Page 46 of Mrs. Pandey
"No." I shook my head. "This is fear of losing you forever."
That was the truth. It was not love, not revenge, but plain fear. I was scared he'd move on and I'd lose him for good.
He laughed bitterly. "You ruined my wedding because you were scared?"
"I ruined your wedding because I couldn't stay away." I choked, clenching my hands into fists.
His silence said more than his words ever could.
The bride's family lost it. Her father started shouting, her mother was crying uncontrollably. The bride just sat there, broken and shaking. I hated doing that to the poor girl, but I knew she would get a perfect husband. Prashant was not for her;he belonged to me, even if that man was showing pure hatred towards me.
"Okay," he said, flatly, and shocked me. "Congratulations, Ira. You win. You'll get married, but please don't regret it later because your life will never be the same after becoming Mrs. Pandey."
"I'll accept whatever you have offered to me, Prashant." I smiled sadly.
Prashant pulled off his floral turban and let it fall to the ground, stepped down from the mandap, walked over, and stood next to me. He was not a man in love. He was watching me like I was someone who was accepting punishment.
He gripped my hand roughly and dragged me to the mandap. And we got married that night. There was no music, no claps, and no smiling faces. Only pain, disgust, and disappointment.
Prashant didn't look at me, not even once. There was no happiness. He was just showing anger. And a giant wall of unspoken things between us. We were husband and wife. But it didn't feel like a beginning.
It felt like the end of something we'd both ruined.
________
Chapter 21
PRASHANT
THREE YEARS AGO
I was nervous, my fingers shaking slightly as I gripped the velvet box in my hand. I had never told her I loved her. Not with words, at least. Maybe she could feel it, the way I looked at her, touched her, and spoke to her. Maybe she knew.
That was why she'd asked me to meet her at her favorite café in Dehradun. It had to mean something. Maybe she was going to tell me she was leaving Aryan for me. That's what I hoped. That's what I dreamed.
I wanted to take her home, my home. Introduce her to my family. I knew my mother would never agree to our intercaste marriage, but I'd make her agree. I would fall to my knees if I had to. I would fight the world if I had to. Because I wanted to marry Ira.
I took a cab and gave the driver the address. Ira had texted it to me earlier that morning. As the car sped through the narrow streets of the town, I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, trying to distract my overwhelmed thoughts. I looked out the window, watching trees and signboards blur past, my mind buzzing with hope, fear, and anticipation.
I smiled faintly to myself and reached into my pocket, pulling out the box. I stared at it like it was the most precious thing Iowned. And in a way, it was because it was meant for the most precious person in my life.
I had bought the diamond ring from my first salary. Actually, I had bought four rings, one gold ring for my mother, and three diamond rings for Ira, Pari, and Priya, my twin sisters. But Ira's ring was different. It was special. Custom-designed for her, exactly how she liked. The cut, the band, even the tiny engraving on the inside. She had no idea, of course. She didn't even know I was in love with her. But I hoped, I truly hoped she could feel it.
The cab came to a halt outside the café. I paid the driver, took a deep breath, and stepped out.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw her inside, tapping the table impatiently. She looked up at the door every few seconds. Was she excited to see me too?
I walked in, pushing the door open. A soft bell chimed above me. The moment her eyes met mine, she sprang to her feet and smiled brightly.
"Hey, Dimples," she said with a grin, pulling me into a brief hug before we sat down at the table.
"Hey, Warrior," I replied with a broad grin.
She looked beautiful in a floral pink dress, paired with delicate matching heels. Her straight hair fell in perfect waves over her shoulders, catching the light. My heart felt full just looking at her.
"So... this is our date?" I asked playfully, trying to keep my voice light.
But her smile faded. Her eyes dipped in her phone, and something in her face dimmed.
