Bonds of Tangled Hearts

Meera's pov After 3 days, I am getting married to a man. I felt for him, when I was just 12 years old my elder brother Shaurya Rajvansh best friend Rajveer Oberoi. He was the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life. The day his family bring marriage proposal at my house, i am over the moon because I always want him and from that day he became my fiance. And now soon to be husband. Preparation for the marriage is going on, staff are working. Wedding planner finalizing teams, decor. But still somehow I felt uneasy, I don't know why? The wind outside the Rajvansh mansion carried a strange silence that evening — the kind that comes before a storm. The chandeliers glowed softly against the marble walls, casting golden light on a home built on pride, prestige and pretense. I stood frozen at the doorway of the terrace, my world collapsing before my eyes. There, beneath the soft shimmer of the moon, stood the two people I trusted the most — my best friend Niharika Chauhan and my fiancé Rajveer Oberoi. Their lips touched into a kiss, that scene in front of my eyes tore through my heart like glass. For a moment, I couldn't move. The air left my lungs. My mind screamed to turn away, but my body refused to obey. Rajveer's voice broke the silence, "Niharika.... We can't do this, I am getting married to Meera," he whispered, guilt flickering across his face. " I can't betray Meera." He murmured. But it was too late. My voice, trembling yet sharp, cut through the night, "You already did." Both turned, their faces palling at the sight of me. Niharika's lips parted in shock; Rajveer took an uncertain step forward, his expression a mixture of shame and fear. " Meera .... It's not what it looks like," he began. I laughed — a hollow, broken sound, "Not what it looks like? Rajveer, you're marrying me in two days. You're kissing my best friend in my own house! Tell me, how is it not what it looks like?" Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Her gaze shifted to Niharika — the girl she had called her sister for years. " You knew how much I loved him, Niharika. You knew everything. Was betraying me worth it?" Her silence was my answer. With my heart hammering in my chest, I turned and walked straight to my brother's study. Shaurya Rajvansh looked up from his desk, startled by the fury in my eyes. " You knew," I said flatly. "What are you talking about?" Shaurya said. " Don't lie to me!" I shouted, slamming my palm on the table. "You knew about Rajveer and Niahrika. You knew they were together. Didn't you?" I continued. "Was they together when his family sent me a marriage proposal or did they come together after the proposal. Did he ever like me? I am the only person in this relationship who wants this marriage. Is my love one-sided?" I shouted at my elder brother. "Just tell me already, please. I want the truth." Shaurya's expression hardened — guilt flickering in his eyes before he masked it with indifference. " Meera calmed down. Things are complicated-" "Complicated?" I cut him off. "You're my brother, Shaurya! You were supposed to protect me, not watch me walk into a lie! How could you let this happen?" He stood, trying to take my hand, but she pulled away. "It was Rajveer's choice," he said coldly. "And Niharika's. I thought you'd understand eventually." My world tilted. "Understand?" My voice cracked. "You're telling me to understand my fiancé cheating on me with my best friend — and you're supporting them? Are they going to continue their affair after our marriage too? Will you still stand by them then? He had no answer. My tears finally fell, "You were all I had, Shaurya. I trusted you more than anyone," I said. When her left his study, the house that once felt like home suddenly felt suffocating. Every photograph on the wall mocked her - her mother's proud smile, her father's portrait, the memories of laughter that now felt like lies. In her room. She sank into the bed, clutching the eapdge of her sketchbook- the one place where her dreams felt safe. As her mind replayed every smile, every word, every false promise, one truth burned than the rest - everyone knew. My mother, Maya Rajvansh, who adored Niharika like her own daughter. My brother. Even Rajveer's family. They had all chosen silent over my pain. I felt my heart break - quietly, completely. That night, I packed a small bag: my sketchbooks, a few clothes, a photo album and an envelope containing my first salary from a design project I had completed for a young couple. I remember when I saw their happiness after seeing final work. It wasn't much, but it was mine. Standing at the edge of my room, I looked around one last time. "You took everything from me," I whispered into the emptiness "but you won't take my will to live." SHAURYA POVS The silence inside the Rajvansh mansion the next morning was heavier than any storm. The servants whispered in corners, afraid to speak too loudly. The air carried an unease thaat no one could name. I paced across the marble floor of my study, running a hand through my hair. My mind replayed Meera's broken words from the night before- her trembling voice, the tears she refused to show. When Rajveer and Niahrika entered the room, both looked pale and restless. Rajveer's eyes darted toward me searching for any hint of what was to come. "Shaurya, please, listen - " Rajveer began, but I raised my hand sharply. "Save your excuses," I said coldly. "Do thave any idea what you've done?" Niharika lowered her eyes, shame flickering in her expression. "We didn't mean to hurt her," she whispered. My jaw clenched, " You did hurt her. And now the entire Rajvansh and oberoi families will pay the price for your stupidity." I continue "I told you Niharika to tell everything to Meera she trust you but you didn't tell her." "Now forget about it." I stepped closer to Rajveer, " the wedding is otwo days. If we cancel it now, the media will devour us. The invitations are sent, the guests are arriving- both families' reputations will be destroyed." Rajveer swallowed hard, guilt twisting his features. "But Shaurya... Meera knows everything.She misunderstand us. She saw us last night." " I know," i snapped. "And I'm handling it . You will marry her, no matter what. Do you understand? This isn't just about love anymore- it's about our names. Our families." "And Rajveer we both knew the truth about this marriage that you also love Meera from the day you met her. Do you want to lose her when you already can have her in your life."