Chapter Five

Roshni

"They're definitely here!" Isha squealed and I suddenly became very nervous. It would be the first time seeing him.

Will  I be able to do this? What if I'm not his type or worst his family comes to dislike me when they see me?. – these questions invaded my mind.

Vid must have sense my nervousness, she came closer to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don't be nervous, Rosh, everything will be fine" she assured.

"Thanks Vid." I appreciated, placing my hand on hers which was still my shoulder.

Minutes later, the house help came to my room and inform me that the guests have arrived and mom wanted  me to come down quickly.

I can do this.

I can do this.

I can do this.

I chanted repeatedly in an attempt to calm my nervousness and muster some confidence.

Are you really sure you can do this or you're just convincing yourself you can when you obviously can't? My subconscious questioned.

"Come on, Rosh, let's get moving." Vid said pulling me out from my trance.

I took a deep breath.

You can do this, you're  excited to meet my future husband. – I reminded myself as we stood up and made our way downstairs.

While my friends and I were approaching, I saw a middle aged man and a woman sitting beside him – the same woman who was introduced last week as Rajveer's mum.

They must be Raj's parents – I gathered.

My gaze darted to a very fair skinned,  handsome young man sitting on our couch. His hair was neatly styled and his lips were slightly pouted and pink in colour. Beside him, was a girl of about my age with a scrunched up face.

Is he Raj?

He definitely is, I can tell by his dressing.

He is so handsome and.......

"Rosh, come on, let's go. You can stare at him all you want after everything has been finalized." Vid said.

I didn't even realized I stopped walking. I quickly averted my gaze to the floor and blushed at what she just said.

All the guests had arrived and all eyes were on me when I finally approached them. I felt like falling down on my face. I wished the floor would just open and engulf me. I was shaking with nervousness.

"Don't be nervous, bestie." Vid whispered into my ear.

"Thanks Vid, for the support." I smiled. I didn't know what I would do without her.

"We are best friends for a reason." she smiled back.

I finally looked up and my eyes met with the person I assumed to be Rajveer. I wanted to keep looking at him to memorize his face, his handsome face, but he looked away immediately.

I wonder why he did that! Could he be disappointed in the way I look? I asked myself.

You need to stop feeling insecure about your looks. You're perfect just the way you're. – a voice in my mind whispered.

After everyone was done with greetings and all, the engagement ceremony started. We exchanged rings awkwardly, then the elders advised we spend some time together and get to know more of each other.

He looked disgusted by the idea, but I didn't put any meaning to the expression he had on. I guessed it was just me thinking that.

We excused ourselves, then walked out to the garden, but none of us said a word to each other, I decided to break the deafening silence in the atmosphere. Maybe he was shy to do so – I gathered. Before I could talk, he cleared his throat and to my surprise, he started speaking.

"Roshni, I guess that's your name?" He asked with a blank expression

"Yes." I replied, shyly.

"I'm sorry for what I am about to tell you right now, I just don't want you having misconceptions about this marriage." He cleared his throat once more.

"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled.

"I don't fancy beating about the bush, so I will go straight to the point. I don't like you and I want to get married to you either. I agreed to do this only because my mum requested that of me and I couldn't say no." He stated, emotionlessly. 

I thought I was told he agreed to the marriage and was also happy for it. What suddenly changed?

"What are you trying to say?" I asked, trying to get things straight.

"You shouldn't have any expectation from me or from this marriage because I'm sure it won't last." he said, shattering my heart into pieces.

I was so excited about this day, I didn't expect my husband to be saying all he did to me today. "If you don't want this marriage, then why did you allow the engagement take place." I asked with furrowed brows.

"As I said before, because my mom is very important to me and I couldn't say no to her wishes." he answered

"Why are you just telling me all these now? You could have looked for me and—"

"Would you have cancel everything?" He asked, cutting me off.

"Yes, I would, but now it's too late, how will I be able to tell my parents I don't want to get married to you after the engagement has already been done?" I questioned.

"I'm not forcing or asking you to cancel anything. If you wish to, you can. I'm just telling you how I feel about you and this marriage of a thing." he said, heartlessly.

My feelings didn't matter to him and now it was too late. I had already began to fall in love with him even before I saw him.

"Excuse me." he said and within a blink of an eyes, he was gone.

I sat down on a nearby bench and tears started falling from my eyes subconsciously.

I was told he was excited, then how comes he doesn't like me even a bit!

I just can't tell my parent I don't want to get married anymore, they would be disappointed and hurt, I will have to put their feelings above mine and just go ahead and get married to Raj regardless of what he said.

I will be stuck to a man who doesn't love me. Love? Scratch that. A man who doesn't even like me a bit.

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