Page 58 of The Unwanted Husband
As she approached, the chieftain stepped forward with a warm smile that transformed his serious features.
“Welcome to your new home,” he said, his voice soft. He pressed his palms together in greeting, and she found herself doing something she had not done in decades as she felt the weight of tradition and acceptance in the man’s gesture. She bent and touched the Chieftain’s feet and swore that the air around her suddenly relaxed.
She felt the chieftain’s hand on her head as he blessed her and that made her feel genuine affection from the man. He placed his hands on her shoulders and straightened her. “God bless you, my child.”
Isha felt at ease with a man she had just met. She felt a sense of comfort she felt with the fatherly figure in her life, her uncle.
The man looked at Ashok for a moment and then back at Isha. “It is very unfortunate what happened and I’m thankful for what you and Ashok did for the children.”
Did he know? Did Ashok confess?
She only nodded as the rest of the family walked toward them. His mother welcomed her with a gentle smile. Her bangles chimed softly as she moved closer to take her hands. His sisters, Aravinda, Amuktha and Sasikala stood together looking at her with curious eyes and polite grins. The group included elderly men and women nodding their approval. But as the introductions continued, she noticed his oldest sister hanging back slightly, her arms crossed and her dark eyes studying her with an intensity that made Isha uncomfortable.
Unlike the others, who offered warm smiles and welcoming words, his oldest sister maintained a polite but distant expression, her gaze lingering on her and Ashok. Everyone along with the extended family crowded around the sleeping babies and that gave her a moment to clash eyes with Ashok.
As if he picked up the strain in her eyes, he slid over to where she stood, stepping away from the stroller. He ran his arm around her, his fingers grazing her waist.
He leaned in, his lips running over her temple. “Is Aravinda being scary?”
On impulse she looked at Aravinda, and smiled at her with a new found confidence with Ashok by her side. With that, his sister approached them. “Welcome, Monisha.”
Gosh why did she have to sound so formal.
“Thank you, Aravinda.” She nodded. “I prefer, Isha.”
“Good to know.” Aravinda smiled. The words were polite enough, but she felt the weight of scrutiny behind them.
Isha knew it wasn’t going to be as simple to convince the family of their relationship, especially with Aravinda suspecting their arrangement to be fake. She was determined to prove her wrong.
*****
Much later that night, after they had dinner with the family, the sounds of the island had settled into the gentle symphony of waves. She heard the soft creak of her bedroom door. In the moonlight that streamed through the carved wooden shutters she could make out his silhouette as he slipped inside, barefoot and careful not to wake the twins sleeping in the room next door.
Until the ceremony, she was told by Ashok’s mother that she had to be in the guest wing of the house. For reasons she could not explain, she wanted the twins with her. Ashok didn’t object but she saw the surprise in his eyes.
“Isha,” he whispered, stopping beside her low bed draped with mosquito netting. “You awake?”
She smiled in the dim light and patted the space next to her. “Yes, I am. Come sit.”
“I won’t be long. I came to give you this.” He held a small box out.
She took it from his hand and shook it, curiously. “What is this?”
He chuckled. “Don’t get too excited. It’s just a phone.”
“Why do I need another phone?”
“The cellular coverage here is spotty. Just back up in case you need to reach me.”
She didn’t need her phone as much as she didn’t really talk to anyone other than her cousin and her aunt. All others either communicated with her over email or video conference meetings. She opened the box and took the phone out. “How do I use this?”
“Let’s step outside,” he whispered, gesturing to her to follow him. “There’s something else we need to talk about too.”
She gathered the thin robe and slipped it over her t-shirt. She didn’t see the need to put on a bra as it was pretty dark outside. He closed her bedroom door softly behind her as they stepped into the large balcony off of her space.
“There is something I need to prepare you for. There are a few ceremonies being lined up for us to perform. Traditions that haven’t been skipped in generations.”
She felt a flutter of nervousness mixed with intrigue. “What kind of ceremonies?”
