Aadya:

"Hey Aadya, how are you? I didn't meet you from a long time. You look very different."

I just smiled at him and didn't reply anything. The grip on my hand tightened by Neel warning me to keep my mouth shut. I understood that Neel didn't like my friend's talk or behavior.

"Who are you?" Neel said to him.

"I am Aadya's friend, Mr. Roshan. We are close friends for five years," Roshan said.

"Do you know him, Aadya?" Neel said and I looked at everyone who were staring at us as if having a boy as a friend being Neel's wife is a crime. Through Neel's voice, I understood he doesn't like it.

"No, I don't remember him," I said slowly in a low pitch bending my head.

"Aadya, you are really changed. This is not that Aadya who used to be strong and lives her life as per her wish," Roshan said.

"That was before the marriage. And now she lives her life as per her husband's wish. She should change a lot and this is just a beginning of her change. Being my wife, she should also change her circle," Neel said, glaring at me.

"I am sorry, Neel," I said with tears in my eyes and I don't know why did I apologize.

"Let's talk about it at our home, Aadya. Until now I was patient with you but now I think I should stop that and handle you differently," Neel said and I felt hurt as everyone listened to his taunting. If he expects me to respect him before others, why don't he respect me before others?

Roshan left and Neel warned me to stop the tears. During the dinner time, Neel restrained me from having the dinner.

"For creating such a weird scene today here in this party, you will not be given food tonight," Neel said.

I didn't say anything and stayed calm. I don't understand what was my mistake in it and why Neel was angry and this dominant. He was so sweet until the last day but today he was too serious.

We went to the home and I changed my dress. I felt hungry but I don't want to make Neel angry again. So, I laid on the bed calmly closing my eyes.

"Aadya, get up," Neel said and I opened my eyes.

"You might be hungry. Please have this," Neel said and he brought the food for me.

"Aadya, I have behaved rudely to you in the party for several reasons. I can't explain to you anything now. Get up and please have the food," Neel said.

"It's okay. I am not hungry," I said.

"I know you are hungry but angry too. Don't be like a kid and have your dinner," Neel said and tried to feed me. I opened my mouth and he fed me.

Wow! Neel fed me that too by pampering me. Is this true? I couldn't believe this. After my dinner, Neel slept on the bed and I placed my head on his chest. Neel didn't respond for a while but later on, he smiled and caressed my hairs.

"Do you know Roshan?" Neel said.

"Yes," I said in a low voice.

"Who is Roshan?"

"My best friend during my....."

"Best friend? Great. So, don't you have any girl best friends?" Neel said.

"Neel, my friends are mostly girls and only a few were boys. I don't know why are you talking like this all the time. It's hurting," I said.

"I don't know anything about you, Aadya. So before accepting you or this relationship, I should be very careful. I don't want to get cheated by staying cool and calm just because you are getting hurt with my words," Neel said.

"Neel, please trust me. I would never cheat you," I said.

I was confused. But this time not because of Neel's behavior but of my behavior. Is this how I am going to be here? Compromise is necessary in a relationship but is this called compromise or killing my identity? Doesn't Aadya has an identity after marrying Neel? Why am I becoming blind and accepting whatever Neel orders? If this is the case, there will be only Mrs. Neel but there would be no Aadya.

But, if I fight with Neel what if he chooses to divorce me for not being a wife of his wish? I promised his mom that I will take care of him in her absence. If I refuse his words even before winning his love, this relationship may break easily. But, if I don't take a stand for me, I would end having no identity.

I looked at the garden where Neel is feeding the birds in the cage with love and affection. Neel enjoys feeding them and everyday takes time to do so. Does he really think the birds in the cage are happy as he shows love and care for them? Can the love and care at the cost of freedom gives happiness? How should I make him understand that love and marriage shouldn't kill the identity of a girl. Even our customs are against a girl's identity because it says a girl to change her last name after the marriage.

Our ancestors, family, relatives and friends, everyone says us to change every aspect according to inlaws and husband. Is it impossible for two individuals to stay together without sacrificing one's individuality and identity? Who would recognize the identity crisis of a girl after the marriage? Everyone sees it as if it doesn't matter at all. Does it really not necessary to think about the girl's identity?

You shouldn't do this. You shouldn't talk like this. What would your inlaws and husband think if you don't know to manage the house or to cook? If a girl speaks with courage, it becomes her ego or attitude. If a girl laughs louder, it's her indecency. If a girl behaves with self esteem, it shows her recklessness.