A/N

Heya people!

Sunday aaya update laaya!

Here's the next chapter. Do enjoy it and let me know your reviews in the comments!

I thought why not add a song for every chapter so there is a mood set for the chapter? Hereby, I start my playlist of songs for every chapter, do enjoy!

Happy reading!

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Pia's POV

"You go and join others, I will come in 5. We will continue our talk later..."  Swayam said to me, covering the phone's mic with his palm and I nodded. He walked away and I sighed. Shit! I can't tell him now but I have to talk with him soon before marriage. I walked back to where everyone were standing and chatting.

I smiled recalling his sweet little surprise which left me speechless. That moment, he made me feel as the most important person in his life and that warm feeling spread throughout my heart that I felt my throat clogged with swallowed tears and unexpressed emotions. I was overwhelmed. At that moment, I felt nothing but to hug him and never leave that place in his arms.

And at the same moment, I realised one thing. He had expressed my place in his life very well but there is one thing which is stopping him to know me completely and even I didn't let him know that. There is still something which he doesn't know about but he has the right to, since he is the one I am marrying. I wondered why didn't I tell him this earlier or even realised I have to let him know one day or the other.

He has the right to know about my past. He is aware of my panic attacks and nightmares, but not the reason behind it. I will have to tell him about my accident and about my very existence that I am myself unaware of. I want to tell him that I am not the blood of Mehra's and I don't know who I am myself, except of the identity I have developed in years.

I felt guilt settling down in my stomach which stopped me from meeting his eyes. I couldn't look at him and be okay with the guilty feeling that was continuously poking me. I finally decided that I wanted to talk to him right now and took him away from the crowd but his phone calls had to interrupt our conversation, where I hadn't even started speaking and here I am, standing with everyone, waiting for some alone time with him again. This feeling was making me uncomfortable and I had to let this weight lift up from my chest.

I was brought back out of my thoughts with my mom calling me and I looked at her approaching me.

"Where is Swayam?" She asked.

"He got an important call and said he will come in 5." I replied back smiling.

"Okay." she said and called Sid.

"Sid go and call Swayam for dinner." she ordered him.

"Wait! I will go and call him, you guys carry on attending guests." I jumped in before he could leave and walked back to where he was standing without waiting for a reply. As I neared him, I heard him chuckle at something, his phone still pressed to his ear.

"Sharon? Yes." he spoke smiling to himself and that made the air get caught in my lungs. Is he talking to her or someone else? He chuckled again. Who is the person that is making him laugh so much and he is visibly happy.

"I know it is crazy and complicated. Sharon is the girl I had ever loved, am loving and will love for forever." I heard him speak and I felt someone knocked the air out of my lungs. Unconsciously, I took a step back and my bangles made a clinking sound. I saw his body language going stiff and I immediately hid behind the tree next to me. I could feel him searching around with his eyes and I mentally thanked the darkness for the first time because he couldn't see me in dark.

"Well, it's fate. Now I am marrying 'Pia' for the sake of our businesses." I heard him again and my heart squeezed in pain. I could see feel my eyes watering up. This is a nightmare, isn't it? I heard him mumble something but couldn't make out what it is.

"Yes she did because she likes me already and that's what is scaring me now. What if she will come to know the actual truth?" He asked the other person on call and that made me curious. What truth is he talking about? What is he hiding from me?

"Hope so..." His voice trailed out and I wondered what he hoped. Is he hoping for me to not know whatever the truth is?

"Okay listen, I have one of my wedding functions going on because tomorrow is my wedding. I will talk to you later?" He bade bye and I got alerted. If he walks past here, he will definitely find out I am standing here. I saw him walking towards me and I quickly wiped my tears and started walking towards him. I didn't look up to avoid him seeing me vulnerable. I bumped into him and he immediately held me. For a moment, I felt what all I heard is not all of it and I need to talk with him about this.

"Oh I am so sor..." He stopped midway and gulped seeing it's me. I could feel his stance going tense and I wondered why did he react this way. I pushed lightly and made some space between us.

"I... I came to..."  I fumbled with words as I felt my throat clogging again.

"You came to take me for dinner?" He asked completing my sentence and I nodded. He smiled but I couldn't smile back at him. I just couldn't with the whirlwind of emotions going on inside of me. We started walking back silently and I prayed for him to not find out that I am upset. I made my mind that I am definitely going to talk to him about this now. I have the right to know, whatever it is.

We silently sat for food and he didn't strike a conversation to my relief. Everyone were chatting happily, some teasing, some making funny jokes and others talking just random stuffs from today's sangeet, making us laugh and smile each time. I felt his gaze lingering on me for more than required and I brought myself to look at him slightly.

His eyes were questioning and calculative, as if trying to figure out something and I immediately averted my eyes to my front. I quietly sighed and looked around me. Everyone is keeping us busy here and I don't see any chance of us getting any time now. Soon, everyone were done by dinner and stood up, getting ready to leave. We walked side by side along with everyone else towards the gate. His hands brushed mine and I took a step sideways, making some space between us. I could feel his accusing eyes but chose to ignore it.

Wanting to try my luck once more, I stopped and held the hand of Sid, who was walking beside me. Seeing me stop, even Swayam halted in his track.

"Sid can you please handle them for a while? I need to talk to Swayam." I asked him, pleading with my eyes.

"Are you kidding me? I cannot handle them now, especially when you guys are the centre of the attention of everyone here!" he whisper shouted at me.

"Please?" I requested him but he didn't seem to budge.

"Have patience you two love birds. You guys will be together all the time after tomorrow, what's the hurry?" He asked smirking to which I glared at him and Swayam fake coughed.

"He's right I think. Whatever it is, can wait. Even I don't see a chance to escape now." Swayam said in a low voice, so that no one can hear us. I looked at him and wondered if he was avoiding a talk with me. Is he really hiding something that big that can change everything we have? The mere thought made me shiver. I opened my mouth to protest but nothing came out. What could I probably say if Swayam himself isn't willing to talk?

Not wasting anymore time, I started walking towards the gate, where everyone else were standing and bidding bye to others. Swayam followed behind me and I could feel him standing close, right behind me. I felt him lean down to my ears and my heartbeat raised as I could feel his breath on my ear.

"I don't know what is bothering you Pia, but let me make one thing clear. I am the most happiest person thinking that tomorrow you will be my bride and mark it, nothing can change that happiness. Don't stress yourself for whatever you are thinking. It won't make any difference to me of you." he whispered and his lines made my eyes go wide. Did he read my thoughts or what? I whipped my head to the side to look at him and he smiled at me warmly. My heart again said to let that warmness engulf me and his words were actually soothing to the storm going on in my heart. I looked down, not being able to look anymore into his eyes. I felt his hand engulfing me from behind, just holding me very lightly. He planted a soft kiss on my forehead and I closed my eyes. I opened them after he pulled out.

"This smile is what will give me a peaceful sleep now. Goodnight Pia!" Swayam said winking at me and that's when I realised I was smiling automatically. He walked to the cars, joining everyone else and I stood there, too much in a trance to walk behind him. He opened the door of the car but before entering inside, he turned once again to look at me. He waved a bye and my hand automatically came up in response. He smiled one of his charming smiles and sat inside the car and it drove off our driveway.

I groaned loudly as soon as I entered the house making Sid, who was walking beside me, frown seeing me. I shook my head at him and walked straight to my room. I quickly changed my dress and jumped onto the bed. I was hell tired but today's incidents kept playing in my mind.

A smile made its way on my lips when I recalled how the start was. I wanted to prank him but ended but being pranked myself. Sid made me so emotional with the sweet surprise of his. The whole gang was no less and I was actually surprised when they enacted our story, especially the scene when I was hospitalized. I didn't know Swayam had been effected so much by it. The game was fun and the last dance left me with butterflies in my stomach.

Whatever happened today, all the sweet surprises and emotions I felt, makes me believe that Swayam isn't faking it and he really feels for me. Whereas I am not able to remove the phone call conversation from my mind. Is it possible that I might have misunderstood those things? But they were so clearly spoken. And what truth was he talking of me finding out?

I shifted in my bed, turning the other side. Do I trust him? Yes. Should I trust Swayam in this one too? My heart says to let it slip off but my mind isn't letting it go. Sighing heavily, I got up and drank a little water after taking my medicines. I laid back and thought of the honesty his eyes held when he was singing the song for me. His forehead kiss and all the small actions of his which shouts at me everytime how much he cares for me.

I am trusting him in this and he won't do anything to hurt me. Probably it must be some irrelevant thing which he might have decided to say after our marriage. I love him and I trust him. I will wait for him to say whatever it is. Even I didn't tell him an important thing of my life. Soon, I felt my eyelids going heavy and the tiredness along with my medicine's effect brought me sleep, pushing all the thoughts away from my brain.

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I smiled brightly at something mom said, looking down at my hands which were clad in Choora and Kalire and a cloth was tied around it because I shouldn't see it before I am ready for marriage. I was now sitting in between all the ladies, who were applying haldi on my body one by one. Background music playing songs continuously one after the other. I felt the nervousness building up looking at my hands and my body. Finally the day is here. The day when I will be a married woman by the time it ends.

I looked up when Simmi, Kriya and Rinni came forward to apply haldi with mischievous smiles. I widened my eyes and gestured them not to do whatever they were planning but soon I was almost bathing in the paste of haldi. Laughter erupted around me and even I joined them. They excused themselves to clean their hands and I just sat there for someone to come and help me.

"Oh, she is very pretty indeed." I heard an aunty's voice behind me and I just tilted my head a little back, without being able to move completely due to my dress clad in the paste too. I figured out there were 2 aunties standing behind me and they had come from Swayam's house, bringing the haldi with them. Maybe they were his relatives and I identified one of them as the one present in my mehendi who had accidentally said me as Sharon. I immediately turned to the front, not wanting to talk anything to her by myself.

"This is Swayam's second marriage right?" The other one asked in such a low voice that I wouldn't have heard it if it wasn't for me sitting right ahead of them. What she asked made my heartbeat stop and my ears concentrated completely on their conversation, blocking out all the music and talks of other people. I could feel my blood rushing with just the question.

"Yes, it is." the aunty said and my head shot up. No! This can't be true! Swayam cannot hide such a crucial thing from me...

"The previous girl was Sharon... Even you were invited in that marriage but you didn't come. What a lovely couple they were. Though after-" the lady added and both of them continued talking walking away from me. I wanted to go behind them and listen to everything she was saying but my body refused to even shake with the shock. This can't be true. It must be a lie. I felt my eyes sting with tears but somehow I controlled them because I couldn't cry in here, sitting among everyone. I looked everywhere to find someone who can help me and I was thankful seeing Kriya walking towards me.

"Hey, are you okay Pia?" She asked worried, seeing tears in my eyes. I nodded reluctantly

"Something just went in my eyes and I couldn't remove it. Can you take me upstairs? I want to freshen up." I requested and she agreed. Cleaning off the extras and wiping my palms so that I can touch something atleast, we headed towards the backyard door. Before I could enter, I saw Rey talking over phone standing at a corner.

"I need to talk to Rey." I said to Kriya and without waiting for her reply, strode towards him. He hung up the call, seeing me approach and smiled at me.

"Hey Pia, h-" he started but I cut him off showing my hand and he frowned.

"Do you know that Swayam is marrying for the second time, now with me?" I asked and could hardly keep my voice in a whisper shout and Rey's eyes grew wide.

"How do you know about this?" He asked shocked but a different shock than of mine and I felt the ground beneath me shake. I looked at Kriya who was now standing beside me and even she was mirroring Rey's expression, not a shocked or unbelievable one like mine.

"So you knew huh?" I asked, my voice laced with anger.

"Wha-" I cut him off.

"Yes. Or. No?" I asked, barely able to contain my emotions from scattering all over.

"Yes Pia, but listen once pl-" I showed my hand again as I didn't want to hear anything else because I felt my heart being crushed and there was this sudden need of oxygen I was wanting or maybe it was the need to be out of here. I couldn't stop tears falling from my eyes anymore. I took a few steps walking backwards unconsciously but I hit something, rather someone. I looked back to see it was Sid and I quickly wiped my tears.

"Hey sweetheart, what happened? Is everything alright?" He asked worried, looking between me, Rey and Kriya.

"You knew or not?" I don't know what came over me but I even asked him coldly to which he gave me a confused look.

"What do I know or not? What are you talking about?" He asked acting all normal.

"Did you know Swayam is already married?" I asked and waited, holding my breath that atleast he will say everyone was pranking me instead. I noticed the visible change in his body language and he went stiff.

"Pia... Who told you?" He asked, fear evident in his voice. His words made me chuckle. Great! I chuckled once again and turning away, I ran into the house straight upstairs to my bedroom. I could hear Sid calling my name but I choose not to respond. Thankfully because of the event, everyone were out and no one saw me so devastated as I had my head lowered.

Locking my door shut, I slid down the door and finally let my tears flow freely. I felt as if someone just stabbed my heart multiple times. I got up and went straight to the washroom. I turned on the shower and stood right under it, trying to calm myself down and remove this paste which I was enjoying being applied with, suddenly was suffocating me. I scrubbed and scrubbed till it had no trace on my body.

I came out of it and looked myself into the mirror at the washbasin. The girl looking back at me wasn't the Pia I knew with puffy red eyes and no sign of tears stopping. I opened the tap again and splashed water on my face continuously and looked up again to check once again if this was some dream but no! It was freaking real. Everything I heard was real and truth!

Is this the truth Swayam was talking about yesterday over the phone too? How could he hide such a vital thing about his life from me? Why did he not tell me before? And even Rey, Kriya and Sid knew this? How could they betray me? How could he betray me? I trusted him! Even after yesterday, I trusted him with all my heart but all he did is break it into pieces now! Am I not worth of happiness in my life ever?

I took the towel and wiped my face  vigorously with it, since I was gasping for air with all the crying. I sat on the bed with a thump and thought of everything I got to know now. Why did he do this to me? It isn't like I wouldn't understand it. Even though he might be divorced and if he would give me a reason, I would have trusted him above everything else but now I feel a thousands of needles pricking my heart even by the mere thought of him already been married to someone else.

Oh right, he is marrying me for the business! I heard him say this yesterday and I was a fool to think I might have misunderstood the conversation. I am nothing but a business deal for him. Was all the care he showered on me fake? Is he that good of an actor and am I that fool to fall for his trap? Am I that worthless to not deserve love at all for whole my life? He said he will always love Sharon, then why did he promise to move on with me? Or even that was fake?

My body gave up its strength and I laid down, unable to stop my cries of heart. What should I do now? Even my haldi is done and if I step back, the whole Mehra family will be defamed. Though I am sure no one would care about that above my happiness, but I am not their own blood that I can take advantage of that right I have over them. Inspite of me being not one of them, they took care of me and gave me shelter when I needed it the most! This is not how I should repay it to them. Or is it that they are so eager to get me married and send me away? Am I a burden to them too?

No! My family is absolutely loving and won't do a thing with me against my wish. But Sid? Why did he hide? What answers does he have for his behaviour? How long did he know about all these things? I felt my heart would burst any moment now and I hastily fished out the pill doctor had suggested for headaches, especially during these marriage ceremonies and I swallowed it, drinking water later. I fell back into my pillow and this time, I lay exhausted. My tears stopped stinging and I was left with this sourness in my eyes. The pain in the heart was becoming too much to bear that it started hurting physically.

I closed my eyes and decided that I am not backing out. Backing out like this will do no good to anyone except only me. I cannot be that selfish, especially for a family who loves me as their own, though I am not. I owe them my life and if this is how I can make them happy, then be it.

Swayam. Just the name is enough to bring the thudding of my heart back but along with it, now came a stinging pain too. He is not going to go anywhere with this. He is going to pay for this. If all he wants is a business relationship and a marriage of compromise for that sake, then be it. I will show him how it is done, without playing fake feelings and playing with other's feelings too. Be ready Swayam, for I will make sure you go through the same pain, of hopes being crushed, of happiness being seized and of loved ones hurting you more than anything else.

I realised this is why I was having a bad feeling since yesterday. With many unanswered questions, I don't know when the darkness consumed me, which was the only way that blocked my thoughts away.

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I heard a banging sound at a distance but it was becoming loud by each passing second. I soon started hearing my name being called too which made me open my eyes. I sat up and looked around to take in the surroundings, breathing heavily and the bang on my door brought my attention to it.

"Pia? Pia open the door! Are you alright?" Was mom's voice shouting from the other side and I quickly looked at the clock. It was 5pm in the evening. Shit! I cursed myself and quickly running my fingers in my hair, I strode towards the door and opened it. I could see her tensed face immediately relaxing looking at me but again going into a worried one. I looked at her and tried my best to smile but I am not sure it came out as one though. I saw Sid standing behind her, looking much more tensed and my smile dropped. I moved aside for her to come in and shut the door before Sid could enter at his face.

"Sorry, I was exhausted and I don't realise when I slept off." I apologized but she was scrutinizing me from the moment she entered.

"What happened Pia? You don't look fine at all." Mom asked concerned and I couldn't look into her eyes. Does she also know about it? No. It can't be possible because Sid would have by now told her everything and she seemed so clueless standing in here.

"Nothing mom, I am good." I said, measuring my words so as to not give away any emotions and started walking towards the washroom.

"Don't fool me Pia." she said sternly, making me stop at the door.

"Your eyes are red and slightly puffy, you nose is blocked which I can figure out with the way you are talking and you look so disheveled and disturbed. What's wrong?" She asked me with so much love that I couldn't hold it back and walked towards her and hugged her tightly. She hugged me back too and I felt my eyes brimming with a fresh set of tears.

Oh my god! I need to stop being so emotional everywhere, every now and then. I need to be tough one now. For what I have to do, I need to be strong and not so fragile. I gulped down the lump formed in my throat and blinked back my tears.

"What is the matter Pia? Are you not happy with the marriage?" She asked me, rubbing my back.

"No!" I replied back immediately pulling out of the hug. The last thing I want is to make them feel guilty for something I decided to do.

"It's nothing mom. I was just exhausted with all the functions and even I was emotional on leaving this house and you guys, so I cried a little." I replied whatever came to my mouth, faking a smile but not looking into the eye.

"Aww, that's completely understandable Pia. Women get these feelings before marriage and even I did. It is tough, I know but it is all worth it." she said lovingly caressing my cheek and smiling warmly. I felt to laugh at her statement but I held it back and nodded.

I will definitely miss her. She won't be there in that house for me to hug tightly and cry whenever I need it. Though I will be having a family there too but they all knew he was married once already but none thought it important enough to let me know atleast. I don't know whether anyone would care for me there, the way she did till date and even does now.

"But look at what condition you have made of yourself! My god! You are the bride Pia! It's already 5 pm and we need to get started with all the rituals in an hour. I was calling you out from so many minutes but you didn't respond to any! Go and quickly freshen up, I will send the make-up artist along with Simmi to get you ready. Now go, be quick!" She rambled almost pushing me towards the washroom door which indeed made me smile. Atleast there's someone excited for my marriage.

After a torturous hour of being dolled up in haste, I looked at my reflection into the mirror. The dress he selected actually suited me very well and the jewellery just added to the glow on my face. I was actually looking beautiful with just a very little, sober make up I had instructed them to put on, not too heavy eyeshadow or a dark lipstick. I liked it simple. I would otherwise be hell excited for this day, this hour but I could still feel a hallow feeling inside me.

"Oh my goodness! You look so gorgeous Pia!" Simmi gushed standing right behind me and looking at me through the mirror that I was facing. I smiled in response and looked away. Does she also know? She looks happy and I don't want to ruin her happiness too so I just let it be. My owns have betrayed me, I shouldn't be hurt if even my bestfriend does that.

There was a faint knock on the door and I looked at it. Simmi walked over to it and opened it to reveal Sid peeping inside cautiously. I turned back to the mirror and pretended to set the already fixed dupatta over my head. I could hear his footsteps approaching but I didn't want to look at him. He kept my mobile on the dressing table in front of me which made me lift my eyes to look at him through the mirror.

"Kriya had it and I came here to give it to you." he said and I could see the moistness in his eyes. He was blinking repeatedly to control it. I looked away, because I know if I wouldn't have, then I would end up crying too. He lifted his hand and held it in the air for a few seconds before bringing it down and pat my head lovingly.

"Be happy Pia. That is what I have always wished for." he said and before I could reply for that, he turned around and dashed out of the room. What did he mean by that? Didn't he himself ruin my happiness just hours ago that he is wishing for such a thing? I sighed and closed my eyes. This is all so confusing! Everyone acts like nothing is wrong but everything is! Everyone acts like they care but only seldom actually do. I opened my eyes, determined that I am not budging from my plan.

I saw my phone blink with a message notification. It was from Swayam and I opened it.

Swayam- Can't wait to see you tonight. I am sure you would be looking no less than an angel.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips when I read that. Is he pretending all this or is it genuine? Ofcourse it's fake, he loves Sharon already! Atleast he didn't had to give me false hopes about us if this was business for him.

My eyes fell on my hands and I noticed the colour of the heena designs had turned into deepest shade of brown. I remember hearing someone about the more dark the colour of the heena is, the more the husband will love the wife. Bullshit! Everything is fake. Even his care is fake! I closed my eyes, trying to control my thoughts and calm myself down.

Soon, I was called down since the groom had arrived. I got up, trying to put up my best fake smile to start a new journey of my life. Not a jovial one but a journey with a motive of achieving something, which I am so sure of accomplishing.

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A/N

Did you guys expect this twist? Did you guys like it? Do let me know in the comments!

What do you think will Sharon aka Pia do now? Will Swayam be able to handle this siren Sharon? What will their marriage end into?

Vote, comment and share.