Fated Forever

Chapter 25

Sakshi

Once I entered the hall, I didn't even feel the weight of my heavy Lehenga anymore. It was as if the world had stopped and then the feeling struck me that it was actually all real... Today is my engagement! With Armaan! I couldn't blink away the beauty shimmering in my eyes. I couldn't take my eyes off when I saw the ethereal sight in front of me. Until the last minute, I was a bundle of nerves...my stomach was twisted in a knot which was neither a pleasant nor a sickening feeling.

My mind was a mess of thoughts as if these random thoughts had cascaded down my brain like the swamp of Duckweeds. These thoughts have been sucking off my energy and positivity, but now that I am really standing in the hall, I can't run away and it will be unfair if I stop myself from appreciating the beauty around me.

These fresh lovely garlands of flowers, unique and special flowers, all my favorites hanging around the aisle giving it a lovely feel, and the refreshing scent dancing on the tip of my nose are heavenly. I wonder if the choice of these flowers is a coincidence? These dazzling chandeliers, warm lighting, soft music, and the fuzzy feeling erupting from my heart are.....warm but again like a beam of laser, someone shoots this unpleasant and nervous feeling inside....the anxiety makes me forget all my good mood.

Even my precious lavender oil can't calm my nerves right now. Oh, don't even talk about the food, the aroma is tempting me just from the start, but all this wishy-washy jiggly feeling has made me lose my appetite, but then again, when my gaze upon this beautiful scene in front of me, my friends, family are laughing, chatting enjoying with each other, all my acquaintances, relatives... it's no less than the lively night city of New York. I chuckled at my own thoughts and shook my head.

This tension is making me go crazy, but look at the splendor, my god, is this really my engagement ceremony? I don't know anymore, this feeling is making me nervous yet excited...what excited? Am I really happy about this...ugh I don't know, but then what's this warm feeling in the corner of my heart? This is so difficult and conflicting. Deepali broke Sakshi's chain of thoughts as she said

"Di, are you so mesmerized by jiju (brother-in-law) that you didn't even move since we entered the hall?"

"Yeah we are sorry to break this little and pretty moment of yours, but its been like friggin 10 minutes and you have just moved some inches. You are walking way too slowly, Sakshi. It's not like you are wearing heels for the first time. I understand your dress is pretty heavy, but girl, can we walk? I am not even asking you to run. After all, he is all yours after marriage.'' Nikita said, earning a giggle from Deepali and a fuming red tint on Sakshi's face.

"Nikita di, let her enjoy the moment. We shouldn't interrupt her like this otherwise we are going to be in bad books of her after marriage as don't they say, people changes after wedding." Deepali said stifling her laughter.

"Not only her bad book, Deepo but even our brother-in-law's book too, look at how he is staring more like gawking at her. Sheesh never in my life, I felt like a third wheel so openly." Nikita stated earning another laughter from Deepali whereas Sakshi received her another slow and sweet surprise, making her tipsy, devouring in a sweet and addicting sensation.

The moment, she looked up with her quivering eyelashes, her gaze fell on the man no less than a greek god standing on the podium clad in a black dapper suit, looking so devilishly handsome. Sakshi couldn't stop herself from staring at Armaan openly. More than his charming aura, imposing and domineering vibe he was emitting, Sakshi was busy admiring his fine proportions, which his suit was failing to hide terribly much to her pleasure.

Armaan's chiseled jawline, perfect lips, and, oh, those dark raven eyes were doing something to her. It didn't take her more than a minute to check him out, much to her dismay, which seemed too rushed to her but the moment they locked eyes, she forgot about everything, even those little cunning temptations to once again check him out or to quickly glance at his ravishing body were long gone in the beauty of his eyes.

The magnificent and graceful hall she was admiring the moments before, the sweet aroma of the flowers, sparkling lighting, laughter, and chatter of people. Everything seemed to be an illusion, like a fake mirage of an oasis in a desert. It felt like what she saw moments before was a lie and what's true and important is this man, only this man standing in front of her.

"Jesus, Deepo we fueled her affection for Jiju. Now she is actually standing rooted to the ground. Argh! Why the hell did I agree to walk with her. I should have left with aunty, Ridhimma, and Rupali.", Nikita ranted, breaking Sakshi into a red-flushed mess as she returned back to reality.

"I know right, this feels like it's going to be a very long journey," Deepika said as she sighed.

"Yeah beats me, you said the right word, 'journey'!" Nikita said with a chuckle.

"Omg, stop you guys, I get it already okay! Enough with your comments." Sakshi whispered yelled at the ladies giggling beside her, and with that, Sakshi finally reached the podium where Armaan was standing, waiting for her lovingly.

As Sakshi was climbing up on the stairs, a hand reaches out to her to which she looks up to find Armaan standing right before her with his one hand folded behind his back neatly while the other is extended to help her come up the stage. As soon as Sakshi reaches out to grab his hand, their skin brushes off each other lightly before finally clasping them together gently yet firmly.

Sakshi feels a jolt of electricity when their hands come in contact and just a touch, that causal touch makes her mind all jumbled once again and she becomes unable to think straight as he helps her come up the stage while still holding her hand firmly. Soon, people start flooding in and swarm around them like a cluster of bees and the couple greets them with their signature smiles and polite exchange of words.

While they are still greeting the people, Sakshi tries to wriggle her hand from Armaan's grasp, resulting in his hold being stronger than before, which leaves her hopeless for a second.

"Where are you going? My soon to be wife", Armaan speaks in his deep husky voice laced with his usual addictive sweetness.

"I am not going anywhere.... it's just holding hands for too long is uncomfortable and my palm has started to become sweaty. So if you, be kinder enough to leave my hand, I would be grateful to you (mind the sarcasm)", Sakshi whispered while trying to maintain her smile and expression.

"Oh, is that so? Well, I can't help you with that since we are going to be a married couple soon, these things are going to be very casual and thus, my dear fiance, you have to get used to it and, the practice or you can say your baby steps, start from now and more so,, I can't bear to stay away from my beautiful fiance who is looking absolutely gorgeous tonight" Armaan winked as he said those words as if seducing her with his honey dripping words which much to his amusement effected Sakshi more than he assumed leaving him grinning wide seeing her breaking into a fit of embarrassment leaving a lovely hue of red on her cheeks making her so adorable inciting impulses to kiss and bite her cheeks inside Armaan.

Seeing her blushing like this while she stands confidently while stating business was a new sight for Armaan which was amusing enough for his contentment.