The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange hue across the Oberoi mansion. Ekshita stood on the balcony of her room, the cool breeze ruffling her hair as she gazed out at the sprawling garden below. The vibrant flowers seemed to mock her turmoil, each petal a reminder of the conflicting emotions swirling within her. She could hear laughter and music filtering through the air, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in her heart.

Inside, the atmosphere was electric with excitement. Preparations for the engagement were in full swing, yet all Ekshita could feel was a sense of dread. She reluctantly turned away from the view, knowing she had to face the reality of her situation. The engagement was not just a binding of two individuals; it was a merger of two powerful families, and her feelings were irrelevant in the face of such expectations.

As she entered the living room, she was met with smiles and excitement from family and friends. Her mother, radiant in a deep red sari, approached her with a twinkle in her eye. “Ekshi, darling, are you ready? This is a new beginning for you!”

“Mom, I—” Ekshita began, but her mother interrupted, an almost desperate excitement in her voice.

“It’s time to embrace your future. Reyansh is a good man, and this union will bring honor to our family,” she said, her expression softening.

Ekshita’s heart sank. How could she convince her mother that Reyansh was not the good man she envisioned? He was the boy who had once broken her heart, and now he was to be her husband.

Ekshita was so tensed thinking about Ishani because she was still not aware about who the groom was, Ekshita knew if she'd told Ishani about this before, she'll be broken and Ekshita was scared about the fact that Ishani will hate Ekshita after knowing that she was going to marry a guy whom Ishani also loved, but she didn't had any other option except for this.

FLASHBACK

Ekshita and Ishani were on a call. Ishani was continuously yapping about who the groom was. but here Ekshita was fighting with her inner turmoil whether she should tell Ishani about Reyansh or not,, but then she told Ishani that you'll get to know it soon.

Do you love him ? ... Ishani asked.

Ekshita didn't knew how to respond to it. Her brain hated him but her heart always loved him. Then she said that I don't even know him properly, It's an arrange marriage.

Ishani was shocked because she always knew that Ekshita was not a kind of woman who behave according to others. she'd always lived her life on her own terms.

Then why are you marrying him because as far as I know, you are not a kind of person who listened to others and this is a huge decision of your life and you just agreed for an arrange marriage, I still can't believe this is you talking, the same girl who always took stand for herself. And I know that you are hiding something from me but I don't know what it is, Ishani said.

Ekshita didn't responded immediately as she was lost in her own thoughts.

What are you thinking ? .. Ishani called out.

Nothing, You know my parents. I didn't had any choice except accepting this proposal.

FLASHBACK ENDED

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. It was Ahana, h dressed in a stunning emerald green lehenga that accentuated her graceful figure. “You look stunning!” she said, stepping into the room. “But you seem lost. What’s wrong?”

Ekshita sighed, leaning against the wall. “I don’t know if I can go through with this, Ahana. I’m being forced into a life I never wanted.”

Ahana’s expression shifted to one of concern. “You deserve to be happy, Ekshita. Have you talked to Reyansh about how you feel?”

“Talked? You mean like having a heart-to-heart with the man who sees me as a crybaby?” Ekshita scoffed, her frustration spilling over. “He doesn’t even take me seriously!”

“Maybe he doesn’t know the real you,” Ahana suggested gently. “You both have a history. Perhaps this is a chance for a new beginning, despite how it started.”

Ekshita contemplated Ahana's words, a flicker of hope igniting within her. But just as quickly, it was extinguished by memories of their tumultuous past. The thought of Reyansh, with his charming smile and piercing gaze, made her heart race and her mind swirl with confusion.

“I’ll try to talk to him,” Ekshita finally conceded, her voice barely above a whisper.

Later that evening, as the festivities continued, Ekshita found herself seeking Reyansh. The grand hall was adorned with twinkling lights and laughter, yet her heart felt heavy as she searched for him among the crowd. Just as she thought she might lose her courage, she spotted him in a corner, talking animatedly with Ayansh.

“Ekshita!” Reyansh called out, his eyes lighting up as he noticed her. He'd never noticed her before but today , he was looking at her like she is the only one standing there, whole room got blurry for him. This time there was a difference in his gaze, there was admiration and many more.

“There you are! You look beautiful tonight. Ready for this wild ride?”

“Wild ride?” she echoed, incredulous. “You call this a wild ride? It feels more like a freight train barreling down on me.”

Reyansh raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his gaze. “What do you mean? We’re getting engaged! This is a celebration.”

“It’s a celebration of our family’s business deal, not our love,” Ekshita shot back, feeling the tension rise between them. “Don’t you understand? I’m being pushed into this, and I don’t want it.”

For a moment, the room around them faded into silence, the laughter and music dulled by the weight of their conversation. Reyansh’s expression shifted from playful to serious. “You think I want this? I’m just as trapped as you are, Ekshita. My father didn’t give me a choice either.”

Her heart raced as she absorbed his words. Could he understand her pain? Was he really just a pawn in this game of family politics, too? And how did he suddenly changed, the person who never wanted me is now asking me to become his partner.

Before she could respond, the atmosphere shifted again as they were called to the center of the hall, where the engagement ceremony was about to begin. The two of them exchanged a fleeting glance, both filled with uncertainty and something else—an unspoken connection that had not yet faded.

As they stood side by side, their families’ voices blending into a harmonious celebration, Ekshita felt a surge of defiance. This was not just about their families’ expectations; this was about them. She had to find a way to break free from the chains binding her to a future she never desired.

And just as the priest began the ceremonial chants, she whispered to Reyansh, “We need to talk. After this.”

Reyansh nodded, determination etched on his face. “I’ll find you.”

As the rings were exchanged, Ekshita’s mind raced with the possibilities of what lay ahead. She felt the weight of expectation on her shoulders, but there was also a burgeoning sense of resolve. She would not let her life be dictated by others.

As the night progressed, the laughter echoed on, but within Ekshita, a spark ignited—a willingness to fight for her own happiness, no matter the cost. The chapter was far from over, and she was ready to take control of her destiny, starting with the conversation that awaited her with Reyansh.

As the night progressed, the laughter echoed on, but within Ekshita, a spark ignited—a willingness to fight for her own happiness, no matter the cost. The chapter was far from over, and she was ready to take control of her destiny, starting with the conversation that awaited her with Reyansh. 

As the vibrant colors of the engagement ceremony enveloped the Oberoi mansion, a cacophony of laughter and music filled the air. Ekshita stood at the edge of the grand hall, the glittering chandeliers reflecting in her eyes while her heart remained heavy with uncertainty. The guests were oblivious to the inner turmoil brewing within her, the whispers of excitement drowned out by the loud thumps of her racing heart.

"Ekshita! Come here, dear!" Her mother called, beckoning her with a smile that felt both warm and suffocating. "We need to get you ready for the ceremony. You must look your best for Reyansh!"

Ekshita forced a smile, pushing back the wave of anxiety that threatened to engulf her. She glanced around the room, searching for Reyansh amidst the crowd. The last time they had spoken, she had felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could find common ground. But the reality of their circumstances loomed larger than their past.

"Are you ready, my darling?" Her mother's voice broke through her thoughts, and Ekshita nodded, though her heart screamed otherwise.

As she made her way to meet Reyansh, she felt the weight of her decision pressing down on her shoulders. The path to the center of the hall felt like a long, winding road leading her to an uncertain destination. Just then, she caught sight of him, surrounded by admirers, his charm radiating as he laughed heartily, effortlessly drawing attention.

"Reyansh," she called softly, her voice barely cutting through the noise.

He turned, his expression shifting from amusement to surprise. "Ekshita! There you are. I was wondering where my bride-to-be had vanished." His tone was teasing, but beneath the surface, she sensed a tension that echoed her own turmoil.

"Can we talk?" she asked, her voice steadier than she felt.

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Now? In the middle of this circus?"

"Yes, now," she insisted, her determination rising. "It's important."

With a slight nod, he gestured for her to follow him out onto the balcony, away from the prying eyes of their families. The night air was cool and refreshing, a stark contrast to the warmth of the gathering inside.

"What's on your mind?" Reyansh leaned against the railing, his demeanor casual, but Ekshita could sense the underlying tension in his posture.

"I can't go through with this," she blurted out, the words tumbling from her lips before she could catch them. "This engagement... it feels wrong. It's all for show, and we both know it."

Reyansh's expression hardened for a moment, then softened. "Ekshita, you think I wanted this? You think I'm thrilled to be paraded like a trophy?"

"Then let's do something about it!" she urged, her heart pounding. "We can talk to our parents, explain how we feel. We don't have to marry each other just because they've decided it."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustration etched on his face. "You don't understand, do you? They've already made promises, tied us together in ways we can't simply untangle. It's not just about us anymore."

"Then we fight!" she said, her voice rising. "We fight for ourselves, for what we want. We can't let them dictate our lives."

Reyansh looked at her, a mixture of admiration and doubt swirling in his eyes. "You're brave, Ekshita. But do you really think we can change anything? Our families... they hold all the cards."

"Maybe it's time we took control of the game," she replied, her resolve hardening. "We need to show them that we have a choice."

Before Reyansh could respond, Ayansh emerged from the shadows, a knowing smile on his lips. "There you are! I was looking for you both. The ceremony is about to start!"

Ekshita's heart sank. "Ayansh, please, we need a moment."

"Nonsense!" he said, placing a hand on Reyansh's shoulder. "You two are the stars of the night. Come on, let's not keep everyone waiting."

As they walked back inside, Ekshita's mind raced. She couldn't let this be the end of her fight. As she took her place beside Reyansh, she noticed Ishani in the crowd, a bright smile plastered on her face, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface.

In that moment, Ekshita made a silent vow. She would not let her past dictate her future. She needed to find a way to unravel the threads binding her to this engagement, and perhaps, with Reyansh at her side, they could stitch together a new story—one of their own making.

Little did she know, the night would hold more surprises than she could ever anticipate. Shadows of the past were about to resurface, and secrets long buried were ready to be unearthed, reshaping their lives in ways they had never imagined.

As the ceremonial music began to play, Ekshita's heart raced—not just with fear, but with a spark of hope. She glanced at Reyansh, whose eyes met hers, both of them silently vowing to navigate the intricate web of their lives together. The threads were tangled, but perhaps, just perhaps, they could find a way to weave a new path forward.

With that determination, the night unfolded.