Chapter 2: Stained by Her

•AMISH'S POV•

The vibrant lights, the yellow-themed flowers, and even the cheerful chatter echoing from the neighborhood do nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.

"Bro, stop dreaming. You can now see Feeha in your reality too" Azran teased, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He's been my best friend since childhood, too close but sometimes, the urge to break his bones is just too strong.

"I wasn't dreaming. And stop with the Feeha nonsense" I muttered. I've had enough of everyone teasing me about her, don't ask me why.

"Amish" Azran said, turning to face me, his gaze serious. I already knew what he was about to bring up, the stunt I pulled this morning.

Honestly, I never wanted to get married in the first place. And marrying Feeha? Absolutely not. It was never about marriage nor Feeha. I don't care if she's beautiful, educated, or anything else. She's simply not the one I want.

After the musical ceremony, my mind spiraled into conflict.

The moment my eyes fell on her. After an year, I forgot everything around me just like the last time.

Oblivious to the weird things she does to my heart, she danced freely, happy in her own world while without any heed, she was becoming my world.

Just then I realized, whether am I supposed to be happy or question my fate?

I walked away, the sound of music fading away. I need a moment alone from this weird overwhelming feeling.

Right then, she bumped into me. Her breath uneven from running, and eyes shut close.

As she stood on her feet, pulling away. I missed the warmth of having her wrapped around my arms, safe and close.

What are you doing to me, angel?

Then her words, it gave me the certainity I wanted.

"You should enjoy your own wedding. You know it doesn't happen twice."

They were ringing in the back of my mind. And I knew exactly what my heart wanted, and instead of letting time decide for me, I decided to take control.

"Mom, Dad, I need to talk" I announced this morning as they sipped tea, deep in discussion with Uncle Raheem and Aunt Azra.

"It's important" I added when they didn't acknowledge me, probably too busy being overjoyed about the wedding that was never going to happen.

For a second, I felt guilty for what I was about to do. Because I am aware of the happiness they are in. Ever since from the begining of this entire wedding thing. But... weddings are supposed to happen only once in a lifetime. And I want mine to be with the one who said it last night.

"I don't want to marry Feeha" I declared, inhaling sharply. A second later, something whizzed past my ear.

My dad's slipper. Wow.

"What rubbish are you spouting?" he growled, his voice dangerously low.

"It's not rubbish. I'm serious." At that moment, my mom quickly locked the door, probably to avoid letting the guests hear. Like they wouldn't know once the wedding gets called off anyway.

"Amish" Mom warned, seeing I was pushing my dad to the edge. The room was thick with tension, my dad's fiery glare against my unwavering resolve.

"Enough. A wedding isn't a joke. It's a lifelong commitment. Calling it off the day before is a matter of dignity. It will destroy the girl's name. You're a boy, you won't understand" Mom sobbed, her voice trembling and final. She knew, her tears was my weakness.

No more arguments. She hoped I'd back down. But I wasn't ready to give up. Not when it's about her.

It felt like I was nineteen again, convincing to pursue aviation. Back then, I compromised - being the only child, it was easier. They had to accept my demands either they liked it or not. But this... this wasn't the same.

"Let's at least hear why he doesn't want to marry Feeha" Aunt Azra said, siding with me while consoling my mother.

"Finally, someone wants to know the reason" I muttered sarcastically. I didn't know where this would end, but I was certain, it wouldn't end with Feeha. I knew it would damage her reputation and our families' honor, but I wasn't willing to sacrifice both our lives for society's sake. For them it's just a two day gossip but it's about our lives.

"I don't want to hear any more of his nonsense. The wedding will happen as scheduled. That's final." My father stormed out like he never wanted to see me again.

At least they could've let me explain.

Resigned, I left the room, feeling the tense, sympathetic gazes of my mother, aunt, and uncle trail behind me.

Yes, I'm an only child. But today was proof that we don't always get what we want.

I knew they will be having a talk about this, later. And hopefully I wish it ends up beneficial for me.

Later that day, moments before we reached the Shah mansion, I tried once more, requested my mom. Not telling her the exact reason. That's when she threatened to hurt herself. They knew how to make their plans work. And just like that, my choices and chances vanished. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was never understood.

It took me a month to convince my parents to let me pursue my dream, aviation, by agreeing to manage the family business too. But this? This was different. With the nikkah tomorrow, I had no options left.

"And now you're just two buildings away from the Shah mansion, all set for your haldi like you want to marry her" Azran said, disbelief written all over his face. Of course, he and Ayaan knew what happened this morning. Ayaan had gone to convince my parents while Azran sticked with me.

"I don't want to marry Feeha" I sighed, frustrated with myself for giving in to my mom's emotional blackmail. I knew, even with Ayaan being my parents' favorite, like I was to his, he wouldn't be able to change their minds.

"Then what are you doing here?" Azran asked.

"You already know. I'm emotionally trapped. I can't do anything now."

"When did you become this guy? From 'I'll get what I want no matter what' to 'I can't do anything'? This isn't you, Amish."

He was right. This wasn't me. But people change. Maybe... maybe Feeha is my destiny. Maybe I can't challenge fate. It hurts, deep down. And honestly the pain feels unbearable.

After a pause, Azran spoke again, clearly debating whether to say what was on his mind.

"Is this about that girl you met once, a year ago. The one you still know nothing about?"

I said nothing.

"You forgot her, didn't you? That's why you agreed to this wedding. Then what happened now?"

"I can never forget her. Not her smile nor her eyes" I said, my voice heavy with emotion.

"I agreed to marry Feeha because mom kept saying she wouldn't live to witness my wedding. Not because I forgot her." That's the truth. They found Feeha to be a perfect match, assumed it, rather. I didn't reject the proposal because I didn't care. But the real disappointment? I never found her, my angel. And now that I'm getting married, she's suddenly in front of me... and I can't do anything about it.

"You don't even know who she is, Amish. It's not like you didn't try to find her. But maybe she's not meant to be in your life. Calling off the wedding because of her? That'll ruin Feeha's name. You will be punishing a girl for someone you met once. For someone who will probably not be in your life again."

Then what about the punishment that we both, me and Feeha will undergo if this wedding happens. A loveless marriage because I can never unlove my angel nor fall in love with Feeha.

He paused then added. "I'm your best friend. I'm supposed to support you. And trust me, if there's a way I can help, I will."

What does he mean by that? Should I really marry Feeha when I clearly don't want to? When the girl I love is right here? Infront of my eyes. As my future sister in law.

"She's not just in my life. She is my life" I murmured, leaving Azran behind, confused by what I'd just said.

That's when I saw Aymen and Haroon - Feeha's brothers, approaching us. Probably coming to call me in, since Azran and I had been loitering at the entrance for too long. Distracted by our early conversation.

Most of our relatives had already arrived. I had been delaying deliberately. Azran just tagged along, as always.

I caught Azran muttering something under his breath, probably cursing me as I walked in with Aymen and Haroon, giving them a polite nod.

Time ticked by, and I was already tired of pretending. The unwanted attention, the teasing, it was too much.

"I feel like I have a headache. Sorry" I excused myself, just as the elders were about to apply haldi on me after doing Feeha's.

Maybe that was rude. Disappointing? But The Shahs nodded kindly hiding their disappointment. While my parents glared at me. Still, they stood silent, no drama in front of guests.

Eventually, the elders left, and the cousins and friends took turns applying haldi on Feeha. Some gently, others smeared it all over her face.

Aymen and Haroon hugged Feeha as they applied the yellow paste. Followed by a girl, probably her friend. Then Kabir and his sister, Inaya moved forward applying haldi on Feeha. Their movements were rather measured, and they hugged her gently.

My eyes then quickly searched around, expecting for her. But I couldn't find her.

Once everyone was glowing yellow with paste, Feeha and the others went to wash off. That's when I heard the voice I had been craving.

"Kabir, you are dead today!" she shouted, appearing from nowhere and chasing him, a mischievous smile lighting up her haldi-free face. Her hands was filled with a bulk of turmeric paste.

"Monkey, your tiny hands can't even hold that much paste" Kabir teased, sprinting like the paste was acid. Like their wasn't any trace of paste smeared on his face.

"Doesn't matter. You deserve this!" she yelled, laughing.

The lawn was mostly empty now. Just me, Azran, Ayaan, Inaya, and a few others, chatting over food, while the two grown kids chased each other.

"Why does he deserve it?" Ayaan asked suddenly interested, not to me but to Inaya.

"Because this morning Kabir poured water on Irha while she was sleeping" she replied with a grin, clearly enjoying the war between her brother and cousin.

Irha.

I mouthed the name unconsciously as it sank in. So beautiful, just like her.

"Oh yes, she's Irha" Inaya confirmed, assuming I hadn't heard properly.

"Oh." That's all I managed. Because in that moment, she was all I could see. Her laughter, her joy, it quieted the storm in me.

"Why didn't you let anyone apply haldi or take part, jiju?" Inaya asked out of nowhere.

"I- uh..." I stuttered, when Azran cut in dramatically.

"I'm starving. Let's hit the buffet."

He gave me a nod before walking off, like he knew exactly what he was doing. Maybe he did.

"Jiju, help me!" Kabir ran as he spotted me alone and hid behind me, breathless. Before I could react, she ran toward us and in that instant, Kabir vanished. I turned back, and there she was, bumping right into me.

We fell to the ground, she on top of me while my back landed to the ground. Her hands gripped my white kurta as my arms instinctively wrapped around her.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" she whispered in panic, her eyes shut tight.

I stayed silent, just holding her close, wishing I could freeze time.

When she got no reply, she opened her eyes and our gazes locked.

"Jiju" she whispered again, her voice shaky, her hands relaxing. Instinctively, almost naturally I tightened my arms around her. In the fear of losing her, even for a fleeting second. As much as I knew it was not right, my feelings paid no heed to it.

"Sorry" I finally murmured once I sensed discomfort in her eyes. Pulling away as we stood, the air between us shifted, thick with tension.

"I'm so sorry, jiju. I've been really clumsy today" she stammered, avoiding my eyes.

"And... sorry for this." She gestured to the yellow fingerprints on my kurta. Her fingerprints.

"Jiju?" I asked softly, ignoring the apology as I stepped closer. She looked confused, and when our eyes met again, she looked away.

"I... I think I should go" she said, turning but I gently held her wrist, stopping her from her tracks.

With a mischievous smirk, I lifted her tiny soft hand and gently wiped the haldi from her soft fingers.

"Jiju, what are you doing?" she asked, trying to pull away. Yet it held no difference upon my gentle yet firm hold on her wrist.

"Amish!" Azran's voice cut through, and I let go instantly. She took the chance to flee, not even looking back.

I froze. Damn. Why did I act like that? To her, I'm just her brother-in-law. Why did I let my feelings take over?

"What were you doing? Why was she running?" Azran demanded, reaching me just as I kept staring at the path she disappeared down.

"Nothing. Why are you here?"

"Mom's calling you. You are the groom, remember?" he replied, noticing the yellow stain on my kurta but didn't say a word about it. Strange of him.

"Why are you still standing here? Come on. Everyone's waiting."

There was something odd in his tone. But whatever. I followed him back inside.

And that's when I realized, there are only 18 hours left to change my life.

To change destiny. To change it the way I want. But who would tell me that, I can't challenge destiny.

How was the chapter? Is there any scenes that you loved or any area I should improve? Do let me know in the comments sections.