Her Second-Hand Husband!

Anika's PoV

Things happened so fast once I told my consent to my mom. My mom informed Sivaprakasam periyappa about our approval and he was more than happy about this. I really wonder if there are real good people in this world still alive like Periyappa who can oversee his sorrow and wish goodness for someone else. Mom, after talking to him, told me that he will let Arjun's parents know about our consent. I started going to my office, I liked the place and people there. I don't know, but I felt like I was given special care and help in the office. Maybe that is how they treat newcomers there but I felt it is because I was referred to by Arjun. That gave me a kick inside and it made me float in the skies.

Two days after I said ok, things actually started to happen at a very fast pace. An indescribable feeling of fear and enthusiasm hit me straight in my face. Mom spoke on the phone to many of our relatives. Even though I heard everything she spoke, I never remembered anything because of the fear that was building inside of me. I called up Nithu to ask if she felt the same before Prakash came to see her. She said she experienced the same that I experience now. But she said she was ok when she talked to Prakash over the phone.

Talk to him on the phone? I still remember the talks we had last on the phone. I called him to let him know that I aced the interview and I got the job. He didn't pick up my call and the worst part is he cut my call. I felt broken inside and didn't really know what to do. I mean I just said yes to marry him and here he didn't even want to talk to me? When my horses tried to reign my heart in more deep shit, my phone rang and saved me. I involuntarily jumped looking at the caller id. 'Ardent Arjun' . I picked up immediately and he APOLOGIZED to me for not picking up my call. He did that!? I am so ashamed of myself for disrespecting him and insulting him when he is such a down to earth persona.

But the talks didn't go as I expected. He spoke like he didn't know that there is a talk between our families to tie us together that literally wounded my heart. And above all he said he is going to grant my 'wish'. I genuinely don't remember what I wished from him until he said what my stupid 'wish' was. Yes, I wished for that. But not anymore. I want him to be with me. I want to spend my life with him. I love him. I love his manliness. I love the way he carries himself. I love his voice. I love the goodness in him. I am attracted to him like a magnet. But something stops me from admitting all this to him. My mind says that I have the ego to admit my feelings to him and my heart says that he may think cheap of me if I say that out loud. I mean there is enough room for him to think that I am an opportunist which I am not. I could only say that he would see me again and hang up on him before he could say something and hurt my already wounded soul.

I cannot talk to him to make me feel better like Nithu said. I am afraid that the chances for the opposite to happen is more if I call him. So I let it rest and decided to go with the flow just like Nithu said. My dad looked genuinely happy about this arrangement and he looked a lot healthy in just two days' time. It is just a wonder what good things can do to people's emotional and mental health that reflects on our physical health.

I went to work in the mornings and helped dad in the evenings. I also helped mom and Advay in organizing for the upcoming event. Advay was actually happy on the inside about this marriage but spoke to me like a very caring brother to know how much I am into this wedding. Remember, my family still thinks that I am broke. I felt blessed to be a part of this caring family. My dad, despite his condition, tries to help do little things and his enthusiasm is just enough fuel for mom to carry on with the work. My mom, I don't know if my birth mother would be this loving and considerate to me. Even though there is a high chance that this marriage could wipe away our sorrows she was ready to throw that away just for my happiness.

Mom started inviting people over to our house when Periyappa called her to inform that Arjun and his parents agreed to visit us the next day. I was thrilled completely. I expected a call from Arjun at least to acknowledge the things happening around us but I got none from him. I was at the verge of calling him at times but stopped myself at the end. I cannot look desperate in his eyes. I am already a super arrogant girl in his eyes and I cannot stoop any low in there.

Here, at last the day has come and our house is filled with people. Periyappa said he will attend my wedding and excused himself from today. Though mom was upset that he could not come, she had many preparations to do that kept her occupied and from worrying. Dad was all happy and smiling. Advay looked like the man of the house, nothing like a school kid anymore. He took care of everything from food to snacks. I wonder how situations bring out the better in you. Nithu came yesterday night and I didn't sleep a bit. She kept comforting me but I am more than scared for the next day. Just like I helped her in her engagement, she helped me in mehendi and getting ready. I decided to drape a purple saree which I have gotten huge compliments from my college once. I wanted to look beautiful in his eyes.

well with

with your silly questions, Anu. You look as beautiful as you are always. These jewels are beautiful and compliments you well."

a thick line of Eyeliner, a small maroon bindi with a white stone on it and that is it. I usually am not a fan of make up and I always go on bare skin with just a sunscreen moisturizer. So I left it at that. I felt so weird in my own behavior. I kept looking at myself in the mirror 'n' number of times and I was so self conscious of

on the outside that informed us about their arrival. He has come! It is really happening and I am not dreaming or making it up. A sudden ball of fear gathered up in my stomach and I felt hard to even breath. I could hear him talk even in all those chaos outside. His metallic voice is the one that I wish to even hear when I am asleep. My mom came in to fetch me

not lift my eyes up to see him. I started serving the coffee to everyone from his family and when it was time to give it to him, all my heart ordered me to lift my

Those eyes, it looks like he is wearing a mask on it to hide his feelings. His eyes though looked dead, felt like looked at me in compassion and that made me feel light in the heart and I smiled at him. He looked like he was frozen in his spot at my smile. He might

grey pants. His clean cut hair is perfectly styled and set. That dense black beard that covered his cheeks and chin made his lips look as luscious as possible. I could see him look at me so intensely but his face is like a rock, expressionless. I was super afraid to look him in the eyes and someone literally gave me

and he followed me. Once there, I knew that he was not going to talk. I have to talk to him and make him understand that I am nowhere near that girl he painted me in his mind. I started the talk explaining to him about my work and it felt more weird talking about that stuff at

you agreeing to this wedding?"

with. Wait, you don't like to marry me?"

we shared, I inferred that you don't like me." He said the exact same thing I imagined him

for what had happened. Can't we just forget that and start fresh?" I tried telling

really like this arrangement? Do your parents force you to agree to this?" He asked me after a

want to say that I am sorry for everything I did before. I was scared of you and myself that I wanted to keep you away. I am really sorry. " I said as sincerely as I could to make him understand that this is completely my

to tell him the truth that my heart fell at his feet on the very first meet and I was so scared of my physical urges towards him but I could not and I searched for any other sane explanation for