~Heer Mehta~

The hospital was silent except a few words exchange between the doctors and nurses

The faint smell of antiseptic and the metallic smell of blood filled the corridors as a patient was brought covered with a lot of injuries

Heer sat there observing everything with her side eye but her gaze still fixed on the white wall in front- empty, just like her.

She and her mother 'Meena Mehta' sat on the steel chairs of hospital outside the a room while the doctor checked upon her father inside the room

Her eyes were blank because she knew she have to be stronger until her bhai, her elder brother 'Raj Mehta' comes home and when he does- everything will change

Doctors were checking upon her father 'Shyam Mehta' while her mother's tears were unstoppable even when she tried to console her

She sighed remembering how her father had fainted in the washroom, his head was clutched in his palm and his eyes were closed

She stood up as soon as the doctors came out, his movements were not rushed they were slow and his face...

His face had disappointment like he was about to spill a bad news but she waited patiently

"He is okay, right doctor?"

Her mother whispered while the doctor looked at her with pity and sympathy in his eyes

"We are so...sorry, he only has three months to live"

The doctor said, his face lowered and his voice trembled for a moment before he told that

"What do you mean doctor?"

Heer hadn't said a word since they entered the hospital and now she couldn't, her voice got stuck in her throat as her mother asked

"He has a tumour in his cerebellum of his brain and it can't be treated"

The doctor said again, precisely but properly explained.

Heer's breath hitched, her eyes filled with tears upon hearing that but she refused to let them fall because she had to be strong for my family- until Raj was here

She wiped her tears harshly and looked at her mother who had broken down completely

Her mother sat on her knees in front of the doctor, crying drastically

The doctor sighed and left from there giving them space, Heer sat beside her mother on the floor and holding her by shoulders she hugged her silently providing support and comfort

~

Shyam was discharged now and he was brought home the last night but he was not sad when they told him about his condition

He was smiling and when Meena asked him the reason of his smile, he replied

"The death had come in such a way that I can't even fulfil a single last wish of mine"

Everyone of them had frowned on his statement and when Meena asked him to be more clear, he expressed his wish

"I wanted my first daughter to get married in front of my eyes"

His wish had caught her off guard and Heer was left speechless, since then she haven't talked to anyone just thought what should she do

She was still thinking when her gaze fell on her baby sister 'Saanchi Mehta', she was sleeping peacefully after crying for more than two hours while Heer had consoled her

Sleep was not in her eyes at all but the only thought that lingered was

'Should she get married?'

Thinking all about this again and again she slept when she didn't know

~

Heer stood in front of the mirror combing her hair absentmindedly, just staring into the eyes of her own reflection

It has been two days since Shyam had made this wish and Heer was still in thoughts about what to do and today she had to tell her decision at the breakfast table

She kept the comb on the table with a deep breath and moved towards the door, going for the breakfast and let's see what lays ahead

She moved slowly towards the dining room and her nervousness increased which each passing second and with that heavy turmoil in her heart-

She entered the dining room only to see everyone already settled there waiting for her

She sat at her usual place and suddenly the air turned heavy, the environment suddenly became a little suffocating but she kept her focus on breakfast serving herself

She sat back after serving and just then Shyam cleared his throat marking his presence to her specifically

She looked up into his hopeful eyes and something stirred in her heart- an ache of losing something, of losing him

She knew what he wanted, she knew why he cleared his throat, she knew what he wanted to ask but she stayed quiet letting him start the conversation

"So? What have you thought?"

He finally asked while everyone's hopeful gaze got stuck at her.

Shyam didn't clear himself he didn't need to because they all knew what he meant

Heer released at sigh, her body stiffened just a little, her fingers clutched the dining table tightly as she declared her decision

"I am ready"

The answer was small but for her it took her whole energy to say that simple sentence

Shyam stood up from his seat and keeping a hand on her head he whispered softly

"I am proud of you"

And then he left the room with a smile and Heer again took in a deep breath before leaving her breakfast untouched on the table- not out of anger but because she had already lost her appetite

~

Heer sat on her bed lost in thoughts, her life has taken a drastic turn in last few days and look at her fate she can't even complain because that's how it works

After Raj all the responsibility of everyone and house comes upon her and she is supposed fulfil them

She stared straight at the brown wall of her room thinking how everything changed just in a blink of eye and she stood there watching unable to do anything

She was still thinking when the door of her room opened revealing Meena.

Meena entered with a neutral expressions like always but a hint of softness in her eyes, her steps slow as she moved to sit on bed in front of Heer

Heer straightened her back and folded her legs giving her mother space to sit. Meena sat there for a moment before she spoke

"Good decision"

Her voice was low but filled with sympathy as she knew how Heer was feeling, she always did even when Heer didn't say anything

Heer hugged Meena suddenly as tears filled in her eyes while Meena caressed her back silently, providing her comfort and Heer pushed her face more into Meena's embrace trying to find some peace in this turmoil of her life

"Your Aunt has suggested a family, they want a daughter-in-law for their only son. The family is good she said, they are coming to see you tomorrow"

Heer pulled back from the hug, hiding her tears then Meena cupped her left cheek and whispered. Her tone held genuineness and Heer nodded

Heer knew her aunt very well, she won't ever bring an alliance which could ever affect Heer in a bad way, she was always nice towards Heer

Meena left the room leaving Heer in the chaos of her overthinking again, every time she thought about the marriage something twisted in her stomach painfully and she knew something was not right

Heer got up from her bed with a sigh, just then her phone ran taking her attention. She peeked at the screen it was her best friend 'Reva Arora'

Heer picked up the call and walking towards the balcony she said

"Hello?"

Her voice was soft just as a murmur but she knew Reva heard and her voice came

"What happened Heer?, you are not coming college since last two days Is everything okay? How is uncle?"

Reva's questions were immediate and loud while Heer smiled softly to herself shaking her head then replied in her usual voice

"Everything is fine Reva, Papa is also fine it's just...."

Heer paused thinking how to tell her that she was about to get married and before Heer could continue Reva's voice again pierced through her eardrum

"It's just what Heer? speak"

Reva ordered and closing her eyes with a sigh Heer blurted out because she can't hide anything from Reva, that's not something their friendship allows

"I am getting married"

Her tone wasn't harsh but she could imagine the frown on Reva's face and the confusion in her eyes before she hurriedly said hanging the call

"I will be at your place in the evening let's talk about it then"

Heer nodded to herself barely saying a bye before Reva hung up, once again leaving her thinking about her own decision, the decision which was going to change her life - forever

Heer stood in the balcony staring at the empty sky, don't know for how many hours but it seemed her legs were too numb to move anywhere from there

~Vedh Singh Oberoi~

Vedh woke up at his usual time, the room was quiet, cold just like always with no hint of any other presence. The sun wasn't in the sky yet as it was dawn time

He stood in front of the full size mirror of his luxurious bedroom observing himself for a moment, the way he has changed into a cold ruthless person before he left for his personal gym

He entered the gym in his black vest and a grey sweatpants, the same smell of metal and wood hit his nostrils as he walked forward to workout

Completing his workout he left the gym for his room and entering his room he took shower before getting ready in a well tailored three piece suit of black color.

The day was just like all days of years for him but still something felt off, unusual like something was wrong but letting the thought slip aside he exited the room wearing his luxury Sky dweller watch from Rolex clasping it properly

~

Vedh sat at the master chair of dining table as everyone were already there, silently eating there breakfast. A servant served his plate and he began eating when his uncle 'Shakti Singh Oberoi' cleared his throat intending to speak something

"Um..Vedh"

Vedh looked at him with his usual cold eyes silently gesturing Shakti to speak while everyone else including his aunt and his three cousins, a brother and two sisters kept silent listening carefully, his voice was shaky and a bit hesitant as he spoke

"I and your aunt wanted to talk about something"

Though Vedh's focus remained on his breakfast he spoke with his usual calm voice and dark aura

"Speak"

Vedh always spoke less, never more than a two or three words and certainly not when it wasn't necessary

"Um actually Vedh as you know bhabhi saheb had mentioned a clause in her will that everything of her property will be yours only if you get married before the age of thirty five and now you are thirty four already-"

As Shakti spoke Vedh's focus didn't waver but before he could finish, Vedh declared in a calm and low voice

"Hmm so find a nice girl"

His voice was firm leaving no room for argument but then his aunt 'Sudha Singh Oberoi' spoke enthusiastically

"Vedh I have already found a girl she is beautiful and cultured, you will like her. I will send her photo to you and tomorrow we will go to there place to see her"

Vedh knew this was coming, so he just sighed and muttered a small 'okay' before finishing the breakfast and leave for office

~

The day they all read Vedh's mother's will Vedh knew this day would come where he will have to make the decision of getting married because he cannot let go what he has made with so much hard work

This company, this status, this empire- He has built this all with his hard work but the only thing causing problem is, his mother started this company and now to continue with his same lifestyle he will have to get married so he agreed to what Sudha said

But Vedh just hoped that his would be wife will not be like his aunt because that's not something he can tolerate with ease like his uncle did with his aunt

Vedh sighed leaning his head at the head rest of his chair in his office, closing his eyes for a moment he inhaled a deep breath and just then his phone pinged - a notification, from his aunt

She had sent a picture, Vedh opened his WhatsApp to see what was it. He downloaded the picture and a beautiful face appeared on the screen of his phone

His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the eternal beauty in front of him, her almond soft eyes, her milky complexion and that small smile on her face was enough to take away the breath of any person

But not him, he explained himself that she will get all the loyalty and respect she deserves but not the love, he is not made for love he is not capable of loving someone

Her eyes were filled with life unlike his own.

He closed the picture with a sigh and sent a message to his aunt already agreeing to the alliance

"Fix the alliance"

~

The room was quiet as usual with no one around him, Vedh never liked anyone's presence near him. Though he is a calm person but anyone who knew him would be aware of what his calmness brings

He never raised his voice, he never had to because his eyes always conveyed the deadly message to the other person keeping them quiet

He sat on his bed, legs stretched in front and his fingers flipped through the pages of his book as he read each one of them very patiently and attentively

The silence of the room broke when door opened and all his cousins entered, the eldest cousin 'Smita Singh Oberoi' then the middle one 'Saket Singh Oberoi' and then the last one their baby sister 'Chhavi Singh Oberoi'

Vedh looked up from his book at his cousins as they plopped on the bed with a right and the smiles they always carried with them

"Ma asked to tell you that we are going to there place tomorrow at ten in morning"

Chhavi informed in her sweet and soft voice while the other two just smiled mischievously and suddenly Vedh knew what was coming

"You must be happy bhaiya now you will also have someone to share your life with you, don't worry we will send you bhabhi's picture tomorrow"

Smita commented while Vedh kept his book aside and looked at her raising one of his eyebrow as she giggled

"I am so excited to meet our bhabhi"

This time it was Saket's voice and Vedh looked at him with an 'Oh' sarcastically

"Of course bhaiya now see you don't talk much and we also need a new friend who would talk to us play with us dance with us"

Chhavi said in a dreamy tone with a soft giggle already imagining scenarios in her mind while Vedh chuckled at their usual banter

This was their always thing, they would always come in his room and chat like this with him though they knew he wouldn't say more than a few words but they still came

Smita has turned 21 this year and is in the last year of her college after this she would be joining Vedh's business while Saket is just 19 and is in his second year of college. Chhavi is in 12th class and is focusing on her boards right now

Vedh looked at his cousins and the warm feeling of proud filled his chest thinking he has got a great set of siblings aka his cousins or you can say his family

"Bhaiya I have already decided my clothes for you wedding let me tell you- I will wear a rose gold gown on your engagement, a white anarkali on your haldi, an emarald kurti on your mehendi, a silver saree on your sangeet and yeah a lavender lehenga on your wedding"

Chhavi said excitedly explaining everything she had thought for the wedding while Vedh just kept his expressions neutral listening to her attentively

"Bhaiya I have also decided see I will wear a golden gown on your engagement, a white saree on your haldi, a magenta kurti on your mehendi, a green anarkali on your sangeet and a baby pink lehenga on your wedding"

Smita told, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm and excitement as she told and Vedh's face flashed an amused expressions and then came Saket's turn, he looked at Vedh with a pout and Vedh nodded softly asking him to speak

Saket smiled and started telling his plans while all of them listened to him

"I will wear a navy blue three piece on your engagement, a white kurta on your haldi, a pink kurta on your mehendi, a black kurta on your sangeet and a golden sherwani on your wedding"

His tone matched with the other two and Vedh just listened to them without any interruptions. Their banter went on for more than one hour and today the topic was 'Vedh's wedding'.

They talked about what they will wear, what will be the theme of each function, how they will dance limitless in the baraat and what not, from clothes to footwear everything was discussed in that room today and Vedh was told only one work- to take them all to shopping

Vedh sighed once they all left the room and shaking his head he leaned back at the headboard already thinking what the tomorrow holds

~Author~

They both were in same misery, both the hearts were not at peace, both had the fear of losing something and both were struggling with the situations created by their loved ones.

Both were thinking about each other but in different perspective and both of them were stuck in a quicksand from where no backing was possible.

Where one was hopeful of getting some love from her partner but the other one had already planned not to fall in love ever thinking he wasn't made for love.

But what happens when they will fall in 'Ishq' together

"Jaane kitne jale aag mein iski

Jaane hue kitne barbad

Naam humesha amar ishq ka

Na aashiq koi aabad"

~Heer Mehta~

Heer stared at Reva as she tapped her finger on her lips thoughtfully with a crease forming between her brows, her eyes were not on Heer, they were on the empty space beside her

Heer had told her everything just a few minutes ago and now god knows what she was thinking so seriously

Then slowly she looked at Heer with a softness in her eyes and asked softly leaving Heer in pure shock as she isn't the one to speak this softly

"But what about your dreams Heer?"

Heer rolled her eyes playfully trying to lighten the tension of room and replied with a small smile

"For god's sake Reva I am not marrying into a forest, I can even study after marriage"

Heer told her teasingly, a small assurance but deep down she herself feared that what if they didn't let her pursue her dreams. She have worked hard for them, not caring about the time, the food, the weather, she had worked hard so that she could just be what she wants but what if they didn't let her

Heer came back to the room when Reva nudged her asking again, her eyes flashed confusion and hesitance

"Are you sure Heer?"

Her question was small but simple and so was Heer's answer, she nodded softly with a smile and cupped Reva's cheek whispering

"I am sure"

She nodded and said with excitement this time, the og Reva is back

"Okay I have to prepare a lot for your wedding, the clothes, the accessories, the shoes, the dance, everything Oh god"

Reva exclaimed dramatically while Heer giggled softly at her small playful banter and just then Saanchi entered the room with a smile

"Hi Reva di how are you?"

She greeted Reva while moving to sit with them

"Hi Jana, I am good how are you?"

Reva said with her usual chirruping tone making Saanchi giggle and she replied as she sat beside Heer

"I am good too"

Reva nodded and said with a huff in her tone

"Well we were just discussing how many works I have in your sister's wedding"

Heer rose her one brow at Reva and turned to Saanchi while she giggled while speaking

"Reva di they are just coming to see Heer di, the marriage is not fixed yet"

Saanchi explained and Heer nodded with a small pout looking at Reva

"Arre yaar don't worry our Heer is so beautiful, sweet and innocent that they will surely fix the alliance"

They all laughed together at her teasing remark and just like that the day passed in a blink.

~

The room was unusually quiet as everyone has just left leaving Heer behind all dressed up in front of the mirror with a lingering ache in her chest

She stared at her beautifully decorated reflection, the Fuchsia color saree hugging her small frame perfectly, the side braid Meena had tied with gajra, the small oxidized earrings hanging in her ears chosen by Saanchi and the minimal makeup with a small bindi on her forehead done by Reva

Reva had been here all the time but Meena called her saying 'They had arrived'

Heer's nervousness was increasing with the each passing second, the soft ache that lingered in her chest was unmistakable but she couldn't help with the situation and Raj wasn't here even

Her thoughts broke when Reva entered asking her to come with her, Heer nodded softly getting up and the fabric of her saree flowed as she moved slowly

Heer closed the door of her room as they exited and taking a deep breath she smiled at Reva before moving towards the living room with grace

Heer entered the room with her eyes lowered and hands clasped together in front, the room went silent but the air was light just then a feminine voice reached her ears

"Your daughter is beautiful Meena ji"

Sudha exclaimed loudly, too excited for this wedding, while my expressions remained neutral not even displaying a small smile

Heer sat beside her father quietly and Reva stood beside her, her hand rested on Heer's shoulder in silent reassurance as if she knew what was going inside her

Vedh hasn't come so his family interrogated Heer in the most polite way possible, that's how she felt

"What is you name beta?"

Shakti asked, like a gentleman to her. Still looking at the floor Heer replied softly

"Heer"

As her eyes was lowered since the time she entered Shakti again said in a non-offensive tone

"Beta, don't mind me saying this but can you please look up for once, I want to see your eyes"

Shyam kept his hand on Heer's silently assuring to raise her eyes, so she did. She looked at every person present in the room

A man in his mid fifties dressed in a well tailored royal blue suit who seemed impressed beside him sat a woman in her late forties dressed in an elegant brown saree with an overly enthusiastic expression

On the other sofa sat a girl in her early twenties nearly the age of her own in a yellow kurti with jeans displaying a soft smile, a guy in his late teens dressed in a peace t-shirt with carbon blue jeans who seemed to be utterly mesmerized staring at her and one more girl wearing a one piece floral pink frock whom she guessed was barely in her high school while she looked at Heer with a wide smile

Heer again lowered her gaze to the floor while Shakti complimented

"Mehta ji let's fix this alliance and do the roka ceremony, we want only your daughter to be our daughter-in-law"

Heer's heart raced at the statement but she stayed calm. Reva's hold on her shoulder tightened just a bit as if grounding her while Heer gulped down the anxiety and fear she felt

Her father's warm palm slipped off hers as he put forward the condition in serious but polite tone

"But Mr. Oberoi, I want my daughter to get married within this very month as you all know my condition"

Heer closed her eyes for a moment listening to the ongoing conversation while Shakti nodded and said casually

"It's okay Mehta ji, don't worry this marriage will happen within a month only"

Shyam nodded slightly and with a bitter-soft smile he kept his hand on Heer's head when he again asked , hesitantly

"But dowry?"

Shakti seemed to be offended for a moment before he spoke, genuinely

"What are you talking Mehta ji?, we have no shortage of anything"

Shyam's smile widen but before he could say anything, Sudha sitting beside Shakti chimed in the conversation loudly

"Arre Smita show your bhabhi the picture of your bhaiya"

Heer's eyes didn't move but she felt a pang of hurt inside her chest. Smita passed her phone to Reva and Reva forwarded it to Heer

Heer looked at the screen where Vedh's picture was opened. Brown skin, sea green eyes were so mesmerizing that she got lost for a moment, he had little beard on his face with the most sharp and perfect facial features she has ever seen till now

Brown skin, sea green eyes were so mesmerizing that she got lost for a moment, he had little beard on his face with the most sharp and perfect facial features she has ever seen till now

Before Heer could acknowledge his beauty completely, the phone was gone and Heer didn't react much to it.

"Let's complete the roka then"

Shakti said and Shyam stood up from his place to make space for Oberoi family, Reva didn't flinch from her place

Within sometime the living room was filled with fruits, clothes, and the various things that were needed for the ceremony, as soon as pandit ji arrived the rituals were started. Heer's mother kept the hem of her saree on her head

Sudha with Smita and Chhavi put tilak on Heer's forehead and placed a saree with some fruits on her lap as the part of a ritual

Then came her mother who gave her some money and blessings. Heer was frozen at her place when Reva and Saanchi led her to her room, away from that suffocating living room.

~Vedh Singh Oberoi~

Today also he woke up at his usual time, he completed his workout like always and got ready like always but something felt special from inside, something he couldn't understand or shake off

Today he wore a beige suit and went downstairs, after having breakfast Vedh left for office while everyone else left for Heer's house.

Only the thought of her made Vedh's heart race

Why? he didn't know!

~

Vedh sat on his chair in his cabin, the quiet room engulfing him in like a part of it. He didn't think much about the girl his family went to meet but her thoughts were irresistible to him

Vedh sighed keeping the file he was reading on the completed pile, leaning his head back at the headrest he thought what must be happening there, but the thought passed his mind as it came

Just then a notification pinged and his phone's screen lit up flashing 'Saket sent a photo'. Vedh sighed again and opened the notification

A photo??

But of what??

To know this he downloaded the picture and as soon as it loaded, his heart raced, his throat tightened as his eyes got stuck on the screen while he shook off the urge of falling his jaw

Everything around him faded except the screen which had a picture of her, his to be wife

She was in a Fuchsia pink saree wrapped around her delicate figure perfectly, molding her soft curves and the way she looked at the floor, too quiet and calm caught him off guard

Her curly tresses were tied by a small clip behind her head, falling over her shoulder like feather resting on the ground

Her milky complexion was complimented by the minimal golden jewellery she wore and her light make up was giving her a soft look

Her milky complexion was complimented by the minimal golden jewellery she wore and her light make up was giving her a soft look

She looked innocent- too innocent

Vedh took in a sharp breath closing his eyes for a moment to ground himself. He told himself quietly that this was just attraction and it will fade slowly when she will live with him

Just then a text followed the image

"I took the picture secretly"

Vedh rose his brows at the statement but then dismissed it off shaking his head slightly

~

Vedh was now in his room and it was almost the time, the teasers must be coming. Just as he thought this, the door of his room opened revealing all of them standing there with mischievous smiles on their faces

They entered and like always plopped on the bed here and there while Vedh closed the book he was reading and set it on the bedside table

Saket's mischief filled voice came first

"How is bhabhi, bhaiya?"

Vedh rose his brow at him silently and Smita said

"They are coming tomorrow to fix the date and tilak ceremony so be at home, you are getting married within this month"

Vedh frowned slightly and asked, his voice deep and held authority

"Why within this month?"

His question was genuine as he was actually confused, he thought what is the rush. Saket spoke, softly explaining the whole thing

"Arre bhaiya, it's because bhabhi's father has last stage of brain tumor which can't be cured and he has left only three months so he wants his daughter to get settled in front of his eyes"

His frown eased as he grasped the situation before nodding slowly and the chatter went on just like yesterday- The shopping, the rituals, the dance, the food and what not while Vedh was the center of topic sitting quietly listening everything.