Hello everyone! Here's chapter thirty-four, do let me know how you guys like it :)
Remember to participate in trends for IPZN S2, mail/call/spam- Stream the videos Sony uploads of IPZN almost everyday. Help maintain the hype!! After all these efforts maybe we'll get a season 2 💛
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The next day was chaotic and rushed, Ishqi was woken up with her mother loudly banging on her door. She rubbed her bleary eyes, lazily got out of bed and unlocked the door. Her mom barged in holding a heavily embroidered lengha and 2 sets of matching jewelry.
"Good Morning beta!" Sania said as she placed the things on the couch and gave her daughter a kiss on the head.
"good morning" Ishqi replied unenthusiastically as she went back, slumped onto her bed and pulled the covers over herself, she held no excitement a bride should on her wedding day. "Maa aath(8) baaj rahe hai, aur kal raat ko bhi mein itni late soi, aap itni jaldi kyun uthane aagayi.."- She said because it was not like she'd been able to properly sleep the entire night, as the hours on the clock increased the emptiness and heartache did too.
Ishqi had spent majority of the night staring at a photo of herself and Ahaan and glancing at the clock every minute. Sania sat at the foot of the bed and said, "Thodi derr mein tumhari haldi hai beta aur phir raat ko shaadi...aaj ka din soone mein thodi na guzaar sakti ho"-
Ishqi: Maa, mein aapse bilkul seedha seedha saach bolungi..no sugar-coating it- Sania nodded and Ishqi continued, "Saab jaante hai ke mujhe iss shaadi mein koi interest nahi hai...yeh saab mein aap logon ke liye kar rahi houn and this is the biggest mistake and wrongest decision you guys have ever made" she tried convincing her mother-
Sania: Ishqi, hum jaante hai ke hum jo kar rahe hai woh sahi hai, tumhe baad mein ehsaas hoga iss baat ka-
Ishqi: Mein kehti houn ke abhi bhi time hai, aap please kuch kijiye na...aap toh mere aur AVM ke liye mann gayi thi na phir ek dum se faisla change kyun karliya?!
Sania: Ishqi! No further discussion on this...The decision has already been made and it's better if you accept it because eventually you're gonna have to..sooner or later!
Ishqi: But Maa-
Sania cut her off, "Ishqi beta, tum jaanti ho ke tumhare papa aur meine tumhari kabhi koi baat nahi taali, Zayan aur Tara se zyada pyaar tumhe diya hai- Tumhari har khawaish puri ki hai...Hum saab tumse bohot pyaar karte hai aur yeh faisla humne unn saab cheezon ko dihaan mein rakh ke hi liya hai..."
Ishqi sighed, knowing all her efforts were going in vain- With slight tears in her eyes she nodded, her mother smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Aab mera baccha jaldi se ready hojao, mein tumhara breakfast room mein bijhwati houn"- Ishqi hummed and her mother exited her room closing the door behind her.
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A few minutes later, as Ishqi was just putting away her makeup palette after doing a natural/light makeup look, she heard a knock on the door. "come in!" she yelled and in walked Kartik holding a breakfast tray containing a breakfast sandwich and a cup of piping hot black coffee.
Kartik set down the tray on the side table and took a seat on one of the chairs, "Oh hi! good morning Kartik..thanks" Ishqi said as she grabbed the mug of coffee and took a seat on the bed.
"tum itni subah subah yahan kaise?" Ishqi asked as she took a sip of her coffee-
Kartik: Subah subah? Almost 8:30am baaj rahe hai..aur bahar haldi ki taiyaari bhi toh karni thi na toh buss issiliye..
Ishqi: Oh.
Kartik: Ishqi? How are you?
A chuckle escaped her lips, a rather sad one though, "Mein theek houn, tumhare samne hi toh houn!"
Kartik: Mere samne ho issilye pouch raha houn...jo bhi yeh saab horaha hai woh tumpe aur bhai pe bohot mushkil hai..I know and I also know ke you guys don't want to go through with these weddings..
Ishqi knew Kartik was already aware of everything so instead of hiding or shying away from it, she opened up, freely this time. Knowing that she wouldn't be hurting anyones feelings nor would she be breaking anyone else's heart.
She took a deep breath and began talking, "Yes! You're right Kartik...hum dono yeh shaadiyaan nahi karna chahate but humari families ne humare paas koi aur option hi nahi choda! They used all the different tactics they could to have us both agree!"
"Mera bass chale toh mein abhi saab kuch chod chad ke bhaag jao....lekin phir soochti houn ke mein itni selfish nahi ho sakti ke apni khushi ke liye itne logon ka dil dukhao...Aur jin logon ne humein itne pyaar se pal pos ke barah kiya hai unhe mein unke pyaar ka yeh sila kaise deh sakti houn?"
Kartik: Pyaar selfless hota hai, woh nahi jisse aap apne faide yah baat manwane ke liye use karo! Dono families aap dono ka pyaar aapko emotionally blackmail karne ke liye use kar rahi hai!
Ishqi: Kartik, woh log jaise bhi use karein, mein aur AVM dono jaante hai ke woh saab hum se bohot pyaar karte hai aur hum kaise mana kardete jaab unhone humein apni kasam di..
Kartik: Jald baazi mein di hui kasam ke liye poori life sacrifice kar paoge? he paused, "Bhai and you have vowed to always love each other and remain in your relationship regardless of what your families are making you do.." "Shaadi ke baad woh saab extra-marital affair ke ilava kuch nahi kehelvai ga...reasons yah circumstances koi bhi ho, society aisa hi sooche gi...tum hi baatao? Woh sahi hoga?"
Kartik's words were ringing a bell in Ishqi's head, he was right! After she got married to Rahul and him to Rhea, to the world their relationship would be called a nothing less of an extra-martial affair! She'd be labelled as a cheater..a trait she'd always detested, whether it be in a game or a relationship.
"woh saab toh humne soocha hi nahi" she muttered under her breath-
Kartik: Koi baat nahi, mein godfather houn na, meine sooch liya..aab yeh baatao ke aage kya karna hai? Godfather Kartik humesha hazir hai..
Ishqi: Aab kya karna hai? Aab toh bohot derr ho chuki hai! Agar aab kuch kiya toh saab parivaaron ki izzat, naam- saab mitti mein mil jaiga! Disappointment! Saab kitne disappoint hoge humse! Nahi nahi...mein aisa nahi hone de sakti..she blabbered-
Kartik: Ishqi! Selfless hona acchi baat hai but har baar apni khushiyaan sacrifice karna acchi baat nahi hoti! Har baar tumhe yah bhai ko mahaan baan ne ki zaroorat nahi hai! Kissi aur ko bhi toh mouka dou!
Ishqi remained silent, Kartik sighed, he stood up and patted her back, "please take the right step, this may be your last chance to completely change your and bhai's future.." and he exited the room leaving her deep engrossed in her thoughts.
Ishqi thought for a long while before her phone started to ring, she settled down the cup of coffee in her hands on the table, she'd lost her appetite and it had gone cold anyways...
Ishqi unplugged her phone from the charger and answered the call, "Hello, Uh huh, hmm, gi..mein arahi houn daas(10) minutes mein..okay..bye" she said into the phone and once the call ended she set it back on the table.
"chal beta Ishqi...aab steering wheel apne haath mein lena ka time agaya hai" she said to herself and got dressed for the haldi function and headed downstairs.
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The garden had completely transformed from what it was a day back, not a sign or hint that a pink themed event had happened the previous day was present. Drapes in multiple shades of blue and yellow hung from the large white pillar frames while wall blocks with intricate blue designs were scattered all across.
Circular white tables topped with yellow and blue tablecloths and fresh flowers and several comfortable and cozy looking cushion stools were spread out as well. The weather was amazing as well, complimenting the entire set up.
At the front there were two large couches where the two brides and grooms were supposed to be seated and in the middle was a table decorated with rose petals and on it were large bowls of haldi and a large stack of mango leaves to apply it with.
(Note: I don't really know much about how the haldi ceremony is performed so I've taken all the info I have included from google. If it is in any way offensive or upsetting to anyone please lmk I'll change or take it down :)
The garden was slowly filling up, mostly with the same guests from yesterday's function but some new faces were visible. They all got seated and eagerly waited for both the brides and grooms to show up. First, both of the groom's walked in, their expressions and emotions greatly contrasting, Rahul had a huge smile on his face while Ahaan tried to look happy but was coming off as someone who was being forced to be there. (cuz he was)
They both took a seat on one of the stools placed on the slightly lifted stage, everyone clapped and then the brides made an entry as well, Tara by Ishqi's side and Rhea's mom by hers. Once again, Ishqi was stealing the spotlight- mummers of compliments could be heard, everyone was singing praises of Ishqi's beauty and innocence but there was a silent one she heard the loudest and that meant the most to her.
Ishqi lifted her gaze and glanced at Ahaan whose eyes were already glued upon her, he was awestruck by the simplicity in her beauty, she smiled at him before tearing her gaze and taking a seat on the couch opposite to the boys and beside Rhea who had already made herself comfortable.
Then, everyone started applying haldi onto the four, their cheeks, hands and arms coated with it. First it was the time for the girls to apply haldi onto the boys, "Ishqi/Rhea beta aab tum dono Ahaan aur Rahul ko haldi laagao, jaao" Dadi instructed the two. Rhea got up enthusiastically while Ishqi stayed put, "Ishqi, get up beta" her mom urged her, she sighed and hesitantly stood up.
"Pehle Ishqi tum jao aur Rahul ko lagao phir Rhea tum lagana Ahaan ko" DM said and Tara handed Ishqi two mango leaves and she dipped it in haldi bowl, Ishqi took small steps towards where the boys were seated, walking subconsciously and in her thoughts Ishqi was walking right at the edge of the stage.
Her foot twisted a little and she lost balance, Ishqi was about to fall when Ahaan pulled her towards him- He lost balance as well and both of them ended up falling from the stage, with Ishqi under Ahaan, tightly holding onto him.
One of Ahaan's hands' was under her head and the other around her waist, for a maximum of ten seconds no one said anything, everyone was kinda shocked- "oh my god! tum theek ho??" Ahaan whispered into her ear, still not moving.
"hm" she replied, "aap theek ho?"- "yes" he said "but yeh kya stunt tha?! Agar chot lag jaati toh?!"-
Ishqi: Arrey! jaan buch ke thodi na giri houn, mujhe stage se jump marne ka koi shouk nahi hai!
Ahaan: Waise ek faida toh hua..
Ishqi: Woh kya?
Ahaan: Tumhari haldi mujhe lag gayi, humari haldi bhi hogayi!
Ahaan lifted up a little and Ishqi got a look at his cheek which was now covered with the haldi she had on hers! She smiled- "OH MY GOD! ISHQI AND AHAAN ARE YOU GUYS OKAY?!" Rahul said loudly as he went towards the two, breaking them from their little dreamworld-
"Tum thodi derr chup rehte toh hum okay hi hote" an annoyed Ahaan whispered under his breath-
Rhea, Rahul, Tara, Kartik, Savitri, and Sania had all formed a circle around them asking if they were alright, Ahaan stood up and pulled Ishqi along with him, "theek hai hum" Ishqi said to them. Rahul cleared his throat and motioned towards Ahaan's arms which were currently circled firmly around Ishqi's waist.
Ishqi and Ahaan sighed and he hesitantly slid them off, completely ignoring their families who were currently bombarding them with questions and the guests who were staring at them questionably, Ahaan muttered, "humari haldi toh hogayi..baaki saab gaya bhaad mein"
Ishqi cleared her throat, "Guys, let's not make a big deal out of this and get back to the haldi" she said as she went back to the couch and took a seat.
Tara and Kartik chuckled, "raat ko bhi aisa kuch hojai toh maaza hi aajaiga..phere lene Rahul ke saath hai but galti se hote hai Ahaan bhaiyya ke saath" Tara whispered to Kartik.
They resumed the ceremony as it was previously going but this time it was a little different for Ishqi and Ahaan, although unintentionally-they'd applied haldi onto each other in front of everyone, the rest didn't matter.
//To Be Continued//
Q: Would ya'll like if I paired up Rhea & Rahul with each other? With someone else? Or should they both remain single??? Do lmk! 😄
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That's all for today guys, hope ya'll enjoyed it! { Word Count: 2304 } Next part'll be updated soon! 💛
Suggestions are always welcome ⚡️
Pls ignore any mistakes 😚
Lots of love and stay safeee ❤️
~ Vera 🌸