Heartbroken

Last year a new family shifted on the same floor where I stay. This family consisted of an elderly mother, her son and daughter who are of my age. When they moved both of the siblings were unmarried. After moving within a couple of months the son got married.

A couple of months ago the daughter Vibha had come to my home. Within last few months their family and my family had been friendly with each other. Vibha who usually dresses up in western attire, that day had been wearing a saree. She looked really pretty in saree and I complimented her. I saw that she had also applied mehndi. She asked if my parents were home. Unfortunately that day my parents had gone to my aunt's place. I told her that my parents were not home and if she wanted to convey any message she should let me know. She smiled at me and told me that she got engaged that day. She had come to my home to seek blessings from my parents.

I obviously failed to draw conclusions from the signs but I immediately congratulation her. I asked her when her wedding was going to be. She told me that the wedding would be in August. Also Vibha asked me if I could help her with her wedding preparation and shopping. I agreed and told her that I would be ready to help her with any preparation.

"This time I miss having a sister. I am so glad that you are with me," Vibha mentioned emotionally and looked at me. I was moved because even after knowing me for a few months she had already considered me as her sister.

Months passed and I saw that the wedding preparations were going on at her home. I would notice that everyday they would have various guests at their home. Sometimes Vibha or her mother would come to our home seeking help for preparation of certain delicacies. Sometime they would ask for chairs. I was glad to see the hustle bustle in their home for her wedding preparations. Moreover I was seeing Vibha smiling every day. She was glowing with the happiness. Every couple of days she would ask me to help her with either packing of the bags or selection of the fashion jewellery. I would happily assist.

It was the beginning of August. It was the month of Vibha's wedding. Surprisingly the rush at their home had started dwindling. Relatives were not visiting their home. The wedding preparation appeared to slow down. I assumed that their preparation must have been concluded and hence there was no rush.

One day I met Vibha at a nearby supermarket. I was surprised to see her because she had lost the glow on her face. She looks really sad and lost. I thought maybe she is just tired because of the wedding preparation. I saw that she had bought quite a lot of things from the supermarket. I decided to go and ask her if she needed a hand.

"Do you need help with that? It is definitely going to be heavy" I asked.

Vibha looked at me and smiled. It made me disheartened because her smile did not reach her eyes. She said, "I will manage".

"You do not have to manage. After all we are going to the same place," I tried to make the atmosphere lighter with a joke.

"I decided to get away from home for some time. Before you hear from anyone let me tell you myself. My wedding has been called off. That is why everything has come to a sudden halt. Things did not go in the direction that I wanted so everything ended. I wanted to tell you but I never could find the courage to come to you and speak with you. I was crying for almost a week after It all happened. I am still sad but I am trying to manage," Vibha spoke and started crying.

It was indeed very sad. It was difficult to see a girl cry whose the dreams were shattered. I patted on her back and said, "at least you realised before you got married. Later on it would have been very difficult for you. Right now it is important to stay strong and look forward," when I said that Vibha hug me in the supermarket aisle.

"Thanks for being the sister I never had but always wanted," Vibha said while wiping her tears. She handed me one of her bags and then both of us headed home. For me it was the beginning of a new sisterhood.