Rekha's POV:

After drowning myself in self pity for two weeks, I decided to move on. I went back to the place I am staying with Brinda .

" where the hell you have been?" Narmada shouted at me as soon as I entered the house.

Before I could come up with an excuse, her hand made contact with my cheek. Did she just slapped me? Then she hugged me. When she pulled away , I could see tears threatening to come out on her eyes.

" Narmada, What happ .." I was stopped by her mom placing a laddoo in my mouth.

" Rekha, one happy news. Your friend is getting married. She finally agreed." Aunty said happily.

What???

I was shell shocked by her revelations. I looked at Narmada expecting it to be a lie or joke, but no. She suddenly finds the plain white ceiling interesting. Her expression hurriedly changed to one of concern.
Brinda mouthed "it's Shiva."
Great. Just great. I have been away for only three weeks, things have changed upside down.
Anna! Oh god!
He might've known. Poor him. He must be devastated. I need to see him.
How could you do this,Narmada?
" Why do you agree to marry him? He's not right for you." I asked Narmada after aunty went down.
" Now you're asking me. I tried calling you mny a times whwn I desperately needed you. But you didn't even bother. Now , you're asking me as if you're worried about me. Atleast he was there for me ." She spat angrily and went down.
After Narmada and her mom left, Brinda told me what all happened in my absence.

Shiva, that cunning fox.

oh no! It was my idea. I am so gone if Narmada get to know that it was I who suggested her mom to do that. It backfired significantly. I ruined my brother's love.

Udhay's POV:

Tears welled up in my eyes and I fought to keep them back. I couldn't understand why Narmada didn't like me.My heart completely shattered after hearing the news of Narmada and Shiva engagement .

Narmada and I are walking hand in hand. She is staring at me with pure love in her eyes, a smile playing on her lips as I brushed a strand of her blonde hair away from her face. " I love you, Narmada ."
She blushed a soft shade of pink before whispering, "I love you too,Udhay." She stroked my cheek with her soft fingers and planted a soft kiss on my lips, one that sent tingles throughout my entire body.

My dream was interrupted by the sound of a door opening and heavy footsteps trudging into the living room.

Rekha. She looked at me with sadness in her eyes. sadness? why is she sad? for what? I am not sure. She left without even informing me. But I don't want to face her at the moment.

" anna, I am sorry." She mumbled.

" sometimes sorry doesn't set everything right,Rekha." I crossed my arms and looked at her.

" look anna, I am sorry. I mean it. but I was heartbroken. I just. just want to be alone. please forgive me." She pleaded me.

Heartbroken?

" what happened Rekha?" I asked her with concern. She sat in silence for a while before wrapping her arms around me.

" it's doesn't matter now. I got over it." She replied. I sighed and dropped the subject for I know she won't tell me.

She then went to her room and didn't bother to come out.

"Rekha, dinner is ready . Come out." I called her out.

" My favourite Pasta. " She placed some on her plate and started eating.

" This is delicious." She said after having a spoon still not looking at me.

" thanks." I replied.

After we finished eating, I am about to take the dirty dishes but she stopped me.

" what's up?" I asked.

She seems hesitant about saying something. After what felt like an hour of silence, she said " can we talk?"

I nodded . what was it about?

" what do you want to talk about?" I asked her as We both sat in the garden.

" eh" She scratched the back of her neck.

"I loved Hari , anna. That's why I left without telling anyone." She blurted out. what??

Hari was helpless. He married the girl for her safety and dignity. He asked me not to tell anyone about it.

I hugged her as she let tears fall from her eyes. We both are unlucky at love. I silently wiped a lone tear escaped my eye.
" anna, do you love someone?" She asked me.

I don't want her to create any chaos in Narmada's wedding for me. So, I decided to hide the fact that I love her friend.

"no."

" even now you won't tell me na. It's ok. I know what to do." She stood up and ran inside.

what does she mean by that?

Narmada's POV:

While I am working, I received a text from Shiva asking me to come out. Eversince we got engaged, He's trying his best to know me better. But I simply couldn't open up with him. In fact, my thoughts are more about postponing or stopping the wedding which is unfair to him. I didn't even told him about my father.

I know I shouldn't be doing this. But my mom will do something harmful for her if I don't

" Hi, Narmada. This is for you." Shiva greeted me with a bouquet of red roses as soon as I came out.

" thanks. These are lovely." I replied while taking it from him.

" if it is not too much to ask, do you mind coming with me to the beach so that we can talk?" He asked me. I nodded.

I asked for a half day leave and went with him.

" going out with your fiance huh?" Brinda asked me sarcastically.

" yeah. You got problem with that." I snapped and immediately regretted seeing her paled face.

" I am sorry, Bri. I got stressed. I didn't mean to." I said while placing my hand on her shoulder.

" It's ok. I understand. Go and talk with him. You can't go on like this. It's either you have to accept him fully or let him go. Have a heart to heart talk with him. Decide Narmada. I can't see you confused like this. I still don't like him but it's your life." She said and then went back to her cabin.

She's right though.

On the beach,

" why are you ignoring me,Narmada? " He asked while I draw something on the sand.
" I am not. It's just I still couldn't believe the fact that I am engaged . That too for my mom's sake. Not for love or mutual likeness. I am feeling guilty for doing this to you.you deserve someone who marries you for you and not for any other reason. I am not interested in getting married . You know I agreed because of my mother. "

" Narmada, I know our engagement happened all of a sudden and it's due to your mom. But I like you a lot. So, don't think like you're doing wrong to me . I know it's early but I really wants to give us a chance. We both are childhood friends. We are no strangers. We can understand each other well. I am ready to wait for you to accept me as your life partner . I want you to decide. If you don't want to do this, then it's ok. I will accept it through it will pain me. " He said with so much concern in his voice. His words are sincere and honest.

" ok,Shiva. I can't back out now. So, I am willing to try this out. If things don't work out, then we will part ways. Agree? " I asked him.
He suddenly grabbed my hand and removed the engagement ring.
" just want to do it right. " with that he stood up and kneel in front of me.
"Narmada, will you make a happiest man by marrying me?" He asked me loudly causing a few couples to look in our direction.
" yes."He lifted me in his arms and twirled me around. Maybe it's not bad as I think.

Third person's POV:

" akka, everything is happening according to your plan. Narmada started to fall for Shiva. He's doing his job well. Now we need to wait for Shiva anna release. " one of the trusted goon of Sundaravalli said to her .
" I know. She will pay for every insult, she throwed at me . I can't wait to see her face when she realise she married two guys by same name on the same day. That's my punishment for her. "
A loud sound of laughter followed by a silent sob of helpless father.

*******
Hi all,
I know it's been a long time since I updated. But I am caught up with lot of work
A big thanks for all those who messaged and waiting patiently for me to update. Thanks for your continued encouragement and support.
Love you all.
Lastly, do let me know what you all think?
Story is going to speed up in coming chapters.
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