Chapter 6: chapter 6

“Get me the damn organiser on the line, Ish!” Imara seethed, her teeth clenched. The flight announcement over her head only added to her growing anxiety in this uncalled for troublesome situation.“We have spoken to everyone we could, and they all flat out refused to allow us to set up our stall. Just don’t get on that flight...” Isha suggested.“What the fuck do you mean by that? We have put months into preparing for this exhibition, Isha.” Imara yelled, unconcerned about the unwanted attention she garnered at that moment.“Imara, calm down! It’s pointless to reason with these people. I think they’ve been instructed to prevent us from setting up...you know, they have made their decision.” Isha concluded with a defeated tone before ending the call, leaving Imara’s heart to sink.No way! This was not going to happen. Little Tyke, her business, was already facing a steady decline. These type of exhibitions were a source of marketing to keep her firm afloat. She was not going to give up so easily. Enough was enough with her father’s deceitful games of hide and seek. She had reached her breaking point, and today, she would confront her father head on, no matter what it took, even if she had to step foot into that wedding venue.With unwavering resolve, she took a step back from the entrance, turned on her heels, and decisively walked towards the airport exit. Dialling Isha’s number once more, she calmly instructed, “Make sure my luggage is retrieved from the flight. I’ll be there as soon as possible!”Imara promptly hung up, not willing to entertain any objections or explanations from Isha. If this was how her father wanted to play the game and summon her to the wedding, he needed a resounding reminder that she was his own flesh and blood.The Wedding VenueThe room was filled with tense air as different faces displayed a range of emotions—some grim, others shocked. However, those who were bearing the brunt were seething with anger.Jaidev and Adhiraj were boiling with fury, while Digvijay Thakur, Namita’s father, anxiously rubbed his jaw with worry. Sanjay, on the other hand, stared out of the window, his gaze, though unfocused, fixed at the entrance, as his mind sought a solution to this unforeseen situation.“Jaidev, I had absolutely no clue about what was going on in Namita’s mind. I am really sorry for all of this.” Digvijay shifted his gaze in shame as Jaidev’s piercing eyes met his.“My family’s reputation is on the line here, Digvijay!” Jaidev roared, causing everyone in the room to flinch in alarm.Suvika, Vandana and Digvijay’s wife, were present in the same room, witnessing an unexpected turn of events on what was meant to be the happiest day of their lives—their children’s wedding.Dilip, Shaurya, and Neel had scrambled to attend to the guests, doing their best to postpone the ensuing chaos. Meanwhile, Vibha chose to remain with her daughters in their room, fervently praying that her daughters wouldn’t suffer the consequences of Namita’s actions.Back in the room, Adhiraj grasped the note once again—the very note left behind by Namita.Dear Papa,I am really sorry to put you and Adhiraj’s family through this, but I had no option. Adhiraj is no doubt successful and a nice man to get married to. But I already love someone else. Before I could tell you then, you had already fixed my wedding against my wishes.I even tried to talk to Adhiraj many times over this, but he never had time. I don’t think he was into this wedding either. Bye,NamitaAtharv and Samrat shared a worried glance, their faces etched with concern as they looked at their brother. Adhiraj’s expression clearly displayed the anger simmering inside him. They fervently hoped that Namita wouldn’t return, as witnessing the pain their parents were going through because of her immature decision, Adhiraj would unleash a living nightmare upon her.“My reputation is on the line as well, Jaidev. My daughter fled right before the wedding, and we have almost all our relatives gathered here, waiting for the wedding,” Digvijay expressed his concerns.“There is no point in this discussion.” Sanjay interjected, “We need a solution.”His rational statement only heightened the worry of those present. What could be the solution other than informing the guests that Adhiraj’s marriage was no longer happening? The absence of the bride would be evident regardless of any explanation. Adhiraj’s name would quickly become a topic of gossip, tarnishing not only his family’s reputation but also the reputation he held in his personal and business life.Tomorrow’s headline would undoubtedly read: The man who every girl desired, left jilted at the altar.“Marry Rohini, my younger daughter!” Digvijay urged, his pleading eyes fixed on Adhiraj. “At least your reputation would be saved.”“NO!” Jaidev flatly refused, declaring, “We have got nothing to do with your family now. What if she runs away after the wedding? Why does my family and my son have to suffer for the cowardice your daughter showed by running away? Even if she would have refused at this very moment, telling it to my face she doesn't want this marriage, I would have told the entire clan with my head held high.” Jaidev thundered, “But she chose to run away,” his body shaking in fury.Vandana gently massaged Jaidev’s shoulder and whispered, “Don’t take stress. Let’s tell everyone. That is the only way out.”Right then, the door to the room swung wide, and in walked Adhiraj’s grandfather, Virender Singh Shekhawat, filling the space with his commanding presence. The mere sight of him amplified the already tension-filled atmosphere, with a noticeable rise in unease.Despite being in his early seventies, this man appeared to defy the grip of time, looking no older than a spry sixty. His impeccably groomed salt and pepper hair and neatly trimmed moustache only enhanced the allure of his wisdom and experience. The man was a walking testament to the wealth of life lessons he had accumulated, unmatched by anyone else present in that room.He embodied the ideal image of a grandfather, showing love and discipline in equal measure. However, in stark contrast to the expressions on everyone else’s faces, the Shekhawat family’s patriarch exuded an air of serene composure.While gazing at Jaidev, he declared, “Look at the consequences of your choice for the bride. That’s precisely the reason why I advised you to get Raj married to...”“Papa!” Jaidev interrupted, shaking his head. “This is not the right time, please! We both know it wasn’t possible then, and it remains impossible even now.”Adhiraj’s interest was piqued by this partial revelation, while his grandfather persisted, remarking, “You always focus on the surface; you never look beneath it.”“Now is not the time to have these discussions, Papa,” Jaidev asserted firmly, and his father could only raise both eyebrows, silently conveying, ‘You should listen to your father, just as your sons listen to you.’Directing his attention to Digvijay, Virender spoke sternly, “You should be out there managing your relatives. We will handle our own.”Digvijay shook his head, pressed his hands together in a plea, and said, “Rohini...”“No!” Virender vehemently shook his head, his words laden with undisguised contempt. “I see right through your intentions. After what your elder daughter did, finding a respectable family to marry off your younger daughter would be next to impossible. You’re not fooling us. Leave!”Virender’s composed yet scathing remark cast a heavy silence over the room, leaving Digvijay and his wife visibly crestfallen. Virender’s accurate assessment of the situation rendered them speechless.Digvijay, overwhelmed with shame for both Virender’s rational judgement and Namita’s audacious decision to flee from her own wedding, lowered his head in defeat. With a heavy heart, he left with his wife to bear the daunting task of informing their relatives that the wedding had been called off.