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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AARAV'S POV
I walk up to the front gate of our family home, my mind racing with the events of the past twenty-four hours. Anika is right behind me, we haven't spoken a word to each other. I don't know what to say.
I ring the bell, the gate creeks open, and my bhabhi, Shivani, stands there, her eyes widening in surprise, "you're finally here." She says oblivious of everything.
"Aarav, you have been missing since a day. Do you know how tense Chachi was?" she scolds, her tone both relieved and exasperated. "You shouldn't give me so much stress in this condition," she adds, rubbing her pregnant belly. I hate that what I am going to reveal will be more stressful than me vanishing for a day. I love this woman like I love Aditi. She's so beautiful in and out, so brave, caring and loving. When I see Rudra bhai and her together, I wish for what they have. But given the situation, I don't think I will ever have it. Before I can respond, Anika steps forward. Bhabhi's gaze shifts to her, confusion evident on her face. "Who's this?" she asks, looking between us.
I take Anika's hand in mine, feeling the weight of what I am about to say. "She's my wife," I say simply.
Bhabhi's eyes widen in surprise, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. She glances at Anika and then back at me, her expression a mixture of shock and confusion.
"Wh..what?" she stammers, her words betraying her disbelief.
Her eyes rake over Anika, She seems to finally understand that I am not joking or lying, "What have you done Aarav?" She whispers.
I tighten my grip on Anika's hand unknowingly, my expression betraying a mix of resolve and regret. "It's complicated," I try to explain, my voice betraying the turmoil within me.
Bhabhi's eyes narrow, her gaze switching between Anika and me. "Does anyone know?"
I shake my head, feeling the gravity of my spontaneous decision. Her eyes soften as she looks at Anika, she extends her hand towards Anika, Anika hesitates but takes her hand. "You must be tired." Bhabhi says, as she leads her to the couch, I stand there unable to move. How could bhabhi so easily accept it, I thought she would take tension, but she seems okay. No reaction at all. This feels so normal.
"Who's there shivani?" Maa comes tying her hair in a bun, she looks up. I see bhabhi physically stiffen. Maa looks at me, her eyes widen, she runs towards me and hugs me. She then hits my head, "you idiot!" She exclaimed, "you didn't think to inform your mother about your whereabouts?" I bask in the affection because I know as soon as she notices Anika's presence, she's going to be upset with me.
"Chachi.." Bhabhi calls her out, Maa's head snaps in her direction. She looks between us, her face a mix of shock and confusion. "What is this, Aarav?"
Anika steps forward, bending down to take Maa's blessings, Maa pulls her up before she can touch her feet and shakes her head hugging her, as a flicker of recognition crosses her face. "Anika? Is that you?" she asks, pulling back to look at her.
Anika nods, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, aunty. It's me."
They hug each other again, a moment of warmth in the midst of chaos. My mother turns to me, her eyes demanding an explanation. "What happened?"
I take a deep breath. "Maa, I am married. Anika is my wife."
My mother looks taken aback, struggling to process the information.
The room falls into a stunned silence, broken only by the soft sighs of the ceiling fan. I try to gauge my mother's reaction, but her expression is unreadable. She looks at Anika, studying her closely.
"Why? Why Aarav?" My mother yelled. As the words sink in, other family members start to emerge from their rooms, drawn by the commotion.
"Maa please-" She cuts me in between, "don't give me any justification, because no matter what you say, this is wrong." A tear escape her eyes.
Badi maa rushes towards her, "What happened Naina?" She asks Maa who doesn't say anything just sobs. Bhabhi looks between me and maa, "Aarav is married." She says slowly, "She's Anika. His wife." I look at them to gauge their reaction, their faces a mix of shock, confusion, and anger.
"How could you do this, Aarav? Not even a word to us?" Bade papa says, his tone accusatory.
The room fills with a tense silence, the weight of their disapproval hanging heavily in the air.
I step forward, trying to find the right words. "I know this is sudden, and I apologize for not telling you all sooner. But this was necessary. I understand I have hurt y'all deeply but what's done is done." I say calmly.
"What's done is done? That's your reply?" Maa shouts, her voice breaking. She sniffles, "without any rituals, without our blessings?" her voice quivering with emotion. "This is not how things are done."
I look at Anika, her eyes reflecting the same turmoil I feel. "I understand your anger, and I'm sorry for the way this happened."
"Your sorry won't change the situation Aarav!" Badi maa exclaims.
"Everyone silent." Dadu commands.
"You tell me the reason why you took this decision and I will decide whether you did right or wrong!" He orders. The room falls silent, my heart racing. I can feel their disappointment and disapproval like a heavy weight upon my shoulders. I look at each of their faces, filled with a mix of shock and hurt. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenge that lies ahead.
"Dadu," I sigh running my hand across my hair, "I went to Vikram's mansion."
"Khanna?" Bade papa interjects, I nod and continue, "I wanted to have a talk to him. He had leaked information about my business, it had caused me a loss of 200 crore worth deal." I hear soft gasps, I look at bhabhi and Anika, their expressions mirroring.
"He ran away. He was supposed to marry Anika. Her mother's health is fragile. So we married to keep her from spiraling."
Dadu doesn't say a word. He walks to his room and shuts it. Shit. If he doesn't approve of us, no one will.
The air in the room is thick with tension. I can almost feel the disapproval radiating off my family. I glance over at Anika, her eyes betraying a mix of worry and unease. The silence is deafening, and just as I'm about to say something, Dadu opens his door. He passes by me, and walks towards Anika, She looks at him, fear evident in her eyes.
"Welcome to our family Anika." He says, extending a blue box of jewelery towards her. Everyone's eyes wide with shock but I feel relieved. She takes it in her hand, her hand shaking. He pats her head, "you're a part of this family now." He says.
She is, but only for six months. She wants freedom after that.
Author's note: I feel bad for Aarav and worse for Anika but dada ji saved us I guess, also Shivani's here 🙈✨ how was the chapter? Love:)
