Laksh sat on the leather chair, his eyes stuck to the desktop. His mind wasn't working, he kept drumming his fingers on the table.

"Hi" he turned to see his cousin Nikhil sitting on the chair beside him "maasi told me you're here". Laksh simply nodded, disinterested.

"I'm...sorry about what happened" Nikhil said slowly "she never contacted you or anything?" Laksh gave a wry smile "she couldn't even tell me why. She just left leaving no explanation" he sighed "I should have listened to you, all the while you kept telling me to avoid her, but I took my chance with her".

"I won't say 'I told you so' again" Nikhil stated "but don't blame yourself, she didn't deserve you, that's all".

Laksh didn't reply, he switched off the desktop and turned to look at his cousin "yeah, that's what everyone keeps telling me" he frowned.

"It's true, although I don't really understand why you agreed to marry her cousin, I mean what's wrong with you?" Nikhil said a little harshly.

Laksh shook his head "mom wants me to" he said simply. Nikhil gave a snort; he knew everyone in their family called Laksh 'mamma's boy'.

"This is different! You're going to have to spend your entire life with someone whom you don't know" Nikhil tried to put some sense into him "are you sure you're doing the right thing?"

Laksh got up from the chair "it doesn't matter anymore, I loved someone but she ran away without any explanation. What's the point trying to know someone?"

Nikhil watched him go, hoping his brother would find happiness which he truly deserved.

After alot of time had elapsed, finally the groom was ready, with help from his friends and cousins. Minakshi walked into his room and saw her son, dressed up looking even more handsome.

She hugged him lightly "I'm really sorry about the circumstances" she said, a small tear escaping her eye. "Mom!" He smiled half heartedly, wiping her tears "I'm not mad at you, I can never be!" She smiled at that "come on, everyone are waiting".

He came downstairs to see a lot of people assembled in the living room. There were whisperings and murmurings, he noticed not bothering. They were probably wondering about the marriage, he thought.

"Are you ready?" Prateek approached his son. "Yeah" said Laksh, prepared for the worst to come.
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Anya couldn't remember anything, not even the vows, the rituals, the ceremony. She couldn't even know how she had dressed up in her cousin's lavish red lehenga, nor the mehandi which was unceremoniously drawn in her slender hands.

Everything had been a blur; a surreal moment which felt like a dream or more like a bizarre nightmare. She felt like a stranger who had married a guy whom she didn't even spare a glance.

Her mother's cries felt like coming from a distant place, hugging and consoling her, telling her she's going to a great place, that she had a great life ahead of her, that all was well.

"Bhabi?" Someone was whispering. Anya opened her eyes, suddenly remembering where she was. Of course, the worst was over and she was going with her husband, to his house, his life.

"Hmm?" She murmured, blinking. She noticed him, sitting quietly without even glancing her way. What was he thinking? Was he thinking the same thing as her? No! He was probably thinking of Riya; he loved her. Anya shook her head which was aching.

"Are you feeling tired?" The person who had addressed her asked her again, driving. "No" she managed to say.

"It's just a little bit more, we're almost there" he said, in a pleasant tone. She nodded, it didn't matter she thought. Nothing mattered anymore.

Again, silence fell like a dark deep nightfall. The journey was a smooth one, she observed as they passed the tall lush trees which were thinning down as they moved ahead giving way to large commercial buildings and apartments.

She missed her hometown, the quiet and greener part of her home. She closed her eyes again, letting the silence engulf her.

Someone cleared their throat and she woke up to see they had reached their destination. The car entered a huge mansion, which was decorated with colourful lights and flowers.

The car stopped at the entrance and the guy opened the door for her "welcome to your new home" he said, cheerfully "I'm Dhruv, your cousin in law" he smiled broadly at her.

Anya smiled back, atleast he was making an effort to be nice unlike the person who didn't even acknowledge her presence "nice to meet you" she said, in a friendly tone.

He gestured her out, and she slowly walked inside where everyone were waiting for the bride and the groom. She was tired and exhausted, and the only thing she wanted was to get into the bed and collapse herself.

They were talking to her, some almost whispering behind her back. Anya ignored most of them, her mind racing with the thought that she has to spend the rest of her life with the one next to her.

Quite swiftly, she raised her head to look at him. He seemed calm and quiet, as if nothing ever had happened. How can he? She could only wonder; didn't he just lose the love of his life? She remembered Riya telling her what sort of a guy he was; that he once had tried to force himself on her.

Anya suddenly felt an unknown fear creep up on her. Beads of sweat had collected slowly on her forehead which she wiped quite gracefully. What if he tried to force upon her as well? She could hardly breathe.

"Anya?" She blinked again and saw his mother "why don't you go to your room and rest? You must be exhausted".

No! She wanted to scream, I want to go back; to my place, my home, my quiet life. I don't want this, her heart cried out. Instead, she nodded gracefully.

"Laksh? Why don't you show her the bedroom?" His mother addressed him sweetly. He didn't seem to reply, couldn't he ever talk? She thought, irritated.

He led her to upstairs, as the others watched. They reached a large bedroom which Anya found very impressive. It was huge, even more bigger than their living room, back home.

She stood frozen, not knowing what to do. She tried to ask him but he was nowhere to be found. Highly relieved, she walked towards the bed, kicking her high heels.

She collapsed on the king size bed, her face wet with fresh tears. She didn't know how long she was crying, or how much time had elapsed.

Shaking slightly, she got up from the bed. Suddenly feeling cold, she pulled the duvet over her, and sat up straight.

A creaking sound startled her and she looked up to see him enter. She remembered Riya's words. He acts possessive and demanding, like he owns me.

Anya could feel her heart beating crazily as he was approaching her. No, please! She closed her eyes,  clutching the sheets together.

"Are you feeling cold?" The deep voice made her open her eyes. He was staring at her "do you want to switch AC off?"

"Huh?" She murmured, raising her eyebrows "no..I mean...it's okay..whatever...your choice". He nodded "do you want me to increase the temperature?"

What? Why did he bother? She stared,  "Um..yeah..a little bit maybe" she said softly. He took the remote and switched something while she watched.

"This should be fine" he said, "what's your name?" He asked. Great! Just great! She thought, he didn't even try to know her name or was he pretending? She couldn't tell.

"Anya..Shastri" she said, gulping for breath. He nodded again "look Anya" he said casually "I don't know what made you to agree for this marriage, but my intentions were only to save my parents' reputation. I don't see any other reason why I want to stay married to you. I hardly know you, and I don't want to as a matter of fact. So don't keep any hopes from me, you'll be disappointed".

She was unable to find a single word to say to that, so she simply nodded. "Good night" he said, and before she could finally open her mouth to say something, he was out of the door.