At the far end of the hall, Anand stood with his colleague, unaware of his broken marriage, watching the drama unfold. Dressed in a crisp cream kurta, he looked every bit the confident young 28-year-old manager he was.
His colleague Gopal whispered, "Aiyyo, what a disgrace. That groom's family rejected the marriage just like that. How will Santosh's family face society now?"
Anand frowned. Santosh was working as a peon in his office. He was excited for more than a month about this marriage; he took some short leaves and a week's leave now for the wedding by taking permission from Anand. He expressed his happiness millions of times in front of Anand and invited him personally many times to the marriage. Today, Anand came to the marriage only for Santosh's happiness. He had never met his family before; all he knew was that Santosh belonged to his own caste, as Santosh said many times.
He barely knew Priya, but the sight of her walking into the hall earlier in a bridal dress —eyes lowered, innocent smile lighting her face—still lingered in his mind. Now, the thought of that smile crushed by humiliation made his chest tighten.
He went to Santosh, who was crying under the tree next to the wedding hall. Santosh explained the entire story.
Anand's maternal uncle was also present at the wedding, as she had known Mangala for a long time due to the same caste. Anand's mother went to the Kashi yatra at that time.
Just then, Priya's uncle approached Anand's uncle. His voice was urgent, low but pleading.
"Madhav my brother… You know this girl. She's good-natured, innocent. What happened today is not her fault. If she goes back unmarried, people will never let her and her family live peacefully. I am thinking about Anand… he is educated, good-looking, from a respectable family. Please… if he agrees, her life can be saved and her family will always remember you for their life!"
Anand's uncle turned in shock. "What are you saying? How can such a decision be made in a hurry? Moreover, my sister is not in town! I can not agree to this!"
But the murmur had already spread. Elders gathered around, nodding gravely. "Better to marry her now than let her suffer a lifetime of shame. You people are well-known; you should give life to this poor girl!" Shankar requested Madhav.
It was a time when no mobiles were used, and contacting any person who had gone for the Kashi yatra was highly impossible until they gave any hotel numbers where they stayed. Anand and his other family members did not have any numbers of the hotels as she went with a group of older people. Only she used to contact them once a week. She went on 3 3-month tour to Kashi and all other holy places of north India.
Madhav was not in a situation to say anything as he knew his sister would take his life if he got her only son's marriage behind her back.
Gopal came to Anand and told him what was happening inside. Anand froze as the words reached him. Marry her? A stranger? I just saw her! He felt like refusing instantly. He was practical, a man who believed in planning, not impulses.
But then… Madhav came to him and said, "They are planning to tie the girl to you! I cannot say anything as your mother will kill me if I say yes. Moreover, this girl is not of your standard in education or status."
Santosh overheard that, crying, he came to Anand and said, "Sir, you have already helped me a lot by providing a loan and sparing me paid leaves; moreover, I am extremely happy that you came all the way here for this wedding only for my sake. I know we are not of your standard, but it will be a fulfilling wish if my sister gets married to you. But my family knows our place. I am sorry my uncle approached your uncle." Saying he walked towards the stage to announce that his sister's marriage is cancelled.
Anand's uncle said, "Thank god! Let's go now!" he held the hand of Anand.
Anand closed his eyes and thought of many things. Instantly, he walked towards the stage and said, "Santosh, I need to talk to your sister!"
Wondering Santosh stood still! Anand held his shoulder and shook him and said again! "Are you listening to me?"
"Ye…Yes, sir!" he hurriedly took Anand to the Bride's room.
Priya was sitting with her mother. Santosh rushed to his mother and whispered in her ear all that had happened. Instantly, Mangala stood, wiping her tears, correcting her saree by welcoming him.
Priya took a glance at Anand and stood from the stool. Anand gazed at Priya, even in her dull face, she looked gorgeous, her breathtaking beauty filled with innocence, enchanted Anand's heart. He asked Mangala, "Outside, your relative has approached my uncle to marry your daughter. My name is Anand. Santosh knows me, but to tell you all, I am 28, done with B.com, and working as a branch manager in an export company. I have my own house, and my mother has gone to the Kashi yatra. I know it is very hard to make any such decision, but if you are ok to wait and give time for this relationship, so that we can know each other, and if things work out, we can be married; otherwise, we will be married now for the society and take divorce if things don't work between us. With this, you can save your family's reputation in society now, and even if things don't work out either way, and if we get a divorce, I will take all the blame on me and give compensation which you demand!"
At first, Mangala and Santosh felt it odd, but Priya instantly agreed, saying, "I am ready for this, but on one condition, we will not have any physical relationship until we both agree to that."
Something stirred. He saw not a rejected bride, but a girl braver than her fate, holding back her pain with dignity. Her innocence and self-respect were her strength—struck him deeper than logic ever could.
Sighing, Anand also agreed to this as he was also not ready for it, as he always wished to be intimate only with the person he loves.
Smiling, he turned to Mangala and said, "Ok, Aunty, we can go ahead with the marriage now!" Santosh and Mangala were shocked, confused, hesitant, and worried about the consequences if it turned out to be negative!
But somehow Santosh sighed as he was confident about the positive vibes he was feeling. Instantly, he said, "Come this way, Bhava (Brother-in-law), I will give you the groom's clothes!" Anand smiled, hearing Bhava instead of Sir from his mouth.
Mangala looked at her son, who assured his mother with gestures saying "Trust me!"
Gasps filled the hall. Priya's mother broke down in tears of gratitude. Priya herself stood stunned, heart racing. She had never spoken to this man before, and in a few minutes, he would become her husband.
The sacred fire was lit at the mandapam. Oil lamps glowed warmly, shadows dancing on the banana-leaf decorations. The nadaswara played again, this time slower, solemn.
Anand tied the mangalsutra around Priya's neck as relatives cheered with relief, though whispers still lingered as the words of divorce condition spread like a fire in the jungle. Priya's hands trembled, her heart heavy with fear and gratitude. Anand's expression was calm, unreadable, but when their eyes met, a spark of unspoken promise passed between them.
Two strangers.
One broken path.
Now joined in vows, neither had expected.
Their journey as Strangers Entangled had begun.