I'm all set for the rituals, eagerly waiting for Kiaan. Tried calling him multiple times, hoping he's safe. His promise to save me from this marriage echoes in my mind. But sometimes, destiny unfolds its secrets over time.

Lost in my thoughts, I notice mom approaching with a look of shock on her face.

"What's wrong, mom?" I inquire.

"Wait, let Kiaan arrive," she responds.

"What?! He isn't there ? Why? Just tell me what's going on. Is everything okay?" I ask, my worry evident in my voice.

"Please wait for another 10 minutes, Kabir," Mom instructs.

Feeling anxious, I wonder what could have happened. I hope Dadi and Dad are safe, especially Kiaan. The guests have already started arriving. What could be the reason behind Mom's strange behavior? Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly notice Kiaan entering the room, carrying his laptop.

As soon as he entered I couldn't hold back my anger anymore and burst out on him
"Damn it, Kiaan! Will someone please explain what the hell is happening here?"

"Bro, just calm down and take a seat," he said, trying to soothe me.

"Are you out of your mind? Is this the right time for all of this?" I shouted at him again.

"Bhai, please," he pleaded.

"Alright," I replied, managing to regain control of my emotions.

"The thing is, that girl Shayra isn't as innocent and well-mannered as you made her out to be, especially to Bhai , Mom," Kiaan finally revealed, leaving all of us in shock.

"What? Don't say something like that, Kiaan! This isn't the right time for all of this," Mom exclaimed, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"Enough, Mom! That girl is pregnant," Kiaan shouted, his voice filled with frustration.

"What?!" Mom and I exclaimed in unison, our expressions frozen in shock, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

"Yeah, and she's carrying her boyfriend's child. She's planning to deceive Bhai by getting married today and then running away with her boyfriend, taking the money she managed to get. She's thought everything through, Mom. If you still don't believe me, let me show you something," Kiaan explained, turning the laptop screen towards us.

"This girl has no shame, and Mahima, too. She cleverly hid her daughter's actions. I won't let her get away with this," Mom said, her voice filled with anger and determination, after seeing the screen filled with photographs of Shayra and her boyfriend, along with some audio clips.

"I'm going to crash this wedding right now!" I exclaimed, throwing my sehra in frustration. I shouted at Mom, "I hope this is enough reason for you to cancel this wedding!"

"Yeah," was the only word that escaped her mouth.

"But Kabir..." Mom shouted from behind, causing me to pause in my tracks.

"What! Are you still trying to defend her ? If, and all," I replied, cutting Mom off mid-sentence.

"No, Kabir, all the guests have already arrived. The media was also invited, and they're all here. Everyone knows about your marriage with Shayra. Canceling the wedding won't be good for our image," she explained.

"Mom, how can you be so selfish? Are you still only concerned about your so-called image?" I shouted at her, unable to believe it.

"No, this is not good for your business either. Your career is at its peak right now. Any bad news and all your hard work will go down the drain. So think wisely before taking any step," she replied.

"So, what do you want me to do now? Should I marry Shayra, despite knowing her intentions?" I asked, frustration evident in my voice.

"Definitely not!...
But can't you marry some othe girl , I mean any of your girlfriend, female friends or any girl who agrees to marry you , atleast for a year , after that if you wish , you can even divorce her" she told what her thoughts exactly are or should I say , the evil thoughts.. I mean who thinks this way as if the marriage of their child is a game for her.

"No way, Mom! Can't believe you suggested that. Marrying someone just for a year and then divorcing them? That's not how marriage works. It's not a game. I don't have a girlfriend right now, and my friends are happy in their own lives. They wouldn't agree to such a temporary arrangement. Marriage is meaningful to many people," I explained, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

"Then wait for sometime and let me figure out something" Saying this she went out of room

After she left Me and Kiaan let out a sigh.

AADHIRA'S POV :-

I don't know why Shivani Anty is calling me so urgently. I just got the time to dress up because she asked me to check the preparations. I haven't even had a chance to make my hair look perfect. I hope she doesn't have any other work to keep me busy again.

I rushed there as fast as I could because I kept getting numerous calls from her and papa, insisting that I be there within no time. Aaagh, they won't let me enjoy this function for sure! It feels like they're always keeping me on my toes.

.......

"What?!" I shouted, completely shocked when Aunt Shivani asked me to marry Kabir. My mind was racing with disbelief and confusion.

"Wait Aadhira ! Shayra, that's the girl who was supposed to marry Kabir, isn't marrying him anymore. So, you have to take her place and marry Kabir," she declared, her words feeling more like commands rather than options.

My mind was filled with questions and a sense of rebellion. "Why should I do that? Don't I have a choice in this matter?" I pondered silently, my thoughts swirling. Quickly snapping out of my inner turmoil, I mustered the courage to respond.

"But why is that? How can I marry Kabir in her place? And why didn't you call off this wedding? Even Kabir wasn't ready for it and..." Before I could say anything more, I heard a vase shatter on the floor right in front of me. I looked up to see it was Papa.

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Papa shouted, cutting me off. Fear gripped me, and I instinctively closed my eyes, covering my ears with both palms.

"Nobody asked for your suggestions or advice here. Just do as you're told. I don't want any more arguments, clear?" Papa shouted and ordered me again, as if I'm not his daughter, as if I mean nothing to him. Well, I don't but at least he could have asked for my opinion. Don't I deserve that?

"But Papa, how can you say that? How can I marry Kabir? I don't even know him properly, and Mumma just recovered from her illness. She still needs me," I reasoned, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Don't act like we're marrying you off to some animal. And as for your mom, if you want me to take care of her properly and cover her medical expenses, then you better do as I say. Otherwise, you'll be responsible for the consequences," he replied harshly.

"But Papa..." I hiccuped, trying to speak through my tears, "what about Kabir? Is he okay with me marrying him?"

"Yes, you don't care about him. I've already told him. Now get ready quickly with the dress I'm leaving here, and be quick," Aunt Shivani said, leaving the room.

I quickly got up from the ground, tears still streaming down my face. It was hard to believe what had just happened. I came here to attend a wedding, and now I'm going to be married myself. My mom and my brother need me, and I can't understand how my father could be so heartless. I wish I could run away, but I can't leave because of my mom. Lost in these thoughts, I broke down completely.

Just 10 minutes later, there was a knock on the door. "Mam, Mrs. Shivani has sent us for your makeover. Please open the door," a girl shouted from outside.

I stood up, wiped my tears, and replied, "Just wait for 5 minutes" so that I can go and wash my face.
_____________________________________

Finally, I got myself ready! I glanced at the mirror, noticing how the makeup hid my red cheeks, nose, and puffy eyes, as well as some of my acne and pimple marks. But what about the marks on my mind, the scars on my heart and soul? They will never heal. I've never felt this helpless before, but here I am, standing with a sense of complete helplessness. I wish I could have remained a child, the child who believed her father was the best, the child who believed he was the best human. But he's not.

As I stood there, tears streaming down my face, my expression blank, it perfectly reflected the state of my mind, which was completely lost.

I couldn't believe that the day I dreaded the most, the day I never wanted to come, had arrived in the worst possible way. I never even wanted to get married, especially after witnessing my parents' unhappy marriage. And now, here I am, standing on the brink of entering the same hellish life.

""Good luck, Aadhira!" I whispered to myself, mustering whatever courage I had left. I turned to Kanha ji, seeking his help, and carefully draped the long veil as instructed by Shivani Anty, making sure no one would recognize me and realizes that it's me at the place of Shayra.
____________________________________

AUTHOR'S POV

"Get ready kabir you are getting married to Aadhira" were the words said by shivani , his mom to leave Kabir in complete shock

"What the hell mom, how is that possible? And how can she even agree to this , especially Rajat uncle" he argued

"See Kabir I told you it's all about the money , these cheap society middle class girls are always behind money , you were the one who doesn't beleived me. but now you can see on your own" she replied completely lying

"And if it's about Rajat , she himself convinced him taking the advantage of how much he loves you and I must say she Well played" his mother again replied

Kabir's eyes widened as he listened to all of this, unable to believe his ears. He stumbled for a moment but managed to gather himself and continued.

"But Mom, why would I marry her knowing her cheap intentions?" he questioned, his disbelief evident in his voice. Just last night, he had shared his worries and problems with her, and she had comforted him so well.

"Well, no problem. Just marry her for one year and then divorce her. I'm not in the mood to argue anymore. I've already told you everything. Just be ready soon," she replied, as if it's not a big deal. It's clear that the deep-seated hatred she has for that innocent girl prevents her from ever liking or loving her, or even looking at her with affection. This is why she doesn't want her son to ever fall in love with that girl, so she can break this forced marriage after a year, pretending there was no other choice.

-----------

AADHIRA'S POV

The time has come, and Shivani Auntie comes to take me to the mandap. She strictly instructs me not to utter a single word, neither to anyone nor to Kabir. I follow her instructions, unable to find the words to say anything.

As I arrive, my eyes search desperately through the crowd, longing to catch a glimpse of my mother, hidden behind my long veil.

I sat there quietly and one by one all the rituals were done sitting me there completely like a dead body who was following the instructions given to her .

The time for pheras came and Kabir holded my handed which was more like cluched my hand so tightly that it was hurting me very badly, I tried to remain quiet for sometime but a moan came out of my mouth and a lone tear fell on his hands , followed by mine because of the hurting and then he suddenly his lossend his grip on my hand.

I know deep down that his interest in me is nonexistent. Even for me also , back in 10th grade, it was just a silly crush, driven by those pesky hormones. But atlest we can still be friends .I don't expect him to like or love me in that way, not at all. I just wish he would treat me like a fellow human being. Who knows what destiny has in store for me.

_______________

Wedding was done and after that one by one all the guests left after having dinner.

Media was asking for the photographs which kabir denied and we also made our way to the villa after having dinner . The dinner for which my hunger was long lost .

After we all reached the villa then Shivani Anty asked me to remove my veil revealing everyone that It's me who got married to Kabir not shayra making every single person there shocked. But all I was worried was for my mom who has just recovered from her illness , getting any other shock won't be good for her health at all.

As I saw my mom losing consciousness, I immediately rushed to her side, catching her before she fell to the ground. "Mom, please open your eyes," I pleaded, my tears streaming down my face.

I looked at dad, hoping he would call the doctor and take care of her, but he acted as if nothing had happened. He calmly said, "Let's take her to the room. She'll be fine. No need to cause a scene. Everyone is already exhausted."

How could he do this, especially in front of Shivani Anty? This is our personal matter, how he treats us, especially Mom. If only Kabir's Dadi were here, he wouldn't have behaved this way.

Just as I was about to go to Dadi's room for help, I see Kabir entering, ending a call. His eyes are completely red. I quickly approach him, trying to hold back my sobs. "Kabir, please help me. Look, she isn't opening her eyes. Please call the doctor. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself," I plead, joining my hands together, sobbing uncontrollably. Kabir immediately calls the doctor and assists me in taking her to the room.

Finally the doctor came and examined her and told us that "she is fine , let her rest, I have given her the injection. She will be conscious by morning. But take care of her properly. She isn't fully recovered yet".

Doctor went and I was sitting beside mom , holding her hands and sobbing silently and muttering "sorry mumma , sorry mumma ,sorr- untill Dadi asks me me to go to my room and get some rest who woke up because of the noise.

Reluctantly, I give in to everyone's insistence and slowly, one by one, we all retire to our rooms. Just as I'm about to head to my room, Kabir's Dadi asks me to go to Kabir's room. And this is something I am not ready for . I'm not prepared to face him, not now at least after remembering what happened in the mandap during pheras.

♡♡◇♡♡

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