“Are you okay?” she mouths, her eyes soft with concern.
I offer her a small smile in return, mouthing back, “I’m fine.”
But the look in her eyes tells me she doesn’t believe it.
I narrow my eyes at her ever so slightly, the unspoken message clear:Trust me. I’ve got this. You don’t need to worry about me right now. And don’t even think about doing anything stupid, like stepping off that stage to check on me.
Reluctantly, she turns her gaze back to the guests, though I can sense her hesitation. Reyansh, ever attuned to her, notices it right away. He leans in and presses a soft kiss to her forehead, gently drawing her attention back to him.
My hand drifts to the blue bead bracelet wrapped around my wrist, the one Kavya made for me. She’d promised she’d make it for my birthday, and she kept that promise, even when I lay in a coma, unresponsive.
My fingers trace the beads, and before I can stop myself, my mind slips to the place I’ve tried so hard to avoid. Damn, I always thought time heals everything. But some wounds don’t fade; they sink deeper, festering beneath the surface until all that’s left is rot. For me, the scars were left by that one decision that cost me more than I ever imagined… more than I was ready to lose.
And just like that, my breath starts to come in quick, uneven bursts. It’s subtle at first, but then it grows bit by bit. The memories, the emotions, the fear, all come crashing back, breaking free from the corners where I’d safely locked them away.
God, I’m panicking.
I try to steady my breathing, willing myself to stay calm, to keep the trembling hidden where no one can see. My fingers clutch the fabric of my green salwar as I silently chant in my head…Relax. Breathe. You can’t fall apart. Not today. Not when it’s Kavya’s big day.
But it’s getting harder.
My composure starts to slip as Prakash’s face and his betrayal play out behind my eyes like a reel I can’t pause. I swallow hard and keep forcing myself to hold it together.
As if my silent prayer is answered, I suddenly feel a loving hand on my shoulder, followed by Sunita Aunty’s warm voice cutting through the fog in my mind.
“Are you okay, beta?”
I blink, forcing a smile onto my face.
“Yup… just a little tired. God, Indian weddings really come with a never-ending list of rituals,” I say with a small laugh, trying to brush it off as she sits down beside me.
She nods knowingly, not pressing further. Instead, she says, “Why don’t you go to the room they’ve booked upstairs and lie down for a bit? Just a few quiet minutes might help.”
I don’t argue. I nod, grateful for her suggestion. I do need a few minutes alone to breathe.
As I get up, I glance back at the stage. Kavya is watching me, worry flickering in her eyes.
I mouth the words and signal with my hand, “Just stepping out for a few minutes.”
She immediately mouths back, “Should I come with you?”
I shake my head. No.
Before she can insist, Sunita Aunty steps in with a reassuring smile. “I’m with her, don’t worry.”
Kavya still doesn’t look convinced, but she gives a reluctant nod.
Stepping out of the hall, Sunita Aunty and I head towards the lift in the corner. Just as we reach it, her phone rings. She answers, and from her side of the conversation, I gather it’s Reyansh’s mom asking for a few things they’ll need for the Bidaai later.
“Give me a few minutes, I’m coming,” she says, ending the call. She turns to me, but before she can say anything, I cut in, “Aunty, it’s okay. Please go. I’ll manage on my own.”
She hesitates for a moment, clearly torn, but finally nods. “Alright, but don’t rush. Take your time, okay?”
I give her a smile before stepping into the lift. As the doors close behind me, I take a deep breath, finally finding a moment to myself.
After a few seconds, the elevator doors slide open with a soft chime on the fifth floor. Pulling in a steadying breath, I step into the quiet corridor and start walking towards the room reserved for us. But with every step, the walls seem to close in, and the corridor stretches endlessly in front of me.
And then… it begins.
