Dil Ke Karib (Early Acess Ch 3)

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The moon hung like a pale specter in the sky, casting a cold light over the village as the panchayat's decision reverberated through Rajeev's mind. The air around him felt heavy, suffocating, like the weight of his silence was crushing everything he'd ever known.

It was a quiet, simple ceremony in the temple—no grand procession, no cheerful chants, just a stark and solemn act of fate. The priests had muttered the ancient words, and Rajeev stood beside Nandini, his heart heavy with guilt, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts he couldn't express.

Nandini didn't meet his gaze, and Rajeev didn't dare to look at her either. The guilt he felt was suffocating, but it didn't compare to the anger that burned in her eyes. She stood still as stone, her shoulders tight, her hands trembling but clasped in front of her, as if bracing herself against a storm.

She wanted to run from this forced alliance, but her Mama and mami, who raised her, would never forgive her if she dishonored their family by breaking off the marriage. Nandini knew she was trapped in a web of tradition and expectation, with no way out but to fulfill her duty.

She could see Rajeev's hands trembling as he was asked to apply vermillion on her forehead, sealing their fate together. For a second, Nandini thought he might back out, seeing his trembling form, but no sooner were the vows spoken than the marriage was sealed. Nandini was now married to a stranger—and she didn't know whether to curse or thank him for his silence while the whole village accused him of tainting her honor. Nandini felt a wave of conflicting emotions as she realized the weight of her new reality.

But her fate was sealed with the man beside her standing like stone, rigid and silent.

The wedding happened in a blur of colors and music, leaving Nandini feeling both overwhelmed and resigned to her fate. She had once imagined their wedding too—bright marigolds, laughter, her hand in his. Not this... not silence and shame.

No one clapped. No one cheered. No celebration and no joy filled the air, only a heavy silence that hung over the ceremony like a dark cloud.

As the ceremony came to a close, the silence of the village seemed to grow even louder. They left the temple, a procession of hushed whispers and a crowd that was both curious and indifferent. Nandini walked beside Rajeev, her head held high, but her heart was shattered.

Everyone was different to her now, their faces masked with pity or indifference. That was her punishment—for loving the wrong man. The one who vanished after using her, leaving only shame in his wake.

When they reached Rajeev's house, there was no grand welcome. The heavy wooden doors creaked open, and Nandini stepped into the home that would now be hers—by force. The house was cold and uninviting. Rajeev's mother stood at the door, her gaze as sharp as a dagger.

The village head wife, known for her stiff demeanor and unwavering pride, made it clear that Nandini was not welcome in her son's life or home.

The look in her eyes told Nandini everything she needed to know—she was not welcome here.

"You," Rajeev's mother spat, her eyes narrowing, "you are the reason my son's reputation is in tatters. I know how I raised my son. He can never do such a thing; it is all your doing." Nandini felt a wave of anger and determination wash over her, but she reasoned that the old woman was right: his son was not the one who tattered her honor, but Rajeev's silence had put Nandini in this forced alliance.

Nandini's chest tightened, but she didn't speak. She couldn't. Not yet.

The older woman, Rajeev's mother, began the necessary rituals—performing the sacred rites that, in their eyes, were supposed to make Nandini feel like she belonged. But Nandini couldn't feel any warmth. Their hands, cold and indifferent, guided her through the steps. The whole affair felt like a mockery, and she could see the sneers in their eyes as they whispered among themselves.

"You're part of this family now," one of them muttered, but there was no kindness in her voice, only bitter resignation. "But I will never take you as my daughter-in-law."

Rajeev's mother watched, her arms crossed, her disapproval radiating off her like a physical force. "She has no place here," she muttered to herself, loud enough for Nandini to hear. "But I have to tolerate her presence to keep the family's honor intact."

Nandini felt like an intruder in her own life.

The final ritual completed, the women motioned for Nandini to follow them. They led her up the stairs, where her new life awaited her.

Rajeev's mother stopped just outside the room, looking at Nandini with disdain. "This is your new home," she said, a smirk on her lips. "But don't get too comfortable. You're not welcome here. Not in my eyes."

Nandini's heart pounded, but she said nothing. She entered the room silently, her footsteps hollow against the wooden floor. The bed in the center, the closed windows, the dim light—all of it felt foreign, suffocating.

She had barely managed to sit on the bed when the door creaked open.

Rajeev stepped inside, his eyes flickering with something unreadable—guilt, frustration, and helplessness. He closed the door quietly behind him, the click of the lock sounding like a final verdict.

The room was silent for a moment, but the weight of the air around them was almost unbearable. Nandini felt her anger boiling up again, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. She couldn't stand it anymore.

With a sharp motion, she grabbed a copper glass from the nearby table and hurled it at him. The metal struck his forehead with a sickening thud. Blood trickled down his temple, a crimson line against pale skin. Rajeev staggered back, clutching the wound, too stunned to speak. Nandini's chest heaved with anger and hurt as she watched him, feeling a mix of satisfaction and regret for her impulsive actions.

Nandini's chest heaved, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Tears blurred her vision, but she didn't care anymore. "Why did you ruin your life?" she shouted, her voice cracking with all the anger and betrayal she had been holding inside for so long. "You did nothing! You let them decide everything for us. You didn't stop this! You didn't even try!"

Rajeev's eyes closed for a moment, as if he was gathering his strength. He reached out, his hand trembling, but Nandini stepped back, her heart a storm of emotions. He wanted to say something, anything, but his voice remained trapped inside him.

"Why?" she demanded, her voice quieter now, but no less desperate. "Why did you do this?"

Rajeev finally opened his eyes, and for the first time, she saw the depth of his own pain, his own guilt. He stepped forward, but Nandini couldn't bear to let him come any closer.

"You don't understand," he said, his voice a whisper. "I couldn't let them ruin your honor."

But Nandini didn't care about honor anymore. She cared about herself—about the life she was now shackled to.

"I wanted to—" he began, but his voice broke, as if the words were too heavy to carry out of his mouth.

"I don't need your pity...," she shouted , her voice filled with anger and hurt. She remembered his silence in the temple—the way he couldn't even meet her eyes. That silence had screamed louder than any accusation.

She turned her back to him, her eyes fixed on the floor. "I hate you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I hate you for doing this to me. I hate you for acting great and like my savior. I don't need your saving. I choose death rather than owning someone else's mercy."

Rajeev stood frozen, the weight of her words cutting deeper than the glass had. He couldn't deny it. He was the one who had let this happen. He was the one who had failed her.

The silence that followed was deafening, heavier than anything either of them could bear.

****

Author's Note 

Hey, lovely readers! 😘 Chapter 3 is here, and things are heating up! 😱 Nandini's heart is shattered, Rajeev is drowning in guilt, and their forced marriage? Yeah, it's NOT the fairytale they imagined.

Nandini's so angry, and I'm right there with her—throwing copper glasses might be the only way to deal with this mess! 💥 Rajeev, bless his heart, thinks he's saving her honor, but silence is the last thing she needs right now.

What's going to happen next? Well, it's about to get WAY more intense. Stay tuned, because the drama is just beginning. 🔥

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to vote and comment! You all are the best! 💕

P.S. Get ready for the next chapter... it's going to be wild. 😏

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