Aadha tera ishq, aadha mera
Aise ho pura chandrama
Tara tera ek tara mera
Baaki andhera aasmaan
Aadya's POV
"Are you sure about it, beta? He does not remember you or anything related to you. Do you still want to marry him without his memories?" Papa asked softly when I told my parents and brothers about the proposal Adrian made.
"I have never been more sure than this, papa. I know he does not remember me but I know he loves me, all over again. And that's enough for me. So, yes I am sure." I replied to him, with a smile curled on my lips.
I really feel we should get married now because there is a very little chance that his memory would return and I cannot end my life at that mere possibility. Yes, I will pray that his memories return as soon as they can but I also know he loves me despite not having his memories.
So, I am ready to get married to him, be with him forever and make new memories with him which we will cherish for life. Me, him and our daughter, Ruh.
"If that's what you want then we will call panditji tomorrow to fix the dates. His parents are also here, we will talk to them and get things done." Mumma spoke, bringing me out of my trance.
I hummed in response and nodded at her. "I will go and talk to maa and dad first, then you can discuss everything." I said and left the room.
His parents asked me to call them maa and dad and I have been doing it except for the time when we are in front of Rian. They are staying in the guest room and so I make my way towards it. Before entering, I knock on the door and when I get an approval from inside, I open the door and enter.
Their eyes turn to me and a smile makes its way on both their faces. "Come in, sweetheart." Maa said and motioned for me to come near her.
"Good morning, maa and papa."
I sat next to them and we started talking. It's been long since we had a proper chat. They have been calling me frequently in the past nine months and asked about my health and the baby. I am so grateful to have them by my side as my second parents. And soon they will become my in-laws too.
"Is Ruh asleep?" Dad asked.
A soft chuckle escaped my lips before I replied, "Yes, she slept in Rian's arms. She really loves him."
Both of their smiles widened at her reply.
"When she wakes up, tell me. My granddaughter should spend some time with me, now shouldn't she?" Maa joked and I laughed in response.
We talked for some time before I left. I did not have anything specific in my mind to talk about but I really needed to have a chat with them after so long.
Once I left from there, I went to my room where right now Rian was sitting near the cradle in which Ruh was sleeping. I walked towards them and as if feeling my presence, he turned around and looked at me. His face immediately brightened up.
"Hey, baby. Come sit with us." He motioned near himself and I compiled.
I sat next to him and saw our daughter sleeping peacefully in the cradle. Involuntarily, I put my head on his shoulders and leaned into him, holding his upper arms and relaxing myself.
"I told my parents about our idea of getting married and they said they will talk to your parents and call the priest tomorrow to fix the dates."
I spoke, breaking the silence and he hummed in response.
"I want to get married as soon as possible, Dove." He said, fidgeting with his fingers.
"So desperate, Rian?" I joked, trying to tease him a little but his response left me shocked.
"I am."
He confessed openly and for some reason blush coated my cheeks. I didn't expect this sudden reply but I loved it.
"Stop being a flirt. I am all yours." I tried to joke again.
"I would never. I love making efforts to impress you."
Trust me, even though he has lost his memories, he still is the same. Like ditto. The way he always happens to make similar statements as the last time shocks me but provides a calmness to my heart because it increases the possibilities of him remembering everything.
After that we didn't talk much and slept in each other's embrace without even realising. I was tired from the day and so I didn't realise when I fell asleep in his arms and he didn't disturb or wake me up either, instead he simply laid me down and joined next to me.
The next morning before I woke up, he was already gone and I thanked god because otherwise my brother's would have killed him for sleeping in the same room as me before our wedding.
Let's just ignore the fact that he impregnated me and now we have a daughter together.
I couldn't help but chuckle at myself for even thinking this. After finally stretching my arms and yawning thrice, I get up from the bed and make my way towards the washroom to get ready for today.
I wore a simple maroon red anarkali and made my hair in a loose fishtail braid, leaving a few strands to fall on my face. I did my makeup, keeping it light and simple because there is no occasion or something today. It was just some moisturiser, a little foundation, mascara and lip tint.
It's not much.
After getting ready and being satisfied with myself, I make my way outside the room. As I was walking in the corridor, I heard Manisha bhabhi's voice from behind a pillar,
"Nothing will happen, we have done it before too and nothing happened. So, relax."
I walked towards her and tapped on her shoulder once, she turned abruptly and her face lost all the colours as her eyes met mine. She was talking to someone on the phone. My face was covered in confusion and she clearly understood the questions from my look.
"Hi— hey Aadya. What are you doing here?" She asked, stammering at her words.
"I was going downstairs. Who were you talking to?" I asked her.
She laughed nervously at the question and looked at me before saying, "I— I was talking to— your brother, obviously. Who else would I talk to? Now, come on, let's go downstairs."
Right now, I didn't want to invade her personal space and ask her more questions, so I ignored it and walked with her downstairs.
I saw almost everyone sitting in the living room, including Rian. Gio and Ika were here too along with her family. I greeted everyone and sat on the couch. Mumma then told us that Adrian's parents and they have decided to fix the dates and hence called the priest too.
He soon arrived and we greeted him. After some discussions, he started suggesting dates for the marriage and ended with giving us two options to choose from. There was a date for after two months itself and after that was a date after eleven months.
Everyone was discussing and debating with each other before Rian finally spoke up, "I want this wedding to happen as soon as possible. So, let's finalise the date which is after two months and have an Indian wedding while after eleven months we can get married again in Catholic style. In this way both cultures will be respected and I don't think anyone will have an objection with it."
I was really falling for him all over again in this moment because of the way he talked and handled the situation, the way he folded his sleeves before talking and how he kept his elbows on his legs and intertwined his fingers as he explained.
He is so hot for god's sake.
"I think it would be perfect." Mumma said.
"I agree." Maa also gave a positive response.
"I think it's hurryin—" bhai started but was cut off immediately by Rian.
"I guess then we should finalise the date after two months and prepare for the functions."
He literally cut off Ekaksh bhai in the middle. God! He has got some guts to do it. Bhai glared at him but he completely ignored it and everyone finalised the date. Once it was done, the priest got up to leave and I helped him outside, followed by Rian.
Once we reached the main door of the mansion, the priest turned around and said, "Won't you donate something to a brahmin?"
I was confused with his demand but immediately remembered that we donate money or other stuff to brahmins who visit us and help us with these things. But right now I had nothing with me to give. I thought to go back inside and get something for him but as I turned, Rian held my wrist and raised his brow in question.
I explained to him how we are supposed to donate things to a brahmin and all and then tried again to go back inside but he made me stay there. Before I could question him back, he took out a ring from his finger and forwarded it to the priest.
I was completely shocked when he did that because why would he? My eyes were left wide open at his gesture.
"This is from my woman's side. Please accept it." He said and the priest gladly accepted it with a smile.
Once the priest left, I couldn't help but question him, "Why would you do that? I was about to bring something from inside."
He smiled and took my face in his palms, "I didn't do anything great so stop thinking much. And whatever is mine is yours too so, if I gave it to him, you gave it to him. Now, come on, let's go inside." He said and we made our way inside together.
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Two months passed in a blur and we did not realise it because we were so engrossed in the wedding preparations, shopping and planning of everything. And today finally is my wedding day.
I am hurrying towards my room because the hair stylists and makeup artist have already arrived. I was passing by Ekaksh bhai's room when suddenly a voice stopped me in my tracks. I didn't mean to intrude but I could help it when I heard the tension between them. The door was a little open so I moved closer to it.
"Stop blaming and questioning me for stupid things, Ekaksh." Bhabhi almost yelled at him.
"I am blaming you, Manisha? Are you out of your fucking head? You are the one who is lying to me." Bhai replied to her in an angered voice.
God! What's going on with them? Why are they yelling at each other?
I thought about entering the room but before that, Ika ran towards me and took me to my room because we didn't have much time to waste. I also ignored it thinking maybe it's one of their husband-wife fights and I am no one to interfere in it.
I enter my room and see the professionals already there. They asked me to wear the blouse of the lehenga and after that the makeup started. After it was done, the hair stylist made my hair in a bun, leaving a few strands and curling them in a way that they looked elegant but didn't disturb my face. Once, my hair and makeup was done, I wore the skirt of the lehenga and they helped me fix the dupatta before helping me with the jewellery.
After some touch ups, I was finally ready. I looked up in the mirror was beyond mesmerised because I did look great. They did a great job with everything, making it look subtle and elegant at the same time.
The dark red royal lehenga, the red lipstick and the perfect jewellery adorned me perfectly.
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Adrian's POV
It's been two days since I have seen my love and now I am getting impatient to have one look of her. I have been writing letters to her and have not got a reply of any of them but I know she is enjoying my misery a lot.
Sighing, I got ready in the traditional attire which Ekaksh and Ariv pointed out as a 'sherwani'. After that they gave me some neck pieces and stuff and made me wear it. Once I was ready, Amelia entered inside with an album in her hand.
I motioned for everyone else to leave the room as she walked towards me and sat next to me.
"You look good, Adrian." She complimented me with a sweet smile.
She is literally the sunshine of our lives and always makes our mood happy with just a smile of hers.
"And you look pretty too." I said genuinely as I looked at her who was dressed in a sage green lehenga and was looking glamorous.
"I am so happy that you are getting married to Aadya. You made the right decision, brother."
"I always make good decisions, you know." I chuckled and she chuckled too.
Taking a deep breath in, she looked at me and started, "I have a gift for you." She passed me the album she brought with her, "I found it in your penthouse. I really think you should see it." She gave me the album and with a smile stood up.
"I don't remember owning this album. Where did you find it?" I asked before she could leave.
"It was in your penthouse. I found it when I went to look for something and decided to bring it with me. Take a look." And with that she left.
As soon as she left the room, I couldn't help but open the album. As soon as I flipped through the pages, I was left beyond shocked. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and suddenly numerous memories started hitting me and everything finally started making sense.
The album contained portraits of Dove which I don't remember painting but as I turned the pages, every single memory started flooding inside me. How I first saw her almost three years ago on my best friend's phone screen and how I instantly fell in love with her voice.
Every single memory started hitting me. Every single moment spent with her and all the incidents started playing in front of me like a movie.
All the portraits I made of her were triggering memories of us. Our first date, first kiss, first time and every little conversation, promise I made with her. The proposal on the new year, the roka ceremony and then the attack. How I ran for the bullet coming towards her and took it without even thinking for once.
And after that, everything became blank. That's when the actual realisation hit me.
I forgot her.
I hurt her.
All the promises I made to keep her happy forever, I broke them. I broke the promise to never hurt her. God, what did I do! What she must have gone through.
I still remember the betrayed and broken look in her eyes when I asked who she was. I feel like an asshole right now.
And in the next moment another realisation was drawn upon me instantly.
Ruh.
Ruh is my daughter, my own blood. She is my daughter. Ruh is my daughter.
Without wasting another moment, I immediately leave the room and make my way towards the nursery. Avoiding everyone in the path and ignoring them all, I rush towards the nursery. As soon as I reach it, I open the door and enter, making my way towards Samaira who was right now sitting beside the cradle in which Ruh was sleeping.
Samaira's eyes moved towards me and her gaze turned confused. Before she could question me, I spoke,
"I want to spend some time with my daughter."
Her eyes widened in surprise and I nodded at her, confirming her doubt. Without saying another word, she left with a smile. As she went, I moved towards Ruh and peaked inside the cradle. She was moving a little in her sleep, and looked like she was going to wake up now.
I slowly pulled her out of the cradle and held her in my lap. As soon as she was comfortable in my lap, she wiggled and slowly opened her blue eyes which starred directly in mine.
My heart skipped multiple beats as I kept staring at my daughter who was right now smiling at me. His lips parted and eyes shining. Tears brimmed in my eyes at her sight.
"I am sorry baby for hurting your mumma and not remembering you two."
"I am sorry baby for ever doubting you. I should have known but I was a fool."
"But now, I am back."
"I am going to fix everything, baby."
"Let's just hope your mumma forgives me."
I chuckled a little after finishing the sentence and even Ruh was smiling. I kept staring at her while she stared back. She was my daughter. I still can't believe all this. It feels so unreal, so unexpected but yet, so fucking good.
It's like I have been waiting for this my entire life. I was waiting for her and my Dove my entire life and now, I have both.
"Dadda loves you, Ruh." I spoke and kissed the little munchkin's forehead.
Before we could spend more time together, Samaira came back. "It's time for the marriage now. Let's go." She informed me and I nodded at her.
Before giving Ruh back to Samaira, I looked at her and said, "Let's go surprise your mumma, baby."
Samaira took Ruh in her arms and I walked downstairs. Since I did not have any brothers or friends, Ekaksh, Ariv and Gio escorted me to the mandap, as they called it, where the wedding was going to take place.
I went there and my parents came near me, with tears in their eyes as they smiled at me and hugged me.
"I can't believe you are getting married." My mother said, wiping her tears.
I smiled back at her, "I remember everything, mom. I remember her." I confessed and their eyes widened in surprise but soon the smile appeared back on their lips before they congratulated me and went back to sit in the chairs to see the wedding.
Soon, the clarinet's sound grabbed everyone's attention and all the eyes were now focused on the aisle Aadya was walking down on. My eyes stuck on her and I couldn't move them away even for a second. I don't think I would ever look away for an eternity now.
Her beautiful attire and the way it was wrapped around her looked majestic. Her hairs made in a bun with a few strands left loose which were moving due to the air were making me lose my senses. She walked towards me and I could see my entire life walking towards me. At this moment I knew that if I ever leave this woman again or if we ever get apart, I will die.
Tears brimmed in my eyes, blurring my vision a little. As she neared me, I almost ran towards the end of the wedding pavilion and forwarded my hand for her with a smile on my lips. She smiled back at me and gave her hand in mine as I helped her up.
As soon as she was standing in front of me, I pulled her closer to myself.
"You have left me stunned and I don't think I can calm my nerves now." I spoke, staring in her eyes.
"Rian, control. My family is around and guests are here too."
"I can't. Why are you so beautiful?"
"Compliment me all you want but make some distance or else my brothers will kill you."
I chuckled and pulled her closer to myself before kissing her forehead and making a little distance between us. When my eyes looked around, I saw most people with shocked faces while others did enjoy the little show. A chuckle left my lips while blush had covered her face.
I saw Ekaksh not having his focus on the scene as he looked distracted and frustrated over something else while Ariv glared at us. I smirked at him and rolled my eyes.
Soon, the functions started and the priest instructed her to do things which we followed. After some rituals and chanting some mantras, he asked us to stand up and circumambulate around the sacred fire seven times and recite specific vows with each round.
We started taking the rounds and made the vows which the priest asked us to repeat after him. Once all the seven rounds were taken, we sat back down on the little stools which were for us to sit on. The priest then chanted a few more mantras and then called Aadya's father for a ritual called 'kanyadaan'. In this the bride's father officially gives the bride to the husband.
Once that ritual was complete, the priest asked Aadya's mother to bring a plate which had vermillion and nuptial chain in it. The priest asked me to fill her hairline with the vermillion and put the chain around her neck.
"So, this will officially make you mine?" I whispered softly so only she could hear.
She nodded her head at my words and a smile appeared on my lips.
"In that case I shouldn't waste another moment, now should I?"
As I saw a smile make its way on her lips, I filled her hairline with the vermillion which fell a little on her nose too and then made her wear the nuptial chain.
"Vivaah sampan hua. Aaj se aap dono pati patni hue."
(The marriage is done. From today you are husband and wife.)
The priest announced and I understood that he declared us officially as husband and wife. A proud smile made its way on my lips before I leaned down a little to whisper a revelation in my love's ears.
"Humein aapse pyaar ho gya hai, Mrs Aadya Adrian Williams."
(I have fallen in love with you, Mrs Aadya Adrian Williams.)
Her eyes widened in shock when the realisation hit her and a few drops of tears fell down her eyes. Within a fraction of second, I engulfed her in a hug and it felt like the time stopped for us.
"I MET YOU AS A STRANGER THREE TIMES BUT EVERY TIME I FELL FOR YOU AS IF IT WAS THE FIRST TIME. YOU WERE MY HOME AND I WAS DESTINED TO BE YOURS IN EVERY POSSIBLE UNIVERSE UNDER EVERY POSSIBLE SCENARIO."
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Omg! We are at the end of this book now and I want to cry my eyes out 🥺.
But, I have two surprises for you all..... first, there will be a SPIN-OFF book of MTM. The name is 'Break Me' and it's now available on my profile.
The couple of this book is a mystery for you all to guess, hehe.
Second, I thought to not end the book at 59 chapters so I will be writing a bonus chapter too. It will be their suhagraat and so many confessions.
See you soon, sweethearts.