Threads Of Destiny (Rudra & Naina)

Naina's pov.

I can't seem to calm myself down. The Panditji is chanting mantras that I don't understand. I am sitting beside rudra who, even after sitting, is so tall and bigger than me. When I removed my heels I barely reached his chest, I look small in front him which is very intimidating.

Anushka nudges me for the second time. I know I am getting lost in my thoughts, but it is hard to exactly focus when my life is getting ruined like this.

"Put your hand in his hand." Panditji says. He looks at me like he wants to scold me for being absentminded during an important work.

I look at the hand rudra is holding out for me for a second too long and then I put my hand in his with my Palm facing up.

When I was little I loved putting henna in my hands. It was so fascinating to see brides with their arms covered with it. I wanted to cover my full hand with henna when I was a kid but mom told me only brides get their entire arms done with henna. But not me, on my sister's mehndi function I was so busy helping mom that by the time it was my turn to get it done I was so tired that I asked them to roughly draw the most basic design while I fought sleep.

Henna should be the least of my worries right now, but it's like obsessing over something small will make the pain of big things go away.

As soon as the ritual was done I removed my hand from his.

"Groom's sister should tie the knot for the pheres."

Shreya, rudra's sister who I have talked to quite a few times, comes forward. She picks up one end of my dupatta and ties it to the end of the pink cloth hanging on her brother's shoulder.

She gives me a warm smile which I barely return with my half smile.

She bend down besides her brother's ear and says something.

"Hold your husband's right hand and take three rounds around the holy fire while walking in front of him." Panditji says to me and then looks at rudra. "Then you take the lead and walk in front of her for rest of the four rounds."

Rudra stands up and looks down at me, he was about to give me a hand when I turn to Anushka and ask her to help me up. This freaking lehenga is one of my many problems, it's not coming under my feet because of its underskirt but still it's too heavy and long. And it's hot, especially while I am sitting in front of the fire beside this big and huge man.

Once steady on my feat, I walk in front of him and give him my right hand. He holds my hand a little too tight, I wince internally and dig my nails into his skin. Rudra did not wince or pull away, instead he tighten his hold a little more before loosening his grip.

I look away from him and start walking because the Panditji is giving me judgemental looks. Of course he is, after all he is oberoi's personal pandit, if that's a thing.

I was done with three rounds, I wasn't even counting and was about to take one more when rudra tightened his hold on my hand almost painfully, making me stop.

Without saying anything he walks in front of me, changing the angle of our hand hold a little and pulls at my hand to take rest of the four rounds. All the while I was either looking at his back or down at my feet so I don't trip over my lehenga. I did catch a look of my parents and quickly averted my gaze to Shreya who was smiling widely at us. With every step I take, I feel my heart breaking. I wish for something to happen, something that will stop this absurdity.

"Here, tie the mangalsutra around your brides neck."

Panditji shoves a decorated gold plate containing mangalsutra in rudra's direction, once we were back in our seat. He picks it up and turns to me. This is the time I want to say no, to stand up and run as fast as I can. I want to scream at his face to stop this nuisance, I am even ready to beg him to not to ruin my life for his malicious reasons.