Let's meet again for the first time.
Her mother shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Who will marry you now, when people get to know you were left by Vikram?" Before I could even process what I was doing, the words left my mouth.
"I wil...
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AUTHOR'S POV
Aarav return to the garden where wedding was supposed to take place.
"We're getting married." Aarav announces.
Samarth is shocked, he knows about their history, he has seen them together, he knows Aarav was in love with her. But that was when they were children, everything has changed now.
The guests in the garden are equally surprised, and a murmur of shock and confusion ripples through the crowd. Samarth glances at Aarav, his expression betraying his confusion. "Aarav, are you sure about this?" he asks cautiously.
Aarav's gaze remains fixed on Anika, his expression betraying no hint of doubt. "I have to do this," he responds, his voice steady. The words hang in the air, carrying a weight that goes beyond simple obligation. He is doing it to keep Anika safe, even after everything, she still has a place in his heart, no matter how much he try but he can't become cold to her, he won't leave her when she needs him the most, he had promised her and himself.
"Aarav.." But before Samarth could complete his sentence, Aarav raised his hand, "don't, I know what I am doing." He said although deep inside he knows it's a very hasty decision he had taken.
"Go, call the lawyer." Aarav says, Samarth stands there for a moment looking at his best friend, but he knows he has to follow his gut, and his gut says this will either bring happiness in Aarav's life or he will finally have his closure. So he does as said.
Anika stands in front of a mirror, her reflection showing a bride in a stunning rose gold Indian bridal attire. The intricate embroidery and shimmering fabric make her look like a dream, but her eyes reveal a mixture of pain and confusion. Aarav enters her room with the contract paper, a formal agreement binding them for six months. Although that's not necessary, he wanted her to know he was serious about his offer. She had broken his trust once, he did not want it to happen again, but if it didn't, if he feels she could be trusted again with his heart, he was willing to make her his wife permanently. Last time she was in control, of his feelings, his heart so she played with it easily but this time he will be in control. He will decide what happens.
"Sign it." He said. Anika looks at him dumbfounded. “Sign it?” she echos, her oice betraying her incredulity. “Are you serious?”
He responds with a matter-of-fact nod. “Completely.”
She gazes at him, trying to decipher his expression, searching for a hint of doubt, a flicker of uncertainty. But his face remained composed, betraying none of the emotions that must be roiling beneath the surface.
“Why?" She asks.
"Because I don't want you to think this is forever." He says, he steps closer to her, she inhales his scent. The familiarity of it hits her like a wave, bringing back memories she had tucked away in the corners of my mind. She takes a step back, struggling to maintain her composure. "Wh.. Why would I think that?"
She breathes heavily, "Don't worry Aarav, you won't have to be bound to me forever."
She immediately signs the paper, He sighs, the walls he'd built around himself seeming to falter for a brief moment, she says it so easily, he thinks.
As the ceremony begins, Anika walks down the aisle, her heart pounding. Aarav stands by the altar, his expression unreadable. She feels a pang of sadness, remembering how she once dreamed of this moment being filled with love and joy. Now, it's just a formality.
The priest starts the rituals, and Aarav and Anika go through the motions, their movements mechanical. There is no joy, no celebration, just a sense of duty and resignation.
The priest instructs Aarav to tie the mangalsutra around Anika's neck. He does so with steady hands, though his eyes briefly soften. The black beads and gold pendant rest against Anika's neck, symbolizing their bond, however temporary.
Next, Aarav takes a pinch of sindoor and places it on the parting of Anika's hair. The red powder contrasts sharply against her dark hair, marking her as a married woman. Her mother watches with tears in her eyes, a mix of relief and gratitude.
After the rituals, Anika turns to her mother and hugs her tightly. Her mother whispers, "Thank you, Aarav, for saving my daughter's life."
The newlyweds sit together, the weight of the moment pressing down on them. They are bound by this contract, but their hearts remain distant. Anika's mind races with thoughts of the past and the uncertain future. She wonders if Aarav still cares for her like he used to, or if this is all just a calculated move to win the game he's playing with Vikram.
They look like a perfect couple, but beneath the surface, their emotions are a tangled mess of hurt and unresolved feelings. Anika clings to the hope that these six months will pass quickly and that she can find some semblance of peace once it's over.
For now, they play their parts, each step taking them further into a future neither of them had planned. Anika's heart aches with the weight of her decision, and she can't help but wonder if she's made the right choice. As she looks at Aarav, she sees a man she once loved deeply, now a stranger bound to her by circumstance and duty.
Only time will tell if this union will heal old wounds or create new ones.
˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Author's note: Let me know your thoughts in comments and don't forget to vote! Love:)
