The moment the words left her mouth, both of them froze.
Karan stopped kissing her instantly. His hands withdrew from her skin. He lifted his head and looked at her through the mirror. When her gaze met his, she could read it on his face. He was not happy about her leaving for London, especially after everything that had happened between them last night.
Karan’s eyes gave him away. He was losing his calm. If she had been dealing with the old Karan, he would have pinned her to the mirror by now, demanded how she could still choose to leave after last night. But he did not.
He did not say a word.
He simply turned away, walked into the bathroom, and locked the door behind him.
Only when she heard the click of the lock did Mishti finally exhale, her eyes closing as she replied to Rukhsar again. “Good. Call me if there’s anything urgent.”
She ended the call moments later and put the phone away. Karan was clearly unhappy. But had he not confessed just last night, before everyone, that he would let her choose this time? Perhaps this was him keeping that promise. That was why he had not argued. That was why he had walked away instead.
Her phone rang again. This time it was Avni.
Mishti answered immediately.
“I’m so nervous,” Avni blurted out. “I can’t believe it’s my wedding today. Babes, I need you with me. I’m such a mess. I don’t even know where to start.”
Mishti smiled softly and calmed her down. “I’m coming there, okay? Just give me an hour. I’ll shower and come straight to you. Relax. The mahurat is in the afternoon. We have time. The makeup artists will be there soon, and they’ll help you with everything.”
Avni agreed, sounding calmer already, and disconnected.
Mishti lowered the phone and looked at her reflection in the mirror again.
She looked different. She felt different too.
Her body still carried that sweet ache deep within. She could still smell him on her skin. Still feel his mouth on her neck and shoulders, as if he had imprinted his touch on her.
****************
Three hours later, Mishti helped Avni get dressed as a bride. Today was her big day, and only after Avni was completely ready did Mishti return to her own room to dress. She and Karan were to perform the kanyadaan ritual for Avni, as her brother and sister-in-law.
Karan was still out at the mandap with VK, overseeing the final preparations and greeting guests.
When he returned, Mishti was already inside the room, dressed in the same red lehenga he had given her the other day—the one she had refused then. The lehenga was undeniably bridal in its design, but the way Mishti had draped the veil over one shoulder, tucking and pinning it carefully, softened its presence. She ensured it did not take away from the real bride’s moment. Today, Avni had to shine more than anyone else. Not her.
Yet, Karan couldn’t stop admiring her. Red, his favourite colour, had always been the colour of revenge for him.Until she wore it.The colour set her skin aglow, and for a fleeting second,he forgot how to breathe. She looked no less than a bride herself today, just a different kind. One who glowed from having been claimed, cherished, and loved thoroughly by her husband.
She was fastening her jewellery when she sensed him enter the room. Their eyes met in the mirror. Realising he was staring for too long, Karan finally moved.
He went to the closet, opened it, and returned with a long, rectangular box, placing it gently in front of her on the dressing table.
Mishti looked up at him then, her brows knitting slightly.
“What’s that?” she asked softly.
“Something you once loved wearing,” he said. “Something that mattered more to you than anything else.”
She knew instantly.
Her eyes welled as she opened the box. And there it was…A mangalsutra.Not the one he had made her wear during their wedding. This one was new.
She turned to him, confused. “Why a new one?”
“The old one carries memories I don’t want following you anymore,” he replied. “And it broke once, didn’t it? Even though we fixed it, I didn’t want you wearing that again. So, I had this made for you.” He paused. “You can wear it at least for today… since we’re doing Avni’s kanyadaan.”
Something pricked inside Mishti. Did he think she wouldn’t want to keep wearing the mangalsutra after Avni’s wedding? After she goes to London?
