BEYOND THE CLOUDS (Completed)

Chapter 46

Sidharth took her hand, but It lacked the usual warmth. Something was bothering her for sure. He felt sappy looking at her, so elegant and poised. The perfect bride. When he nudged her playfully she smiled back, but it wasn’t the usual either, the one that reached her eyes. It was strained, as if she was forcing it.

Obviously Sidharth, this is a big day for you both, but her life is about to change. All this while you were her boyfriend, but now you will be her husband. Her partner for life. She was going to be uprooted from the place she called her home and permanently move in with you, take your name as hers, ur life as hers. Plus with her mother just gone, she must be a riot of emotions right now. Her nervousness was totally justified. He told himself and held her hand even tighter, silently saying his vows that no matter what, he will be there for her, to cherish her, to hold her in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad. And his heart smiled at the thought, finally they were going to be man and wife. His Shehnaaz was truly going to belong to him, for life.

Her eyes glassed as she saw the celebrations around. Sunaina, Abhi & Asmi, Indraneil, Abhishek, Megha.. the groom’s gang stood beaming as their dear friend was all set to marry. From her side it was only Freddy and Kartik, both looking equally jubilant. With great difficulty, She tried to bring the warmth on her face as she saw Sidharth, looking the happiest.

Of course why wouldn’t he be happy? She scowled inwardly; all his cards had fallen into right place. A massive inheritance, sweeping his parents out of the will and a wife of convenience, what else could a man ask for? And with the thought, her headache resurfaced. “Why do you look pale? Are you nervous baby?” holding her hand, he asked, as the registrar wrote something in his huge book and turned it to their direction, cueing them to sign.

This was it. Her heart thudded and she felt sweat beading at the back of her neck. Pursing her lips together, she looked at him, as if willing him to speak up, confess what he was about to do, tell her it was all a lie but saw nothing more than joy dripping from his face. And his unfaltering, unapologetic grin made her insides churn, with hatred and remorse for loving this cheat. His mother had aptly called him a snake, he really was one.

“Darling its ur turn to sign, what has got you thinking so much?” the warmth of his hand contacted her elbow, bringing her back from her thoughts and that’s when she noticed, he had already signed the and the beaming smiles of the people around had increased to ten folds and they were now cheering her to follow suit.

She cast a weary glance at Kartik and as if on cue, he put his arm around her “Its ok to be nervous” he said squeezing her shoulder in assurance. “but a new phase of life is about to begin love, so put on that beautiful smile and just embrace it” Kartik kissed her forehead and urged her to sign.

With trembling hands, she picked up the pen and scribbled her signature after which followed a loud round of congratulations from their friends. Sunaina and Megha were quick on their toes and produced a huge silver plate, complete with two garlands and a small pot of vermillion. “Ohh freak, u girls are crazy. What is all this?” Sidharth was whining, but even his insides tickled seeing the stereo-typical wedding props. “Crazy or not, you’ve gotta do this. We are the Bollywood nation Sid, how could we let you guys go without this. Cmonnnnn” Sunaina let out her customary scream of elation. Trying his best to hide the pinking of his cheeks, he picked up a garland and braced his shoulders looking at her.

Once again, her flushed face got him thinking. Until two days ago, Shehnaaz was brimming with happiness, but now she looked like a frozen doll, present here physically but her mind drifting miles away.

Her expressions were barricaded, and he wanted to scratch the surface to get under her skin. Whatever bothered her was bothering him more now? The nerve on his jaw beat frantically as he mulled over the thought.