After an hour, Shruti descended the stairs with her mother beside her, her bridal attire shimmering under the lights. Every eye in the room was drawn to the bride, and gasps of admiration filled the air as guests took in her stunning beauty. The intricate embroidery on her lehenga seemed to sparkle in the light, and her elegant makeup highlighted her features perfectly.
Siddharth was waiting for her in the mandap, his eyes fixed on the staircase, eagerly anticipating her arrival. As Shruti came into view, his heart skipped a beat. This was his dream coming true, and he couldn't believe his eyes. He had imagined this moment countless times, picturing Shruti in a bridal lehenga, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality.
The thought of having a future with her, of being by her side every day, filled Siddharth's heart with love and happiness. He felt a sense of joy and contentment wash over him as he gazed at Shruti, his eyes locked on hers. For a moment, everything else faded into the background, and all that mattered was the two of them.
But Shruti's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and thoughts, far removed from the joy and happiness that filled the air. She was consumed by the consequences of this marriage, and the weight of her secrets bore down on her like a physical force. If she let this marriage happen, Siddharth's company would be destroyed, and the years of hard work and dedication his father had invested would be reduced to nothing.
The thought of Siddharth's reaction when he found out that she had known about her father's plan and done nothing to stop it filled her with dread. He would never forgive her, and she couldn't blame him. Moreover, she couldn't forgive herself either. The guilt and shame would haunt her for the rest of her life.
On the other hand, if she told Siddharth everything, her father's image would be ruined, and her mother's health would deteriorate further. Her mother's fragile state was already a concern, and the stress of the situation could push her over the edge.
These thoughts occupied her whole mind, making it hard for her to focus on the ceremony. But one thought that pierced her heart like a knife was that she had no future with Siddharth either way. If she went ahead with the marriage, she would be trapped in a life of guilt and deception. If she told him the truth, the marriage would likely be called off, and their relationship would be irreparably damaged.
The pain of this realization was suffocating her, making it hard to breathe. She felt like she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, with no way out. As she stood beside Siddharth, trying to smile and play the part of the happy bride, her heart was heavy with sorrow and uncertainty.
She was lost in her thoughts when Siddharth grabbed her hand, his touch snapping her back to reality. She looked at him, and he leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "You know what? I feel like I'm the luckiest man right now." Shruti's heart ached at his words, filled with sincerity and love. She knew he loved her deeply, cared for her with all his heart. That's when she realized she couldn't go through with the marriage, couldn't deceive him like that.
There was only one way to save Siddharth's company and her father's image. She pulled her hand away from Siddharth's grasp and turned to face him. Siddharth's expression changed from happiness to confusion as he looked at her. "What happened?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come, and looked into his eyes. "I don't want to marry you," she said, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. The room fell silent, with all eyes on them. Siddharth's face went blank, disbelieving.
At first, he thought it was just another one of her pranks. "What are you saying? Is this another one of your pranks?" He looked at Roohi, seeking confirmation, but Roohi shook her head. "I don't know anything about this," she replied.
Siddharth's gaze returned to Shruti, and he searched her face for answers. "This is not a prank. I'm serious," she said, her voice firm and resolute. Siddharth's confusion deepened. "Shruti, what are you even saying?" Aryan grabbed her hand, his face filled with shock and concern.
"It's true. I don't want to marry him," Shruti repeated, her words sparking a chain reaction of emotions in the room. The atmosphere was charged with tension, and the guests were stunned into silence, unsure of what to make of the sudden turn of events.
"Shruti beta, is there any problem?" Siddharth's father asked, concern etched on his face. But Siddharth stopped him, his hand raised in a gesture of caution. "One second, Dad," he said, his eyes locked on Shruti's.
He grasped her shoulder, his grip gentle but firm, and looked into her eyes, searching for answers. "Why are you doing this? Is there any problem? Tell me, Shruti. I'll solve it, I promise," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
Shruti jerked his hand away, her eyes flashing with emotion. "This is revenge for my father's and mine humiliation," she said, her voice low and even. Siddharth's face contorted in confusion, his eyes narrowing as he tried to understand.
"Remember your dad said that he would never sign a deal with our company? I couldn't forget the humiliation and loss our company had to face," she said, her words dripping with resentment. The room fell silent, with gasps of shock and surprise rippling through the guests.
Siddharth's face turned pale, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You're lying," he said, his voice firm, but a hint of doubt creeping into his tone. Shruti expected this reaction and managed to compose herself, knowing she had to make him believe her.
Just then, Roohi stepped forward, concern etched on her face. "Bhabhi, we can talk about it. If you have any concern regarding the wedding," she said, her voice soft and soothing. Roohi reached out and grabbed Shruti's hand, but Shruti saw this as an opportunity to make them believe her. "I'm sorry Roohi." She thought to herself.
And in a flash, she pushed Roohi hard. "Get away from me!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room. Roohi stumbled backward, but Siddharth quickly caught her, his eyes snapping back to Shruti in shock. The room was frozen in stunned silence, with all eyes on Shruti, wondering what would happen next.
"Keep away your dirty hands from me!" Shruti said, her voice venomous as she glared at Roohi. But before she could react further, a sudden slap landed on her cheek, leaving her stunned. The slap was unexpected, and Shruti's eyes widened in shock as she stumbled backward.
She looked up, her eyes locking onto Siddharth's, and saw the anger and hurt reflected in them. "Bhaiya!" Roohi cried out, shocked by Siddharth's actions. "Siddharth!" others in the room called out, equally shocked by the sudden violence.
The room fell silent, with all eyes on Siddharth and Shruti. The air was thick with tension, and the atmosphere had turned volatile. Siddharth's face was twisted in anger, his eyes blazing with emotion. Shruti's cheek stung from the slap, but she stood her ground, her eyes flashing with defiance. The dynamics between them had shifted, and the situation was spiraling out of control.
Meanwhile, Shruti's father, Amrit, stood there, quietly observing the unfolding drama. His eyes narrowed as he watched Shruti's outburst, and he gritted his teeth in frustration. "This girl has ruined my whole plan!" he thought to himself, his anger and disappointment simmering just below the surface.
Standing beside him, Shruti's mother looked utterly shocked and helpless, her eyes fixed on her daughter with a mix of worry and despair. Amrit swiftly moved to Shruti's side, grasping her arm tightly. "What the hell are you doing?!" he hissed in her ear, his voice low and menacing.
As the tension escalated, Amrit turned his attention to Siddharth's family, forcing a apologetic smile onto his face. "I deeply apologize for her behavior. Please forgive her. Let me talk to her for a while," he said, attempting to salvage the situation.
With a firm grip on Shruti's arm, Amrit tried to pull her aside, hoping to reason with her and rectify the damage. However, Siddharth intervened, his voice firm and resolute. "There's no need," he said, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.
Everyone's eyes snapped to Siddharth, their faces reflecting their shock and surprise. "I'm calling off this wedding," he declared, his voice echoing through the stunned silence. The room was frozen, with gasps and whispers rippling through the guests as they struggled to process the sudden turn of events.
Roohi and Siddharth's father tried to talk to him, but he was resolute and stormed out of the hall, leaving them no choice but to follow. They ran behind him, their voices calling out to him in an attempt to calm him down. Meanwhile, Shruti clutched her lehenga and ran upstairs, her footsteps echoing through the hall. Aryan followed closely behind her, concern etched on his face.
As the drama unfolded, the guests began to disperse, whispering among themselves about the sudden turn of events. In a few minutes, the hall was empty, except for Aryan and Shruti's parents. Amrit's face was twisted in anger and frustration, while Shruti's mother looked worried and helpless. Aryan's parents stood there, unsure of what to do next, as the silence in the hall grew thicker and more oppressive.
Upstairs, Shruti stormed inside her room, the door slamming shut behind her with a loud thud. Aryan knocked on the door repeatedly, his voice calling out to her. "Shruti, open the door!" he pleaded, but there was no response.
Behind the door, Shruti dropped to her knees, overwhelmed by her emotions. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cried heavily, her body shaking with sobs. Aryan continued to call out to her, his voice soft and gentle. "Shruti, please open the door."
But Shruti was beyond consolation. Between sobs, she managed to whisper, "Hic...leave me alone." Her voice was barely audible, but Aryan heard her. "But..." he was about to say but she interrupted "Aryan please." He stepped back, defeated. He hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked away, deciding to give her some space.
As Shruti cried, memories of her time with Siddharth flooded her mind, taking her back to their first meeting a few months ago. She recalled the way he smiled, the way he laughed, and the way he made her feel like she was home. Every moment they shared had been a dream come true, and just hours ago, she was on cloud nine, envisioning a future with him.
But now, everything lay shattered. The pain of losing Siddharth and the weight of her father's expectations bore down on her. One question kept echoing in her mind: Was revenge so important to her father that he had to sacrifice her happiness?
Shruti's tears dried as anger and frustration took over. She got up and rushed to the dressing table, her eyes locking onto her reflection in the mirror. With harsh movements, she began to remove her accessories, the bangles, the necklace, and the earrings. Her fingers moved swiftly, as if trying to erase every reminder of the wedding that never happened.
As she hastily removed her bangles, one of them cut into her wrist, causing it to bleed. But Shruti barely registered the pain, her emotions numbed by the turmoil inside her. She continued to strip away the symbols of her would-be wedding, her movements mechanical and detached. The sight of her bleeding wrist was a stark reminder of her inner turmoil, but she seemed beyond caring.
She plopped down on the bed, exhausted and drained, her body heavy with the weight of her emotions. As she collapsed onto the mattress, her gaze fell upon the anklets she was still wearing, and a wave of memories washed over her. She touched the delicate ornaments lightly, and the recollection of Siddharth putting them on her ankles.
The tender moment, the gentle touch, the loving gaze – it all came rushing back, and Shruti's fragile composure shattered. She burst into tears, her body shaking with sobs. She covered her face with her hands, as if trying to hide from the pain, and mumbled, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Siddharth!"
Her voice was barely audible, but the anguish and regret were palpable. She knew she had let him down,that she had hurt him irreparably. The weight of her apology hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the love and longing that still lingered in her heart.
The next morning, the warm sunlight streaming through the windows illuminated Shruti's face, rousing her from her fitful slumber. She had barely slept all night, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. As the sunlight touched her skin, she snapped back to reality, her eyes fluttering open. The brightness made her squint, and she realized with a start that the sun was already high in the sky.
She sighed, feeling the weight of a sleepless night bearing down on her. With a heavy heart, she got up from the bed and shuffled towards the mirror. The reflection that stared back at her was a far cry from the radiant bride she was supposed to be. Her hair was disheveled, dark circles had formed under her eyes, and her lips were dry and chapped.
As she gazed at her reflection, memories of the previous night's events came flooding back, and tears began to well up in her eyes. One lone tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away, composing herself. She took a deep breath and steeled herself for the day ahead.
With a newfound determination, she headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The warm water cascaded down her body, washing away some of the pain and fatigue. As she bathed, she felt a semblance of calm wash over her, preparing herself to face whatever lay ahead.
As she walked downstairs, Shruti was met with a scene that was both chaotic and unsettling. The whole hall was in disarray, with papers scattered everywhere and furniture overturned. People in formal attire were milling about, their faces stern and serious. The atmosphere was tense, and the air was thick with anxiety.
Shruti's eyes scanned the room, taking in the chaos, before landing on her parents. Her father sat on the sofa, his head buried in his hands, looking defeated. Her mother sat beside him, consoling him, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. Shruti's heart sank as she rushed towards them.
"Mom? What is happening here?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. Her mother looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, and pulled Shruti into a tight hug. "They are from the income tax department," she sobbed. "They said that someone has filed a complained against your father."
Shruti's eyes widened in shock. "What? How can they?" she exclaimed. Without hesitation, she strode towards the officers, her anger and frustration evident in her stride. "Sir, you can't just barge into anyone's place like this," she said, her voice firm.
The officer turned to her, his expression unyielding. "Look, miss, we know what we can do and what we can't. This is a legal issue. Please don't interfere." Shruti's anger flared up. "What legal issue? Someone just uttered some rubbish, and you're believing them just like that?" she argued.
The officer's expression remained impassive. "We have an investigation warrant, and solid evidence against your father." Shruti's eyes narrowed. "What evidence?" The officer's tone turned stern. "That is confidential. Now, I request you to please sit aside and let us do our work. Or else, we have to do it our own way, and believe me, you won't like it."
Shruti felt a chill run down her spine as she looked around at the officers. Her mind was racing, and she couldn't understand what was happening. The scene was surreal, and she felt like she was trapped in a nightmare.
She looked at her mother, who sat beside her, her face tense with worry. Shruti remembered that her mother's health had been fragile the night before, and she couldn't bear the thought of her getting stressed. She walked towards her mother and sat down beside her, wrapping her arms around her in a reassuring hug.
"Don't worry, Mom, everything will be fine," she said softly. "They won't find anything." Her mother leaned into her, and Shruti could feel her tension. She glanced at her father, who sat with his head bowed, and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Dad?" she called out softly. Her father looked up, his eyes avoiding hers. "They will leave when they won't find anything," she said, trying to sound confident. But her father didn't respond; instead, he diverted his gaze and looked at the floor, his silence speaking volumes.
Shruti's heart sank as a thought crossed her mind. "Dad, they won't find anything, right?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. But her father remained silent, his eyes fixed on the floor. Her mother's eyes widened, and she exchanged a nervous glance with Shruti.
Just then, a loud thud echoed through the room, followed by the sound of scraping and breaking concrete. They turned to see the officers stabbing an iron rod into a pillar, their faces set in determination. After a few thrusts, the pillar's wall broke, revealing a hidden cavity. What lay inside was utterly unbelievable, leaving Shruti stunned and speechless.
