Suman was brimming with excitement as she prepared for her mehndi function.
This was a moment she had always dreamed of-a day when intricate designs of henna would adorn her hands, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
She chose a simple yet elegant green lehenga, paired with delicate small earrings that perfectly complemented her natural beauty.
As she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but smile, feeling every bit like a bride-to-be.
The house was bustling with activity, the air thick with the aroma of marigolds and the sound of laughter echoing through the halls.
Friends and family gathered, all eager to celebrate Suman's special day.
Among the guests invited were the Shekhawat's.
At the Shekhawat mansion, Tara was equally excited.
She had heard so much about Suman from her husband, and today she would finally meet the girl who had captured the heart of the Agrawal family's son.
Meanwhile, Amay was buried in work at his office, trying to wrap up a particularly hectic day.
His phone rang, and seeing it was his mother, he quickly picked it up. "Yes, Maa?"
Tara's voice was filled with playful reprimand. "What 'Yes, Maa?' Where are you?"
"In the office," Amay replied, already sensing where this was going.
"So, Mr. Shekhawat, wrap up your work and come home fast," Tara instructed.
"Why? Is everything alright?" Amay asked, slightly concerned.
Tara's tone turned light-hearted. "We're going to a function. And don't you dare say you're not coming."
Amay sighed, "But Maa, what will I do there?"
Tara laughed, "What do you mean, 'What will I do?' My handsome son is marriageable now, and who knows, I might just find my future daughter-in-law at this function!"
Amay rolled his eyes, smiling despite himself. "Maa, please-"
Before he could finish, he heard his father's authoritative voice in the background. "Just get home, Amay. Don't upset your mother."
Knowing he couldn't argue with both his parents, Amay sighed again, this time in defeat. "Okay, fine. I'm coming."
Tara's face lit up as she ended the call, clapping her hands like a child.
The joy on her face was infectious, and Anirudh couldn't help but smile at his wife's happiness.
"Chaliye, biwi ji, taiyaar ho jaaiye. Hamara suputra aata hi hoga," Anirudh said, teasingly.
Tara nodded, her heart light with excitement, and went to get ready for the evening.
Back at Suman's house, the mehndi ceremony was about to begin.
The room was filled with the sound of bangles clinking, women singing traditional songs, and the smell of fresh mehndi paste.
She felt a flutter of happiness in her chest, completely unaware of the fateful encounter that was about to unfold at her mehndi function.
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The Shekhawat's arrived at the function, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as their presence was noticed.
Satyajeet, spotting his old friend Anirudh, couldn't contain his happiness.
He immediately made his way over, a wide smile stretching across his face.
"Anirudh!" Satyajeet exclaimed, pulling his friend into a warm hug.
Anirudh returned the hug with a smile, "Satya! So good to see you. I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I know I missed the engagement, but I promise we'll be here for all the wedding functions."
Satyajeet beamed, the joy of reuniting with his old friend evident.
He then turned to Tara, greeting her with respect. "Namaste, Bhabhi. How are you?"
Tara smiled warmly, "Namaste, Bhaisaab. I'm doing well, thank you. How about you? And where is Shobha Bhabhi?"
Satyajeet glanced around, spotting his wife Shobha.
He called her over, and soon she joined the group, exchanging pleasantries with Anirudh and Tara.
Shobha and Tara shared a heartfelt hug, both women radiating happiness.
"Congratulations on your daughter's wedding," Tara said, her voice sincere.
Shobha smiled, and her gaze shifted to Amay, who was standing nearby, looking somewhat uninterested in the proceedings.
Her eyes lit up as she recognized him. "Is this Amay?"
Tara nodded proudly, "Yes, this is my son, Amay."
Amay, noticing the attention on him, quickly bent down to touch Shobha's feet, a gesture of respect that made Shobha smile even more.
"You're so handsome, son," Shobha complimented, making Amay blush slightly.
Satyajeet couldn't resist teasing, "Obviously, Tara Bhabhi ke genes hai."
Tara laughed at the playful remark, while Anirudh shot her a playful glare, which only made her laugh harder.
Meanwhile, across the room, Suman was searching for her parents, only to find them engrossed in conversation with the some guests.
Her eyes drifted to the man standing beside the couple her parents were speaking with, and her heart skipped a beat.
It was him-the same man she had collided with twice before.
He was dressed in a simple white kurta-pyjama with a grey jacket, looking effortlessly handsome.
She noticed how every girl in the vicinity seemed to be staring at him, just as she was.
His aura and charm were undeniable, and Suman found herself unable to look away.
Just then, Abhijeet, walked up to her, noticing her distracted state.
He clicked his fingers in front of her face, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Where are you looking?"
Suman blinked, slightly flustered, and pointed towards the group her parents were with. "Bhaiya, who are they?"
Abhijeet followed her gaze and smiled. "They're the Shekhawat's. That's Anirudh Uncle, Papa's friend, his wife Tara Aunty, and their only son, Amay Shekhawat-the businessman.
Suman was stunned by this revelation.
The man she had bumped into twice was none other than Amay Shekhawat, a renowned businessman.
She couldn't believe her luck-or misfortune-that she had encountered him in such casual circumstances.
Despite her initial nerves, she remembered how kind he had been both times, never once acting rude or dismissive.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she noticed the Shekhawat's approaching.
Panic set in as she realized she would have to face Amay again.
She began to fidget with her fingers, anxiety bubbling up inside her.
The last thing she wanted was to embarrass herself in front of him.
As the Shekhawat family made their way over, Amay's eyes caught sight of a figure dressed in a green lehenga.
His breath hitched as he recognized Suman.
For a moment, the entire world seemed to fade away, leaving only her in his field of vision.
He was completely mesmerized.
The way a strand of her hair danced on her cheek, the sparkle of her earrings, the kohl-lined eyes that captured his attention, and her sleeveless blouse that revealed her bare shoulders-it was all too much for him to handle.
His heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to tear his eyes away, but he couldn't.
Suman had captivated him in a way he never expected, and in that moment, she was all that mattered.
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The air was thick with anticipation as Satyajeet guided Suman towards Tara and Anirudh.
Tara's eyes lit up with a warm, motherly glow the moment she saw Suman.
"Suman, beta, meet Tara and Anirudh," Satyajeet introduced, his voice filled with pride and affection.
Suman smiled politely and was about to bend down to touch Tara's feet, but Tara quickly stopped her, gently holding her by the shoulders. "No, no, betiyan gale milti hain," Tara said with a soft smile, pulling Suman into a warm embrace.
The unexpected gesture made Suman feel strange for a moment, but she soon relaxed and hugged her back.
Tara kissed Suman's forehead and blessed her, "Khush raho, beta."
Anirudh, standing beside them, placed a comforting hand on Suman's head and blessed her as well.
Suman's heart warmed at the affection from these new yet welcoming faces.
Amay stood a few steps away, still trying to piece together the situation.
His confusion deepened when Tara suddenly says Suman with a smile, "Congratulations, beta, for your wedding."
The words hit Amay like a piercing knife.
Marriage?
Suman was getting married?
The realization crashed down on him with brutal force.
He was here to attend her wedding function?
No, this can't be happening.
His heart ached as he looked at Suman, her face glowing with an enchanting smile, her cheeks slightly flushed.
He didn't even realize when tears welled up in his eyes.
Forcing a broken smile, Amay managed to congratulate Suman, his voice barely holding together.
"Congratulations", he whispered, then quickly excused himself, muttering something about needing to make a call.
As he turned to leave, he collided with Namita, who had been carrying a small bowl of mehndi.
The bowl slipped from her hand, and the mehndi spilled onto Amay's kurta.
Gasps of shock rippled through the room, especially from Suman, whose eyes widened in disbelief.
This wasn't just any mehndi; it was the shagun ki mehndi, meant for the bride's hands.
But now, it was smeared across Amay's kurta.
Namita's face drained of color as she stammered, "I am so sorry-"
Amay quickly cut her off, trying to brush it off, "It's alright, no need to apologize."
Tara stepped in, her voice calm and reassuring, "It's okay, beta, don't be sorry."
Namita nodded, still flustered, but understanding the gravity of what had just happened.
Amay couldn't stand there any longer.
He left, his heart heavy, and Tara followed him, concerned.
Meanwhile, inside, the mehndi artist was ready to apply the mehndi on Suman's hands, but just as she was about to start, Suman's gaze drifted across the room-and her heart froze.
There, standing at the entrance, was Ayush.
But he wasn't alone.
Tina was with him, their hands entwined, a sight that sent shockwaves through Suman's body.
But what shocked her even more was the glittering vermilion on Tina's forehead and the mangalsutra around her neck.
Suman felt the world spinning as she realized the truth.
Ayush had married Tina.
She looked at Ayush, her eyes searching for answers, but all she saw was a mix of regret and resignation in his gaze.
Tina, on the other hand, wore a smug smile, as if silently declaring her victory.
In that moment, Suman felt her heart shatter into pieces, the festive sounds around her fading into a haunting silence.
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Amay stepped outside into the garden, the cool evening air brushing against his face, but it did nothing to soothe the storm raging inside him.
He walked aimlessly, his mind replaying the devastating scene over and over.
Finally, a tear slipped from his eye, tracing a silent path down his cheek.
He was startled when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Turning around, he found Tara standing there, her face etched with concern.
"She's the one, right?" Tara asked softly, her voice full of understanding.
Amay didn't answer, his silence speaking louder than words.
Tara smiled sadly, her maternal instinct already knowing the truth. "I'm your mother, Amay. I know Suman is the one you saw at the temple that day."
Amay looked away, unable to meet her gaze.
Tara cupped his face in her hands, gently urging him to look at her. "Amay, say something."
"It doesn't matter, Maa," Amay finally spoke, his voice hoarse with emotion. "She's not mine anymore to think about."
Tara's heart ached as she saw the pain etched across her son's face.
She had secretly hoped that Suman would become her daughter-in-law, but now, that hope seemed impossible.
She knew there was nothing they could do to change the situation.
All she could do was be there for her son, who was hurting more than she could bear to see.
Suddenly, the sound of a commotion from inside the house interrupted their moment.
Tara and Amay exchanged worried glances before hurrying back inside.
The sight that greeted them was chaotic.
Abhijeet had a man by the collar, shaking him furiously, while a girl stood beside them, desperately trying to free the man from Abhijeet's grip.
Amay's eyes widened as he recognized the man as Ayush.
"How dare you!" Abhijeet roared, his voice filled with fury. "You were supposed to marry my sister! What the hell is this?"
Ayush remained silent, his face a mask of guilt and resignation.
Amay, stunned by what he was hearing, struggled to process it.
Suman was supposed to marry Ayush?
Then why would Ayush marry someone else?
Satyajeet stood nearby, his face pale with shock, while Shobha wept silently, standing protectively beside her daughter.
Suman was frozen in place, her expression one of numb disbelief.
Namita, tears streaming down her face, looked at her best friend, knowing all too well that Suman's heart had just been shattered into a million pieces.
Suman had woven so many dreams with Ayush, and he had destroyed them in an instant.
Just then, Ayush's family entered, followed by Tina's father, Bhadresh.
Aarushi, was shocked to see her brother married to Tina, while Meena, their mother, looked pleased with the turn of events.
Abhijeet continued to demand answers from Ayush, but before he could say anything, Meena stepped forward, her voice dripping with disdain. "Enough! Leave my son alone. I'm happy that he didn't marry your sister. She doesn't have the standard to match ours. I accept Tina as my daughter-in-law."
Satyajeet's eyes burned with anger as he glared at Bhupendra and Bhadresh. "I knew it, Bhupendra! Your son is just as despicable as you. I promise, you'll pay for every tear my daughter sheds."
For a brief moment, Ayush's eyes met Suman's.
Her face, once full of life, was now a picture of devastation.
He wanted nothing more than to go to her, to comfort her, but he knew he couldn't.
He had made his choice, and there was no going back. Tina, standing beside him, wore a smug smile as if she didn't care about the pain she had caused.
Aarushi, standing nearby, felt a pang of guilt and sorrow for Suman.
Bhadresh stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding. "That's enough, Mr. Mehrotra. Ayush is my son-in-law now, and you have no right to say anything to him."
Amay stood on the sidelines, watching the whole fiasco unfold, but his focus was entirely on Suman.
The look on her face tore at his heart.
He had always admired the joy she radiated.
But now, seeing her like this, broken and defeated, was unbearable.
All he wanted was to see that smile again, the one that had enchanted him from the moment he saw her.
But now, everything was shattered.
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