Mahir's POV:

Today was Bela's Mehndi and Sangeet ceremony. It was organised in one of lavish hotels of Dharwad.

I however wasn't really happy and never understood why the hell were Sharma's to get Bela married this soon.

Rehaan didn't look like a good man. Although he wasn't asking for a dowry directly. He had extremely annoying demands. They wanted the Mehndi- Sangeet and wedding to be done in Dharwad's most expensive hotel and we were currently at 'Ocean Blue' which was the most expensive 5 star hotel in Dharwad. I know it because Darshan's father owns this place. A night in this hotel costs you nothing below 8k even for a usual Emarald suite.

Where as Rehaan's parents demanded that all their relatives stay in Gold suite which costs 12k per night and Rehaan's parents and Rehaan wanted the Executive Business Suite for them which costs 25k per night.

There were atleast 50+ guests and there were 27 rooms booked by Sharma's. Now that making the stay bill itself go to 9 lakhs 7-8 lakhs for mere two days. And I felt it was too much for Mohan uncle. Then to add on was the food, the extra facilities and what not stupid demands...all that was conveniently burdened on Mohan uncle.

I spoke to Darshan and said he would talk to dad and definitely help them with the best of rates but then it wasn't his business. It's his dad. So I thought of talking to mom and suggesting that we do Yuvraj's wedding in the most simplest way possible and make sure to not put any extra cost on Mohan uncle.

Infact I suggested Vish-Yuvi get married in our Dharwad bungalow itself which had a huge backyard and we could manage accommodation ourselves for our guests. I also suggested mom-dad that we could divide the expenses for catering and decorations too. With that Mohan uncle won't have to be burdened and also can be at peace. We could have borne the entire cost but I didn't want to hurt Mohan uncle and Achala aunty's self respect.

Tonight was Bela's Mehndi ceremony and mom had asked me and Yuvi to help Mohan uncle with some arrangements... while I and Yuvi were looking into the arrangements for pool sided Sangeet ceremony to happen this evening.

I noticed Bela was dressed up as a bride and made to go and sit infront of holy pyre. She was looking breathtaking.

For a minute I lost my mind
..
She was beautiful...

But she was sad. Her eyes looked tired and she didn't look happy at all.

I and Yuvi were curious on what was happening???

Soon I noticed in place of groom they brought a huge pot which had a banana plant in it...

And next I saw Bela performed wedding rituals with it.

Soon after that the banana plant's stem was ripped while I saw Bela looked sad and angry. But her mom consoled her.

I didn't understand what the hell did I just see 🙄🤨

Later when Yuvi enquired they told me that Bela is maanglik (someone who has a defect in their birth chart and as per Hindu calender it's called the Mars defect.)

I looked at Yuvi and asked what's that?

Yuvi told that it's believed a girl who is Manglik must be married to a guy who is Manglik and only then he will survive. Else her partner will die... The ritual they performed is Kumbh vivah which reduces the impact. Although Rehaan is a Manglik they still wanted these rituals to be performed.

And next second I burst out laughing...

'What rubbish' is all that came out of my mouth 🤣

To which Yuvi said...

'Its not bro... Bela and Vish's grandfather was an astrologer. He itseems made their horoscopes and left instructions in a trunk. And Sharma's are ardent believers in all this. Infact the reason why they agreed for your and Bela's wedding is also because you are a manglik too and I was not.'

I was shocked...

'What nonsense is this dude!!! I mean just on the basis of horoscope they pick random guys is it??? No compatibility nothing and I'm shocked on how our mom agreed to this 😏'

To which Yuvi huffed saying 'Mom liked Bela a lot Bhai. .She doesn't believe in all this...but Sharma's do...'

'And Bela?' I asked...

'No one cares about her opinion Bhai... they want her to be married before Vish... infact Vish herself was feeling guilty that Bela is pushed into this... Infact me too...I was the one who insisted in early marriage after all' saying Yuvi left the pool sided area while I kept looking at Bela who had gone all silent and numb.

I felt a pang of pain in my chest that she is marrying that bastard of a gold digger!

***

In evening the Mehndi and Sangeet ceremony was at its loudest.

Everyone was enjoying and dancing while I got a call from my colleague and as I couldn't hear a word I went to the other side of the terrace garden which had the executive business cottages and when I was busy on the call I heard a loud scream....it alerted me 🤨

Although I felt it was quickly silenced...

I looked around again and found no clue...

I chucked the thought and decided to go back to the party as I was done with the call.

But something ...I could say my sixth sense alerted me... something isn't right here!!!

So I decided to walk around the suites in the terrace garden while I felt a hand on my shoulder...it was one of Rehaan's friends..

'Hey dude... what are you doing here man??? Come lets go back to the party...' he said and I quickly distanced myself from him. He smelled disgusting. It was like he smelled alchohol and cigarettes together. It was yuck 🤢

'I need some fresh air' I said

While he again put his hand on my shoulder and said...
'Yes but you can get that elsewhere... Rehaan and we guys want to party here...so excuse us and don't screw our party...' his tone changed from friendly to annoyed.

'I hope you know this is a common space... You guys wanna party...go back to the Sangeet or to any pub!!! Not here.... And stay awayyyy!!!' I said...

While next second he pulled out a gun from his pocket and said...

'Guess you don't understand my language... Understand this???' he showed me the gun and I chuckled...

'You know what I had doubted there is something wrong here now you gave me the proof!!!' saying I kicked in his balls and next second he was on his knees...

I began quickly looking around sensing something isn't right...

I saw most of the cottages were empty but the one where Rehaan's parents stayed has its dim lights on...

I knew his parents were at the party. I had seen his mom ill treating Achala aunty. So I quickly barged into the room.

Without a thought!!!

I opened the door and noticed Rehaan and his friends were smoking and drinking.

I also noticed one or two of them with suspicious stuff!!!

I could definitely say they were doing drugs too!!!

But Rehaan was quite casual...

'Mahirr... Hey dude... what are you doing here...it's a private party... sorry you are not welcomed...so getouuuuuut' he shouted...

I couldn't tolerate the smell of the cigarettes and the room was toxic due to the smoke...

I quickly glanced through the room and nothing looked irregular to me...

I walked out of the room when I found one earring...

I was quick to identify it was one amongst those which I and Bela purchased when we went for Vish's shopping.

Fear striked me... I was shivering in anger!!!

Oh my god...I hope Vishakha is safe...

I turned around and barged in one go into the room and began walking inside pushing Rehaan and his friends who were trying to stop me when I didn't Rehaan tried to punch me but I turned around glared at him and punched him right into his nose...chin and kicked his balls.

With that he was on floor...

His friends marched onto me and I threw punches in air quickly and anyways they were drunk, drugged and not in senses...

They were knocked out!!!

I ran inside the suite...

I checked the bedroom area...there was no one...then I checked the balcony... again there was no one...

I checked the bathroom and that also had no one...

Finally as I checked almost everywhere I noticed a broken bangle near the closet area...

It was a walk-in closet.

I opened the closet in one go...

And what I saw shook my soul 🥺