Shattered (Book #1 In Heart Series)✔️

Chapter 24: Marriage of hate and love

Udaipur shimmered with anticipation as it prepared for the grand wedding of Aditya-Kritika and Karthik-Aradhya. The palace gleamed with opulent decorations of cascading curtains, vibrant flowers, and twinkling lights.

Kritika and Aradhya adorned themselves in resplendent bridal attire, each lost in her own thoughts. Aradhya's heart brimmed with joy at the prospect of marrying the love of her life, while Kritika stood on the balcony of her room, gazing pensively at the sky.

As she watched the world below, memories flooded Kritika's mind. She had always yearned for true love, for someone who would cherish her eternally. But fate had dealt her a cruel blow, shattering her dreams. Despite her sadness, she resolved to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of her family.

Meanwhile, Aditya sat on the edge of the bed, his wedding attire untouched on the couch beside him. With a heavy heart, he picked up his phone and opened the gallery, his finger trembling as it hovered over Samaira's picture. Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered to the image.

"Why did you leave me, Samaira? You promised you'd never go, yet you left me alone. Even if I marry her, you'll always hold my heart, and I'll seek justice for you," he vowed, his voice choked with emotion. Wiping away his tears, he set the phone down, only to be interrupted by Abhimanyu's arrival.

Abhimanyu's gaze fell upon the phone, and he sighed, understanding the depth of Aditya's pain. Sitting beside him, he spoke gently.

"Why haven't you changed yet? Ma could be here any minute," he reminded Aditya.

Aditya nodded, rubbing his weary eyes before finally picking up his wedding attire. As he headed for the bathroom, Abhimanyu's words lingered in the air.

"Adi, I know you won't heed my advice, but please try to let go of the past and give this marriage a chance," Abhimanyu urged, his tone earnest.

Aditya's lips curled into a bitter smile as he turned to reply.

"A chance for this marriage? Bhai, I'm marrying her only for the sake of our family. But mark my words, this relationship has no future. It's destined to end," he asserted, his resolve unwavering. With that, he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Abhimanyu to contemplate his words.

Meanwhile, Kritika emerged from her reverie as a soft knock sounded at the door. Wiping away her tears, she greeted her parents, brother, and sister-in-law, their smiles masking the turmoil within her.

"You look radiant, beta," Ishita beamed, enveloping Kritika in a warm embrace. Though touched by her family's love, Kritika couldn't shake off the heaviness in her heart.

As they exchanged words of encouragement and affection, Kritika's gaze fell upon Raman, her father. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, his demeanor weighed down by guilt. Though Kritika sensed his inner turmoil, she remained silent, unwilling to confront the truth.**

With a heavy heart, Kritika bid her family farewell, her mind fraught with conflicting emotions as they made their way to the wedding venue.


At the wedding venue, Aditya and Karthik dutifully followed the priest's instructions, their minds elsewhere. As Kritika and Aradhya made their entrance, Aditya stole a glance at Kritika before quickly looking away. Karthik, on the other hand, beamed with anticipation, eager to unite with Aradhya.

Forced by Swetha, Aditya reluctantly descended from the stage to receive Kritika, their eyes meeting briefly before he turned away. With a heavy heart, Kritika placed her hand in his, their steps faltering as they walked toward the mandap.

As the wedding rituals unfolded, Kritika's mind drifted to her solemn vows, recited silently as she clung to her belief in the sanctity of marriage. Aditya, however, remained preoccupied with memories of his past, his thoughts consumed by Samaira.

When the time came to apply sindoor and exchange mangalsutras, Kritika's heart ached at Aditya's distant demeanor. Despite her tears, he remained impassive, his actions mechanical as he fulfilled the ceremonial duties.

As the ceremony concluded, Aditya left abruptly, his cold demeanor leaving Kritika feeling hollow. Despite the congratulations and well-wishes from their families, a sense of unease lingered in the air.

Finally, as the time for their departure arrived, Kritika settled into the car beside Aditya and felt a surge of disappointment wash over her at his indifference.

 With a resigned sigh, she averted her gaze, her mind swirling with a mixture of hurt and resentment. Resting her head against the cool glass of the window, she closed her eyes, seeking solace in the silence of her thoughts.

Aditya, lost in his own world, barely registered Kritika's presence beside him. His mind was consumed by a tumultuous whirlwind of emotions, memories of the past haunting him relentlessly. As he absently scrolled through his emails on his phone, a sense of emptiness gnawed at his soul, a stark reminder of the void left by Samaira's absence.

The journey to the airport passed in tense silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air. Each lost in their own thoughts, Kritika and Aditya remained distant, the gulf between them widening with each passing moment.

As they finally arrived at the airport, the bustling crowds and frenetic energy served as a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere within the car. With a heavy heart, Kritika bid farewell to her family, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she embraced them one last time.

Aditya watched silently from the sidelines, a pang of guilt tugging at his conscience as he witnessed the raw emotion on Kritika's face. Despite his inner turmoil, he remained rooted to the spot, unable to bridge the divide between them.

With that, they boarded the plane, each carrying the weight of their own burdens as they embarked on a journey fraught with uncertainty. As the aircraft soared into the boundless sky, Kritika and Aditya found themselves propelled into a future filled with unanswered questions and untold secrets, their destinies intertwined by the bonds of marriage yet separated by the chasm of their fractured hearts.