The Traps of Black Swan

'Miss, whoever you are, just leave.' The shrill voice grabbed every last person's attention. That even caught the attention of the guests who were yet to enter or yet to exit.

Aarvi's fist balled up immediately and her eyes moistened by the sudden unknown person's skin contact. If it wasn't the wedding, she would have twisted the lady's hand irrespective of her age but she controlled.

Dax and Shawn who hadn't noticed her speed were already at the bride and groom. The duo quickly reacted and jumped to action. Dax never cared what other people thought about him, Shawn would never let anybody behave rudely with his closed ones.

Dax clutched the lady's hand and groaned through his teeth coldly, "Leave." He wanted to shrug it off but the lady's hand fingers were wrapped around Aarvi's arms, he feared hurting Aarvi hence he controlled.

Shawn, who stood by Aarvi, glared at the lady who started trembling meeting Dax's cold stare, and while Dax's grip tightened each second she wasted.

The groom, Doctor Green who saw Aarvi being roughly treated by his bride's aunty quickly reacted and ran over.

Aarvi's brows quivered lightly, she wasn't a damsel to be saved from distress. Her emotionless tone left her lips, "Should I teach you to behave, Miss?"

Despite her suppressed tone, the lady suddenly left her hand feeling goosebumps rise hearing that tone. The bustling happy mood in the room graved with deathly silence. 

The lady who identified Shawn and Dax trembled to say even a word but a woman jumped like a saint, "Ahh, don't misunderstand guys. Someone said black is wishing bad luck at the wedding."

Shawn and Aarvi strongly felt Naomi started it now she was behaving like an angel. Dax sneered, "What is the color the groom is wearing?"

Shawn was about to speak but Aarvi held his hand and apologized politely knowing they were afraid of bad luck as it was old customs and belief after all. If she doesn't believe it, she can't force somebody to be the same. Importantly, it was a wedding where all should be celebrating instead of fighting or carrying sour faces.

 "I am sorry, I didn't know you all still believe it. If my presence is uncomfortable, I will take my leave. Please enjoy the wedding."

Naomi: "..."

Aarvi's voice wasn't low, it was at the right tone and was heard by all. All smiled hearing her, especially when she bowed her head modestly in apology for her carelessness. 

Whoever had believed black brings bad luck felt it was ridiculous. When men can wear black with another color shirt, why can't they just wear black? How will the color of cloth affect the bride and groom's life? It's the heart that should be pure and colored instead of cloth.

Doctor Green spoke after an apology, "Ms. Evans, I am sorry for whatever happened. Please attend the wedding without worry about these disbeliefs."

The bride who had walked up to them gently smiled as she spoke, "It's the person's heart that is more important than what we wear. Miss, apologies on my aunt's behalf. She is a very good lady but these customs and beliefs tied her down causing her to behave. I hope you forgive her and enjoy the wedding."

Shawn and Dax looked at each other before at Aarvi. They knew their innocent friend Ava is still alive inside her, this Aarvi was an upgraded version of strong, protective, and brave filled with confidence and pro in handling things in the right way.

Naomi stood dumbstruck at the turn of events. That wasn't what she expected, she wanted Aarvi, Shawn, and Dax to create a huge fuss and disturb everyone's mood. She wanted all to snigger at Aarvi but all she could see was pure admiration for Aarvi's polite behavior against rashness. 

As though somebody poured a bucket of ice-cold water on Naomi, she was trembling but in anger. Whatever she tries to do, she can't believe everything goes against her favor and thoughts when it's about Aarvi.

She had thought it was the end but the middle-aged who was frightened recovered and spoke after her niece, "I am truly sorry miss. I should have just spoken it out but… I am sorry." Then her eyes landed on Naomi and furrowed, "While people hide their black heart under colorful clothes, I understood, we shouldn't judge by the clothes." 

Naomi felt like a tight slap landed on her cheeks realizing the lady calling her heart black. She was right, that lady didn't even remember about the black color when she saw Aarvi enter inside gracefully and Naomi was the one who started about black as though she was waiting for Aarvi to enter inside. 

The lady wanted to reveal everything that she analyzed but Aarvi spoke, "It's a wedding, why are there sorry instead of Congratulations to the couple?"

Many chuckled left the downhearted feeling away. Aarvi wanted to return to her villa or explore the resort instead of attending the wedding. Even though many let go of the Black taboo, many will still believe it so she didn't want to be anybody's eye sour.

So she wished the couple and went out, Dax silently followed her while Shawn just disappeared.

In the Bride's room when all guests assembled in the wedding hall, Shawn grinned looking at the bride waiting to hear 'yes'. The bride thought for a long time before saying, "Okay, but please don't panic him more."

Shawn teased as she stood up grinning wide, "So much love in an arranged marriage. Amazing." The bride blushed but didn't say anything.

Shawn messaged Dax who almost dragged Aarvi back to the bride's room and the acting started, "Ms. Evans, are you still angry with us? I heard you aren't attending the wedding?"

Aarvi's lips twitched and kicked Shawn's leg, "He is fooling you. His long time wish is a wedding bash."

Shawn: "..." He thought his Little heart wouldn't identify his plan.

The bride chuckled and was convinced in her own way, "Actually my wedding is whirlwind so we couldn't arrange anything fun and exciting to remember."

Aarvi pointed to Shawn and asked in disbelief, "Did he brainwash you? All will curse me again."

Dax butted, "Dum Dum, who said you have to scare the groom? You just have to enter and sit on your chair, simple."

Shawn shook his head raising his hand, "First of all, how the hell did you discern my plan?" Aarvi chuckled however her friends had their way.

---

In the wedding hall

The hall structure was quite unique. Due to the hilly region, the slopes, ridges were more and the architecture of the huge hall was mended with nature. The entrance gives an amazing view of the huge crystal chandelier hanging by the ceiling majestically catching the light and sparkling.

Below the chandelier was the huge hall, one could easily grasp the whole guest standing at the entrance, there were two stairways to go downstairs on either side of the hall in an arc shape. 

The wedding theme color in the hall was white, each table had white spread on it, neatly arranged white roses were in the center with water and flutes on top of it. All the guests were wearing formal or party wear as the wedding was immediately followed by a reception in the same hall.

It was nearing bride entry and the groom was talking with friends as there were five more minutes but the door opened earlier than said. Everyone turned towards the entrance raising their head to get a glimpse of the bride.

Aaron who repeatedly checked the mobile for Aarvi's message was lost in his word and didn't bother about the bride.

The white dress appeared to everyone's vision and held their breath to look at the bride who slowly stepped ahead and came to everyone's vision causing most of the people to gasp.

Aaron realized the oddness and casually turned to check why most of the guests' mouths hung open. What he saw made him freeze on his chair and his eyes didn't dare to blink savoring the view while heart started to speed. 

Aarvi paused gazing down at the wedding hall then she gracefully turned right and walked the aisle with her serenity adorning an elegant smile. She wasn't wearing a heavy, intricately designed wedding down but a simple that looked heavenly. 

Aaron wanted to reach her and touch the ethereal beauty to believe she is for real, she isn't a dream but his. 

The ivory white A-line wedding gown covered her shoulders and cut down into a beautiful neckline right under her fair collarbones. It had a relaxed fit removing the focus from her breasts, it didn't look sloppy but angelic.

Her slender arms were uncovered, pulling the attention on her ombre red and black nails contrast to her white dress suspended on either side of the dress.

The slim fit beltless waist accentuated her curve on her gorgeous shape. The dress widened below her waist reaching the floor as the lace trail swept the stairs with her amazing grace.

Her slender finger pulled the fallen hair lock that swayed down giving a view of her curled lips which was a perfect adornment to the whole look.

The hall was so dead silent that Aarvi even doubted if people were breathing when she walked the aisle towards the groom.