Siddharth's POV
It was morning and Shruti was tensed since yesterday. I tried to distract her but I knew that she would not be at ease till she goes to meet her parents.
Though she was feeling better after we all decided how to break the news to her parents, still she was very anxious.
She was very happy that my family accepted her with open arms but sad that her family might not even talk to her.
I felt guilty for putting her through this ordeal but at least she would be safer now as they can't get her married now.
She kept smiling all the time but I knew what was going on in her mind.
I took her in my arms and cuddled her to sleep. I just woke up and saw that she was not in the room.
I got ready and went out to find her having tea with mom and dad, I joined them.
*******
We were standing outside her home but she was getting very anxious. So I put an arm around her and told her that everything will be fine.
She was not wearing any such thing which could indicate that she was already married. I nodded at her and she was about to press the doorbell. But all of a sudden, a girl, who resembled Shruti, opened the door as she seemed to be going out. She was looking upset.
" Shruti!! Thank God, you have come. Talk to papa, he doesn't listen to me. I don't know what has Nihal said to him but now papa does not want me to go to stores. You know, I am enjoying it. It distracts my mind from all the other things. I don't want to reconcile with my husband, but papa is after me. " She was so annoyed that she did not even realise that I was also there.
" Calm down, Kriti... meet Siddharth !"
" Siddharth ?? Do you mean, your boyfriend? " She looked at me in shock.
" Husband now. " She said holding my hand.
" What?? Please yaar, stop kidding. I am not in a mood to play these games... Nihal is irritating me. He will be here anytime. Hello Siddharth, nice meeting you but please leave. " She said.
" Hello Kriti, nice to meet you too, but don't you think, you are a bit rude to your brother-in-law? " I said with a smile.
" What?? Seriously?? " She was still in shock.
" Yes, we are married. I can't marry Nihal's friend. " Shruti said.
" Oh, God !! Papa and Nihal have been discussing your wedding plans. Preparations are going on. " She said to us.
" Then it is time for your parents to meet me, Siddharth Jindal, Shruti's husband and their son-in-law. " I said.
" Shruti, go away with him, Nihal will be here soon. He would create a big scene. "
" Don't worry Kriti, we are here to end this for once and for all. " I said.
" Siddharth Ji, please try to understand... " Kriti said.
" Don't worry, I am here to finish Nihal's game. Won't you invite me inside? " I said with a smile. She looked at Shruti and she nodded.
Kriti was hesitant but she got aside.
We walked in and Kriti also came back instead of going out.
Her father was getting ready to go out. The moment he saw Shruti, he smiled and the very next moment he frowned. Her mom was also very happy to see but got a bit surprised and shocked.
" What is he doing here?? " He asked Shruti.
" Papa, he has come to meet you. We need to t... "
" Sir, we are here to tell you something about Nihal, his friend and Kriti's husband. "
" What do you want to tell about them?? Why should I listen to you? "
" Because it concerns you and your daughters. Your son-in-law is a jerk, he had started gambling, he is under a lot of debt. He is almost bankrupt, So now he is having an affair with another woman, who is richer and is also working in a good position. " He looked a bit shocked.
" It is my family, I will manage it. Thank you, Dr Jindal for whatever you have done for me or my daughter but that's it. We don't want any association with you. My daughter is going to get married to a nice boy from our community very soon. Please leave !! "
" Sorry sir, I beg to differ... That is not all sir, Nihal's friend is not doing any work, he lied to you. He was thrown out of college in his first year of engineering and since then he never went to any other college. His degree is fake and he doesn't do anything at all. Nihal is aware of all this and still, he proposed his name for Shruti. In fact, they both have invested in a business together in Dubai and for that they need money. And that's why he was trying to get him married to Shruti. So that they can invest the money you saved for her marriage or dowry. " He was very stunned now but was not showing it.
" Enough of this. I don't want to hear anything from you. Why are you telling me all this rubbish? "
" Because all this is true... I have proof of what I just told you. I am telling you all this because you are their father. You should know about the boys you think are perfect for your daughters. Nihal sent a legal notice to Tauji because he needed money. "
" Papa, Kriti is managing your stores well... Better than any manager. On top of that, it gives her pleasure. She is already going through a lot. Please let her work, her husband does not deserve her. Reconciliation with him will only worsen her condition in that home. Please let her make her own future. "
" Dr Jindal please leave, I am alive to decide for my family. I will do what is best for my family. Please leave right now and don't ever try to talk to my daughter again. Whatever you had with my daughter is over now. I don't want you to associate with her anymore. "
" Sorry sir, This association was bound to happen, and I know what you want but that won't be possible in this lifetime. As we are associated with each other for our next seven lives."
" What nonsense are you talking about? " He yelled at me.
I caught Shruti's hand in mine and said, " I mean to say that with gods blessings, we are married now." I said and her mom and dad were shocked beyond the limit.
" Shut up! Stop lying and get lost !! " her dad shouted at me.
" He is not lying papa, we got married the day before yesterday in Jodhpur. We are legally married now. " Shruti said.
" WHAT ??? How dare you?? You didn't even bother to tell us?? So why have you come now?? Get lost !!! What do you think of yourself? " He was shouting at the top of her voice. We were concerned about his health.
Shruti was right, we should not have married like that. But I was scared for her and didn't want Nihal to boss around her.
" Sir please calm down... She didn't want to marry, but I forced her as I wanted to save her from Nihal and his friend. He is trying to manipulate you because of your soft feelings for him. Please don't trust him over your daughters. Sir, she really loves and respect you. Please don't be angry with her. "
Kriti came forward all of a sudden .
" Papa, he is right, I will never go back to that home, to that man again. Papa, you decided my fate for me and then my husband tried to rule me, see where I am today. My husband has thrown me out of his home for an independent girl. And I who was born and brought here, but now I have no right to stay in this house too. Tell me where do I go now?? You made my fate... But you forgot to write happiness in my fate. Tell me where is my house?? Please don't be angry with her for finding happiness for herself. It is not a crime. Let her be happy and please give me a chance to make a fate for me as well. " Kriti said. Their father was shocked at her outburst.
Just then the doorbell rang.