𝐹𝐴𝑇𝐸𝐷 𝑆𝐸𝑅𝐸𝑁𝐴𝐷𝐸 ✅

Chapter 17 : Engagement

Two days later, the engagement day arrived. The house was buzzing with excitement. Relatives gathered, their voices blending into a hum of anticipation.

Sneha was in her room, sitting in front of the mirror as her friends and cousins fussed around her. The red lehenga gleamed in the light, and her jewelry sparkled as one of her friends adjusted the necklace.

"You look absolutely stunning," one friend said, stepping back to admire Sneha. "Shivay's going to lose his mind when he sees you."

Sneha smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She nodded, pretending to be excited, though something about the whole thing felt off. Deep down, she sensed Shivay wasn’t as thrilled as everyone expected him to be. Still, she pushed the thought aside. "I hope everything goes well."

Meanwhile, in another room, Shivay sat on the edge of the bed, half-heartedly buttoning his sherwani. His friends Hardip, Rishi, and Kumar were trying to lighten the mood.

"Bro, this is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, and you look like you’re heading to war," Hardip joked, trying to get a smile out of him.

Shivay gave a weak chuckle, but it quickly faded. He was surrounded by his closest friends, but nothing could lift the heavy weight pressing down on his chest.

"I don’t know, man," he muttered. "This doesn’t feel right."

Rishi looked at him, concerned. "If it’s not right, why are you doing it?"

"I have no choice," Shivay sighed, his hands trembling slightly. "My parents... everything's been planned. It’s too late to stop it."

Kumar placed a hand on his shoulder. "It’s never too late, Shivay. If you’re not happy, you need to speak up."

Shivay shook his head, his heart pounding with the thought of what he truly wanted. But his family... Arohi... he couldn’t bring himself to make the decision that would break everything apart.

Outside the room, the sound of relatives calling for the groom echoed through the hallway.

"Where’s Shivay? It’s time for the ceremony to begin!"

The stage was set, beautifully decorated with flowers, drapes, and soft golden lights casting a warm glow over the gathering. Shivay stood beside his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raichand, dressed immaculately, but his face lacked the joy that usually accompanied such an occasion. His friends, Hardip, Rishi, Kumar, and Manish, stood close by, exchanging worried glances, knowing all too well what was going on inside Shivay’s mind.

On the opposite side of the stage, Sneha entered with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chaudhary. Sneha’s lehenga shimmered under the lights, and although she smiled, it was more for the crowd than herself. Her parents were beaming, proud of the union that was about to take place.

The guests were all seated, chatting excitedly, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The announcer took the mic and, with a bright tone, addressed the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, family, and friends, welcome to this beautiful celebration of love and unity. Today, we are gathered here to witness the engagement of Shivay Raichand and Sneha Chaudhary! Let’s give them a warm round of applause as they step into this new chapter of their lives together!”

The crowd clapped enthusiastically, though the sound seemed distant to Shivay. He could barely focus, his mind swirling with thoughts of Arohi and the mess of emotions he was in.

Sneha’s eyes briefly caught Shivay’s, searching for reassurance, but what she found was a man lost in his thoughts, distant, far from the joy this moment was supposed to bring.