Nishtha
Today was the day. July 1st.
My engagement with my ex - boyfriend.
The beginning of my contract marriage.
I sat in the engagement hall, a grand hall which had a huge ballroom, where we were going to be engaged. It had a grand buffet and a huge area in the middle, with tables all around the corner.
Uncle and Aunty had insisted that this wedding be a grand affair as it was the first marriage in the Nanda's and it was also a point to be made.
No one told me that.
No one needed to.
So, I now sat in my room, just above the stairs of the ballroom, getting ready for my engagement. Obviously, my two best friends were sitting with me. How else would I survive today?
Aai walked in with a beautiful saree. It was pink and in silk which added a gloss to it. The blouse was a little deep, revealing my collarbones but covering my chest properly. The back of it was strapped. The saree rested on me properly. The pallu was let out, so I used my left hand to hold it. The saree had small white dots, which added to its shine and beauty. The border had a few white designs along it. It was simple yet elegant.
I loved my look.
I adorned myself with a bindi, added my kajal and mascara, and did my basic makeup. Adi insisted I added more but I said no. I added my subtle pink matte lipstick and sprayed my fav scent on me. I quickly put on some bangles and I was ready to go. I looked at myself.
I looked beautiful.
But what's the point?
"You look so good!" Adi said and hugged me.
"Thanks." I replied.
"You girls sit and enjoy. I will go check the hall. Okay?" Aai said and walked out excitedly.
"She's so happy." Pri said, "I feel bad."
"She knows that it can end anytime. She was the one who suggested it. Now, it's on her." I said.
After around 30 minutes of sitting, I was finally called into the main hall. Pri and Adi stayed by my side as we made our way to the hall.
"Are you ready?" Pri asked as we walked.
"No, but what choice do I have?" I said, smiling.
She held my arm and we walked inside.
The hall was fantastic. It had amazing lightning and amazing ambiance. It didn't even need any decorations, it looked beautiful as it was. I was in awe staring at the decorations and the hall. Then, I looked in front.
My fiancé.
He looked like the handsome devil that he is.
He wore a pink shirt under his suit, which acted as a compliment to my saree, finished with a white tie, to match the saree. He was handsome.
His hair was made, his stubble... his classic.
His eyes met mine and suddenly, I felt like the 5 year old us were looking. I felt tears brimming in my eyes. 21 year old me really wanted this. She would have been crying of joy running to him.
Why did you change our fate, God?
I used to be able to read him like a book.
Now he hides his emotions from me.
You can still read him, you don't look at him.
I can't.
I can't risk falling in love with those eyes again.
I tore my eyes away and joined him on the stage.
I saw the audience present.
Mr Rupert was there. Wow this is awkward.
How are we going to tell him?
A lot of industry specialists were present but it was mainly family. I didn't want to meet them.
This isn't his whole family. I thought.
I've met a lot of his extended family.
That was the cute thing about us: we dated each other's families, not just us.
And now we are strangers, so are our families.
"Good Afternoon." Uncle spoke, "We are here to today to celebrate my son, Yuvaan Nanda's engagement to Alok Yadav's daughter, Nishtha Yadav. Yuvaan and Nishtha have been together since their college times and we decided it was time to take the next step in their relationship. Please join us and offer your love for our newly engaged couple: Yuvaan and Nishtha!"
A huge round of applause erupted.
I wish this was true.
Aai, Baba, Uncle and Aunty joined us on stage.
"Beta, here, exchange the rings." Aai said.
She handed me the ring. It was beautiful.
He held his hand out and I quickly took it and adorned the ring on his left hand finger.
Everyone clapped.
"Yuvaan, your turn." Aunty said.
I slowly put my hand out as he held it with his hand. Then, he brought out a ring and adorned it on my hand. I stared at the ring, ignoring the claps in the background.
A small diamond ring, with a pastel pink border.
I felt a lump in my throat.
How did he... did he remember?
My eyes were filling with tears. I looked at him.
His eyes met mine and I felt like he read me. He slowly looked away, his eyes slowly leaving me.
His hand came around my waist as I noticed that everyone was taking pictures. I quickly fixed myself and smiled at the camera. After a while, he was about to leave me and walked away, but Aunty came and stopped us.
"Beta! Meet everyone, where are you going?"
"We were hungry Mom."
"Meet everyone, then eat." She said, taking us.
We walked with her to a few of her friends. She congratulated us and we smiled with an answer. Then, we bumped into Mr Rupert.
"I must say, I am very surprised!" He said.
"We like to stay private." Yuvaan replied for me.
"How did you two meet then?"
"We..." I tried to speak, "Weâ"
"We met in university. Her first year, my second year, we got together then and... we had a long distance relationship for the last 4 years, and now we are back in the same city so, it's time."
"Oh wow. That's beautiful."
I smiled, "Thank you."
"Your love has crossed the test of patience and time, I'm sure it'll last forever." He said and left.
I looked down.
I wish that was true.
"If anyone asks, say I went to meet a few friends. I'm eating with Arush and Rohan." He said and I looked up. Before I could answer, he walked off.
I felt tears coming again. I can't stand his cold behaviour towards me. I'm not used to it. When we last spoke, he kissed me even in his anger. I can't take this cold behaviour.
Did I make a mistake saying yes?
"You look like the first bride who must be upset at her own engagement." Adi teased.
"Shut up! She's so sad!" Pri said, "Please!"
"Acha! I'm kidding!" She said, "Nish, talk to us!"
We were sitting outside the hall, on the stairs. It was almost 2 hours since I got engaged and most of the guests had left. Only Baba and Uncle's close friends and family were inside. We were able to convince them that I want to be with my friends and him with his, so they weren't coming after us now.
Now I didn't even know where he was.
"I don't know how I am going to handle this for the next few years guys." I whined.
"Just get divorced within a year." Adi said.
I looked at her, "Are you mad? It's not that easy. I can't hurt our families."
"You can hurt yourself everyday?"
"I have been for the last 4 years." I said.
"Come on. You can't do this."
"I don't know. I just want work to start."
"Are you sure you'll work on 11th when your wedding is on 14th?" Adi said.
"I don't think so. Ugh. Aai won't let me. It'll be almost a month since I came back and I haven't worked for a week entirely but I have managed to get married. How ironic."
"Your entire life is a movie." Adi teased.
I chuckled.
"What are you doing sitting there?" A deep voice said behind us. We turned. Yuvaan.
"Nothing. We were bored inside." Adi said.
I didn't answer.
Priya added, "We were just going in... Siâ"
"Priya, if you were going to say Sir again, then I am glad I stopped you. I've been through this. No Sir. I'm your best friend's fiancé and I don't want you calling me that."
Priya smiled, "Sorry."
"Now, care to explain why my fiancée is sitting on the stairs alone on our engagement party?"
"I think you should take that explanation from her alone." Adi said and started getting up.
Priya got up with her. Arush and Rohan joined them and left.
Why do these people leave me alone? I sighed.
He came and stood next to me, "Can you talk?"
I nodded.
"Then answer me. What are you doing?"
"I was getting bored." I lied.
He doesn't need to know that my feelings are back, that I'm not able to bear his coldness.
"You're bored?" He scoffed.
I don't want to be around him. Seeing him just made my heart worse than it already is.
"Yes I am. If you're gonna yell at me then please get it over with so I can go away." I said.
He looked at me and then gave me his hand.
I looked confused.
He rolled his eyes and pulled me up.
"I don't want to yell at you. Just come." He said and took my hand in his and then walked on.
I watched our hands. I used to hold his hand like my life depended on it.
I used to love holding him. I still do.
"There you two are." Aunty said, "Listen, I asked you two here because I want you a favor."
"Yeah?" I asked.
"I want pictures of you two, and, I want you both to go send your wedding invites to Aaji."
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