"Di, what are you doing? Are you not ready yet? We were supposed to leave first. Have you forgotten?" Siya shouted as she paced outside Urmi's door.
No response.
"Don't tell me sheâs still asleep," she muttered, frustrated. Pushing the door open, she froze.
"Huh? She's not here?" The room was empty, and panic set in. Siya bolted down the grand staircase, her rapid footsteps echoing in the house. "Di! Where are you?" she called, questioning aunts and cousins who were equally clueless.
Her thoughts spiraled. No, no, she canât... but what if sheâ Siya stopped herself mid-thought.
"What if sheâs gotten cold feet before the function? Or realized they werenât meant for each other? Oh, holy crap⦠IS SHE A RUNAWAY BRIDE?"
Sweat dotted her forehead as she paced, trying to calm herself. "If she ran, Iâll stand by her. Iâll defend her if anyone bad-mouths her. Sheâs my sister!"
Just as Siya was mentally preparing for battle, a cheerful voice rang out. "Donât tell me you were seriously picturing me as a runaway bride, Siya," Urmi teased, standing behind her and laughing.
"Diii!" Siya spun around, anger replacing relief. "Where were you? Iâve been losing my mind! I even planned counterattacks for your defense!"
"My apologies, little muffin", pulling her into a quick hug. "I was strolling in the garden, and the greenery made me lose track of time. Then Samar came to get me."
"Samar bhai came to fetch you? Why didnât he take me too? That little jerk!" Siya fumed.
"Maybe because he saw how anxious you were and didnât want to trouble you more," Urmi said gently.
"Please. Sun can rise in west before he does something thoughtful for me," Siya muttered, storming off in frustration.
Urmi watched her leave with a sigh. "Siya⦠if only you knew how much he regrets everything. And if only I knew why."
The tension between Siya and Samar had been palpable for years, a subject the family tiptoed around. Everyone knew something had fractured their bond, but no one dared ask. Urmi had tried countless times to get Siya to open up, but every attempt had been met with silence.
In the last year, Siya seemed betterâor so Urmi had thought. Deep down, she knew her cousin hadnât fully healed.
"Siya, Urmi, come directly to the venue. Donât be late! And tell the parlour ladies to do light makeup," Urmiâs mother called out while packing gifts.
"Yes, Mom! Youâve told us four times already," Urmi shouted back. "And for the last time, theyâre professionals, not âparlour ladies,â okay?"
Her mother ignored the protest, carefully placing envelopes filled with money into a bag. She insisted on giving a generous amount to the groom's family, despite protests from everyone else.
Finally, the family was ready to leave for the big day.
At the Desai Residence
The groomâs family bustled with activity. Vasu and Raghav were in the middle of an impromptu photoshoot, teasing each other between shots.
"Come on, Bhai, stop posing like a monkey," Raghav laughed, adjusting the camera.
"Oh, really? The monkey your bhabhi fell for, you mean?" Vasu retorted, his cheeks reddening.
"Wow, look at you blushing! And here I thought Dadâs favorite son was too cool for that," Raghav joked.
Vasuâs laughter faded, replaced by a somber look. He stepped closer to Raghav and patted his shoulder. "You know Dad doesnât hate you, right? Heâs just⦠overly worried."
Raghav shrugged, cutting him off. "We both know how much he dotes on you and how much he critiques me. But it doesnât matter. I have you and Mom, and thatâs enough."
"Youâre sure youâre okay?" Vasu asked, searching his brotherâs face for honesty.
"Of course," Raghav said with a faint smile.
But the truth weighed heavier than he let on. As he walked toward the car to head to the venue, he whispered under his breath, "Iâm sorry, Bhai, for lying to your face. But it doesnât matter anymore."
At the Venue
Raghav parked the car in the underground lot, his mind clouded with memories. As he stepped out, he spotted a girl in an off-shoulder golden-cream gown, searching the ground around her. Her bun held most of her hair back, but loose curls framed her face. Even without seeing her clearly, Raghav could tell she was beautiful.
His eyes caught a glint on the ground. Picking it up, he realized it was a dolphin bracelet. The same design as the one I gave Noorie.
Approaching the girl, he held it out. "Are you looking for this?"
She turned, her wide, bright eyes lighting up. "Oh my God, yes! Thank you so much. I thought Iâd lost it."
"There," Raghav pointed to the spot near his car. "A little more reverse, and it wouldâve been crushed."
Clutching the bracelet, she smiled. "Iâve always treasured this. Itâs really special to me."
Raghav froze for a moment. Treasured. The word stung. "Funny," he muttered, to himself than. "The same gift can mean so much to one person and so little to another."
She tilted her head, confused. "By the way, are you with the groomâs side or the brideâs?"
"The groomâs," he said, shaking off his thoughts.
"Iâm with the brideâs," she said, holding out her hand. "Siya Singhania. And you are?"
"Raghav," he replied, shaking her hand.
From that handshake, an unspoken connection sparkedâone that neither of them could anticipate. Fate, as always, had its own plans.