Today is my wedding with my cousin, Vinay. He is my bua's son. I don't like him. I get really weird vibes when I talk with him. I mean, only I talk—he never does. He only tries to check me out or touch me, which I find disgusting. I told my mother about this, but she said this is normal and told me, "Don't say no to him." I obeyed her, but I can't. He just disgusts me.
No one asked for my consent for this marriage. They just told me that I'm going to be married because I am of marriageable age now. I also didn't try to protest because, in truth, everyone in our village gets married at this age or earlier. But I'm scared of what will happen after marriage.
Right now, I am being adorned as a bride by my bhabi. She is the sweetest—she always supports me. I am wearing a red lehenga adorned with golden embroidery and gold jewelry. I am satisfied with my look.
Akash POV:
I am waiting for my mom. She wants to go to her friend's daughter's wedding, but my papa refused, saying, "Thakurs don't go to local people's homes," and left. I saw her crying, and my heart ached. I told her I would take her, and she became really happy. I know they are childhood friends and promised each other to be present at their kids' weddings.
Finally, my mom came, and we are on the way. She is speaking about her childhood and the promises they made, but my mind is elsewhere. We reached the venue.
My mom got busy with the ladies. I sat on a chair, waiting for my friend Vivek.
Everyone here is greeting me (as you know, I am the sarpanch of the village).
"Missing me?" I heard an annoying voice behind me. I knew it was Vivek.
"No," I replied.
"Come on, Akash, I am meeting you after freaking one whole month!" he said dramatically, showing his finger.
"Shut up and come sit," I said, moving aside. He sat, and we started talking. Suddenly, he said:
Vivek: Are you okay? Akash: What happened to me? I'm fine. Vivek: Are you okay being here at the wedding of the girl you like? Akash:Like or love—maybe both. "What nonsense are you saying? People will hear!" Vivek: I'm your friend. I know how you look at her. Akash: Aha? How? Vivek: Like she is the world to you. Whenever she comes across, you forget everything going on around you. Akash: Do I? Of course, you do, idiot.
I kept looking at him, thinking about how to answer that.
Vivek: Why didn't you reach out to her? Akash: I didn't know how to. Vivek: What do you mean? Akash: Well, you know I never liked this whole girls' thing. But she is the only girl who makes my heart restless—whether I see her or not. But she always looks scared of me. She never even looked at me properly. Once, I tried to talk to her, but she didn't reply. Then I heard about her cousin Vinay's relationship with her, so I thought she didn't like me. Vivek: Only that reason? Akash: Yeah. Plus, I know papa won't agree. But that didn't stop me. I'm a Thakur—I get what I want.
Before Vivek could speak, my mom came toward me, looking worried.
I stood up and asked, "What happened, Maa?"
She looked around, trying to speak, but no words came out.
Then, I saw her.
She looked ethereal, as if she embodied the grace and beauty of a goddess. Her fair skin glowed softly, and her large, dark eyes, framed by long lashes, drew attention to her delicate features, giving her an air of innocence and elegance.
She looked like she was MINE.
But her eyes—her eyes looked worried. Slowly, tears started filling them. People around her were talking.
I looked at my mom for an explanation, and what she said shocked me but also relieved me.
The groom is NOT present. No one could find him.
I looked at her again. She was crying now. Everyone around her was accusing her and her family, saying, "There must be some fault in your daughter; that's why the groom left her."
Fault? What fucking fault? She is perfect in every way.
The moment I heard this, I shouted and went near them.
Akash: What's happening? People: Sarpanch saab, the groom is missing. No one can reach him. Akash: (to the groom's father) What is this? Father: I don't know, saab. I'm also searching for him. I reached out to all his friends—no one can reach him.
People murmuring: "Her life is destroyed." "She is at fault. She must have done something, or why would the groom not come?" "Maybe the groom was forced into this." "Now, who will marry her?"
I looked at her. She was crying in her mother's arms. My heart ached.
My mom looked at me with tears in her eyes, silently pleading with me.
I know what she was asking. Maybe this is it—this is what is written in our FATE.
Avani POV:
What's happening? Everyone around me is taunting me. I did nothing wrong.
And then, I saw him coming toward us, shouting at people.
He was wearing a black kurta. His skin was a rich, dusky tone, adding warmth and depth to his features. His black beard was neatly groomed, and his thick, dark hair was styled with care.
I have always been scared to look at him or talk to him—I don't know why.
He was looking at his mother. I think she was trying to say something. Suddenly, he said something that made my heart STOP.
NO. NO. Is he being FORCED?
This is the first chapter of Threads of Misunderstanding.
I am new to writing, and English is not my first language, so please bear with me.
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