Vows Of Vengeance

Chapter 2

The opulent room, once alive with festive anticipation, now held the suffocating weight of a storm waiting to unleash. Aradhya stood there, an enigma in a sea of silks and jewels. Her sharp, shoulder-length hair, the colour of raven's wings, framed her face etched with a mixture of concern and a steely resolve.

Her question, "Meri Aisha kaha hai?" (Where is my Aisha?), hung in the air like a thunderclap, shattering the last vestiges of composure.

Siya, felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over her.

Riddhima Raisinghania, already on the verge of exploding, was the first to react. Her voice, dripping with icy disdain, cut through the silence.

"Who are you and what business do you have here? This is a family affair!"

Aradhya remained unfazed by the outburst. Her gaze, steady and unwavering, met Riddhima's.
"Aradhya, Aisha's sister" was her straight answer.

The revelation hung heavy in the air as they were only aware about Pihu. This new woman being Aisha's sister erupted whispers amongst the guests, a collective gasp escaping their lips. The Raisinghania's, faces flushed with a mixture of anger and confusion, exchanged furtive glances.

Siya, however, felt a flicker of hope with Aradhya's appearance. Could this be the answer to the mysterious disappearance? As she was aware the sisters love for each other, they were also extremely close to each other. But, remembering Aradhya's initial query about Aisha's whereabouts her hope dimmed.

Aradhya continued, "She called me last night, distraught and scared."

Siya's heart lurched. Scared? The very thought of her daughter being in danger crushed her heart.

Raghav Diwan, the ever-pragmatic businessman, and Aisha's father finally found his voice.

"Scared? What are you talking about? She left the wedding & eloped with her lover leaving us behind with shame & humiliation."

Aradhya was now confused with Raghav's statement. "What??"

"Your dearest sister eloped with her lover in her wedding day leaving a letter for us." Raghav replied with a hint of anger in his voice & handed the letter to Aradhya.

Aradhya crossed the room, her sharp heels clicking against the marble floor. Picking up the letter, she read it, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

"She wants to marry the one she loves." She scoffed, as she read the letter with a bitter edge to her voice.

"Only an idiot who did not know Aisha will believe this nonsense. My Aisha is not a coward who will run away that too on the day of her wedding."

The dynamics between Aradhya & the Diwans were not good but her openly declaring such words struck a raw nerve of Raghav. He angrily said, "Then you must definitely know your Aisha's whereabouts."

Aradhya royally ignored Raghav's statement & diverted her question towards Siya.

"You told me that the wedding was happening with Aisha's permission & she was in love with the groom. And now my sister is missing that too with her lover. So, where did this lover suddenly come from. And if there was a lover why was the wedding going on?"

Siya was unable to answer the question of Aradhya. As she was ashamed in front of everyone. Her mind was blank.

"Why are you not saying anything? So am I to assume you lied to me that day or today. As, both of your statements are contrasting towards each other", said Aradhya.

Aradhya's gaze flicked to both Raghav & Siya, her expression unreadable. "Fantastic! As usual you are clueless about your own daughter."

Shorya who was quiet till now spoke in a defending tone, "Aisha eloped from the wedding with her lover. She could have denied the wedding but she didn't & left us humiliated in front of the society. We have no business with her hereafter."