The Past

"I will not marry him. At any cost," Hridhaya said, her voice firm, but her hands curled into fists.

Abhishek cast her a sharp look, and said, "Hridhaya, not in front of everyone. Behave. What will Karthick sir think?"

"What do I think?" Karthick scoffed, arms crossed, his jaw tightening in irritation. "Marrying her would be worse than jumping into crocodile-infested water. At least the crocodiles would spare me once they're full. She, on the other hand, would never stop. She's a loudspeaker—she'd tear my eardrums apart."

Hridhaya's nostrils flared, her eyes blazing as she turned to him, voice dripping with venom. "Oh, really? Did you forget your name is not Karthick Aryan and it's just Karthick? You are not any dream husband I am dying to have. I'd rather suffer through soggy pani puri every day for the rest of my life than spend even a second being your wife. Marrying you would be a hostage situation!"

Karthick let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head in mock pity. "And marrying you would be a lifetime imprisonment."

The tension in the room was thick, and the irritation in everyone's eyes was unmistakable. Raj Kumar, already exasperated, slammed his hand on the table. "Enough! Both of you, shut up!" His voice thundered through the hall. "Shradha ji is ready to take up the job heading an art school in the U.S., but she won't go because she's worried about Hridhaya. So we thought, since Abhishek and Sakshi are getting married, why not both of you too? But instead of acting like adults, you two are bickering like children. Why do you guys actually hate each other so much?"

Prerna sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, there's no real reason for their hatred. They've been fighting since childhood. Now it's just a habit. Even if there is no reason they find one and begin to irritate each other. Grow up both of you."

Hridhaya and Karthick turned to look at each other, and for the first time, there was something unspoken in their gazes.

It was true—they had been at war for so long, they didn't even remember how it began. Their entire childhood had been spent under the same roof—Hridhaya and Abhishek practically grew up in the Kumar house while Shradha worked tirelessly to provide for them. Raj Kumar and Prerna being the kind and sweet neighbors took care of both the kids and let them play with their kids when Shradha was away.

"Dad," Karthick spoke, rubbing his temple. "We don't like each other. This marriage will be a catastrophe."

Raj exhaled sharply. "Fine. We will discuss this at home. Hridhaya can talk to her family as well."

Hridhaya turned to him, voice like steel. "Uncle, there's nothing to discuss. I will not marry this cranky Karthick."

Karthick smirked, rolling his eyes. "The feeling is mutual, havoc Hridhaya."

The Present

The wedding hall blurred around her as Hridhaya walked down the aisle, her feet moving forward while her heart screamed to run the other way.

She sat beside him, her back stiff, her fingers ice-cold. This wasn't a wedding. This was her funeral. The death of her dreams. The death of the life she wanted.

Karthick lifted the nuptial chain and placed it around her neck. She felt its weight like a shackle binding her forever.

Then came the holy vermillion.

The moment his fingers brushed against her forehead, her eyes snapped shut.

This is it.

Her world had ended.

Her future, her career, her freedom—gone.

********

The Reception

She stood in her bridal attire, feeling like a doll on display. Fake smiles, forced greetings—everything around her felt detached from reality. When she was mourning her wedding, here there were 1000 jobless aunties and uncles who celebrated it or drank wine to forget the miseries of their marriage lives.

Across the room, Sakshi and Abhishek sat together. They both got married 2 days prior as it was perfect according to both their horoscope. They were both giggling, blushing, glowing with happiness. He pulled her for a hug and said something in her ears and she blushed red. Typically like how a newly wed bride should be. Some people's fate is better. They don't mourn about their marriage she thought.

She turned to Karthick.

He wasn't even looking at her.

The man she was tied to for life had the same indifferent expression he always wore. No affection. No warmth. Nothing. He hated her enough that he will never have any love or desire for her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. This was not how her love story was supposed to be.

She had spent years lost in Wattpad stories, dreaming of soul-shattering romance. The kind that made your heart ache and set your soul on fire. A hero who would drop to his knees, who would profess his love, like a cliched Bollywood movie. But this was not Bollywood movie. This was like a tragic documentary that wins so many awards but sitting through it will be like hell.

She was Married to a man who wouldn't even spare her a glance.

Tears burned her eyes. She excused herself, rushing to the bathroom.

Sakshi, ever observant, followed.

Hridhaya gripped the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The red of her wedding attire felt like a wound that wouldn't heal.

Sakshi placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"My brother is not as bad as you think," she said softly.

Hridhaya let out a bitter laugh. "Sakshi, I cannot imagine a life with him. My career, my peace—everything is over. I will be nothing but a decorative piece in his life. Your brother will never let me have an identity of my own."

Sakshi sighed. "You're only seeing his hard exterior. He's better than you think. He's far better than your own brother. Trust me."

Hridhaya shook her head. "Even if we learn to tolerate each other, it'll be just surviving. I will never get the kind of love I want. That Wattpad kind of love. Do you think your brother will let go all his ego and go on his knees for me? He will ever say I am his world?"

Sakshi hesitated, unable to promise something she wasn't sure of.

Hridhaya gave a sad smile. "See? Even you know that won't happen."

Sakshi lowered her eyes. "Then why did you say yes?"

Hridhaya's expression softened.

"I said yes for Mumma."

Her voice wavered as she continued, "She became a single mother when I was born. She gave up her life, her dreams, her happiness, all for us. Even now, she refused to take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because she didn't want to leave me alone.

If this marriage frees her from a lifetime of struggle, takes her off all the responsibilities, if it finally gives her a chance to live for herself, then so be it.

She deserves to be happy, to live her life atleast a little, she deserves that happiness, even if I never will be."

Sakshi's throat tightened. She pulled Hridhaya into a tight hug.

"Things will get better," she whispered.

Sakshi smiled through her tears. "And I'm pretty sure you'll change my Kadoos Kumar brother."

Hridhaya rolled her eyes. "Fat chance."

Hridhaya let out a hollow laugh. "I was so engrossed in my miseries that, I almost forgot that my best friend just became my sister-in-law."

Sakshi giggled. "Okay, fine, but tell me, when are you joining my brother in Dubai?"

"I will join him in 4 months after the Bcom course is over."

"I really don't know what is going to happen to my studies now. I have 1.5more years left in my engineering. "Hridhaya's face fell.

Sakshi frowned. "Why not?"

Hridhaya scoffed. "You think your brother and parents will have no problem in me completing it?"

Before Sakshi could answer, a voice from outside called, "The bride has been missing for too long!"

Hridhaya straightened, wiping her tears. "Let's go. Time to put on my doll face again."

******

The Wedding Night

It was night, and Sakshi led Hridhaya to Karthick's bedroom, fully decorated with flowers and candles.

The moment Hridhaya stepped inside, she froze.

Heart-shaped balloons floated everywhere, making it look like a Valentine's Day clearance sale. The entire bed was drowning in rose petals, lilies, carnations and soft candlelight flickered, casting warm, golden glows that made the room feel uncomfortably intimate.

She frowned.

It looked like a set from a Karan Johar movie.

So stupid. So dramatic.

Even if a couple had to do something on the bed, there were so many flowers they would have to clear a path just to sit down, let alone do anything else.

Who even decided that a couple's first night bed should be decorated like this?

Hridhaya's stomach twisted. And even the thought of spending intimate time here with Karthick...

She felt physically sick.

She turned to Sakshi, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Does even Karthick know his room is decorated like this? This is absurd."

Sakshi wiggled her eyebrows, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, come on, Hridhaya, it's perfect. The soft bed, the low lights, the scent of roses... You have been reading so many wattpad stories, not to mention you have started writing stories now......can't you just picture if your heroine and hero have this setup?"

Hridhaya narrowed her eyes. "Picture what exactly?"

Sakshi grinned. "You. Him. This bed. You know... some proper wedding night action. "

Hridhaya gasped, scandalized. "Sakshi just sometime back I told you that me and your brother can never have a love story!"

"What about a lust story? Like how the love story starts with one-night stand?" she teased. Sakshi giggled shamelessly. "What?! I'm just saying, this setup is made for a passionate night of exploring each other." She leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "And I do mean... exploring."

Hridhaya turned red. "Sakshi, shut up!"

Sakshi pouted. "Fine, fine, but I hope you realize that this is literally the perfect setting for sinful things. I mean, imagine it... the tension, the slow touches, the—"

Hridhaya clamped her hands over her ears. "Sakshi I don't want to kill you and make my brother widower."

Before Sakshi could continue, the door creaked open.

Karthick walked in.

His eyes scanned the room once before pinching the bridge of his nose. "What the hell......."

Hridhaya exhaled sharply. "Finally, something we agree on."

Karthick rubbed his temples, his expression dark. "Now my room looks like a Bollywood wedding song set."

Sakshi grinned wickedly. "Oh, a steamy one."

Karthick's gaze snapped to her. "What?"

Sakshi shrugged, trying to look innocent. "You might put your differences aside for tonight. Who knows you might start seeing each other with a naked....i mean new perspective....."

Hridhaya let out a strangled sound. "Sakshi!!"

Karthick rolled his eyes. "Sakshi, get out."

Sakshi winked at Hridhaya before slipping out the door.

Karthick groaned. "I hate your best friend."

Hridhaya whirled to face him. "I hate my best friend's brother. The only mode he gets activated on is grumpy mode."

Karthick smirked. "Why do you want to see some other mode?" He started walking towards her as he began to unbutton his kurta.