I was going to kill him.
Right here. Right now.
Aditya-freaking-Singhania had the audacity to smirk at me as if this whole engagement situation was a game to him. And now, to make things worse, his mother was approaching.
I could already see the curiosity dancing in her eyes as she walked toward us in her elegant saree, looking every bit like the formidable woman who had raised the most annoying man on the planet.
I turned to Aditya, my voice sharp. "If you think I'm playing along, you're out of your damn mind." His smirk didn't waver. "I wouldn't expect anything else from you, sweetheart."
Before I could shoot back a snarky reply, his mother reached us, her gaze flickering between us with intrigue. "Avni, isn't it?" she said smoothly, offering a warm smile.
I straightened, forcing myself to return the courtesy. "Yes, Mrs. Singhania . It's nice to meet you."
She gave a knowing glance toward Aditya before her lips curled slightly. "I was wondering when I'd finally get to meet the woman who has my son all riled up."
Aditya scoffed beside me. "I'm not riled up." His mother barely spared him a glance before looking back at me, amusement evident in her eyes.
"Oh, but you are, Aditya." She turned back to me with something suspiciously close to approval. "It's rare to see someone knock my son off balance. I must say, I like you already."
I bit back the urge to roll my eyes. She had no idea that I wasn't here to be liked-I was here because of whatever insane deal our fathers had struck without my knowledge.
Before I could think of a response, Aditya draped an arm around my shoulder casually, like we were a real couple. I stiffened immediately.
His mother's brows lifted slightly, clearly entertained. I dug my nails into his wrist, muttering, "Remove it, or you'll lose it." He chuckled under his breath, his grip tightening for a second before finally letting go.
"So," his mother continued, ignoring our silent battle. "Have you two set a date yet?" My entire body went rigid.
A date? For what?!
Before I could open my mouth to scream, Absolutely the hell not!, Aditya smoothly replied, "Not yet. Avni is still warming up to the idea."
I gawked at him.
Warming up?!
I forced out a laugh that sounded more like a threat. "Yeah, I don't think warming up is the right phrase." His mother chuckled, completely unbothered by the tension crackling between us. "Ah relax beta. You can talk openly to me"
I smiled tightly. "I'm sure." She gave me one last amused glance before excusing herself to go check on something, leaving me alone with the devil beside me.
The moment she was out of earshot, I turned on him. "What the hell was that?" He leaned against a nearby pillar, looking effortlessly smug. "That was me saving you from an interrogation. You're welcome."
I folded my arms, my patience dangerously thin. "I don't need saving." His lips twitched. "You say that now, but trust me, my mother will grill you. I just gave you an easy escape."
I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "I hate you." "Yeah, yeah." He waved a hand dismissively. "You say that a lot." "Because it's true."
He pushed off the pillar, taking a slow step closer. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I find your hatred very entertaining." I wanted to shove him away. I wanted to slap that damn smirk off his face.
But before I could, one of my aunts appeared out of nowhere, grabbing my arm. "There you are, Avni! Come, come, the bride is calling for you!"
I forced a polite smile, throwing one last glare at Aditya before letting my aunt drag me away. But as I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me.
The moment I walked away from Aditya , I made a decision-if I was going to be forced into this marriage with Aditya Rathore, I wasn't going down without a fight. If I had to deal with him, he would suffer just as much as I would.
No, scratch that. More.
I let out a long breath, composing myself before stepping into my cousin Shreya's bridal suite. The air was thick with the scent of fresh jasmine and the sounds of chaos-makeup artists rushing, dresses being adjusted, and my dear cousin in the middle of it all, looking nothing less than a Bollywood princess.
Her eyes met mine through the mirror, and she grinned. "Well, well, look who finally decided to check on her almost-married sister!"
I rolled my eyes, walking over to her. "It's not like I had a choice. You would have hunted me down otherwise."
"Damn right," she said, turning to face me, the heavy dupatta on her head making her groan. "These wedding outfits are torture." I chuckled, sitting on the vanity table beside her. "You look gorgeous, though."
She smirked. "I know." The room bustled with chatter, but I could barely focus. I had to tell her.
I took a deep breath, staring at her. "Shreya..." She immediately picked up on my tone, her smile fading. "What happened?"
I hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "I'm getting married."
Silence.
The chatter in the room continued, but between us, it was like the world had frozen.
Her brows knitted together. "What?" I forced a smirk. "Didn't think you'd be the only one in the family getting married this year, did you?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Avni... What the hell are you talking about?" I sighed, glancing away. "It's a deal. Between Dad and Aditya's dad."
The silence turned thicker.
Her lips parted, but no words came out. Then- "WHAT?!" Every single person in the room turned to look at us. I winced. "Shreya, volume-"
She grabbed my wrist, dragging me toward the attached balcony, away from the ears of makeup artists and nosy relatives. "Start. Talking. Now," she demanded, crossing her arms, her bridal bangles clinking.
I groaned, leaning against the railing. "It's exactly what I said. Our dads made some stupid deal, and now, apparently, I have to marry Aditya." Her mouth opened and closed, as if she was trying to process it. Then she let out a laugh. A full-blown, hysterical laugh.
I scowled. "Glad to see you're enjoying my misery." "Oh, no, no," she gasped between giggles. "I just-you-married-to him? Oh, this is going to be a disaster."
I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Wow, thanks. That's exactly what I needed to hear." She finally calmed down, shaking her head. "Okay, but-why? Why would your Dad do this?"
I clenched my jaw. "Apparently, Aditya's father did something for my dad in the past. Something big. And now, as a way to repay that debt, my future is being handed over like a business deal." Shreya's expression softened. "Avni..."
I swallowed, forcing a smirk. "Don't give me that look. I'm not crying over this." She arched a brow. "So... what's the plan?"
I shrugged. "Simple. I'll marry him, but I'll make his life hell." Her lips curled into a smirk. "Now that I'd love to see." I grinned, but deep down, something unsettled me.
Because no matter how much I tried to brush it off... a tiny voice in the back of my head whispered-
What if he makes your life hell first?
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