My arranged wedding

Shalini's POV

I gave all my trust and heart to Raj. His name was the only thing I wanted to hear and after all that, he deserted me at a crucial moment.

My whole family trusted and showered him with so much love and look what they got in return.

This monster has some nerve to show up here after everything.

The thought of knowing that I once believed that I loved him disgusts me, it was my biggest mistake in life.

I turn away from the mirror when Shekar comes up.

"You shouldn't be paying much attention to his presence."

"I'm so confused Sheks what is he doing here? What makes him think he can show up after leaving me the way he did?"

"I have no idea, believe me if I did I would have answered all your questions."

"So no one has approached him yet?"

"Your mum advised us not to ..."

"Vedant and his family."

"Yes." He rubs his forehead and tells her what Tanya said.

"I don't like keeping secrets from him, they've been so kind and nice and..."

"Shalini." He rests his hands on her shoulder "Please stop."

I shake my head but he continues "Our family is not one to keep a secret not when it needs to be old. We are not dishonest people and I know the Rajputs will be told."

"When? The wedding is not so far away."

"Definitely before the wedding but you need to calm down. You don't want your dad to notice you're gone from his party."

I sniff and nod, he's right "I need to go down."

"You do."

His lips stretched into a heartwarming smile and I follow him to the party.

I decide to watch the party from a small distance and hope it ends soon so I can be put out of my misery when Shekhar is called by his friends.

"I'm fine you can go to them." I give his hand a squeeze and he goes to answer them.

I watch as my parents move to a dance music playing in the background and I recall the good times I and Raj had. We loved to dance together and I was excited to have someone like that with me. The games we played between ourselves and the family, the dates, the laughs and whatever conversations there was flashes before my eyes and I feel them tearing up.

I hear a snap of fingers and I'm taken with fear when I see Raj.

"It's been a long time Shalini? I must say that I've missed you terribly." he starts and I avoid his gaze wishing for someone to come to my rescue.

"What are you doing here? Why have you come back into our lives?" I ask in a low tone not wanting to attract unwanted attention.

"I was passing by and I remembered that today is uncle Aniket's birthday, I decided to drop by." he answers "I'm trying to be a good person here."

"Don't you dare take my father's name." I looks him in the eye remembering the humiliation my family had gone through because of his actions.

"Don't be so rude Shalini, it's not like you." he guffaws making me cringe.

***

Vedant looks around and sighs.

She must be having fun with her friends.

Priyanka approaches him and asks "Have you seen Shalini?" he shakes his head and asks why she was searching for her. Priyanka tells him that Shalini has been away from the party and that she's getting worried for her.

Vedant excuses himself to look for Shalini immediately, he sees her talking to someone though he can't see his face he sees that she's uncomfortable around him. He decides to find out what is wrong and talk to her.

He walks up to them and places his hand on Raj's shoulder who instantly stoods frozen then he stands between them.

"What's going on here?" he asks relieved to see Shalini looking better.

"You must be Vedant Rajput I guess?" Raj speaks up and stretches his hand to give a firm hand shake.

"Yes, I am. Any problem?"

"I was congratulating Shalini on her engagement, you two are truly  a match made in heaven." Raj answers and stares at Shalini for a while before turning to Vedant "You two look great together." he concludes.

"Thanks and you are?" Vedant questions
"I'm Rajkumar Harish but just call me Raj, that's what everyone calls me."

"Well it's nice meeting you."

Vedant stops and takes Shalini's hand then continues "We have to leave now, have a good evening."

Vedant leads Shalini out and complains "Raj talks too much for a guy." Shalini laughs happily at his comment.

"How do you know that? You didn't speak much to him."

"He made quite a first impression, who is he to you?"

Shalini almost stops in her tracks at the question "Just someone...from the past." she hangs her head.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

"No, I would tell you the truth always."

"It's okay anyway I believe you."

"Thank you Vedant."

"For what?"

"For believing me." she answers "For saving me from Raj too, you came at the right time."

"No need for that, let's enjoy the party." He says still holding her hand.

"I should have said this sooner but I think now is the best time." he puts a stray strand of hair behind her ear "You gave an outstanding performance today." He grunts then chuckles "Oh I've said that already.I can't stop gushing about it and I don't think I'll ever meet a better dancer than you."

"It's all because of you."

"Don't give me all the credit."

"You deserve it, I won't have danced today if not for you."

"Don't make me blush Shalini."

"Are you shy?"

He clicks his tongue "Vedant Rajput is the last person to be shy of anything."

"I see."

"You'll have to dance another time."

"I'll think about it."

"You know you won't, you have the answer right now c'mon spill it."

"Yes."

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