Author

The sun has slowly begun to cast its vibrant rays over the city - making the pigeons around chirp, temple bells rings and priests whisper holy mantras.

It was the city of love - the city where the divine story of Radha and Krishn began, the place where everyone wishes to visit at least once in their life.

It was 4 a.m. in morning when the first rays of sunlight slipped through the French window of a large apartment complex.

A girl dressed in simple blue kurti, hair damp with quick shower, came out of the bathroom ready for her morning puja.

"It's already soo late, I have to reach before the morning aarti starts". Vedika muttered under her breath.

After finishing the morning aarti at her own home, she was hurrying to go to the mandir near her apartment.

"Aao beti, itni der kaise ho gayi ?" The priest asked vedika as she was entering the mandir after keeping her sandals on the designated area.

"Vo.... baba aaj thore kaam ke karan der ho gayi, par aapne puja to start nhi ki naa ??" Vedika asked softly hoping to the priest to response in negative.

"Are nhi... nhi beta abhi to thori der hai aarti shuru hone mein" priest replied politely a soft smile forming on his lips.

"Shukriya baba, abhi mein nam jap kar leti hu" vedika replied and slipped quietly into the mandir.

Inside the mandir, vedika sat on her usual spot - A spot where no one can notice her, but krishn.

VEDIKA

I quickly took out my mala from bag, Whispering the mantras.

||हरे राम हरे राम
राम राम हरे हरे
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण
कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे||

The mantras slipped from my mouth effortlessly 108 times.

As I finished with my naam jap, baba's voice came from behind. "Beti... aa jao aarti ka samay ho gya hai"

"Ha..... ha aayi" I murmured my last prayer to krishn and walked towards the main murti.

When I returned to my apartment it was already 6 am.

I changed into my pajamas, before making my way to the kitchen, for making the breakfast.

I mostly do breakfast because rooh checks on me everyday — she thinks I don't eat it.

And maybe it's true....
I don't, it doesn't feels like eating anymore.

I had just placed my coffee on the counter when my phone buzzed, Aditi's name flashed on the screen - one of my colleague.

As I answered the call, a pool of questions came from the other side.

AUTHOR

"Where are you vedika??? It has been two decades since I am waiting for you." Aditi said irritated.

"Umm... yeah... yeah, I am coming in just two minutes, you wait for me" vedika replied, hurriedly taking her stethoscope.

The moment vedika reached the parking lot of her apartment, aditi called out in desperation "Jaldiiiii aaooo vedika hamm latee hoo jayengeee."

" yeah yeah I am coming."

With Aditi still muttering about being late, the two set off for the hospital.

It was 7 pm. at evening when vedika reached home, she was just going to take a quick shower. when her phone buzzed, Advika's name flashings on the screen. As soon as vedika accepted the call, Advika's excited voice echoed from the speaker.

"Veduuu how are youuu ????" Advika's voice burst from the other side, bright and excited.

"I am.... fine advi" Vedika's soft voice echoed from the line.

"I hope you aree taking care of yourself vedu..... And having your meals regularly.....are you ?" Advika's tone shifted, A touch of seriousness creeping in.

"Yes...yes advi I am." Vedika's face paled, knowing it was a lie.

"I hope you are - otherwise be ready for the consequences" A third voice cut in, sharp and playful.

"Aree rooh I am.....not lying" vedika tried to defend herself.

"Better" rooh said in a devilish tone, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Acha..... acha ye sab choro, meri baat sunno vedu bahut important hai" Advika interrupted, clearly trying to diffuse the tension forming between the girls.

"I have a good newsssss!!!!!!" Advika said Excitedly.

"Ha.....ha tell me" A small smile curled on vedika's lips, finding her friend's excitement.

"I am getttinggggg marrieddddd!!!!!!" Advika sequenced out of happiness, not able to control herself any longer.

"What?? How ?? When?" vedika blurted.

"Yeah.....she is GETTING MARRIED veduu, and we have called you to invite you to the wedding"

"But I-" before vedika could even finish her words, rooh's voice slice through hers.

"Not ifs and buts, tujhe aana hai, bas baat khatam aur agar tu nhi aayi na, to mein tujhe vaha lene aa jaungi" rooh warned, her voice dangerous leaving no room for further discussion.

"Ha....vedu tujhe aana hoga, this is the wedding of your bestfriend after all, no excuses" Advika pressed.

"But mandir, hospital duties..... I have a lot to cope with, I can't advi" vedika explained herself.

"You deserve rest vedu, You just can't spend your whole life only working, you need a break vedu.... and this is the perfect time to reunite with us"

Vedika hesitated "Hmm....I'll think about it."

VEDIKA

I stared at my phone, long after the call ended. My thumb absently circling the edge of the glass screen.

Maybe....maybe I should goo?

I want to.....

Atleast for advi's happiness? Just as I decided to goo.

My face turned pale, thinking of people around me - so many peoples.

It always makes me sick -Humans make me scare.

I want to go.... but maybe....I won't go?

AUTHOR

The sun's rays was splitting upon the curtains of a dimly light room.

A phone was buzzing on the side table of the room.

A boy hardly opened his eyes — hue eyes heavy from deep sleep answered the call.
"Ahhh.... ab ye... kaun kutte ka bacha phone kar raha hai?"

"Are you sleeping till now??? It's already 8 a.m Vihaannn" the other man in the line yelled.

"Kyaa haii Bolo naa...... kyu faltu mein time waste kar rhe hoo" the boy - Vihaan Singh Chauhan, the co - founder of chauhan empire, said irritated by the call.

"Kal tu late soya naa..... fir se???" The man asked.

"Aree nhi bhai..... bas aaj jayda neend, aa rhi thi isliye soo rha hu" Vihaan said to vikrant, his elder brother.

"Acha sun, tujhe meine proper invitation card bhej diya hai, aa jaiyo tere Bhai ki shadi hai pata hai naa? Vikrant said in a sarcastic way.

"Dekhta hu......" Vihaan said absent mindedly.

"Aana hai tujhe samajha, agar nhi aaya tho advika aur mein terese baat nhi karege" Vikrant said leaving no option for Vihaan.

"Haan..... haan aa jaunga, ab devdass banne ki jarurat nhiii haiii"

"Ab toooo rakh doo phoneeee faltu mein neend kharab kar rha haiii" Vihaan said irritated by his brother's typical emotional blackmails.

VIHAAN

As the line went dead, I threw the phone somewhere in my room. And walked towards the balcony for some fresh air.

"Huhh...... shadhi...... mere bhai ki shadi" Vihaan let out a dry chuckle.

"Tere Bhai ki shadi hai..... agar tu nhi aaya to advika teri sakal nhi dekhegi" Vikrant's words were still running into my head, making it difficult for me.

"No matter how much you both try but I won't return to you all."

"I don't want y'all to be hurt because of me, it's better if I stay away. Sorry vikrant, but I won't" The words slipped out of mouth, even If I never wanted them to be.

Before the thoughts overtook my mind, I took a deep breath making myself ready for the day ahead.

Soo pandas 🐼🎀 how was the chapter?????

As I am writing this for the first time there might be a lot of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes please forgive me for this time 🥺.

I will try my best to improve it from next chapters okay??

And I have written this chapter very short the word limit is just 1400+ but I will give longer update next time I PROMISE 🤞.

So now tell me your thoughts 💭 will vedika and Vihaan meet in the wedding or somewhere else???
because ofcourse they will meet somewhere only then the story will proceed 😭🤣

What are your thoughts on Vihaan's behaviour towards his and family?

Which part did you liked the most??

Please do comment, your comments makes my day 🙏 🥀

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