Chapter 7: chapter 7

Imara’s already worn down car screeched defiantly against the unforgiving asphalt as she raced to the wedding venue, determined to confront her father head-on. Enough was enough. She had grown tired of her father’s manipulative ploys to regain control over her life. No longer would she allow herself to be overshadowed, used, and denied all that she longed for, all in the name of the family’s reputation.While her strained relationship with her family was not yet public knowledge, today she had no qualms about letting people believe the gossip about her. She was ready to reveal the truth that she loathed being a Rathore to her core, loathed being born altogether.Around an hour and a half later, she approached the entrance of the Neemrana resort. The guard examined her simple visage wearily and questioned, “Ma’am, what your purpose of visit might be?”Gripping the steering wheel tightly, she summoned a charming smile and replied softly, “My name is Imara. My family is hosting the wedding.”The guard appeared doubtful. He was aware that the families hosting the ceremony were exceedingly affluent, and the girl claiming to be a Rathore was seated in a car that seemed one step away from being scrapped.Maintaining his suspicion, he shook his head and firmly stated, “Ma’am, we have received no instructions to grant you entry. Kindly leave!”Suppressing the urge to snap at the guard, she maintained her smile and presented her ID proof, which displayed her father’s name. Furthermore, she added, “My name won’t be on the guest list because I am a family member.”The guard carefully examined the information and took a step back to use the intercom for verification. However, right before he could pick up the receiver, the intercom rang. Upon hearing the instructions through the call, he raised the barrier and let Imara’s car pass. She frowned, thinking that her father might have already known of her presence. She drove past the gates.The distinctive sound of her aging car instantly caught the attention of onlookers gathered in the open space, eagerly awaiting the commencement of the wedding. Disregarding the strange glances directed at both her and her beloved Babli, the used car she had bought a year ago, she remained unfazed. Though her income was modest, it provided enough to cover her expenses and maintain a respectable lifestyle.With determination, she left the parking lot and proceeded towards the reception, boldly declaring, “I am Imara. I have come to meet Mr. Sanjay Singh Rathore.”Acknowledging her with a nod, the receptionist was about to dial Sanjay’s room extension when she received a call from Sanjay himself. Informing Imara, she said, “Head to the third floor, first door on your left. Room 301.”Imara’s confidence that her father had a hand in orchestrating the chaos surrounding her business only intensified. Without hesitation, she headed towards the elevator and, moments later, reached room 301. Her mind was prepared to confront her father, to look him in the eye, and demand that he leave her life for good.A few minutes earlier!Sanjay stood by the window, his brows furrowing as he caught a glimpse of the main gate. The sight of Imara’s car parked outside took him by surprise. His daughter, attending this wedding? Overwhelmed by the sight, he called out, “Suvika!”Suvika, sensing the worry in her husband’s voice, approached him and followed his line of sight. In an instant, her eyes shone with tears as she caught sight of the car waiting at the main gate. It was Imara’s car. It was their daughter. “You called her?” Sanjay questioned, his voice laced with curiosity and astonishment at Imara’s unexpected arrival.Suvika shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper, “I did go to invite her,” she admitted, causing Sanjay to turn his attention towards her. “But I…she was not at home, I believe. Today, Anu and Taru called her. But she said she was off to the airport for some exhibition.”Wasting no time, Sanjay called the head of security to ensure Imara was granted access. He couldn’t afford any delays now. What if she changed her mind and left? While the couple was elated at the thought of seeing their daughter, Sanjay couldn’t shake off his worry about Imara’s arrival. It was true that he had been making efforts to bring her back, but considering the tumultuous times they’ve been through, he knew it would be an immense challenge to regain their daughter’s trust, albeit not impossible.Nodding at Suvika, Sanjay silently signalled for her to follow him while he glanced at Jaidev and said contemplatively, “We will be back!”Before Jaidev could even respond, Virender inquired, “Sanjay, you seem worried, too. Is everything alright? Who arrived just now?”Although surprised that Virender had been observing him amidst the tense atmosphere, Sanjay concealed his astonishment well. As they walked out of the room, he turned around to respond, “It’s my daughter,” a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes. “Imara!”Virender nodded, his eyes filled with a triumphant gleam. He exchanged a glance with Jaidev, who shook his head and averted his gaze, dismissing his father’s suggestion.Adhiraj observed this interaction and couldn’t resist asking, “How about communicating with words, you two?”With a knowing smile, Virender patted Adhiraj’s shoulder and confidently declared, “I have just found the perfect bride for you!”Before Adhiraj could unravel the mysterious emergence of the bride, the room was interrupted by two thunderous coughs. He turned around to find his brothers looking even more flabbergasted than him, and Samrat couldn’t help but whisper, “Dadu! Are you...?”Virender, as dignified as ever, responded with a resolute nod, pointing his finger at Jaidev, and declared, “Your father just refuses to listen to me. She was always my first choice for Raj.”“Who exactly are we talking about here?” Adhiraj found himself too overwhelmed by the events that had unfolded within the span of a single evening to catch the unsaid conversation buzzing between the others.“Dadu, she is...” Atharv hesitated, fully aware of Imara’s equation with her family.“Perfect for Raj!” Virender declared with unwavering conviction.Caught in the middle of this peculiar exchange, Adhiraj couldn’t help but roll his eyes from his grandfather to his brothers and grumbled, “Can you all just stop pretending I am invisible?”Upon receiving her father-in-law’s suggestion, Vandana was left dumbfounded, her shock rendering her speechless. Meanwhile, Jaidev, shooting a glare at his father, placed a reassuring hand upon Adhiraj’s shoulder and explained, “Imara, Sanjay’s daughter! Papa is talking about her.”“What?!” Adhiraj exclaimed, his mind still reeling from his runaway bride situation, only to find out that his grandfather had already lined up a replacement. And who might that be? Imara Rathore! Although he had never met her or even seen her, he knew she had left her own family. Just like Namita, this girl had shown a complete disregard for her elders. Why on earth would he agree to marry another runner?“Dadu!” Adhiraj protested, locking eyes with his grandfather and demanding some much-needed clarity.Virender paid no heed to Adhiraj’s unspoken worry and directed his attention towards Jaidev. “Well then, do you have a better solution?” he demanded. “Telling everyone that the eldest Shekhawat isn’t getting married while the younger ones are? Is that the solution? It would only ruin our family’s reputation, Jaidev! Imara, being Anika and Tarushi’s sister, is the perfect fit.”“Papa...no!” Jaidev firmly shook his head, determined to make his point.Virender, emphasising his seniority, shut down Jaidev’s objections with a resolute gesture. “I’ll sort it out with Sanjay,” he declared, storming out of the room without giving Jaidev a chance to counter.Adhiraj was left dumbfounded, his head spinning from the sudden turn of events. He vigorously shook his head at his father, exclaiming, “Dad, she is not the one for our family!”Jaidev, sharing the same sentiment, moved to intervene before his father could make matters worse. “I’m on the same page, son,” he announced while hastily making his way out of the room. “But Papa has a different opinion. I will go and stop him…”“I’m coming too...” Adhiraj called out, following Jaidev towards Sanjay’s room before his grandfather could drop the mother of all bombs.