Khushi's POV

It has been a week since my stupid haldi ritual finished. After haldi I had my mehndi ritual where I was forced to write that Arnav Singh Raizada's name. However, as soon as the lady wrote that name, I went to the bathroom and removed it... I washed it off. I don't want to be connected to him at any cost. He is the one that ruined my life... and now he thinks by marrying me, he is doing some kind of favour on me... no way... I will ruin his life by marrying him. I will fulfil the vows I made to him. Anyway, even though I washed his name off in the bathroom, it still stayed... not as dark but it was there. My parents came to me and asked me to show them my mehndi but I somehow... stopped them from seeing it. They don't need to know about this... they are so happy... I don't want to be the reason behind my sadness... after my stupid mehndi came engagement where Saumya's friends were teasing me and annoying me but all I did was fake blush and smile at their comments. I didn't want the truth to be exposed... I could see Saumya was smiling through all the rituals and was even blushing whenever she heard the name Rudra... that's true love. Rudra is ready to fix his mistake... although, he didn't cause it... and happened wrongly... he is still taking responsibility for his actions, unlike that ASR... that cold-hearted monster. He was the one behind all my pain... he still is and now he is determined to win me back. He must be joking if he thinks I will fall for him. Today is my stupid sangeet function which I am not at all excited for because after this is my... marriage. I had a dream... like every girl that my future husband will be a dashing guy who would look after his family as well as mine... who will understand me ... who would care for me... but I guess my destiny isn't on my side.

Saumya (smiling) - Di... are you ready yet?

I open the door from where Saumya was knocking for and then after putting a fake smile, I show her my outfit.

Saumya (smiling) - OMG di... you look so good... I better jiju will be so surprised to see you like this...

I smile and let her in. She isn't looking bad either instead she is looking mind blowing.

Yes, the dress is simple but the simplicity makes it perfect. As Saumya is about to come in, she gets pushed by mum and is about to fall but I catch her.

Me (angry) - What the hell mum... she is pregnant... can't you see that?

Mum (angry) - So was I.... anyway... her child isn't important for me... and I feel sorry for it anyway... it will have a mother and father who don't know anything about raising a child... as they are still kids themselves...

I am tired of this, I really am. I just want to tell mum to shut up and that Rumya can raise a child and that they aren't weak but I want Saumya to stand up. I don't want her constantly getting bullied by mum. This isn't fair. This is another reason I am getting married to that ASR because if I break this marriage then who knows... even Rudra might. I know how strong their bond is and that they can do anything for each other.

Mum (smiling and cupping me) - Khushi... child... you are looking so pretty... but they are a rich family... they wouldn't want their daughter-in-law to be wearing such middle-class clothes... I got you a dress...

Me (annoyed) - mum... I am not marrying to impress anyone.... This is supposed to be a day to celebrate the union between two families... to celebrate my single life... and for your kind information, they don't care what I wear as they have better thinking then you mum...they care about people's inner beauty and not outer... unlike you mum... who never saw Saumya's inner or outer beauty... all you care about is blood relationships...

Mum looks at me shocked hearing such bitter words and leaves the room with anger while I help a crying Saumya up.

Me (upset) - Saumya, I am not always going to be there for you... you need to stand up to people... not for yourself but for my little niece or nephew... you will find hundreds of people like our mum in this society who will say rude comments about you and your child... and if you don't fight them... then they will take advantage of it Saumya... just like mum is doing now... and in the future Saumya... when your child will go to school... and if someone insults him/her... would you like if they stay silent like you? What you want your child to go through the same pain as you? No right... then stand up... stand up for your rights...

I wipe Saumya's tears and we both head outside after a couple of minutes. Mum doesn't look into my eye at all and she walks off while dad smiles and gives us his blessings.

Dad (smiling) - God bless you...

ASR's House

As always, the decorations of this house is mind-blowing, the lights are attracting so many people. Saumya and I step inside the mansion and at once we are greeted by di. She smiles seeing me and hugs me.

Di (smiling) - I am so excited to have you as my bhabhi... Khushiji...

I fake smile at di's comment and then I head inside. I am sorry di... I consider you as my sister... but you are at the end of the day that ASR's sister... you would also side him... that's why there is no point to tell you the truth. I look back to see di getting blessings from both mum and dad and then hugging Saumya. My eyes start to wonder at the decorations. Everything is set... all I have to do is sit. Soon, Anika, Gauri and Bhavya come towards me. I forgot to mention, that after a lot of sorries from Bhavya, Saumya forgave her. After all, Saumya is a kind and selfless girl. If it was me, then I don't know what would have happened to Bhavya.

Bhavya (smiling) - Di, you are looking so pretty...

Me (annoyed) - You have lost the right to call me di.. you are Saumya's friend... and if it weren't for her then...

I give her a disgusting look and leave to go to sit on my seat. The function is a small family function no media is invited due to the last incident. Rahul and Sheetal soon make an entry where Rahul is wearing a purple sherwani while Sheetal is wearing a purple saree. Who are they trying to impress? Soon comes my unlucky husband, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada with his dashing brother, Rudra...

He is wearing a black suit, making him look like my bodyguard. Even in a marriage ritual, he is wearing suits instead of the traditional ones. He comes towards me and sits silently next to me while Rudra who was wearing a pink kurta goes towards Saumya and hugs her from the back.

Both Saumya and Rudra then sit in their sits and then the lights close.

Shivay (smiling and on the stage) - Welcome everyone... today is the sangeet night for my two special friends... Rudra and Arnav ...

Anika (smiling) - With my special friend and di... Saumya and Khushi di... I would like all of you to give a round of applause for them.

Soon everyone starts to clap including me,

Anika (smiling) - I would like to welcome Omkara for a dance performance.

Omkara comes on the stage smiling wearing a white Kurta and starts dancing to Badrinath ki Dulhania. I love that song... I start to hum to the song while ASR stares at me.

ASR (whispering to me and smirking) - You can't sing...

I ignore his rude comment and look at the dance floor to see Gauri with Omkara dancing to the tune. They make such a cute couple, even Gauri is wearing a white dress. Soon the song comes to an end but Gauri and Om are in their own world. They are staring into each other's eyes as if searching for something but due to the sound of the claps, they snap out and leave the stage feeling embarrassed. The next performance was by Anika and Shivay who dance on Humma, Humma. I smile seeing their love so beautiful, wish I had someone that would love me. Soon their dance performance also finishes.

Shivay (smiling) - Thank you all for encouraging all our performers... next, are Bhavya and Sheetal...

Two evil ladies come up on the stage, but I ignore their dance and music as I don't want my eyesight to be ruined, watching them.

ASR (whispering to me and upset) - That was a joke Khushi... I didn't mean to hurt you...

Me (annoyed) - I don't care, Mr ASR, even jokes hurt people...

I look at his eyes intensely with hatred while he looks into mine. We are staring at each other for goodness knows how long, until I heard Saumya's name on the stage.

Saumya walks towards the stage and starts to sing the song that always makes me cry. Ek hazaaron mein meri behna. My tears start to form and I rush towards Saumya to hug her and sing with her. Seeing, us so upset, Rudra decides to light up the mood by making us dance to gallan goodiyan. I dance with them, and eventually the whole family except for ASR dances.

Precap - Marriage