Eight years had passed since the day of the puppies, and a lot had changed in the lives of the Rathor and Mehta families. What was once a carefree bond between childhood friends had now become a complex web of emotions, unspoken feelings, and growing tensions. Arjun, now 26, had transformed into a man who could command attention with just a glance. His confidence had only grown over the years, and with it, his closeness to Riya, who had blossomed into a beautiful and ambitious young woman.
Sia, on the other hand, had always felt like the quiet observer, the one who lingered in the background, quietly watching as life unfolded around her. While her relationship with Arjun had shifted from playful friendship to something more complicated, she couldn't help but watch as he and Riya began to get closer. The bond between them felt undeniable, their laughter, shared glances, and moments together drawing Sia's heart into a tangled mess of confusion.
At 24, Sia had come into her own in ways her family hadn't expected. She had started writing, a secret passion that had been her escape for years. She would write late into the night, pouring her heart into stories and poems. She kept her writing a secret, sharing it only with her closest friend, Neha, and her family. And Aarav.
Aarav, always protective of Sia, was the only one who truly understood her. He treated her like a sister, always encouraging her to pursue her dreams and never let anyone dim her light.
Her father, Harish Mehta, had been harsh and distant over the years, especially when it came to Sia. He favored Riya, and often criticized Sia for her more introverted nature and her passion for writing. It wasn't that Sia didn't try to gain his approvalâshe didâbut it was never enough. His constant comparison between her and Riya made her feel invisible in her own family, as if she was just a shadow in the background.
Sia's life seemed to be on a quiet, predictable course, until the day everything changedâthe day of Riya's wedding.
The Rathor and Mehta families had spent months preparing for the event. It was going to be a grand affair, one that would unite not just two families but two legacies. Arjun had been distant, but Sia could feel the tension in the air, the way his eyes would linger on Riya a little longer than usual, the way he would smile whenever Riya was near. Sia had pushed those feelings deep inside her, knowing she couldn't compete with the bond they shared.
On the wedding day, everything seemed perfect. The venue was decorated with lavish flowers and sparkling lights. Guests filled the hall, the air thick with anticipation and joy. Arjun, dressed in his wedding attire, looked every bit the handsome groom-to-be. Riya, radiant in her bridal lehenga, stood by his side. It was a scene Sia had imagined a thousand times but never thought she would witness firsthandâher childhood crush, the boy she had loved in silence for years, standing beside her sister, ready to marry her.
But then, in a shocking twist, everything fell apart.
As the ceremony was about to begin, Riya suddenly disappeared. No one knew where she had gone. Panic spread like wildfire. The guests were confused, the families were in chaos. Arjun, devastated and angry, searched the venue, his face a mask of confusion. Sia, standing in the wings, watched as her sister's disappearance threw the family into turmoil. She couldn't understand why Riya had done this, especially at such a critical moment. What could possibly have driven her to run away from everything?
Sia's heart raced in her chest as her mother, Shreya, walked up to her with tear-filled eyes, her hands shaking. "Sia... I need you to listen to me," her mother whispered, pulling her aside.
Sia could see the fear in her mother's eyes. She was always the emotional one, the one who wore her heart on her sleeve, but today she was visibly shaken. "What's happening, Maa?" Sia asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"It's Riya," Shreya said, her voice trembling. "She's gone... and we have to save face. The families, the guests, they're all here... and we can't let them think the wedding has been called off."
Sia's mind raced. The pressure in the room was suffocating. Her mother's words hung heavy in the air. This was a nightmare, a nightmare that she could hardly comprehend.
"Sia, I know this is hard, but... you're the only one who can do this," her father, Harish Mehta, said as he appeared beside them, his face more serious than she had ever seen it. "You need to step in. We need you to be the bride."
Sia's heart sank. This was unreal. "But Papaâ"
"Sia," her father cut in, his voice unusually gentle, "Riya's actions have put everything in jeopardy. The families... they're counting on us. You have to do this, for all of us."
Sia's world seemed to stop in that moment. She had spent her whole life trying to gain her father's approval, but this was not how she imagined it would come. Her mind was in a whirlwind of emotionsâconfusion, anger, sadnessâbut above all, fear. She couldn't believe what he was asking her to do.
She glanced at Arjun, who stood in the center of the room, his face pale and his eyes searching. He hadn't seen her yet, but she knew he was struggling with the same whirlwind of emotions. She couldn't help but wonderâwas he relieved? Angry? Did he even care?
Her mother, tears spilling down her cheeks, whispered to her softly, "Sia, this is your chance. We need to keep the families united. You've always been strong. I know you can do this."
Sia nodded, her voice trembling. "Okay... I'll do it."
For the first time in her life, her father spoke to her with tenderness, his eyes filled with something akin to pride. "Thank you, Sia," he said, his voice low.
As Sia stepped into the bridal gown, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the world settle on her shoulders. The fabric of the gown, heavy with intricate embroidery and delicate lace, seemed to symbolize the gravity of the situation she found herself in. It was no longer just a dress. It was a symbol of everything she had to give up, everything she had to face. The woman who once stood quietly on the sidelines, watching life unfold from a distance, was now at the center of her own chaotic story. And the part she was playing was one she never imagined herself in.
Her emotions, a mix of fear, sadness, confusion, and anger, churned within her like a storm she couldn't control. The image of Arjun, her childhood crushâthe man she had silently adored for yearsâloomed in her mind. She had spent countless nights dreaming of this moment, imagining herself walking down the aisle, but never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be doing so in her sister's place. Never did she think that the man she loved, the one she had longed for from afar, would stand at the altar with someone elseâsomeone she loved like family, her own sister.
Her heart ached as she looked at herself in the mirror, seeing the reflection of a woman who was about to marry the man she could never truly have. She swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears from spilling, trying to hold herself together. She couldn't break down now. She couldn't allow herself to falter. She had to do thisâfor her family, for tradition, for appearances.
Neha, her best friend and the one person who knew her better than anyone else, was there to help her get ready. Neha was a whirlwind of activity, her hands moving swiftly to adjust Sia's lehenga and veil, her voice a constant presence in the background, reassuring Sia with every step. The bond between the two was unshakable, and in that moment, Neha was more than a friendâshe was Sia's guiding light through this overwhelming experience.
"You look stunning, Sia," Neha whispered, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. She stood behind Sia, adjusting the veil over her head, her hands trembling slightly, a reflection of her own anxiety. "I know it's hard, but you're doing the right thing. You're stronger than you think."
Sia managed a weak smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She nodded, letting Neha take charge as she always had. Neha had always been the one who had kept Sia grounded, the one who could read her like an open book without needing words. Today, Neha's role was bigger than ever before. She was Sia's emotional anchor in a sea of chaos, and Sia held on to her as tightly as she could.
Once Sia was ready, Neha gently took her hand and led her toward the mandap. The air around them seemed heavy with the weight of the situation, but Neha's presence was a small comfort in the storm. As they moved through the halls, the sounds of the guests' chatter faded into a distant hum, and Sia could feel the tension in the air. Every eye in the room would soon be on her, but Neha's presence kept her steady, as though nothing else mattered except the two of them walking this path together.
Aarav, her childhood friend, was waiting by the entrance to the mandap. His smile was warm, but his eyes were full of concern. He had always been her protector, the one person who treated her like a sister, even though they weren't related by blood. He adjusted the 'phoolon ki chadar' in his hands before offering a reassuring nod, his silent support giving her the strength she needed to take the next step.
Abhishek, Neha's brother, stood nearby, his face full of the same silent concern. He helped hold the phoolon ki chadarâthe floral canopy that would be held over Sia's head as she walked toward the mandap. The flowers, fresh and fragrant, swayed gently with each step she took, their vibrant colors a sharp contrast to the heaviness of her heart.
As they began to move toward the mandap, Sia felt the weight of the chadar above her, the soft petals brushing against her skin. The canopy, a symbol of tradition, now felt like a shieldâprotecting her from the world as she walked forward, step by step. Aarav and Abhishek held it carefully, their faces a mix of support and concern. The cousins walked alongside her, offering their silent presence, but it was Neha's hand that she held tightly, the one thread of normalcy in this whirlwind of change.
With each step toward the mandap, the pressure on Sia's chest grew heavier, but Neha's soothing words kept her calm. "You can do this, Sia. We're right here with you. No matter what happens, you're not alone."
She looked ahead, her eyes meeting Arjun's, who stood at the altar, his expression a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. Their gazes locked, and for a brief moment, everything else seemed to fade away. It was as though no time had passed since their childhood, when they would play together with their puppies, laughing and carefree.
But now, the years of unspoken feelings, of longing and heartbreak, stood between them, and no words could bridge that distance.