Enchanted Love

“I am still studying. And it is medicine. So I barely get time to learn anything. I don’t think that it would turn out like this. If you are angry that I don’t know how to cook, please don’t be. I can do something to fill our stomach if there is an emergency” Clara tried hard not to sound harsh but it was draining her energy already. Why is this old lady making this a big deal? Seeing Elena’s expressions scares her like hell. Did she come inside any film set of serials? Is this daily soap being filmed?

“It’s not about filling your stomach. All girls should know to cook” Elena’s tone made her anger rise to the cloud. Clara chanted herself to calm down so that she doesn’t bash this lady and make a drama here. How does she wish to have her mom beside her to give her some strength to bear these talks? She can even hide behind her mom.

“How many months are left for your studies?” Elena asked, munching another bite of the sweet. Everyone around them just looked at the conversation without interfering.

“Few months to complete my internship,” Clara replied, hiding the heavy pain in her voice. Her heart filled with tears that already formed in her eyes as a result of suppressing her anger. Why does this day have to be like this?

“Whatever. It’s not even important. You won’t even go for any job. What’s there to even waste time in that?” Elena didn’t even finish her sentence when Clara gasped loudly while her eyes widened in shock. She didn’t expect such thoughts from the lady.

“Is there anything I said wrong?” Elena asked accusing Clara of her reaction. Clara stared at Alex who shrugged off his shoulders as if he had no voice in this matter. Her tears started flowing like a river and she gritted her teeth not to sob in front of all

“Why are you crying?” Elena asked softly as everyone looked at her face which was filled with tears.

“I am crying because” Clara passed and wiped her tears and took some seconds to calm down.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Because I can’t bash you or insult you” Clara replied calmly and carefully as she doesn’t want to be rude to any elder which is not her upbringing. But at the same time, she can’t stay quiet giving up on her self respect.

That’s it. Everyone started laughing out loud at Clara’s words and Clara was confused by the sudden change in the environment. Clara looked at Elena who was pouting like a little kid as everyone was laughing at her. What the hell is happening here?

“You lost in this bet. Wow. This is the first one I have won against my mom” Frank started dancing around Elena and now Clara is fully confused. Elena on the other hand beats Frank with everything she has in her hand so that he stops his teasing.

“Dear, it is just a prank” Clara widened her eyes when Jenny told her. Is this even a family? Who plays such a prank over a new daughter in law? But what exactly is a prank?

“I thought you would bash me or insult me if I played an authoritative role. Frank had full confidence that you would never bash me. So finally, you made me lose the bet” Elena explained the bet as Clara went pale with the craziest thing she ever heard about.

“But I thought you would just do the unimaginable. Anything but tears? I didn’t expect this from you” Elena pouted more expressing her displeasure.

Now Clara looked at Alex with accusing stares. But he is blinked away as if he doesn’t belong to this crazy family.

“Relax, relax. Clara dear. It’s my family’s old tradition. Our great-great-grandmother invented this. She believes that if we make our new daughter in law cry on the very first day, it would wash away all bad eyes from the happiness they get in the future. So please don’t think of us as retarded people” Frank exclaimed as he pats her head lovingly. Clara smiled after the whole five minutes.

She is happy that she doesn’t have those daily soaps in-laws. Does she have no clue as to what she would do if these all happened to her in real life? She looked at Alex and wondered what would happen to her if he really stood there with no voice in any matters. That’s when she realised she doesn’t even know about him. She can’t even tell that he won’t do such a thing. She doesn’t know how he handles any matter? Does she have any idea how he behaves? She is unaware of how he makes everyone happy? She didn’t know anything about him but was still married to him. Will this go smoothly?

Her chain of thoughts broke when Alex nudged her suddenly.

“Smile,” he spoke softly. Whatever may be, she can’t deny the fact that his voice and his care towards her are making her go weak every time. She smiled at him lowering her lids

****

It’s her seventh day since she is married. Most exactly a week after her marriage. She just loved everything about it. The main thing she cherishes is Alex who makes sure to make her heart go crazy with his every attempt. He and his flirtatious dialogues, she can never get used to it. When it comes to Frank and Jenny, they are just her parents more than Alex’s. They pampered her like anything and Clara had no words to express her feelings about it.

Alex on the other hand feels trapped in some spell by Clara. He could only think about her more than anything. He feels complete with his parents and Clara. Although he doesn’t like why Clara’s parents should stay away. He always sees some sadness in her eyes whenever he has a fun time with his parents. She must miss her family a lot.

Clara took her towel to have a warm bath. Alex left for his office early in the morning because of something important. Leisurely, she filled her bathtub and sang her favourite song.

She dumped her body inside the warm water and enjoyed her little bath. She always loved bathtubs and doesn’t experience such things in her home. But having one in her bedroom made her feel like a princess.

She jerked and opened her eyes when she heard Alex screaming her name from downstairs. She doesn’t want to rush her bath but hearing his voice, she couldn’t help but wrap herself in a towel already.

She didn’t even lock her room. She thought he would come late. She didn’t even get her spare dress. Cursing her over smartness move, she peeped out and sighed in relief as the room door was still locked. Alex didn’t arrive there. She came out still looking at the door so that she could grab her long gown and get inside again.

Before she could realise it, she collided with something and twirled around. She closed her eyes tightly expecting a great fall but soon she widened her eyes realising that Alex was already there and he pulled her towards him.

Chanting her favourite prayers, she stood up there all embarrassed. She turned into tomato red by standing there in just a bathrobe.