The Malhotras and Sehgals prided themselves on hosting grand events, but today, the wedding carried an air of forced formality. It wasn't a joyous occasion filled with laughter and celebration-it was a duty, an obligation fulfilled out of respect for two dying men's promises. Malhotras and Sehgal's have great relationship as Sehgal's daughter Riya is married to Ekansh Malhotra.
Riya's sharp eyes scanned the hall as she adjusted a floral arrangement, her expression neutral but her thoughts unkind. "She destroyed her own family's name, and now this marriage feels like a forced truce. But as a Malhotra bahu, I'll ensure everything looks flawless. No one will blame our side for any shortcoming. But I don't know why avyaan specifically arranged this pink and gold decore?"
Her voice was calm but curt as she directed the staff. "The mandap is too plain. Add more pink roses-make it grand. We're Malhotras, after all."
------
Mahira tapped her manicured fingers against her phone, checking the guest list one last time even though it was just closest family as no one in outside world was aware of the existence of malhotra daughter and those who were aware dared never to open their mouths. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she thought, "After everything we've heard, this wedding is a joke. But if anyone dares say the Malhotras didn't do their part, they'll hear from me."
Turning to a caterer, she snapped, "The dessert table needs a complete overhaul. I want it perfect." She sighed internally. "Perfect, just like the facade we're all putting up."
Now The lavish venue, adorned with gold and pink decorations, did little to mask the tension that hung heavy in the air.
---
After some time
The Mandap
Mahir Sehgal sat on the mandap, every muscle in his body tense. He was dressed immaculately, as always, in a cream sherwani with intricate gold embroidery. His brooding eyes were framed by a perfectly trimmed beard, and his sharp jawline was set in cold anger.
His thoughts burned with frustration. "This is ridiculous. This isn't a marriage; it's a contract. I don't love her, I never will, and I will make sure she knows her place in my life---Nowhere."
He tightened his fists on his lap."Why did I even agree to this? Dadu's last wish, of course. But what about my wishes? My life?"
From the corner of his eye, he noticed the Malhotra brothers seated in the front row. Their faces were masks of stoic indifference, but he could feel their piercing glares. He smirked bitterly to himself. "As if they're happy about this Fucking union either."
---
The murmurs in the hall died as Siara entered. Dressed in a simple maroon lehenga with minimal embroidery, she looked nothing like the glowing bride she once dreamed of being. Her hair was tied back into a modest bun, and her face bore no trace of makeup, save for the light kohl lining her dull, lifeless eyes.
She didn't smile, didn't cry-didn't feel anything. Her gaze was fixed on the ground as she walked mechanically down the aisle. Every step seemed calculated, robotic, as though she were a puppet on strings.
The room's silence grew heavier. The Malhotras and Sehgals exchanged awkward glances, but no one spoke.
Reyansh clenched his fists, his jaw tight as he watched his sister approach the mandap. "This isn't how it was supposed to be. We used to talk about her wedding as the happiest day of her life. A grand celebration, with her dancing and laughing, surrounded by people who adored her. And now... she brought this to herself."
Reyansh's Flashback
"Rey bhai" a younger, cheerful Siara had once said, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "I want you to perform a dance at my wedding! No excuses!"
I had laughed then, ruffling her hair. "Fine, doll. Only if you promise to not cry too much when we send you off."
The memory shattered, replaced by the harsh reality of the moment.
Present-
Ekansh glanced at Siara, his chest tightening. "She used to talk about love, about finding someone who'd cherish her. And now, she's marrying someone who looks like he can barely tolerate her existence.
Avyaan's eyes were red as he remembered some past conversation with siara. "It was a Sunday afternoon, and Siara had barged into his room wearing a ridiculous floral tiara she had crafted herself, a big grin plastered on her face. 'Avyaan Bhai, I've decided! My wedding will have a pink and gold theme! What do you think?'"
Avyaan, sprawled on his bed, shot her a deadpan look. "Pink and gold? Are you planning a wedding or decorating a birthday cake?"
Siara gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like he'd just insulted her life's work. "Excuse me! Pink and gold are classy!"
He smirked, tossing a pillow at her. "Classy? Says the girl who wore mismatched socks to school for three days straight."
"Oh, please! That's called setting trends, Bhai," she shot back, sticking her tongue out.
"And who's even going to marry you?" he teased, sitting up. "You're so loud and annoying. You'll scare the groom away before the pheras!"
Siara crossed her arms, her grin turning mischievous. "Fine! If I can't find a groom, I'll just crash your wedding and steal your spotlight!"
Avyan laughed so hard he nearly fell off the bed. "Good luck with that. You can't even sit still for five minutes, let alone plan a sabotage."
She had flounced out of the room, tossing her tiara at him. "Just wait, Avyaan Bhaiya. My wedding will be so fabulous, you'll cry tears of jealousy!"
As the memory faded, Avyaan's chest tightened. He glanced at Siara now, her face devoid of the spark that once lit up every room but the rage came again and his looked away.
Aryan was looking the most furious. "Is this a wedding or a funeral" he thought
Even Vivek, the youngest and most emotional, sat frozen. "This isn't her wedding. This is punishment. For what? For being wronged, for killing bhabhi, for sleeping with that bastard. I would have fucking killed him with my bare hands but he died even before we could have find him.
-------
Siara sat beside Mahir, her movements mechanical, her gaze still fixed downward. She didn't meet anyone's eyes, not even her brothers'.
Mahir didn't even looked at her,
"She got what she wanted, trust me dear soon to be wife, I'll never be yours" he thought
The priest began chanting, his voice echoing in the tense silence. Siara folded her hands as instructed, performed the rituals as though she were following a script. Mahir's anger simmered as he went through the motions.
Her parents did her kanyadan, their hands were shaking when they gave her hand to mahir, tears of her parents drop on her hands though it was just for a moment. Aarav malhotra gave the most precious part of his life to mahir, this was the day he feared all his life.When it came time for the pheras, Siara stood with the same robotic grace, walking behind Mahir without hesitation or resistance.
---
Adhira's heart ached as she watched her daughter walk the pheras. "She's not even there. She's a shell of who she used to be. My little doll...no noo I can't be weak, don't know where we lacked that she did those things "
Aarav's hands trembled in his lap."I wanted her to be happy. That's all I ever wanted. But she ruined it. I ruined her. And now I can't fix it."
Rajeshwari sighed deeply, her chest heavy with guilt. "This marriage is your last wish ranvijay but I can't give love to that girl after knowing what she did in past. I promise you she will get the respect in Sehgal family but she will always be the Unwanted daughter in law.
-----
The priest declared the couple married, but there was no applause, no celebration. Siara barely glanced at Mahir, who didn't even bother to look at her.
Mahir's thoughts burned. "This is just the beginning. She'll learn soon enough-I'm not here to be her savior. I'm here because I had no choice. And she... she better stay out of my way."
Siara's mind, however, was blank. No joy, no sadness, no hope. Just a void. "This is it. Another chapter in a meaningless life. As long as I can keep saving lives, nothing else matters. Not this marriage, not him, not me."
The wedding concluded, not with cheers, but with silence-a union that felt more like a burial of dreams than the beginning of a new life.
Mahir left without a single word to anyone when the priest asked the couple to take blessings of elders. He didn't even glance at anyone.
Siara just stayed silent, she knew no one here wants to bless her right now not even her parents.
It was time of vidai, she didn't cry. Not even a single tear from her eyes, she didn't say goodbye. The family's heart ache as they watch her leave without looking back but their anger didn't let them rush over to her.