Akash Pov

Torture! It's pure torture. My Tittly is standing beside me as my wife but still I can't see her face. I just hate those whoever has made such rituals to cover the face of bride. I am dying to see the face of my beautiful bride.

I saw Sonia along with Satvik is coming up on the stage. I noticed Sonia has changed her dress but why? She was looking pretty on that royal green attire.

She seems quite angry. Angry! Why?Both Sonia and Satvik stood infront of Sandhya while Sonia demanded,

"Show your face."

I looked at her confusedly and asked,

"What happened Sonia?"

She glared at me angrily. For a moment I felt like she is not Sonia but my Tittly. Why she is so angry?

"SONIAaaaaaaa", She shouted her own name irritatedly.

Weird! Why is she shouting and that too her own name? I guess she has gone crazy. Did Satvik confessed his love? Hehe!

I moved my face to look at Satvik but my eyes landed on... Sonia! I saw Sonia rushing towards the stage and she is wearing the same royal green dress. If she is Sonia then...!

"Who are you?", I enquired her.

She gave me a weird look as if I have committed some very bad sin by asking that question and said,

"I am your wife Mr Akash Goenka."

My wife! I looked at her confusedly while trying to understand what's  happening here? when suddenly the girl standing beside me whom I was thinking as my Tittly said,

"No, I am his wife Mrs Akash Goenka."

What's going on here? Her voice seems familiar. Is she Riddhi?

"Riddhi!", Sandhya enquired doubtfully.

I guess she also recognise her voice but what is she doing at Sandhya's place?

"Yes, Riddhi Akash Goenka.", She confirmed while lifting up her veil and showed her face.

"Riddhi! What are you doing here in her place?", I enquired shockingly.

"Akash I didn't want to do all this but I was helpless.", She said sadly.

"Helpless! What do you mean?", I asked bewilderedly.

"Before coming out of the room Sandhya made an excuse and said she wants to use the washroom. I offered her my help because I thought it will be complicated for her to manage alone with her heavy bridal dress. Initially she denied my help but when Sonia made her understand she accepted my help easily.

At that time if I had any idea she would do something like this with me. I would have never offered her my help Akash.", She said.

I kept on listening her confusedly. What Sandhya did to her?

"Actually She realised that she is not ready to take such huge step in her life and wanted to elope from her own wedding but her plan failed because I went along with her inside the washroom.

So, she asked for my help and started crying. She said she will kill herself if I won't help her.

She asked me to swap our places and become the bride. I can't see her dying infront of me. So, having no other option I agreed to be on her place and get married to you.", Riddhi explained.

I heard everything silently. I don't want to believe any of her words but somewhere I also know about Sandhya's insecurities she was not completely ready to get married but I can't believe she can do anything like this. I looked at Sandhya questioningly.

"Liar! Akash she is lying.", She said.

"If I am lying then please explain what I am doing here in your place? Why you are not in your bridal attire?", Riddhi questioned her.

I want to believe whatever Sandhya is saying but Riddhi's sentence has more weightage.

"I don't know. After all the rituals Mom took me inside to have some rest and..", Riddhi didn't let her finish her sentence and said,

"When Kareena Aunty took me inside to have some rest she came and once  again asked me to swap places with her but I denied because wedding is not a joke for me. I can't disrespect the vows which I took around the sacred fire with you Akash. I can't.", Riddhi said and started weeping.

Vows around the sacred fire with me. No! it's not possible. I can't accept anyone else as my wife except my Tittly.

"Stop it Riddhi. I can't believe you can step so low. Why you are lying? No one will believe your lies. So, stop your drama and tell everyone the truth.", Sandhya shouted angrily.

"Why will I lie? Akash you remember when we were on the stage you entangled your hands with mine and I tried to freed up my hand from your grasp.

That time I was feeling like a cheater. To help my one friend I cheated on my other friend. God will never forgive me.

Tell me Akash. If Sandhya would've there with you then why she would try to untangle her hand with yours?", Riddhi asked me.

I looked at her blankly. How she knows it? It means she was with me all the time. I really got married to her!

I looked at Sandhya's hair partition and then at Riddhi's hair partition. Riddhi's have vermilion while Sandhya's is clean. No tint of redness is there on Sandhya's head.

"I was feeling shy that's why I did that.", Sandhya said.

"Why? Why Sandhya?", I asked her hurtfully.

I can't believe she will do something like this just because of her insecurities. She looked at me dejectedly and painfully.

I didn't wait for any of her explanations. I remove the garland along with the cloth from my neck which is connected with the end of Riddhi's veil and walk away.
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Sandhya Pov

"Why? Why Sandhya?", Akash asked me and the world around me crashed.

I looked at him shockingly. No words came out of my mouth in reply. I don't feel like saying anything after hearing those words from him 'Why Sandhya?'.

I was fighting with Riddhi because I thought my Akash believes me but the moment he questioned me, everything got over.

I saw his retreating figure with my blurred vision and pressed my lips together to suppress my cries. I gulped the lump of sadness below my throat.

"Sandhya we need to find some solid proofs against her to prove your innocence.", Satvik said.

"No Satvik. Love needs trust not proofs. Everything is over now.", I said hoarsly.

"You happy now?", I asked Riddhi.

I can't believe the girl whom I once considered as the real gem will ruin my life like this. Why to blame her when my own love doesn't have trust on me.

I rushed down the stage while tears kept on rolling down my cheeks. Satvik called my name but I ignored him and kept on running.

Suddenly Riddhi's parents came in between my way. I paused and looked at them with my tearful eyes. Her mother rushed towards me in full rage.

"You ruined the life of my daughter. I won't leave you.", She said with full hatred.

She raised her right arm to hit me but someone stopped her midway before her palms can made contact with my cheeks.

No it's not Akash. It's Dad who has stopped her hand.

"You have no rights to hit my daughter. According to my daughter your daughter did all these things. I can also hit her for ruining the life of Sandhya but it's better if we control the situation like adults and not make it more complicated in our rage.", Mom said to her strictly.

I looked at my parents who still have faith on me. Mom kept her hand over my head. I hugged her tightly and started crying loudly.

"Mom I..I a...am..not lying.", I said while crying miserably.

"We believe you beta. Shhh! We are with you.", Dad said while stroking my back.

"We also trust you Adhya di.", Luv & Kush said together.

I looked at them with my blurred vision. I am happy to know that my family trust me but the man whom I wanted to have faith doesn't trust me. He left me alone so easily. Why Akash?

Mom Dad grabbed each of my hands and took me towards the exit of the venue.

Everything is over now. My dream of leading a happy life with Akash is over. I hate my life. Why? Why God? Whenever I think my life is getting better something happens and ruins my dream of leading a peaceful life.

My eyes landed on the path from where I came after waking up. I remembered that dirty room where I was kept.

I wiped my tears and composed myself. It's not the first time I am facing such situations when fake accusations where imposed on me but I always proved my innocence. This time also I will do that. I will do it for myself, for my dignity and for my self respect.

"Mom Dad I want to prove my innocence will you help me?", I asked being determined.

Everyone need proof. I will give them what they want. I will prove that I am not wrong and that girl Riddhi is lying.

They nodded their heads in approval. I tighten my hold around their hands and dragged them with me towards the same house.

"Where are you going beta?", Dad enquired.

"To the place where I woke up.", I said.

"Mom! When you took me inside after completion of all the rituals I remember I had slept. Can you tell me what happened after that?", I asked.

"I left you alone to have some rest and went to make all the arrangements required for your bidaai. It's all my fault Adhya. I instructed everyone strictly not to disturb you.", Mom said sadly.

"No Mom it was all my destiny. Nothing is your fault. Please don't blame yourself.", I assured her.

She nodded her head understandingly and said,

"After around forty minutes I along with Riya came back to fetch you and yes, we noticed you were talking to someone on the mobile but the moment you saw us coming you instantly cut the call.

Me and Riya thought you were talking to Akash and we also teased you for that.", Mom said.

"Mom she was Riddhi not me.", I said.

I started searching around that dirty room in the hope to get some clues for proving my innocence. Mom & Dad are also trying to find out something that can be helpful.

Suddenly I heard footsteps arriving. I instantly looked at Dad and signalled him to hide.

Dad grabbed Mom's hand and went behind a huge box.

I too hide myself inside a broken almirah. There is a hole in the wood from which I can see everything.

I saw a man entering inside the room. He swings his head in all direction as if he is searching something or someone. Is he searching me?

"Shit! Where is that girl? I am doomed.", He said.

Girl! I guess I am right he is indeed searching me.

"I will have to inform....", That man was going to reveal the name of the real culprit but Dad came out and stood infront of him. Shit!

Dad pointed his gun on his forehead and asked threateningly,

"Inform whom?"

"Dad you should wait a little bit more. He was going to reveal everything.", I came out of the almirah and complained.

"Don't worry beta if he wants to stay alive then he will have to confess his crime.", Dad assured me.

"Who told you to kidnap her?", He again asked him.

"I don't know sir. I did everything for money.", He replied scaredly while joining his palms together as if he is begging to spare his life.

Dad always carries his gun for the security measures. Thank God! Today also he has his gun with him or else it won't be easy for us to have control over this man.

"Can you recognise the face of that person who told you to do all this?", I enquired.

"I have her picture in my cellphone.", He said and took out his mobile instantly.

He showed the picture of the real culprit and it's none other than else Riddhi along with Lily. Lily! I can't believe Riddhi joined hands with her to do all this.

Dad took out his own mobile and dialled someone's number.

"Mridhul reach my daughter's wedding venue as soon as possible and make sure not a single guest leaves that place.", He commanded his security head.

"Now you will reveal everything infront of everyone. Don't act smart or else I won't think twice before killing you.", Dad threatened him and gestured him to start walking. Dad is still pointing his gun over his head.

"Wait!", I said.

"What happen Adhya?", Mom enquired.

"Mom. Dad. I don't want to see anyone's face specially his. I want to go away from here. Please!", I begged.

I can't spend all my life with a man who has no trust on me. I determined to prove my innocence and now it's going to be proven after this man's confession.

"But beta..", Mom tried to say something but I cut her in between.

"Please Mom. I can't be with him. Everything is over between us. I promise I will visit you.", I tried to make her understand.

"Okay! If that is what you want then I will arrange everything.", Dad said.

"I don't want him to know about my whereabouts. Promise me Dad you won't disclose anything about me to anyone.", I said.

He nodded his head assuringly. His cellphone started ringing. He picked up the call.

"Yes Mridhul!", He answered.

"Okay! I am coming. Make sure that idiot son in law of mine should present there.", He said and hung up the call.

"Are you sure about your decision Adhya?", Mom enquired.

"Yes Mom. I don't know about future but right now I can't be with him.", I said.

Mom hugged me tightly and started crying.

"Please don't cry Mom.", I requested her hoarsely and lost control over my own tears.

She caressed my head and said,

"I don't know your decision is right or wrong beta but remember one thing your Mom & Dad are always with you."

She broke the hug and kiss my forehead lovingly.

Dad made some calls and arranged everything regarding my departure.

Mom Dad went towards the wedding venue with that man while I left for the airport.

All my stuffs are already packed because of my wedding but instead of going at my in-laws house I am going away from everyone.

I know after knowing the truth I will be the first person whom Akash will search. I wish! I would also be the first person whom he has trusted, then the situation might be different but he choose to trust that Riddhi instead of me.

He gave up on me so easily. I can't be with a man who can't even have faith on me. I wiped out the unwanted tears coming out of my eyes.

I never thought my life would change like this. Why always I have to suffer God? Why? After so long my life was going smoothly but everything got ruined. I guess I expected a lot from my life. I forgot expectation always hurts.
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