N O O R

"Morning." He murmured while taking chair on the counter. I was on my toes and just a speck away to run from this place. But I need to think thoughtfully. This wasn't a child's game. We were mature adults trapped in a complicated equation. The events of last night was unnerving and denying what happened would solve nothing anyways.

We were silently munching our meal until he decided to break the silence. "Last night..." I decided to listen to him patiently. "I am sorry for last night acting so impatiently."

That's it. He is sorry. Maybe he was stunned by me pulling that Divorce Paper scene. Perhaps he did not mean that. It's good thing he did not mean that. 

"But I am not sorry for the kiss." 

My resolve was crumbling. "Is this some kind of joke, Vyom?" I couldn't contain the sharp pitch of my voice. He was getting on my nerves.

"No!" He squeezed his eyes and again whispered in helplessness, "No!"

"We were friends, Vyom. You were my best friend." I am not liking the thickness in my voice but it's aching, "Look at us, Now! what have we turned into? You are complicating everything. I was never your choice. You were never mine." I pressed my palm against my forehead in frustration. He needed to understand this. My life is already complicated enough.

"We were forced on each other. A dying old man's last wish. He is gone now, Vyom. That kiss was nothing but an impulsive act. You were mad. I get it. I...."

He didn't let me finish and raised on his feet. "Can you please shut up?" If before he was confused and calm, he is seething now. "I was never your choice. That's fine. But remember and tie it in your head, you were always my first choice. You will always be my first choice."

With that outburst, he just left. Lies. More lies. What choice was he talking about? This was just an arrangement by my father. He didn't ask me if I wanted to marry him. He just told me that it is what I have to do. Neither Vyom asked me if I had any consent. None of us had any. We just had to do it because of my dying father's last wish. So, where lies the choice?

Now he was gone and I don't wish to pursue this relationship. He should set me free. Unless, there was something else in his mind. 

---

My limbs felt heavy. I wasn't sure this would work, but if I needed to get out of this house and his life, this is the only way I could see. 

With fear and hope in my eyes, I smeared the red lipstick on my lips. He can be home anytime now. I sighed, staring at the bride figure—my lifeless eyes reflecting back. I did not even get ready for my wedding as a bride should. But today, fate has its own plans.

The doorbell rang and clearing my throat, I descended stairs. Vyom—exactly as expected. But the moment his gaze fell on me, I knew there is no going back. He was bewildered at first but there was also some kind of longing in his gaze which was undeniable.

"Come." He was staring at me and had not uttered a single word.

"I need to talk with you. Can we go to my room?" Damn. My voice quivered and I couldn't help but notice the seductress in wakening which was not part of the plan. "I'll be waiting."

It was getting difficult. I was feeling cold feet. I don't think I can do this. It wouldn't work. His penetrating gaze was hopeful and all I saw was love. No, Lust—like every man perceives.

The veil covered my face like a traditional bride's shroud almost suffocating and claustrophobic. My mind was repetitively giving me red signal about how this is a bad idea and just as I prepared to remove it, a laugh interrupted.

"Noor, Yaar. What are you doing?" Vyom was standing near the bed. He was looking at me amused almost comically.

I silenced him by asking, "You love me, right?" I wished he'd call me mad. Instead, his face turned serious. "I do," he said, approaching, his hand touching my cheek. "A lot." It was not the coldness of his touch that made me shiver but the close proximity.

"No." I stuttered immediately. "No, Vyom. No." I was overwhelmed. He was making all of this more difficult. I needed to get done with this immediately. 

So, I sat on my knees and unhooked the pin of my saree. "Take me. Take all of me and in return free me from this marriage. I beg you." My voice held determination and even though Vyom was taking step back from me, I clutched his collar and silenced him with a kiss. Breathless, desperate to escape.

Pulling him down, I positioned myself beneath him. It was so intimate setting that I was sure he will give in. "Finish this and set me free." 

He immediately stopped as I murmured on his lips and soon he straightened himself as if he was repulsed, like my touch was leaving blisters on her skin.

"How dare you think so low of me!" The softness in his eyes were long gone. He was fuming now. Whereas I was embarrassed to be in such a disheveled state.

"Vyom." He didn't let me speak.

"Don't. I love you, Noor and even in my love I can't give you right to mock my feelings. We were friends, right. We were friends long before we married and you think that I married you for your body." He thrashed knuckle on bedpost which made my heart jump in fear. "I am..."

"I am not finished yet." He growled, clutching my shoulder in tight grip.

"You broke my heart, Noor. I gave you my heart and you tore it apart." A tear trickled on his cheek which made me realize the blunder I just made.

"I am..." and before I could take hold of him. He left without sparing another glance at me leaving me with my guilt. 

The silence after his departure was deafening. I remained on the bed, my saree half-undone, the veil a crumpled mess beside me. What had I done?

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