22 ~ Who is Samaira? #2
I slowly sat a little straighter when Kartik walked toward me. He stopped in front of me before sitting down, and I could feel his eyes scanning my face carefully.
There was concern in his expression, something I still didn't know how to understand.
"Kya hua, Chahat?"
(What happened, Chahat?)
His voice was quieter than I expected.
Before I could answer, Dadi immediately pointed a warning finger at him.
"Bohot maarungi main tujhe agar Chahat phirse royi to..."
(I'll beat the hell out of you if Chahat cries again...)
I glanced at her, almost stunned by how fiercely she had taken my side.
Kartik simply looked at her for a moment before nodding.
"Ji, Dadi."
(Yes, grandmother.)
Something about his obedient response almost made me smile, but the smile never reached my lips.
Dadi's expression softened when she turned toward me.
"Ab tum dono bhi ready ho jao. Reception ke liye..."
(Now, both of you get ready too for the reception.)
My shoulders immediately dropped.
The thought of going downstairs, facing dozens of strangers, smiling for photographs, and pretending that this marriage had happened because I wanted it felt unbearable.
"Dadi...main bohot thak gayi hoon..."
(Grandma... I'm so tired...)
My voice came out weaker than I intended. I genuinely was exhausted.
"Bas thodi der ke liye neeche aa jana..."
(Just come downstairs for a little while...)
She didn't sound angry anymore. She sounded almost pleading.
I didn't have the heart to refuse her so I gave a small nod.
Dadi smiled faintly and turned toward the door. I thought the conversation was finally over, but just as she reached it, she suddenly stopped.
She turned around.
"Shadi ke din mehmaano ke puchne par ki shadi tumse kyun ho rahi hai aur Mukti se nahi... To humne unse kaha hai ki Kartik tumhe pasand karta tha isiliye tumhare shadi kara di gayi. Is tarah Mukti ka naam bhi kharab nahi hoga..."
(On the wedding day, when guests asked why the marriage was taking place with you instead of Mukti, we told them that Kartik liked you which is why the wedding was arranged with you. That way, Mukti's reputation wouldn't be tarnished either...)
For a few seconds, I couldn't breathe.
The lie itself wasn't surprising. I had known everyone would need an explanation for why Mukti disappeared and why I suddenly became the bride. But hearing those words spoken so casually made something inside me crack.
I slowly turned my eyes toward Kartik.
He was already looking at me.
My stomach twisted.
"Log do din baat karenge, phir sab bhool jayenge. Tum bas khush rehna," Dadi smiled at me one last time before walking out.
(People will talk for two days, then forget everything. You just stay happy.)
I almost wanted to laugh.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Silence filled the room.
I looked at the lehenga Dadi had bought especially for me, and under any other circumstances, I would have been genuinely happy to receive something so beautiful.
But today, I couldn't bring myself to feel that happiness.
The lehenga was a deep, rich green, yet surprisingly lightweight, making it easy to move in. I wore it. The blouse fits me perfectly, its back completely bare except for the delicate strings that hold it together. The lehenga was perfect around my waist.
I stood in front of the mirror, struggling with the strings behind me when the door opened and Kartik walked in.
I ignored him.
Without even looking in his direction, I continued trying to fasten the strings properly, refusing to give him so much as a glance.
I could feel his presence behind me, but I deliberately kept my eyes fixed on my reflection until I finally managed to tie the knot.
After a while, Kavita di came into the room and, despite my repeated protests, insisted on doing my makeup and hair herself. I didn't particularly want any of it, but she wouldn't take no for an answer.
By the time she was finished, I barely recognized myself.
My hair had been styled beautifully, a soft touch of makeup enhancing my features without making me look overly made up. I stared at my reflection for a few seconds, silently admitting that I looked beautiful.
Kavita di began to place the dupatta and carefully began placing it over my head.
I immediately stopped her. I told her it's fine on Shoulder.
She hesitated, looking at me through the mirror. "Par Chahat..."
(But Chahat...)
I shook my head firmly. I was more comfortable like this.
I don't like to cover my head.
She studied my expression for a moment before finally giving in. With a small sigh, she draped the deep green dupatta elegantly over my shoulder instead.
I looked at myself once more in the mirror, adjusting the edge of the dupatta.
I was ready.
But despite how beautiful I looked, there was still one thing missing from my reflection.
Happiness.
Kavita left after helping me get dressed, leaving me standing in front of the mirror.
The bathroom door opened.
Kartik was dressed impeccably, looking every bit like the powerful Singhaniya heir everyone expected him to be. But the moment his eyes fell on me, he stopped.
His gaze lingered.
He didn't say anything, but he couldn't seem to take his eyes off me.
I looked away.
A few minutes later, we were called downstairs.
To pretend and smile.
To stand beside each other and behave like the perfect newly married couple.
But after everything Dhanraj Singhaniya had said to me, pretending felt suffocating. And somehow, I couldn't stop thinking about Kartik.
How would he feel if he ever found out what his father was demanding from me?
Would he hate me?
Or
Would he hate his father?
Or would he simply accept it because it was his family's bloodline?
I didn't know.
As soon as we reached downstairs, Seema Chachi's eyes immediately went to my uncovered head. Her expression soured, but surprisingly, she said nothing.
Then I saw my parents. My eyes instantly turned teary.
For one stupid second, I wanted to run to them but I forced myself to look away as though they didn't exist.
Everyone began congratulating us. I simply nodded whenever someone wished us.
Kartik, however, kept glancing at me from time to time.
Soon, my parents approached.
"Chahat..."
I didn't respond.