Hare Krishna
Chapter 2

Rajendra's eyes bore into Anubhav's, a cold determination evident in his demeanour. "You must reach the marriage registrar office by 2 pm," he instructed firmly, his words falling on Anubhav's ears like a heavy weight.

Anubhav nodded, his silent compliance a stark contrast to the turmoil within him. He knew this was the price he had to pay to secure Dhruv's future, but it was a price that left a bittersweet taste in his heart.

"You must be dressed in a more presentable attire," Rajendra continued, scrutinising Anubhav's waiter uniform with disdain. "This is a marriage, after all."

Anubhav understood the man's demand for appearances, yet the thought of dressing up for a forced union felt like a cruel irony. Nevertheless, he nodded again, accepting the requirement without protest.

"And bring a friend who can act as a witness," Rajendra added, a calculating glint in his eyes. "You wouldn't want any complications, would you?"

Anubhav's heart sank further as the weight of Rajendra's words settled upon him. He knew Rajendra wanted to ensure that there were no loose ends, that the marriage would proceed smoothly and without any interference.

With a heavy heart, Anubhav nodded for the third time, acknowledging Rajendra's demands. He wondered who he could ask to be a witness, knowing that involving anyone close to him would only bring them into the complicated web of his life.

As he walked away, the weight of Rajendra's words followed him like a shadow. Anubhav knew he was about to embark on a journey that would change the course of his life forever. With each step he took, the path before him became increasingly uncertain, and yet, he was resolute in his determination to fulfil his duty as a brother, even if it meant walking into the unknown with a heart that could not speak but loved fiercely.

In his small and modest apartment, Anubhav stood before a mirror, wearing a navy blue pair of pants that he had borrowed from a friend and a simple, sky blue shirt. His appearance, though not extravagant, held a sense of presentability that Rajendra had demanded for this significant occasion.

With a deep breath, Anubhav picked up his phone, his thumbs dancing over the screen as he composed a message to his friend Sharat. The words flowed effortlessly in the world of texts, a medium that allowed him to express himself in a way that spoken words could not.

"Hey Sharat, need you at the courthouse by 2 pm. Bring a mangalsutra( nuptial chain) and vermillion. Important. Please be there. - Anubhav"

He hit send, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. Sharat had been his confidant, his partner-in-crime through thick and thin. Though he couldn't vocalize his thoughts, Sharat had always understood him, often serving as his voice in a world that often overlooked his silent presence.

As Anubhav finished preparing for the significant event, he felt a surge of emotions within him. The path that lay ahead was fraught with uncertainties, but he was determined to see it through for Dhruv's sake. The responsibility he carried as an older brother weighed on his shoulders, guiding him towards the decision he had made, no matter how difficult it seemed.

With the time ticking away, he left his apartment, feeling a mix of nervousness and resolve that churned within him. The journey to the courthouse was accompanied by a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but he knew that Sharat's presence would bring a sense of comfort and support.

At the courthouse, Anubhav spotted Sharat, waiting patiently near the entrance. The familiarity in Sharat's eyes reassured him, and they exchanged a silent nod of understanding.

As they made their way inside, Anubhav's heart pounded in his chest. The room was filled with the buzzing chatter of people, but to him, it all seemed like a distant murmur. He focused on the task at hand, the commitment he was about to make, as he awaited the arrival of  Rajendra and his niece.

In that moment, as the clock inched closer to 2 pm, Anubhav found solace in knowing that even though he couldn't speak, he had a friend who understood him without the need for words.

Rajendra held Nitara by her elbow, his grip firm and possessive, as he dragged her out of the car.

Nitara stood motionless, her body limp, like a puppet being controlled by unseen strings. Her eyes, usually bright with life, were now empty, devoid of any spark. The weight of the situation seemed to have drained her of all energy and will to resist.

As Rajendra led her towards the courthouse entrance, bystanders glanced in their direction, but no one dared to intervene. Fear and uncertainty hung in the air, a chilling silence that mirrored the numbness Nitara felt in her heart.

Inside, the bustling courthouse seemed oblivious to the somber mood that surrounded Nitara. She walked beside Rajendra, her steps slow and lifeless, as if she were walking towards an unavoidable fate that she had no control over.

Rajendra's hold on her elbow remained tight, a visible display of his dominance and control over her. But Nitara's mind was somewhere far away, her thoughts lost in the void of despair and resignation. She was trapped, caught between her desire for a different life and the suffocating grasp of her family's expectations.

As they approached the designated room, Nitara's heart pounded in her chest. She felt like a prisoner being led to her own sentencing, her life slipping further away from her grasp with each passing moment.

Nitara remained trapped in Rajendra's control, unable to break free from the chains that bound her. She stood lifelessly, like a puppet whose strings were pulled by a puppeteer who had orchestrated her fate without her consent.

In this moment, Nitara yearned for the strength to reclaim her voice and her autonomy, to break free from the suffocating expectations that suffocated her spirit. But for now, she remained a mere spectator in her own life, walking towards an uncertain future, her heart heavy with the weight of a choice that had been made for her.

As Nitara stepped into the room, her eyes met Anubhav's, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The clicking of her heels against the cold tiles of the floor echoed in the room, breaking the silence that enveloped them. Anubhav's silver eyes locked onto hers, and he sensed an unspoken connection, as if the universe had conspired to bring them together once again.

The young woman he had encountered at the party the night before now stood before him, still dressed in the same navy blue dress, but there was a stark difference in her demeanour. Her eyes, once filled with life and curiosity, were now swollen and clouded with tears, betraying the pain and distress she had endured.

Anubhav's heart ached for her, and in that moment, he realised that he wasn't the only one trapped in this forced union. Nitara was a prisoner too, a victim of circumstances beyond her control.

As Rajendra and a few officials finalized the necessary paperwork, Anubhav couldn't help but feel a surge of helplessness. He wanted to speak up, to tell them that this wasn't what Nitara wanted, but his silence rendered him powerless.

Nitara's gaze never wavered from Anubhav's, and he could see the turmoil in her eyes, a silent plea for understanding and support. In those tearful moments, their unspoken connection deepened, forging a bond that transcended the constraints of their forced circumstances.

As the registrar's voice echoed through the room, the atmosphere seemed to hold its breath. The couple, bound by fate but still strangers to each other, stood facing one another. The room seemed to shrink, the weight of their unspoken emotions filling the space.

"Exchange garlands," the registrar commanded, his voice resonating with finality. Anubhav and Nitara glanced at each other, and with a momentary hesitation, they followed the traditional ritual, garlanding each other with flowers.

As the sweet fragrance of the blooms enveloped them, Sharat stepped forward, holding the symbolic elements of matrimony – the mangalsutra and vermillion. Anubhav's hands trembled slightly as he took them from Sharat, his silver eyes meeting Nitara's for a fleeting moment.

Nitara closed her eyes, the weight of the situation washing over her. A tear escaped her closed eyelids, tracing a delicate path down her cheek.

Anubhav's heart went out to Nitara, knowing that she was being forced into this marriage against her will. Yet, he found strength in his own resolve to protect and support his brother. He took a deep breath, his fingers gently holding the mangalsutra, a symbol of their union.

With the utmost care and tenderness, Anubhav placed the mangalsutra around Nitara's neck, sealing their bond. He then reached for the vermillion, his fingers momentarily brushing against her soft skin. Nitara's tear-streaked face reflected a mix of emotions – resignation, sadness, and a glimmer of hope that perhaps in this unexpected union, there might be a chance for understanding and companionship.

As he filled her hair partition with vermillion, a small speck of red fell on Nitara's nose, creating a subtle yet poignant moment. It was a mark of their union, an unintentional blessing that held more significance than words could express.

With the ritual complete, Anubhav and Nitara exchanged silent glances, their unspoken emotions mingling in the air. They stood there, united by the thread of circumstances, bound by a bond that defied spoken words.

Finally, they turned their attention to the marriage certificate. As they signed their names, the ink seemed to seal their fates together, and their paths were forever intertwined.

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