Chapter 2 Hug

~Shristy's pov~

"Mama, you know I prefer simple and elegant jewelry over heavy pieces,"I confidently stated to my dad, who was sitting next to me, looking for his support. He shook his head in response.

"Darling, take a look at this! I think it will suit you perfectly," my mom exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeah, it's great," my dad agreed. They both seemed focused on their choices, so I decided to take a moment to gather my thoughts.

We were out for last-minute shopping. My mom had already bought me beautiful jewelry for the wedding, but suddenly, one of our aunts chimed in, insisting that I also needed matching jewelry for my saris at my sasural, just like typical aunties do. Unsurprisingly, my mom agreed and started to panic!Now, while everyone else was heading to the wedding venue, we were still here, determined to find the perfect jewelry.

I called my would-be husband, but he didn't pick up my call. We have been together for almost a year and a half, and my parents have decided to arrange our marriage, which we both agreed to. I was very happy to have him as my future husband. However, for the past few days, he has been avoiding me and only making small talk. At first, I thought it was due to the pressure of our upcoming wedding or his new business project, but it now feels different.

Whenever I try to talk to him, he tells me he is busy or comes up with excuses. I don't know why, but his behavior is making me feel strange.

I take a deep breath. Okay, Shristy, today you will confront him.

I went back to my parents, who were covering the bill. Soon, we arrived at my wedding venue in Jaipur.

I tried calling my fiancé, but he didn't answer. We've been together for almost a year and a half, and my parents believe it's time for us to get married, which we both agreed to. I was very happy to envision him as my husband. However, over the past few days, he has been avoiding me and only engaging in small talk. At first, I thought he might be feeling pressured about the wedding or focused on a new project for his business, but now it feels different.

Whenever I attempt to talk to him, he either claims to be busy or gives me excuses. I don't know why, but his behavior is making me feel uneasy.

I take a deep breath and remind myself: today is the day I confront him. I rejoined my parents, who were finalizing the bill as we arrived at the wedding venue in Jaipur.

The evening sky was a breathtaking tapestry of pink and orange as the sun set. The haveli looked stunning, perfectly prepared for our wedding. Tomorrow marks the start of the rituals, and on the fifth day, we will celebrate our marriage.

Lost in thought, I was suddenly enveloped in a hug from behind. I recognized the voice instantly. "Shristu, Shristu! I'm so happy!" Mahira exclaimed, bouncing with excitement like a kangaroo. She's my childhood best friend.

"First, tell me what has you so thrilled?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Becauseeee..." she turned to face me, playfully pinching my cheeks. "Mere yaar ki shadi hai!" (It's my friend's wedding) she declared before breaking into dance.

We laughed, and I wrapped her in a tight hug. I missed my other best friend too. It puzzled me why the men around me suddenly seemed distant, like I was contagious.

" ane do dono bhai ko, batati hu" [I'll let them both come. Both brothers really are the same,] I told myself.

One by one, our family and relatives arrived-my in-laws among them. Dinner was a joyful affair, but soon everyone retreated to their rooms to rest after the long journey. I learned that Aveer would arrive late tonight.

Mahira and I shared exciting gossip in my room for a while, but she eventually drifted off to sleep. I settled onto my balcony, eagerly waiting for Aveer and checking my emails.

An hour later, I heard a car horn. I placed my laptop aside, sprinted out of my room, and made my way to the sitting area. The dim light made it hard to see, but I knew it was him. I ran up to him and hugged him tightly, inhaling his musky, crisp cologne.

"Did he switch up his perfume today?" I wondered.

"I miss you so much," I said, my voice full of emotion but laced with confidence, overwhelmed with joy after so many days apart.

He hugs me, but there's a long pause before he does. I melt in his arms as his head rests on mine. I may not be very short, but he is taller than me-he's 6 feet, and I'm 5'4". My head rests against his firm chest, and the sensation feels different.

"I was missing you so badly," I say, giving him a playful slap on the shoulder. "Why weren't you picking up my calls?" He holds me even tighter, as if he is afraid that I would be vanish the moment he loses his grip.

He didn't respond to my question: "Aveer, are you angry with me, baby?" He relaxed his grip and stepped back, but I held my ground and looked him in the eyes. His silence told me he was upset, but I needed to know why. I was deep in thought when someone switched on the lights, and my gaze locked onto his dark brown eyes. I now understand why he pulled away. I am not sure how I feel right now, but after seeing him for the first time in almost eight months, my heart hurts. I am dealing with a lot of emotions-shock, confusion, and embarrassment. We are looking at each other. He clears his throat to break the silence.

"Hi, Shristy," Aviyan said with a forced smile.

"How are you, Dulhan? It looks like my brother is bothering you! Just tell me, and I'll take care of him," he said in a strong voice.

I noticed some moisture in his eyes. Is he crying?

"Are you crying?" I asked him.

His smile disappears. He checks his eyes with his finger and says, "No, maybe something got in my eyes." Maybe I am thinking too much. I know now I recall that I was angry with him too, so I cross my arms and glare at him.

He gets confused by my glare. First, he looks to his left, then to his right, and finally checks behind him. When he finds no one, he points a finger at himself. I nod and continue glaring at him.

"What did this poor soul do to you?" he asks, bending down to my height and getting close to my face.

"Ask yourself... huh?" I reply, turning my head away.

"Hmmmm... If I had known, I wouldn't have asked you, munchkin," he mocks me.

[ Munchkin - short person]

Look at the audacity of this fucker, First, he ignored me like I was nothing to him; now he is mocking me. like I am nothing to him now he is mocking me. I just want to bang his head on the nearest wall. I give him a piercing glare.

"If something makes you feel good, embrace it and take action," he urges with a determined gaze.

""What?" I whisper-yell.

"you want to bang my head to the nearest wall,Go ahead, do it," he said with a playful grin, shrugging his shoulders in encouragement.

And my jaw dropped to the ground. How does he know? Am I thinking too loudly? "No, you don't," he shakes his head.

"Then how do you know what I was thinking?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"It's like your expression is so obvious that I can read your mind," he replied with a smirk, patting his shoulder as if he had just won an Oscar.

My blood boiled in my head, I can't control anymore, I grab his coller and throw all my anger on him " first you didn't pick my calls , second you came like a guest to your best friend wedding, now you are asking me what did you do, seriously, ohhhh you also didn't came to my engagement. What do you think I will forgive you, no never in this life." I was panting after unleashing my torrent of anger in one breath. Yet, through all my shouting, he simply stood there, staring at me as if I was singing his favorite song. It was infuriating and confusing. How could he look so calm while I felt like I was about to burst? It was as if my words rolled off him, absorbed in a way I couldn't comprehend, leaving me feeling even more enraged. Idiot

He chuckled and said, "Done, or do you have anything else to say?" I opened my mouth to unleash another wave of frustration, but the words failed me. I took a long breath and decided it was best to leave him for now.

As I turned to walk away, he straightened his shirt, took my hand with one of his, and slid his other hand into his pants pocket. When he pulled out a box, I couldn't believe my eyes. Raffaello! My favorite chocolate!

In an instant, all my anger vanished. He placed the Raffaello in my hand and said softly, "I know you're very angry at me, and I'm sorry for that. I won't make excuses; you can be angry with me for as long as you want. But for now, please calm down. You're the bride, and it's not good to hold onto so much anger. Take this." He gestured toward a bag beside him, "It's all yours." He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear and winked at me with that mischievous smile that always made my heart flutter.

I was completely amused by his gesture. My heart clenched, but in a good way. He left me there with a bag full of Raffaello, and I couldn't help but smile. I took the chocolates and headed to my room, feeling lighter.

For a moment, I forgot about everything else, even my wait for Aveer. All I could focus on were his genuine words. The girl who ends up with him will be incredibly lucky, I thought, as thoughts of Aviyan filled my mind. With a bright smile, I drifted into a deep slumber, the weight of my anger lifted, if only for a little while.