Author's pov

Bela sat on the chair like a lifeless doll her mother and sister-in-law made her ready for her so called engagement. Her face was emotionless but her eyes held so much pain in them. All the people around her were happily smiling and laughing but her eyes nor face held no happiness in them.

Ichha looked at Bela with pity. She had known Bela since her marriage with Babbal. Her marriage was an arranged one more like a business deal. Being the only daughter of a rich business man has its own cons and pros. She had only met Babbal twice before their marriage and it awkward for her to be around him after marriage. Moreover he was still not over the heart break which was caused by his ex-girlfriend. 

It was Bela who had helped her adjust and had made her feel home. She was the one who talked to Babbal and made him understand. Bela made him take her on dates and eventually both of them fell in love with each other. Just recently they had celebrated their son's first birthday. Bela was the one who saved her marriage life. Bela was like the small sister she never had and it hurted her to see Bela like this. She didn't know why God was being cruel to Bela and Mahir. 

The sound of the door being opened brought Ichha out of her thoughts. All the three pairs of eyes looked towards the door and found an awkwardly smiling Bani standing there.

"Hi Aunty, hi Ichha di, hi Bela." She said waving her hands at them.

"Hey Bani." Ichha and Janvi said back while Bela just smiled at her.

"Aunty why don't you go down and rest for sometime while I and Ichha di get Bela ready for the engagement." Bani suggested making Janvi look at her.

"Ok. Listen Her makeup and only her hair is remaining. You tie it. I don't know why this girl is growing this long hair?" Janvi mumbled the last sentence under her breath but it was audible for the three girls.

"Ji auntiji I will fix her hair."

"And Bela why is your face so dull? Smile a little. For God's sake its your engagement." Janvi frowned.

Bela looked at her mother's face and forced a smile on her face.

"Bela I want to see this smile on your face till the end of your engagement party. Do you understand?"

Bela nodded her head looking down.

"I want your answer in words Bela. Do you understand me?" Janvi repeated her question one more time.

"Yes mom." Bela forced the answer through her lips.

"Good. Ichha I want you and Bani to bring Bela to the stage when the groom and his family arrives." Janvi instructed.

"Yes Sasumaa."

"Yes Auntyji."

Both Bani and Ichha replied making Janvi nod.

"I am going downstairs. If you want anything just call me." Janvi said before walking out of the room.

As soon as the door got closed the three girls let out their breaths which they didn't realize they were holding until now.

"Bela no offence but I really hate your mom. She is so irritating and kind of is a bitch." Bani said as she started fixing her hair.

"None taken." Bela said with a sigh.

"Are are alright Bela?" Bani asked making Bela look at her.

"Offcourse Bani I am perfectly alright. What will be wrong with me?" Bela said with a forced smile.

"You are not alright Bela. Look Bela you don't need to lie to me. I am like your sister na. You can tell me anything." Bani said emotionally.

"You are right Bani. I am not OK." Bela burst out crying.

"Hey please don't cry Bela. It hurts us to see you like this." Ichha said wipping Bela's tears.

"How can I not cry di? It hurts so much. We loved each other so much. Even if he didn't confess openly I know he too love me. I can clearly see it in his eyes but he is not acknowledging it. Me despite being a girl had the guts to openly propose my love to him. Then why is not doing the same. Why?" Bela cried out.

"Bela please-" Bani tried to speak but was cut off by Bela.

"No bani. How can you all just ask me to calm down? It is not easy for. It hurts. It hurts so much. Why is he not fighting for our love? Is our love not worth the fight? Tell me di. Come on why are you both standing silently? Tell me Bani. Am I not not worth a single fight?" Bela asked breaking down.

"Who said you are not worth a fight? He don't know your worth Bela otherwise he wouldn't have let you go this easily." Bani said consouling her.

"Bela don't cry. Trust in God Bela He will make everything alright." Ichha said hugging Bela.

"Haven't you heard of the quote 'If two hearts are meant to be no matter how far they are or how long it takes they will eventually find their way.' And I am sure if you and Mahir ji are destinied then nothing can stop you both from uniting with each other." Bani said looking into Bela's eyes.

"Maybe we are not destined." Bela whispered.

After their talk the room got silent as none of the girls knew what more to talk. Soon the silence lingered in the room was broken by the knocks on the door. 

"Did the groom's side arrive?" Bani asked Ichha as they looked toward the door.

"I don't think they have arrived. Anyway you stay here redo her makeup I will go and who it is." Ichha said moving towards the door.

Ichha opened the door and came face to face her husband stuggling with their one year old son, Arjun who was wailing loudly.

"Ichha he started crying after waking up and I tried my best to calm him but you see your son is stubborn and started crying more loudly." Babbal said as he passed their son to her.

Arjun stopped crying as soon as he saw in his mother.

"Momma momma." He started wriggling in his father's hands and tried to go to his mother's hand.

"Aw seems like my baby missed his mommy." Ichha cooed taking Arjun in her hands.

Arjun giggled in reply.

"Mommy's boy." Babbal mocked.

"Baby see your papa is jealous." Ichha said.

"papa jelach papa jelach." Arjun said clapping his hands cutely.

Ichha chuckled while Babbal made funny faces at the mother-son duo.

"Is she ready?" Babbal asked trying to change the topic.

"Ya almost. Bani is doing the final touch ups." She replied.

"Oh. How is she copping up?" He asked.

"You know answer right. She is broken Babbal. Its hurts me to see her like this. Why can't we just stop this marriage." Icha said with teary eyes.

"I hate seeing her in pain but nothing is in my control. I wish I could do something to stop this stupid wedding and bring a smile on her face. She had done so much for me yet I am unable to help her. I am the worst brother a girl could ever have. Just because I can't go against dad I have to see my sister like this." He said with a sigh.

"Please don't lose hope babbal ji. Trust in God he will make everything fine." Ichha said.

Their talk was interupted by a someone clearing their throat. 

"Uncle they are calling for the bride. The groom and his family has arrived." A girl said and walked away.

"Here you go down with Arjun. I and Bani will accompany Bela and come." Ichha said passing Arjun to Babbal.

Babbal nodded his head and with one last look at Ichha he walked downstairs with Arjun in his hands.

*****

Hi readers,

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Till then,

Goodbye.