Chapter 4: Chapter 1

The summer sun was merciless as we made our way to my cousin’s place. I sat slouched in the passenger seat, watching the world crawl by through the window, every pothole reminding me of my mother’s devotion to the speed limit.

“Mom, can you please drive faster? At this rate, I’ll be old enough to get married before we even reach it!”

My mother shot me a sharp look, her hands steady on the wheel. “Sweetheart, if you’re in such a rush, why don’t you hitch a ride with a bullock cart next time? It might feel like an upgrade.”

My dad chuckled from the backseat, as if my suffering were part of his entertainment. “Cee, you need to learn patience,” he said, using my nickname in his annoyingly calm voice. “Life’s not a race.”

“But Dad—”

Click.

My mom turned on some 70s music and cranked up the volume, drowning me out entirely.

So I slumped back in my seat, resigning myself to the slowest journey of my life. By the time we finally reached my aunt’s house, I felt like I’d aged five years.

As soon as we arrived, I bolted out of the car and ran straight to the door, barely giving my parents time to unload the bags. Standing there was Urmi Di, the bride-to-be and my favorite cousin in the world.

“Urmi Di!” I yelled, throwing my arms around her.

She laughed and held me tight. “Siya! Look at you—have you been crying again?”

“Don’t listen to her,” my brother cut in, dragging me away. “She’s always crying about something.”

I glared at him. “Why don’t you go cry about your grades or something?”

Urmi just shook her head, smiling. “Siya, I’m going to miss you too, but I promise I’m not going far. You’ll still see me after the wedding, you know.”

“I know,” I muttered, burying my face in her shoulder. “But it’s not the same. I’m not ready to let you go.”

She sighed, her expression softening. “Neither am I, honestly. But when you find someone who loves you enough to change your whole world… it’s worth it.”

Her words lingered in my mind. I’d been in relationships before, but I’d never felt anything like what she described. To me, love was more of a transaction—something to check off a list. The idea of being so deeply connected to someone that it changed you? That felt as foreign as a language I’d never learned.

By the evening, the house was alive with energy as more cousins arrived. Shubh, Ashika, and Naina from Gauri Masi’s side; Ananya and Aveeka from Geeta Masi’s. There was chatter, laughter, and plenty of teasing as we caught up on everything we’d missed since the last big gathering.

Urmi Di’s engagement dress stole the spotlight for a while—vibrant red with golden embroidery, perfectly matching her cheerful personality. Watching her try it on, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and sadness.

Later, as we all lounged in the living room, the conversation turned to the upcoming Roka ceremony. The groom’s family came from a different culture, and everyone was buzzing about the new traditions we’d get to witness.

“So, who’s all coming from the groom’s side?” I asked, trying to sound casual but mostly just curious.

Urmi’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Oh, you’ll love this—his brother’s a doctor. Raghav Desai.”

“Doctor, huh?” I repeated, filing the name away in my mind.

Urmi didn’t elaborate, and the conversation quickly shifted to other things, but something about the way she said his name stuck with me.

Looking back now, it feels strange how that day seemed so ordinary. Just a family gathering, full of laughter, teasing, and love. But if I’d known what was coming, maybe I’d have paid more attention. Maybe I’d have asked more questions.

Who knew that within a few months, my entire life would be turned upside down?