𝟷: 𝙰𝙵𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝚂𝙸𝚇 𝚈𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚂

A serene silence was spread all across the village, as it was evening time. Though the crowd was still there,people were still busy with their work, some were murmuring, someone was shouting, some were just simply returning to their home after coming back from their work...still the village wasn't buzzing with restless energy. But everyone was probably prepared for what would come next morning.

Amidst the chaos a tall figure was standing, visibly furious.

"Kitni der mein aayegi ye ladki?" Preet muttered, tapping her feet on the ground continuously.

She has been checking her watch for the past 15 minutes now. Her patience wears thin.

Then she felt it, someone covered her eyes from behind "hihi guess karo! Kon hai?" The voice chirped.

"Noor, you seriously think that I won't be able to recognize you?" Preet groaned. The person removed their hands from her eyes immediately and Preet turned back. But to her surprise her sister wasn't here. "Hey bhagwan, iski ye faltu ke pranks karne ki aadat kab jayegi" Preet frowned. "NOOR?" Preet called out her sister's name loudly, drawing everyone's attention towards herself.

"Kya hai! Sundar ladki nahi dekhi kabhi?" Preet shot a boy a look. He nervously gulped and looked away, preet just gave him an eye roll.

But then another voice echoed "ARRE PAKDO ISKO! CHOR! CHOR!" A woman probably in her mid 40s was running behind a man whose face was covered with a black cloth.

Before Preet could even react, the man jammed into her shoulder while running. Preet lost her balance and fell hard onto the ground, her palms scraping against the road painfully. She hissed "saale teri to.." some people came forward to help her.

But then everyone's eyes drifted toward another scene, a woman running behind that man. Her long hair swayed with every move. And then she caught the bag he was running with. His steps halted and he tried to pull the bag toward himself harshly but that woman's grip didn't budge "aayyee ladki bag chod, warna dekhlena tu" the man said harshly.

"Chuchundar ke pille" the man stared at her with deadpan expression when Noor cursed him. "Meri didi ko gira ke, kisi ki mehnat ki kamai chura ke mujhe dhamki dera hai!" Noor snatched the bag this time.

A crowd gathered around immediately, and other people caught the thief. And yeah, obviously he got beaten up by the crowd.

The woman came forward and thanked Noor "Thank you so much beta!" While hugging her purse tightly to her chest. Noor just gave that woman a soft reassuring smile.

Finally Noor's gaze landed upon her elder sister, standing in the corner continuously muttering curses while observing her palms.

Noor came toward her and hugged her. "Kitne saal ho gye apse mile hoye, or bhi pyaari ho gyi aab to aap" Noor whispered softly into her ear.

Preet hands just fell to her side, fingers curling into fist.

"Ap sab ne mujhe achanak se kiyu bula liya Bengaluru se? Pata hai kitni jaldi mein ayi hu mein apki panicked voiced sun ke" Noor stepped back, freeing Preet from her hug. Though preet didn't hug her back, but she was used to it.

Preet's every word stilled in her throat. She was supposed to get married tomorrow.

Preet eyes meet Noor's "Do you really don't know that Noor?" Preet voice hardened. Noor gave a nervous smile, confusion visible all across her face.

But Preet just swallowed hard. "Let's get into the car, I will explain it to you" Preet simply walked away toward her car.

"Everything is fine, right?" Noor supposed.

They were in the car, Noor was continuously glancing at Preet again and again. Preet was busy typing something in mobile, her fingers were moving fast and Noor could notice the visible tension in her elder sister's jaw.

"Dii? Kya hua, aap kuch batane wale the na? Why did you call all of a sudden that day?" Noor questioned, her brows knitted in confusion.

"Why the hell did it take you 3 damn days?" Preet snapped so loudly that even the driver flinched.

"Kyuki Bengaluru se Punjab aane mein time lagta hai dii" Noor replied simply, not understanding why her sister was reacting that way.

"I booked a damn flight for you! And yet you decided to come by a train?" Preet sneered, anxiety taking over her.

Noor lips curled into a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes "I am afraid of flying in an airplane...you know na? Or did you forget everything about me aswell....in these six years?" Noor fingers tightened on the hem of her suit.

Preet looked at her, really looked at her this time and she could notice the sadness in Noor's eyes. For a second she really wanted to say something, to apologize maybe. But she didn't, instead she stared outside the window, fighting her own battle.

Noor lived in Bengaluru for the past six years, her family barely contacted her except Preet. Their family is one of the most known, rich and honored families in Punjab. But the weirdest part is most people didn't even know that the family has two daughters, not just one. It was as if Noor didn't exist. She never understood why, but never dared to question it as well. In fact her life in Bengaluru was surely way more peaceful than it would have been with her family.

She barely knew what was going on in her family for the past six years, no one tried contacting...thus she didn't try as well. And though her father is a very known businessman, they weren't as known in Bengaluru. Her family news never mattered there.

And now, a few days ago, after six years her elder sister Preet told her to come here. It was definitely weird for her. It wasn't her family, just Preet who told her to come as soon as possible.

Noor stared outside the window, and for a second her heartbeat rose. "Why is there so much decoration here?" She noticed how everything was decorated with lights.

The car finally stopped in front of their haveli. Every corner was decorated with lights.

Noor glanced at Preet, her eyes asking many questions but Preet just walked away.

Noor entered the haveli, and inside everything was chaotic. So many workers were there, working without any rest. Everything was decorated with golden light, flowers making the scene even more ethereal.

But no one from her family was here to welcome her, her steps slowed. "They didn't even care to show formality" Noor smiled to herself.

The haveli felt familiar, yet so unfamiliar at the same time. "Why do I feel like a stranger in my own house" her grip tightened on her suitcase.

Finally she saw her mother, she immediately smiled but her mother just walked away. Her mother didn't even realize that she was here.

"Do they all not know that I am here? And why is everything being decorated like that?" A lot of thoughts swirled.

She wanted to call out everyone's name, but no words came out of her mouth.

Everything has changed a lot in these six years. So much that these things didn't feel like her own now. She took a deep breath.

"Mam? Who are you?" A maid asked, not knowing who the stranger was.

"Mere saath hai, inhe guest room dikha do" Preet's voice echoed from behind. The maid immediately straightened her back, and with a polite smile she guided Noor to the guest room

Noor wanted to ask a lot of questions, say a lot of things. Why does she need to move to a guest room? Why didn't Preet just simply answer that Noor is her younger sister. Do people not know that she is also a Randhawa? Why does her own family always outcast her? In childhood she didn't notice these things much, but as she grew up things started to make a lot more sense. It was as if her family never wanted to associate her name with Randhawas.

Noor was in her room, barely finished taking a shower and was drying her hair using a towel when she heard a knock on her door. Her heartbeat rose in anticipation, "Did they all finally realise that I am here as well?" She immediately rushed toward the door and opened it with a soft smile, but there was just her elder sister. Her smile faltered imperceptibly.

Preet didn't wait for permission, she entered the room and locked it. The tension lingered in the room. Before Noor could even say something Preet spoke.

"I am getting married tomorrow" Preet's voice lacked any enthusiasm.

For a second Noor didn't even believe she heard it right. "Kya?" She blurted.

"I AM GETTING MARRIED TO THAT FUCKING YUG SURYAVANSHI TOMORROW" Preet ran a hand through her hair in frustration.

Preet paced back and forth in the room meanwhile Noor stood still at her position. Her sister is getting married, and she didn't even know? Her heart dropped.

"Apne mujhe bataya bhi nahi? Kisi ne mujhe kuch kiyu nahi bataya?" Noor questioned, she stepped back slowly.

"Every news article is talking about how Suryavanshis and Randhawas are collaborating, how profitable it would be for both the companies! How grand the wedding would be!" Preet said in a frustrated tone.

"And those stupid people don't even know who the bride is, all they care about is that their handsome, not so reachable Mr. YUG SURYAVANSHI is getting married. LIKE THE HELL? WHAT ABOUT ME? MY LIFE? I AM FUCKING PREET RANDHAWA! NOT SOON-TO-BE SURYAVANSHIS DULHAN?" Preet threw a vase on the floor.

"Not a single news article mentioned my name! And that fucking peice of shit! That Yug wants to keep this marriage private, no grand celebration, just a simple wedding! Not to mention my name anywhere. I will marry him tomorrow and after that I will just go around smiling, giving stupid poses to the camera and then my identity? It's gone! My acting career hasn't even started yet! GONE" Preet banged her fist on the table.

"Us khadoos se meri jutti shaadi na karre! To mein! Miss Preet Randhawa us ghochu se kiyu shaadi karungi? And apparently papa just cares about business! They are telling me that he is good, we both match each other's persona. Engagement ke naam pe naam bhi kuch nahi hua! No mehndi ki rasme and all!" Preet glared at Noor, as if it was her fault. Noor gulped nervously.

"Meine kaha us ghochu se ki mujhe tumse shaadi nahi karni, just reject this marriage proposal! Tujhe pata hai usne kya kaha?" Preet stared at Noor, waiting for her to say kya, but Noor just nodded.

Preet crossed her arms over her chest and mimicked his deep voice " You can tell your dad that? I am not interested in this marriage in anyway. And it's just a deal, we can take divorce soon. You seem worthy to act like my wife"

Preet threw her hands "Saale! Worthy? He really told me that ki mein uski wife banne ki worthy hu!" Noor stifled a laugh, they way her elder sister was dramatically cursing that man out seemed too funny for her.

"Ghochu kahi ka! Hai kya uske paas! Sirf businessman hai na! Wo bhi wo business uske papa ne khada kiya! Usne to khud se kuch kiya bhi nahi! And deal? Like ghochu tujhse deal karungi mein!" Preet cursed him, and grabbed his imaginary collars, shaking him.

"Aisi hekdi nikalungi na mein uski kisi din! Gaddhe ka baccha" Preet glared at an imaginary person.

"Who is this Yug dii? And apne kya kaha reply mein" Noor asked all of a sudden, trying her best to control her laugh.

Preet stilled, "You don't know him?" Noor just shook her head. "Good for you, waise bhi gochu sa hi hai" Preet flipped her hair sassily. "But you really don't know him?" Preet stared at her.

"Nahi, I haven't even heard much about Randhawas in Bengaluru" Noor stated simply. Preet just hummed.

Preet tossed herself into Noor's bed. "Meine tujhe ek madadt ke liye bulaya hai" Noor glanced at her sister. "Kaisi madadt?" Noor raised an eyebrow.

Preet sat up immediately "Kal pata chal jayega, you will come with me to the bridal studio. Meine sabse phele hi baat karli thi is baare mein"

"They know I am here?" Noor's voice was almost inaudible. Preet glanced at her younger sister, she felt guilty, maybe.

But Preet stood up and walked away, she stopped while unlocking the door "They didn't want you to come here, so you better not try to engage with them" Preet said, without turning her back and walked away. Preet's voice didn't carry any harshness but it wasn't comforting as well.

For a moment there was pin drop silence in Noor's room. Then she sighed softly.

Noor and Preet were in the bridal studio.

PREET'S POV:

I glanced at my younger sister, she was smiling and her smile carried warmth on the other hand mine always lacks it. I wanted to say a lot of things, tell her a lot of things, I knew that whatever I am going to do probably isn't the best thing to do, but I can't marry him. Especially not Yug Suryavanshi who believes the world should revolve around him. My jaw clenched tightly even at the thought of calling him my husband.

My gaze landed in the corner, where my bridal lehenga rested, it was shimmering under the lights.

Kitni gandi pasand hai us ghochu ki

I knew I was lying. When I talked to him it felt as if I was talking to my own male version. If I married him, I knew my life would be doomed.

Then I felt a tap on my arm, a very light tap. Noor.

"Aap kuch batane wale the na?" She murmured.

"Yaa fir apni shaadi ke khayalo mein busy ho," she teased. I slapped her arm lightly.

"Koi bewakoof ladki hi khush hogi usse shaadi karne ke liye" I retorted. She just chuckled and yeah, it did annoy me.

She really thinks it's a joke? I sighed.

I called out her name softly, "Noor" In the past six years, it was probably the first time my voice softened for her. She immediately looked at me.

"Jii dii?" She replied simply.

I grabbed her wrist and took her to a corner. "Listen to me carefully Noor" my voice carried urgency as I looked around making sure no one was here to hear our conversation.

Noor noticed the urgency in my voice, obviously she did.

"Kya hua dii?" She caressed my hand, her eyes carried concern for me.

"I am going to run away, I won't marry that piece of shit ever! Meri friend ne mere liye phele hi flight book kardi thi, so just stay here, make sure ki Maa ko pata na chale ki mein yaha nahi hu, I will reach airport in 30-40 minutes probably and then 20-25 min mein meri flight yaha se nikal jayegi. In simple words, after some time I won't be in Punjab." Noor blinked at me.

"Huh?" Is all that she managed to say.

I didn't have enough time to explain it to her again. I just nodded my head "just manage it, Bye" I hurriedly walked away without looking back.

She called me once, twice. I just switched off my phone.

I am sorry Noor.

I stopped and looked back, for a second my heart told me. It was wrong, I shouldn't do it. What if Noor ends up in a dangerous situation? What if her family blames Noor for it?

But isn't it how the world works, Noor? For you it would be just a few taunts... for me it would cost me my whole life. Anyone but that Yug? Never.

I reassured myself and finally I ran, as fast as I could.

PREET POV'S END

Noor called Preet for the 10th time now. Her hands were shaking " Dii please, pick up!" No answers. Her heart dropped.

"Mam, ap yaha kya kar rahi hai? Please come! They are waiting for you" A worker stated, she was facing Noor's back.

Noor breath hitched. She immediately turned toward the voice. "Kya?" She blurted out.

"Aapka bridal makeup shuru hone wala hai" The worker replied respectfully.

But her blood turned cold when she heard the words. "Bride?" She barely managed to say those words. The worker just smiled politely.

"AB MY KYA KARU?" Noor screamed internally. Her hands shook but she tried to call Preet again, and again it was just switched off. Her heart sank even harder.

"Do they not know I am not the bride?" Noor mumbled to herself.

"Mam?" The worker's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Mein aari hu, aap jaiye, bas panch minute mein ayi" Noor blurted out in panic. The worker just nodded and walked away.

Noor called again, no use. She paced back and forth in that space.

"Kya karu? Should I just sit and get ready? Waise bhi bridal makeup mein time lagta hai! Jab tak mein ready houngi tab tak dii pauch jayengi... and then everything would be fine right?" Noor thought.

"Mein fass nahi jaungi na?" Noor tapped her phone on her other palm impatiently.

Noor went to the washroom, she checked if someone was there. Luckily no one was inside.

Noor took a deep breath and called her friend...as the phone rang longer, her heartbeat increased rapidly "please pick up the phone Akshu, please" and finally the phone connected. She finally let out a breath she didn't even realise she was holding.

Akshita, her best friend, was getting ready when she picked up the video call. She smacked her lips and she just finished applying her lip gloss. "Bolo kiya hua meri Noor-e-jahan ko" Akshita asked in a flirty tone, without even glancing at the screen and started applying her mascara.

"Apki Noor-e-jahan ka is jahan se nikalne ka time aa chuka hai" Noor exclaimed as bit her nails nervously.

"Accha, mein bhi aa jau, kya pata koi handsome ladka mil jaaye upar" Akshit joked, not realizing the tension.

"Akshu! Look at me! I am genuinely worried" Noor whined. Akshita finally noticed the tension in her voice.

"Abbe! Aise muh kiyu latka rakha hai? Tu to apni behen se milne gaayi thi na?" Akshita took the phone in her hand, finally looking at her friend's face.

Noor explained everything hurriedly, her words came out broken, but Akshita was able to understand everything.

"Bhaiiii! wo hottie kya? Aaye haaye! Tu jaanti hai Yug Suryavanshi ko?" Akshita responded.

"AKSHITA! I AM SERIOUS" Noor yelled at her phone. Akshita flinched "Abbe, chilla kiyu rahi hai?" Akshita glared at Noor through the screen.

"Kyuki tujhe sab majak lagra hai! My sister has run away, and I need to make sure ki wo padki na jaaye! And yaha dusri taraf these people are thinking ki I am the bride" Noor massaged her temple, as this whole situation was too much for her to handle alone.

"Just go with the flow yaar. Abhi ke liye ready ho jaa jisse kisi ko koi shak na ho. Sab ye to jante hai na tu kaisi dikhti hai and teri behen kaisi dikhti hai? Aisa to hai nahi ki tujhe mandap pe betha denge!" Akshita explained simply with her carefree tone.

"Tu bhi bhag ja nahi to" Akshita advised. Noor eyes widened "Akshitaaaaa" Noor hissed but Akshita just chuckled.

"Yaar mujhe hona chahiye tha teri jagah mein shaadi karleti, kitna mast trope hota na, marrying a ceo accidentally and wo mujhse pyaar mein pad jaaye fir" Akshita clasped her hands, staring at the ceiling busy in her own imaginary land.

"Oyee tujhe pata hai dii kitni bezzati kar rahi thi us ki? And this is real world bhai! Tera wattpad nahi hai" Noor smacked her own forehead.

"Hein? Meine to suna hai ki Yug bhout donations karta hai, bhout kind insaan hai?" Akshita brows furrowed.

"How the hell do you know so much about him?" Noor stared at her friend in disbelief.

"Abbe Instagram se or kaise" Akshita said while wearing her earnings.

"Do you really think it's is joke Akshita! Mujhe dar lag raha hai" Noor whisper shouted. Akshita just clicked her tongue.

"Arre baba, it's not a big deal! Tune hi to kaha na aise kaise tu usse shaadi karlegi, to uske liye bhi same hi hai, aise hi thodi wo tujhse shaadi karlega just because tu bridal makeup mein hogi?" Akshita replied simply, fixing her dupatta.

"Phele to tu bata ki, tu itna kiyu saj-dhaj rahi hai?" Noor raised an eyebrow. "Rishte dekhne wale arre hai aaj" Akshita stated finally giving herself the last touch up.

"Kyaaaaa? Ye kab hua?" Noor hissed.

But when Noor heard a knock on the door, she immediately cut the phone.

"Mam? Bhout der ho gyi hai. Please come fast" The same worker was standing at the door.

"Oh- ok" Noor stammered.

"Bhagwan ji bas is baar bacha lena" Noor joined her hands and prayed.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

So this was chapter one guys <3

Sorry guys apki author ko ladki ko shaadi se bhagana accha lagta hai😭

How was it? I know this was a bit boring...

Lekin next chapter mein maza ayega hihi🫶🏻

I am sorry for any grammatical errors.

Please like and comment, it would encourage me 🐥💖

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BYE ISHQIANS 💗