1. Married

Anxious, Antsy, and Apprehensive!

Mrs. Avni Siddharth Malhotra, a woman in her early twenties, sat in the center of a decorated bed with her face covered by an intricate red veil. It was the first night of her marriage.

Avni was nervous and restless. She clutched the soft lehenga trying to calm her racing heart.

She squeezed her eyes shut, hearing the door clicking.

A six-feet tall, golden yellow-skinned, handsome man in his late twenties entered the room - Her Husband, Siddharth Malhotra.

Siddharth's eyes wandered across the beautifully decorated room. Every corner of the room is dimly lit in golden light produced by candles surrounding it. The jasmines and roses spread all over the bed, with their fragrance setting a romantic mood.

Siddharth's eyes gleamed when his gaze traveled to the woman in a veil - His Wife. He felt an unknown pride calling her his.

He took slow steps towards the bed, with his heart beating at a much higher rate as the distance reduced.

Siddharth sucked in a long breath and sat in front of her. He took in the sight of her decked in gold jewelry and bright maroon lehenga.

Avni's hands trembled as Siddharth placed his hand above hers that was hugging her knees previously. His breathing hitched being close to her.

His hand gently grazed across her shoulder before hesitantly removing her veil, anticipating her beautiful eyes and blushing cheeks. He wouldn't deny the fact that he's as nervous as her.

Siddharth gasped in shock as he stared into her eyes, shimmering with fresh tears falling onto her cheeks. He felt a pang in his heart witnessing her tears.

"Avni, What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Siddharth questioned, stammering with his mind blank by the shocking vision. Avni ducked her head down and cried hard quietly.

He held her chin and gently lifted her head and questioned in a rather stern voice, praying for a negative "Do you not like me?"

"No, It's not exactly that," came her instant reply, hiccupping. His heart sighed in relief hearing her soft voice. He grabbed a glass of water and handed it over for her to drink. She gulped down the water, wiping away her tears.

"What's it then?" Siddharth questioned, with frustration and concern evident in his voice. The following words he heard hit him like a thunderbolt.

"I Love Someone Else," Avni uttered with enormous guilt in her voice.

Siddharth was rooted to the spot hearing her. He shook his head, thinking he heard it wrong, and exclaimed in a breath with his eyebrows furrowed, "What!?"

Avni repeated her earlier words, turning her face, unable to look into his chocolate brown eyes anymore, "I LOVE SOMEONE ELSE."

Anger surged through every cell of his body. Any man would desire 'I Love You, Husband' on their first night, but he gets to hear 'I Love Someone Else' from HIS Wife. What an irony! He fisted his hands, gritting his teeth, but nothing seemed to cool him down.

Siddharth marched out of the room, leaving a broken Avni in tears. He was sure he would regret it if he stayed any longer.

Avni neither had the courage nor the will to stop him. She needed time to collect herself and accept everything.

When she agreed to marry him, she convinced her mind to move on. Her heart betrayed her today when he touched her - Not because she hated him but because she wasn't ready. She couldn't proceed in their relationship with another man in her heart.

Avni didn't wish to be disloyal to her husband. She firmly believed that TRUST is the basis of any relationship. Moreover, he deserves her Love. It would be better that he is hurt now than considering an unfaithful Wife later on.

Avni could feel his affectionate gaze on her in the few times they met. He always tried to make her comfortable.

Avni got up from the bed, careful not to ruin the decoration after almost an hour. She inhaled the fragrance of jasmines and felt remorseful for hurting him. She knew he didn't deserve this situation. If anyone was at fault, it's her. She blamed herself for his disappointment on what should've been their beautiful night.

Avni strode to the closet as the dress and jewelry felt too heavy all of a sudden. She gasped at the vision and let out a regretful smile with fresh tears brimming through her eyes. The closet is filled with new sarees, casuals, and various accessories. She ran her hand through the fabrics hanging, realizing the enthusiasm with which HER Husband must've bought them for her.

Every dress was perfect with intricate design and classic touch to them. They were neatly arranged beside his suits and casuals. She hated herself more if possible.

He must be hoping for a woman who would love him, but all he got was a broken soul. At that moment, She promised herself to be a good friend to him and work on their relationship.

Avni was sure that it wouldn't be easy for her to forget her past and move on, but she can try hard for a husband like Siddharth.

She changed into a white T-shirt and pink night pants after washing her face. She dozed off sometime at midnight on a recliner in his gigantic room, not having the heart to change the sheets on his bed.

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Siddharth Malhotra held the steering tight in his grip. He was driving carelessly at racing speed on the empty roads at midnight. Witnessing her tears was painful, but her words 'I Love Someone Else' reverberated in his head, stabbing his heart.

He recalled the past one month before their wedding. The day he traveled to a village in Maharashtra from Bangalore, he met her for the first time along with his parents. His mother loved her, and he gave his consent, willing to give it a chance if that's what his parents wished. He believed in his mother's choice.

Siddharth planned for a long honeymoon with his wife to Paris after marriage to begin their relationship getting to know each other.

He was never interested in casual relationships and didn't give a hoot about girls running after him. He was smart enough to know they're behind his money.

The day his mother asked him for his opinion with hope, He nodded in affirmation, willing to try.

Siddharth couldn't converse with his fiancé Ms. Avni Kashyap like an average person as he was busy planning their future together. He worked day and night after the marriage was fixed.

He took a few glances at his beautiful fiancé, soon to be Mrs. Avni Siddharth Malhotra, during their engagement and started developing a possessiveness towards her. He felt her as HIS to protect and cherish. He never spoke to her until necessary due to his hectic work schedule.

Avni rang him a few times, but he couldn't attend her calls as he was occupied with endless meetings and came home late at night. He made sure to reply to her with a 'Good Night!' or a 'Good Morning!' text.

Billionaire Siddharth Malhotra went shopping, unlike himself, arranging everything for her to make her life easier. He knew it would be difficult for her to adjust to sudden changes. He handpicked every dress, remembering her petite form for size.

Siddharth hit the steering and applied brakes, tired after driving for the past two hours. He is still not successful in digesting the whole new situation.

"I didn't commit any sin to deserve this. Damn it!"

He fell onto the ground with a thud, and his eyes were red with fury.

"No, It's not exactly that."

"I Love Someone Else"

Siddharth recalled her words and hit his fist on the car. His hand bled, but that was the last thing he cared about right now.

"What does she mean by 'It's not exactly that?"

"Does she like me?"

"Not possible!"

"How can she like me when she loves someone else?"

"Why did she marry me?"

Questions flooded his mind with no answers. The only conclusion he could come to is that her parents would never compel her to marry. Their families are mutual friends, and he met them occasionally. Avni was absent in his few visits to their home before the marriage was fixed.

Siddharth was too sure of her parents love for her. She was treated like a princess being the only daughter. He knew she is close to her parents to speak about anything and everything. What he couldn't understand is her consent for this marriage when she could've easily denied it.

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Siddharth came home early in the morning after calming down a bit. He paced to his room and unlocked the door to witness the blown-out candles and dark surroundings.

He furiously switched on all the lights. His gaze landed on Avni sleeping uncomfortably on the recliner. Her eyebrows knitted due to the sudden light falling on her face. He instantly switched off all lights without knowledge.

Siddharth involuntarily strolled to Avni in a trance. One candle was still glowing, which was sufficient for him to observe his beautiful wife's face. He tucked a few fringes falling onto her face and admired her pout like a baby.

He rested his hand against her cheek and wiped her dried tears. He understood she cried uncontrollably after he left. He could still see the distress on her face.

Siddharth's gaze diverted to the nuptial thread on her chest above her white T-shirt. He loved to admire her in clothes he bought, keeping her in mind. The nuptial thread glowed in candlelight upon her white garments, grabbing all attention.

He couldn't stop himself from holding it and recalling himself tying it around her neck. A shiver ran down his spine when his fingers brushed her skin.

Siddharth's lips turned into a small satisfactory smile when he noticed that every piece of jewelry was gotten rid of except her wedding chain. He felt possessive, glancing at her in the wedding chain.

He was also unsure why she chose to wear it when she couldn't accept him.

He stood straight, determined to talk to her tomorrow in the morning and get answers for all his questions.

Siddharth was about to walk away when he heard her mumbling incoherent words in her sleep. He went closer and heard her "Don't go."

He was about to stay but was pissed of, presuming she must've uttered those words for her particular 'Someone Else!'

The next moment when she uttered 'Siddharth,' He broke into a content smile. The last thing he wanted was for his wife to moan her boyfriend's name.

He noticed how the bed was still decorated and changed the sheets half-heartedly, discarding all the flowers after smelling them once.

He was waiting for this night for so long - To feel close to her and get to know her. Becoming one was the last thing on his mind as he didn't know much about her.

Siddharth carried Avni in his hands to the bed. He wondered how she perfectly fit into his arms and snuggled more into him as if she belonged there. He placed her on the bed gently as if she's the most delicate doll on earth.

He was about to kiss her forehead but restrained himself from doing so. He needed answers before deciding what to do with their relationship.

The thought of Divorce didn't go well with him. He couldn't also think of spending a lifetime with her when she loved 'Someone Else.'

He is an ordinary man who wishes to cuddle his wife at night, relish food made by her in the morning, kiss her going to the office, and sleep in her lap after a tiring day.

It's not a sin to crave for Wife's Love. He couldn't understand why he still cared for her when all she did was cheat him in the ugliest possible way.

Siddharth was about to walk away when she held his hand, tugging it under her head. He tried freeing it, but her grip was stronger.

He blew gently near her ear, tickling her, and she turned the other side. He walked away to the balcony and dozed off on the couch, gazing at the moon thinking of her.

Siddharth was happy that she confronted him and didn't hide it from him for a lifetime. He appreciated her courage and honesty in doing so. He knew that many women choose to keep their past affairs hidden.

The night was probably the longest in their lives, and it only amplified their distress.

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Thank you for reading,

AishuPurple

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Will Siddharth give her a chance?

Will Avni be able to move on?

Will their relationship progress to LOVE?

Why did Avni marry him? Is it because he's rich? Is she selfish? What happened to Her Love?

07.08.2021