Chapter 21 :
Anika's POV
Everyone sat at the dinner table, as I put the shrikhand in the bowls placed on the tray. I have always loved this sweet dish, especially when my mother used to make it. I had learnt it from her.
Fixing my saree and my hair, I carefully picked up the tray before walking out of the kitchen. I didn't forget to thank the servants for their help.
The family members were done with the meal and were waiting for the sweet dish. Arnav was also there because maa forced him to stay back for a while, to taste my sweet dish.
Chachi sat there, smiling. I don't know what made her smile so nicely because in my presence, I never saw her even faking a smile.
Dadi didn't bother to look at my direction when everyone looked at me as I spoke, "Here's the sweet dish. It's called shrikhand. I hope it matches with everyone's taste", my tone remained low and soft.
I placed the bowls infront of everyone before I stood aside for everyone's reaction. I made it neither too sweet nor too blunt. It should match with everyone's taste. For the elders it's a little less sweet than for the children of the house.
No one was speaking, but simply ate without any expression.
"Yeh kya hai beta?", asked dada ji all of a sudden looking up at me, pointing at the bowl.
(What is this dear)
I replied nervously, "Why dada ji? I'm sorry but did I make some mistake?"
"Dear, you made a grave mistake", he replied blankly. "It has the perfect amount of sweetness and the creamy texture is awesome. You made my day. Come here."
He spoke at last with a smile. I had almost had a cardiac arrest because of the fear of disappointing him. He moved his hand to and fro calling me near him.
I was scared for a minute thinking I disappointed him but his complement lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.
I approached him with a smile before standing near him, as he sat on the head of the family's chair.
"This is the shagun", he spoke handing me a long red velvet box.
"What's this dada ji?", I asked looking down at the box in my hands.
"It's a gift for your delicious Shrikhand", he replied with a smile.
I smiled back and stood aside when maa spoke, "Anika beta, come to our room after breakfast. I'll give you the gift there for your delicious dessert. I couldn't bring it here with me."
I nodded with a smile, "Ji maa."
Complements filled the breakfast table as everyone ate with content.
Maybe it's natural that even though you hate the person, as a wife, she'd somewhere want her husband to say even a sweet word atleast. My loathing isn't too deep to not want to hear even a small compliment from the person I married.
I shouldn't expect anything from neither him nor this marriage, being well known to its conditions. He never did anything wrong to me before, and whatever he's doing it's his rage for me. His actions reflects the pain he holds inside. I'm not justifying his actions. Yes they're wrong because he shouldn't be the one to decide how I should suffer for my deeds.
But if I put myself in his shoes, I might've done the same to him if he had hurt my sister.
Man in rage, always wants the betrayer's suffrage.
In this situation, no one is justifiable. No one's actions, beliefs and words—are justifiable. We all are wrong, at a point, yet, we are right.
We all continued like that for a while as I casted quick galmces towards him to just tasted the dish before getting consumed by his phone.
Everything was normal until chachi spoke up.
"Aree Arshi, itni subah subah kaise?", spoke chachi looking at somewhere behind me, bringing me back to trance. The irritation on her face was suddenly replaced by a glow. A smile which wasn't fake, appeared on her face.
(Oh Arshi dear, how in the morning)
I turned around to see who Arshi was.
It had completely slipped my mind that it's my husband's dear ex-fiancée and bestfriend.
There stood a woman clad in a classy black midi dress. Her straight hair cascaded down her shoulders, somewhat shorter than me as her Louboutin heels matched her outfit. Lips had the shade of cherry red, and a pair of pearl studs hung from her ear lobes. Those upturned eyes stared at chachi, some emotions hidden behind the blue orbs, and a smile concealing her intentions.
She looked exactly like an elegant and beautiful lady. Her posture and aura enchanted elegance.
Still I won't appreciate her in actual. It's not my nature to roam around complementing people.
Putting the black Channel purse on the dining table, she back hugged chachi, who sat all smiling.
"Good morning bestie", she greeted chachi, who wished her back.
Bestie? Not bad.
Standing up straight, she walked over to dadi, who kept looking at her, happiness pasted on her face.
"Good morning young lady", she spoke, bending down to touch dadi's feet.
"Stay blessed my dear", blessed dadi.
Then she approached dada ji followed by maa, papa and chachu.
She also greeted Aisha and Rohan with a smile who reciprocated in a genuine way. They seemed very close.
Everyone happily blessed her. It seemed as if she was the apple of their eyes. The glow in maa's eyes somehow meant that she admired Arshi a lot. If it hadn't been her son marrying me, it'd have been Arshi in my place and everyone would have been happy.
The way she was accepted by this family is something so rare and precious. It's just beautiful—a beautiful moment. No one made her feel unwanted, but hugged her back with full warmth.
Maa wouldn't need to get hurt in future because of me. Everything would've been different. My husband, he also would've lived a happy married life with his love.
It's always me. I ruin everything. I'm a curse in everyone's life whom I have loved and cared for.
As I stood there silently, she walked over to me.
Our heights are almost same.
"Hi, I'm Arshi, Arnav's bestfriend", she introduced her, forwarding her hand.
Letting my hand collide with her, I replied, "I'm Anika Ro--Rai Mehrotra, Arnav's wife."
It doesn't matter if I despise this new identity of mine. Pretence is necessary for now, just to conceal the secrets that lay between Arnav and me.
"I know. Nice to meet you. I didn't expect him to get a bride like you", she replied, with a smile which never reached her eyes. I knew she wouldn't like me because she didn't get what was supposed to be hers. She stared at me, but the flicker in those blue orbs seemed odd. Some emotions lay beneath, that I couldn't perceive. Her aura wasn't so bright but indigo.
I've always known myself of feeling the aura of everyone I interact with. Reading psychology books has also indeed helped me a lot.
Her dressing style spoke elegance and professionalism. From her posture to expressions, everything was minutely kept in control. Her voice is smooth and rich, words leaving her lips always calculated.
"Neither did I", I replied detaching my hand.
"Anika beta, serve some shrikhand to Arshi too", spoke maa. I nodded at her before walking off towards the kitchen.
.
"Hold an online meeting in the evening. Send my deepest regrets for being unable to meet in person", I spoke to Ryle over the phone.
It's been over six hours of me attending and constantly typing on my laptop. Shutting it down, I threw my head back on the backrest of the couch closing my eyes.
The memories of the events of few hours ago flashed in my mind.
Flashback
Washing my hands I wiped them on my pallu as I made my way to his room. I'm finally done with the breakfast.
I was about to climb up the stairs to the second floor once I crossed the first floor when I remembered maa asking me to go to her room.
Making my way towards her room, I fixed my saree before knocking on the door. Just a moment later, she opeythe door. As soon as I came into her view, a soft smile took place on her lips.
Welcoming me inside her room, she asked me to sit on the couch before walking over to the walk-in closet.
Papa isn't here right now so I took my time in admiring the room.
Moments later, she walked out before standing infront of me, as I also involuntarily stood up.
"This is your gift Anika. Tell me if you like it", she spoke forwarding a deep blue velvet box.
"But maa, I already have so many things. There wasn't any need for this. Your blessings and support is enough for me", I replied softly with a smile.
She shook her head, "It's not out of any obligation to follow any ritual. I want to give you this because it belongs to you", she replied keeping the box on my hands.
"Open it", she insisted.
I nodded before pressing on the white button on the front side, as it opened revealing a set of elegantly crafted jewellery set.
The bib necklace was a stunning piece, crafted from gold and adorned with sparkling precious stones that caught the light beautifully. It shimmered under the room lights, exuding elegance and sophistication. It was a reminiscent of the neckpieces worn by the Indian queens of centuries past.
Nearby, a pair of earrings lay, matching with the neckpiece. They were equally captivating, glinting with the same precious stones that decorated the bib. The whole, was a sight to behold.
Every curve told a story about the hardwork and dedication of the craftsmen, pouring their heart out in designing such an exquisite jewellery set.
"It's made of pure gold. Arnav's grandma passed it on to me after I was married to her son, followed by me giving it to you. I'm giving it to the rightful owner now", she spoke softly, holding my upper arm lightly.
I smiled at her, prior to trailing back my gaze to the set.
"I know what you're thinking. I saw your face during breakfast. Yeah I wanted Arshi to be my daughter-in-law. I was ready to accept her happily and had even planned so many things for her. But now, you're my daughter-in-law and I accepted you the day my son introduced you to me", she replied.
Maa's words made me realise that she was a good of an observer. I know I'm good at controlling both of my emotions and expressions but still she saw it.
"But maa, isn't it wrong that I replaced the person you wanted?", I asked hesitantly.
She shook her head before cupping my right cheek in her hand, "No it's not like that. Fate did what it had to do. We just need to accept it now. And maybe, I'm happier than before to get you as my son's wife and my daughter-in-law. You're one of your kind and I'm lucky to have you. I wasn't sure how you'd be when Arnav had told us that he had a girlfriend. We had thought he was back with Arshi but turned out to be something else. He told us that he had a girlfriend in Paris for last three years and he wanted to marry her. Upon asking her name, he told Dr. Anika Roy Chowdhury", she spoke.
Her each and every word had comforted me until she dropped the unexpected bomb. My heart sank when I heard her last few lines. My eyes widened.
Arnav told his family that I was his girlfriend? What did he think while saying that?
I met him for the very first time at that showroom. I hadn't even known his name.
I wanted to tell her that we never knew each other before our marriage except the times we met for the contract purposes. Meeting him in Paris and having him as my boyfriend is something I can never think of. This new information left me speechless.
"Maa I'll now go and do some work. I couldn't handle my work because of the marriage so I need to wrap up some loose ends. I'll be back once I'm done taking care of the affairs", I replied slowly, still processing the information.
She nodded with a smile before I left.
.
The lift stopped on the third floor followed by the doors opening, the long corridor welcoming me with its silence.
Walking out of it, I moved towards his room.
This place still feels new and hard to feel comfortable with. A bride always finds it difficult to accomodate with such new surroundings but the kindness of her in-laws makes her adjust soon.
My in-laws are generous, but my husband is like no one but a stranger to me. We don't talk with each other, he always behaves rudely, our small words turn into arguments and each and every day I'm reminded of the cruelty of my fate.
I sighed. As I moved my hand to pull down the door handle, a voice halted my movement.
"What're you doing here?"
It's him. I turned around expecting him to mock me but I was taken aback by a small surprise. There stood Arshi, her hands around his left arm.
Jealousy has no place in a relation like the one him and I share. So I didn't feel that burning sensation seeing their proximity. But I felt like laughing in sarcasm because the one imposing the rule of no infidelity on me, is being so close to another woman despite being married.
"We share the same room, if you forgot Mr. Rai Mehrotra", I replied sternly.
His jaws clenched.
"I'm well aware of that. I asked you why you're standing here, wifey?", he asked calmly, denoting me in a way I didn't expect to happen infront of his girlfriend. I don't know if they're in any relationship but she's his love anyways.
"Now move aside. And don't come inside till I allow you in", he spoke sternly.
I silently stepped aside letting them walk inside and as the door was about to be shut on my face, I put my leg in between halting its movement.
It was Arshi who opened the door, "What do you want?"
I didn't reply but simply walked inside before picking up my laptop from the bed along with some necessary stuffs. He was sitting on the bed, crossing his legs while silently staring at my movements.
"What do you do to live?", asked Arshi from my back.
Standing up straight, I faced her before replying, "I own a fashion brand named The Red Sapphire". Not willing to waste my time on a stranger any further, I walked out afterwards without waiting for her answer.
Taking the guest room in the second floor as my temporary workplace, I settled there before I joined the first online meeting followed by two other meetings and clearing the remaining stuffs in my plate.
Flashback ends
I didn't realise when the sun swum half way into the sea, painting the sky in brightest orange to the lightest shade of yellow and the rest of the sky glowed in greyish blue.
Shutting down the laptop, I walked out of the room as I made my way towards his room. It's 4 right now so I have two hours to get ready before we present ourselves at Arnav's and my reception today.
Ascending the stairs to the third floor, I wondered if Arshi was still there. But shrugging off those thoughts, I knocked on the door.
The door opened revealing the person I somewhere expected and somewhere not.
Arshi stood there, dressed in a different outfit than the one she was clad in, in the morning.
My mind pondered if she changed there with my husband, who might be her boyfriend. It's nothing about shamelessness but some boundaries are set on its own once a person is married. But when the married one is so ignorant, then an outsider would anyways find their way in.
She was wearing a black bandeau peplum dress with a snake inspired Cartier neckpiece along with earrings. The eyes of the snake had green sapphires. Her straight hair was put back neatly followed by her black YSL heels. Her upturned eyes seemed sharper with the dragon eye makeup and her features sharpened with her red lipstick.
Her blue eyes stared at me blankly as she spoke, "You want something?"
"I share this room with my husband. So definitely I'd want something and everything I own, kept in this room. So I insist, please move aside because I need to get ready for what you've got ready", I replied clearing enough of her doubts, so to avoid another nuisance.
She silently stepped aside as I moved inside to see him already dressed.
He wore a deep green suit over a tailored waistcoat, followed by a crisp white shirt and matching green tie. His usual hairstyle framed his face, and today, he decided to forgo his glasses.
He sat manspreading on the sofa, his eyes fixated on me.
Ignoring his blank intense stare, I walked inside the closet to get ready.
As I searched for a saree for myself, I murmured, "A literal morally grey man."
Opting for a white saree with hand embroidered designs, the very first piece in the collection Diamond of Royal Blood Series by Anubhav Williams.
His collections are always mesmerizing and unique. I'd be glad to collaborate with him one day, if he approaches. Being a widely famous man, he's always busy but the time he had put while designing this saree, I'm really glad for his efforts. This piece is a chef's kiss.
I love its each and every detail.
The deep neck accentuated my collarbone as I matched my outfit with simple jewelleries and makeup, done by the MUA's.
Him and I didn't share a word during the whole time we stayed together in the room. Arshi wasn't seen lingering around him, maybe decided to meet chachi.
Finally being done, I walked out of the room before getting inside the lift, after him.
It was just him and me in the confined space. It didn't matter to me because I'm used to such situations in my professional life too.
As I was immersed in my thoughts, his voice caught my attention,
"Keep smiling there without creating a nuisance with your attitude"
I remained silent. His sharp words are always useless to me because whatever he speaks, I have the knowledge of that particular topic beforehand.
"Answer when I talk", he spoke again only to be met by my silence.
I could hear his heavy breaths in the silence of the space. As I felt him nearing me, the lift stopped opening the doors.
I was about to step out when he suddenly pulled me back inside before holding me against his robust chest by my waist as he ordered someone over the phone, "Freeze the lift till I ask to unfreeze it."
And with that, the lift doors closed and it stood still on the ground floor.
I was perplexed by his sudden behaviour that all the while I kept contemplating whether to speak something or even move.
But soon I realised everything, as I turned around pushing him back with enough force to stumble him back.
"What the fucking problem do you have? All the time you'd push me or pull like a damn rag doll. Yes you want to punish me and I'm letting you do that. That's the only limit you get to stay within. Don't try to pull unnecessary stunts to control or touch me in any way", I yelled, frustration taking control over me.
He didn't speak. His jaws clenched as he lunged towards me and before I could move away, I was trapped against the cold metal doors.
The coldness of the metal forced me to hiss.
I tried to move but he had already locked my hands behind me with his other hand holding my ventral neck.
He neither chocked me nor held with care. The pressure was enough to keep my body in place, failing any movement of my muscles.
"Don't.yell. I had already warned you to keep your voice low but you're just so adamant about infuriating me. You better remember your place because it's my wastage of time to remind you about it everytime. Don't ignore whatever I say. If I asked to answer then do it damnit. Disobey me once more and see what you face", he gritted. His deep voice went darker, lacing with fury and frustration.
His calm demeanor cracked revealing his monstrous side as he yelled the last two lines. His voice was loud and deep enough to echo through the space, as I flinched.
Tears welled up in my eyes but I tried to hold them back. I've always hated loud noises because those loud noises still haunt me.
I tried to speak but words never went out of my paining throat.
I kept staring furiously into his grey eyes slowly turning red.
The mix of grey and red scared me reminding me of every shade of that night. Every moment was colored in black and red that night.
Releasing me from his tightening grip, he stepped back brushing his hair with his fingers. Heaving out a heavy sigh, he dialled someone's number before ordering to unfreeze the lift.
I turned around wiping away my tears, my heart stinging with the familiar pain.
"It's getting too much", I mumbled slowly staring down at my feet, feeling the overwhelming sensation taking control over me.
"There's much more to go tonight. Don't cry now, for you need to save them for later surprises, doll", he whispered near my ear before walking out leaving me alone.
By now, I've known how his cruelty can reach horrendous extends at times, especially when he's extremely furious. His heartless behaviour towards me has instilled a little fear in my heart. Because me being a human with emotions, I can feel everything, including fear excluding love.
He never scared me so much how much his anger is doing to me because this reminds me of someone.
This really isn't the Anika I knew and had built up after years.
Shrugging off the thoughts, I walked into the main hall where everyone waited for me.
"Wow bhabhi, you're looking beyond how gorgeous I expected you to look", spoke Aisha almost running towards me, clad in a white off-shoulder trumpet gown. The glint in her eyes revealed the adoration she held for me.
I smiled genuinely at her, surfacing the façade of happiness drowning the agony.
"That's too much of a compliment to digest for me. But thanks a lot honey", I replied. "You also look like a like princess you're."
She giggled as we walked over to maa who hugged me with a compliment. Papa blessed me too along with dada ji and chachu.
As my gaze travelled towards the main door, I found my husband and his bestfriend standing together.
His arm was wrapped around her waist while she giggled at something he spoke, with a smile. It's rare but I don't admire anything that Arnav Rai Mehrotra possesses.
Walking outside, we all sat inside our respective cars.
Him and I sat inside his BMW Vantablack. The car engine roared as the driver drove off, out of the mansion's area.
The sun had already drowned and the moon has escalated to the sky, inviting the stars along with it as the night extended.