CHAPTER18 [WEDDING DAY]
The wedding hall is glowing—
Lights.
Music.
Guests.
Everything perfect.
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Inside the bridal room—
Aarohi sits like a dream bride.
Fully ready.
Perfect.
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But inside—
Storm.
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She stands up slowly.
About to walk out—
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When—
She hears voices.
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Her mom.
And her stepdad.
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Aarohi pauses near the door.
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“Kya tum sach me sab sach batane wali ho? (Are you really going to tell her the truth?)”
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Her heartbeat slows.
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“Tumhe lagta hai? Ye sab ek trap tha… aur Aarohi usme fas gayi. (Do you really think so? This was all a trap… and Aarohi got caught in it.)”
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Aarohi freezes.
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Trap…?
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“To tum nahi bataogi kuch bhi? (So you won’t tell her anything?)”
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Her mom laughs lightly.
Cold.
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“Of course nahi… koi kahani suna dungi. (Of course not… I’ll just make up some story.)”
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Aarohi’s breath gets heavy.
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Then—
The final blow.
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“Ek million mila hai mujhe… ladke ne diya. (I got one million… the groom paid me.)”
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Silence.
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“Usne kaha use meri beti se shaadi karni hai… itne paise ke liye itna to kar hi sakti hoon. (He said he wants to marry my daughter… for that amount, I can do at least this much.)”
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Everything—
Breaks.
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Aarohi’s hands start shaking.
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Her own mother—
Sold her.
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Tears roll down her cheeks silently.
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But suddenly—
Her expression changes.
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No more weakness.
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No more tears.
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“Nahi… ye rone ka waqt nahi hai. (No… this is not the time to cry.)”
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She wipes her tears.
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“Yaha se nikalna hoga… abhi. (I have to get out of here… right now.)”
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Determination.
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She quickly looks around.
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Heavy lehenga.
Jewelry.
Too noticeable.
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She removes her dupatta.
Holds the lehenga slightly—
And quietly moves towards the back exit.
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Every step careful.
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Outside—
Noise.
Crowd.
Perfect distraction.
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She almost reaches the exit—
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When—
A hand suddenly grabs her wrist.
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Firm.
Unavoidable.
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Her breath stops.
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“Kahan ja rahi ho, dulhan? (Where are you going, bride?)”
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That voice.
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Slowly—
She turns.
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And there he is.
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Vihaan.
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Standing right in front of her.
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Dressed as the groom.
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Her eyes widen in shock.
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“Tum…? (You…?)”
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Vihaan smiles.
Dark.
Victorious.
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“Surprise. (Surprise.)”
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Her world shatters—
All over again.
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“Tum hi ho…? (You’re the groom…?)”
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He leans closer.
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“Maine kaha tha na… jo chahta hoon use hasil karta hoon. (I told you… I get what I want.)”
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Aarohi steps back.
Fear.
Anger.
Betrayal.
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All at once.
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“Tumne… meri maa ko paise diye? (You paid my mother?)”
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Vihaan’s smirk deepens.
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“Deal simple thi… mujhe tum chahiye thi. (The deal was simple… I wanted you.)”
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Tears fill her eyes again—
But this time—
Not of weakness.
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Of rage.
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“Main koi cheez nahi hoon! (I am not an object!)”
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Vihaan’s gaze darkens.
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Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
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Aarohi pulls her hand back.
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“Main ye shaadi nahi karungi. (I won’t marry you.)”
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Vihaan steps closer.
Blocking her way.
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“Karni padegi. (You will have to.)”
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Her heart pounds.
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Escape—
Feels impossible now.
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Because this was never just a wedding—
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It was a trap.
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And she—
Was always the target.
Wait for next part.??