The night seemed endless, its darkness a stark reflection of the void in Meera's heart. The once-grand palace, filled with celebration and joy, now echoed with the quiet sadness of a profound loss. The air was heavy with the scent of flowers, now wilting in the wake of tragedy.

Meera sat alone in the private chambers, the room that had been prepared for her and Shivaan's new life together. The bed, adorned with the elaborate decorations of a wedding night that would never be, stood as a cruel reminder of what had been stolen from her.

She was on the floor, her bridal attire disheveled, her hair falling loose around her shoulders. The heavy silence of the room was broken only by her heart-wrenching sobs. Her tears flowed freely, mingling with the dust of the night, as if they could wash away the pain that had enveloped her.

Meera clutched a small, embroidered handkerchief in her trembling hands. It was the same handkerchief Shivaan had gifted her during their courtship, its fabric soft and comforting but now stained with her tears. The memories of their time together played like a cruel montage in her mind—moments of laughter, love, and promises now tainted by the sudden, brutal end of their happiness.

The door to the chamber creaked open, and Arjun stepped inside. He had been searching for Meera, his heart aching for his sister, who had faced unimaginable loss. Seeing her in such distress was almost too much for him to bear. His own grief was raw, but seeing Meera's suffering was a sharp, painful reminder of the fragility of life.

"Meera," Arjun said softly, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know this would happen. I wish I could have done something to prevent it."

Meera looked up, her eyes red and swollen, her expression one of utter despair. "Arjun... I can't believe it. I married him today, and now... now he's gone. How could this happen? Why did this happen?"

Arjun knelt beside her, wrapping his arms around her in a protective embrace. "I don't know why this happened, Meera. I wish I had answers. All I know is that we need to find strength in each other right now."

Meera buried her face in her brother's shoulder, her sobs muffled by the fabric of his garments. "I feel so lost, Arjun. Everything was supposed to be perfect. I wanted to build a life with Shivaan, and now... now I have nothing."

Arjun held her tightly, his own tears mingling with hers. "You're not alone, Meera. I'm here with you. We'll get through this together, one step at a time."

The room was silent except for the sound of their shared grief. The loss of Shivaan had left a gaping wound in Meera's heart, a void that seemed impossible to fill. Arjun's presence was a small comfort, but it could not erase the pain or the emptiness she felt.

As the night wore on, Meera's cries gradually subsided into quiet sobs. Her exhaustion was palpable, her strength nearly depleted. Arjun continued to hold her, his heart aching with the weight of her sorrow.

After a long while, Meera pulled away slightly, her eyes searching Arjun's face. "I don't know how to move on from this. I don't even know if I can."

Arjun gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "It will take time, Meera. Healing is a process, and it's okay to grieve. But you have to remember that Shivaan loved you deeply, and he would want you to find happiness again, even if it seems impossible right now."

Meera nodded, though the pain in her eyes remained. "I don't know if I can ever be truly happy again. But I'll try. For Shivaan. He deserves that much."

Arjun nodded in understanding, his own heart heavy with the weight of their shared loss. "We'll honor his memory by living our lives with courage and love. He would want us to be strong."

As the first light of dawn began to break through the windows, casting a soft glow over the chamber, Meera and Arjun remained together, finding solace in their shared grief. The palace, once a place of celebration, now stood as a witness to their sorrow and their resolve to move forward despite the overwhelming pain.

The road ahead was uncertain, but as Meera clung to her brother's support, she found a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. The journey of healing would be long and difficult, but with Arjun by her side, she was determined to find a way forward, carrying with her the love and memories of the man she had lost.