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AAROHI'S POV

"This lehenga will be the death of me." 

This is so heavy, my god. How will I carry it the whole evening? But you gotta lose something if you want to look beautiful. But still! 

I have to attend this wedding. C'mon my friend, Yashika is getting married! This is like the best feeling in the world! I swear. I would be damned if I miss the wedding.

I make my way inside the wedding location that is the Shekhawat Mansion. Yes, their house is more like a mansion and is huge enough to hold the wedding. I should call my friends. Otherwise, I will get lost in this big haveli. But before I can dial Vaidhai's number, I spot the trio- Geetanshi, Vaidhai and Ridhima.

[haveli: mansion]

"I missed you so much!" I run towards my friends and pull them in a group hug. 

"Me too." Ridhima says smiling.

"Me three!" Geetanshi yells.

"Me four." Vaidhai says giggling.

"You duffer! 'Me three' is incorrect." I taunt Geetanshi just to annoy her. 

Annoying your friends is the world's best job. I just wish that I could do that for a living but annoyingly, annoying my friends won't pay the bills. So, I work as a journalist. I just took it randomly in the past. But now, I have fallen in love with my job as well. But still annoying the hell out of them remains my favorite job. See I am so loyal. These duffers should appreciate such a loyal and great friend like me.

"Don't pick on my words, you duffer! Feel the emotions." Geetanshi replies.

"Emotions? Joke of the year! Geetanshi Bhardwaj has emotions!" I shout.

"Shut up you bitch!" With that Geetanshi jumps on me, giggling. Who would even believe she is a grow-up woman by the way she behaves? I definitely won't.

"Get off me! We are no longer kids. You are heavy now." I say to break her heart. So that she gets off me.

"You think that I'll get off just because you break my heart? The answer is NO!" Geetanshi giggles. She knows how my brain functions so well even after all these years.

"Look at that! Who will believe that she manages a whole damn company when she can't even manage herself?" Vaidhai says laughing at Geetanshi. Exactly, my point!

"As if I care! Let them think whatever they want!" Geetanshi makes the 'I don't care' face and shrugs her shoulders.

"Of course, you don't. But c'mon we have a reputation here. A fake one... yes but reputation, nonetheless. Stop ruining it and act like adults." Ridhima says the last part glancing at Geetanshi and me.

Ridhima, the peacemaker. Ridhima, our mommy. But too bad, I am in a mood for drama. I crave some drama right now. Life without drama is boring and I hate boring!

"Oh please. I always behave like an adult." I state.

Geetanshi scoffs and gives me a knowing look. This girl! Why the hell did I tell Geetanshi about my crush? I swear I would never drink again, especially not when she is around! She doesn't let go of a single moment to tease me for that. And the biggest thing is the identity of that said crush!

"What is it?" Vaidhai asks, trying to decipher the knowing glances Geetanshi is throwing at me.

Geetanshi gives a wicked smile. I'll kill her if she spills a single word. I swear. 

"Nothing, nothing. Where is our 'Me five'?" Geetanshi changes the topic. I am thankful for that. Otherwise...well for another day then.

"Di is in her room. She is throwing a tantrum in there saying the weather is too hot. I thought of getting her an ice-cream. You know she loves ice-cream. And then I ran into you, Ridhima and Aarohi." Vaidhai says.

[Di: Sister]

"Yashi is mistaken. It's Yashi who is too hot." Geetanshi compliments.

"Oh! Ice-cream." I say.

"That's what you deciphered out of everything Vaidhai said?" Geetanshi says trying to get on my nerves again.

"Yes! And?" I say grinning.

"Did you just quote a meme?" Geetanshi raises her eyebrows.

"Maybe I did." I grin.

"You..." Geetanshi says but Ridhima interrupts her.

"You promised to behave like adults!" Ridhima says trying to discipline Geetanshi and me.

Ridhima is the mommy of the group. Geetanshi and I are the rebels. Vaidhai is the good girl. But only when her family is around. With us she is a total chaos! And right now, she is behaving like a good girl as her family is around. Her family is a typical desi family with all those restrictions on girls. I love her family when it comes to their wealth but when it comes to these restrictions, I hate them with all my heart.

"What do you mean behave like adults? C'mon we are adults. Did you forget? I am a fucking CEO guys!" Geetanshi says.

"Then act like one." Ridhima smiles sarcastically. Geetanshi says nothing but rolls her eyes.

"Okay mommy." I tell Ridhima only to earn a glare from her.

"Let's go to where my sister is. She will be happy to see you all." Vaidhai says.

"I am missing her food too." I say.

"Bhukkad!" Geetanshi taunts.

[Excessively greedy for food.]

"Whatever, let's go! But let's pick up one ice-cream for me as well!" I give my best possible smile.

"Fine! Otherwise, you'll eat Yashika's ice-cream." Ridhima says laughing.

"Ridhi, I can't agree more with you." Geetanshi says.

"You aren't completely wrong about that. I might eat the bride's ice-cream." I say giggling.

We make our way towards the ice-cream stall and pick two ice-cream cups for me.

"You said one ice-cream, pretty girl." Geetanshi taunts.

"Pretty girl craves two now. If you keep speaking, I might even crave the whole stall and Vaidhai's family wouldn't want that, would they?" I glance at Vaidhai.

Vaidhai shakes her head in no.

"Lead the way, princess!" I say and Vaidhai blushes. 

It is so easy to make this girl blush. You just have to say the right words. Maybe because Vaidhai is an Author and words make her blush. She deserves a cute partner who will say things like this to make her blush. She deserves a partner who loves her just like the way the man she writes love their woman. All in all, she deserves a beautiful fairytale. I hope she meets her charming prince soon!

"Yes. Let's go to see our 'Me five'!" Geetanshi yells. I wonder where she gets this much chaotic energy from. 

"She is the bride." Ridhima says.

"Nah! She is our 'Me five'!" Geetanshi grins. Chaos and Geetanshi are best friends. We behave like little kids with each other. But again, isn't that how childhood friendships are like? 

You fight and love each other to death at the same time.

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RIDHIMA'S POV

"These heels will be the death of me." I am annoyed by how my legs are aching. No matter how often I wear heels, I will never get used to the aching.

"I should be the one saying that. Girl you are an influencer!" Geetanshi says laughing.

"Yes. And?" I quote the same meme Aarohi quoted earlier.

"Ugh! Stop learning Aarohi's language." Geetanshi sighs. I shake my head in no motion and Geetanshi rolls her eyes.

"Exactly! The 'And?' is the best part. By the way, fashion is a pain, babe! This lehenga will be the death of me." Aarohi snickers.

"So true! This is so heavy!" Vaidhai says.

"But it's the right kind of pain! You're out here stunning everyone while I'm just trying not to trip over my own feet in these heels." Geetanshi says and we nod our heads.

"That's a fair point. Beauty is expensive, but at least we look good suffering, right? You've got that fierce runway model vibe going on, Ridhi." Vaidhai compliments me.

"Yeah, if you collapse while walking, just turn it into a dramatic pose! Model 101." Aarohi jokes.

"I can totally see that! Just bring on the camera and I'll act like I planned it." Geetanshi says and strikes a pose on one leg while holding onto the wall. We laugh at her and Geetanshi joins in too.

"No one will look at you unless you trip." Aarohi taunts Geetanshi. And here they go again.

"Emotional damage." Vaidhai and I say in union.

"Talking about yourself, Aarohi?" Geetanshi smirks. Before Aarohi could reply, Vaidhai's mother comes towards us and Vaidhai goes still. Her family always had that effect on her.

"Namaste aunty." Geetanshi, Aarohi and I greeted Vaidhai's mother.

"Namaste beta, namaste. Khush raho." Vaidhai's mother gave us blessings.

"Vaidhai, isn't your sister ready yet? The baraat is about to enter!" Vaidhai's mother says with a panic mode.

"We were on our way to Di only. I'll check on her." Vaidhai answers.

[Di: sister]

"Go, go fast. What are you waiting for?" Vaidhai's mother says.

"Yes, Mumma." Vaidhai says and starts to move. We also follow her, but her mother stops all three of us.

"Let Vaidhai go herself. You three follow me." Vaidhai's mother says. We all exchange looks. Vaidhai gives us a silent nod telling us that it's okay. 

I hated this thing about her family. The way they shut people up. The way they shut Vaidhai up. Yashika spoke her mind when she was wronged in the Shekhawat family. But Vaidhai, never. Vaidhai took all of it quietly. She endured all of it and when we used to scold her for it. 

She used to say 'My family wants what's best for me. They care about me. I trust them.'

Though I am not sure how that even makes sense as all they have done is neglect her happiness. And isn't making your loved one happy the best way to show your love and care? But they have disregarded that all their life and even after all that Vaidhai trusts them blindly. I don't know when she will stop, when she will realize her worth and put herself above her family's obligations. I simply have no idea. I believe it would take forever.

"Follow you where?" Aarohi asks.

"We have to welcome the groom and his family!" Vaidhai's mother replies.

"Okay but how about we join after we meet Yashika? We miss her a lot!" I say.

"There is no time for that! You can meet Yashika all you want when she is the daughter-in-law of the Singhania's!" Vaidhai's mother replies. 

 The daughter-in-law of the Singhania's is what our friend will be after a few hours. But she is our friend first and then the daughter-in-law. We exchange glances again but Vaidhai motions for us to go. So, the three of us nod and follow Vaidhai's mother. Vaidhai goes to her sister's room.

Yashika is marrying Reeyansh, the eldest son of the Singhania family. My family has business ties with the Singhania's, but I have never met him. But from what I have heard, he is the rude and cold type. An emotionless robot. Luckily, our Yashi could handle the likes of him. Yashi is strong enough. But sadly, our Vaidhai can't, and I am afraid that the Shekhawat family will choose a similar husband for Vaidhai as well soon enough. I don't want her to get married to an emotionless man. I want her to marry a man who could take a stand for her. Someone who could turn against the Shekhawat family just to protect her as Vaidhai won't speak a word even if her family wrongs her. But no such man exists. No man will turn against the world just because of a girl. I can't help but worry about Vaidhai. What will happen when she marries? She will be the one to get married after Yashika.

When Vaidhai's mother was out of earshot, Geetanshi whispers to Aarohi and me. "Why are we even following her? We could have said no!"

"Because there is a thing called manners and respect." Aarohi says.

"I know but as Ridhi said we could've met 'Me Five' first and then welcome the groom. And c'mon the groom won't die if Yashika's friends don't welcome him. He should have patience." Geetanshi says frustrated.

"Yes, I agree with you, but we have to think about Vaidhai too. She wouldn't like that." I say.

"Uff!" Geetanshi sighs.

"Let's not make any scenes and trouble Vaidhai. Okay?" I say. Geetanshi and Aarohi nod. Vaidhai's mother leads us to a huge room where some plates with flowers and other things were kept. She asked us to carry one plate each. Geetanshi makes a face but luckily Vaidhai's mother doesn't notice. 

We made our way towards the entrance gate from where the groom was supposed to enter. We carried one plate each. 

"Yashika's vidai would hurt a lot." Aarohi comments. I could feel that she was already emotional.

[vidai: farewell]

"Yes, it would!" I say sadly.

"Right. I wish I could stop this." Geetanshi says with a mix of sadness and anger.

"But right now, these heels are hurting me more and this goddamn plate! I tell you everyone in the Shekhawat family is crazy! Of course, except Vaidhai and Yashika." Geetanshi says, her anger and frustration clearly visible now.

"What do you mean everyone is crazy?" Aarohi says defensively. My god, she looks so cute defending her crush.

"Everyone except Yashika, Vaidhai and your crush is crazy, okay?" I say and Aarohi falls into a shock mode.

"Geetanshi!" Aarohi says by starting slowly and then yells.

"What? I didn't speak a word to Vaidhai or Yashika. I swear I never told them how cutely you spoke about your crush when you were drunk! I told Ridhi only!" Geetanshi says smiling.

"Looks like now is the perfect time to finally kill you for good!" Aarohi shouts and starts chasing Geetanshi with the flower plate still in her hands. Geetanshi runs too with the flower plate in her hand.

"Guys behave!" I try to stop them, but they ignore me just like the way we ignore trigger warnings in a dark romance. 

"Geetanshi, you stop!" Aarohi yells. 

"Never!" Geetanshi yells. 

"Aarohi, stop!" I yell.

"No. I'll catch her..." Aarohi says.

"Uff, there is muddy there! You will fall!" I warn her. 

But before Aarohi could realize my words, Aarohi loses her balance due to those heels and lehenga. The plate bounces up and all the petals in the plate fall on the ground. 

Just as it seems the ground is about to meet her with a hard thud, a strong pair of arms encircles her waist, pulling her back from the brink. Aryan's grip is firm, almost protective. He steadies her, his body a wall against her fall. Geetanshi and I run towards Aarohi and Aryan who is Vaidhai's elder brother aka Aarohi's crush.

"Got you." he says, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, though concern lingers beneath. Embarrassment washing over Aarohi's face. She looks down at the ruined plate, petals strewn across the floor like a vibrant carpet.

"You could have just listened to Ridhi, you know." Geetanshi chides, half-relieved, half-annoyed.

"Listening was never Aarohi's strong suit." Aryan quips, a playful grin breaking the tension. Aarohi straightens herself, brushing off the remnants of embarrassment like the petals at their feet. 

"Thanks." Aarohi says.

"No worries." Aryan says. " You should be more careful next time."

"Yeah." Aarohi replies while blushing. She looks so cute, my gosh.

"Is my sister ready?" Aryan asks.

"I don't know." Aarohi answers and Aryan glances towards Geetanshi and me.

"We don't know either." I reply.

"Haven't you met her yet?" Aryan asks in surprise.

"We can't meet her. Vaidhai's mother said we can meet Yashika once she is the daughter-in-law of the Singhania's." Geetanshi says. Yeah, she is crazy. She has been this direct all her life no matter what the situation was. This directness will cause all of us trouble one day!

"It's fine we can meet her later. For now, we'll help the elders." Aarohi tries to butt in.

"You'll help the elders by falling on the ground with that plate filled with petals?" Geetanshi teases Aarohi. I can assure that if Aryan wasn't here right now, Aarohi would've grabbed Geetanshi's hair or something. These two are troublemakers. And when they are together, they are worse!

"Okay, okay, stop." I say. "How about I handle the flower thing, and you quickly check up on Yashika?"

"Alright, but don't you want to meet 'Me five.' before she is married?" Geetanshi asks.

"Me what?" Aryan laughs.

"Long story. You won't understand." Aarohi answers smiling and blushing.

Aryan raises his eyebrows and then smiles.

"Of course, I want to see her, but someone has to handle this too." I say.

"Aww, you are so mature." Geetanshi says dramatically.

"That I am." I smile.

"Our mommy she is." Aarohi says while laughing and Aryan laughs with us too.

"Let's go then." Geetanshi says and with that they go on their way to meet Yashika while Aryan handles some other arrangements after asking someone to clear the petals from there.

I make my way towards the entry gate with two plates in my hand now, one is mine and one is Geetanshi's. I gotta welcome the Singhania's now.

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MEANWHILE
VAIDHAI'S POV

"Di!" I call out knocking her room, but I get no response. "Di! Open the door." I tried to call out again but there was no answer.

Where is she? Is she in the bathroom and that's why she isn't able to hear me? But it has been more than thirty minutes that she has been alone. I asked the people who helped her put on makeup. They said Di asked them to leave, and it's been more than thirty minutes since that.

I can't help but be worried. All of this is too much. I hate my family for how they are. The way they are pushing Di into this marriage just because of their benefit. They say marriage is the only thing that will put an end to this rivalry. But I don't even know what the rivalry is about at the first place and when we ask the elders, they scold us for asking useless questions. I hate them.

But I hate myself more than all of that for I can't do anything but watch this happen. I hate myself for not standing up against my family. I hate myself for not standing by Di's side when she refused to marry. I hate that all I did was put some medicine on Di's cheeks when Dadi ji slapped Yashika because of her refusal to be a scapegoat in their plans. I hate myself for not being able to defy the orders those Shekhawat's make.

I hate myself.

I knocked again but still I got no response. I make my way to the storeroom and search for the spare keys for Di's room. I cough hard. It is quite dusty here and I am allergic to dust. After I find the spare key, I quickly get out of here and go back to Di's room

I use the key to unlock the door and then enter the room only to be shocked by what is in front of me.

"Di..." is all I could manage to say.

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So, this was the first chapter of The Rivalry Rewritten. Rate this chapter out of 10.

I'm not an English major or anything (I mean, c'mon, I'm a PCM student 😭), but writing has always been something I love. It's one of those things that lets me escape, create, and just let my imagination run wild. And the plot for this one? Well, it hit me out of nowhere—literally the night before my exams (great timing, right? 😂)

I started this just to see how far I could take it. I have no idea where this journey will go, but I'm super excited to share it with you all. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!

Let me know your thoughts, and don't forget to vote and comment! Your support means everything. 💕

So, here's to late-night ideas, unexpected inspirations, and stories that refuse to stay inside our heads. Happy reading!✨

With Love, Vara. Byebyeeee <3