The Silent Betrayal

13. Sacred Vows

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It had been a long, emotionally exhausting day. Taani sat silently in the car as they returned from Rishi's funeral. The rhythmic hum of the engine was the only sound breaking the oppressive silence, but it did little to ease the storm brewing in her heart. Rashmi, Archana, Sholak, and Taani had barely spoken a word on the way back. The loss of Rishi, the pillar of family, had left an unbearable void, and no amount of silence could ease the ache in our hearts.

She glanced at Rashmi, who sat beside her, her face a mask of grief and weariness. The Raichand family, seated in the front, also looked solemn, lost in their own thoughts. Taani felt like an outsider in her own life. Nothing made sense anymore.

As they reached the Shekhawat mansion, she slowly stepped out of the car, her legs feeling weak beneath her. Every step felt heavy, as if the weight of her sorrow was pulling her down. She had lost so much in just two day—first—her brother, Swayam who accused her and left her, Second—Rey, the man she thought she would spend her life with, and now her Taauji, the man who had raised her with all the love in the world. She thought back to her wedding day with Rey, how she had envisioned a beautiful future. But instead, Rey had abandoned her when she needed him the most, left her standing at the altar without so much as an explanation.

The betrayal burned like a fresh wound in her heart, but she didn’t have the energy to be angry anymore. The pain of losing her Taauji overshadowed everything else.

As they reached the main hall, Taani noticed that the house was eerily quiet. Normally, after such a loss, the house would be filled with relatives, mourners, and neighbors. But there was no one here—just their small family and some servants.

Amaraya had managed to keep the news of Rishi's death from spreading, thanks to Abhimaan’s influence. It was as if the world outside didn’t know that the head of the Shekhawat family was no more.

The Puja was simple but filled with emotion. They prayed for Rishi's soul, asking for his peace and guidance.

Taani's POV:-

How had my life come to this? Just a few day ago, I had been preparing for my wedding with Rey — the man i thought i would spend my life with. The love of my life. But everything had shattered so quickly, so brutally. Rey had left me, abandoned me on what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.

I felt the ache of betrayal deep in my chest. Rey, the person I had trusted more than anyone, had broken my heart without any hesitation. He had chosen his dreams over me, and in doing so, had destroyed the future we had planned together.

And now.....Mr.Raichand.

Abhimaan

I looked at him from the corner of my eye. He was a stranger to me. I didn’t know him, didn’t understand him, and yet, here I was, bound to him by marriage. A marriage I hadn’t chosen, but had been thrust into due to Taauji’s dying wish.

Despite my inner turmoil, I kept a brave face, holding back my tears. I needed to stay composed, especially for Taaiji. Archana Aunty stood by her side, holding her hand, while Sholak Uncle ensured everything was in place for the Puja. It was a small Puja be performed in the house after Taauji’s funeral, and we were honoring that.

After the Puja concluded, Archana Aunty and Taaiji approached me, their faces serious but gentle. I had almost forgotten what was supposed to happen next—the marriage. Taauji’s last wish, his words at the hospital, still echoed in my mind. He had trusted Mr.Raichand, believed he could take care of me. It was what Taauji had wanted, and now, despite my hesitations, I had to honor his final wish.