Of Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi — Index

Page two began with a cup of over-sweetened tea.

Chandni’s mother cried. Her father sighed. But Chandni saw something in the index: a chance to rewrite her definition of vivah . Not a fairy tale. A factory. A messy, noisy, fabric-strewn factory of life. Index Of Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi

She said yes.

She emerged with singed hair and the box clutched to her chest. Page two began with a cup of over-sweetened tea

"Because index number three," she replied, "says ‘protect the children.’ I don't break my contracts." But Chandni saw something in the index: a

Mohan arrived to see her standing in the rain, the fire behind her. For the first time, he didn't see a convenient arrangement. He saw a woman who had protected his past so his children could have a future. He took her burned hand and whispered, "Why?"