SWITCHED WEDDING

Ghazal's P.O.V

I sit on the centre of the bed clad in make-up, gold jewellery, and heavily embroidered sharara as I feel exhausted and drained. The room is beautifully decorated and the fragrance is intoxicating as I begin to doze off already but I shake my head trying to fight it off. It is dimly lit creating an enchanting mood and I feel dizzy.

These last few days have been hectic for me as I had so many functions to attend along with my trips to beauty salons and finally, today I had signed a 'Nikah contract' and had my bidaai. I feel grateful that my walimah is scheduled after three days as I may get some time to catch up on sleep and settle down in my new life. But something is truly odd about this bidai as I am brought to this new place and wonder if it is booked for us for temporary stay.

I peek through my 'ghoonghat' as the door remains closed and I push it back trying to ease the weight that kills my back. I sigh in frustration as my thoughts fly to the day, I first noticed him at my door and soon he stood there every day waiting to catch my attention and finally succeeded. He was handsome with curly black hair, jet black eyes, and a fair complexion and one day, he approached me while I was heading for my University and handed me a perfectly wrapped gift. I was nervous and refused him but, he continued to offer it every day with hope and anticipation that I had no choice but to accept it. He kept haunting me most of the day too.

I turned red when I saw a beautiful greeting card, a rose-flower, and a big Cadbury Chocolate bar. The card said 'I fell in love with you at first sight" making me smile to myself. I wasn't the type of a girl who entertained such things so I made it clear to him that if he is interested in me, he should send a proposal and it was done which made me fall in love with him.

A week later his parents arrived and I was selected. There were few dowry demands which my parents hesitatingly accepted even though I knew that my parents had two more sisters to be married in the future. I shared my concerns with him regarding the dowry demands which were hard to be fulfilled and he assured me that he will help my parents later but for now, they should accept his parent's wish and I had no choice but to remain silent.

As the marriage approached there were issues on every next thing as his parents disregarded everything that my family purchased and look down upon us I tolerated it patiently because I adored him and wanted to marry him. There were increase in dowry demands later and he made an excuse that he has to agree as his parents are compromising on his choice.

He was the first person for whom I had felt something within my heart and I tried to convince my parents to fulfil their wishes as they started to become reluctant about this alliance.

I remembered my conversation the night of our engagement when we exchanged the rings.

"Did you see me?" I asked excitedly as he chuckles.

"Of course! How can I not have a look at my bride to be and honestly you looked ravishing, Ghazal." He said huskily from the other end as I blush a deep red.

"We are not supposed to be talking at this hour." I whisper slowly as my whole house is lost in a deep slumber after a hectic engagement day. "Ravishing? Astaghfirullah!"

"Oh come on! Ghazzziii...you are not going to stop me from talking dirty now. After all, we are engaged." He chides from the other end as I remain silent gripping the pillow trying to control my racing heart.

"You are impossible, Farooq!" I shrug in reply digging my head deeper in the pillow.

"Do you know that Farooq is my nickname?" He said after a thought. "I have a second name which I think is my real name as it's in my tenth certificate and passport too."

"What is it?" I ask eagerly as he chuckles on the other end.

"Surprise baby! When you come to know about it, you will love it." He said as I frown slightly. "Suits us perfectly."

"So when am I going to have the honor to know your real name?" I ask slowly as my sister moves in sleep and I hide under the blanket hiding my mobile.

"Well, our wedding is next week and we are not going to receive our DVD's before that so hopefully in Shaa Allah on our wedding day....when you will say 'qubool hai'' He answer amused as I just don't know why there are butterflies in my stomach.

I smile to myself dreamily.

"And that night I want you to say my name....after I give you a beautiful kiss on your lips." He said huskily as my throat goes dry. "I want to hear my name when I am going to make you mine...for the rest of my life."

"Umm...Farooq, someone is up. I am hanging!" I lie and hung up as his words did weird things to my heart and it is getting unbearable. I clutch the phone to my chest trying to control my racing heart when it vibrates again making me jump out of my skin.

bidai*:- Bride bidding by the parents when they send their married daughters to her husband's house.

walimah*:- reception

ghoonghat*:- A veil worn by the brides of India that covers their head and face completely.