~~~~~~~~~Reading the message, Rey's heart broke into pieces with each word that showed on his screen. His feelings were all over the place. His hands clutched the phone tightly, his knuckles turning white. The broken feeling was replaced with anger. Rage. His eyes red but he did not dare shed a single tear. He didn't know what he would do now but he knew that Kriya left him forever. She wasn't coming back. Not to him. Not to anyone. His anger had reached it highest point as the message was crystal clear to him. He wasn't mad at Kriya. No. He was enraged at one person who had ruined his life. Who broke his happiness into million little pieces. Who snatched his bride from him. He could only see red when he thought of her. When he thought of the bi*** Taani. Breaking him out of his turmoil, Rey's dad came to him with worry etched on his face. "Rey I am sorry beta. I cant believe what happened today. I don't know how to tell u son but Kriya is not here she", Rey's dad tried to explain. Rey cut him off. " Dad I know she wont be coming and there will be no marriage I got her message. "message what. Show me." " no dad leave it" Rey locked his phone before his dad could get a glimpse of that damn message. Rey's dad saw the anger in his son's eyes but didn't comment as he knew that the matter was sensitive. Till then Rey's mom came there. "what happened? Where is Kriya?" Rey's mom, Avantika questioned. She looked at her husband's and son's face and she knew that something was seriously wrong. "there's no Kriya. She ran away" Rey's dad told his wife. Just hearing these words bought tears to Rey's eyes. Only the anger in his mind was controlling him from breaking down completely. His heart hurt. His love left him after all and there was only one person to blame for all this. A tear rolled down his eye leaving a trail of sadness on his cheek. His mom and dad enveloped him in hug. They couldn't fathom what he would be going through at this moment. He hugged them back tightly. They were his only support right now as his friends especially Sharon and Swayam weren't there at the moment. Before he could think about their absence, Rey's dad broke the hug and told them to come talk to Rishi about this matter as this was about their reputation. They all went to Kriya's room where Rishi and Taani were sitting, both of them tensed about the situation. Just looking at Taani's face bought a surge of anger in Rey. There she was sitting there with fake tension all over her face. But that's what Rey thought. Taani was really tensed in real. But Rey's anger and rage forbid him to see that. All he could imagine in his brain when he looked at her was the message he got a few minutes back. " Please forgive me Ranvijay. I am really sorry. I cant believe Kriya would do something like this. Rey beta I am really sorry. I can't imagine what u must be going through. I don't know what to do right now" Rishi's voice bought Rey back to reality from his thoughts. "Uncle its not your fault" its Taani's Rey added in his brain. "What should we do now? Our reputation is on the line. Think about the guests they have already started gossiping. And anyway people always talk about you Rishi. You know what I am talking about. Anyway whatever Kriya has done cannot be changed. The only person who has to actually face consequences is my son Rey" Avantika told in a serious tone. "I know I am really sorry I just don't understand why Kriya would do this I mean she seemed happy. But now we should focus on the problem. I don't have a clue what do to" Rishi replied. "I know what to do" Rey said. All the while the elders were talking, a plan had formed in his mind. A revenge plan. He wanted to ruin Taani's life. A plan which from Rishi uncle will probably hate his beloved Taani. But in reality only Taani knew how beloved she actually was. Rey obviously didn't know that.Everybody looked at him including Taani who was sitting quietly on Kriya's bed. They all waited for him to continue but what he said next was a shock to all. Taani getting the biggest shock. ~~~~~~~~~
Taani couldn't believe what she heard. And by the look on the elders face she wasn't dreaming. Those word kept on ringing again and again in her brain like a siren. She couldn't breathe. The words that she only dreamt of. But always in a better situation. In her own happy fantasy. "I will marry Taani" Rey repeated to get everyone's attention. Rey mentally smirked at Taani's face. All his sadness had disappeared. Revenge kept ringing in his mind. Taani snapped out of her thoughts and stood up. Her eyes wide she said " Are you okay Reyaansh, what are you saying." This is not a joke. "Rishi uncle I have to tell you something important. Mom. Dad. I actually love Taani. I know it seems weird but try to understand me. I just fell for her but it was far too late. The wedding preparations had all been done. I was confused as well. Kriya somehow knew and she sent me a message to tell me to do what my heart wants. That's why she ran away cause she wanted Taani's and mine happiness. Please don't ask me questions please. I thought I will fall for Kriya after marriage as she was my best friend. But please just leave it. Anyway everyone is waiting downstairs. We should hurry" Rey finished his speech that was filled with filthy lies. Taani just couldn't believe anything right now. What did he just say she thought. "why didn't you tell us Rey. This is so sudden" Ranvijay asked his son with confusion. "Dad I told you I don't want questions. What is done is done. Anyways if for say I don't get married today everyone will gossip and the news that Kriya left me all heartbroken will have a bad impact on Rishi uncle. Do you think Rishi uncle can handle all this like he did last time. All the scandals and the looks". Rey replied. Rey was giving himself high-fives in his brain after all someone had to praise his acting skills. "you are right there Rey. Rishi what say I mean if you are okay with his... " Ranvijay started his conversation with Rishi and Avantika soon joined him. The elders were discussing among each other while Rey decided to set the record straight to Taani. "Reyaansh what ..i mean what are you tr..tryi" Taani exclaimed. She couldn't even form words. What was happening in her already messed up life. She obviously knew Rey was lying. But she didn't know why. She couldn't see the soft look he always had in his eyes. All she could see was darkness. His eyes were hard. And they kept on glaring at her. She had always read his face. She loved him so she knew. But the look he was giving her made a shiver run down her spine. Her whole body was rigid. His stare was full of hatred. Hatred towards her. She could feel the tears all welled up in her eyes just ready to fall. Everything was a mess. Rey walked towards her tensed up body and pulled her close, holding her arm. Holding? More like crushing. Taani looked up towards him with a painful look on her face. The elders couldn't see this as Rey was smart. The elders could only see his back. She tried to take her arm back as it was hurting really badly but Rey wouldn't budge. "How much pain do you want to give Rishi uncle. Huhh he already has gone through so much in his life since you came. Don't you want to save his reputation. Save Kriya's reputation. If you even care for your family like they do for you then go along with this marriage. Rishi Uncle and Kriya have sacrificed so much for you and for your happiness. Do something for them in return you heartless bi***" Rey whispered harshly in her ear. With each word his already hard grip had hardened even more and with each word spoken he had stabbed Taani's already fragile heart.
Taani was really confused now. What happiness had her so called family given her. Sacrificed? Yeah right. Taani looked in his which showed the depth of his anger. It scared her. Her arm felt numb now. All she could do was stare in his eyes, trying to show him the pain he was inflicting on her. But even then her heart still fluttered at how close they were. She could feel his harsh breath on her face. Her chest heaving up and down against him. Being so close to him made her momentarily forget about her surroundings. About the situation. All she could see was him. This was the second time she was really close to him. The first being in his office a while back.
Even though Rey knew he was really angry on her, there was something about her eyes he couldn't pinpoint. Seeing her pain filled eyes he loosened his grip a bit. He also forgot about the surroundings. Her eyes were beautiful he thought. They were this really dark brown eyes with little specks of light brown. His heart was telling him she was innocent but his mind knew better. She licked her dry lips and he couldn't help but follow the movement. Her lips were full and they were enticing him. But then he remembered their equation and the fact that the elders were still there so he quickly left her arm and put distance between them.Taani came back to her senses by the sudden movement. She quickly covered her arm with her dupatta as it was starting to bruise. The elders were still busy talking. "Dad?" Taani questioned. Rishi looked at his daughter. Taani could see he was suppressing the anger while talking to the Singhania's. It was always her understanding her dad. He never paid any attention towards her. She was really scared about her non existent equation with her dad. The equation she was trying so hard to build since she was 16. Now at 25 she still hadn't succeeded thanks to him always trying to fix his relationship with Kriya. "Taani beta are you ready? You do love Rey right?" Avantika asked in a motherly tone. She had her doubts. She could see how shaken up Taani was. Taani glanced at Rey and if looks could kill she would probably be 6 feet below by now. He was challenging her. Even though he didn't say anything she knew he was daring her to deny. She didn't know what had turned him into such an evil person. She didn't know why he was suddenly acting rudely with her. He had always been sweet to her in the few times she had met him. She needed to find out the truth. She turned to his sweet mother. " yea" she said shyly. Well at least she wasn't lying like him."I guess then we should go down. Ill inform the guests. Taani, umm get ready and come down in a few. Rey lets go" Ranvijay said firmly and with one last glare towards Taani, Rey followed his confused parents out. His parents couldn't understand the change but they kept mum. "Taani keep wearing what you are wearing. And don't wear any of Kriya's wedding things, already you have stolen the groom don't steal anything else" Rishi told his daughter without looking at her. She knew it was coming but it didn't hurt any less. It didn't stop her already stabbed heart from getting stabbed again. She knew that now because of what Rey had done, her dad will never ever love her the way she had craved for. "Well it is your happy day as now you have stolen the last bit of my family. You must be so happy now.""what about me? Am I not your family? Taani questioned in a rough voice. Only she knew how hard it for her to swallow the lump in her throat and not completely break down. "NO. You never were and never will be Rishi answered her and left her standing there broken.She turned to the mirror and looked at herself in the mirror. If anyone even cared about her then they could see the pain she was trying so hard to suppress. She composed herself and put the dupatta on her head and also made sure to cover her bruised hand which Rey had given her. She walked out the room and her so called Dad took her downstairs. With each step she took down the stairs , she knew everyone was gossiping. She could feel all the stares and she hated that. She hated unwanted attention. All the guests gave her dirty stares. All filled with accusation. Just like the last time when the truth had come out. She saw the mandaap which was decorated amazingly. Which was decorated for Rey and Kriya. Now she had taken the position. She looked at Rey who had his hard eyes on the fire. The fire was nothing compared to the fire in his eyes. She felt a pang in her heart. She never thought she will be getting married to the man she loves like this. Mostly people would be happy if they married someone they loved. But marrying someone who hated her and did not love her back was heartbreaking. Before the marriage time run out, she quickly made her way next to Rey and sat down. And the priest began his work. Neither Rey nor Taani dared to look at each other during their rituals. When the time came to put the manglesutr, Taani by now knew nothing could be changed. She looked up to his eyes. She could see the pain behind his faade. He harshly pit his hand around her neck to tie the necklace. And looked at the fire again. They took the pheras then. With each of the seven vows they took, Taani let her tears flow. She had big dreams about her wedding. She thought that she will finally be loved after a long time when she married. But she knew that will never happen now. All the rituals were finally done now. All the guests had started to move out. No one congratulated Rey or Taani except the guests from Rey's side. The guests from Taani's side hated her so they didn't care. When everyone left, " Umm Taani shouldn't you get your clothes I mean as you will be coming with us now" Avantika told a numb Taani. Taani broke herself from her thoughts and left to go upstairs to get her clothes. She quickly put the necessary things in her bags that she got and told one of the servants to take it downstairs. She looked at her beloved room and left. She went downstairs where everyone was waiting except Rey. "well Rey is waiting in the car. Say your goodbyes to your Dad and come. We will be going now." Ranvijay said. They said their goodbyes to Rishi and both Ranvijay and Avantika gave Taani a hug. When Avantika hugged her Taani somehow felt a little happy. Avantika smiled at her in a motherly way that made her pain a little less. At least her in laws were nice. When they left, Taani looked at Rishi and just one look at her she knew he wasn't going to bother with her. So she just turned and left. There was one car waiting so she went and sat in it. she didnt have any support. her best friend Sharon or Swayam werent there. Surprisingly Rey was driving. So she went to the passenger seat. Rey gripped the wheel tightly and started the car without uttering a word to her. They drove away to their destinations. Taani's hell. The message was not the only thing that was there. There was a final blow waiting at Rey's house that would put Taani in more trouble and make Rey's rage reach its maximum point~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello there readers. thank you all soo much for your lovely comments. they really do help in keeping me motivated so again thank you. also thank you for the likes.coming to the update, i hope you all liked it. i know i rushed the wedding part but like i didnt want to extend it and i think the update was long enough. so there are many secrets right. what was in the message? where is the gang? what is the final blow? to know all this keep reading 
Arjun
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