Chapter 02

Aira

With each step I took towards the palace, I found myself more drowned into the wedding feels.

The floral decorations were perfect and neat with the fairy lights giving it the best spark.

The lake that walked along, could steal anybody's heart. It was calm yet alive in its own way and the moon light lit it amazingly.

Everybody was ethically dressed, their attire itself giving major festive vibes.

I walked with my hands folded into a 'namaste' as I bowed to most people I came across. I didn't know any of them but they were supposed to be my in-laws's relatives.

"Aira." Virat's mother chirped, turning around at me.

Her smile was bright like stars as if she couldn't get more happy.

I hardly remembered meeting her properly still she seemed to be really fond of me. I was her choice, and she was the one who rang the wedding bells for me.

She hugged me briefly before I bent down to touch her feet.

" You look pretty." She kissed my forehead.

" Thank you." I smiled. She had always been really warm towards me.

" Hii..Bhabhi.." Veronica, my sister in-law almost bounced on me for a hug.

" Hello, Miss." I grinned at her with more spirit. I wanted to treat them the

best way they deserved.

" Firstly, come and meet Bhai." She pulled me by my hand all of a sudden. " Come on, how can you two not be talking already. It's just seven days to your wedding."

I followed her hesitantly as she took a lead restlessly.

" Bhai?" She called from behind a bunch of boys standing in a circle.

She sided, revealing me as soon as they shifted.

The 'oh' that escaped Virat's lips at my sight didn't go unnoticed. He smiled awkwardly at me and I had the same to return.

He looked more shocked and irresolute than me, probably because the only time we met or had a conversation was seventeen days before, where we first saw each other and we only talked about work and today we were standing together to get married.

It might sound really stupid and bizarre in the present decade but none of us were really bothered. We didn't try to strike any conversation any time.

I was fighting against my own odds and he might have his own reasons as well. We certainly didn't have time to explore each other.

" Hello." His friends introduced themselves to me one after the other and I politely smiled at them.

I felt really jittery and nervous knowing I was under his constant gaze. He was glancing at me every now and then and I had nothing to offer.

" Your wedding is old school, but come on Virat don't pretend. We know you don't wait getting into pants and here you haven't even talked?" One of his friend made a bold remark, earning a death glare from Virat.

An evil chuckle slipped my tongue, curious about the newly discovered story.

Also he looked undeniably cute the way he tried to scare and shut his friend.

" Don't frighten her, Virat is sober kind of a guy with only a few flings here and there. You can't deny companionship when you fly country to country alone." Rohan defended him while playing around.

I nodded my head, agreeing nonetheless.

I wanted Virat to had a past harbouring tons of love affairs and mush spree so that my life could look a little justifying. I wanted to draw a balance between our lives.

I wanted him to have a tale of himself so that he could understand mine and never interfere in it.

I had no intentions of dragging Asher and my relationship with him into this marriage at any time in present or in future.

It was something very sacred and pure beyond anything and everything this world could hold.

It was mine and I couldn't share it with anyone.

I knew I could never give him or any one rights over the core of my heart that belonged to Asher.

Though it was high time for my heart to make some space for Virat.

" I'm impressed by the way you put forth me in front of her." He intruded in a gruff voice. " Friends, I see."

" Let them, when you aren't ready to help yourself." Veronica shot back. She appeared to be more keen and serious about the matter.

" Calm munchkin." He ticked her nose. "I'd help myself. She'd prefer knowing me by myself."

We tucked into a small eye contact when my mother called me from behind.

I excused myself from everyone, finally moving back towards our part of the hotel.

I needed to be alone badly now. The day had passed and I was required to recollect myself.

My phone beeped, notifying a message before I could start brooding further.

It was from Virat and that startled me.

Virat

You look beautiful.

Thank you:-)

I didn't want him to stretch the chat and thankfully he didn't.

Honestly, I wasn't prepared to be with him yet.

I knew I was wrong to do whatever I was doing. I was playing with lives and emotions but I couldn't see any other option.

" Where do you get lost?" Ridhima clicked her thumb, snapping me out.

"Nothing." I tried to evade the topic.

" Okay.." I paused, half smiling, half bewildered. I touched the hands covering my eyes, trying to identify them but I couldn't.

There were many guests to come and I couldn't point at this one.

" Umm..Esha!" I purely guessed after wondering for about a minute.

" That's such a bad fluke." Esha spoke, removing her hand from my face.

" Helllooo.." She greeted my enthusiastically, hugging me tightly.

" Hii." My response was dull as usual. She was always full of energy unlike me.

Generally, I was happy around people I loved but this time I wasn't because a piece of me wasn't there with me.

" Why is she so sick always?" Esha rolled her eyes, meeting Ridhima.

" She is being grumpy, moody and sulking for no reason. I'm done with her but I'm glad you are here now." She complained and I just didn't pay any attention.

" Yes, we'd enjoy to the full. Best friend ki shadi hai.." She danced and I giggled, shoving her away.

" You know, she only be happy when she is around Virat's family, rest all the time, she sits with a dead face." Ridhima continued to bemoan.

I sighed, getting up. " I'd change and come." I was exhausted, mentally as well as physically.

" No. First introduce me to Virat." Esha demanded.

" I'd tomorrow." I had no wish to explain, argue or deny.

" Not fair. You haven't even shown me his picture?"

" Esha, tomorrow."

" Fine." She huffed. " Let me meet Aunty and everybody else."

She went along with Ridhima and I trailed back to my room.

I washed my face over and over again before quickly changing into a more comfortable light blue, chikan kurta with white salwar.

I sat at the edge of the bed, straightening my legs.

I was totally drained and drained to the extent that I couldn't feel anything but the way my body severely ached.

It was ten and another day had passed so effortlessly that it hurt.

I was only a few more days away from my marriage; only a few more days away from being completely detached and separated from Asher.

But was that this simple?

Because I was making it impeccably easy.

I hadn't cried in a while, I hadn't felt my heart break in a while and that worried me like nothing.

I was numb and all I yearned for was Asher's voice.

I had called him ample of times but his phone was switched off.

I had no clue where he was, how he was and my mind was only chasing the worse as if anything more unfortunate was left to happen.

I picked up my iPhone to try again but the knock on the door stopped me.

I opened the door to Shubh, my cousin.

" Was any of your friend suppose to come today?" He asked, and my heart began to thump harder.

" Yeah, no. I don't know. Why?" I interrogated as calmly as I could.

" No, nothing. I just saw a guy parking his car. He looked like your friend so thought of informing you."

" Thank you. I'd check." I feigned a smile not letting the shock take over my features.

My insides crumpled with the thought of it being Asher.

" Di?"

" Yes?" I puffed.

" Smile more."

Tears whirled in my eyes hearing him but nevertheless I smiled.

I rushed down stairs to the parking lot as soon as Shubh left.

I couldn't wait more or I could die if it wasn't him.

" Asher?" I called breathless.

He was taking off his luggage, his back towards me but how could I not recognise him.

He stopped in his tracks, hearing my cracking voice.

I was panting heavily not because I had run but because I was feeling alive after days.

I dashed towards him, hiding myself into his chest.

He was too stupefied to react instantly. It was only after a moment that his hands gradually embraced me.

I choked as tears trickled down my checks onto his shirt.

My hold on his shirt only tightened as he held me more possessively each second.

His hand rubbed my back tenderly as I cried incessantly.

I didn't want to leave him but I pulled back to look into his eyes.

I wanted to read his eyes and know the damage already done to us. I wanted to know how much he hated me. I wanted to gauge how broken he was but all I could see was holy, innocent love that twinkled in his excruciated eyes.

They were red and weary, all dried and brittle. They were almost dead with everything but they held me with the same affection and glitter.

" I thought you'd never come?" I stuttered, gathering some courage.

" I didn't want to." He rested his forehead on mine, closing his eyes.

It was like we were sipping venom, drop by drop.

" But I didn't wanna miss the last chance. I don't wanna kill my hopes until you are really gone. I wanna try hard, give my best until you come back to me." He slurred and my heart pricked, falling into a deep-dreary pit.

I knew he was giving false hopes to himself. I knew he was only making it worse for himself because there was no way I could back off.

How long could I let him fool himself?

How long could I not accept the reality?

There was no way we could be together.

There never was.

" Asher, we can't." I spoke the truth with fragility.

His eyes shot open with rage.

I knew he wanted to scream and shout, fight and argue but he stayed quiet looking into my eyes.

"Aira." A shudder rolled down my spine at the fuming, harsh voice.

The daze ended and I felt Asher's hand slip from my back. I realised we were too proximate and I pulled back abruptly.

I turned behind to my uncle who stared at us unpleasantly.

" Chachu, Asher.." I tried to make up. "My friend."

He came forward, scrutinising.

" We work together in Australia."

" Only one friend?" He looked agitated.

" Others are coming tomorrow. I took an early flight." Asher answered, distancing himself from me.

" Okay." He looked at me suspiciously. " Come inside."