CH 5 || Just A Trailer

FLASHBACK

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Anvi

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"How are you, Ms. Shekhar?" Even though the voice is the same, the warmth is lost.

"Good," I replied curtly.

"But I believe more than good," he replied smirking.

Not able to decipher the meaning behind his words I asked, "What do you mean?"

"I saw you mingling with every guy at the party, you are still the same."

"They were Ahana's fiance's cousins, I was just being friendly." I don't know why did I feel the need to give any explanation because anyway he will believe what he wants to.

"Oh, yes, friendly, but you know we both have a very different meaning of the word friendly." The conversation was going down the same lane, I had no wish to visit again. I didn't want to have any conversation with him and when I thought to move away he said,

"For you friendly means luring rich boys in your trap." Without even replying I tried to get away but my attempts were futile as his statement made me stop in my track.

"Truth is always bitter, Ms. Shekhar."

Chuckling bitterly I said, "I am ashamed of myself of the fact that I loved you once"

"Now you are ashamed of me? Shouldn't I be the one to say that?"

"I wish you have once tried to know the real me?"

"No one knows you better than me."

Letting him live in the illusion I left, I didn't want to spoil my mood because of some idiot. My tears did betray me but I didn't let them fall in front of him.

Running towards the washroom I washed my face. I have cried enough but now I can't. I can't let some jerk like him make me feel vulnerable all over again.

I decided to be alone for a bit so I sat on the balcony of the first floor of the house. Everyone was out on the lawn and I wanted to be alone for a while. But I believe my luck was not on my side.

"Hello, Miss." I heard an unfamiliar voice. I looked up to find a tall, handsome guy who looked probably my age smiling at me. Since he was a stranger I chose to ignore his presence.

"Attitude," he said chuckling and took his seat in front of me.

"What are you doing all here alone?" Why can't people understand that if a particular person is not replying then it's certain he or she is not interested in talking.

"Oh come on, don't give me that look that you are not interested in boys."

Glaring at him I cleared his doubt, "I am not."

"I have heard your conversation a while ago, with that guy," he said pointing at Ankit. I was certain he must be probably thinking I am some gold digger. I got up to leave but he held my hand.

"Stay for a while."

"Leave my hand." My voice was stern.

"I won't. Why are you being so tough?"

"I said leave my hand if you don't have a death wish."

His hold on my hand tightened and his demeanor changed sending down the sense of fear in me. I was scared but I chose to stay strong. Getting up from his seat he pulled me closer and tried to kiss me making me feeling disgusted. With all my strength I pushed him back and slapped him.

"How dare you touch me?" I yelled.

"I can do a lot, sweetheart," he said but before he could do anything I stomped my heels on his feet making him yelp in pain and ran downstairs.

I was breathing heavily and my heartbeat was accelerated as well. I tried to find Vritti, Arpit, and Bhaiya but amidst the crowd, it seemed difficult. Everything started to get blurry after a while and the fear was building its place inside me making my tears fall.

I didn't realize I was pulled back by someone to a corner until I heard Sara's voice. I was not in my right state and she had hugged me to calm me down.

"It's fine, it's fine Anvi. Everything is fine," she said rubbing my back and I hugged her back. After very long I could feel it was my friend Sara instead of the girl who had decided to walk out of our friendship. Composing myself in a few minutes I pulled back and she gave me a bottle of water to drink. I gulped down the water my throat and wiped my tears.

"Are you fine?" Her eyes were filled with concern but it could be a facade as well.

"Yeah. I need to go, Thanks for today."

"Anytime."

I was about to get lost amidst the crowd again when I heard Vritti's voice.

"Di, thank god, you are here. Where the hell were you?"

"I just went to the washroom."

"Did something happen?" My expressions were easy to read but masking them well I lied,

"No, I am fine. Can we go back home? I feel suffocated here."

"Yes, in fact, I was searching for you for that only. Let's go," she said and both of us went out. We found Arpit on our way and Bhaiya was already settled in the car. I decided not to tell them about what had happened though they knew I was being unusually silent.

I was not myself and Vritti tried to ask me in our room if something is bothering me. To make her stop asking anymore further questions, I only told her half of the truth that I had met Ankit at the party.

Ankit Sharma, the man who swept me of my feet because of his charms. I met him in a cafe four years ago when I had lost my best friend and my relations with my mother were going down the hill with each passing day. One day he left his wallet in the cafe and I ran to give him the same without knowing I was about to get trap, in a web called, Love. He was the regular customer of the cafe and so was I.Very soon we became close and he proposed me to be his girlfriend. I sad "Yes" and how couldn't I? Anyone would have fallen for him.

I started to be happy, Sara's absence didn't affect me anymore and I was regaining back my old self but little did I know life had other plans for me. Ahana got to know about it and started to fill him with some rumours about me. I had no idea about it until I sensed a change in his behaviour. I confronted him and that's when he told me the lies Ahana had filled him with. I tried to convince him it was all a lie but the damage was already done. Everything started to fall apart and not able to take that shit any longer, I decided to break up.

He thought Ahana was right all along and accused my character. I was stunned to realize that the guy whom I loved more than myself can stoop so low. I was lost again and decided not to come to India soon.

And that's when Arpit and Bhaiya got to know the real face of Ahana. Pondering over these thoughts I went into a deep slumber.

The next few days passed by without any issue very much to my satisfaction. Ahana was too busy in her own life that she didn't bother me at all. The day of her wedding came and no one was happier than me.

Why?

Well, the day after her wedding I will be going back from all this mess.

Vritti and I were busy arranging our clothes when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Vritti said while I was stuffing my clothes in the bag.

"Hey." I heard the annoying voice of my cousin and groaned in displeasure.

"Hi," Vritti replied and I could tell without even looking at Vritti that she must have rolled her eyes.

"What are you both wearing tonight?"

"I thought to wear a bikini." I heard Vritti and couldn't stop myself from chuckling.

"Vritti." I heard the stern voice of my mother and I turned back only to find her with Ahana. Ahana must have some work from us and since she knows we won't be able to deny Mom she came with her only.

"It's fine Aunty. I love Vritti's jokes." This girl never fails to amaze us with her acting skills.

"Now tell me what you guys are wearing tonight?" It felt like an order. Why do I have to tell her what will I be wearing? Not able to take her attitude anymore I asked,

"And why do we have to show you our dresses?"

"Because I am the bride." The explanation she gave must be entered in the Guinness world book of records.

Raising my eyebrows I queried, "So?"

"Actually, I have bought dresses for you both and I want you both to wear that tonight." she kept two sets of dresses in front of us making me and Vritti shocked.

"I will not wear it. I am going to wear what Maasi has brought for me." I said as the parcel I received a week back from Vritti was a blue lehnga sent by Maasi for me.

"Come on guys, I have selected dresses for you. Can't you guys just listen to me last time?"

she pouted and was looking like a pig.

"You both should listen to your sister. She loves you both and if you can't fulfill her wish then there is no need to attend the marriage."

Mom said sternly while Ahana smirked at us. I found it to be a great idea but then the stupid relatives will get a reason to point our fingers at us so very reluctantly we had to agree.

"Ok, we will."

"Thanks." Beaming happily she left while Mom was still there.

"I am glad that you both agreed."

'As if we had a choice.' I thought but didn't put my words in front of her, instead, I said,

"It's fine mom and also I didn't want to create any scene."

After mom left I received a glare from my sister.

"Why did you agree, Di?"

"I guess I told the reason to mom."

"You shouldn't have."

"I didn't want to create any scene Vritti, and you know that."

"Yeah, but...."

"Leave it, sister, anyways we are leaving tomorrow so it's fine."

"I don't know what kind of a person you are. How can you be so unaffected?"

I smiled in response but the truth is I do get affected, every time, but I rather like to be silent as I don't believe in creating a mess out of everything.

Vritti went to have a shower and I put the blue lehenga back thinking that today is not the day for it. I will have to wear a dress given by Ahana only. I know why did she do that. The dress she just left was not so good, at least not to wear in the wedding and she will never allow anyone to look better in her wedding. I just wish something happens and I get to wear that blue lehnga tonight. Alas! It's just a wish.

The time passed by quickly and I and Vritti got ready for the marriage. I hadn't seen my brothers since morning as they were hell busy.

Both of us went outside as the time for the marriage had come. The groom with his family and relatives arrived and was guided to the stage. Soon Ahana arrived too dolled up in bridal attire and like every bride these days she danced on her entrance.

"That's so cliché," I commented.

"Agreed, but I will do this in my marriage," Vritti said while I chuckled.

I was looking here and there in search of my family but couldn't find anyone. It's strange, I thought.

After a while, I couldn't even find Sudhir Uncle as well. Ahana was so busy in her photoshoot that she didn't even notice the absence of her father.

"Vritti."

"Hmmm."

"Where is everyone?"

"Who?" she asked while being busy with the snacks.

"Arpit, Bhaiya, Mom, and everyone."

"I don't know, haven't seen them."

"It's weird, even Sudhir Uncle is not here."

"Really?" she asked and tried to look for him in the crowd.

"I think something is wrong, let's go and check."

"They must be here only, attending some guests Di, Lets's just stay here."

"I don't know. I am not getting good vibes. Please, let's check." I don't know why I was feeling that something wrong has happened. If it was either one or two-person I would have been fine but I haven't seen anyone of my family member and it didn't settle well with me. Knowing the fact that it was Ahana's marriage I was getting more scared.

"Ok, fine. You are very stubborn." As soon as Vritti agreed we went to look for our family members. I wish I would have stayed back and didn't take a step further towards my destruction.

We both were looking for our family members inside every room and last we heard some familiar voices coming from the top floor. Vritti and I went inside the room on the corner when we heard Bhaiya yelling.

"Enough, one word against her, and I will slash your throat."

I looked at Vritti horrified and both of us ran towards the source. I was left astounded looking at the scene in front of me. Bhaiya was holding Ankit's color and every family member of mine was there except Ahana's mom and my grandparents.

"Bhaiya."

Bhaiya looked at me shocked and then ordered," Anvi, go from here."

This was the first time I have seen Bhaiya like this as if he is ready to kill someone and Ankit, what was he doing there? All kinds of negative thoughts hovered my mind.

"Why? Are you scared that your sister's deeds will come out in open?" Ankit's words were not settling well with me. I was perplexed, scared, nervous.

"Vritti, take Anvi from here," Bhaiya ordered Vritti this time while I was stilled at my place.

"I am not telling any lie. I have shown you a proof." I heard a vaguely familiar voice. When my gaze fell upon the source I got numb, he was the same guy from the party who tried to molest me. Arpit was holding him and was looking angry.

Finally gathering some courage I asked, "What's going on?"

"Vritti, didn't you listen?" Bhaiya's voice roared making me and Vritti flinched.

"No one is going from here," Mom yelled and turned towards me. She was looking furiously at me as I have committed any crime.

"Badi Maa, don't listen to them. They surely are playing some dirty tricks." Arpit's words made me more perplexed.

"Oh really, then what about these photographs?" I heard the guy from the party. He was pointing at some of the photographs kept on the table. I walked to see what exactly those photographs were about and just when I glanced at them I was stunned.

They were the photographs of me kissing Ankit but some of the photographs were from the party when that guy was trying to kiss me, but in the pictures, it looked like I was the one trying to kiss him while he was reluctant.

"Anvi, tell me are these pictures real or not?" Mom's voice was calm, yet it scared me.

"Mom, what are you doing? Don't you trust her? These guys are trying to defame my sister, please don't listen to them."Bhaiya was pleading Mom.

Given the circumstances, I concluded that Ankit and that guy from the party were trying to defame me in front of my family. I was again tangled in a mess.

"Anvi, I asked you something." Mom's voice was a bit louder this time.

"Mom, I can explain" Everyone might be thinking wrong about me but I need to tell everybody what exactly had happened. I am certain they will believe me.

"I don't need any explanation. All I want to know is are these pictures real or not?"

"Bhabhi, please at least listen to her."

"No one will speak in between."This was the first time Mom raised her voice on Nivedita aunty.

"Bhabhi..." Even Uncle tried to intervene but cutting him off in mid mom yelled,

"Shivam, Wasn't I clear that I don't want to listen to anyone?"

After turning towards me Mom looked at me furiously, her eyes were filled with rage. Her aura sent shivers down my spine and I was shaking in fear. "Answer me, Anvi," she yelled. My eyes were filled with tears and all she wanted was to listen if the pictures were morphed or not.

"Mom, that day at the party...."

"Yes or No?"

"Yes." The moment I answered, I received a hard slap on my right cheek. The intensity of the slap was that strong that I fell.

"You have always been a disgrace to my family. It would have been better if you would have died in the accident 10 years ago."

Her words were piercing me. I don't know what wrong I have done possibly that my own mother is not ready to listen to me.

I got up with Vritti's help and in trembling voice, I tried to convince her,

"Mom, it.....its....not....like ....what...what you see."

"Oh really? Then tell me these pictures are not real. Say it." I couldn't deny it because the pictures were as real as me.

"Your silence answered me."

"Arpit and Adhayayan let them go," Mom ordered Bhaiya and Arpit to let the perpetrators go. Like every time she decided to believe an outsider over her daughter.

"But Mom..."

"Badi Maa, how can we?"

Though my brothers tried to intervene, it went all in vain.

"I said let them go."

"Bhabhi, there must have been some misunderstanding. Our Anvi is not like this" Even Sudhir Uncle knows what kind of a person I am but I guess mom has never time to know about her daughter, with whom she shares her blood.

"Shivam and Sudhir come with me and no one of you are going out till I say." Mom left while Sudhir and Shivam Uncle followed her.

"Anvi." Nivedita Aunty called and enveloped me into a hug.

"Aunt....aunty, it's not....not...like what's in the pictures."

"I know beta, I trust you." Everyone here trusts me except the one person whose trust I have lost long ago, without any fault of mine.

"Then why can't Mo..mom trust me?"

"She will. Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Bhaiya, Arpit, Vritti, Maasi and, Aunty were consoling me, giving me hopes, trying to cheer me up but the feeling that something more is going to happen didn't let me at ease. I told them everything that exactly had happened to me at the party.

"I will kill that bastard." Arpit gritted his teeth in anger while Bhaiya was about to go to catch him again when Mom came back.

"Ritu, Anvi has told us everything about the pictures. You should listen to her." Maasi thought that maybe Mom will listen to her. I also hadn't lost the last string of hope.

"Niharika and Vritti, make Anvi ready. She is getting married today."

"What?"

"Mom."

Everyone was shocked and I thought I overheard.

"Bhabhi, what are you saying?" Nivedita Aunty asked. I was waiting for mom to say that she was ready to listen to me at least once but it was undoubtedly an unending wait.

"You all heard it right. Anvi Shekhar is getting married today." Mom spatted those words angrily while glaring at me.

"Ritu, are you out of your mind?" Maasi almost yelled at Mom.

"I was out of my mind before and now I have come back to my senses. Thanks to certain someone." That comment was directed towards me. I was seeing someone new instead of my mother. She didn't look like my mother at all. Mom will hate me but she can never do something like this.

"Bhabhi, think about Anvi at least." Sudhir Uncle was trying his level best to convince Mom but she wasn't ready to listen.

"When she didn't think about me then how can I?"

"Mom, what are you saying, marriage and Anvi? What the hell is going on Mom?" Bhaiya tried to talk to her, to make her realize its wrong but everyone's pleading fell onto deaf ears.

"I have talked to someone willing to accept her as his daughter-in-law."

Gathering the leftover courage I said in my feeble voice, "Mom, you can't do this."

"I can and I am doing it."

"Mom, plea..please. I will...I will...do whatever you say but please not this."

"After bringing shame to our family, you expect me to even listen to you?"

"Shame? Mom, I did not do anything wrong." My voice was stern and I was more than hurt because of her words. I didn't do anything wrong. How could she say that I brought shame to the family?

"SHUT UP! You don't want to do it, fine. I will break all my ties with you at this instant if you will not agree. The choice is yours."

And that's when I knew I will have to give in.

Everyone went silent hearing it. I still didn't know how to convince her.

"Mom, please, What are you saying?"

"Adhayayan don't meddle in."

"Bhabhi, you are not thinking straight. She is Anvi, our Anvi. At least, listen to her."

"Nivedita handle your son don't teach me how to handle my daughter's life. This is between me and Anvi."

"Ritu, you are doing wrong."

"Please look after Vritti, instead of teaching me right and wrong."

Mom made everyone shut their mouth and I became a spectator of my doom. Everyone's pleadings were worthless.

Turning towards me Mom asked, "Anvi, what do you want? I won't stop you if you decide to walk out."

Pausing for a bit she asked me again,

"Do you want me to break all my ties with you?"

"No, mom.No" I shook my head as tears trickled down. Everyone there was watching me helpless. All of them pitied me, though I didn't need it. And mom, well she has become a stone-hearted person.

"Good then, Vritti, make her ready."

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Nikhil

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After we reached the wedding venue, we danced our hearts out at the entrance and even Adhiraj Bhaiya joined us. I was not able to join the bachelorette party as I had to go to the doctor with my pretty grandma. I was not ready to attend the marriage since she is ill but she forced me to come and even advised me to bring a sweet and kind daughter-in-law for her. I told Dia about this, and she was extremely excited at the idea of meeting my family. I guess grandma's wish will come soon true. I don't want to get married yet, but for grandma, I can get engaged at least and I know Dia will be more than ecstatic hearing all this.

As I was deeply immersed in my thoughts, I didn't notice my parent's absence for long.

"Nirvana, where are dad and mom?"

"They must be here only, meeting with some guests."

I moved my gaze but couldn't find anyone of them."They are not here."

"So, what's the problem?"

"I haven't seen them for the last 30 minutes."

"They are not kids, Bhaiya." He was right but at least they would have informed us.

Smacking his head I said, "I know dumbo, but they just disappeared without informing us."

"You think about it, I am going to eat something." Saying this he went towards the food corner and I decided to look for them. I took out my phone and called dad. Fortunately, he picked up on the first ring but the noise didn't let me hear his voice. The call got disconnected soon and I decided its better look for them.

As I was moving towards the house a kid came towards me and held the hem of my kurta. I looked down and he gestured me to go near him.

Bending down I asked, "What happened champ?"

"Is your name Nikhil Arora?"

"Yes." I was wondering how does he know me?

"Your dad has sent me to call you."

"My dad?"

"Yes, come with me please."

I followed the kid to the destination. He stopped outside a room and gestured me to go inside. I was hoping it wasn't a prank by the girl's side. I went inside and found my parents who were looking tensed.

"....I am still saying that think one more time."

"I have contemplated over it, Malini. You out of all people very well know that I don't take any decision in haste."

They both were serious and talking about something. I made them aware of my presence by asking,

"Mom, Dad, what's going on?"

"Nikhil, will you do something for me?" dad asked.

"What?"

"Just tell me if I ask you for something will you grant my wish?" A wish? What are these guys up to?

"You are scaring me, dad."

"Just answer me, please." the seriousness in his voice was making me feel weird.

"Okay, okay. I will do anything for you."

"Then you have to get married." I thought he was really serious about something but here he was talking about my marriage. I was getting the idea of being pranked by my family.

Shaking my head I smiled and said, "I thought its something serious."

"It's not a joke." Mom said.

"You will have to get married." dad said sternly. They were acting flawlessly and I decided to play along.

"Ok, I will," I replied thinking that they might get shocked by me agreeing to it but what he said next shook the ground beneath me.

"Today."

"What?" I yelled in shock and surprise but then I thought it might be a part of the prank. Since I played along they tried to scare me more.

"Now, I am sure its a prank. Nirvana come out, I know you are making a video." I yelled scanning the room, looking for my brother.

"He is not here and we will not joke about something serious like this." Mom's voice was stern and she looked sad making it clear that it was not a joke.

Dad told me he has to pay a debt to someone and for that, I will have to get married to that person's daughter, but as far as I know, you pay the debt through monetary amount. All of this seemed unethical to me, for me, and for that girl as well.

"Dad, I can't. This is wrong."

"You don't have a choice son. This is our time to pay the debt." Dad's words were not making any sense to me. How can he expect me to marry someone whom I have never met? Leave the meeting, I don't even know her name.

"Do you even know what you are talking about?"

"I am very well aware of that, and if your final answer is No, then fine, don't forget you are not my only son." I couldn't believe his words he just said. If not me, he was ready to make Nirvana ready for it.

And that's when I realize I will have to give in.

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Author

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Without proper explanation and any fault, both of them were made to agree for the holy matrimony. What was their fault? Nothing, they both were innocent. But sometimes we have to pay the price for the sins we never committed and that's what happened with Anvi and Nikhil.

Both of them are poles apart and yet they are being tied together. But did any forced marriage has ever be able to sustain?

It's not going to be easy, for either of them. From mere strangers to being a husband and wife, their journey has undoubtedly been a roller coaster ride.

But...But...But, the journey has not even started. It was all just a trailer.