ZOYA

"But Dad, I didn’t change the theme!" I protested, my voice rising in frustration. The wedding theme had been abruptly shifted from soft pastels to bold reds, and somehow, I was being held responsible for the decision made the night before. How could I have made such a significant change when I hadn’t even been aware of the original theme?

I shot a glance at Anirudh, seated across from me with an air of nonchalance. I had a nagging suspicion that he was the mastermind behind this theme switch and had cleverly shifted the blame onto me. Apparently, I was the one that had called the wedding planner last night, but I don't even have their contacts.

My father continued his lecture, about how I was attempting to sabotage the wedding, while Anirudh remained lost in his own world, showing no sign of interest in the situation or in me. To be honest, I felt the same way. Our relationship was merely an arrangement, devoid of any real connection.

“Are you even listening?” Dad's voice escalated, pulling me back to reality. “Uh, yes,” I replied, nodding absently. “And don’t you dare take any cases until after the wedding.” I nodded again, knowing fully well what came next. “After that?” I asked, even though I was already aware of the answer.

“It will be Anirudh’s choice. If he allows it, then you can continue working.” I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to retort as I glared at Anirudh, who simply raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips as if he found amusement in my predicament. Why had I even bothered with my education?

An hour later, Anirudh finally took his leave after wrapping up the last of the wedding discussions. I shut the bedroom door behind me and sank onto my bed, grappling with the reality that I was about to get married. Married. To someone I barely knew and with whom I had no compatibility.

I had known since childhood that this day would come, yet I had always hoped it wouldn’t. But here I was, facing the truth. I wasn’t foolish enough to expect love from Anirudh, especially not in our world but I had at least hoped for some semblance of compatibility. Clearly, that was too much to ask for.

My phone buzzed, jolting me from my thoughts. I swiped at my eyes, realizing a few tears had escaped. Quickly wiping them away, I answered the call. “Bol,” I said, walking over to the window. “We need to go dress shopping for tomorrow,” Unnati chirped, her excitement palpable even though I was the bride.

Tomorrow marked my Haldi ceremony, and I felt like a bride whose lehenga had been run over by a bus. “I don’t want to,” I replied, observing the crowd of workers outside, already planning my impending fate. Every event, including the wedding, would take place in our spacious backyard, which could accommodate a large number of guests. My father wanted to avoid any risk of being seen outside, especially with high-profile clients present to witness my transition from one cage to another.

“Oh, come on! You said you’d enjoy these final days,” Unnati reminded me, pausing my thoughts. “I… I did enjoyed yesterday,” I admitted, my cheeks flushing as I recalled the kiss from the night before. Wait, Zoya, really? Since when did you start daydreaming about a mere kiss? But it had been a remarkable kiss... Stop!

“And you’ll enjoy today too! Remember, the horror begins tomorrow?” she said, as if I needed reminding. “Fine! I’ll head out at 4,” I sighed, feeling defeated. I had no energy left to argue with anyone today.

After ending the call, I began packing my bags. In just two days, my life would change irrevocably, and the worst part was that I could do nothing but watch.

5 p.m.

“Try this one,” Unnati urged, handing me yet another yellow lehenga. This one was a lovely mix of yellow and white with intricate flower patterns, but I had zero interest in trying it on. “No,” I said, shoving the lehenga into the hands of a nearby worker as I made my way toward the store exit.

“If the groom isn’t your choice, at least you should have a dress you love,” Unnati quipped, trailing behind me. What was the point of indulging in my favorite foods if my stomach was already in knots?

Unnati grabbed my wrist, pulling me back gently. “I want to see you happy, Zo. You’ve always been so full of life, but these past few weeks have drained your joy,” she said, her eyes glistening as she pulled me into a tight embrace.

We met in twelfth grade and bonded over our shared vibes. Although she didn’t belong to my world, she knew everything about it or at least everything I chose to share. Her parents were ordinary people, unaware of my true identity, and sometimes I envied that simplicity.

Would my life have been better if my parents were just regular folks? Breaking away from our hug, I sighed. “Okay, I’ll go dress shopping and try my best to enjoy the wedding. After all, I’m dressing up for myself anyway. Who cares about the groom?” I raised my chin defiantly, and she laughed, wiping her tears away.

I began wandering around the store, hoping something would catch my eye. After selecting lehengas for my Haldi, mehndi, and sangeet, I ventured to the far end of the store, searching for my wedding lehenga but finding nothing. Everything was either too flashy or too plain—nothing in between. So, we decided to head to another store.

“But I have to say, Anirudh is quite the eye candy,” Unnati teased, waggling her eyebrows as we munched on chaat. “I’ve seen many handsome faces, but the personalities that come with them?” I raised an eyebrow. “It’s often disappointing, and he’s no exception plus there’s like zero chemistry between us,” I shook my head.

“But how do you know? You two have barely talked. What if you both fall in love after the wedding?” She was such a hopeless romantic. I sighed, tossing my plate aside. “You need to stop reading those romance novels and I know because I just....know. He's not the one, I can feel it in my gut. There's no pull when I look at him, no spark when I talk to him, no excitement when I think about him.... Nothing"”

“And I’m the hopeless romantic here?” Unnati laughed at my expression, shaking her head. “So, have you met someone like that before?” she asked, as we made our way to the next store. I pondered the question. Had I? The man from last night... “Maybe?” I tilted my head, uncertain.

“WHO?” She exclaimed, halting in her tracks. “YOU BITCH, you didn’t tell me!” I glanced around, noticing the employees giving us side-eyes. “Stop shouting,” I whispered, guiding her to a quieter corner. “No, I mean it happened last night. The man I kissed? But I think it was just because I haven’t kissed anyone in ages. Maybe that’s all it was, yeah hormones. Forget it,” I shook my head dismissively.

“You’re not in love with him or something, right?” Unnati narrowed her eyes at me. “What? Ew, no! It was just a drunken, passionate makeout session. Nothing else! Let’s go,” I urged, pulling her along before she could ask anything more.

We roamed the entire store, and I tried on several lehengas but didn’t like anything. I regretted not customizing one earlier, allowing myself to sulk like a child despite my earlier resolve.

“Mam, we do have another special lehenga, but it’s on the higher end,” an employee informed us, guiding us to another section of the store. “Budget isn’t an issue, do you know who she is?” Unnati exclaimed and I slapped her shoulder shushing her.

“This one, mam.” The employee pointed to a mannequin, but my eyes were already drawn to another mannequin just a few feet away. My breath caught in my throat as I beheld the most beautiful bridal lehenga I had ever seen, straight out of my dreams. The cherry red fabric, adorned with exquisite handwoven golden thread work, captivated my heart.

If I were to marry the man of my dreams, I would want to do it in this lehenga. “I want that one,” I declared, my gaze never wavering from the stunning piece.

“Uh… that one isn’t available, mam,” the employee said, My mood plummeted at his words. “Why not?” I pressed, turning to face him. Regret flashes in his eyes.

“Someone booked it last night, and it’s the only single piece we’ve ever made,” he explained regretfully. I exhaled slowly, feeling disheartened. So, not only did I lack the groom of my dreams, but now I had lost the lehenga as well. Fantastic. “That’s okay,” I said, attempting to mask my disappointment. “I’ll take that one,” I pointed to another lehenga, resigned to my fate.

ATHARV

"It's her Haldi tomorrow," Kartik said, his voice breaking through my thoughts as he sat across from me. I propped my legs up on my desk, leaning back in my chair, savoring the moment of tranquility. "I know," I replied, letting my eyelids drift shut. The melody drifting from the speaker transported me back to that unforgettable kiss.

Jane Jaan, ek bar meri bahoon mein aa...
Tujhko sikhadun hai pyaar kya,
Aur kya hai dil ka lagana...

"And? When will you get your debt back?" Kartik's voice rose in frustration, pulling me from my reverie. As I kept my eyes closed, her image danced vividly in my mind. "Patience. What's meant for me will remain mine," I murmured, my tone steady.

Main deewana hun, mai deewana
Aise Jane na dunga jaana.

"Sure, you'll just be here waiting, while Anirudh swoops in and takes her. You know how he is." I sighed heavily, reaching for the music to silence it. This was exactly why I loathed people, always chattering, always getting under my skin.

"No one can take what's mine." Rising from my seat, I strode over to the window, gazing out into the distance. "Now, enough with the chatter and get back to work. Call Sergei and find out what's causing the delay." Sergei Baranov, the heir to the Russian mafia empire, is our long-term business partner but something feels off now.

"Okay," Kartik replied, his tone one of reluctant acceptance. "And prepare the guest room,  teri bhabi aarahi hai." A dark smile crept across my lips at the thought. It's payback time, Mr. Rajiv Malhotra.

(Your sister-in-law is coming.)

ZOYA

I sit in silence as everyone starts applying haldi one by one. No matter how much I try I can't enjoy this wedding. Is this how arranged marriage feels like? But the couple do get time to talk nowadays.

My thoughts drift back to my engagement with Anirudh which took place six months ago, the day my abomination started. I wish I ran away that day but it's too late now.

Now not only my Dad will start searching but also Anirudh because it's his reputation that's at stake now along with my father's and I never want to cross someone like Anirudh.

"You're glowing beta" my Massi, Ritika smiles at me and puts her hand on my head, blessing me. I force a smile back and nod "Thank you!"

Unnati comes next and applies Haldi all over me grinning. She starts tearing up as she faces me, "you're getting married, Zo" I roll my eyes at her words.

"Oh come on, it's not the end of the world, Unnati. It's not like I'm getting kidnapped or something. We'll still stay the same" I put a little haldi paste on her nose to annoy her.

"Honestly, that would have been better. Imagine you got kidnapped and then started falling in love with your kidnapper" here we go again, she sits beside me wiping her nose. "That's Stockholm syndrome not love." I point out the obvious.

"Oh come on you're no fun" she slaps my arm, annoyed. I sigh, "okay, let's say that happens then do you think he'll stay alive? You think my dad and Anirudh will let him live?" I raise my brow. Crossing these people is no joke which is why no one will dare to pull shit like that.

"What if he's more powerful than these two? And-" She starts and I cut her off, "stop day dreaming and land back to reality. There's no prince charming coming to save me Unnati and honestly I have already accepted my fate so it's better if you stop with these dreams." I sigh as another woman applies Haldi on my arm.

After the haldi ceremony, I fall on the bed and exhale heavily out of exhaustion, the day worn down on me. I pull my comforter till my neck and close my eyes. It takes barely a minute before my eyelids get heavy and sleeps pull me in.

______

3:30 a.m.

My body shivers as I feel his hand on my inner thigh, caressing it before replacing it with a feather light kiss. I sigh out of exhaustion and serenity.

His thumb reaches my sensitive clit and he starts rubbing it through the layer of fabric that's keeping my sanity.

I sigh and my head falls back as a heavy moan leaves my lips, I clench my legs instinctively but his hand stops them.

"Open your legs, love" my body electrifies at his words. That heavy voice liquifies my core and I melt, opening my legs for him.

He pulls my panty aside and circles his fingers around my pussy. "Ummh" I breathe heavily unable to take in air.

"So fucking wet" that voice echoes between us again and I spread wider for him to take.

He slowly enters a single digit in me and my back arcs on its own, unable to take the intensity. "Relax" his voice vibrates around my inner thigh as he bites it slowly.

I can't breathe!

My hand goes down slowly and I pull at his hair, "aahh" what is happening?

Is this real?

This feels too good to be true.

I feel another kiss around the area he bit and then I feel empty as he removes his finger from me.

An annoyed groan leaves my lips, "at least let me have an orgasm in my dreams" I voice out, not sure if it's audible or in my head. A heavy chuckle fills in the air as my brain starts to itch. "Patience, Jaan" I feel him pull away from me and fade away in darkness.

A second later I open my eyes and sit up straight. I breathe heavily looking around only to find silence, there's no one here. So it was all a dream? But it felt so real! So.... Good!

I sigh throwing my head back, what is happening Zoya? What has gotten into you? "Shadi hui nai ki suhagrat ke sapne pehle aagye tere ko" I whispered to myself before pulling the comforter back and sleeping in again.

(The wedding isn't even done yet and you have started dreaming about your first night already.)

________________________

"Here are your lehengas," Shruti, our housemaid, said as she carefully placed the vibrant lehengas on my bed before quietly exiting the room as I turned to the mirror.

The other three lehengas required some minor adjustments, which is why they arrived today instead of yesterday.

I swiftly applied my lipstick and rose to change into my Mehandi lehenga. It was already 2 p.m., and I was running late for my own mehandi celebration, thanks to the delayed arrival of the lehenga.

As I reached for my Mehandi lehenga, my gaze fell upon the Wedding lehenga, and I froze, breath caught in my throat.

NO! I quickly picked it up and removed it from its protective cover, laying it back down on the bed, utterly mesmerized.

How is this possible?

"Zoya, we're so late!" Unnati's voice chimed in from behind me, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the stunning sight before me.

"Zoya—" she cut herself off as she approached, joining me in staring at the shocking revelation.

"This isn’t your lehenga. Did they accidentally swap it with someone else's? Let me call them," she suggested, reaching for her phone. I stopped her with a firm hand.

"Don't you remember this lehenga? I wanted this one first, remember?" I reminded her. "It's the exact same design, and they made only one piece... so how is this here?"

"Right!" She appeared just as bewildered as I was, recognition dawning upon her. "If this is a prank, then stop, Unnati." I narrowed my eyes at her because she was the only one who had joined me on that shopping trip.

"No! Are you crazy? I don’t have that kind of money and how could they make another one in just two days? This seems like a misunderstanding. Wait, let me call them," she insisted, trying to reclaim her phone.

"No! If I got this lehenga, it means God made it for me. Don’t disrupt His plan now," I argued, feeling a twinge of guilt but also a flicker of excitement. Why would I let it go? I know it's wrong but maybe it's God's way of paying me back. Why throw it away?

She raised an eyebrow, “And what about the bride who actually chose this one?” I glanced back at the lehenga, letting go of the tinge of guilty I felt. "I’m sure she’ll be happy with my choice. If she liked this one, it means we have similar tastes," I said, a grin finally breaking free.

Unnati shook her head, hugging me tightly. "I missed this Zoya," she said, and my smile widened. I might be a little materialistic when it comes to clothes, but it’s my wedding, so why not?

"Okay, wait here, I’ll change," I said, picking up the Mehandi lehenga, which was a bit simpler than the others. It was a lovely pastel green adorned with a delicate four-inch border, complete with a matching blouse and dupatta.

I quickly removed my pajamas and slipped into the blouse. Just as I was about to put on the skirt, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

My heart sank, and my breath quickened as I stared at my reflection.

No!

How could this be?

The skirt slipped from my fingers and fell to the ground as I caught sight of my inner thighs, my legs trembling uncontrollably as I braced myself against the counter.

A small cluster of hickeys stared back at me as I gasped for air. I lifted my shaky hand, cautiously tracing the small purple bruises. How could this have happened?

I'm sure it was just a dream.... Wasn't it?

I scanned every other part of my body, desperate to find something, anything, that would explain this. But there was nothing. I looked back at the bruises, which were positioned precisely where he had bitten me yesterday.

He? Who's he?

No, I must have hurt myself accidentally. Yes, maybe I pinched myself during the dream, which would explain the pain and why it hurt so bad.

Yes, that must be it.

"Zoya? Do you need any help?" Unnati's voice broke through my swirling thoughts. "N-NO!" I shouted back, my hands still trembling as I pulled the skirt up.

I took a deep breath to steady myself before opening the door. "I'm ready," I said, forcing a smile.