Falling into the Chaos

Twenty Four: The Wedding

Zoya

As I stood in front of the mirror, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves swirling in my stomach.

Today was my second wedding day—the one that was actually happening, apparently.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in my chest.

My outfit of choice was a baggy pink dungaree that felt like a playful nod to my inner child, paired with a crisp white tee that hugged my frame just right.

The dungarees were comfortable, and I loved how they made me feel both relaxed and ready for anything. I added a pair of cute drop earrings that dangled just enough to catch the light, giving me a touch of sparkle.

I tied half of my short, brown hair up in a messy bun, letting the rest fall freely around my shoulders. It was a casual look, but it felt right for the occasion. I wanted to be myself, not some version of a bride that felt foreign to me.

As I adjusted the straps of my dungarees, I caught my reflection again.

“We’re going to do this,” I whispered to myself, my voice barely above a murmur. “I’m going to marry Adi so that I don’t end up in his bed.”

The words felt strange, almost surreal, but they were my mantra for the day.

I had spent countless hours contemplating this decision, weighing the pros and cons, and now here I was, moments away from making it official. The thought of a real wedding had always seemed daunting, filled with expectations and traditions that felt heavy.

But this? This was different. It was a pact, a partnership.

I stepped away from the mirror and took a moment to breathe.

Aditya stood at the front, looking effortlessly handsome in a light linen shirt and tailored trousers. His dark hair was slightly tousled by the gentle breeze, and there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes that made my heart flutter.

He caught my gaze and smiled, a genuine warmth spreading across his face.

“Hey,” he said, his voice low and steady, as if he was grounding me in this moment.

“Hey,” I replied, feeling a rush of warmth at the sight of him.

As I walked toward him, I couldn’t help but notice how the sunlight danced around us, illuminating the space with a soft glow.

The world around us faded into a blur, and for a moment, it felt like it was just the two of us.

"You look cute...." He smiled with a hint of awkwardness.

"Thank you..." I smiled back..." You look quite hot too.... No one would believe you'd marry this..." I pointed at myself with a nervous laughter but he didn't say a word.

The drive to the family court didn't’ take long, and I appreciated that more than I could say.

Neither of us knew what to say, and I couldn’t be the only one with the same questions playing on a loop in my head:

What the hell am I doing?
Why the hell am I doing this?
What if it’s the worst decision I’ve ever made and I screw up everything with Nani's estate...and with Adi.....I want him so bad....?
What if it’s not the worst decision?
What happens if this works out?

Hope...was such a sticky thing. And it was sneaky too.
Always showing up in the moments it was least welcome.

Aditya parked the car in a narrow lane lined with quaint buildings, their whitewashed walls glowing in the afternoon sun.