Niyati: Their Destiny

23. Bittersweet Welcome

Roop's pov

I never knew walking down his car and walking to the door could be that difficult.

Take a deep breath, Roop.
You are okay.
They won't hit you.
They are good people.
Stop being so scared.
You are strong.

I kept fidgeting with mumma's pendant around my neck or maybe the nuptial chain he made me wear.

The ring in my hand felt heavy.

No matter how much i loathe the concept of marriage , I somehow can't get myself to believe it's all fake.... that it's all just on papers.

Don't fall for it, Roop.
You are on your own.
Maybe after the drama in his house, I'll actually be on my own....

"Roop." I heard his voice as he held my hand in his.

"Shall we head in?" He asked softly, and i nodded.

Raj was about to open the door when it opened itself from the other side.
Maybe it was a bad idea!!

I involuntarily fisted his kurta around his elbow with my other hand, which wasn't in his hold. I half hid behind him peeking from the side of his bicep.

I am not scared.....
I am not.
There's no reason to be.

I heard door opening sound and saw his mother standing there frowning as to why his son was wearing a kurta at 7 in the morning!

"Where are you coming from?" She asked me, still not noticing me and my grip around his kurta and his grip around my palm tightened.

He is nervous.

"Roop?" She said in shock as she noticed me before Raj could reply to her. Before i could say anything, she stepped closer to me, and my grip around his kurta tightened so much that i might have caused holes in it due to my nails.

She won't hit you, Roop.
Get a grip!!
My eyes shut involuntarily.

Soon, i felt her hands wrap around me in a warm, tight hug.

"Are you okay? Where were you? Why didn't you stay with us, huh? Above all, why didn't you tell us that you are Roop the day we met, huh?" She said as her voice cracked with every word she spoke.

She cares.
And i don't think she noticed the vermillion and nuptial chain yet.

"I.... I am okay." I replied. My heart felt heavy with the emotions. It... it felt like mumma hugged me.

"Why didn't you stay? Why just why!?" She said, breaking the hug, and her teary eyes widened with shock.

"You.... you got married? Did.... did that man force you to do so?" She almost yelled in shock and anger.

"She's married...... to me." I heard Raj and his mother just stood there dumbfounded.

"WHAT!!!" She yelled in disbelief. Hearing her voice, his father and sister came there.

That was such a shitty idea, Roop!!!
You are literally creating ruckus in his home.

"What happened, Maa!?" Avu said, coming towards the door, and she palmed her mouth dramatically, looking at me and him.

"Don't you dare tell me that stupid Anurag was your lawyer!!" She said, glaring at her brother.

"Shut up, Avu!" He said, rolling his eyes.

"You trusted him over me!" She said, scoffing as his parents stood their like a statue while some of the servants were standing there too.

No, this is not what i wanted.
It was so stupid.
And Raj didn't even stop me!!!!

"Does maa, papa knows that you meet that Kartik in the middle of night!" He whispered.

"Go on, tell them. He's my fiance, but do they know that there so called obedient son had kept Roop hidden in his room for 2 days?" She whispered back with a smirk.

How does she know?

"Stop cooking stories!" He whispered back.

"Having meals in the room. Coming from office and straight inside the room. No cleaning staff allowed. Lights on during the night, even though you can't tolerate a wink of light when you sleep." She whispered.

What?
And he still kept the lights on!

"Doesn't prove anything." He whispered nervously.

"I saw you and her standing in the balcony all cozy the other night. I just couldn't say anything, and yesterday night, you literally bumped into me and Kartik!" She said, rolling her eyes.

"Fine, let's pretend none of it happened!" He whispered.

"Nah! That's no fun. A new car and the new collection of Aradhana." She said, and he nodded, squinting his eyes.

"I hate you." He said.

"Don't worry, the feeling is mutual." She said.

"Get lost now." He almost yelled.

"Really, Yuvraj Malhotra!! You got married overnight without inviting or informing us, and now you are arguing with your sister!!" I heard his mother.

"Maa i... i am sorry about it, but you know that Goenka...." He tried to explain.

"What!? So we weren't allowed to be a part of our son's wedding!! You knew we would have supported you, but still you..." His mother said, looking hurt.

I didn't want this!
How can i do this to them.

"I... I am sorry, Aunty. It's not his mistake." I told honestly. I don't want them to fight because of some random person. I am not worth it.

"How was it your fault? I don't remember you having me at gunpoint." Raj said, frowning.
Seriously!?

"Exactly my point. He's not a kid. Even though i am disappointed the way you acted but i can excuse you, but he..." She said, taking a deep breath and going inside.

"You knew how excited your mom was for your wedding, and you still chose to elope!? If you wanted a simple or secret wedding you could have informed us!!" His father said, clearly disappointed.

How did i even think it was a good idea?
Well.... i didn't even think about him! I was just being selfish.

"It's not his fault, uncle. Trust me." I said, gulping nervously.

"It's fine, bache. Don't stress yourself. We just need some time." His father replied with a small smile and left.

Bache.
That felt odd.
Ain't it?
How can he talk so nicely even after everything?

"I am sorry." I mumbled.

"Why are you sorry? None of it was your fault." He said, reassuring me, but i know it's all my fault.

I just ruined everything.

"I know mumma papa are mad, but she'll really regret it if we didn't have a proper welcome of the new bride." I heard Avu who came there with aarti ki thali.

"I don't know much, but something is better than nothing. Besides, Shanta Aunty told me." She said, placing a kalash full of rice in front of me and a plate filled with red water, i guess it's vermillion... i don't know.

"Kick the kalash with your right leg and dip your feet in the thalli." She instructed as she applied the Tilak on our foreheads.

I kicked the kalash, followed by dipping my feet in vermillion and imprinting it on the white sheet.

"I know it's now how it should be, but we'll make sure to make it up to you. Also, i am still mad that you two saw me and still didn't invite me!" She said, rolling her eyes as she passed the plate to one of the househelp.

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