[Rated PG]
You can skip the following few paragraphs to just get to the story if you need:
[Authors Note: Okay so I needed to write something before this forced wedding track officially solidifies and absolutely wrecks my heartđ”. This is in a universe where the the wedding is a compromise and follows my previous OS "Extinguished Flames".
This is what I have been thinking about for a long time and you're welcome to skip the following paragraph in bold as it speaks more so about my inspiration for writing this.
I have already mentioned the hit Pakistani show Udaari. In that show the girl is a singer who meets a friend group and joins their band. The ML/singer falls in love with her and confesses his feelings to her. At that point she says no and they go on in their seperate ways but always remain friends. The ML stops his singing career and focuses on his education and becomes a lawyer who fights for the FL's friend. This where the actual love story takes place. But it isn't until they win this court case, that the FL lead finally confesses her feelings and says "All this time I thought I wasn't worthy for you, I fell in love with you during the first song we ever sang together and I have always loved you. But I realize now that nothing else matters and life is too short too worry about what others will say. I love you. Will you marry me?"
Anyways, the fact that the FL lead waited soooo long before confessing because she felt unworthy of him seems similar to how Imlie might react. But through this all Aryan will be with her as a friend and support just like the ML in Udaari.
Here is an SS / OS based off this. Someone might be able to properly correct what this story should go under. Anyways here goes nothing]
As always English translations will follow. But because this is so long it will take a minute.
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The monsoon season had started once more. The rain pounded on the windows and Imlie couldn't help but bask in the season that had brought Aryan into her life. The day she had agreed to marry him, not because she loved him but because she thought that it would be the best decision for both of their family members.
She shivered against that memory. Kabhi pyar nahi. [But never love] It wasn't just an exchange of words between them. It was a promise and a wish for it to be anything but. How impossible it would be to live without love. But that's what it had just been, words manifested into the universe so that she would not be disappointed.
The reality was much different. Their wedding happened in a ceremony in PD. A proper ceremony, that took place in the center of the village. Fairy lights across the court yards, Rangoli in front of all the houses and beautiful flower arrangements across town.
Aryan had made sure that the entire village would be lit up for their wedding. She laughed thinking about how Satyakam had joked about how Imlie looked like the bride, but the village itself was no less.
She gulped at the memory. The wedding was so beautiful it overpowered any of her past experiences. She had actually been happy that time. Her mother and Satyakam had danced beautifully in all the events. How she was gifted so much love and happiness in this world was beyond her.
And Aryan, well he was nothing but kind and respectful. He followed all the ceremonies and even agreed to eat food from banana leaves never once letting her know the difference between their class. When the villagers would say something to offend her or Satyakam or Meethi- he would be quick to shut them down. The love and respect that he showered the night of their wedding was more then what Imlie could have imagined in her entire life.
After the wedding ceremonies, she was brought into the Rathore mansion with lanterns and sweets but above everything, she was brought in with respect. Her mother-in-law had kissed her forehead and her sister-in-law had showed her the mandir that Aryan had built for her. The hugs, kisses, and love that was gifted to her made her completely at a loss of words.
When she was led into Aryans room that night she saw that it was beautifully decorated. But in the corner of her eye she saw that a couch that had never been in the room before had also been placed there.
When the door closed behind her she turned and she found Aryan in front of her. He hadn't ever looked at her with that much peace in his eyes before but the edge in his voice scared her.
And before she could even think to say anything he had started speaking. "Imlie, dekho maine phele hi kaha tha ki izzat se bar kar kuch nahi hoga humare beech mein. Hum equals phele bhi the aur aaj bhi hain. Aur bharosa bhi. Aur hum ek doosre se kabhi bhi kuch nahi chupayenge. Humara saath ek equal partnership, aur friendship, aur hum-" [English: And before she could even think to say anything he had started speaking. "Imlie, look I have said it before but respect is the only thing that matters in our relationship. We were equals before and we will continue to be equals. And trust too. And we will never hide anything from each other. And our relationship will an equal partnership, and friendship, and we"]
Imlie was puzzled and her mind struggled to realize what he was saying but before he could utter another word more Imlie stopped him. "Aur aur aur aur kya? Itna sara tumne khe diya bina udhar ke? Kya baat hai Sahab? Kahin pyar vyar ka chakar toh nahi hai kya?" [English: And and and what? You've said all of these things and haven't even given me a loan yet? What's the matter. You're not in love or something huh Akkadbage?"] Imlie had joked gently pushing him aside and removing her veil. She trusted him already, maybe even more so then she trusted herself.
Aryan had just stood in awe watching Imlies move intently. The way she sat on the chair and started removing her earrings. Completely at home in this expansive room that she would now share with him. Her bangles came off next. And then how she reached behind the small of her neck to undo the clasp on her haar and how she gently pulled it away from her.self The slight catch in her breath when she realized he had been staring at her this whole time and the lowering of her gaze and her immediate fascination with the ring on her finger drove him crazy. He pulled his eyes away from her and smiled to himself. The women who he loved so much was finally his. This unknown relationship now had a name and the respect that it had always deserved.
Imlie smiled at the memories of her wedding day. Aryan had never acted as if their relationship was a compromise or that he was burdened. Instead he just fulfilled every wish and every hope before she could even voice it. Koi kissi se itna pyar kaise kar sakta hai? [English: How could somebody love someone this much?]
The rain still poured in the background and another memory flooded her. The day she had learned of Aryans love for her.
Aryan had never confessed to her about the love he had for her. She had once accidently overheard an argument between Arpita and Aryan. She had only caught the tail end of it but that was enough to change her entire world. "Didi mein isse yeh kabhi nahi bata sakta ki mein usse pyar karta hoon. In fact ki mein usse shaadi se bhot phele pyar karta hoon. Jab meine usse woh bridge mein dekha tha, jab hum Pagdanadiya ke bus mein ja rahe the, jab ussne mujhe woh phool diya tha chameli bazzar mein. Tab se. Phir bhi agar mein yeh bata doonga toh woh patani kya soche gayi. Mein kabil hi nahi hoon usse yeh sab khena ke liye. Aur mein hum dono ka rishta kharab nahi kar sakta. And that's final."
That night changed everything. Even in the darkness of their room, Imlie could hear the deafening sound of something pounding away in the dark. Something that had only been gentle flutters turned into a hailing storm. Aryan Singh Rathore loved Imlie from Pagdandiya.
Those words had settled deep into her chest. Koi kesse kissi se itna pyar kar sakta hai. Lekin pyar toh meine dekha hai. Adi ne bhi mujhe aise hi pyar karta tha. Lekin us pyar mein to nahi izzat thi nahi bharosa. Toh woh kya kabhi pyar tha bhi ya nahi? She thought to herself.
These thoughts wrestled in her mind for months after she had overheard Arpita didi and Aryan. A part of her, felt like an intruder. She felt like she knew a secret and was lying to Aryan. This is how it had been since her discovery.
But today, as she stood against the window and enjoyed the seasons first rain. Little did she know that this rain would change her entire world.
Work had been hectic and she had went to bed before Aryan had gotten home, and the next day he had left even before she could have breakfast with him. She later got a message from the office that he was working late.
This was the first time that she had gone without seeing him for more than a day since they had gotten married. The lump in her throat was slowly making its way down to her stomach. She cursed herself for not having woken up when Aryan had gotten home but she herself was exhausted after trying to meet a project deadline. The memories of her wedding to Aryan had kept her company in his absence.
She sat on the couch waiting for his arrival but before she knew it, she had fallen asleep. When she woke later that night, she found herself on the bed and with Aryans arm around her in a tight grip. He must have picked her up and moved her off the sofa when he had come home from work. Even when he himself was tired, he made sure that she was still comfortable. She came out of her thoughts as she realized that Aryan was muttering quietly to himself. She could feel his heart pacing fast. Clearly he was having a nightmare that was distressing him. He looked so small and fragile in this state. She moved closer to him and touched a finger to move a stray strand of hair away from his face. Coming closer still, she cupped Aryans face. "Aryan, its okay. Hum hai tumhare pas. Tum safe ho. Tum safe ho." She whispered gently trying to soothe him.
Aryan's grip immediately relaxed at the sound of her voice but she couldn't find it in herself to pull herself away. Instead she wrapped a arm around him and squeezed herself even closer to him. Tum safe ho. Kabhi nahi jaaongi tumhe chod ke. I promise. [English: You're safe. I'll never leave you alone. I promise.] Now it was her hearts turn to beat fast. Did lips have a mind of their own? Why were they quivering with the gentlest wish to meet Aryans own. She bit them to a stop and snuggled closer against his chest.
And that was the start of their changing relationship. The next morning she had the servants remove the sofa from their room. It was true that they rarely used the sofa but its presence in the room reminded her of the distance between them. Even if it was her doing. This sofa was hers and even Aryans way to sink back into comfort if either of them needed. But Imlie wasn't having it any longer. She could no longer stand even the thought of separating from Aryan or making him feel like he was the one that wasn't worth it.
That was what he had said, hadn't he? That he, the Aryan Singh Rathore was not good enough to be with Imlie. She brushed that thought away with annoyance.
Aryan was initially surprised at the sudden move of the sofa out of their room. His eyebrows had done their usual little dance that they did whenever he was utterly perplexed but he had soon brushed aside that thought too.
But when he reached to grab his briefcase, Imlies concerned face stopped him.
"Tum phir ja rahe ho? Itna sara kaam hai kya, mein help kardoon? Narmada Amma bhi tumhe theek se dekh nahi paayi hai." Imlie said.
Aryan smiled to himself. Miss mujhe kar rahi hai lekin Ma ko sara blame de diya. Paltu kahin ki. "Its okay Imlie. Mujhe sach mein bhot kaam hai lekin aaj jaldi aa jaoonga" and with that he left.
Imlie was confused by Aryans refusal for her help. It was true that he was a workaholic but he wasn't one to not ask for her help when he needed it. In fact he liked to expose her to the various moving parts of his businesses to give her the experience and teach her his insights.
As she thought about why Aryan wasn't involving her in these new projects, Raju-Aryans newly hired assistant came in.
"Ma'm, apne sir ka folder dekha hai. Yellow tha. Usme Tripathi house ke papers the"
Imlie was confused. "Tripathi house", she mumbled. Why did Aryan need those folders.
She turned and looked around and found the folder peaking under a pile of other papers. She pulled it out but her curiosity took over and before she handed it over to Raju she opened it and took a look inside.
"Bhabhi, sir-" Raju said only to stop after seeing Imlies hand rise to stop him.
The folder was huge and included the Title of the Tripathi house. But it also included information on the various lenders that Badke Kaka had used when acquiring loans for the house. She was confused at the state of the paperwork but not wanting Aryan to yell at Raju for the wait, she closed the binder and gave it back to him.
As Raju was leaving, Imlie quickly asked for a favor. "Ruko, yeh file Sir ko dene se phele kya tum yeh papers ke copy muje laa kar de do ge? "
"Theek hai Ma'm, abhi lata hoon." An hour or so later, Raju popped by at the house and provided her with the copy of the folder. On closer examination she realized that there had been some issue with the Title being transferred to Aryan and her. The lenders were still acquiring interest on the loan and they were trying to get Aryan to pay it off or else they would file a lawsuit against the Rathore Group of Industries.
So this was the reason for Aryan's late nights and the reason as to why he was not involving her in his work. But did he not trust her? Why was he keeping this a secret. These were the thoughts that plagued her as she waited for Aryan to reach home.
Aryan being true to his word, came a little before dinner. But before he could go shower she told him to get ready as she wanted to take him to the mandir.
Aryan agreed and soon came out with a dark blue sherwani that was buttoned tightly to his neck. "Chale?" he asked Imlie.
"Chalo", she smiled back at him. She grabbed his hand, only to cause Aryans eyebrow to arch in surprise. She then led him around the back to where the mandir rested that Aryan had built for her stood. It was a grand structure and about a 7 minute walk away from the house.
"Maine socha tum humare khandani mandir mein jaana chahti hoon. Isliye mein itna tayar ho gaya."
"Its okay Akkadbaga. Kafi handsome lag rahe ho. Bilkul Mr. India type" She winked. She loved seeing the color flush to his cheeks when she joked around with him like this.
As they approached the Mandir, Imlie raised her hand to ring the Mandir bells only to have Aryan reach up at the same time.
She greeted her Sita Maiya and went to light the diya in front of her. As she lit the match she felt Aryans gaze on her. She put the diya on the thaali and gave it to Aryan so that they could take the aarti together. When they were done, Imlie turned to face him. Her arms extended and her hands folded in a tight fist infront of him.
"Yeh kya hai Imlie," Aryan asked. Confused once again at Imlies actions.
"Chuno", Imlie asked mischievously.
"What?"
"Chuno chuno!" Imlie nudged Aryan on.
Aryan was confused but he went along with it. When he picked her right hand she opened it to reveal a small decorative container.
"Imlie yeh kya hai?"
"Kholo isse!" Imlie repeated impatiently.
Aryan grunted. He could never tell what went on in her tiny little brain.
When he opened the lid of the container, his breath caught in his lungs. The scarlet color of the sindoor glistened in the evening sunset. He looked to face Imlie and realized that the dupatta on her head hid the fact that she wasn't wearing sindoor. It didn't take him long to realize what she was asking. Instinctively, he reached his fingers into the container, and grabbed a pinch of the sacred powder to fill her maang with.
Imlie wasn't surprised. It had been about 5 months since she had been married to Aryan and a year since she had known him. As much as she teased him, there were some things that he gave to her without her having to ask. Much like the right for her to have her maang filled by him.
When he finished, Imlie gave the edge of her pallu so he could wipe away the excess. Only he refused to dirty her clothes and brushed the excess away in the wind.
They turned to walk towards the house.
"Tum bharosa karte ho na mujhe" Imlie asked.
"Of course. Yeh kaisa sawal hai?"
"Sawal hai, aur jawab bhi chahiye. Dekho hum janat rahe ki humme tumhar kaam mein dhakal andazai nahi karna chahiye lekin meine tumhare peele binder mein dekha hai. Tum Tripathi House ke saath kya karna chahte ho?"
Aryans face dropped. He looked to face and tried to imagine what she was thinking at this time.
"Imlie. I knew agar mein tumhe bata dete toh tum mujhe galat sochti ki shayad mein phir se badla--" Aryan hurried. He couldn't lose her. Not again.
Imlie closed Aryans mouth with her hand. "Shhhhh. Galat toh tum kabhi kar hi nahi sakte. Lekin patni maante ho tum mujhe, bina maange hi tum mere maang mein sindoor laga sakte ho. Bharosa kar sakte ho toh yeh bhi maan lo ki mein bhi tumpe bharosa kar sakti hoon, Aryan."
Aryan didn't know what to say. He was still surprised at the gentleness with which she was cupping his mouth. The way she said she was trusting him and the way she said that she would be with him. It took an immense amount of effort for him not to become emotional at the love that was being showered on him, whatever the form of it, it may be.
"Sorry Imlie. Mujhe sach mein tumhe bata dene chahiye tha. I am sorry"
"Nakchada Akkadbage" She teased grabbing his cheeks and trying her best to reassure him. That was enough to break even Aryans stoic face into a wide grin.
"Chale," he asked.
Imlie agreed with a slight tilt of her face toward the Rathore mansion as she herself smiled. As they walked along the long garden path, Imlies hand found Aryan's and held it as they walked.
Aryan was beyond himself. He didn't know what Imlies behavior these last few days meant. A part of him wanted to pull himself closer to Imlie so that there couldn't even be a fingers distance between them. But he knew that Imlie was just treating him as friend. Sure they were married, but he was her friend first and he couldn't blurry these lines. So he controlled himself and they continued on their path.
But Mumbai's weather was something else. It never left a single opportunity to bring two lovers together. One moment it was all sunshine's and roses and the very next instant it was pouring cats and dogs. And that is exactly what happened with Aryan and Imlie.
The wind came with the rain and Imlie pulled him into the Gazebo that fell along their path to the Mansion entrance. They were both breathless from the combination of the jog and the wind in their face.
Aryans hair was already wet and he was trying to shake the dampness off.
Imlie couldn't help but be mesmerized. The dark blue sherwani's buttons had somehow unraveled themselves to expose Aryans chiseled chest. The droplets of water were running down his face and along the side of his neck.
Imlie turned away from him in order to gain some composure.
Once Aryan had finished his attempt at drying himself, he looked to see Imlie facing away from him. The small of her back was clearly visible and her curly hair had become loose during their little adventure, but it was the thin outline of her kameez that made all kinds of thoughts errupt in his mind.
He shrugged them off and looked to see if he could spot any of the servants or garden keepers around. Maybe they could bring them an umbrella or some towels.
Imlie's teeth chattering pulled him from his thoughts and he went closer to her in order to give her more of his warmth.
"Ab kya kare?" Imlie asked innocently.
Aryan frowned. "Hum paanch minute ghar se door hai Imlie. Itna bhag liya hai, thoda aur bhag kar ghar chale jaate" Aryan whined.
But as soon as he said that the wind blew faster and tore some of the branches off the trees that surrounded the garden.
Imlies smug face seeing this only made Aryan more annoyed.
Together they waited for the rain to calm down. Imlie broke her silence first. "Acha kya Rathore Group of Industries sach mein theek hai? Kya Tripathi house ke problems tumhe business mein toh nahi impact kar raha hai?"
"Imlie sun rahi ho kya tum apne aap ko? Tum itna kaap rahi ho, aur tumhe humare companies ki phikar hai? I don't understand!" Aryan exclaimed.
"Kuch pooch rahi hoon. Jawab chahiye. Waise bhi thaand se mein mar nahi jaongi" Imlie argued back.
"Shut up! Kitni baar kaha hai ki aise baatein mujhe bilkul passand nahi hai. Samjhi", Aryan turned to face her.
The concern and anger in his face made Imlie helpless. How long was he going to hide the fact that he loved her. Did he really think that he wasn't worthy of her.
Imlie didn't even realize it but she was barely an inch away from him. Her heart taking control now, she used the loosened parting of Aryans sherwani to pull him close to her. "Toh kya pasand hai" Imlie breathed.
Aryan swallowed losing his entire demeanor. "Kya..kya kar rahi ho Imlie. Koi aa jayega"
Imlie smirked and pulled him closer to her. "Toh?"
Aryan went to grab her hands and pull them away from himself only to realize that Imlies eyes were beginning to well up.
"Imlie? Imlie kya hua? Batao? Bhot thand hai kya? Are you ok?" Aryan's concern only continued to make Imlie more emotional until a droplet of her tears fell on his bare chest.
"Itna pyar kyun karte ho mujhse? Patha hai, ek din mein apne aap se kitni baar poochti hoon ki koi kese kissi ko itna pyar kar sakta hai? Kese itna mar sakta hai kissi pe." Imlie whispered.
It was at that moment that Aryan knew that Imlie had already figured out his biggest secret. But in that moment the air seemed to be pulled out of his lungs. He couldn't bring himself to do anything but stare into her doe-like eyes and try to read her face.
"Hum toh tumhe Pagdandiya ke gaalliyon mein apna dil de chuke the. Jab tumne Amma aur Satyakam ko apne Ma aur baba manna tha. Jab tumne meri taraf se poore gao ki khilaf ladayi ki thi. Humme toh patha hi nahi tha ki tum kabhi mujh jaise ladki ko pyar kar sakat ho." [ English: I gave you my heart somewhere along the alley ways of Pagdandiya. When you accepted my Amma and Satykam as your parents. When you fought against the whole village for me. I didn't even know that it was even possible for you to even fall for a girl like me.]
Aryan went to hush her. She wasn't just any girl. She was his girl, his friend, his companion, his wife, his everything.
But Imlie continued, his breath now intertwining with her own. "Kabil toh tum mere liya humesha se the Aryan Singh Rathore. Lekin mein hi-" she cried. Her forehead leaning against his chest. [English: But Imlie continued, his breath now intertwining with her own. "You have always been worthy of me Aryan Singh Rathore. It was just me that wasn't-" she cried. Her forehead leaning against his chest.]
"Tumhe apne se door nahi dekh sakti. Aur jab mujhe patha chala ki tumhe lagta hai ki tum mere liya kabhil nahi ho toh aise lage ki mere pair se koi zameen cheen liya ho. [English: I can't keep you away from me. And when I found out that you think that that you're not worthy of me. Then it felt like someone jolted away the ground from beneath my feet.]
"Mera Aryan aisa kaise soch sakhta hai ki woh mere liye kabil nahi hai. Nahi Aryan. Nahi. Tum kabil ho. Aur sirf mere liye ho." She reached to cup his face bringing her lips close to him so she could lean in to gently lay a soft kiss on his lips. [English: "How can my Aryan think that he is not worthy of me. No Aryan. No. You are worthy of me. And are made only for me." She reached to cup his face bringing her lips close to him so she could lean in to gently lay a soft kiss on his lips ]
Aryan couldn't believe it. He had never thought in his lifetime that Imlie could even think about loving him. In this moment he resisted every urge of his to pinch his arms to wake him from this dream. The softness of her lips, the warmth of her breath, and the closeness of her body against him was enough to drive him completely mad.
In Disney, even the dead are brought back from a true loves kiss toh yeh do kya cheez hai . Life pulsed into them like never before, the sorrows of their past felt small and insignificant. The only thing that mattered to them was the person directly in front of them. [English: ...the dead are brought back from a true loves kiss, then how can these two be exempted].
Aryans happiness knew no bounds. He both felt grounded and in the sky. When she finally pulled herself away from him, he couldn't bare the distance. That kiss was both enough and not enough. He wanted more, needed more. He pushed her against the pillars, keeping his arm behind her back so the jolt against the pillar would not hurt her. Imlies little giggle was enough of a permission for him to lean in for another kiss. Fast, then slow, and then raging.
Imlies fists hadn't let go of his sherwani and instead her grip was so tight that he could hear the tiny fibers of his fabric ripping as she lost herself in him. He moaned against her in an attempt to gain any sense of composure. But that only made her pull him closer to herself.
There was a storm that was brewing and they were directly in it. And he wouldn't have it any other way. When he finally let Imlie go, she again rested her forehead on his chest. Breathing heavily into him. When she finally caught herself, she moved to fix the disheveled state of her shalwar kameez. She ran her hand through her hair, patting it down, and shying away from him. Neither of them could believe the events that had just transpired between them, both needing a moment to gather themselves.
The storm seemed to have ended with their union but Aryan couldn't even bare to be an arms distance away from her.
He reached to grab her arm and pull her close to himself.
"Akkadbage! Kya kar rahe ho? Koi dekh lega" Imlie giggled. She looked so radiant. Her smile stretched across her face and only made his heart soar. [English: Akkadbage! What are you doing? Someones going to see us!" Imlie giggled. She looked so radiant. Her smile stretched across her face and only made his heart soar.
"Acha? Ab bhot phikar hai ki koi dekh lega. 5 minute phele jab tum mere saath woh sab kar rahi thi tab nahi dar laga ki koi dekh lega" Aryan mused. [English: "Oh? So now you're worried about someone seeing us? But 5 minutes ago you weren't worried when you were doing those things to me?"Aryan mused ]
"What? Mein kya kar rahi thi. Meine kuch nahi kiya. Tumne kiya. Bas ab chod dho humme" Imlie said coyly. [English: "What? What did I do I didn't do anything. You did it. Now let me go," Imlie said coyly.]
Aryan laughed. "Theek hai. Chodh diya" he said letting her arm go and walking ahead of her. [English: Aryan laughed. "Fine. I'll let go." he said letting her arm go and walking ahead of her.]
As he sauntered ahead of her, he felt the grip of Imlies tiny hands around his arm. "Dramebaaz," he said and reached around her to sweep her into his arms and make his way into the confines of their bedroom.
Imlie stuck her tongue out at him and he quickly pretended to bite it. "Hat!" Imlie smiled as she got comfortable in his arms and allowed him to take her into the Rathore Mansion.
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