Undecided
1379 Words
The golden hour right before the sunset was zeroed down as the perfect time for exchanging the rings. And the lush garden area at the back of the hotel was selected as the venue for the ceremony as everyone wanted to have the function in the open, especially Ishanvi.
There wasn't any fancy or extravagant decor. Against the backdrop of huge trees was placed a loveseat for the couple.
Ishanvi herself had decided everything because she wanted it to be a moment to cherish forever for both her and Neer as well as their families. Alas, now it would be a happy, memorable moment for everyone except her.
On the trees was placed a neon light _ that read IN this together where IN stands for Neer and Ishanvi's initials. It was Inaayat and Nurvi's idea and Ishanvi had no idea about this.
Ishanvi looked at her sister.
"A small addition in your "simple" decor," Inaayat replied cheekily, air quoting 'simple' with her hands.
Ishanvi just shook her head and walked towards Mr and Mrs Oberoi to apologise for her absence at
On the other hand, Neer was a bit surprised to see Ishanvi there. Being the strong headed girl that she is, he had expected her to call off this engagement after what he told her last night. No one would want to enter this loveless marriage willingly unless they were forced to. But here she was! Dressed impeccably in a _ green sharara-kurta with minimal makeup which enhanced her beautiful features.
For a moment, Neer wondered if she was forced to do this. But he shook off the thought, knowing Ishanvi would never do
"I know what you are thinking," Ishanvi whispered to Neer as she took a seat beside him, putting substantial distance between them. "I'm doing this for our families because I can't hurt them. It's not their fault that they failed to see the jerk behind your pretence," she whispered only for him as she smiled
And after that, Ishanvi didn't speak a single word. Nor did she spare him another glance.
Even as they exchanged the rings and clicked pictures with their families, Ishanvi kept her gaze determinedly away from him.
To everyone's surprise, Ira walked up to Ishanvi and Neer to get a picture with them. What's more, she tried to smile for the pictures. The girl who shied away from the camera and barely posed for the photos, was willingly taking pictures with the couple!
Everyone was amazed to see this change in Ira and they knew Ishanvi brought about this change in her.
This assured Naman and Neela Oberoi all the more of their decision that Ishanvi was the one for their family.
Then Inaayat, Ivaan and Nurvi performed a surprise dance followed by a performance from Tia, Pia, Riddhima and Ritesh.
Ishanvi cheered for all of them as they danced but
When the photographer asked them to pose for some couple pictures, Ishanvi refused right away citing it would make her awkwardly uncomfortable.
Inaayat found it strange because she knew Ishanvi had planned years ago to enact some poses from her favorite Bollywood movies on her engagement day. And now she said she would be uncomfortable doing that.
"Just what's going on?" Inaayat was puzzled. "Why is Di behaving weirdly today?"
But now wasn't the time to get those answers. Thus, Inaayat had to wait for the ceremony to get over before she could confront her sister.
The sun had set finally and darkness had taken over them. The gardens lights were switched on and the whole place was illuminated with their luminosity.
Ever since she arrived in the garden, Ishanvi had been faking smiles for their families. But her facade was threatening to slip away any moment now!
Their wedding date was decided to be a year and fifteen days from now and Ishanvi felt she couldn't keep up the pretence till then.
"What are you sad about now? You knew it'd be a loveless marriage when you agreed to go down the conventional arranged marriage road instead of experiencing a beautiful love story. Now suffer the consequences of your decision," her heart mocked her.
"But that doesn't mean she didn't hope to get a loving husband she'd fall in love with," her mind retorted.
"Listen, I'm already hurt to know that we won't be getting a husband but a dummy. Please, don't aggravate my pain anymore," her heart requested, sounding genuinely hurt this time.
"But why are you hurt if you knew this is going to happen?" her mind countered not caring about heart's feelings.
"Because deep down I was hoping to get a fairytale romance in an arranged marriage. But turns out it was a sheer stupidity on my part," her heart admitted in a small voice.
"I agree. It was an idiotic move to expect anything from that jerk," Ishanvi mumbled with a sigh.
It was a late autumn night, winter was marking its arrival. There was a chilliness in the air, making for the perfect weather the Delhiites preferred over the scorching heat.
Excusing herself away from the event hall, Ishanvi had gone back to her room and was standing on the balcony. Leaning against the painted iron banister, she was staring absent-mindedly at the beautiful garden below.
She had wanted to go back to her home as soon as they had exchanged the Neer's, but not only it would have looked rude but would also have raised suspicions. Hence, unwittingly she had to stay at the hotel.
But she couldn't force herself to remain there in Neer's presence, it was like his presence was suffocating her, so she cooked up some story about calling her Research Mentor and excused herself from the crowd.
Several thoughts were swirling inside Ishanvi's head as she stood there. She wondered why she didn't call off the engagement and told everyone what Neer had told her the night before? This was the question she had no answer for!
Ishanvi was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realise
With a jolt, she turned back.
Inaayat let out a small laugh at her jumpy reaction. "Relax Di, it's just me."
Ishanvi turned back to look at the pool in the distance.
"Are you disappointed that it's me? Were you expecting someone else?" Inaayat joked, standing beside her.
"Who would I wait for?"
"Your future husband, of course!" Inaayat stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "After all, your courtship period officially begins now."
A wry smile appeared on Ishanvi's serene face. Inaayat's words mocked her current situation.
When Ishanvi didn't reply, Inaayat
"Di, is something bothering you?" Inaayat questioned, worry lacing her voice. "You know you can share anything with me, right?"
Her words made Ishanvi contemplate if she should tell her about her meeting with Neer last night.
She knew Inaayat would not only understand her but would also support her. But the question was, did she want that? Did she want to snatch that happy smile from their faces that she witnessed not too long ago when she and Neer exchanged the rings?
They looked so happy and content, they had looked the same when Ishanvi had taken admission to her PhD research
Ishanvi knew she couldn't do that to her parents or her siblings or family.
And it's not like there was any problem in marrying Neer, he had promised to fulfill all his duties as a husband after all.
"Except there won't be any love— something you believe forms the very base of a relationship," her inner voice reminded her.
"Let's go inside, otherwise you'll catch a cold in this outfit. The weather has changed," Inaayat told her.
"You go first, I want to stay here a bit longer," Ishanvi replied without looking at her sister. "You know I love this weather."
"Okay but don't take too long," Inaayat instructed as she turned to leave. "Everyone will wait for you at the dinner table. Don't forget, you had already missed the family breakfast today!"
"I'll be there," Ishanvi assured her.
After that, Inaayat left and Ishanvi was engulfed by a soothing silence again.
She hated lying to her sister but she knew she couldn't tell her the truth as it would only hurt her.
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- Writer
