KAVERI

Today was the day it was all ganna end, all the drama. all the unwanted faces, I was seeing them for the last time the miss showoff and her brother and most importantly mr Neil khanna. I just wish the wedding ends soon.

I started to get ready, I wore a navy blue coloured blouse heavily decorated with different laces and beads and a light blue coloured saree with a beautiful mirror border. I paired it up with bangles which I rarely wear but nobody knows my love for bangles. I wore my most expensive silver watch with it, my all time favourite jwellery, I have a huge collection of watches but my love for this one is Neverending. And lastly I added matching earings and a light necklace.

I looked in the mirror staring at my own reflection, my god I was in love.

I felt like a princess, a vision of beauty and poise.

I gazed at my reflection, struck a pose, one hand on my hip and the other tossing my hair over my shoulder. "Wow," I breathed, my eyes wide with admiration. "You look absolutely stunning."

I couldn't help but smile at my reflection, feeling like the most beautiful girl in the world. I felt confident, glamorous, and ready to take on the day.

"If you are done admiring yourself, will you please tell me how do I look?"

I gazed at my brother, Rajveer, with admiration as he adjusted his cufflinks. "You look so handsome, Rajveer," I said, beaming with pride. "That suit really brings out your eyes."

Rajveer smiled, his confidence and arrogance radiating from every pore. "Of course, I look good," he said, smirking. "I'm a CA, after all. I have to dress the part."

I giggled, used to his ego. "Well, you're definitely pulling it off," I said, straightening his tie. "You're going to be the most stylish guy at the wedding, as usual."

Rajveer chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'm not just stylish, I'm the best-dressed man in the room," he said, striking a pose.

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "You're something else, Raj," I said, shaking my head.

Just then, his phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. His expression darkened, and he muttered under his breath.

"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing the change in his mood.

Rajveer face twisted in anger. "It's nothing," he said, his voice low and menacing. "

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. , but Rajveer just shook his head.

"Never mind," he said, his expression smoothing out. "Let's just get through this wedding, okay?"

I nodded, but I couldn't help feeling a sense of unease. Something was bothering him, and I had a feeling it was going to be a long day.

We got out of the room we were staying in for the wedding. The sound of soft music and gentle chatter filling the air. But as I made my way to the bride's dressing room, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew thick with tension, and the whispers of the guests and family members took on a frantic tone.

I pushed open the door to the dressing room, and my eyes widened in shock. My aunt, Kiara's mother, was sitting on a couch, her face streaked with tears. My uncle, Kiara's father, was pacing back and forth, his face red with worry and anger. The wedding planner was frantically talking on the phone, her voice rising in desperation.

I approached my mother, who was standing off to the side, looking pale and shaken. "What's going on?" I asked her, my voice barely above a whisper.

She hesitated before speaking, her eyes darting around the room. "Kiara's gone," she whispered back. "She left a note saying she couldn't go through with the wedding, but we have no idea where she is or why she did this."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. The room seemed to spin around me as I tried to process what I was being told. Kiara, my cousin, the bride-to-be, had run away on her wedding day? It didn't make sense.

The atmosphere in the room was chaotic, with everyone trying to figure out what had happened. The guests were starting to arrive, unaware of the drama that was unfolding behind the scenes. The sound of laughter and music drifted in from outside, a stark contrast to the panic and despair that filled the dressing room.

As I looked around, I saw the bride's friends and family members rushing around, trying to find out what had happened. Some were crying, while others were trying to call Kiara, hoping she would answer and explain herself. The tension in the room was palpable, and the sense of uncertainty was overwhelming.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about Kiara. Where was she? Was she okay? And why had she done this? The questions swirled in my head, but I had no answers. All I could do was stand there, frozen in shock, and try to make sense of the chaos that surrounded me.

I walked out of the bride's dressing room, feeling like I was in a daze. I couldn't believe what was happening.

I spotted Rajveer, standing outside, looking at his phone with a mixture of anger and frustration on his face. I walked up to him, curiosity getting the better of me. "Rajveer, what's going on?" I asked him. "Why did kiara leave?"

His eyes narrowed, and his expression darkened. "I don't know all the details," he said, his voice low and even.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I looked at Rajveer's angry face. I had a feeling that this was more than just a simple case of a bride running away on her wedding day. There was something deeper going on, something that I didn't understand. And Rajveer's reaction only added to my confusion.

Just then and Kiara's mother, Meenakshi aunty whispered something in my mother's ears. I was having a bad thought about it my heart was racing and then my worst fears came true.

Kiara's parents, my aunt and uncle, approached me, their faces filled with desperation.

"Kaveri, we need to talk to you," my aunt said, her voice trembling. "We know this is a lot to ask, but we have no other choice."

I looked at them warily, sensing that something was coming that I wouldn't like. "What is it?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

My uncle took a deep breath. "We want you to marry Neil," he said, his voice firm. "Kiara's gone, and we can't let Neil's reputation be ruined like this. You two are close in age, and you get along well. It would be a good match." My eyes blazed with anger but I kept my calm

"One thing I would like to make very clear sanjay uncle-" I paused and took a seat on the chair facing him, one of my leg resting over the other, "I really don't give a flying fuck about either your or Neil's reputation. That shit is to be taken care of by your own daughter who ran away. So -"

"Kaveri!" My mom shouted "don't forget your manners-"

"Where was your this lecture of manners when both of their children tried to fucking kill me, tell me mom" I raised my voice this time which I didn't intend to, but this was not really the time to remember to have morals.

My aunt's face fell, and she grasped my hands. "Please, Kaveri. We're begging you. Think of our family's reputation. Think of your future. If Neil's reputation is ruined, it could affect our family's business and social standing. But if you marry him, you will be the daughter in law of the khanna's. Name, fame, power everything. Name it and you're gonna have it"

The hell of manipulator my aunt was. No wonder kiara is the same as her. But what was I gonna do of all the materialistic stuff when I live like a corpse everyday. A relationship that lacked mutual trust and respect is not worthy.

My mom interrupted us " Meenakshi dii, let us talk to her, give us ome time alone." Here we go again.

"Kaveri, we've made up our minds," my mother said firmly. "You're going to marry Neil."I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Marry Neil? The arrogant CEO who had always seemed so full of himself? I couldn't believe they were even suggesting this.

My eyes widened in horror. "No, mom! I refuse. You know I can't marry him he is my rival."

My dad's voice was firm but laced with a hint of desperation. "Kavu, beta this is for your own good. Neil's family is wealthy and influential. You'll be set for life."

I shook my head. "I don't care about their wealth or influence. I want to make my own way, not be tied down to someone who'll suffocate me."

Mom's eyes welled up with tears. "Kavu, we're doing this because we love you. We want the best for you. Please, just consider it."

My face hardened. "You're not doing this for me, you're doing this for yourself."

My mom sighed and indicated my dad to leave, leaving us alone in the room.

"Kaveri you are a smart girl, so why aren't you using your brain right now. Marrying Neil could change your life. God is giving you an opportunity"

"No mom im not a not a doll that is gonna do everything she's told to I'm Kaveri Suryavanshi and I burn down the village I'm not embraced in, to feel it's warmth." I stated with confidence.

"Ok Kaveri, let's keep all those emotions aside think practically. You and Neil are already not on good terms and kiara running away from this marriage has only fueled his anger, and he is a type of man who can and will destroy anything that comes his way." She took a pause.

"Kavu when two people are tied in the relationship of marrige, they become one. And the destination of one of them will only lead in destruction of the other. If you marry neil, you will save yourself from that destruction."

"So you think I'm not capable of handling my situations mumma?" my eyes filled with tears.

She cupped my face "That's not the case Kaveri, my daughter is the strongest, but I am a mother, think from my point of view. You indeed are the strongest but we are not in the situation to become their enemies. "

I was done, done with this family done with my life done with everything. I stormed out of the room bumping into Rajveer.

He looked towards me, the tears in my eyes and hugged me tightly. The barat had arrived by the time and uncle aunty were outside so I bet till now everyone was aware of what was happening. Including him.

I looked towards him into his helpless eyes, blurred with tears. We understood what we were trying to communicate with each other. He too, couldn't do anything than arguing, that too wouldn't help because he's just 21. No one would take him seriously and I don't blame him, even I was helpless.

I started sobbing and he hugged me again. " your heart is a monastery in the hearts of atheists dii. All of us are undeserving of your love."

"No matter how much I boast about Neil being a good man, I can't convince you enough. Nor do I have the right to. As his friend, all I can say is that he will never cross his limits. He is a man of his words. He will take care of you." I was too lost in my own world to respond. Words that were stuck in my throat, struggled to come out of my mouth. So I clutched onto him and let my tears spill over his shirt.

when mummaa used to scold him, he used to come to me crying. I used to hold him in my arms and try my best to make him smile again. Back then, we were kids, now we have grown up. It's almost funny how the tables have turned. But atleast he's still my safe space.

What are your thoughts on Rajveer and Kaveri's relationship ?

Are you excited for the next chapter???