My Dearest Enemy

17. Maira

"Wake up Maira, it's your wedding day" i hear Annika's voice.

Am I dreaming? What she is doing here.

As i slowly open my eyes, the weight of today's reality hit me like storm.

I'm getting married today. This fucking scare the shit out of me.

I've no idea whether i should be happy or sad. Today I'm gonna marry the person whom i despise the most, the person who irritate me. It feel like cruel joke to me and yet here I'm still lying in my bed, staring at ceiling, trying to find the courage to face the day ahead.

God I'm excited and disappointed at same time.
Excited because I'm getting married and disappointed because I'm getting to yamraj.

"Maira, are you listening to me" annika asked again standing in front of me like some random aunty.

"Umm yeah I'm listening. Now explain why are you here" i asked getting up from the bed.

"Because it's wedding today" she said excited.

"And it's your brother's wedding today as well. You are supposed to come with him" i said.

"But you're my bestie. And I'm team bride" she said with sparkling eyes.

It look like my best friend is more excited than me.

I forced a smile, trying to hide storm swirling inside me.

"We are gonna be the best sister in laws and i hope you kick my brother's ass" she said.

A laugh escaped my mouth hearing her words. I hugged her because i literally needed someone and she has always been there for me.

"I love you anni" i said.

"Love you too. And now get up let's get ready before your groom come to take you home" she said and i force a smile.

I quickly took shower and wore my lahenga.

Thanks to God, I'm daughter of abhiraj Malhotra otherwise getting lahenga on wedding day is impossible but my dad arrange that for me.

"It's time for the makeup maira. Come sit" annika said.

I quickly sat on the chair to get my makeup done. As I sit in the chair, staring at my reflection in the mirror, I can't help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions coursing through me. Today is the day when I'm supposed to be happy but here I'm disappointed. As i watched the makeup artist apply the layer of foundation and blush, i can't shake the feeling of unease.
As soon as the makeup artist finishes with my eyes, accentuating them with a touch of shimmering eyeshadow, I can't help but admit that I look beautiful.

Today I'm not only marrying my enemy but sacrificing my happiness.
But I plastered smile on my face.
I'll walk down the aisle and pretend everything is okay.

And I'm doing this because of him.

"You look so beautiful Maira" Annika said and i find tears in her eyes.

She doesn't cry too often. Seeing tears in her eyes are giving me chill.

"Thank you anni and look beautiful as always" i said with smile on my face.

"Yeah i know that" she said and we laughed together.

We were talking when someone knocked at the door. Annika opened the door. Maa and dad came into my view. I can see emotions floating in their eyes. Tears start to escape from their eyes.

"Anjana look at our angel" dad said.

"She look like goddess" maa said and tears started to flow from her eyes.