I found myself in front of the mirror, surrounded by two ladies, one doing my makeup and the other my hair. I still can't believe my wedding is today. I will be a married woman after today.

Muktha informed me that the wedding was in the same building as the gala and that she couldn't find a place in such a short time. Everything appears to be normal. This wedding, on the other hand, is not normal

There was a knock, and in walked my younger sister, along with Barkha and Muktha. Muktha was holding my lehnga and placing it on the bed. I was ready to put it on. I wore the lehnga with the help of Barkha.

The lehnga is red with intricate flower designs in red, and I paired it with stunning emerald jewellery. I stared at myself in the mirror, and I was looking beautiful. My hair is pulled back into a low bun with roses around it, and my makeup is simple with red lips.

"oh chandini! You are looking very beautiful! You made a great choice with this lehnga," Muktha exclaimed as I walked into the room.

I returned the compliment, thanking her and smiling politely at her. She is wearing a pink sequin lehenga and looks lovely. Barkha had her gaze fixed on me and abruptly told Muktha to leave, taking Taara with her. She left with my sister, leaving me and my best friend alone.

Barkha narrowed her eyes as she approached me slowly. I was perched on the edge of the bed.

"You look stunning, Barkha," I said, widening my smile and trying to gather my thoughts. She is wearing a black saree. She kneeled in front of me without saying anything, taking my hands in hers.

"You look like an angel in this red lehenga. Red is your colour. But, Chandini, I can tell you are not happy. Anyone who looks at your face can tell," she said softly.

"I just miss my parents," I said quietly through a dry throat, sniffing loudly and wiping a tear from my eye. She quickly wiped it away with a tissue.

"Do not ruin your makeup," she said, glaring at me. Her eyes were moist and red, and her lips were twitching. More tears began to fall from my eyes.

"chandini It is fine; do not cry. They are with you in every step of your life; their blessings are with you, and you know they will always be watching over you," she said panickedly, lightly dabbing tissues, afraid of ruining my makeup.

"Oh my God, Chandini, please stop. "You know how your eyes puff up when you cry," she said, furiously dabbing tissues on my cheeks.

When the door opened, we both turned to see Bhaiya and Taara. When I looked at them, a sob escaped my lips, especially Taara. I brought her up after Mummy and Papa. She was only three years old when they died, and I took care of her.

Bhaiya came forward, and I got up to hug him. I was sobbing loudly in his neck as he rubbed my back to calm me down. I could hear him sniffing. When I felt Taara tugging on my dupatta, I pulled back and kneeled in front of her. I pulled her to my chest in a tight hug.

"Don't cry, Didi. You look so pretty," she said as she wiped my tears away, and I nodded.

"I am sure Mom and Dad would have been overjoyed to see you looking this good—you look beautiful." Bhaiya said, lovingly patting my head.

After fixing my makeup and lowering my veil to my chin, I was ready to walk down the aisle with Bhaiya. We stood outside the massive golden door, and Bhaiya squeezed my trembling hands assuringly, and the door opened. We began walking, and I raised my head to look around; everyone appeared to be having a good time, clapping and cheering. But the thought of marrying someone I did not love made me sick.

When my gaze met his fiery ones, through my veil, my breath caught in my throat, and my heart raced insanely. He is dressed in a cream sherwani with gold embroidery and a gold necklace to match. He looked heartbreakingly handsome—a devil disguised as an angel. Due to his intense gaze, I found it difficult to avert my gaze.

I felt a nudge next to me and looked around, still dazed. Bhaiya was confusedly staring at me, and as I looked around, I noticed that everyone was staring as well.

Then I realised I would stop walking. I was so caught up in admiring him that I forgot I was walking. We began quickly moving towards the mandap. (Wedding pavilion)

Reaching there, Bhaiya gave my hand into Rudra's, and he helped me sit. The priest chanted mantras and carried out the rituals. We exchanged garlands, but I could not smile or even look at him. I desperately wanted to flee.

Will I be able to accept him?

I was staring at the sacred fire when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked to my right and saw Rudra staring at me with his jaw clenched.

"Stand up," he said softly, leaning in close to my ear. I nodded and rose with his help.

We began our pheras by exchanging seven vows, one for each phera. My heart was racing furiously after the pheras, and I closed my eyes when I felt Rudra filling my partition, and tears streamed down my cheek. He then tied the mangal sutra around my neck.

My fate had been sealed, and I had become a caged bird, trapped in a forced relationship with no love at all.

Then we went to our elders and asked for their blessings. We went to his parents first and touched their feet, then to Bhaiya. I hugged Barkha and Rohit tightly, his hands gripping my waist, but he abruptly pulled away, staring behind me.

When I turned around, I saw Rudra staring at us with rage in his eyes, his hands fisted so tightly that his knuckles were white, and a muscle ticking in his jaw.

I ignored him and met with his friend Rahul.

"Chandini, this is Sumit Singh, our other best friend," Rahul introduced. I recognised him because he was the other guy with them at the cafe.

I greeted him with joined hands when I felt a tug and looked down to see Athwa with Taara.

They are both brightly smiling. "You are now my bhabhi (sister-in-law)." Athwa said, jutting his chin proudly, and Taara nodded with him, grinning, making me laugh. I ruffled their hair, and they ran away.

It was time for me to say goodbye to my family. I was sobbing in Bhaiya's embrace, and he was whispering sweet words to me. Finally, after meeting Barkha, both of us started crying like there was no tomorrow. I got inside the car with the help of Rudra.

I could feel his burning gaze on me, but I did not want to look at him, so I closed my eyes and rested my head on the window. My head was pounding from crying, and I did not realise it when I fell asleep.

She resembled a goddess in her red lehenga. When her friend drew her veil for the vermillion ceremony, I looked at her. I almost forgot how to breathe for a few moments. Her face was glowing and her luscious lips were painted red, but there was no sign of happiness on her face.

She never raised her head or looked me in the eyes, but I was already aware she was crying. I felt a tug in my heart just thinking about how she had been crying and how I was the reason behind her suffering.

I can't leave her or let anyone else have her. I am a selfish bastard when it comes to her.

We were in the car on our way to the mansion. When I looked at her, she had her head resting on the window, her eyes closed. She has not even looked at me since she hugged Rohit. It was getting on my nerves to see her wrapped in his arms. It was revolting to see his hands gripping her waist.

Looking at them made my blood boil with rage, but I had to remind myself that he was just her friend and nothing more. I just hope I am not wrong.

I almost smiled when I heard soft snoring, but her tear-stained cheeks stopped me. I closed my eyes and sighed as I leaned back and rested my head.

We got home; she was still sleeping, and I did not want to wake her up, so I went around the car and quietly opened her door. I wrapped my hand around her neck and lifted her. She immediately woke up when I touched her and jerked my hand away.

I stormed inside the house to my room, my jaw clenched and my hands fisted tightly.

Why does she have to be like this? Always trying to get away from me. I just wanted to help. Can't she see that I am doing my best?

After changing, I went downstairs to bring Chandini upstairs and noticed Mom and Papa talking to the maids.

"What is going on? "Where has Chandini gone?" I asked, looking around, but she was not in sight.

"She is with Muktha, and she will be sleeping with her until all the rituals are completed," Mom smiled. When she realised I was about to say something, she placed her finger on her lips to silence me. Sighing, I went back to my room and took a sleeping pill. I crawled into bed and let the darkness take over, hoping that Chandini's words would never come true.

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