"Ready?" My brother asked he entered my hotel room.

My back was towards him. I took a deep breath and turned around.

"You look beautiful di," he gasped.

I am wearing a red lehenga with tons of make-up, heavy jewellery and dozens of bangles. This makeup took me almost three hours. My hands and legs were covered in mehendi and my hair were perfectly styled. I was completely dolled up!

Yes, I did look like a typical Indian bride.

I gave him a small smile and started walking outside. Every pair of eyes was on me as I entered. My body tensed at the attention I was getting. I wanted the earth to swallow me. I was continuously looking down on the red carpet as if it's the most fascinating thing in the world. My hands were sweaty and my heart was beating at an abnormal pace.

"It's okay, I am still here," My brother whispered.

His words kind of calmed me down but the nervousness was still there. I raised my eyes and my eyes met his.

Coldness and hatred reciprocated from his black orbs making them even more black if that was possible.

He looked gorgeous in his sherwani though.

The entire place was decorated just like any other Indian wedding should like. Lanterns, Mandap with Hawan, lots and lots of guests and obviously food.

My entire family was surrounded by the porch in which I was going to get married. The fire was lit and we had to sit in front of it to take the seven vows. It just feels like yesterday when my wedding was decided.

"Do you know how to cook beta?" Vihaan's mother asked.

"Yes," I whispered looking down.

"What are your hobbies?" Vihaan's father asked.

'I have a lot of hobbies and passions but they were killed by my parents,' my subconscious wanted to answer.

"Studying," I said instead.

"Oh wow! What do you study?"

"Law, I am in the last year," I stated proudly.

I thought maybe they will say you can continue studying after marriage but they subtly ignored it.

I sighed.

I will not be able to complete my education after all.

After my interview, Vihaan's uncle said, "I think we should let the children talk in private."

I stiffened at the thought.

Oh no!

I am not good at this.

"I don't think that is necessary," My mother immediately responded.

"Y-yess. I mean they are perfect for each other," Vihaan's mother said with a tight lipped smile.

I could see Vihaan shooting daggers in his mother's direction. I think even he is been forced to get married.

Yayyy!

"So we take that as a yes?" My father asked hopefully.

"Definitely."

The confirmation of the marriage was followed by all the rituals and traditions. Starting from engagement to mehendi and sangeet.

I followed everything like a robot.

Fake smiles, fake greetings and fake enthusiasm. This is every girl's wedding dream. (Note the Sarcasm) .

Just when I was getting ready for my engagement, a text from an unknown number popped on my screen.

I froze after reading that text. So my fear was confirmed. He does not want to get married.

If I had to stop this wedding, I had would have done it long time back.

After this he did not reply back. We did not even talk or text after the engagement like all the arranged couples do. During any program if my wedding, he did not even spare me a glance, neither did I.

"Please stand up. And get ready to take the vows," the priest said bringing me out of my reverie.

I looked around and everyone were standing up but me. I sighed and got up. My eyes met Neel's and he looked away. I know he was hurting. He was feeling helpless right now. He could not do anything to stop the wedding. Tears brimmed in my eyes as the realization set in. I was indeed getting married to the person I have never talked too. We both did not want to get married, but we were forced too.

Marriage, a life long committment. What have I gotten myself into?

***

I sighed looking at the scene infront of me. My relatives and my parents were crying. There is a tradition in the Indian marriage known as Bidaai which means farewell. The bride's parents say goodbye to their daughter as she steps into her new life.

This is the most emotional part of the entire wedding but right now, I did not feel anything. I rolled my eyes at sight. I was so tired of being fake this entire wedding, I did not even pretend to cry.

I kept a neutral face as my mother came to hug me. Tears were streaming down her face, smudging her makeup. I gave her a short hug. Why is she even crying? Didn't she want me out of her life.

I kept my neutral mode on while hugging my father who was surprisingly crying too.

Hug cousins. Check.

Neural mode on.

Hug all the aunts. Check.

Neural mode on.

Hug all the uncles. Check.

Neural mode on.

Not a single tear slipped my eyes until I saw the two most important people of my life.

Ayush and Neel were standing in the corner. Both of them had a hard look on their face. I approached them but Neel turned around.

That hurts!

I hugged Ayush with all my might.

"I am sorry. I could not protect you," he whispered in my ears.

That was the time I lost it. Tears started streaming down my face and all the guests were in doing aww at the moment.

My mother came from behind and softly pulled me out of Ayush's hug.

I looked at Neel, his back was still facing me. My mother was taking me outside where the car was already parked to take me to my new home.

I stopped in mid tracks and jogged towards Neel in the stupid lehenga.

"Stop being soo stupid piggy," I said.

He turned around and his eyes were moist. Everyone were looking at me with wide eyes as if I was wearing a bikini or something.

But I didn't care.

I hugged Neel infront of everyone. And he hugged me back. Tears flowing down from our eyes.

"I am sorry Riri," He whispered.

"Don't ever ignore me again," I whispered back.

"Never," he kissed my forehead and let me go. "Now go, before I kidnap you."

My parents mouth were hanging open looking at the scene. Neel was with me. I don't need anything now. I am ready to step in my new life with new challenges. I held my head high and started walking towards the car.

As I sat in the car, I smirked at my parents and closed the door.