Anaya-His heartbeat

CHAPTER-22 RANG LAGEYA ISHQ DA

Shivarth pov
The moment I stepped into the venue, my chest tightened. There she was—my mother, standing among our relatives. She hadn't been a part of my life for as long as I could remember, and yet she showed up now, putting on this charade for appearances. The sight of her standing there, dressed perfectly and acting the part, only stirred up the anger I’d tried to bury. Memories rushed back, each one a sharp reminder of her absence when I needed her the most. What right did she have to pretend?

But I refused to let her take up any more space in my mind. I forced myself to look around the venue instead, hoping to distract myself.

Stepping into the venue, I felt my jaw clench as my gaze skimmed over the setup. The place was unrecognizable, almost dreamlike—whoever had planned this clearly had an eye for detail. A white canopy stretched overhead, draped with delicate fabric, while strings of flowers hung like threads of starlight, catching the sunlight as they swayed. Tiny lights were woven through the flowers, casting a soft, warm glow over the whole scene.

The seating was arranged in a circle on the ground, scattered with vibrant cushions, inviting everyone to sit close, like this was some intimate, joyous celebration. My heart should've been lifted, seeing something so beautiful, but I only felt a hollow ache. None of this was mine. I hadn’t touched a single detail in this space; it had to be Anaya’s doing, maybe with Samaira and her friends, knowing how they fussed over everything.

Ahead, the main stage caught my eye. It was framed with clusters of fresh flowers and greenery, soft colors blending effortlessly with the floral setup. It was warm, welcoming, the kind of setup that begged to be part of someone’s fond memories. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of detachment. This wasn’t my idea of a family gathering—just another formality to get through.

Then, there were these white arches on the other side, carved so intricately they looked like lace. They added a touch of grandeur, a kind of elegance I hadn’t expected. Luxurious white couches lined the area, accented with golden pillows, and the tables were artfully decorated with floral arrangements, all of it framed by carefully placed greenery. It was like walking into a page of some fairytale Standing in that beautifully decorated venue, the reality of it all began to sink in. I, Shivarth Oberoi, was actually getting married. My heart pounded in a way that felt unfamiliar, a mix of excitement, fear, and something I couldn't quite name. For a man who had always taken life head-on, the weight of this moment caught me off guard. Marriage wasn't just a ceremony; it was a journey—a union of two people, two lives intertwined in a way that could either build us up or tear us down. I couldn’t help but wonder: did I truly deserve her? Could I ever be the man she needed?

Lost in these thoughts, I hardly noticed Ayaan creeping up beside me with that mischievous grin of his. "Is that a tear I see in your eye, bhai?" he teased, feigning shock. "Should I call Samaira with some tissues?"

I scoffed, pushing his shoulder. "Very funny, Ayaan. Just because you’re not the one getting married doesn’t mean you get to act like a comedian."

He smirked. "I'm just amazed to see you acting like a lovestruck hero for once. Who knew the mighty Shivarth could get so sentimental?"

Before I could retort, he was already poking fun again. "Maybe we should keep a backup groom in case you faint before the ceremony."

I rolled my eyes, but before things could escalate, Samaira swooped in with a laugh, stepping between us. "Alright, boys. Ayaan, stop tormenting him. And Shivarth, relax. You look like you’re about to face a firing squad."

My fists clenched as I took it all in, a flash of anger igniting somewhere deep. This was perfect, flawless even, but it wasn’t mine.
As I stood there, battling my thoughts and trying to control my swirling emotions, the laughter and noise around me faded, leaving a quiet anticipation. Then, the air seemed to shift. A subtle ripple of excitement swept through the guests, and I instinctively turned to look.

There she was—Anaya.

The moment she appeared, it felt as though time itself slowed down. She was wrapped in a stunning lehenga, the delicate ivory fabric adorned with intricate gold embroidery that caught the light just so, making her shimmer with every step. The subtle elegance of her outfit was mesmerizing, a blend of grace and grandeur that left everyone, including me, momentarily breathless. The golden dupatta draped over her shoulder seemed like a ray of sunlight captured just for her, flowing with each movement, and framing her in a soft, ethereal glow.

My heart—so guarded, so used to walls of steel—betrayed me in that instant. I felt it pound, each beat a reminder of how close she was, how real this was becoming. She was no longer a distant thought, no longer the girl I was engaged to because of circumstance. Right here, right now, she was a vision, a force of beauty and warmth walking towards me. Every part of me was captivated, lost in her presence, like she was pulling me into a world where nothing else mattered.

She smiled at someone in the crowd, a soft, genuine smile that lit up her entire face, and I felt an ache—a strange, sweet ache that I couldn’t explain. It was like my chest tightened and softened at the same time, a mix of longing and wonder. My gaze traveled over her, lingering on the graceful sway of her steps, the gentle shimmer of her jewelry, and the delicate curls framing her face. She looked almost unreal, like she had stepped out of a dream meant just for me.

And as she got closer, I felt a rush of nerves, an unfamiliar vulnerability that made me question everything. Did I deserve this? Did I deserve her? This woman who seemed to embody beauty and kindness, whose laughter was soft yet strong enough to dissolve the doubts I carried. She was about to be my wife, and the weight of that realization hit me harder than I had expected. A thousand questions flooded my mind, each one chipping away at my carefully built resolve.

I felt Ayaan nudge me with a smirk, but I barely registered it. My eyes were fixed on her, and my heart was no longer my own. It beat for her, each pulse echoing with emotions I hadn’t even begun to understand. The closer she came, the more I felt myself unravel, my heart torn between wanting to reach out and hold her close, and wondering if I even had the right.

Then, she finally reached me and took her place beside me. My pulse raced as I sensed her presence so near, our worlds merging in that instant. And that’s when everyone around us began to cheer, nudging her to put the first haldi on me. The energy around us was charged with laughter and teasing, but I was only half-aware of it. All I could see was her—her face, her smile, her eyes that held a warmth that seemed to reach right into me.

With a hesitant, almost shy smile, Anaya dipped her fingers into the haldi paste, the golden turmeric staining her delicate fingertips. And as her hand reached my face, her touch gentle and feather-light, it felt like everything around us faded. The laughter, the noise, the colors—all of it melted away, leaving just her touch, soft and warm, grounding me and unraveling me all at once.

In that single, fleeting moment, I felt my world shift. Her touch was a promise, a warmth that seeped into my skin and wrapped around my heart, silencing every doubt, every question. The doubts, the fears—all of it was replaced by something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Hope.

But honestly, I was too entranced to care about anything they were saying. My eyes were locked on her, absorbing every detail—the way her bangles jingled as she walked, the way her laughter seemed to melt into the air, the soft confidence in her step. She sat down beside me, and suddenly, my carefully constructed walls began to crumble. How did I get so lucky? How was this incredible, beautiful woman actually going to be my wife?

Yet, amidst all this awe, doubt snuck in. Could I really give her the life she deserved? I had so many questions swirling around in my mind, questions that gnawed at my confidence.