Mahira
It was 7 in the morning as I groggily sat up on my bed. Today was the day I was supposed to meet my soon-to-be husband.
I anticipated that my mother would burst into my room at any moment, and right on cue, she did exactly that.
"Mahira? Oh tu already utt gayi!? (Mahira? Oh, you're already awake!?) she exclaimed, clearly surprised. I simply nodded in response, avoiding eye contact.
"Dekh Mahira, mai samajh sakti hu lekin itnah achha rishta hume aur nhi mil sakta (Listen Mahira, I can understand you, but we won't be able to find a much better proposal ever again)" she said as she approached my bed.
"Agastya Rathore naam hai usko (He's Agastya Rathore)" she continued, seating herself on the edge of my bed.
I played with my fingers, avoiding looking at her. "Ladka achha hai Mahira (He's a good match, Mahira)" she insisted, placing a comforting hand on top of mine.
She gave my hand a light squeeze as she stood up. "Breakfast ready hai, tayaar hoke aajo niche. Aur ha achhe se tayaar hona. They will be here by 10 (Breakfast is ready. Get yourself ready and come downstairs. And make sure to look presentable. They will be here by 10)" she instructed before leaving the room.
I groaned, closing my eyes briefly. Agastya Rathore. His name echoed in my mind. Running a hand through my hair, I pushed the duvet away and reluctantly got out of bed.
I made my way towards the closet and the anklets jingled, bringing back memories of my past, memories I wished I could forget.
I shook my head. "He's not here Mahira. He won't get to you ever again" I muttered to myself, trying to reassure my trembling heart.
I sifted through my closet, my fingers grazing over the fabric until they settled on a cream-colored saree. Here, wearing a saree for significant events was customary. With a sigh, I retrieved matching jhumka earrings and a set of bangles to complete the look.
I approached the bathroom cabinet and retrieved my favorite jasmine-scented body wash. Stepping into the bathroom, I prepared to start my morning routine.
*****
After spending about an hour in the bathroom, which included a brief crying session, I stood in front of the mirror adjusting my saree.
I adorned myself with jhumkas and bangles, applying a touch of kajal to my eyes and a nude lipstick to my lips. I opted for a simple loose braid for my hair and then made my way downstairs.
As the clock struck 9, my heart quickened its pace. Meeting the person I was supposed to spend my life with filled me with both excitement and dread, especially after the haunting nightmare that still lingered in my mind.
The nightmare where Khalid sat beside me while the groom lay lifeless in front of us was utterly horrific.
I made my way to the dining table and took my seat. Soon after, my mother joined me and served breakfast. "You look absolutely stunning, Mahi" she cooed. I simply offered her a small smile and looked away.
My appetite was long gone and I just played with my food. I was about to stand up when my dad entered the dinning area hastily. "Woh log 10 min Mai poch rahe hai (They'll be here in 10 minutes)" he said, taking short breaths.
"But weren't they supposed to arrive at 10 am?" my sister questioned. "It seems they're already on their way," my dad replied, a hint of concern in his voice.
My hands started sweating as Agastya was supposed to arrive in 10 minutes. "Mahira, go to your room and don't come downstairs until we call you" my mother spoke softly, giving me a reassuring smile.
I nodded and made my way back to my room. The anticipation gnawed at me as I paced around the room, checking myself in the mirror repeatedly. My heart raced at an uncomfortable pace, echoing the tumultuous thoughts in my mind.
After about 20 minutes, I heard a soft knock on my door. "Mahira, aaja (Mahira, come)," my sister's voice beckoned.
With shaky hands, I opened my door and looked at my sister. Her face was radiant with happiness, causing me to let out a shaky breath.
I managed a small smile as she led me downstairs to meet Agastya and his family. As I descended the stairs, a shiver ran down my spine, and my eyes widened in shock as I laid eyes on the person seated on the couch.
It felt as though time had frozen, and my entire body went cold, my nerves refusing to transmit signals to my brain, rendering me momentarily paralyzed with disbelief.
My breath caught in my throat, and beads of sweat formed on my body, trickling down my spine. My feet became slick with sweat, and it felt as if my heart was about to burst through my rib cage.
The air seemed to thicken with an ominous weight, suffocating me as his presence filled the room. The atmosphere grew dense and heavy, shrouded in darkness that mirrored his menacing aura.
His gaze swept over me like turbulent waves in an ocean, each glance piercing through me with an unsettling intensity. Those eyes, haunting and familiar, bore into me with a chilling familiarity that sent shivers down my spine.
"Mahira? Bachcha idhaar aao (Mahira? Come here child)," my Nani's voice broke through the trance-like state that his presence had enveloped me in. Despite her call, my eyes remained fixed on him, unable to tear away from his unnerving gaze.
"Mahira?" His voice, husky and familiar, sliced through the air like a knife. Memories flooded back, and my hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
My mind raced as I stood frozen, torn between fear and the need to protect my family. I couldn't let them know about the past, couldn't risk putting their lives in danger.
Feeling my sister's nudge, I snapped out of my trance and nodded slowly, averting my gaze. Despite looking away, I could still feel his intense gaze lingering on me.
I was made to sit opposite to him, a table stood between us, serving as a physical barrier. "Mahira beta, his parents are no more. He just has an elder brother" my Nani explained, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
I didn't dare to look up. Tears were on the verge of falling. He was back. Back to make my life a living hell.
My nani placed a finger below my chin and gently tilted my head to look at her. "Mahira?" she called softly, concern etched in her voice.
"He has his own house and a great job," she continued, while my parents stood nearby, wearing soft smiles.
My mind was in chaos. I couldn't fathom the idea of marrying him. Never.
"Nani-" I began, but before I could continue, he interrupted, his voice deep and husky, "Nani, kya hum aur Mahira akele mai baat kar sakte hai kya? (Nani, can Mahira and I have a private conversation, please?)" His voice deep and husky.
I jerked my head to look at him in shock, my heart racing with panic. Arman, his companion, sat beside him, their presence sending a shiver down my spine.
"Nahi, nahi-(No, nani-)" I began to protest, but my words faltered as I glanced at my Nani. She met his gaze with a gentle nod, indicating her agreement with his request.
"Nahi, Nani-(No, nani-)" I called out desperately, but my plea was interrupted by his authoritative voice.
"Chale Mahira?(Shall we go, Mahira?)" he said, his tone brooking no argument as he addressed me directly.
His cold gaze bore into mine as he rose from his seat, his movements deliberate and controlled. With each step he took towards me, I instinctively recoiled, inching back into the couch, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Mahira jao (Mahira go)" As my mother's voice broke through the tension, she gently tugged at my hand, urging me to stand up and accompany him.
I couldn't. I couldn't do it. I can't bear the thought of being alone with him. I hesitated, my heart racing with fear and uncertainty. He closed in and stood right infront of me, forwarding his hand for me to take it, an unspoken demand, but I couldn't bring myself to reach out.
I closed my eyes, trying to wake up from this nightmare but it wasn't one. My heart pounded in my chest, a feeling of dread washing over me. I wished desperately for someone to rescue me from this situation, to wake me up from this nightmare. But as I opened my eyes, I realized that I was still there, facing him, facing my reality.
This can't be true. I'm just hallucinating. I tried to convince myself but the scene before me remained unchanged, confirming that this was indeed happening. The reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me feeling paralyzed with fear and uncertainty.
"No, no, no" I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief. It felt like the ground was slipping away beneath my feet, leaving me stranded in a nightmare from which I couldn't awaken.
"Mahira, go" my dad's voice broke through my thoughts, his hand gently guiding mine into the grasp of that monster.
I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip was firm, unyielding. His words sliced through the air, piercing through the chaos in my mind. "Mahira, your Nani is getting sad, look at her," he said, his voice dripping with a sinister calmness that sent shivers down my spine.
I glanced at my Nani, her eyes filled with hope and anticipation, her face etched with concern.
I knew exactly what he was doing. He was manipulating the situation, using my family against me, just as he had done in my nightmare.
I was stuck. I couldn't do anything. My body turned cold, my hands trembling uncontrollably as I reluctantly took a step forward, drawn towards him against my will.
His eyes bore into mine, piercing through my resolve as I struggled to avoid their intense gaze. He was back, wasn't he?
******
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