Zoya’s P.O.V
"But why?" he whined. "It's still too early, isn't it? It’s only one in the afternoon, and the invitation said the event was set for the evening."
"Indian weddings have a lot of ceremonies before the actual wedding even starts, and I have to arrive early just for that," I explained. "I know the invitation said 6 p.m., but everyone knows that the wedding actually lasts an entire day. 6 p.m. is just the maurat, the holy hour if you will, but there is the haldi ceremony in the afternoon."
Ezra pouted but let me go so I could get dressed in my room.
My attire for the wedding was a breathtaking sight to behold. The soft, pastel shade of pink was delicate and feminine, reflecting what I hoped to be my inner elegance and grace. A way of saying fuck you to my mother who never thought I was worthy to be called her daughter.
The intricate embroidery adorned the fabric, forming delicate patterns of flowers and vines that seemed to dance across the fabric. Each thread seemed to have been carefully handwoven, creating a mesmerizing blend of textures and hues.
The choli, the fitted blouse, was a perfect match, complementing the lahenga's beauty.
It hugged my slender frame and featured similar delicate embellishments, adding a touch of glamour to the traditional ensemble. The short sleeves allowed glimpses of my arms adorned with bangles.
The dupatta, a sheer scarf-like piece of fabric, completed the ensemble. It draped over my shoulders and cascaded down my back, flowing gracefully as I moved.
The border of the dupattawas adorned with intricately designed golden zari work, catching the light and adding a subtle shimmer to my attire.
My jewelry complemented the lahenga perfectly. A delicate, gold necklace adorned my neck, with a pendant hanging at the center, subtly matching the patterns on my clothes. Earrings, crafted with intricate designs, dangled gracefully from my earlobes, sparkling with every movement.
As I twirled around in front of the mirror, enjoying how it looked on me, the lahengaswirled around me like a soft, pink cloud. Standing there, fully adorned in the beautiful pink lahenga, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence and pride.
For the first time, I felt good while looking at my reflection. I had always hated dressing up for family events because I always knew how they turned out.
But now, even though I knew what my mother would say, and how Tania, Ravi, and I would most likely butt heads when we saw each other, I felt a different kind of excitement, having to wear this beautiful three-piece ensemble while looking — and I never thought I would say this about myself — like a goddess.
I felt an immense gratitude for Ezra as I admired myself in the mirror. He had never failed to compliment me and make me feel beautiful. And to be honest, I was eager to see his reaction and hear what he had to say once I came out of my room.
Then I stepped out of the room, and Ezra's jaw dropped.
I blushed under his admiring gaze, watching as his eyes sparkled with awe, and I could see the love and pride he felt for me in that moment.
It was both heartwarming and nerve-wracking to be seen in such a state, but his admiration made me feel more confident.
"You look stunning, Zoya," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. “For a second, I thought you were the bride.”
His words made me feel even shyer, and I replied softly, "Thank you, Ezra."
As I prepared to leave, Ezra held my hand, his touch providing a sense of calm. I knew that whatever happened at the wedding, I would always have his unwavering love by my side.
Finally, it was time to go. "I have to get going now.” I told him when I saw the cab I had hired pull up to my doorstep. “See you when I get back. I'll tell you all about it then. You can even sleep over tonight."
"Do you really not want me to come with you?" he asked once more for good measure.
I shook my head. "I'll be fine. Promise."
As much as I wanted him by my side, I really didn't want him to endure the barrage of hurtful comments and humiliation my family would likely inflict on him.
With a bittersweet smile, I set off for the city, my heart heavy with anticipation and dread. I looked at myself in the car mirror again, and reminded myself of how much confidence Ezra had instilled in me during our time together, and how I could use that courage to face the people that had always made me feel like shit, and show them that they had no such power over me anymore.
The drive seemed longer than usual, maybe because I was going back to the most dreaded place on earth for me? The winding mountain roads were familiar to me, and I looked outside the window, my mind wandering between nostalgia and anticipation.
Memories of my past life intertwined with the present, making me wonder how different things could have been if my first engagement hadn't ended in heartbreak. But I shook of that thought even before it could take shape.
As I reached the outskirts of the city, the scenery transformed from the tranquility of the mountains to the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Tall buildings reached for the sky, and the streets were teeming with people going about their day. My heart raced with both a twinge of excitement and a bucketload of apprehension as I approached the wedding venue.
The traffic slowed as I reached the wedding hall, indicating that one of the many ceremonies had already begun.
My heart pounded in my chest as the car parked in front of the huge gate adorned with several expensive flowers and took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I checked my hair and makeup in the rearview mirror, making sure I looked presentable for the hectic day ahead. And then I paid the cab driver and stepped out.
The chatter and the chaos of the city immediately enveloped me as soon as my feet hit the ground, along with the familiar tunes of the Bollywood movies that were being played in the ceremony, although the noise level was considerably low.
However, as soon as I set foot into the venue, all eyes turned toward me, just as I expected. There was an undeniable tension, knowing that my presence might stir up some unwanted drama.
My presence sparked whispers among the guests, and I braced myself for the judgmental stares.
But just as my mother came out of the crowd to scold me publicly, a car pulled up in the parking lot, causing a stir among the attendees.
I turned to find out which of my nosy relatives had just arrives to cause trouble as well. However…one look at the new attendees left me utterly speechless and equally conflicted about my feeling.
Because it was the last person that I had expect to find here today, at Tania and Ravi’s wedding. At my family function.
Silas… Ezra’s half-brother and the possible killer of his mate, stepped out of the car with a woman by his side.
What the fuck?