Chapter 46: chapter 46

    Upra has moved in with Jagdeesh, and started to go to college from Jagdeesh guest house. As per Adi's plan Jagdeesh was purposefully sent to London. Although Jagdeesh delayed his departure still he left to London, after Upra got in with him. Upra uses this opportunity to scour the house, carefully. Considering the CCTV camera installed all around the house. It's not that Jagdeesh lacks trust upon her still he's not going to take risk by trusting her completely. Upra too was invested in just getting information regarding the Mehta's and she didn't try to gain his trust. After searching thoroughly her search goes in vain. Exhaust from searching she tries calling Amar. Why is Amar not picking up my call? She keeps trying but the ring goes on and on and finally the call didn't get connected. Upra gets frustrated and calls Jagdeesh to know if something is wrong. As she calls Jagdeesh even he fails to pick up the call, as he's busily engaged with a white woman. He ignores Upra's call and continues to flirt with the woman he is with. Kajal keeps watching at the entrance of the venue, and calls Jagdeesh. Jagdeesh looks at the caller ID and picks up the call. Kajal " Jagdeesh where are you? The wedding is about to start and you're yet to come". Kajal Am struck up in London, how can I come? Kajal " didn't you say, you're on the way already". I said that because you won't be bothered and will focus on the wedding. Kajal feels disappointed, Jagdeesh are you feeling bad? That dad has sent you to London during Amar's wedding. Jagdeesh thinks of the incident 3 weeks ago. Ram calls him to his office, and ask him to go to London. Jagdeesh rejected in the beginning saying he will stay for Amar wedding, having Rhea in mind. Eventually a white Lady appears on screen in Ram's laptop and Jagdeesh eyes goes through the screen. Ram speaks to her regarding the MOU, and says he will be sending the other doctor from dermatology department. Jagdeesh gives a thought, anyways Rhea is going to stay in Mehta Mansion and Amar won't be staying given his rudeness. So anyway Rhea wil be alone in Amar's room. She have to be with me, at all cost. Why not try this white lady? Jagdeesh try your luck man. Don't miss the opportunity. Lost in thoughts, he fails to see Ram mentioning other doctor name. Immediately Jagdeesh screams uncle.. uncle..I'll go uncle. We can't rely on Deepak for this task. Ram holds a few minutes and finally agrees.     However Shikha and Kajal is unaware of this, that Jagdeesh voluntarily went to London. And he framed Ram in this. Kajal feels quite bad and gets in to check whether everything is ready for one last time. The priest calls the groom and start performing the rituals. Rhea sat on the velvet cushion of the bridal room, wrapped in a deep red lehenga that shimmered with intricate zari work. Heavy kundan jewelry weighed on her neck and wrists, and her dupatta, pinned perfectly over her head, framed a face that looked calm — almost serene. But her eyes betrayed her. She was scared. Terrified, even, The scent of roses and sandalwood floated in from the mandap outside, where the fire had already been lit. She could hear the Sanskrit chants beginning, the dhol beating faintly in the background, the occasional burst of laughter from guests. The wedding was in full motion.But inside her, everything had come to a standstill. Her heart pounded beneath the embroidered blouse, loud enough she thought someone might hear it. Her hands, covered in mehendi, clenched and unclenched in her lap. Her breath came shallow, every inhale laced with a silent plea.The bridal makeup — flawless. The jewelry — royal. The setting — dreamlike. But Rhea felt like a beautiful prisoner, about to walk into her own cage.The knock on the door broke her thoughts. Kajal peeked in, eyes lighting up. “Rhea, it’s time. You look like a goddess!”Rhea nodded, lips stretching into a smile she didn’t feel. Her legs moved on their own, as if her body had resigned to the script written for her. But inside, her soul stood still at the threshold, screaming without a voice — unsure if the fire she was about to circle was sacred… or consuming.As Rhea was gently guided into the wedding mandap, every step felt heavier than the last. The vibrant canopy above her, the sacred fire crackling at the center, the rhythmic chants of the pandit — it all blurred into a surreal haze. Her lehenga whispered against the floor as she sat down beside the groom, her bangles clinking softly, almost like a warning bell she couldn’t silence.She folded her hands politely, nodded when expected, smiled faintly for the cameras. But her mind wasn’t in the mandap. It was floating somewhere far away — where fear echoed louder than the mantras.As the rituals began — the garland exchange, the kanyadaan — her hands moved automatically, like she was a puppet pulled by invisible strings. She avoided looking at Amar . Not because she disliked him, but because she didn’t know what her eyes might say if they met his — confusion, hesitation… regret.When the priest asked her to repeat the vows, her voice wavered. Just slightly. But enough for those close to her to glance. She covered it with a cough, a smile, and continued. Only she knew her mouth was saying the words, but her heart was screaming something else.The mangal pheras felt like a countdown. Every circle around the fire tightened the knot in her chest. Each round, a step away from the life she had once imagined for herself, and deeper into something unknown.When the sindoor was finally applied, and the mangalsutra tied, a strange stillness settled over her. Everyone clapped. Music played. The moment was supposed to be sacred, joyous.But Rhea?She just sat there, her hands folded in her lap, her eyes fixed on the fire.Not blinking. Not smiling.Only burning — quietly — from the inside.Even Amar felt the same but vowed to himself that he will take care of her. The wedding got over, and immediately the reception stage was set up, giving no time for the couple to relax. Rhea searches for Smitha and Adi. Except for Amar she couldn't find any of the known face. Amar could sense her although her face has been covered with veil. He held her hand. Rhea didn't bother for the warmth from this hand, because she knew very well; he won't hold it for long. She thinks this way remembering her first hangout with him. Her heart sinks deep. A Revenge...  Â