As the bride of the eldest heir, Imara was the first one to walk down the aisle. Keeping up with tradition, her brothers and two cousins carried the Phoolon ki chadar, while Suvika and Vibha walked by her side.Shaurya and Neel experienced a flood of emotions they had never felt before. This day was a true blessing for them as they finally got the chance to be close to their sister after months of being apart. Moreover, seeing her marry a man who was a dream for many girls out there added to their happiness. Although they could have interfered with Virenderâs decision of pressuring Imara to enter into this marriage, they chose not to. They believed it was an opportunity for their sister to move on from her past, a past that had the potential to be beautiful had they given it a chance.On the other hand, Imara gingerly stepped forward, trying to gracefully navigate the treacherous terrain of her heavy bridal attire and sky-high heels she was wearing to match her groomâs towering height. With one eye on her balance and the other on her sanity, she kept her gaze fixed firmly on the ground.Why? Well, for starters, she had zero intention of becoming the star of her own wedding blooper reel by tumbling and stumbling like a punchline. Secondly, she wasnât keen on catching a glimpse of Adhiraj and his family, who might be throwing her mocking looks because, letâs face it, she did cave into this marriage. But little did Virender know that he was in for a big surprise if he thought he was getting the typical, obedient granddaughter-in-law!âHe doesnât know me!â Imara thought to herself.âNo one gets to dictate my life as he fancies and walk away!â She concluded a while later.Meanwhile, as she continued walking towards the stage without acknowledging anyone, not even the photographer, Suvika leaned in towards her and spoke in a hushed tone, âImuâ¦âImara tightened her grip on her dress and held her tongue, resisting the urge to make a cutting remark.âNow isnât the time!â She decided.âImuâ¦look around.â Vibha whispered, âSmile bachaâ¦donât be too nervous.ââNervous my foot! I just donât want to burst right at this momentâ She wanted to scream.Without responding, Imara continued to walk with confidence, her shoulders held high, her movements graceful, but her gaze remained lowered.Her heart-shaped face was an absolute masterpiece, enhanced by flawlessly arched brows, a petite and straight nose, and lips so perfectly pouty that they were practically begging for attention. And letâs not forget that alluring nose ring, dangerously distracting every onlooker in sight. Adhiraj was certainly no exception. Watching her in that stunning attire, walking down the aisle as his soon-to-be wife, he couldnât help but see her as a living fantasy. However, he valiantly tried to keep his cool and avoid looking like a total gawker. He casually shifted his gaze, waving at relatives here and there, only to find his eyes wandering back to his stunning bride.To any observer, she seemed like a bashful bride, too timid to even meet her groomâs eyes. Imara, well aware of this perception, wasnât bothered in the slightest.As she reached near the dais, Vandana gave Adhiraj a nudge, urging him to step down and bring her up. The groom in question couldnât help but hold back an eye roll and shook his head. It seemed like his family was in some kind of blissful, carefree wedding mode. Despite his reservations, he walked down the stage, his hand outstretched.Then, in a soft voice, Suvika whispered, âImu... we are here!âAt that very moment, Imara finally lifted her gaze, not towards Adhiraj, but towards his outstretched hand. In that instant, everything around her seemed to blur, as if she were transported to another place. She was overwhelmed by a sense of familiarity, like a recurring dream she had experienced countless times before. A hand extended towards her, promising a love that would never fade away.âImuâ¦â Vibha gently interrupted Imaraâs train of thoughts, causing her to blink and reluctantly take hold of Adhirajâs hand. In her mind, this moment was meant to be pure magic. She had imagined locking eyes with her groom, sharing a smile filled with infinite love. She had imagined that he would playfully tease her, praise her, and confess his boundless love for her. Alas, it all happened in her dream, a realm that doesnât and would never exist.If Adhiraj claimed he felt nothing when he looked at Imara up close, witnessing her lowered lashes, trembling hands, and anxious expression, he would be lying. What he experienced was beyond his own comprehension, beyond what words could express! Adding to these newfound, untamed feelings, the touch of her cold hands in his warm ones brought a sense of comfort and tranquillity he never wished to lose. He shook his head to dispel those unfamiliar thoughts and gently guided Imara onto the stage, eager to bring this charade to an end.Imaraâs awareness was sharp, as she took in every sound, movement, and scent around her. She ascended the stage, holding Adhirajâs hand. The photographer instructed them to stand closer together, and she mechanically complied, going through the motions. After a series of photos, the music suddenly changed, and a pair of garlands appeared.Her breath caught in her throat as Shaurya lifted her up, preventing Adhiraj from placing the garland around her neck. It was a moment that took her by surprise, rendering her speechless. It felt like she was again living in her dream, but there was one important piece missingâthe groom standing before her wasnât the one she had always longed to be wedded to. Her heart ached with a mixture of emotions, but she remained silent, fervently hoping for the whole spectacle to end soon.-----------Adhiraj, the walking bundle of nerves, was in quite a pickle. On the surface, he had his emotions expertly under control, but deep down, chaos was reigning supreme. Ever since he brought Imara onto the stage, he had been helplessly captivated by her magnetic presence. There was something about her that had him hooked, like a moth to a flame. Maybe it was her persistent disinterest in acknowledging him, even though his presence could knock down a wall. Yet, despite his own brideâs indifference, he couldnât tear his gaze away from her.And just when he thought things couldnât get any more awkward for his insides, the photographer decided to play cupid and shoved them even closer. How could he possibly refuse now? The guests were all present, and saying no would only add more fuel to the already blazing fire. So there he stood, his hand gently resting on Imaraâs waist, sending a tingle down his spine that felt like a symphony only his body could hear. It was an intimate touch, not in a steamy way, but more of the adorable, downright lovable way.He reluctantly withdrew his hand when the garlands were brought. Just as he grasped one, Shaurya swooped in and lifted his sister, leaving Adhiraj no choice but to roll his eyes. In a flash, Adhiraj kicked off his footwear, stepped on the regal Maharaja chair intended for the couple, and draped the garland around Imaraâs neck. The speed at which it all unfolded left the onlookers dumbfounded before they erupted into a symphony of thunderous applause, their jaws surely hitting the ground.Imaraâs face froze with a combination of shock and bewilderment as the garland seemingly materialized out of thin air. She glanced at Adhiraj, then at Shaurya, who stood there chuckling and whistling as he gently lowered her down. A fury sparked behind her eyes, warning Shaurya to stay in his lane and not get too cosy. But he couldnât resist himself, giving her a sly wink that only fuelled her fiery wrath.In a sudden twist, Adhiraj, with absolutely zero clue as to why, leaned in and mischievously whispered in Imaraâs ear, âI never lose...â His breath gently brushed against her ear, triggering a sharp gasp and her gaze fixated on him.Imara narrowed her eyes, clearly outraged by his daring move. But oddly enough, it sent a thrill coursing through Adhirajâs veins. Yet, he masked his amusement and returned her gaze with a challenging expression as she was handed a garland to put around his neck.He towered over her by almost a foot, and even with her high heels, there was still a noticeable gap between them. Adhiraj stood tall, waiting anxiously, half-expecting Imaraâs brother to hoist her up or for her to attempt a grand jump for the ceremonial task. However, as Shaurya approached, she sent him a deathly glare, instantly sending him scurrying in retreat.She held onto the garland, tight-lipped, casting the crowd into a sea of hushed anticipation. The bride was playing it cool, making zero effort. After a brief moment, she whispered something to her mother, who quickly summoned a waiter for a glass of water. With utmost poise, she seized the glass and took a leisurely sip, leaving Adhiraj perplexed.Then, out of the blue, with the grace of a clumsy ballerina, she accidentally let the glass slip from her grasp and it crashed right at Adhirajâs feet with a resounding âclank,â completely drenching his fancy footwear. The poor guy was floored, literally! He stared down, dumbfounded, and in that very instant, she slipped the garland around his neck, sparking an eruption of whistles from her cheeky cousins. Adhiraj shot her an infuriated glare, but she simply shrugged it off, casually waving her hand in dismissal. No punchline needed; her actions spoke louder than words.
Chapter 13: chapter 13
The Fated Knot•Words: 9606