Page 118 of One Hellish Wedlock
Aanya turned toward Reyansh. These weren’t just keys, they were responsibility. Taking them meant claiming a place in this house. A place she wasn’t sure she wanted. But Reyansh gave her a subtle nod, silently urging her to accept for now, at least.
With a hesitant breath, Aanya reached out and took the keys and forced a smile at Radhika who joyfully, hugged her.
“I have one more wish,” Radhika whispered before pulling back. “I know your thinking is different,” she began gently. “But in our tradition, a married woman wears Mangalsutra and Sindoor with pride. Before I go, I want Reyansh to adorn you with both.”
The keys clenched tightly in Aanya’s fist.
That… that was the final nail in the coffin.
Reyansh was just as stunned as Aanya upon hearing Radhika’s unexpected request, but unlike her, he didn’t see any real harm in going through with it. At least not in the moment.
“Reyansh, come here,” Radhika called out warmly.
Without hesitation, he approached his sister, who looked far too excited and ready to see this ritual unfold. She opened a small ornate box of vermillion and held it out to him.
“I wish I’d been at your wedding,” she said wistfully. “I would’ve made sure all our customs and rituals were properly followed. But never mind, we can complete them today.”
Reyansh forced a polite smile, but his gaze quickly shifted to Aanya who stood frozen in quiet distress. Her eyes dropped to the floor, heavy with silent protest. What Radhika had asked wasn’t difficult by any means, but it meant something… something Aanya wasn’t ready to give. Her feelings for Reyansh were too uncertain. Their marriage might have been real on paper, but it lacked the foundation she needed to respect its symbols.
“Apply the Sindoor,” Radhika instructed firmly.
Reyansh took a small pinch between his fingers and raised it to Aanya’s forehead. Her heart fluttered as he closed the distance between them and filled her hair partition with vermillion. Aanya knew he did it more for his sister’s peace of mind than for theirs.
Radhika exhaled, pleased. “She looks so beautiful, doesn’t she?”
Reyansh swallowed the lump in his throat. And though a part of him wanted to believe this was a step forward in their story, deep down, he hated seeing Aanya so conflicted.
Then came the Mangalsutra.
Radhika placed it in Reyansh’s palm. “And now this,” she smiled. “Tie it on her.”
Now Reyansh hesitated, noticing Aanya’s face stiffen with alarm. Radhika’s cheer dulled when she noticed Aanya wasn’t responding either.
“What are you thinking so much about, Aanya?” she asked, puzzled.
“Di…” Aanya cleared her throat, her voice hoarse. “I understand your emotions, I really do. But I don’t think this is necessary. Wearing these won’t change anything. What difference does it make?”
Radhika blinked in disbelief.
“Aanya, it makes a huge difference,” she insisted. “These are symbols of your marital bond. They show the world you’re committed.”
“But the world already knows we’re married,” Aanya said sharply. “Isn’t that enough?”
Radhika let out a disappointed sigh. Nani, watching from the side, looked almost relieved. To her, Aanya’s refusal only proved she had no intention of staying in this marriage. And once Reyansh agreed to divorce, cutting ties with her would be easier.
“It’s not enough, Aanya,” Radhika argued, turning to her brother. “Reyansh… please make her understand.”
Reyansh gently placed the Mangalsutra on the side table. He didn’t need to hear more. Aanya’s reluctance had already spoken volumes.
“Whatever makes Aanya uncomfortable, I will never force it on her,” he replied sternly.
Aanya’s head lifted in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to side with her, not in front of Radhika, and not like this.
“But Reyansh,” Radhika tried again, “I’m not asking you to do anything difficult. If your marriage had followed proper rituals, all this would’ve been done long ago.”
He shook his head.
“Forcing someone to uphold traditions they don’t believe in… that’s not how I want to build a marriage. Aanya is my wife. If she doesn’t want to wear a Mangalsutra, I accept that. It doesn’t define what she means to me.”
