while Reet’s was a little sharper. Reet could finally breathe now that her sister came home safely.

“Tani, you need to get ready! The Bharaat is about to come in a few hours. I need to get ready too. The beautician is here so hurry up.”

“I know Reet. I just went to see…”

“Jay? Yeah I know but you know how much trouble it could have caused? I feel like the twenty five year old instead of the eighteen year old teenager at times.”

“It’s always fun secretly meeting before the wedding. You’ll understand one day little sister but you are going to miss me.”

Reet turned to a side and a tear dropped from her eyes. She wiped it with her scarf so her sister will not notice. I’m so going to miss her. Tani hugged her little sister.

“How cute my little sister gets emotional too. See you are going to miss me.”

“Yeah sure can you get married now?” Go get ready before Mom comes and yells at both of us.” Reet smiled and walked out the door.

Tani sent a quick text to Jay to let him know she was home. He didn’t reply back like he usually did right away. Maybe he’s getting ready too. Tani looked at her bed. It had disappeared under all of the dresses, jewelry, saris, lenghas, suits, and of course her wedding attire. It was all hand made by the local tailor. It was a two piece dark red Indian wedding dress with golden colored embroidery from top to bottom. The chunni or scarf with this dress was all net and filled with a flowery design. Just how I imagined it. Her jewelry was placed next to the dress. It was a golden necklace set with engraved stones. Her uncles from her mother’s side had gifted it to her to fulfill their ritual. Glass bangles were sitting on the dresser. They were a gift from the groom’s side. She was already wearing a Chura. They are red and white glass bangles given by the mother’s brother for his neice to bless her.”

“Ma’am are you ready to begin?”

Tani didn’t notice the beautician walk inside. She was too busy admiring her dresses and did not realize she had company. The beautician held a brown briefcase and stood near the entrance.

“Oh sorry…umm yes.”

“Okay ma’am let’s get you ready for your big day.”

Jay always told her she looked prettier without makeup so she barely wore it but today it was a necessity. She had to look good for the wedding pictures. What would my kids say if I didn’t even dress up properly on my wedding day? The beautician sat Tani down on the chair and opened her braided hair. Time to get ready.

*****

The band had started playing. Tani was sitting on her bed after her makeover. Her mother and father walked inside.

“Look at her she’s all grown up.”

“You look beautiful my daughter. It is such an honor to be a father of a wonderful daughter. We are going to miss you and your little antics. I don’t know who is going to yell at me for not taking my medicines in the morning or making sure I ate on time.”

“Dad, I’m not going far. I’m just a few blocks away.”

“I know but you are starting a new life. If you ever need anything we will always be here for you. This is still your home but it hurts to let you go. Jay is a well-educated matured man so I know he will take good care of you.”

Tani grabbed both of her parents and hugged them tightly.

“I love you two and I will always be that little girl of yours. If you miss me too much we can make Jay stay here.”

The sound of a loud trumpet caught their attention. They looked out the window and everyone was walking towards the entrance for the Bhaarat.

“Looks like the Bharaat is here. We need to go and greet them. Tani stay here until we call you outside.”

Tani’s mom made her sit on the bed and fixed her dress for her. Her parents left the room to greet their future in-laws. Tani stood near the window and saw flowers being showered down the entrance. The music got louder and louder just like Tani’s heartbeat. The moment was almost here. The two year engagement finally was going to come to an end after the wedding today when they would embark on a happily married life. Tani looked down at the henna on her hands. The girl had done a beautiful job and the color came out a dark reddish brown. Indian superstitions always say the darker the henna color, the more your husband will love you. Too bad Jay already loves me enough.

She looked out the window in an attempt to get a glimpse of her Prince Charming. She saw the horse which he was supposed to ride on, but he was not visible. It was too crowded to see anything. The music slowly stopped and she heard an eruption of voices.

“Tani, come out.”

Reet had come from the other side to call her. Apparently it was time for her to go attend the welcoming ceremonies. Tani’s heels did not allow her to walk fast so she gradually made her way towards the entrance. People began to notice she was there and made way for Tani to enter. She saw her future in-laws. Jay must have gone somewhere. Everyone’s waiting for him. As her eyes searched for him, her mother- in –law called her towards herself. When Tani got to her mother-in-law, she hugged her tightly and began crying.

“I’m sorry Tani. I had no idea he would do this.”

“What? Do what? Where is Jay?”

“He’s not here.”

“I know this is a joke. He always does that to me but not today. I’m not falling for it.”

“Mom, Dad see you said he was mature. Jay hurry up my legs are starting to hurt in these heels.”

“Tani…listen it is not a joke.”

“Mom, you are in this too aren’t you? All of you support him and we aren’t even married yet.”

“You can’t ever marry him…He’s gone”

“Gone? Where? Okay everyone stop this we are stalling a wedding here. Reet did you plan this with him. Tell me where he is and I will get you anything you want. How about that new cell phone you wanted?”

Reet walked towards her sister and grabbed her hand.

“Reet…what happened? Is someone going to tell me?”

“He’s not coming Tani. He left to London three hours ago. He told his mom that he had married someone there and they are happy. Remember he left to London right after your engagement? He’s been married to that women for two months but could not tell anyone because nobody would accept it.”

Tani stood their silently. This had to be a lie. He would have told me at least. Who just leaves their fiancé? So many thoughts and questions filled her mind. She ran to her room and with each step, a glass bangle broke leaving a trail of blood to follow her. Tani locked the roon and she picked up her cell phone while ignoring the pain in her arms and tried to dial his number. It kept going to voicemail. She called his London number hoping someone would have his information and a female voice answered. Maybe it’s the wrong number?

“Hello?”

“Hello, this is Tani. Is Jay there?

“No, he isn’t. Tani who?”

“Tani…whose am I speaking to?”

“Mrs. Jay Singh.”

“Oh…”

She cut the call and leaned against the wall. The forces of gravity began to pull her down as tears fell down her face. Her mother-in-law was standing outside of the door trying to get Tani to open up.

“Tani, please open the door. I need to tell you something. He said he was sorry. He loved you but he totally changed when he went there. I’m ashamed to call him my son. Please forgive me.”

The abandoned bride was listening and the pain was getting worse. She slammed the remaining bangles against the floor and they all broke leaving scratches all over her arm. Her sister, mother, father and many other relatives stood outside of the door trying to get Tani to come outside. The Bharaat went back and she was left alone.

*****

Three days later, Tani walked outside in her usual work uniform. The lights used in the decoration were flickering on and off. Her parents greeted her and tried their best to sound normal. Life must go on.

“I am going to work. Please have all this gone before I come home from the clinic.”

Tani arrived at the clinic and there were no patients. Usually it is filled with people waiting to see her. She waited all morning and nobody arrived. A girl around Tani’s age finally came around closing time.

“Hello, what can I do for you?”

“I have a cold so can you prescribe some medicine. Please do it quick I do not want anyone to see me here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…since your wedding got cancelled, everyone is the village has been talking about how you must be bad luck. Not that I believe…” The girl stared at her shoes to avoid eye contact.

“I think everyone knows it is not my fault?”

“They think the way you came back to work so fast means it must be your fault. You don’t even seem tensed about it. What if nobody wants to marry you?”

Tani could not take it anymore. She went outside and began screaming. The villagers passing by stopped to listen.

“Shut up! Don’t you people live in this century? Such cheap thinking. It is not always the girl’s fault. Does anyone think about what she goes through?”

“We understand child, but this is the world of men. Society decides who is at fault, “said a women.

“Well, then it is wrong. If we don’t think about changing the way we think then how will we make things better? My parents went through a lot. They do not show it but they supported me. I am trying to move on, but how can I if I can’t forget about it?”

“Tani, we are proud of you for standing up for yourself.” She didn’t notice her father was standing behind her listening to everything. She ran to them and hugged them tightly.

“See I told you I will not be leaving anytime soon.”

“My child, God must have better plans. Trust him and keep progressing. If anyone has anything to say about the incident speak now. My daughter is right…change your thinking!”

After many days, Tani smiled. She became an inspiration for many other girls in the village. Somewhere out there, a Prince Charming was looking for his princess.