Destiny For Unlikely Vows

Chapter 6: The Day of the Wedding

Riya was getting married at a small but beautiful resort, the *Sanman Beach Resort*. High security was present, with the whole venue elegantly decorated with flowers. It was a simple and intimate one-day event, as per Agastya's condition, with no elaborate rituals. Although Riya loved traditional wedding customs like *mehndi*, *haldi*, and *sangeet*, all of which she had dreamed of, she had to skip everything and head straight to the *mandap*.

Dressed in her lehenga, her makeup minimal yet radiant, and adorned with barely any jewelry, Riya felt a strange mix of emotions. She didn't know much about her groom-only that his name was Agastya, a businessman with ventures in over five countries, involved in software. She hadn't bothered to research him or check his profile, feeling a numb detachment from the reality of the situation. As she prepared, her grandmother spoke to her about loyalty, sacrifice, and the foundations of a good marriage. Though Riya listened quietly, her mind wandered. Since her mother's death, the once-happy, vibrant girl had become more melancholic, weighed down by grief.

As she walked toward the *mandap*, she noticed Agastya standing there, looking as though he was eager for the whole ordeal to be over. His best friend Amit was also present and immediately recognized Riya from her Facebook pictures, though she looked nothing like her school days. Back then, she had been an awkward, dark-skinned, skinny girl. Now, she had blossomed into a breathtaking woman, with big doe-like eyes, full lips, high cheekbones, and wavy light-brown hair cascading down her back. At 5'3", she stood taller in her heels, appearing 5'6" with a curvy, healthy figure that caught everyone's attention.

Amit snapped out of his reverie and nudged Agastya. "So, this is why you didn't tell us who you were marrying-because the ugly duckling has turned into a beautiful princess."

Confused, Agastya asked, "Who are you talking about? Which Riya?"

Amit leaned in and whispered, "The same Riya who insulted you in front of the whole class back in school."

A flash of recognition crossed Agastya's face as his mind reeled back to their shared past.

**Flashback:**

It was the 9th grade, and their Hindi teacher had posed a question to the class. Riya had confidently answered, but one of the boys interrupted her, mocking her response. She rebuked him for his rudeness, pointing out that he was a class failure. As the class snickered, Agastya, seated at the back, called out sarcastically, "And what are you, the topper of the class?"

Riya was far from being a top student back then-she barely passed her exams, which made Agastya's words sting even more. Humiliated, she snapped back at him, "Who the hell are you to interrupt me? Arrogant, full of attitude, and completely useless-that's what you are. I'm way better than you."

The entire class turned to Agastya, shocked by her boldness. He was used to being the star-topper, teachers' favorite, and champion in math, chess, and football. For the first time, someone had openly challenged him, and from that day onward, the war between them began. Riya and Agastya would constantly exchange insults, with Agastya having the upper hand due to his popularity. He and his friends mocked her mercilessly, calling her names like "Ugly Duckling" and "Poor Memory Madam Marie Curie."

There were countless instances where Agastya cornered her, taunting, "What's wrong, Ugly Curie? Cat got your tongue?" He never missed a chance to humiliate her, while Riya seethed with anger. In retaliation, she would step on his shoes intentionally or glare at him across the classroom. Their rivalry peaked when Riya reported Agastya's behavior to the vice-principal. Though he was briefly reprimanded, being forced to apologize to her in front of the morning assembly was a humiliating experience that only deepened his disdain for her.

For Agastya, Riya was nothing but a dumb, unremarkable girl who thought she was smarter than she really was. For Riya, Agastya was an arrogant, attention-seeking boy who made her school life miserable.

**Back to the present:**

As Agastya recalled those bitter memories, he looked at the bride-to-be standing before him. The same girl who had been the target of his taunts was now the woman he was about to marry.

________________________________________
Hi, My Lovely Readers!
Thank you for reading this chapter of my story. Your support means the world to me as I begin my journey in the writing world. ❤️

I'd love to hear your thoughts!
•Did you enjoy this chapter?
•What do you think will happen next?

Please leave a comment, share your suggestions, and like this chapter if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to share the story with your friends to help it reach more readers!
Your feedback inspires me to keep writing and improving. Let's make this journey unforgettable together! 🌟