Hemadri's POV

It was the day of my Wedding, the banquet hall was beautifully decorated with a colorful tapestry. There was delicious Indian cuisine for Indian guests and keeping in mind the taste of locals guests who are business associates of the Khanna family. It definitely will be an unforgettable wedding for everyone.

The color, the music, and the history of Indian weddings is a tradition like nothing else, to recognize the deep and rich culture of Indian weddings, the hotel manager had just made everything perfect.

I was ready for the biggest event of my life. My lehenga represented love, passion, and celebration along with gold jewelry showing prosperity but the happiness of being a bride had been far away from my face.

Shreshta kept her hand on my shoulder and I glanced at her through the mirror "chale?" she asked

I got up from the chair and moved out with her towards the banquet hall. My other cousins joined me as my bridesmaids.

I stood near the window and saw Saahil entering into the hotel in a Mercedes. The relatives dancing around, I closed my eyes for a moment and looked again. I caught a glimpse of Aarav sitting inside the car dressed in Sherwani. He was happily dancing with his friends and passing me a flying kiss. A smile appears on my face but it disappears after a few seconds when my dream was broken by Shrestha's words "ab bhi waqt hai.. Hema.. ek baar shaadi ho gayi toh tu hamesha ke liye apne pyaar ko kho degi"

I remembered Aarav's words he won't run away with me as he doesn't want my parents to go through the same pain again. He doesn't only care for me but also for my parents. I wondered if Saahil will give the same respect to them. I too also don't want to hurt my parents again. 

I remembered a memory, I decided to explore the city and Saahil joined me.

We went to the shop and looked around. I liked the dress, I looked at the price and it was about 50 Euro. I said "can I this?"

She spoke something in French which I didn't understand. Just then I heard his voice "wo puch rahi hai tumhara size kya hai"

I turned to right and saw Aarav. I ignored him and told her the size. She got the dress and I went to the trail room. I wore it and looked at myself in the mirror, I loved it. I returned to the counter and handed it to her "I want this"

Saahil came with a few things and kept them at the counter. He glanced at my dress and asked "ye li hai tumne?"

"ha.. " I said..

He checked the price "no.. this is so cheap! Wait.." He held my head and took me to the dress section. He pulls out a similar dress with an expensive price tag. "Yeh.. better hai"

I made a face "Saahil isme wo baat nahi hai! Mujhe wahi chahiye"

"Come on Hemadri! Isme class hai... jo usme nahi hai buy this" he insists, I denied it and walked back to the counter.

I smiled as he had bought many gifts for the family. "Ye sab..."

"Haa.. ye meri bua ki ladki ke liye... mom dad ke liye and baaki kuch special friends ke liye" He said

I looked at him and asked "meri family ke liye?"

He looked at his watch "bahut der ho rahi hai.. Hum bhaage kaha jaa rahe hai.. Kal aa jayenge lene isme hi 2-3 ghante lag gaye" he gave the excuse. First, he didn't allow me to buy the dress of my choice and now he didn't even bother to get at least something for just my parents.

I returned with him to the hotel and he excitedly distributed the gifts to his family. I was disheartened as my family was sitting with empty hands in front of his family.

"Sorry maa papa.. Mujhe aapki pasand ka pata nahi tha isliye kuch laaya nahi main! Lekin kal zaroor launga" he said apologizing to my parents

"Koi baat nahi hai beta.." Alok replied understanding that.

Shreshta entered the lounge along with Aarav "chachi..." she shouted

Rano smiles "haa beta.."

"Main aur Aarav bhi shopping karke aaye hai!" she said and forwarded the bags to her.

She disturbed others to other cousins, uncle and aunties. Everyone was pleased with the gifts "are Shreshta kya zaroorat thi itna sab lene ki haan?" Alok asked

"Chachu.. Hum baar baar thodi Paris aate hai aapko pasand aaye na gifts?" she asked

"Bahut hi zyada.." he replied

Aarav smiled hearing that, Rano glared at her "ye teri pasand toh ho nahi sakti hai! Tujhe khudka toh pata hai nahi hamare liye itne ache gifts kaise select kiye tune?" she asked

Shrestha smiles "maine nahi kiye hai chachi.. Aarav ne kiye hai" she revealed and I was shocked hearing that. How does he knows what my parents and other family members would prefer.

Alok was impressed with him "are.. Kuch hi din hue hai tumhe humse mile hue aur tumne hamari pasand bhi jaan li?" he said looking at Aarav

Saahil fumed in anger hearing that, he said "ye sab toh kitne down market hai"

Aarav answered him "haan manta hun ye utne expensive nahi hai lekin inki keemat usse bhi zyada hai kyuki sabke chehre mein khushi hai.. "

I smiled hearing him, Shrestha came to me and handed me the gift bag. I asked her and she smiled in return. I opened it and it was the same dress which I had selected for myself at the shop. A cheerful smile appears on my face with this.

I came out of the trance of my thoughts. I commenced walking towards the banquet hall. I didn't find Myra anywhere since morning. I wanted a few answers from her for lying to me. I wondered if at the club she intentionally humiliated him. I just couldn't any chance to sort out this mystery. If I married Saahil, I will lose the man who loves me, cares for my family, treats me like a queen, during my periods handles my mood swings. He bent down to tie my sandals who does that? I can't expect Saahil to do that for me. The way he danced with me at the Sangeet ceremony was awkward.

I reached the entrance and looked around. Aarav was standing in the corner, he smiled at me and glanced at me from head to toe. He showed his hands indicating "I am looking most beautiful bride ever", a tear escapes down my eyes and he signals me not to let it drop my eyes.

Shreshta kept her hand on my shoulder "har kisiko dubara mauka nahi milta apne pyaar ko paane ka hema.. Mere saath toh sach mein dhoka hua tha lekin Aarav wo toh tera bhala chahta tha isliye tera dil toda usne.. Aur ab bhi tod raha hai! Humne use yahan kitna zalil kiya phir bhi wo yahan hai.. Kismat ne use escort banaya isme uski kya galti hai? Saahil ke saath teri shaadi ho gayi toh tere paas paisa hoga, acha lifestyle hoga lekin pyaar nahi hoga hema... sirf 10 minute hai jaimala mei.. Please bhaag jaa.."

I looked around and there were more than 500 guests sitting around. "Bhaagne ke liye bhagane waala bhi taiyar chahiye lekin wo nahi hai! Mere paas do hi option hai ya toh main sabke saamne sach kahun ya phir shaadi karun Saahil se"

Shreshta whispered in her ear "sach bol.."

"Kaise?? Bolun main escort se pyaar karti hun?" I said sarcastically..

Shreshta whispered while heading towards the stage with me "tu uske baare mein pata karne ke liye club mein kaand kar sakti hai.. Toh sabke saamne toh kah hi sakti hai you love him" she said

A smile appears on my face, indeed he had taught me to do things fearlessly indirectly. 

"na wo galat hai aur na main.. shayad hamara ek hona likha hi nahi hai kuch kahaniya adhuri rah hi jaati hai" I said looking at Shrestha and signalled her let the marriage happen.  

 I climbed the stage and stood in front of Saahil holding the Garland in my hands. I looked at Aarav and his eyes reflected the pain of losing me forever but he maintained a smile on his face. 

Rano smiled and said "beta chalo Varmala daalo"

I looked at Aarav who was heading out of the banquet hall. My hopes were shattered, I poured the Varmala around Saahil's neck and he also completed the ritual. 

Everyone sat down to click the picture and then I commenced with Saahil for the photoshoot. I noticed Aarav standing at the corner and silently crying. Why can't he break his silence and confess that he loves me immensely?

He glanced at me and then instantly run towards me. He pushed me along with him and we dropped down on the floor. 

I looked behind and the decoration pillar had fallen at the spot where I was standing. He eyed me with a fear of losing me visible in his eyes. He shouted "dhyan kaha hai tumhara? kuch ho jaata toh? mana ki ab hum saath nahi hai par ye matlab nahi ki tum khudka dhyan na rakho.. are shaadi ho rahi hai tumhari ab main nahi rahunga tumhare saath" he bursts and a smile appears on my face seeing his concern for me. He still loves me a lot. 

Saahil and everyone looked at us and I hugged him tightly breaking down.