Love Struck At The Wedding

5. AVNI

“What? Do you even realize what you're saying?” I nearly shouted. But Shaurya, in contrast to my rising frustration, remained totally calm, infuriating me further. I pushed his hands away and stared at him, trying to understand his audacity.

“I know exactly what I’m saying, Avni. I just need you by my side tonight. That's it.”

“I’m not going to do this, Shaurya. Whatever crazy idea you have, leave me out of it.”

“Can you let me finish first?” He sighed, looking genuinely exasperated, as if I was the unreasonable one here.

“My parents,” he started, “have met a girl from Nakul’s extended family. She's here tonight, and they want me to meet her. They’re pressing me to marry soon, just like Nakul.”

“And that’s the problem? What’s so wrong about meeting her? It sounds pretty straightforward to me,” I replied, confused. Wasn’t meeting people the first step in arranged marriages?

He shook his head. “The problem is, I don’t want an arranged marriage. My parents are adamant, but I’m not ready for that. Not yet.”

“Okay, but where do I come into this? How am I involved in your problem?” I was growing impatient, and yet the curiosity lingered.

“Simple. I just need you to act like my girlfriend for tonight. When my parents push me to talk to her, I’ll tell them I already have someone. Then I'll call your name.” He smiled, as if that was the most reasonable solution.

“Are you even listening to yourself?” I gaped at him. “You expect me to play along in this ridiculous plan in front of my family? My cousins, siblings, and friends are all here! What do you think will happen when someone sees us together? Not to mention Kaashi and Nakul jiju? They’d flip!”

I crossed my arms and took a deep breath. “You know what? You should just talk to your parents. Be honest with them. The reason you're giving me is completely irrational. Just because you don’t want to meet this girl doesn’t mean I have to get involved in this mess.”

He ran his fingers through his hair, clearly frustrated. “I know it sounds absurd, but I’ve got no other options.”

“Well, from my side, it’s a big fat NO!” I snapped, turning to leave.

“Please?” He pleaded, the desperation in his voice making me stop momentarily, but this was way too strange. Even for him.

I turned back to face him. “Shaurya, even if I forget for a moment how bizarre our earlier interactions were, this is wrong. Dragging me into this will only make things worse for both of us. So, no. Count me out.” I didn’t wait for him to respond this time and walked away.

What is wrong with him? Even after my clear refusal, Shaurya was still following me around like a shadow. What did he think was going to happen? That I’d magically change my mind?

I rolled my eyes, searching for a way to finally get rid of him, and then I saw them—Shaurya’s parents. The same kind elderly couple I met earlier.

Sorry, Shaurya, but you’ve left me no choice.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to his parents. Shaurya caught up, but it was too late. I had already begun spilling the beans. His mother’s cheerful smile slowly faded, while his father’s face hardened into disappointment as I explained what their dear son was trying to do. It wasn’t pleasant, but he left me with no other option.

When Shaurya realized what I’d done, he gave me a look that could have frozen fire. Disappointment mixed with frustration. But did I care? No. He brought this on himself.

And yet, I thought bitterly, if only I had known that my life had more chaos in store, I might have handled it differently.

Dr. Shaurya Singh, I mentally corrected myself. Of course, I would’ve still told on him. But maybe, just maybe, I would have done it with more finesse.

As I walked away from the uncomfortable scene I’d just created, I smirked. A part of me, the savage side that didn’t care for his puppy-eyed pleas, felt pretty damn satisfied.

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