Beneath The Storm

Chapter-1: An Unwanted Beginning

The engagement hall was adorned with shimmering chandeliers, flowers cascading from every corner, and golden drapes swaying gently in the breeze from the large ceiling fans. The room was filled with murmurs of excitement, laughter, and the clinking of champagne glasses. For most, it was a night of celebration. But for Inaara Sharma, it was a night of dread.

Dressed in a simple maroon Kanjivaram saree, her hair neatly braided with jasmine flowers, Inaara stood by the refreshment table. She glanced around nervously, feeling like an outsider amidst the glittering crowd. She fidgeted with the edge of her saree, her eyes darting across the room. Every face seemed unfamiliar, every glance felt judgmental. "Why did I even agree to this?" she thought, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Across the room, Atharv Rajvansh 2nd richest person in India and 4th Richest Person in Asia, stood with his family, his tall frame and sharp features making him stand out. Dressed in a sleek black suit, he exuded a sense of authority and aloofness. His face was a mask of cold indifference, but his eyes were fixed on Inaara, his fiancée. There was no warmth in his gaze, only irritation. His jaw clenched tightly, his teeth grinding together in frustration as he took in her appearance.

"What is she wearing?" he muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with disdain. His younger sister Avni Rajvansh standing beside him, heard the venom in his voice and nudged him with her elbow.

"Calm down Bhai" she whispered, trying to pacify him. "It's just a saree. She looks... traditional."

"Traditional?" he scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "She looks like she's attending a small-town festival, not an engagement in the Rajvansh family." His gaze remained fixed on Inaara, his irritation growing with every passing second. "I don't even know why our parents chose her," he continued, his voice low but filled with contempt. "This marriage is a mistake."

Avni sighed, knowing her brother's temper well. "Bhai, Maa likes her. That should be enough for now. Don't create a scene here."

But Atharv was far from pacified. He had never been one to hide his displeasure, and tonight was no different. As he watched Inaara fumble nervously with her saree, his irritation turned to anger. He strode across the room toward her, his steps purposeful and his expression stormy.

Inaara felt a sudden chill run down her spine as she saw him approaching. She took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for the encounter, but nothing could have prepared her for Atharv's sharp words.

"What are you wearing?" he demanded as soon as he was within earshot, his voice cold and cutting. "Did you think this was appropriate for our engagement?"

Inaara looked up, her eyes wide with confusion and embarrassment. She hadn't expected a warm greeting, but she hadn't imagined this kind of hostility either. "I... I thought it was fine," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

"Fine?" Atharv repeated, his tone mocking. "Look around you, Inaara. This is not some middle-class gathering where you can wear whatever you want. You are about to be a Rajvansh. Appearances matter here."

Inaara's cheeks flushed with shame. She glanced around at the elegantly dressed guests, suddenly feeling very small and out of place. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her eyes dropping to the floor. "I didn't know..."

Atharv's eyes darkened with irritation. "You didn't know?" he snapped. "You should have known. This is what I mean-no sense of understanding, no awareness of where you are or who you are standing next to." His voice was low, but every word felt like a blow to Inaara's heart.