19

Author's Pov

Someone was pounding on the door, and Chandini awoke to the sound of pounding. With a groan, she raised her head and slightly opened her eyes, feeling the weight on her stomach. She glanced down, and Taara had her arms wrapped around her.

Chandini gently pushed her younger sister up from the bed. When she opened the door, she saw Samay.

"Why do you sleep like a dead person? I have been pounding on your door for the last ten minutes," her brother said, as Chandini let out a loud yawn.

"Get ready, Kapoor ladies are here with the little guy," he said, looking at Chandini from head to toe before shaking his head and leaving.

Her face puffed up, and her hair was a tangled mess. Chandini fully opened her eyes when Kapoor was mentioned.

"What is with this family, always showing up in the morning?" She grumbled as she went to get ready.

When she returned to her room after getting ready, she found Taara sleeping with her mouth open and drool running down her face on the bed. She woke Taara up and told her to get ready.

Chandini then went downstairs and saw Muktha, Suman (Rudra's mother), and Athwa, the little guy. He hugged her tightly, and she returned the hug with a kiss on the cheek. Then she met with everyone with her joined hands and greeted them.

"Sorry for arriving at this time. Today we have to go shopping for jewellery and clothes of your choice, which you will wear after the wedding ceremonies," Suman said with a smile. Chandini gave a slight nod.

"Can we leave Athwa here? Taara was missing him and wanted to play with him. Barkha, one of my friends, will be here to look after them. He will be fine," Chandini asked hesitantly.

Suman agreed, and Athwa was excited to play with Taara. Chandini texted Barkha to come to her house and look after both kids. They left the children in the care of Samay until Barkha arrived.

"Can we please get some coffee and something to eat?" Chandini spoke awkwardly in the car, her cheeks flushed.

Muktha laughed at her, and they decided to stop to get her coffee, and she settled for a sandwich. They spent the entire day shopping. Chandini felt eyes on her throughout the day, but when she turned or looked around, she could not find anyone.

They were returning to Chandini's to pick up Athwa. Chandini was in her thoughts; she was not feeling good about all the things they had bought. It was all very costly, and she didn't like it at all

When they arrived at her house, Taara, Athwa, and Barkha were running around with spatulas in their hands and chocolate smeared across their faces. They had stopped looking at the ladies.

Chandini dashed inside the kitchen as soon as she saw the scene. She hit her head against the wall, and the kitchen was a shambles, with chocolate, flour, sprinkles, and whatever else was everywhere.

"This would take forever to clean," she mumbled tiredly under her breath.

"Oh my God, Chandini, I am so sorry. We will help you clean," Suman said as she walked into the kitchen.

"No, no, it is okay; they are just kids having fun, except for her," Chandini said, glaring at Barkha and gently pushing Suman out of the kitchen.

Chandini said her goodbyes to Kapoor before entering the house and discovering Barkha and Taara still standing in the drawing room.

"Taara, this is really bad. Now go take a bath, and then I will call you for dinner." She scolded her strictly,then went inside the kitchen and called Barkha.

Barkha came slowly inside the kitchen and stood a little away from her friend. Chandini was massaging her temples.

"Clean this," Chandini said slowly and quietly, still rubbing her temple.

"I am not doing it," Barkha said, raising her hand.

Chandini took a slow step towards Barkha and picked up the knife, pointing it at her. "You will clean up the mess you made. Do not make me say it again. I am not in the mood right now," she said quietly, pointing her knife at her friend.

Barkha nodded quickly, and Chandini left before saying, "I am going to take a shower; by the time I return, I want everything clean. Otherwise, you already know me, Barkha."

Barkha got right to work and cleaned everything. She then quickly exited, closing the door behind her. Chandini came downstairs and saw that everything had been cleaned up. She cooked dinner and called Taara. They ate quietly, and she saved some food for her brother.

Chandini went to bed after tucking her younger sister into her room. She quickly fell asleep because she was tired.

Next morning

Chandini woke up late in the afternoon and got ready for the day. Barkha and Rohit arrived with snacks and drinks, and the three of them spent the day together. They talked all day and had a great time after such a long time. They watched movies and played video games with Taara.

Samay returned home late at night to find all three friends snuggled up on the floor, watching Barbie, with Taara sleeping beside Rohit. Are these grown-ups watching Barbie? After a while, Rohit and Barkha left. Chandini was cleaning the drawing room.

Samay decided to discuss the guest list with his sister. Though they don't have many people in their family.

"Chandini, please sit; we need to discuss who we should invite to your wedding."

Chandini stopped and sat in front of her brother on the couch.

"There is no need to invite anyone; Rudra and I discussed it, and we do not want anyone other than family and close friends at our wedding," Chandini told her brother, who thinned his lips in disagreement.

"All I need to do is talk to Suman Aunty about it. Then we are good to go," she added.

Samay nodded at her sister, wanting to invite their uncle and aunt. He knew Chandini would never agree because of how they had previously treated her, so he decided to remain silent.

"You don't look excited; you're going to be married in just a few days. I think we should start the ceremonies," Samay said, leaning back.

"I am excited, but I am also nervous, and I do not want any ceremonies; we should skip them," his sister said awkwardly.

"If you say so, Chandini."

They went to their room after Samay had picked up Taara and tucked her into bed.

There was no call message or even a trace of Rudra.

(Two days prior to the wedding)

Chandini was reading in her room when her phone rang, and Muktha's name appeared on the screen. She answered the phone. They talked for quite some time.

"Would you like to see your wedding location?" Muktha asked excitedly.

"Now? Okay, tell me where I can meet you." Chandini asked.

Muktha told her to get ready because she would be picking her up in half an hour. Chandini got ready in a simple outfit of shorts and a T-shirt. She was waiting outside her house when she felt like she was being watched, and she looked around for someone, but no one was there. Muktha picked her up, and the two of them left the house.

They arrived at the venue. Chandini noticed that it was the same building where Rudra's company had their gala. Chandini looked at Muktha with wide eyes and an open mouth, who simply shrugged.

"Is not this a bit large for a small wedding?" Chandini questioned her as she looked around.

Muktha was confused and said, "Um, no?"

"I think I need to talk to your brother about this. Let us go to his office." Chandini said as she walked towards the exit.

Muktha followed her, and the two of them got into the car and drove away. They soon arrived at the company's parking lot and entered through the back door. Muktha stopped to chat with someone.

Chandini made her way over to Rudra's cabin. She walked into the room without knocking and immediately regretted it. There were two men in the room with him who were discussing something. When they heard the sound of the door opening, they turned around.

Her breathing became more rapid as she focused her attention on the person in front of her. Two men, one with brown hair and one with black hair

The black-haired man licked his lips as he stared at Chandini from head to toe, his gaze lingering on her bare legs for a moment longer. The dark glint in his eyes was something Chandini would never forget.

Rudra clenched his fists as he caught sight of his gaze lingering on her legs. Before he could say anything, Chandini shut the door and stumbled backwards, tears in her eyes.

The door opened, and Rudra emerged, his eyes worried and filled with concern. He held her, wiping her tears away with the back of his hand, and she burst into a tight hug, her head on his chest.

"Shh, do not worry; everything is fine, darling. Don't forget to breathe." He whispered, his breath hitting her ear, making her shiver.

He drew away from her as the door opened, and they heard footsteps, wiping her eyes and gently brushing her hair away from her face. Rudra pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear and wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. Chandini kept her gaze fixed on the ground, avoiding the black-haired man.

"I apologise for leaving so abruptly. Meet Chandini Sehgal, the soon-to-be Mrs. Rudra Kapoor."

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