Against All Odds

Chapter 29 Wedding

Author's POV

Ashu was peeping through her room's door as Niyati was welcoming Shikhar with  aarti in her hand. Niyati had specifically warned Ashu to not show her face to Shikhar till she was called for performing marriage rituals. It was supposed to be bad luck for the groom to see his bride before marriage.

Niyati wasn't someone who believed in bad luck or superstitions. But life had played too many games with her. Today, she wasn't going to take any risk.

As she was applying tilak to Shikhar her eyes unconsciously wandered behind him. Her heart skipped a beat on finding only Arjun behind him.

Was Shaurya really going to skip his brother's wedding just to avoid her?

Half-hearted Niyati forced a smile on her face and welcomed Shikhar. As she was about to apply tilak to Arjun she heard Shaurya's voice. He was talking in intervals. So he must be on call. She smiled at her stupidity. How could he miss his brother's wedding?

Fortunately or unfortunately Niyati was smiling while applying tilak to Arjun. Though the reason for her smile was different but for someone who was watching her welcoming Arjun from behind, it looked like she was smiling at Arjun and he couldn't help clutching his cell a bit too tightly. He knew that the moment he would step in front of her the smile will vanish. He was a bit disappointed that the smile was for everyone else but him.

Ya he was disappointed. That's all. Not jealous. No way jealous. He didn't care that Arjun was at the receiving end of the smile. He definitely didn't care who she smiled at.

Why the hell was Arjun in traditional wear? Shaurya had only called him so that he could supervise security from inside. The bodyguards might have made the ladies nervous. Now he was regretting the decision.

Shaurya made no attempt to end his call. He was avoiding Niyati. He waited till Shikhar and Arjun were inside and Niyati had turned around.

Niyati just stood where she was, listening to Shaurya's voice as he was busy on his call. She knew he was avoiding her. So she just turned her back but didn't make any attempt to move from her place.

Niyati's heart started racing as she heard Shaurya's footsteps coming near. The moment he was at her doorstep she went and stood in front of him.

Shaurya continued with his occasional "hmm" and "ok" on his cell as their eyes met. He immediately lowered his head as if showing that he was too engrossed in the conversation he was having on his cell.

As Niyati was applying tilak to Shaurya her eyes fell on his hand. The knuckles were bruised. After what she heard yesterday she expected it. But still she couldn't stop the guilt from washing over her. Her one mistake had not only ruined her life but his too.

Niyati quickly masked her face with a smile as she joined others. First thing she did was to go and close Ashu's room's door and lock it from outside. She showed fake anger to Shikhar who was trying his best to get a look at his bride.

Arjun couldn't stop laughing at Shikhar's plight. To which, Shikhar rewarded him with a playful blow to his stomach. Shaurya just rolled his eyes looking at them behaving like kids but as soon as his eyes landed on smiling Niyati he couldn't help staring.

She was looking beautiful. How come he didn't notice it before. She was looking obsoletely ravishing in the blue saree. She was wearing just one pendant which was complimenting her perfectly. Wait! The pendant! Wasn't it….? Yes it was the same one he had gifted her.

Shaurya couldn't understand why his heart fluttered on looking at the pendant beautifully adoring her slick neck. It was looking so perfect around her neck, as if it was made just for her. Which it was. He so wanted to move his finger around it…. around her neck….her smiling li…..

What the hell!!! She was driving him crazy and she didn't even know that. Frustrated, he couldn't help moving his hands through his already displaced hair.

How could she affect him so much that too without any efforts. She didn't have a single ounce of makeup on her face. Her saree was also simple. Yet she was glowing. The blue color made her pale skin glow, enhancing her beauty. He wanted to drown in her beauty.

No not again. Didn't he learn his lesson yesterday? One look at her and his sensible mind goes down the gutter. Best he busied himself in something else.

Shaurya started making business calls and was soon engrossed in it.

Just when he thought he could get through the day a plate of snacks was held in front of him. As the delicious aroma entered his nostrils his stomach immediately grumbled.

He couldn't remember the last time he ate. Must have been breakfast which he had had yesterday. He was so hungry. And everything looked delicious. But, when he realized who was holding the tray of snacks he started having second thoughts.

He just shook his head signalling no, without raising his head and looking at her. But Niyati just stood holding the plate in front of him without a word.

" Bro why aren't you eating? Trust me you don't wanna miss it. Hmmmmm it's damn good. Ummm. I wish I could taste everything. Damn the fast."

Shikhar was licking his fingers, forgetting his manners and hogging like a kid.

Shaurya politely took a plate and started eating, not wanting to create a scene.

He was eating just to make everyone happy. So when she served him again he couldn't say no. Nor did he say no the third time.

He was just being polite that's all.

" I hope you are making tea too. It used to be so good, I still haven't forgotten the taste."

Arjun spoke innocently, immediately regretting it as Shaurya gave him a cold stare.

" You are so dead."

Shikhar whispered making sure only Arjun could hear him. He so wanted to roll down laughing but wanted to live too. So he just had to settle with a controlled smile as Shaurya continued with his 'I will kill you' look at Arjun.

Soon marriage rituals started. Niyati was busy running everywhere making sure to provide everything that Panditji asked for.

Shikhar was feeling guilty as he saw Niyati doing all the work. But there was nothing he could do. He wasn't allowed to leave his seat till all the rituals were finished. He looked at Shaurya who had busied himself in calls. Arjun was trying to help but he was also trying to keep his distance for obvious reasons.

Finally Ashu was called. Finally!

Shikhar couldn't take his eyes off her. She was looking like a princess in her red and golden lehenga. He continued ogling her as she sat beside him, not even realizing that panditji was calling him.

Arjun didn't leave this golden opportunity of making fun of him.

Everything was going on as planned.

Finally it was time for the pheras and the couple stood up.

Niyati's eyes were glossy as she helped Ashu straighten up and correct her dress. Ashu gave her a quick hug holding back her tears, having no intention of ruining her makeup.

The first phera was about to start when Niyati's eyes fell on the uninvited guest standing at the door and all blood drained from her face.

Looking at the shocked, still and ghost like Niyati everyone turned their head to see who she was looking at.

And the atmosphere changed from happy to tense.