I unwillingly get up from the poolside to put on makeup. Normally, if I was living with my parents they wouldn't care about seeing stains of tears on my eyes or even black circles, however, Arnav's parents do. They are the only sunshine in my life. Double-checking my makeup, I head down the stairs with the fake smiles that I have practised for years. This smile is so perfect now, that no one can tell the difference. I watch as his parents smile seeing me coming down, while he doesn't even bother looking up from his laptop. Who even brings a laptop to the dining table? Ratna Aunty or should I say Ratna Ma slowly walks towards me and hugs me while smiling.

Ma - We were waiting for you, come join us for dinner.

I continue smiling and walk towards my seat next to my 'husband,' who doesn't even acknowledge me while his father or uncle smiles at me. To overcome the awkwardness, while waiting for food, Ma speaks up.

Ma - So beta, it has been more than two months of your marriage and you both still haven't gone on a honeymoon. Arnav is always busy with meetings and...

Before she could even continue her sentence, Arnav makes a loud thump noise on the table and then yells.

Arnav - I will not go anywhere with this (with a disgusting look) woman.

I look at his eyes, which show a mix of emotions, such as anger, disgust and hatred making me feel chilly. I try my best not to show any signs of weakness, or to seem indifferent towards this declaration. I quickly take my plate and start to fill my plate with the food on the table, ignoring those sympathetic eyes of Ma and Papa. Soon, Arnav also leaves the table, without grabbing a bite from the food on the table. Why do I have such a cruel fate, devi maya (god)? Will I ever find someone who cares for me? After forcing the food to go down from my throat, I help Ma clean up after the table, while Papa goes upstairs to talk to Arnav. I could hear some arguments and screaming but I couldn't quite understand what they were saying. Soon, Arnav comes down with his laptop and phone and shouts.

Arnav - I am going to stay with Aman for a few days.

I could sense his anger has increased instead of the opposite, after his discussion with his father.

I watch as Ma and Papa try to stop him, but he ignores them and leaves the house. Why is he avoiding me so much? What have I done, that he hates me so much? How can someone hate someone that much? I have had all these questions in my brain, ever since we got married, however, they have been unanswered. Ever since our marriage, he has been avoiding me, hating me, cursing me but I never got to know why. I am about to head upstairs when Ma stops me near the stairs. She looks at me, with worry and her eyes teary.

Ma - Khushi, I am so sorry for Choote's behaviour. I have no idea why he is behaving like this, but we do know that his behaviour is very rude. I will talk to him, and I will make sure he apologises to you beta, don't worry.

I stare at Ma, pretend as if I understand and eventually head upstairs, knowing that their choote won't understand anything. He is a stubborn child, he hardly listens to his parents, when his mind is fixed on something. I stare at the room, I am heading to and I stare at his room. Life is so strange when we were younger, we couldn't stay so far from each other. In fact, back when we were younger, our rooms were connected and we used to even sleep next to each other secretly, at times. Now, when we are allowed to openly sleep in the same room, he purposely got the room that's the furthest from mine. I silently head to the shower in my room, to weep at my faith. You would say that I would be used to this life by now, but sadly I am finding it very hard to accept reality.

After 15 minutes or so, I leave the bathroom and check my phone to see 2 missed calls from my best friend and one from Aman. Ignoring the missed call from Aman, I call up my bestie. Her happy voice would at least make me feel a little better, unlike Aman's voice. I dial her number before I could even say hello, and she starts talking.

On-call

Payal (excited) - Oh my god, guess what Khushi... Akash proposed to me...

My smile grows wider hearing the wonderful news. At least someone has happiness in their life.

Me (smiling) - wow, congratulations Payal... so? Explain everything...

Payal starts to explain how everything happened, while I listen to it with a smile and feel a tiny bit jealous. As the story comes to an end, Payal tells me about her marriage date which is in two months.

Payal - you have to come to my marriage Khushi, with jiju as well... I haven't seen you or him since your marriage... (teasing) ... are you still in your honeymoon phase? Or, has the phase ended...

Honeymoon? We don't even talk to each other. But how can I explain that to her? After all, my life is supposed to be 'picture perfect

Me - I will surely come, Payal... anyway, I have to go now, it's too late...

I purposely ignore her teasing and tease her instead. We ended the call after an hour, promising to meet each other soon. As I am about to put my phone down to sleep, I get a text from Aman.

Khushi Bhabhi, there is a photoshoot and interview tomorrow, wanted by the media as it will be your three months anniversary tomorrow. You have to come to the office tomorrow at 11 am and don't worry Arnav will pick you up, but please be ready on time.

I thought I had been married to this guy for two months but turns out it's been three. Wow! Time goes by pretty fast. Guess, tomorrow I will have to fake in front of the media once again. I close my phone and force myself to try and sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

Another day, another lie, I wake up hearing my alarm and as always I do my morning routine. After dressing up in a blue saree, I stare at my mangalsutra and sindoor on the dressing table. When he doesn't even care about this wedding, then why should I bother putting these two signs on me? But, I have to put it on, otherwise, the media won't let us be at peace. Every time, I put them on, however, I feel like I am disrespecting our culture and traditions. So much guilt comes to me. Ignoring those guilty feelings, I wear the mangalsutra and apply the sindoor. I also start to recall my marriage, as I am putting them on. Heading down the stairs, I notice my husband as usual yelling at someone on the phone.

(with sindoor and mangalsutra)

I walk towards Ma and Papa, to take a blessing from them and Ma stops me midway and smiles.

Ma (smiling) - beta, you look really pretty, may no evil eye cast on you.

I smile and I am about to thank her when Arnav yells.

Arnav (on his phone)- hurry up!

He leaves the living room to go inside the car, while I hug and say quick bye to Ma and Papa before I rush to follow him. I could hear Ma and Papa wishing me good luck. I was hoping for a compliment from Arnav, but I guess my expectations were too high as he didn't even look at me. As I finally arrive outside, I notice a limousine for us. Of course, it's a limousine. What did I expect? There are multiple reasons, Arnav got a limousine. Firstly, he doesn't have to drive it and a driver can. Second, he can look rich. The third and final option, which no one is aware of, is that it would allow him to sit as far as he wants from me, without anyone knowing about it as no one can see inside the car. As soon as I sit inside the car, Arnav announces.

Arnav - your father will be there as well

I was hoping to have a conversation with Arnav today, however, I guess today isn't a good day as my fake smile finally fades away. Seeing my father would be a nightmare. I really feel the need to go back and just sit in my room. I don't want to deal with my parents.

Precap - Past