ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 20

Nishtha

Today was the day. July 1st.
My engagement with my ex - boyfriend. 
The beginning of my contract marriage.

I sat in the engagement hall, a grand hall which had a huge ballroom, where we were going to be engaged. It had a grand buffet and a huge area in the middle, with tables all around the corner.

Uncle and Aunty had insisted that this wedding be a grand affair as it was the first marriage in the Nanda's and it was also a point to be made.
No one told me that.
No one needed to.

So, I now sat in my room, just above the stairs of the ballroom, getting ready for my engagement. Obviously, my two best friends were sitting with me. How else would I survive today?

Aai walked in with a beautiful saree. It was pink and in silk which added a gloss to it. The blouse was a little deep, revealing my collarbones but covering my chest properly. The back of it was strapped. The saree rested on me properly. The pallu was let out, so I used my left hand to hold it. The saree had small white dots, which added to its shine and beauty. The border had a few white designs along it. It was simple yet elegant.
I loved my look.

I adorned myself with a bindi, added my kajal and mascara, and did my basic makeup. Adi insisted I added more but I said no. I added my subtle pink matte lipstick and sprayed my fav scent on me. I quickly put on some bangles and I was ready to go. I looked at myself.
I looked beautiful.
But what's the point?
"You look so good!" Adi said and hugged me.
"Thanks." I replied.
"You girls sit and enjoy. I will go check the hall. Okay?" Aai said and walked out excitedly.
"She's so happy." Pri said, "I feel bad."
"She knows that it can end anytime. She was the one who suggested it. Now, it's on her." I said.

After around 30 minutes of sitting, I was finally called into the main hall. Pri and Adi stayed by my side as we made our way to the hall.
"Are you ready?" Pri asked as we walked.
"No, but what choice do I have?" I said, smiling.
She held my arm and we walked inside.

The hall was fantastic. It had amazing lightning and amazing ambiance. It didn't even need any decorations, it looked beautiful as it was. I was in awe staring at the decorations and the hall. Then, I looked in front.
My fiancé.
He looked like the handsome devil that he is.
He wore a pink shirt under his suit, which acted as a compliment to my saree, finished with a white tie, to match the saree. He was handsome.
His hair was made, his stubble... his classic.

His eyes met mine and suddenly, I felt like the 5 year old us were looking. I felt tears brimming in my eyes. 21 year old me really wanted this. She would have been crying of joy running to him.
Why did you change our fate, God?
I used to be able to read him like a book.
Now he hides his emotions from me.
You can still read him, you don't look at him.
I can't.
I can't risk falling in love with those eyes again.

I tore my eyes away and joined him on the stage.
I saw the audience present.
Mr Rupert was there. Wow this is awkward.
How are we going to tell him?
A lot of industry specialists were present but it was mainly family. I didn't want to meet them.

This isn't his whole family. I thought.
I've met a lot of his extended family.
That was the cute thing about us: we dated each other's families, not just us.
And now we are strangers, so are our families.

"Good Afternoon." Uncle spoke, "We are here to today to celebrate my son, Yuvaan Nanda's engagement to Alok Yadav's daughter, Nishtha Yadav. Yuvaan and Nishtha have been together since their college times and we decided it was time to take the next step in their relationship. Please join us and offer your love for our newly engaged couple: Yuvaan and Nishtha!"