Groom demands already married elder sister-in-law as Dowry - on the day of marriage

[ashuezy2]

Scene 4: The Unholy Pheras

Pandit ji continued, chanting the sacred mantras. His voice trembled, mixing with the quiet sobs of Preet and the shocked silence of the guests.

Pandit Ji: "Now... now it is time for the pheras (rounds). The... the groom and brides will please stand." Ab... ab [i]pheron ka samay hai. Var... aur vadhuyein... kripya khade ho jaayein.[/i]
Jeevan stood up, pulling a weeping Preet with him. He then turned his commanding gaze to Sukhmani.

Jeevan: "You too, Sukhmani. A wife's duty." Tum bhi, Sukhmani. Ek patni ka farz.
Sukhmani rose, her face a mask of cold fury. The Pandit ji, sweating, quickly tied Sukhmani’s [i]chunni to Jeevan’s sash, on one side, and Preet’s on the other. It was a grotesque sight.
[/i]
Pandit Ji: "Now... for the first four rounds... the bride... brides... will lead..." Ab... pehle chaar pheron ke liye... vadhu... vadhuyein... aage chalengi...

Jeevan: "No. I will lead. They will follow me. Both of them. From the very first step." Nahi. Main aage chalunga. Woh mere peeche chalengi. Dono ki dono. Pehle kadam se hi.

Pandit Ji: "But Jeevan Sahab, the ritual..." Lekin Jeevan Sahab, yeh toh rasam...

Jeevan: "The ritual is what I say it is. We walk. Now." Rasam woh hai jo main kehta hoon. Hum chalenge. Abhi.
Jeevan began to walk around the holy fire. Preet stumbled, pulled along. Sukhmani walked with a stiff, steady pace, her eyes fixed on the flames.

Preet: (Whispering, sobbing) "Didi... I can't... Didi... this is wrong..." Didi... mujhse nahi ho raha... Didi... yeh galat hai...

Sukhmani: (Whispering, harsh) "Walk, Preet. Just walk. Don't look up. It will be over soon. Just walk." Chalo, Preet. Bas chalti raho. Upar mat dekho. Yeh jaldi khatam ho jayega. Bas chalo.
As they completed the third round, Jeevan’s hand, which was holding Preet’s, brushed deliberately against Sukhmani’s side. He leaned slightly towards her.

Jeevan: (A low, possessive whisper for Sukhmani alone) "You feel that knot, Sukhmani? You are tied to me now. Tighter than your sister. Tighter than your useless husband ever could. You are mine." Tumhe woh gaanth mehsoos ho rahi hai, Sukhmani? Tum mujhse bandh gayi ho ab. Apni behen se bhi zyada mazbooti se. Tumhare us nikamme pati se bhi zyada. Tum meri ho.
Sukhmani flinched but did not speak. They sat. It was time for the [i]sindoor (vermilion).[/i]
Jeevan took a pinch. He turned to Preet and applied it roughly, almost carelessly. Then he turned to Sukhmani. He smiled, took a full, deep red pinch.

Jeevan: "And now, for my true prize. My elder wife. Open your eyes, Sukhmani. I want you to see this." Aur ab, mere asli inaam ke liye. Meri badi patni. Apni aankhein kholo, Sukhmani. Main chahta hoon tum yeh dekho.
She met his gaze, her own full of hate. He slowly, deliberately, dragged the [i]sindoor through the parting of her hair, marking her as his.
[/i]
Pandit Ji: (Voice weak, almost a whisper) "The... the vivah... is... is complete. You are... man and... wives." Yeh... yeh [i]vivaah... sampann... hua. Aap... pati aur... patniyaan hain.[/i]