Fated Forever

Chapter 28

Sakshi

It's been four days since my engagement. And I am still not used to the rings on my fingers. One of his grandmothers and one that indicated that I am engaged now. Still, I feel the weight of these rings on my fingers. But I am resigned to my fate now. I am tired of fighting it when somewhere secretly my heart wants the same. Armaan hasn't contacted me or visited my office since the engagement. And I am really grateful for that as I didn't know how to face him after the kiss incident. I think it would be better if I played nonchalantly. No need to show him how a mere cheek kiss affects me.

I am getting ready to go to the office. I went downstairs to have breakfast when I saw my mom and sister running here and there with the maids. They were arranging some type of function. It seemed like some kind of puja was going to take place as every decoration was being taken place in front of the small temple we have at home.

''Mom what is going on?'' I asked her while stopping her as she had a fruit basket in her hand which she was going to put near the havan kund [Holy fire].

''Great you woke up beta [child]. I forgot to tell you yesterday as you were so tired and directly went to sleep. We have arranged this puja for your good future. And what is this you are wearing? Go and change into something more heavy before Armaan's family get here.'' she informed me. While still checking the preparations

''Armaan's family,'' I asked a little, more loudly than I intended to.

''Yeah, why are you shouting,'' she said with a little irritation clear in her voice.

''But what will his family do here,'' I asked, still not able to comprehend that HE would be here. Like, give me a prior notice or something before breaking this news.

''Have you slept on the wrong side or something? You are not going to marry yourself, right.'' to which I nodded my head like a dumb, not at all understanding her sarcasm because my brain is still not able to get past the fact that Armaan will be here, in some time. And she continued'' Armaan is also involved in this marriage and it is for the betterment of both your married life. So that's why they will be here. Now get aside and let me work. There is so much work pending.'' she completed before going in the direction of the kitchen.

''Deepali, where is the aarti thali,'' she shouted to Deepali. Then she suddenly turned towards me. ''And yes, please do change fast. Everyone will be here in some half an hour or so.'' after ordering me, she finally left from there. Leaving me and my thoughts alone.

What is this why my family never informed me about anything? At the time of the engagement, too I was the last one to know, though it was my engagement, and today too. My family is giving me more stress than my work nowadays. With that thought, I made my way to my room to get changed into something more presentable for the so-called puja.

I decided to wear a light blue Anarkali suit with Gota work paired with a yellow organza dupatta which also had Gota and sequins embroidery. I left my hair open, not wanting to do anything special with them. I put kohl in my eyes and applied a light pink colored gloss to my lips. Then I wore my favorite gold jhumkas and finished my look with a pair of yellow-colored jutties. I gave a once over to myself in the mirror. Satisfied with my appearance, I turned to go downstairs. As I turned around, I saw my sister standing there leaning on the door with her hands folded on her chest. With a silly smile on her face.

''What'' I asked her when she didn't say anything for a few seconds. She shook her head at that.

''From when are you standing there,'' I asked again.

''Not for long. By the way, you took quite a long time getting ready for Armaan jiju.'' She said with a wink, making my face go red in an instant. I picked up a cushion from my bed to hit her. But before the cushion could even reach the door, she ran from there, not before yelling ''Mom is calling you downstairs. Come fast, everyone is here.''

Okay, let's calm down first. He is here and I don't want to embarrass myself in front of everyone. Due to my red face. And I am not getting ready for him. It's because my mom asked me to.

Keep telling yourself that, my brain said.

''It's the truth.'' with that I made my way downstairs.

''What took you so long'' shrieked my sister at the top of the stairs.

''What are you doing here?'' I asked her with an eye roll.

''I was waiting for you for half an hour and mom told me to take you with me,'' she replied in a duh tone.

We went to the temple where the puja was going to take place. When I neared the temple, everyone turned their heads to look at us, or more precisely, me. It felt like Deja vu. I should get used to the looks but I am not every time I feel overwhelmed at being the center of attention. That, too, if someone is looking at you intensely. I glanced at Armaan once before taking a seat beside my mom. When my mom stopped me,

''Go and sit beside Armaan,'' she whispered. I gave her an incredulous look.

''This puja is for you guys, so it has to be done by you only.'' Mom explained making me sigh.

I got up and sat beside Armaan, who was already seated beside the Pandit Ji [Hindu priest].

The puja started without any further interaction. Whenever the Pandit Ji asked us to give any Ahuti [offerings to the holy fire] he would hold my hand and not leave it. Oh God, it's like the engagement ceremony all over again. His touch sends sweet tingles all over my body and I profusely refuse to feel that way in the presence of this betrayer.

The puja was done with the push and pull of our hands. We were all seated in the living room after the Puja was done. Pandit Ji hasn't left yet. And I am wondering what's going on as our mom and dad were continuously speaking to the pandit ji about something and here Armaan is also smiling about something since the puja is finished.

I was about to ask my sister about it when our mom dropped the bomb.

''Divya bring sweets from the kitchen.'' my mom ordered the maid.

''I am so happy Priya. I can't believe Sakshi will be coming into my house this early.'' Armaan's mother squealed like a girl.

Making all the elders burst out in laughter. I am still confused about this whole situation.

''Deeps what is going on,'' I whispered to my sister who was busy on her phone playing Candy Crush. I tell you this girl is obsessed with this game. She shrugged her shoulders at my question, not wanting to break her concentration from the game.

The sweets arrived. All the elders started to feed each other, then Armaan's mom came toward me and Deepali.

''Go and feed Armaan.'' his mother told me while giving me the plate filled with sweets. I turned to go to him, confusion still there in my brain when Meena mom stopped me once again.'' And Sakshi Kaju Katli [ Indian sweet] is his favorite'' she told me with a wink and went to where my parents and his dad were seated.

Armaan was in the backyard for quite some time as he had to attend an important call from work. As I entered the backyard, I took in his appearance for the first time in the whole day. He was wearing a white Kurta pajama [ Indian traditional menswear]. The Kurta was snug on his muscles. A perfect fit for him. His raven black hair was shining in the sunlight. I was busy ogling him when someone cleared their throat, making me come out of my dreamland.

I looked towards my intruder to find that it was the devil himself. He had a smirk plastered on his face. I took two steps back. He was standing too close. His smirk took a hideous turn at that. He moved forward for me to step back. It continued till my back hit the wall. He caged me there with his hands on the side of my face and his body leaning on me but not able to touch me because of the plate of sweets in my hands.

''Why did you step back from me?'' he asked in his deep voice.

''I didn't, it was just a reflex. If someone invades your personal space, you ought to step back.'' I replied with a little confidence. His presence always leaves me flustered, not able to form a word. I am proud I did form a sentence without stuttering.

A grin appeared on his face at that ''Good reflexes, but I will be your husband in a few days now, so you don't have to worry about your personal space in my vicinity.''

''By the way, what are you doing here? Missed me,'' he asked with a cocky smile.

''No,'' I said in an instant.'' I-- I am here to give you some of the sweets'' I showed him the plate filled with sweets. He raised his right eyebrow and opened his mouth a little without moving away from me. I looked at him with a weird expression on my face. What is he even doing? We looked at each other for a moment without moving.

Then he looked at the plate and then at his mouth. He did that two times, then it hit me he was telling me to feed him one. Oh god, this stupid man.

''Take one for yourself. I won't be feeding you.'' I told him.

''You have to let's do it fast. Come on before anyone from our families comes to call both of us,'' he said a little playfully.

''No,'' I said again with a shake of my head for the effect.

''Come on Sakshi, do it fast. It's for your practice. After the wedding you have to do it all the time,'' he said with a smug smile. While my eyes become the shape of saucers. This, this, shameless man.

''How shameless can you be. Move I have to go.'' not wanting to mingle more with this shameless man, I decided to go inside.

''I'll move, but not before you feed me a sweet. After that, you are a free bird. Sparrow.'' That's my nickname which he used to call me in our childhood. I looked at him dumbfounded, too numb to react.

I felt a warm sensation of a hand caressing my cheek. I jerked at that sensation. To look at the intruder of my thoughts is none other than the one who put me through this. How dare he call me by that nickname when he left me behind just like that. Anger rushed through my veins at his audacity to say my nickname and to caress my cheek. Letting the plate fall between us on the grass of the backyard. I took advantage of his unfocused state to push him away from me. And made a run for my bedroom from the kitchen's backdoor. I didn't look behind me. Because I don't want to see his face right now.

Throwing myself on my bed, I let my tears fall. Why did he come back and if he did come back, why did he agree to this wedding if he had left me before? Then why is he showing this longing, love, and care for me? Where were these emotions when he scared me in my childhood? WHY WHY WHY? My tears are flowing continuously, remembering how I asked everyone whom I could ask about him. But no one told me. I can't. I won't forgive him for leaving me alone for so long.

My phone rang, and I picked up the call without looking at the caller ID.

''Hello''

''Hello, di. Where are you? It's been an hour since you left.'' asked my sister from the other end.

''I am in my room. What happened?'' I asked her, my voice a little hoarse.

''What happened? Di you are seriously asking me that? We have guests at home no scratch that we have your in-laws in the house and you are asking me what happened.'' she whisper yelled at the phone. Thank god she didn't notice my hoarse voice.

''I am coming in two minutes. I had to use the washroom.'' I lied smoothly.

''Come fast. Everyone is asking about you. Even Armaan jiju is here for 15 minutes.'' she replied and hung up the phone.

I went downstairs and slipped near my sister quietly. 5 minutes into the room and started to feel Armaan drilling holes in my profile.

''Where were you beta'' mom asked me.

''Mom I - I -I had to attend an important call from work,'' I said nervously.

''You should have informed us beta. We were looking for you everywhere.'' I knew the meaning behind her words. She wasn't worried about me. She was worried about her reputation with the guests.

''Sorry, mom,'' I said, suddenly feeling a lot more emotional than necessary.

''Oho come on Priya don't scold her. She has a business to run. Anyways, tell them the good news.'' Armaan's mom chirped excitedly.

''Armaan and Sakshi, we discussed with Pandit Ji about an auspicious day for your wedding and he confirmed that the last date of the month would be best. But before you guys freak out, we did ask him about any further dates but he said that would be after six months.'' Dad explained about the whole drama that has been going on since the morning. Wow! What great actors are there in my family? Nobody bothered to inform me that they were going to discuss the wedding date today. Today can't get better. Note the sarcasm.

''What's the issue with the date after six months? I mean we are engaged and we don't have to rush for anything.'' I don't want to marry him at the end of this month, that's like after two weeks. No, I need more time to prepare my mind for this.

''We also didn't want to rush sweetie but Armaan has to leave for an important conference in London. And we were thinking it would be better if you guys got married before that.'' His dad said this time. I was about to say something but my mom's deadly glare stopped me. Great, if you don't want our opinion, then don't talk like we are discussing this.

''Okay, I understand,'' I said, my voice coming out meekly.

''I knew you would. You are a lovely girl.'' Armaan's mother cooed. Standing up, she gave me a long tight hug.

It felt like only I wanted time. Armaan didn't even say a word regarding it. Did he know about it before?

Of course, he knew he was the one attending that conference stupid. mocked my brain.

'Please brain not now.'

After finalizing the wedding date, Armaan's family took their leave, but not before Armaan gave me a menacing look that promised destruction. I knew that was coming so I gave him my best poker face in return. After bidding them goodbye, I turned to go to my room. I feel exhausted after all the drama. But stooped on the first step of the stairs when.

''Stop right there Ms. Sakshi Malhotra.'' ordered my mom in a stern voice. Uhu, that means I am in trouble now. My mom will give the pending lecture which she wasn't able to give in front of my soon-to-be future in-laws. Great. With a sigh, I turned around and dropped myself on the sofa.