Part 1

RUDRA POV

I stared at myself in the mirror, adjusting my tie for what felt like the hundredth time. My reflection seemed to mock me, like the universe itself was in on the joke—Rudra, the guy who's about to make a life-changing decision he didn't want to make, all for the sake of family "honor" and whatever other nonsense they were feeding me. I had never been a fan of this whole "engagement" business, especially when the woman I'm supposed to be engaged to is... well, Isha.

Isha, Isha, Isha. Every time I thought about her, the image of a human-sized walking cosmetics counter popped into my mind. I could swear she was wearing enough makeup to suffocate an entire family. And don't even get me started on her gold-digging tendencies. She wasn't even trying to hide it. The only thing that seemed real about her was her obsession with real gold.

I sighed and tried to keep my stomach from flipping. The door to my room burst open and there stood my father—suit too tight, hair too combed, looking like he was about to conduct a business transaction instead of an engagement ceremony.

"Rudra! You look like you're about to faint!" he said, looking me up and down. "You're getting engaged today! A big day, son! Smile! We need to make a good impression on Isha's family!"

I wanted to throw up.

"Yeah, I'm so excited," I muttered, dragging my hands down my face. I could already feel the tension of the day seeping into my bones. This was going to be a disaster.

My mother burst into the room next, her hands full of... well, I couldn't even tell what she was holding. A basket of fruits? A weird assortment of incense sticks? My mother had a strange talent for overcompensating, and today was no exception. She waved it all around like a wedding planner in a Bollywood film.

"Rudra, don't look so grim! This is the happiest day of our lives!" she beamed, clearly oblivious to my internal breakdown.

I forced a smile, wondering if there was some way to sabotage the whole thing.

"Oh, I'm sure it will be. I'm thrilled," I deadpanned.

My uncle, who had been awkwardly standing in the doorway like a lost puppy, chimed in, "You know, I heard Isha is a real catch. Beautiful, well-educated, and her father is a big businessman—tons of connections. You're a lucky man, Rudra."

I cringed at the words lucky man. This had all the hallmarks of a financial arrangement, not a love story. If anything, the only thing I was "lucky" in was being stuck in a room full of people who clearly had no idea what I was going through.

"Yeah, a real catch," I muttered, rolling my eyes so dramatically that my uncle had to look away awkwardly.

My father suddenly grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Just wait till you see her, son. You'll be so happy you didn't hesitate. Beauty, brains, and money. What more do you need in life?"

I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. Beauty? Sure, I'll give her that—she looked like a model, though I wasn't sure if she was modeling for a cosmetic brand or a bank loan advertisement. Brains? We'll see. As for money... well, it was pretty clear where her priorities lay. I wasn't sure if she was more in love with her own reflection or her father's portfolio.

"Yeah, I'll make sure to ask her for a loan the next time we meet," I said dryly, wishing I could just skip the whole engagement and go back to being single—and sane.

At that moment, my sister barged in with a plate of food. "Rudra! Don't be such a drama queen. You'll be fine. Besides, Isha will have a great time making you look like a rich, successful guy," she teased with a smirk, clearly enjoying the fact that I was miserable.

"Yeah, she'll probably even add a few extra layers of foundation to make me seem more successful," I said, half-joking but with a hint of bitterness.

My sister laughed. "Oh, come on. You're just nervous because you don't know her well yet. Give it time, Rudra. She's a great girl. I promise."

I raised an eyebrow, my frustration slowly mounting. "Time? I'm pretty sure she's counting down the minutes until she gets her hands on my bank account."

Before my sister could respond, my father interrupted. "Enough with the complaints, Rudra. Go out there and show the world what you're made of! This is your future!"

The phrase "your future" echoed in my mind like a haunting bell, reminding me of the trap I was walking into. But there was no escape. Not today.

I sighed deeply, my eyes darting nervously to the clock. "Alright, alright. Let's just get this over with."

As I walked out of the room and down the hall, I heard my family behind me, laughing, chattering, and excited about the future they had planned for me. It was a future where I was a happily engaged man, and yet, I couldn't help but feel like the only person not in on the joke.

I was already dreading what was to come.

I only hope Isha doesn't try to take a selfie with me at the altar.

As the car pulled up to the venue, I couldn't help but feel like I was walking straight into a sitcom episode I never signed up for. The whole place looked like a glittery palace, an over-the-top extravaganza that screamed wedding in every corner. The lights, the flowers, the overly dramatic archway... It was all too much. I half-expected someone to pop out and say, "Surprise! You've just been pranked!"

We walked in, and I saw Isha's family already greeting us with forced smiles and overly enthusiastic handshakes. Isha's father had a smile that could rival a toothpaste commercial, and her mother, in a dress that looked like it belonged on a runway, was already barking orders at the catering staff.

And then, I saw her.

Isha.

She looked like she had been dipped in gold paint, wrapped in sequins, and coated in so much makeup I was sure she'd suffocate under the weight of it. Her face was practically a layer cake of foundation, powder, highlighter—probably a bit of bronze for good measure. Her dress looked like someone tried to make a Christmas tree out of fabric. It was... a lot.

"Rudra! So glad you could make it!" she beamed at me, her smile almost too perfect. Too rehearsed.

I nodded awkwardly. "Yeah, wouldn't miss it," I muttered, though I had definitely considered missing it. The sheer amount of glitter she was wearing might have blinded me if I stood too close.

The event started, and my siblings—Ajay and Simran—took the stage as the hosts. Ajay grabbed the mic like he was about to announce the winner of a talent show, beaming with a confidence I couldn't fathom.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Ajay began, practically shouting into the microphone, "Welcome to the most epic engagement celebration of the year! A night of love, joy, and... glitter!" he added, making a ridiculous hand gesture toward the decorations that could've been used for a New Year's Eve party.

Simran, standing beside him in a dress so bright it looked like a neon sign, chimed in, "Tonight, we celebrate not just a union of hearts, but the perfect match between Rudra and Isha!"

I sighed internally. Perfect match, my foot.

I shot Ajay a glance. "Really? Perfect?"

He grinned back at me. "Come on, Rudra, smile! You're on camera!"

Simran gave me a thumbs-up from the side. "You got this! Let's make this the best engagement ever!"

"Yeah, sure... best engagement ever," I mumbled, forcing a smile that probably looked more like a grimace.

And then came the first awkward dance of the evening—me and Isha. We slowly made our way to the center of the dance floor. I was doing my best not to trip over her, considering she was wearing heels that seemed better suited for a circus performer.

"So, we're really doing this, huh?" I asked her in a low voice, half-laughing in disbelief.

Isha gave me that perfect, rehearsed smile again. "Of course! This is our moment!"

I forced myself to take a deep breath. I was already counting the seconds until this was over.

We danced, but to be honest, I don't even remember how. My brain was too busy calculating how much longer I'd be trapped here. The music seemed to go on forever. The whole thing felt like a lifetime of awkward movements and trying not to step on each other's toes.

Finally, the song ended and the crowd clapped. I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

Other people started getting up to dance next, but I was completely uninterested. My gaze wandered to the buffet table for a solid few minutes, and then to my siblings who were still on stage, hyping things up like this was the Oscars.

That's when the real twist came.

Ajay grabbed the mic again. "Alright, folks! Time for something special! We've got a surprise guest tonight, someone who will make this engagement even more unforgettable!"

Simran leaned into the mic and grinned like a mischievous cat. "You won't want to miss this, folks! Let's bring out our surprise guest—Maher!"

Time seemed to slow down.

I swear, my heart skipped a beat. Maher?

My mind raced as the familiar figure walked in, and suddenly, everything around me went silent. There she was—Maher. The girl I had loved in college. The girl I had been with for years, before things fell apart and we broke up, each of us carrying some scars from that relationship.

I could feel my palms sweating. This was the last thing I expected to happen tonight.

She was stunning, of course. But that wasn't what stopped me in my tracks. It was the awkwardness that hit me, thick as concrete, the moment our eyes met. I could see the same shock on her face as I felt on mine. Neither of us said anything.

Simran and Ajay didn't know anything about our past. They were acting like this was just some random guest joining the fun. But Mehar and I knew the truth. We had a history that none of these people could possibly understand.

Mehar hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure of what to do. She gave me a small, tight smile, but neither of us moved to greet the other. The tension between us could've been sliced with a knife.

We didn't say a word. Neither of us moved.

Hello Everyone ,

This was the first chapter and I hope you like it . 

If you find any grammatical error please do tell me I will immediately change it. 

If you want spoiler then you will get in on Instagram.

Instagram I'D- Evanescentvows

I know my first edit was not good but I am a newcomer and I hope you will understand.