Maybe In Another Life | ✓

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Barkha came slowly inside the kitchen and stood a little away from her friend. Chandini was massaging her temples.

"Clean this," Chandini said slowly and quietly, still rubbing her temple.

"I am not doing it," Barkha said, raising her hand.

Chandini took a slow step towards Barkha and picked up the knife, pointing it at her. "You will clean up the mess you made. Do not make me say it again. I am not in the mood right now," she said quietly, pointing her knife at her friend.

Barkha nodded quickly, and Chandini left before saying, "I am going to take a shower; by the time I return, I want everything clean. Otherwise, you already know me, Barkha."

Barkha got right to work and cleaned everything. She then quickly exited, closing the door behind her. Chandini came downstairs and saw that everything had been cleaned up. She cooked dinner and called Taara. They ate quietly, and she saved some food for her brother.

Chandini went to bed after tucking her younger sister into her room. She quickly fell asleep because she was tired.

Next morning

Chandini woke up late in the afternoon and got ready for the day. Barkha and Rohit arrived with snacks and drinks, and the three of them spent the day together. They talked all day and had a great time after such a long time. They watched movies and played video games with Taara.

Samay returned home late at night to find all three friends snuggled up on the floor, watching Barbie, with Taara sleeping beside Rohit. Are these grown-ups watching Barbie? After a while, Rohit and Barkha left. Chandini was cleaning the drawing room.

Samay decided to discuss the guest list with his sister. Though they don't have many people in their family.

"Chandini, please sit; we need to discuss who we should invite to your wedding."

Chandini stopped and sat in front of her brother on the couch.

"There is no need to invite anyone; Rudra and I discussed it, and we do not want anyone other than family and close friends at our wedding," Chandini told her brother, who thinned his lips in disagreement.

"All I need to do is talk to Suman Aunty about it. Then we are good to go," she added.

Samay nodded at her sister, wanting to invite their uncle and aunt. He knew Chandini would never agree because of how they had previously treated her, so he decided to remain silent.

"You don't look excited; you're going to be married in just a few days. I think we should start the ceremonies," Samay said, leaning back.

"I am excited, but I am also nervous, and I do not want any ceremonies; we should skip them," his sister said awkwardly.

"If you say so, Chandini."

They went to their room after Samay had picked up Taara and tucked her into bed.

There was no call message or even a trace of Rudra.

(Two days prior to the wedding)

Chandini was reading in her room when her phone rang, and Muktha's name appeared on the screen. She answered the phone. They talked for quite some time.

"Would you like to see your wedding location?" Muktha asked excitedly.

"Now? Okay, tell me where I can meet you." Chandini asked.

Muktha told her to get ready because she would be picking her up in half an hour. Chandini got ready in a simple outfit of shorts and a T-shirt. She was waiting outside her house when she felt like she was being watched, and she looked around for someone, but no one was there. Muktha picked her up, and the two of them left the house.

They arrived at the venue. Chandini noticed that it was the same building where Rudra's company had their gala. Chandini looked at Muktha with wide eyes and an open mouth, who simply shrugged.

"Is not this a bit large for a small wedding?" Chandini questioned her as she looked around.

Muktha was confused and said, "Um, no?"

"I think I need to talk to your brother about this. Let us go to his office." Chandini said as she walked towards the exit.

Muktha followed her, and the two of them got into the car and drove away. They soon arrived at the company's parking lot and entered through the back door. Muktha stopped to chat with someone.

Chandini made her way over to Rudra's cabin. She walked into the room without knocking and immediately regretted it. There were two men in the room with him who were discussing something. When they heard the sound of the door opening, they turned around.

Her breathing became more rapid as she focused her attention on the person in front of her. Two men, one with brown hair and one with black hair

The black-haired man licked his lips as he stared at Chandini from head to toe, his gaze lingering on her bare legs for a moment longer. The dark glint in his eyes was something Chandini would never forget.

Rudra clenched his fists as he caught sight of his gaze lingering on her legs. Before he could say anything, Chandini shut the door and stumbled backwards, tears in her eyes.

The door opened, and Rudra emerged, his eyes worried and filled with concern. He held her, wiping her tears away with the back of his hand, and she burst into a tight hug, her head on his chest.

"Shh, do not worry; everything is fine, darling. Don't forget to breathe." He whispered, his breath hitting her ear, making her shiver.

He drew away from her as the door opened, and they heard footsteps, wiping her eyes and gently brushing her hair away from her face. Rudra pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear and wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. Chandini kept her gaze fixed on the ground, avoiding the black-haired man.

"I apologise for leaving so abruptly. Meet Chandini Sehgal, the soon-to-be Mrs. Rudra Kapoor."

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