ENIGMA

Engagement Day 1

Author's Note: This part isn't edited yet! So please excuse any errors or inconsistencies. The final version might change slightly for flow and clarity.

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The sharp ring of the alarm jolted Advik awake, signaling the start of the day he had been both anticipating and dreading—his engagement. He immediately swung his legs over the side of the bed, feeling the familiar pull of responsibility. Without wasting a moment, he walked over to Ini, still curled up under the blankets.

“Inaya, wake up! We need to get going!” he called out, giving her a gentle shake.

She groaned and turned over, pulling the blanket over her head. “Just five more minutes, bhaiyya…”

“No, Ini! Get up now! We’re already running late.” Advik’s tone had an edge of urgency, and after some more prodding, Inaya finally dragged herself out of bed, yawning and rubbing her eyes.

As they hurried into their separate bathrooms, the house buzzed with activity. Maids were bustling around, setting up for the day ahead, and Mrs. Malhotra was already deep in conversation with Mrs. Sharma over the phone, her voice carrying through the hall.

“Yes, yes, we’re all set here. Is everything on track on your end? The guests are starting to arrive soon,” Mrs. Malhotra said, her excitement palpable, but there was an unmistakable undercurrent of concern in her tone. She paced slightly as she spoke, eager for everything to go perfectly.

Mrs. Sharma’s reassuring voice came through the line. “We’re on our way. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

Satisfied for the moment, Mrs. Malhotra hung up, but her eyes darted towards the clock, anxiety flitting across her face. The minutes were slipping away, and there was still so much to do.

Meanwhile, Advik, now dressed in a crisp, formal kurta, dialed Ruhani’s number. His heart rate was steady, but his mind was racing—today was not just any day, it was the day his life would change.

“Ruhani, are you on your way?” he asked, his voice as steady as ever, masking any hint of nerves.

On the other end of the line, Ruhani sat in the back seat of her car, her palms clammy. She had been fidgeting all morning, her thoughts in turmoil. She looked at her reflection in the car window, seeing not just her face but the weight of what today meant.

“Yes, Advik,” she replied, her voice shaky despite her efforts to sound composed. “We’re almost there.”

“Good,” Advik said simply before hanging up.

But for Ruhani, the conversation didn’t end there. She turned to her mother, sitting beside her, and took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. Her anxiety was bubbling up, and she wasn’t sure she could hold it in any longer.

“Mom, I... I don’t know if I can do this. Maybe we should wait on the registration. Maybe I need more time…” her voice trailed off as her mother’s sharp gaze landed on her.

“Ruhani, stop this nonsense. You’ve had plenty of time to think,” her mother snapped, her patience wearing thin. “Everything is set for today. This engagement is happening. You will not embarrass our family like this.”

“But, Mom, I’m not sure if I can handle being with Advik. He’s so... and what if things get worse after we’re married? What if I don’t survive this?”

Mrs. Sharma sighed in frustration. “You’ll be fine, Ruhani. Advik is a good man, and you’re being irrational. Now stop overthinking this. You’ve made your choice, and today is not the day to question it.”