Bound By Fate

Chapter 8

Preeta's POV

The wedding hall had finally grown quiet.

The guests who had filled the mansion with laughter only moments ago were slowly leaving, taking with them the music, the chatter, and the excitement that had surrounded the wedding.

Only close family members remained.

Preeta stood silently near the entrance of the Malhotra mansion, her eyes fixed on the familiar walls she had called home for twenty-four years.

She had dreamed many times about the day she would leave this house as a bride.

Never...

Not even once...

Had she imagined it would happen like this.

A maid hurried toward her carrying a beautifully decorated brass tray filled with rice.

Before Preeta could reach for it, Shalu gently held her wrist.

"Wait."

Preeta turned.

Shalu's eyes were swollen from crying.

In her trembling hands was another small tray decorated with flower petals.

"I'll do it," she whispered.

She took the brass tray from the maid and carefully placed it before the entrance.

Her lips trembled as she tried to smile.

"It's time for your bidaai."

The word alone made both of them emotional.

Preeta's eyes filled with tears.

Shalu forced herself to continue.

"You know the ritual."

Preeta nodded silently.

According to tradition, before leaving her parents' home, a bride threw handfuls of rice over her head.

The rice symbolized repaying the love and care her parents had given her while growing up and praying that prosperity would always remain in the house she was leaving behind.

Slowly...

Preeta bent down and picked up a handful of rice.

She closed her eyes.

Lord Krishna...

Please bless this family.

Even if they never truly accepted me... let them always be happy.

She threw the rice over her shoulder.

The tiny grains scattered across the marble floor.

Again.

And again.

With each handful, Shalu cried harder.

Finally, unable to hold herself back any longer, she rushed forward and hugged Preeta tightly.

"No..."

She sobbed.

"I don't want you to leave."

Preeta wrapped her arms around her gently.

"If I don't go..."

"People will begin talking again."

"I don't care what people say!"

Shalu cried into her shoulder.

"I only care about you."

"You don't deserve any of this."

Preeta smiled through her tears.

"Take care of yourself."

"You'll visit me?"

Shalu immediately nodded.

"Every week."

"You'll call me?"

"Every day."

"And if anyone in that house troubles you..."

She wiped her tears and tried to sound brave.

"I'll come and fight them myself."

Despite everything that had happened that day, Preeta couldn't help but laugh softly.

"You've always been so protective."

"Because you're my favorite person."

Shalu replied without hesitation.

Behind them, Rajesh stood quietly.

For the first time in years...

He looked at his eldest daughter without anger.

Without blame.

Without resentment.

Only regret.

He wanted to walk toward her.

To hug her.

To ask for forgiveness once more.

But his feet refused to move.

He didn't feel worthy.

Preeta noticed him standing there.

Without saying a word, she walked over.

She bent down and touched his feet.

Rajesh's entire body trembled.

He quickly placed both hands on her head.

His voice broke.

"Be happy..."

"My daughter."

The words stunned everyone.

Sunita looked at him in surprise.

Shalu froze.

Even Preeta looked up in disbelief.

It was the first time in twenty-four years...

Her father had called her his daughter with genuine affection.

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I'll try, Papa."

Those three words shattered whatever composure Rajesh had left.

He turned away, wiping his eyes before anyone could notice.

Outside, the decorated Kapoor car waited.

The driver respectfully opened the rear door.

Ranbir was already seated inside, staring out the opposite window.

He didn't look at Preeta.

Not once.

Taking one last glance at the only home she had ever known, Preeta stepped into the car.

As the vehicle slowly drove away, she watched the Malhotra mansion disappear behind her.

She wasn't sure whether she was leaving behind years of pain...

Or driving toward a new kind of loneliness.

---

Nearly an hour later, the convoy entered the magnificent gates of the Kapoor Mansion.

The estate looked even grander than it had during the engagement visit.

Towering pillars framed the entrance.

A marble fountain sparkled beneath the evening lights.

Fresh flower garlands decorated the doorway.

Servants stood in neat rows.

Yet...

The warmth a new bride usually received was missing.

The moment the cars stopped, the Kapoor family stepped out one after another.

Without a word, Neha walked past Preeta and entered the house.

Mr. Kapoor followed.

Ranbir's uncle and aunt did the same.

One after another...

They disappeared inside.

No smiles.

No welcome.

No blessings.

Only silence.

Preeta remained standing beside the car, unsure whether she should move.

Just then, Savitri reached her and gently squeezed her hand.

"Come, child."

"You are not alone."

Ayush walked over with an easy smile.

"Welcome home, Bhabhi."

Then he chuckled.

"Actually... that sounds too formal."

He scratched the back of his head.

"I'm Ayush."

"Just Ayush."

"I think we're almost the same age anyway."

Before Preeta could answer, a cheerful young woman stepped beside him.

"And I'm Rhea."

She grinned brightly.

"Your cousin-in-law."

"I've been waiting all day to meet you properly."

"You look much prettier without everyone shouting."

For the first time since the wedding...

A genuine smile appeared on Preeta's face.

"Thank you."

Before the conversation could continue, Savitri cleared her throat.

"We'll have introductions later."

"The new bride must enter her home first."

A maid stepped forward carrying a silver tray.

Upon it rested a small brass lamp with a steady flame, a pot filled to the brim with rice, and another tray containing vermilion mixed with water.

The welcoming ritual had begun.

The maid carefully placed the silver tray before the entrance of the Kapoor Mansion.

A brass lamp burned steadily in the center, its warm glow dancing against the evening breeze. Beside it rested a beautifully decorated pot filled to the brim with rice, while another shallow silver plate held vermilion mixed with water.

Savitri stepped forward first.

"This is your home now, child," she said gently.

"Enter it with your right foot and may Goddess Lakshmi bless every corner of this house through you."

Preeta folded her hands respectfully before the small lamp.

"Thank you, Dadi."

She silently prayed.

"Lord Krishna... please help me become a good daughter-in-law. Even if no one accepts me today... let me never stop doing what is right."

The maid smiled softly.

"Please knock the rice pot gently."

Preeta nodded.

She slowly lifted her right foot.

Her toes lightly touched the brass pot.

The pot rolled forward across the marble floor, spilling white grains of rice in every direction.

The maid smiled.

"A house filled with prosperity."

Next came the vermilion tray.

Preeta stepped into it carefully.

When she lifted her feet again, bright red footprints appeared one after another across the white marble floor.

Each footprint symbolized Goddess Lakshmi entering her new home.

The sight was beautiful.

Yet no one applauded.

No one smiled.

No one showered her with blessings as tradition usually demanded.

Most of the Kapoor family had already disappeared upstairs.

Only Savitri...

Ayush...

Rhea...

And a few servants remained.

For a brief moment, Preeta lowered her eyes.

She had prepared herself for rejection.

But experiencing it...

Still hurt.

Ayush noticed the sadness on her face almost immediately.

He clapped his hands lightly, trying to brighten the atmosphere.

"Well..."

"I suppose someone should officially welcome our new family member."

He extended his hand with a cheerful grin.

"I'm Ayush Kapoor."

"But please..."

"Don't call me 'Young Master' or 'Sir.'"

He made a dramatic face.

"It makes me feel old."

A faint smile escaped Preeta's lips.

"What should I call you then?"

"Just Ayush."

He laughed.

"I think you're older than me by a year anyway."

Before Preeta could answer, another young woman stepped beside him.

She wore a light pink salwar suit and carried herself with effortless confidence.

"I'm Rhea."

She smiled warmly.

"Your cousin."

"Actually..."

She laughed softly.

"I'm just happy another young woman has joined this house."

"I was beginning to think I'd spend the rest of my life surrounded by these impossible Kapoor men."

Ayush pretended to look offended.

"Excuse me?"

"We're wonderful."

Rhea rolled her eyes.

"You?"

"You still can't even remember where your own car keys are half the time."

"I found them!"

"Three days later."

The cousins began arguing playfully.

For the first time that entire day...

Preeta laughed.

It wasn't a loud laugh.

Just a small one.

But Savitri noticed.

And silently thanked God.

Perhaps this child would not be completely alone after all.

"Enough."

Savitri interrupted with a gentle smile.

"You two can continue fighting tomorrow."

She turned toward Ayush.

"Take your sister-in-law upstairs."

"She has had a very long day."

"Yes, Dadi."

Ayush immediately picked up one of Preeta's suitcases.

"I'll carry this."

A servant quickly reached for the other luggage.

Within minutes, they climbed the grand staircase.

The Kapoor Mansion was even more magnificent from the inside.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.

Large family portraits decorated the cream-colored walls.

Fresh flowers filled every corner with a gentle fragrance.

Everything reflected wealth...

Power...

And tradition.

Yet somehow...

Preeta had never felt so small.

Ayush stopped before a large wooden door at the end of the hallway.

"This is Brother Ranbir's room."

He gently placed her suitcase outside.

Before leaving, he smiled kindly.

"If you ever need anything..."

"Anything at all..."

"My room is two doors away."

Rhea nodded enthusiastically.

"And mine is across the hall."

"We're on your team."

Those simple words warmed Preeta's heart.

"Thank you."

She watched them walk away before slowly placing her trembling hand on the doorknob.

She took a deep breath.

Then quietly entered.

The room was spacious.

Elegant.

Everything inside was perfectly arranged.

A large king-sized bed stood against the far wall.

A bookshelf covered one side of the room.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the beautifully lit gardens outside.

Standing beside one of those windows...

Was Ranbir.

His sherwani jacket had already been removed.

He stood with his back to her, both hands tucked into his pockets.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"So..."

"You're here."

Preeta quietly closed the door behind her.

"Yes."

Several seconds passed.

Neither of them spoke.

Finally...

Ranbir turned.

His face remained calm.

Almost unreadable.

But his eyes...

They carried exhaustion.

Disappointment.

And pain.

He looked at her for a long moment before speaking.

"I've been thinking."

Preeta waited quietly.

"You've lost your sister today."

"My family lost their peace."

He took another slow step toward her.

"I don't know whether you were part of what happened."

"And right now..."

"I honestly don't have the strength to care."

Preeta immediately shook her head.

"I wasn't."

"I only learned the truth this morning."

"I believe you."

Those words surprised her.

But before hope could bloom...

He continued.

"It doesn't change anything."

His voice became colder.

"Every time I look at you..."

"I'll remember today."

"I'll remember my mother's tears."

"I'll remember my family's humiliation."

He reached toward the armchair beside him.

Picked up a pillow.

And tossed it gently onto the carpet in front of her.

It landed with a soft thud.

"The bed is mine."

"You can sleep on the floor."

"If you're uncomfortable..."

"There's also the sofa."

He walked toward the bed before stopping once more.

"Oh..."

"One more thing."

Preeta slowly looked up.

"Don't expect love from me."

"My heart stopped believing in love a long time ago."

"This marriage exists because of responsibility."

"Nothing else."

He switched off the bedside lamp.

Then lay down on the bed without another word.

The room fell silent.

Preeta looked down at the pillow lying at her feet.

Her fingers tightened around the small Krishna pendant hanging beneath her bridal necklace.

A tear rolled silently down her cheek.

Without complaining...

Without arguing...

She spread a spare duvet across the polished wooden floor.

Folded the pillow beneath her head.

And lay down.

Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above her.

Outside...

The moon shone brightly over Kapoor Mansion.

Inside...

Two strangers slept beneath the same roof.

Bound together by sacred vows...

Yet separated by hearts that felt farther apart than ever before.