THE VANQUISHER

After a minute she started her acting as if she was the one to drink the milk containing sleeping pills, but this gave me an opportunity taking this chance to showcase that there was still some genuine care and comfort in Aarav the man she once loved I laid her down making sure she was in a comfortable position.

Amidst this I subconsciously streached out my hand to touch her naval area it was only for a moment but I felt bad for whatever happened and as I felt my emotions taking control over my sense I stepped back and left the room my breathing was now heavy.

After Aarav left the room Arundhati opened her eyes tears streaming down her cheeks, her hand caressing her stomach as she said in an hoarse voice

"What was that Aarav, Are you feeling sad what you did? Or is this a new scheme of yours why is it so hard to understand you?"

Their past

A day before the wedding,

"Aru, Aru want are you doing dear, Aarav's family sent haldi, we should start the ceremony within the auspicious time please make it fast" My mother called me.

(A Haldi ceremony is a Hindu marriage ritual in which relatives of the soon-to-be couple apply Turmeric to the bride and groom respectively, In ancient time there were no particular makeup or skin treatments, so people used turmeric which could brighten one's skin, this was particularly popular during wedding and with passing time this became a part of the Hindu marriage culture)

Since the announcement of our wedding my parents are pretty much anxious about everything may be due to the difference in the status of our family,

opening the door of my room I said "Common mom, just a little delay won't cause Aarav to change his mind you know he loves me"

"Yes yes I know he loves you now let's get going, your grandfather is waiting downstairs, and you know how strict he is with all these traditions"

Going downstairs I was met with mesmerized gazes, of my family as well as some guests.

I am the only child of my parents, both my parents loved me and always supported me and just as any other family, my family also has some troublemakers my cousin and her mother(my aunt).

My father's brother died early, and my father took them in but despite our best efforts they were always dissatisfied with us.

The haldi ceremony came to an end in the evening, after washing up I stood before the bed and was checking my wedding dress.

Suddenly someone grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth, I tried to scream but couldn't nor could I overpower him and with a sudden push I was on the bed and turning I could see the man.

I screamed his name out of shock "Aarav"

He covered my mouth again and said, "Shh, Shh why are you shouting Arundhati what will your parents think if they listen your scream"

Saying that he slowly removed his hand, fixing my clothes and standing in front of him I said, "Aarav what are you doing here and why didn't you change, you still didn't wash your face, it's covered in haldi. If you go out with this face hardly anyone will recognize the mighty Aarav Trivedi"

He pulled me towards himself closing the distance between us and said,"But you did, didn't you?"

Looking into his eyes I said, "How can I not recognise you, but that's not the point why are you here?"

"Isn't it clear by now" he bought his face close to mine and rubbed his cheek against mine "I came to celebrate my Haldi ceremony with my wife".

My face was now coloured with the same yellow haldi as his.

"Aarav do you know what will happen if anyone sees you here"

His gaze was now on my lips as he said "Nothing will happen we will be getting married tomorrow what's wrong with me coming here"

Our conversation was cut short by a knock on the door and I could hear my mother calling for me "Aru what's wrong why did you shout Aarav's name open the door"

I couldn't let my mother see Aarav, so I pushed him into my bathroom and said "Aarav stay here and don't make a noise"

But he smiled mischievously and said "and what if I do"

"Then we won't be spending our first night together"

It was such a ridiculous threat, but he was baffled by my response, grabbing my hand tightly he asked, "you can't be serious"

His expression was so cute, but I didn't have the time to play with him, so I said "Aarav I am serious, now complete silence zip your mouth"

He didn't respond with words but simply put his finger on his lips.

I left the bathroom in a hurry and entering my bedroom I could clearly hear the increasing frequency of knocks and calls of my mother.

Taking a towel and rubbing my face I opened the door,

"Arundhati why did you shout Aarav's name so loudly and why weren't you responding to my calls"

"Mom, mom relax take a deep breath you are okay now, firstly it's nothing serious he was just playing tricks on me, so I couldn't control my rage and shouted his name, and secondly I just found that my face was still covered in haldi, so I went to the bathroom to clean it up".

"Why do you people always argue and why did you shout his name, so loudly I was horrified, and you don't know how many useless thoughts were running through my head" She said giving my head a light flick.

"Okay mom, now that you know there's nothing wrong stop your thoughts in their tracks and go get some rest you will be busy tomorrow"

"Okay I will go, sleep early don't stay on call for long"

She teased me, my mother knew about our late night calls, so I couldn't help but be embarrassed

I closed the door after confirming her departure and as soon as I did that I found myself engulfed in a hug this time I knew who it was, so I chuckled at his actions and turned.