Seductive Manipulator

Chapter 18 :

Anika's POV

Today, I wasn't able to comprehend what I felt.

The moment I had woken up in the morning, there was a new unsettling feeling inside me. This same feeling was there, years ago.

I could've named it if I knew what or how exactly I felt.

But it was the least of my concerns.

The morning went in hustle and bustle as I did some pooja before I sat in the pavillion.

Maa helped me in getting ready before some make-up artists came along with hairstylists to do their job.

Aisha had told me that her bhabhi is looking drop dead gorgeous. She was just chanting about how much of a goddess her bhabhi was looking.

Instead of feeling annoyed at the mention of her name, I wondered how she would be looking. As a matter of fact, she was beautiful. A gorgeous lady with a gorgeous body.

She wasn't admired so much in the modelling industry for nothing. As much as I knew, she had worked with numerous famous celebrity models.

Fixing the safa on my head, I sprayed some cologne on myself before walking downstairs to seek everyone's blessings.

The moment soon arrived when I was at the pavilion, waiting for Anika to arrive.

The thought itself gave me satisfaction that she was doing all these without her will. The way she always held her head high with pride and ego, I've already crushed half of it. Till I crushed the rest, she'd be broken beyond repair.

She wouldn't be able to count and gather her broken pieces.

The scared fire burnt infront of me fiercely mirroring the rage inside me right now. But the actual fire that burns in her presence is as destructive as a wildfire.

I kept staring blankly at the fire burning when a sudden wave of whispering erupted around me.

Rising up my head, my breath hitched as I fixed my gaze on her walking down the aisle.

Clad in a deep red lehenga, she took slow steps towards the mandap, precisely, me. Her hands delicately held the edge of the translucent veil that shrouded her face, the deep red outfit perfectly matched with her beige skin tone.

No matter how much I loathed her, a sudden wave of admiration surged within me. Despite my efforts to look away, I found myself unable to test my gaze away from her approaching figure.

Gasps of awe rippled through the crowd around me, captivated by her beauty.

I wasn't the type to swoon over or admire someone, but the conflicting emotions of admiration and hatred left me feeling utterly frustrated. A part of me longed to keep looking at her, while another part wished to inflict pain upon her in that very instant.

Suddenly, the image of Dhruv flashed in my mind. The small mercy I had, the inclination to allow her some relief on what was supposed to be our wedding day, vanished in an instant, replaced by a surge of anger.

I silently kept staring at her nearing me before she finally settled down beside me.

.

Time went too fast to even realize. Just a few days ago I had met her and today, just now, I tied the nuptial chain around her neck after filling hair partition with the sacred vermilion.

I had heard maa saying to Aisha one day that vermilion signifies love and loyalty the most, amongst its other meanings. It also signifies strength and sacrifice along with commitment of a woman to her husband.

But the same thing means nothing more than Anika's commitment to me. In place of love and loyalty, it was deception and revenge. The strength it represents will be crushed by me. I'll do everything to break her beyond possible.

She might die but never repair.

In the whole Rai Mehrotra bloodline, no man has ever disrespected his wife. If he did, the traditional dungeon is their next home, till their death.

My one relative had been too much abusive to his wife and he simply ended up being tied inside the dungeon with nails taken out and was left to be eaten by rodents. Even the skeleton was thrown inside a forest because of the traditional belief in Rai Mehrotra lining—an abusive husband is no less than a hungry beast in a forest.

But I don't know what I'll do. I don't have my anger in check all the time. The rage of revenge might lead me to commit something I never throught of.

Soon after tying the mangalsutra, we both stood up to take rounds around the sacred fire.

The priest chanted the mantras blessing this meaningless marriage.

Each round is a promise to be with and for each other for next seven births. It was a promise to stand by each other in the highs and lows in life, good and bad, for health and happiness. It was a promise to be together for a better future and, love and loyalty.

These two didn't exist between us nor ever will.

As the sat pheras completed, we put the garlands around each other's neck.

(Seven rounds)

I remember while taking the sat pheras she had said to me, "Burn me, I don't care. But while burning me don't burn yourself because someone is waiting for you."

I don't know what she meant. Maybe they were pointed towards Dhruv. It really angers me when she acts caring when in actual, she's selfish enough.

The main and most important part of the marriage ends here.

•

It was hard to digest but it was the truth. It was the bitter truth of reality that we are finally married.

I was finally, ritually and traditionally Arnav Rai Mehrotra's wife. The eldest grandson's wife of Rai Mehrotra family.

I never knew this day would come but as said, life always brings the most unexpected.

Everything had ended now. The main part of the wedding has ended peacefully despite the storm inside me.

Everything seemed so hollow and meaningless despite its eternal beauty. The beauty Indian marriages have can never be found somewhere else. It was so colorful and traditionally pure.

I had attended many weddings and they did catch my eye. I did awe at their beauty, internally.

But when it was finally my turn, I was nothing but scared.

Once the rounds ended, we fulfilled the vermala ritual prior to taking the elders' blessings.

Soon my mami, dadi, nani and Rhea, Maya di and my bestfriends stood infront of me finally biding me farewell. Mama and dadu stood at the back with mama, Yuvraj bhai and Aniket. Other relatives are here too. My chote mama's daughter, Naina, she's too sweet unlike her parents. Her brother is of the same kind as her. Just my bade Papa's whole family hates me a lot. Their two daughters— Bonita and her sister Ella, didn't even like to throw a glance at me.

It all started that day.

I sighed. My head hurts because of so much thoughts.

Once everyone disappeared from my view as the car I and Arnav are seated in.

Those tearful eyes of mami, dadi, nani, di, Rhea, Vidhi, Esha and Rooh, hurt me. It hurts when you're the reason behind the tears of your loved ones, the reason didn't matter. My mama did cry too. Aniket is just 18, yet, he's mature enough to hold back his tears.

Their neverending love is the only thing that has kept me alive till today.

They took my promise that I'll tell them if someone misbehaves with me. But how do I tell that I'm already suffering. How do I tell them everything?

I promised them just to keep their hearts, hiding my crossed fingers behind the skirt of my lehenga, my mind mumbled uncountable sorry's.

But when the pain of deception they'd feel once all the truths are uncovered, they might hate me. They'll be hurt beyond my imagination because they've put all their trust in me and all I did was kept lying to them.

Sometimes, lies for a while is better than the bitter truth for everyday.

His car wheeled on the empty road as it's past midnight. But since it's city, few vehicles are still there on the road.

The convenience stores glowed brightly under the expansive starry sky, their neon signs flickering in the quite of the night, while the rest of the shops stood in hushed darkness. The white soft light from the streetlights lines the road, illuminating the like gentle sentinels watching over the night.

A few passersby strolled along the sidewalk, their figures casting fleeting shadows, while some turned their heads, curiosity evident in their gazes as they caught sight of his car— adorned with colorful decorative pieces and flowers.

Three cars on both front and back of his car ran on the road.

I remained transfixed at the open window, welcoming the cool, tranquil breeze of Jaipur. The night air, fresh and fragrant with the scent of blooming jasmine, swept over me, brushing past my face and gently caressing the tears that had fallen the moment I had stepped inside the car.

Arnav's family actually lives in Mumbai. According to maa, they'll be back to Mumbai once he and I return to Paris.

Paris, the city of love, will hold pieces of memories of my ruination.

Another sigh escaped my lips and I didn't realize when half an hour finally passed and we were at his home.

He first got down before walking over to my side. It's just for pretending because maa was watching from afar.

I got down without a word holding the skirt and walked over to the doorstep.

The mansion was glowing with fairy lights put everywhere along with many colourful flowers. The mansion was in light beige. The style of the mansion is a mixture of a Victorian house with modern style.

She smiled at me asking me to lightly hit the bronze pot full of rice before I stepped inside.

Once done, I stepped on the plate full of alta, laid on the ground infront of a white cloth. Once I stepped on the piece of cloth, I walked ahead.

I hadn't noticed until now, that a way made of red rose petals proceeded towards the steps leading to the first floor. Many tea light candles stood on either side lighting the way.

I was overwhelmed, surprised, but more than that, I was happy.

I knew I couldn't be happy so easily, for the happiness I was getting right now, it was for a fleeting moment before things darken again.

I looked at maa who was smiling at me and nodded. I smiled back before looking down at my feet, visible since I'm holding up my skirt.

Slowly I stepped on the petals, its velvety soft feeling tickled my feet as I smiled wider.

I proceeded to step ahead, the ankles jiggled in a rhythm.

Maybe I had my portion of true love with Dhruv. He gave the most special moments I could ever ask for. He was genuine, calm and loving. He never happened to mistreat me even if by mistake, instead, he was always ready to wipe my tears.

Thinking about him, my smile faded.

I hadn't realised until now that I'm in the same house, under the same roof where Dhruv resides. He's here, yet, he was somewhere very far.

A fear rose from my gut to my chest, clenching it tightly predicting the upcoming hurdles I'll need to face.

What if he wakes up? How will he react to this marriage? What'll he think of me? What if he hates me more?

"I'll never hate you, for you were my first and last love of my life. I didn't love to hate you, even if hate is the other side of love"

He had said to me that day, when I had shattered him despite me being broken from inside.

I knew his words could never be a lie. His words always held that depth no one could ever feel except me.

But, will he even remember me?

Guilt and fear took over me as I felt my eyes welling up. The tight knot in my throat made it harder for me not to choke on my tears and break down right here.

Feeling no one noticing my tears, I shook my head pretending to look around the mansion to soak back my tears.

I kept walking ahead, blankly staring at the first floor nearing me.

The steps finally ended as I stood on the first floor. Maa stood beside me along with Arnav.

"Anika, now you go and take rest. Your luggage have been shifted to Arnav's room, which now belongs to you too", she said cupping my right cheek, her tone soft and smooth.

I nodded with a smile.

As I was about to turn back, I gasped when I felt myself being pulled up from the ground.

It took me no time to realise that Arnav had picked me up in his arms. I quickly locked my arms around his neck for support. My eyes were still wide, staring at him in shock.

A wave of sudden embarrassment washed over me when I heard someone coughing along with some giggles.

I looked at the end of the stairs to see his sister and cousins giggling and maa gave me a teasing look.

I smiled back awkwardly not finding any words to say.

"Maa, I'll go to my room. She must be tired because, something more is yet to be done", he spoke to maa.

My heart skipped a beat.

It wasn't because of shyness, but because of the upcoming punishment he's going to offer me. Everyone heard the teasing tone in his voice, but I heard the mocking tone concealed by it.

As I remained silent, he took his leave with me in his arms.

I had never thought of me in his arms. His musky cologne embraced me. The faint touch of his hot breaths fanned over my cleavage. We'd been close to each other only in heated moments but now, I don't know how to explain it.

As far as I knew, his room was on the third floor. But what surprised me was that he walked past the elevator towards the end of the hall.

Confusion crept over my face yet I remained silent.

His steps halted infront of a black door with a golden handle. Letting me get down on my feet, he made me stand infront of the door.

I don't know why but a weird fear gripped me. I felt a familiar uneasiness inside me but I couldn't predict why I felt that way.

As I stood still, I felt his left hand covering my eyes. Soon after, I felt him whispering in my ear, "Let's give you our first night's surprise."

I couldn't perceive the tone he spoke in.

I just heard the sound of door unlocking before he led me inside the room, confusion and fear gripping me harder each passing second.

A sudden rush of coldness washed over me, making me feel uneasy.

As we finally stopped, he removed this hand from my eyes.

The next moment, what I saw was beyond anything I could've ever imagined happening. I could hardly believe my eyes. My blood had frozen down and my heart thundered my ribs cage as a sharp pain pierced through my head.

It felt as if the air was constricting around me, suffocating. A sudden weight pressed heavily down on my shoulders causing my legs to wobble with uncertainty.

I wasn't ready for this. I didn't want this to happen so soon. I never wanted this.

I didn't do this. I did this.