Finding Forever, Together ~

Chapter 10

Annika wiped a stray tear off her eye before sitting down. She had put forward only one demand to her family after listening to all they asked of her, and that was to not have many people at this wedding.

Nandini had resisted but obliged later, happy about the fact that atleast she had agreed to this wedding.

So now Annika knew there weren't many people here, but either ways she didn't want her parents to know she was forcing herself, and this veil that she put over her face was her companion. She was going to deal with everything else once she gets done with this.

She was still questioning her life choices when this asshole of a man she didn't know even a little bit of held her hand, again. This time she couldn't jerk it away, though, as they had to perform the rituals together.

Why did all of this have to be so hard? She was supposed to be performing these rituals with Shivaay. Her everything.

Yet here she was, trying to hold back a free flow of tears and doing it with a complete stranger. She had always taken her own decisions, and this felt like complete hell.

Soon, they stood up and exchanged garlands. There hadn't been a more hesitant moment in Annika's entire life. Her own self was holding her back from doing it. But hell, she couldn't help it. Nandini was going to come for her life if she made it look like she was doing this against her wishes. In a year, she was supposed to be comfortable with the idea.

After the garland exchange and the saat phere around the holy fire, when Annika finally thought that this ordeal was coming to its end soon, something made land slide from beneath her bare feet.

Avantika went to her, and whispered in her ear. She told her she will have to remove her veil.

"kyu?" She whisper-yelled. No way.
"Annika, ab woh tumhe sindoor lagane wala hai na, aur mangalsutra bhi? Toh tumhe isse hatana hoga," she told her, and before Annika could counter, went back to her place.

Annika wiped her tears. She had to be strong for a while from now. A fake smile would do. Not showing anyone what she really felt about this wedding, that it was against her wish, that she didn't want this.

Shivaay really could have done without all of this, though. He wanted to do whatever Annika was comfortable with, but this was a part of their plan. And once Annika got to know about this, she would most probably have no objections.

So what he did next, was look at her with longing in his eyes, and with very soft hands, removed the veil. She wasn't looking at him. Down at her feet, perhaps.

He raised her chin with his finger, making her look up. She still didn't open her eyes.

He sighed. She was holding back her tears.

Taking the mangalsutra, he tied it around her neck. He had chosen it himself. She looked really beautiful.

"Apni aankhein kholo, Annika," he whispered, taking a pinch of sindoor.

Annika recognised the familiarity in the voice. Naturally, she thought she was dreaming. Obviously, this could not be real.

Anyway obliging, she opened her eyes simultaneously as he put sindoor on her head.

Looking at the sight in front of her, the land slid from beneath her feet for the second time that day.

"Shivaay...." She whispered, and it came out more like a question. What the hell was happening?

He put a finger on her lips. "Ek minute."

Taking out her priceless ring, he slid it into her finger, and kissed it.