♥♪ "Serendipitous Love Trails"♪♥

chapter 2 - shocking revelation

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We were laughing, our actions got halted listening to a voice.
We all averted our gaze to a familiar voice. "Everyone's gossiping here, and there all guests are waiting for you," she spoke in a slightly sharp tone, resting her hands on her hips. She looked like a cute woman in her 30s, wearing a light peach lehenga. But she paused as soon as she saw me. She ran towards me and placed her hand on my cheeks from the veil . Her voice softened as she said, "Ariah, my little lioness, mashallah, you are looking gorgeous."
She paused for a second and then continued, "I'm sorry I couldn't stop our parents or convince them to at least extend the date, i tried but they didn't agree ."
I replied in a low voice, "It's okay, di. I know they will never agree to what we say ." I paused and then added, "Maybe Allah SWT has planned something great for me. I hope for the best." I tried to cheer them up.
I wiped the warm saline water that threatened to come out of di's eyes and said, "My dear beautiful di, you know what !  I hate tears. And on top of that, your makeup will be ruined." I cracked this lame joke once again, earning laughter from all of them.
We finally entered the venue hall, which was filled with people. Soon, the videographer, who was busy capturing every corner of the venue and every single guest, turned his gaze towards us. I could hear the sound of a drone buzzing around, capturing the entry of the bride-me. Amidst this forced marriage, my mind was surprised to see the crowd around me. I slowly leaned towards my di and whispered, "Baha di, who are these people? I mean, I can see the whole city here."
She patted my head and whispered in a low voice, gritting her teeth in a cute, exasperated tone, "Focus on the camera, girl, and come inside this mandap," referring to the red cloth held by four members at the corners, under which the bride and groom walk to the aisle. She smiled and added, "Now stay silent and walk. No more questions."
I wasn't done with my questions yet. I said again, "Di, they can't see that I am speaking under this veil, so answer me..."
She was now frustrated and replied in a cute voice, "You little monster, stop with the questions. They're about to shoot us, and yes, they can't see you, but they can see me because I am not under a veil. So please, focus on the camera."
I giggled under my veil and continued moving toward the stage, which had a beautiful chair and two sofas beside it. They helped me to sit on the most luxurious chair meant for the bride-me. I admired the interior, which had a green forest theme. I was mesmerized by the beautiful environment around me. I drowned in my thoughts when  all my friends and my di went away to catch up with the rest of the family leaving me alone .

I couldn't control my negative thoughts. My brain was now surrounded by multiple bad thoughts.
I spoke to my inner self, "It's okay. Everything will be okay, Ariah."

Again, my inner self spoke to me, "You have controlled your tears enough. I know you want to cry, Ariah. Let your tears out."
But I was firm in my decision not to cry. I knew I had pretended to be strong enough in front of my friends and the elders.

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A group of men approached  the stage where I was seated. I thought it was time to read the nikah. My nervousness increased when I saw my parents coming with them, their faces misty with stress and their foreheads covered with sweat. They finally approached me, and one of the older men among them spoke to me, "Assalamualaikum, my child."
I was nervous but replied back, "WalaikumSalam, uncle."
He looked stressed, so I asked him, "Uncle, is everything okay?"
He replied, "Yes, my child." He patted my head softly and, after a short pause, continued, "My humble angel, I am here with a request. Your groom wants to meet you before the marriage. He wants to know your consent. As this happened so suddenly, we didn't got a chance to ask you about your consent."
I was shocked to hear his words. Lilly, Baha di, and Nayl came beside me and reassured me by patting my shoulder. I could see smiles on their faces. Nayl leaned near my ear and whispered, "Looks like he is a kind-hearted jerk. She said it in an exasperated tone .I think I should approve for You'r marraige with him. I'm happy that you disagreed with my decision to run away."
I looked toward my parents, and they nodded their heads, gesturing for me to follow the uncle's instructions. After a pause I looked towards the old man and replied , "Yes, uncle. Please tell me the way to the groom."

After a few steps, he stopped near a large room gesturing me to enter then he left leaving me alone with I don't know whome . I walked inside the hall getting nervous. As I walked in, I saw a man wearing a light golden luxurious sherwani with small crystal stones embedded on it. He was on the stage, wearing  pagdi on his head and a beautiful red rose garland around his neck. Not gonna lie, he was looking handsome. He seemed familiar to me. As I was not ready for this marriage, I haven't even looked at the picture of the groom because of my stubbornness. But still, he looked very familiar to me. My heartbeat stopped when I went in front of him , and I could see him clearly.
"Oh my Allah! How can he be my groom? No, no, no, no , he can't be," my brain spoke to itself.
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😼 What do you think whom they are going to marry ..... Are they'r made for each other or they will meet after a great second heart break
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