Chapter 45: chapter 45

      Rhea was counting her days, as the wedding preparation were in full swing. The closer the wedding day creeps, the more it feels like she’s walking toward something irreversible. Not a celebration—but a quiet surrender.Each morning she wakes with a heaviness she can’t quite name. It’s not fear exactly—fear implies movement, resistance. This is different. This is stillness, like sinking slowly in water. She goes through the rituals, nods at sari choices, smiles when they say she’s glowing. But it isn’t radiance—it’s resignation. A practiced calm. The kind you learn when no one around you is willing to see your storm.She agreed for her parents. Their hope lit up when they found this match. After all the heartbreak she’d quietly carried, their relief had felt like a warm room after the cold. She didn’t want to dim that joy. So she nodded. Said yes. Even when her heart whispered, This is not your path.And then there’s him—her fiancé. The man who, with just a few careless words, reminded her how easy it is to be unseen, unheard. He didn’t shout. He didn’t strike. But indifference has its own sharpness. It cuts quietly, deeply. When he dismissed her opinions, when he joked at her expense, something inside her shifted. Not a scream—but a crack. A soft, nearly silent fracture in trust.And yet, no one saw it. Or maybe they did, but chose to look away.She sits alone at night, staring at the henna staining her palms, wondering how something so intricate can feel so alien. This body—draped in bridal silks—is walking into a life it didn’t choose. Into a role written for someone else.There are moments—brief, breathless seconds—where she imagines running. Saying no. Choosing herself.But then come the voices: “Think of your parents.” “It’s too late now.” “What will people say?”And so she stays. Polished, poised, and painfully quiet. A bride in the making. But not a woman in love.Because sometimes, the deepest heartbreak isn’t in losing someone else—it’s in losing yourself and calling it duty.Smitha wants to hug Rhea and say everything will be alright. Doing so will only break her down. She knew her husband won't make any decisions in haste. And if it's Rhea He would have given a thought of 1000 times, before fixing Rhea with Amar. Only this kept her moving each day, even after watching Rhea gloomy.     On the other hand, Rahul was shattered looking at Rhea. He wants to go to her and ask her to call of the wedding, when she isn't interested. Not for his own benefits. He could hear her heart screams. Her tears which struggles towards gravity and gets back to her eyes. Without staining her cheeks. It's not just her hands painted red but her heart too... Rahul keeps racking his brain to find a solution to stop the wedding. Couldn't see her lifeless face anymore, Rahul plans to meet Aditya and goes in search of him. Adi who was having a conversation with some of his guests have a look at Rahul and raise his eyebrows. Understanding that Rahul wants to have a talk with him, he excuses himself from the guest and signals Rahul to follow him. As Rahul gets into his study in the 1st floor of the Tanwar Mansion the door gets locked. Rithesh was enjoying dancing for the music and the girls who attended the Mehndi function was falling for his charm. Although deep down he felt bad that his nephew didn't appear despite of asking his brother to bring him to the mehndi function. Still he doesn't want his mood to spoil his friends most important moment. So to ease himself he was dancing for the bollywood songs " Mehndi Hai rachnewali, Bano re, Radha". The playlist was going on and on, with never ending laughter and funs unlimited.Ram was clueless on watching Amar obediently attending every ceremony and rituals without any fuzz. Although his face clearly explained he wasn't happy. Shikha is all smiles so is Kajal. Naveen is satisfied that somehow Amar life is going to be in peace. Some of Amar's friends starts to pull his legs, Amar heard that you're getting married to the Tanwar's daughter, man you should spend all your blood for their clothings. They all laughs altogether and Amar just gives a light smile. It's then one of his friend holds his hand and says guys look at this Ring. Man the ruby in this ring looks small but there is something special in it. Really the other friend asks. Yes man, don't I know?? am doing a jwellery business. Amar did you find this ring peculiar, Amar gives a confused look. Immediately he asks the gang to move to a dark place. Amar takes them to the backyard garden of his mansion. The ring still doesn't appear any special and they mock at the man who said there is something in it. He gently lifts up Amar's hand, switches on his phones torch  and let the light fall upon the ring. Immediately the reflection emits over the sky with initial RA glowing in bright red. All were looking at the sky with Awe...    Upra's Revenge....