ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

the wedding

Nikita POV:

The next day, I slept myself locked in my room. I know I missed the mehendi, luckily I had taken. mehendi cone with me and applied some on my hand.

I didn't want to see him. What was I doing? This isn't helping. I can't fall for someone who has no interest in me. He's just playing around for fun.

"Nikita!!!!" Isha screamed through my phone as I picked up her call, "Where are you????"
"I'm in my room."
"For the whole day?"
"I was out baba, you must have missed it since Aunty kept making me run around." I lied. Truth is, I don't even think anyone noticed me gone.
"Acha, yeah that's true, okay get ready and come down now." Isha said, thankfully believing my lies.

I cut the call and got ready. I looked at my saree. Mayukh gave me this. Should I wear it? No. It's time we face facts, neither of us are related to each other, we're nothing but roommates. I don't need to— wear that.

I put the saree in my bag and pulled out another light red saree. It was a beautiful saree. It had silk and beautiful embroidery along the lines with a kind of backless blouse but covered my chest appropriately. I wore a nice diamond necklace with earrings and adorned my face with kala, bindi and a jewelry headwear tied my hair half at the back, with my curled hair flowing free and fixed my nose ring. I put flowers in my air, did some light makeup, put my lipstick and then went downstairs after wearing my bangles. I looked really good.

I reached the mandap where I saw him. Thankfully he didn't see me. I saw him sitting behind his brother, with his mother and father. I hid behind and guests and observed the marriage ceremony. They looked so in love, I could feel some tears of joy.

"Oh my god!" Isha said and I turned, "You look heavenly!"
"Thank you!"
We went to the side after the ceremony ended and went to take pictures.

"Guys! Group photo!" Sid came from behind and said. We smiled and took.
"What about me guys?" A voice said from behind. It's him. I hadn't even turned before I felt his hand on my waist as everyone came to us and we took our picture. I covered my beating heart and smiled for the picture. Once the picture was taken, I looked back to see him looking at me, his emotions unclear. I gulped and told Isha that I'm getting a glass of water and walked away, after seeing him getting distracted with our friends.

I went to the counter and got water and was about to make my way back to our friends when I was pulled into an empty room. I screamed only to have my mouth covered. Before I knew it, I was pinned to the wall. I opened my eyes to see Mayukh looking at me. He let go of his arm and put it tightly around my waist.

"What... what are you doing?" I said, trying to struggle free.
"What are you wearing?" He said, ignoring my question.
"A saree."
"Why aren't you wearing the saree I got you?"
"Because, I..." What do I even say to him?, "I... I couldn't." I tried to lie.
"And why not?" His eyes were piercing into mine while his hands were settled on my bare waist, moving up and down slowly, making me feel butterflies.
"I... I wasn't.. able to wear... it" I looked down.
"You could have called me."
"No.. how.."
"Have I not made you wear your saree before?"
I didn't answer.
"Why aren't you wearing what I got you, half-wife?" He came closer, our lips being barely away from each other.
"I'm... because... I don't... you can.. give it to.. your.. real wife." I said.
I felt him stiffen and let out a frustrated sigh. He looked at me and his lips touched my neck, slowly, "You look beautiful." He kissed my neck and walked away, leaving me and my red face.

Mayukh POV:

I hadn't seen her since that day and today when I saw her at the mandap, my heart had stopped. I was angry she didn't wear the saree I got her but she was looking beautiful in the saree that she was wearing. Red is really her colour. I could feel her keeping herself away. I looked away when Mom called me and when I looked again she was gone. After the ceremony ended, I found them all taking pictures and I went in and placed my hands on her waist, I felt her stiffen. I don't know why but I like having this effect on her. She looked at me and she looked even more beautiful up close. I watched her go away and so I followed and took her to the nearest room. Her lips were so tempting; it took every ounce of courage to not kiss her.

But then, she said real wife. That sentence pushed me away. It brought back everything. Her screams, her eyes, The reality.

I left her and walked out. She is aggravating. A part of me wants to be around her all that time, either to make sure she's fine or to just, just be around her. The other side just wishes I hadn't gone on that walk that day and I wouldn't have a wife on my conscious.

"Mayukh." I heard Manisha Bhabhi behind me, "Is everything okay?"
"Yes bhabhi, don't worry."
"You don't look okay."
"Bhabhi it's your wedding. Don't worry about this."
"You know I'm your sister now. You can tell me."
"Bhabhi it's nothing, just lost in two minds. A part of me wants something but the other part just wants it gone from my conscious."
"And what is it that you want?"
"Bhabhi..."
"Okay Okay, I don't know much but see how life is with and without it. Then decide."

She left. I think I should listen to her. Nikita hates me anyway. I never agreed to a marriage either. I should just ignore her.

Then we all got home. We couldn't stay for the reception because we had classes, and Ruyash Bhai and Manisha Bhabhi were leaving for Kolkata with Mom and Dad for a reception in Kolkata. Mom had insisted I come, but I didn't know.

Currently I was in my room finishing my work when I heard noises from the kitchen. It's 1am. I walked out to see her. I hadn't seen her since that time. We even came in different cabs. I went closer and watched her try to get the coffee from the top counter. I sighed and went towards her, pushed her hand away and gave the coffee down to her.
"Than...k you. Sorry for disturbing." She was saying.
I didn't look back and answered, "Cool." I tried being dry and acted unbothered.
"Umm..." She tried to say, "I—" I turned around. "I... Are you... mad?" She said.
"I'm not bothered by you." I said coldly and walked off in my room.
Ah Shit, that hurt. I didn't want to be so rude but seeing her just reminded me of everything.

Nikita POV:

I felt a small drop of tear in my eyes when he said that. I find it hard to accept what I am already aware of. I watched him slam his room shut. I quickly gathered myself and went to my room. After finishing coffee, I went to him only to get ignored by him. What did I do wrong?

The next day, I had class at 12, so I was ready by 11 when I came outside and noticed Mayukh sitting with his friends. That girl was there again. I saw her sitting next to him. My eyes met his and he instantly looked away. Within a minute, his hands went around her shoulder and he pulled her closer. I kept a straight face but it hurt. Why did it hurt?
Before Armaan could see me, I turned away and left the house.

Why is this hurting me? He told me clearly he doesn't care about me. He doesn't care about us. It was just to save my life, then why are his actions bothering me. Truth is I had started to see myself as more than a roommate for a few days. That needed to stop. I need to get over him.

Saying so, I made my way to class and sat in the extreme front, so I don't have to see them at the back. Soon enough, I could hear that girl's loud voice as she walked in. I could see him from the corner of my eyes but I kept looking ahead and acted like I hadn't noticed them. It's for the best.

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