Chapter 24

Nidhi opened her eyes in the darkroom, no source of light except the dim Illumination of the moon and the sound of pattering rain instantly disturbed her dizzy feeling. She shuttered her eyes again wanting to sleep for even some time.

All of a sudden, she realized the loneliness around her. Today she took the most critical decision of her life. She is not happy about what happened and also not worried about what is going to happen in the future since she already took the step forward if she turns back and regrets then her current situation will become even more miserable. Keeping that in her mind Nidhi tried to come out of that thought.

She lightly moved her legs to realize that she was covered by the sheets. She knows when she slept, she didn't cover herself so it must be Varun, she concluded. Feeling tired and hot Nidhi gasped gripping the sheets near her chest.

Suddenly a chill hand touched her forehead and that jerked Nidhi. She opened her eyes and saw Varun kneeling beside her.

Nidhi roused and covered herself fully in the sheets and made sure that she is away from him.

"How you are feeling now?" Varun reached out his hand close to her face.

"I am okay," she mumbled. Varun touched her head again and her neck to check the temperature. "You are still having fever Nidhi," he whispered in a caring tone and sat very near to her.

"I got some medicines from Naveen, after eating dinner have that," Varun said.

"What is the time now?" Nidhi asked pulling the sheet from her body.

"It's 7.30," that shocked her cause she is sleeping for straight five hours.

"Why you didn't wake me up?"

"You are so tired and had a fever, so how can I?" Varun reasoned.

"And... I went out to purchase a few things for our wedding and came just now. I have chosen a normal saree I hope you will like it."

Nidhi chuckled, "what about the blouse?"

"Naveen's wife taken care of that. You will get it in the morning," Varun said.

Nidhi nodded and slowly stood up to go to the restroom. After refreshing herself she came out to see Varun waiting for her with a plate full of food. She ate well because of his constant compulsion.

Sitting in a cold room, along with Varun and the lonely ambiance, Nidhi found this situation all so strange and felt that she is totally been isolated from the world along with Varun. She didn't talk much with him and gazed his face plastered with seriousness, perhaps he must be nervous because of taking another responsibility on his shoulder.

Nidhi understood that Varun is really a brave and daring person since in this situation most people will try to escape from taking the responsibilities. But Varun, he is different, didn't leave her in this situation.

Having the medicine, Nidhi lays again and Varun turning off the lights came to Nidhi. He sat looking at her shoulder and the strand of her hair caressing her neck. She is facing the other side and looking at the window.

"Nidhi."

"Hmm?" She hummed not turning back.

"Look at me!"

Nidhi turned and gazed at him, he didn't wait further and laid beside her looking at her face. He hugged her suddenly and Nidhi was scared about being so close to him and remained like a statue.

"Don't be sad, at least smile for me," he said near her ears. Varun can understand she is so sad about what happened but he can't see her gloomy face.

That moment Nidhi felt that she is making things even worse by keeping her expression like 'I lost everything'.

"I will smile," with a smile on her face Nidhi hugged his large frame.

Varun cuddled her tightly, the first time of experiencing this made Nidhi uncomfortable, she can hear his heartbeat since the room was in total silence, his scent and warmness somewhat tried to eradicate this uneasy feeling.

She doesn't know what he is having in his mind right now but she is feeling too hot inside. Thinking about some random things she soon immersed in a deep slumber.

The next morning Varun woke her up at 6.00 am in the morning.

She can feel the fever was gone.

"Get ready," telling that he touched her neck. Nidhi's eyes stared his care for her on his every word, every touch, and his every gaze on her.

He is all dressed up in a dhoti and white shirt looked so fresh and handsome like always.

"I will wait for you, after wearing this saree, come to Naveen's house okay," he commands.

Nodding her head, she went to take a bath, the hot shower refreshed her body and mind. She opened the door and peeped out whether Varun was there.

His absence gave relief. She saw the saree. It was a neat, plain violet saree. The blouse somewhat fitted her petite body.

She tied her in a ponytail and went down.

"How are you now?" Naveen's wife asked her the moment she saw her.

"I am fine, and thanks to you for the food," Nidhi said. She turned to see Varun who is intently looking at her already.

"Come with me, we will put some makeup on you," Naveen's wife took her inside.

After perfectly getting ready, Varun started his bike and Nidhi went in Naveen's car.

They reached the temple at 7.30 am in the morning, Varun was an atheist, he stopped believing in God when he was studying just eighth grade but he is aware that Nidhi was so much into God and beliefs, his friend also suggested him to get married in a temple.

***

"Where are you?" Roshini asked Siddharth on the phone.

"I am on the way," he replied.

"Okay," she ended the call and looked at the empty street for Siddharth's car to show up. The time is about 8.00 am, she was all dressed in a green with blue combined salwar. Her mom was very suspicious about her, but Roshini remained left the house like everything is normal.

After a few minutes, Siddharth's car came and halted before her. She entered inside and gazed Siddharth who is all dressed up in a white shirt and a pair of grey pants looked so handsome than anything else in the world. He is super cute with that smile on his face.

"You are looking beautiful," Siddharth said immediately without having a hesitation to admit it. Roshini's eyes widened in a shock. She couldn't comprehend that moment and blushed.

"You are also looking handsome," she grinned telling that.

Siddharth smiled not so caring about her compliment.

He drove the car at a moderate speed. Roshini was excited to finally meet Nidhi, she was so worried about her situation, right now she wanted to be that person who stands beside her friend no matter what and how hard it will be.

When they reached Temple Roshini got down and walked inside leaving Siddharth. When the moment she saw Nidhi, she ran to her.

Nidhi smiled widely and had tears. They hugged each other. "You are so beautiful Nidhar, I am so happy for you," she said pulling out from the hug.

"Thanks for coming Roshini," she said.

"Hey stupid why you are saying thanks, I will always stay by your side," Roshini said patting her shoulder. These two girls forgot about the people were looking at them and shared their happiness to see each other in this hard situation.

Roshini then looked at Varun, he smiled and welcomed her. And Siddharth also joined them. Soon Varun's friends joined in the ceremony.

In this beautiful cloudy morning, surrounded by people who are truly wishing for their happiness, they tied the knot. Varun strongly made up his mind to never ever lose the person standing before him, in better or worse he decided to cherish her, in both bad and good times he vowed to love her with all his heart, In this life, my love is only for you, Nidhi, he promised this and looked at Nidhi.

She smiled and prayed to God only one thing that Varun should always love her like how he is doing now. She had happy tears to see the wedding chain hanging on her neck.

From now on she can live without guilt that she didn't miss the person who she considered as her everything.

Roshini, Siddharth, and everyone congratulated them. Varun for the first time had a smile like he achieved something in his life. Nidhi smiled with no regrets and worries. That moment she thought about her parents and decided to ask their forgiveness.

Then praying God, they all decided to leave. Varun gave money to his best friend Ragavan to arrange food for them. Varun's senior lawyers, the people he helped, and his all other friends came to see him knowing about his marriage.

Roshini mostly stayed with Nidhi and Siddharth joined with Varun's friends, he never has that rich guy attitude and always like to mingle with everyone. Because of this everyone wants to befriend him.

They all had breakfast in a hotel, then everyone started leaving. Only Nidhi, Varun, Roshini, Siddharth and Varun's best friend Ragavan went to the registration office for officially registering their marriage. It took about an hour to finish all the procedures.

Siddharth waited with patience and helped Varun. Roshini and Nidhi both were surprised.  Once they thought Siddharth must be very arrogant but he simply destroyed all their assumptions. Now Roshini learned that, don't make stupid assumptions about people without properly knowing about them.

After Ragavan also left, four of them went to Nidhi's new house.

Siddharth and Roshini gave their gifts and Roshini congratulated them again.

"Thanks a lot, Siddharth, we can never forget you guys," Varun said.

"It is fine brother. Don't thank me, I am very happy to help you," Siddharth said.

Varun smiled. "If you guys have any problem in the future like us don't forget to call me, I will help you," Varun chuckled and Roshini choked hearing that.

'Marriage? Will that happen between us?' She thought. Everyone looking them as a couple and Roshini's fear started there... If this what everyone thinking about us but what happens if we didn't get united at the end?  She questioned.

She doesn't want to be that girl who loves a person and marry another person, she felt that is shameful.

Roshini remained silent until she and Siddharth decided to leave. She asked Nidhi to be strong and also to call her if she needs any help.

Now Nidhi and Varun were all alone. They looked at each other, Varun smiled and went near Nidhi who is standing beside the door. Putting his hand on her shoulder Varun kissed on her cheeks.

It gave goosebumps to Nidhi, she hugged him back feeling his warmth.

"What we are going to do now on?" Nidhi asked.

"We are... Going to live happily, hustling hard and loving each other," Varun simply answered and hugged her tightly. Caressing her back gently Varun kissed her shoulder.

Nidhi gasped when he placed his hand on her bare waist, she didn't push him instead get used for his touch because she is now Mrs. Varun.