Prologue
Arya
(Two months ago)
He’s not coming.
“Arya.”
My fiancé isn’t coming.
“Aru.”
He left me.
“Babe…”
He left me.
“Stop alarming her. There must be a misunderstanding…”
He lef-
“Arya!!”
The voice of my bridesmaid and childhood best friend Noor cuts through the limbo I’m stuck in. Instead of listening to her, I pick up the seven-pound heavy skirt of my bridal lehnga. The light pink color reflecting off the mirrors on the wall is blinding me as I run out of my suite.
Several shouts ring behind me, but they all get carried away into the void.
Adrenaline and a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach push me forward toward the balcony overlooking themandapat the end of the hallway. Every nook and cranny of the dreamy palace is burned into my psyche from the countless visits I made here with Aryan leading up to this weekend.
He wouldn’t do this to me.
We love each other.
He could never throw our eight-year relationship away for no reason. Or have something as silly as cold feet. My Aryan would never break my heart.
The closer I get to the balcony, the more hollow the words sound.
My heart pounds harder as the hopeful part of me wishes for the opposite with each breath I gulp.
That I’m asleep and it’s all a dream.
My right heel gets caught in the carpet, causing my ankle to twist and almost trip me. I ignore the pain that radiates up my leg and stumble to the balcony’s ledge.
Formally dressed guests sit in the chairs facing the beautifully decoratedmandap, chatting and gazing around while impatiently waiting for the bride and groom to arrive.
The groom, who was supposed to be standing there an hour ago.
I search the grounds filled with the masses, and he’s nowhere to be found.
The heart is often strong, but extremely hopeless when it’s at war with the mind. Right now, mine is refusing to catch up with the earth-shattering reality. It’s concocting excuses, as if it’ll save it from breaking into pieces.
Perhaps he’s late.
Or maybe his friends are pulling my leg by keeping him hidden.
I’m just assuming the worst. Except Aryan is punctual in every aspect of his life. I know my loving fiancé inside out.
