B E L L A
"Cultural landscapes can include natural, historic, artistic, religious, or symbolic features that express the identity, heritage, and meaning of a place."
The lesson started and I diligently took notes, watching time pass by on my laptop. After one and a half hours the class was finally dismissed.
I rolled my eyes hearing the girls in my class gossiping about the wedding. Since, there's no official pictures posted, they all have been a little impatient. I ignored them checking my phone to see so many missed calls from my parents.
Looking at the time it was already two- thirty in the afternoon. Gathering my things I made a quick exit from the building in a rush to get to the cafe, to finally meet my friends after two whole weeks.
The whole wedding scandal has deprived me of meeting my friends. I have to get of the house secretly to not get caught by the paparazzi.
Our families agreed to keep this marriage a secret until we find my sister. My father has his private investigator working on my sister's whereabouts. Her phone has been switched off after she send that message.
Not just my father but I think Mahir ji is also searching for her. I heard his conversation with his secretary two days ago.
Speaking of him, he hasn't been spoke to me in these two weeks let alone look at me. Either he doesn't come home or sleeps in the guest room. I tried talking to him, clearing the misunderstanding but he doesn't spare me a single glance.
When he asked me if I knew that my sister would run away I was caught off guard. I didn't know what to say other than remain silent. The pain behind his strong facade was making it impossible for me to tell him what exactly my sister said.
Ofcourse, I didn't know she'd run away. She loved him but then suddenly he wasn't enough. How was I supposed to tell him that? How was supposed to tell him that my sister was having second thoughts on her love.
Mahir ji misunderstood my silence.
The cab stopped infront of my regular cafe. I stepped out thanking the driver before walking inside the small but cosy cafe near my training centre.
I started my training two weeks ago. So far, things have been going smoothly as I kept my focus on my career and completely ignore the fact that now I'm married to my sister's ex fiance. Before going out I had make sure I don't wear the nuptial chain but I keep it in my purse. I have to cover the vermillion with my hair to not let it seen.
"Bella!"
I looked around and finally caught my friends waving at me. I made my way towards them and was immediately hugged by Vyara, Ahvi joined next. We stood there for few seconds like that until they spoke up breaking the hug.
"We're so worried, Bella." I glanced at Ahvi who had a frown etched on her face, "You're okay?" She asked
I nodded, "I'm fine, guys. It's been a tough two weeks but your girl is a survivor remember." I exclaimed cheerfully trying to break the tension. I heard them chuckle which brings a smile on my face.
I missed them.
We took our seats and ordered our regulars.
"So?" Aadi narrowed his eyebrows looking at me. His brown hair was in a man bun.
"He's angry." I sighed.
"Ofcourse, he is. His fiance ran away from the wedding." Ahvi replied rolling her eyes. I couldn't help but exhale a deep sigh. She's right. If anyone who's suffered the most in all these then it's him. He loved her, he loved my sister and we betrayed him.
"Have you talked to Rudra?" I shook my head looking at Vyara. The mere mention of him reminds of what happened. He loves Vyara.
"He's mad as well. He haven't spoken to me in two weeks. I don't know what to do." I mumbled looking down. I tried talking to him but he's giving me cold shoulder.
"He's just upset. Give him some time." I nodded earning a smile from her. I have to talk to Rudra and I have to do it today. I can't have him ignoring me for the rest of our lives. Things are already complicated and I don't want our friendship to get mess up in this.
For another hour we all sat there laughing and giggling about the things we missed. I couldn't change what happened but we can't dwell on it forever. Aadi and Ahvi went to Pakistan for a medical campaign. I'm proud to say that my two bestfriend's are successful docters.
"Have you talked to your family?" Vyara asked when I finished telling them what happened. They really felt bad for Mahir which is why I didn't tell them about the night incident besides he apologized already.
"Nope and not going to." I said with a finality in my tone. My father has been calling me but I have been ignoring both him and mom. The waiter arrived with my cold coffee.
"Are you sure?" I heard a very familiar voice. My eyes widen when I saw my brother standing infront of me. He was in black denim with baseball cap. He also has his mask on so people can't recognise him. He's q public figure given he worked for many brands.
Tears brimmed out of my eyes seeing my brother after two weeks. I immediately rushed in his arms, hugging him tightly. I missed him so much.
I was mad at my parents but never at him.
"Aap thik to ho na, dii?" He looked up at me with concern. I smiled widely ruffling his hair.
[You're okay, right?]
"Ofcourse, I am. Now that I see my little brother I'm absolutely fine." He chuckled pinching my cheeks. My brother is a lot taller than me and sometimes people misunderstood him as my older brother.
"Are you sure, dii? And Mahir jiju? What about him? How did he take this? Please tell me if he did something." I immediately stop him from spewing nonsense.
"He didn't." Ayansh stared at me unconvinced.
Later, we all went to watch Ayansh's photoshoot. He's been modeling for Balenciaga for six months now.
~
"Rudra, listen to me please."
I groaned annoyingly but followed him to his room. As soon as I arrived home my mother-in law told me Rudra was home.
"Rudra-
"WHAT?" I flinched back at his tone. He seems to realize it as he sighed sitting on his bed.
"How long are you planning to be mad at me?" I asked standing infront of him. When he didn't say anything, I crouched down infront of him.
"Rudra, please you can't be mad at me forever. Atleast let me explain-
He cut me off immediately, "Explain what?" I stare at him silently.
"Do you even know why I'm mad at you?" He asked , "Bella, you should have come to me when they were forcing you to marry my brother."
"You know, mere rehte hue tumhe koi bhi kisi chiz k liye force ni kar skta." I couldn't help but feel something warm inside me at his words.
[You know, nobody could have forced you for anything as long as I'm here]
"I know." I said not breaking the eye contact.
"Mujhe pta hota agar dadu kuch aisa karne wale hai to main unhe rok leta. I had no idea. I was handling the media."
[If I knew my grandfather would do something like that I'd have stopped him]
I tried to stop the flashes of that day from appearing in my head. By the time my father begged me to marry Mahir, Rudra was already gone taking care of the guest and media so the words can't get out about my sister running away.
"We promised to tell each other everything. You're my bestfriend, Bella." His hands cupped my cheeks looking at me.
"I'm sorry. Please don't stop talking to me." I say, placing my hand on his.
"I don't know, Bella. Ye sab bhtt ajeeb h. I need time." I nodded understanding what he's trying to say. None of us thought I'd end up marrying his brother.
[All these is really weird]
I sighed getting up. If he needs time then I'm ready to give him however he wants.
"I should go, then." Turning on my heels, I was about to leave when I felt a hand on my wrist. He didn't let me process anything before he pulled me in his arms.
I immediately melted feeling him so close to me. I missed this.
"I hate it, Bella. I don't know why but I hate what's happening." Rudra mumbled wrapping his arms around me tightly.
"Mm.. hmm." His face hiding in the crook of my neck giving warm sensation all over my body.
We stay like this for another minute before he pulled away but still has his arms around me.
"I'll make this right, okay?" He whispered tucking the strands of my hair. There's no way any woman would not fall for this man. He's perfect.
Worry was evident as I stared into his beautiful eyes. The one who always looked at me with so much warmth and adoration.
"You're staring, doll?" His lips twitched into a smile causing my heart to flutter. "What is it, Bella?" He asked with a teasing smile.
A smile grazes on my lips. My hands tightened around his shirt, "Rudra, I-I'm-
I was cut off when the door of his room suddenly opened and it was like life was showing me the reality of my situation as I saw Mahir standing on the doorway looking at us with a stoic face. I couldn't read him. I didn't know what he's thinking as he stared at both of us.
I immediately pulled away from Rudra.
"I need to talk to you." His voice was gruff as he looked at Rudra who nodded at him and without sparing me a glance he left. He's still mad.
The second both of them left I finally breathed out not realizing I was holding my breathe. My heart started thumping loudly knowing I would have confessed my love to Rudra if Mahir ji hadn't interuptted.
~
Next day, I arrived at the place where I have been staying for the past two weeks. I still have a hard time calling this place my home.
Dialling my sister's number I tried to call her but it went straight to voicemail. Now this is getting me worried. I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that something is wrong. Two weeks and there's still no news of my sister.
Where are you Aria? Please come back home.
Sighing, I went inside the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Navya was sitting on the kitchen island struggling with the melons.
"Let me help," I say taking the knife from her but she immediately snatched it back.
"I can do it myself." She snapped.
I looked at her, "But, I was just trying to help." I said truthfully.
"I don't need your help. Just because mom accepted you as her daughter in law it doesn't mean we all have to." She rolled her eyes grabbing the bowl of fruits.
"Navya-
"You're not Aria bhabhi. You can never take her place." She said looking at me before walking out.
She's right I'm not Aria. I'm not my sister and I wasn't try to be. But, her words did hurt a little. I'd never take my sister's place not in this house or in Mahir's life.
Just then a message immediately brought a smile on my face. Last night, Rudra said he'd take me somewhere after my classes. I couldn't contain the amount of happiness I was feeling at the thought of spending time with him.
-Meet you there at 5!
Dropping the text to Rudra, I made my way to my room. A frown etched on my face when I saw my mother in law with my suitcase.
What's happening?
"Aunty?" She turned around at my voice. My eyes shifted to look at Mahir who was sitting on the couch with some files. He didn't even acknowledge my presence as he continued doing god knows what.
"Oh, Bella you can call me maa, now." I smiled at her nervously but nodded.
"Waise accha hua tum aa gyi. Main abhi tumhe hi call krne wali thi." She said excitedly causing me to frown.
[It's good you're here. I was about to call you]
"Are we going somewhere?" I ask looking at my packed suitcase. My heart started beating loudly at the weird thoughts I'm having. They're not sending us to honeymoon, right?
"Not us, dear just you and Mahir." My eyes widened at her words. Oh my god!
I glanced at Mahir who didn't look even half interested. Why isn't he saying anything?
"A-Are we going on-
"Mahir is going back to his house." I sighed in relief. Thank god. I thought they're sending us on honeymoon.
"If he's going then why are you packing my stuff?" I asked confused. She smiled at me.
"You both are married now. Ofcourse, you both will stay together. I know, beta ye shaadi tum dono k marzi k khilaf hue h but can you please give a chance to this marriage. For me?" I looked at her in daze. I don't know what to say.
[I know dear this marriage was forced upon you both and you never wanted this..]
"Mahir agreed. He promised to make this work." To say I was surprised would be an understatement. My gaze shifted to Mahir in shock. Did he really say that? How can he promised something when we both know what's going to happen after six months.
"I'll tell the driver to take the suitcases." I nodded watching her retreating figure. I walked towards where he's sitting, calm and composed.
"You can't promise something you can't keep." I watch his eyes glued to the paper in his hands.
"Who said about keeping promises?" He questioned still not looking up from those goddamn papers.
"Did she know about the contract? Don't give her hope only to hurt her later." His fingers clenched around the paper. He finally looked up at me. Our eyes met and I shivered feeling his cold eyes glaring at me.
My heart paced up when he stood up taking slow steps towards me.
"Tell that to your sister. After all you sisters are good at playing with people's emotions."
My heart clenches at his words that were sharp as a knife, hurting where it should. We stared at each other until he looked away. Picking his phone, he left.
My eyes brimming out with tears as I thought,
How long do I have to tolerate all this?
~❀~
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Regards,
Sarah