Darsh POV:

"We will be reaching in ten minutes. You will be alright, Maa, okay?"

More than an assurance, it came out like a question-checking on how she was doing.

I saw her tense figure in the rear-view mirror, her eyes darting all over the road, her hands tightly clasping the family heirloom she was bringing as a gift for Nidhi.

"Yes," she responded in a small whisper.

Hearing her voice, I slowed the car as we reached the entrance of the function hall, giving her a moment for a last-minute prep talk. Once we entered the premises, we would all be swept into the wedding festivities, and there would be no space for pauses. This was the only time we had to prepare ourselves and boost our confidence.

Vihaas and I are used to social gatherings and meeting people. We can be ourselves and feel comfortable around others. And I was-am-most eager and excited for the wedding. It's my wedding. My wedding with my treasure, Nidhi.

But there is someone even happier than me-Amma. She has been looking forward to this celebration more than anyone else. She wants this happiness for my life, for our lives, and wants us to stay happy forever. Yet, it has also been years since she has been around people, attended gatherings, or allowed herself to be part of celebrations. Life had turned harsh for her, forcing her to shut herself away, fearing social stigma and the possibility that people might recognise her and speak ill of her.

"Amma, we've reached," I said, turning fully towards her. Vihaas, seated beside me in the passenger seat, also turned to face her.
"And remember one thing-Vihaas and I are always with you. No one here knows us; no one will recognise us. It's just three days, and then the wedding will be over."

"You were excited, right?" I continued gently. "You said you'd be getting a daughter-she'll be coming home with us. So we have to be the best family for her. And we are the best. We know that. We always have been, and we will be now too."

Amma nodded, assuring us that she would be fine, and finally we entered the premises.

It was a vast space with a huge lawn where people sat chatting and eating snacks. As we arrived, their attention turned towards us. Even before we reached the main function hall, I could see the commotion near the entrance.

Vihaas and I unloaded the luggage from the car. One servant immediately took it to place in our assigned rooms, while another drove the car away to park it in the cellar.

We stopped at the entrance, where we were welcomed by Nidhi's entire family. Vihaas helped Amma step out of the car and held her hand firmly for support, while I stood a couple of steps ahead as Nidhi's parents came forward to receive us.

My mother-in-law performed the welcome aarthi, and my father-in-law placed a garland around my neck as a sign of respect. These two gestures alone made me deeply uncomfortable, and instinctively I bent down to touch their feet and seek their blessings, smiling all the while.

Then came the most shocking ritual of all.

I was asked to remove my footwear and stand in a copper plate placed ahead of me. When I did, Nithin bent down to wash my feet. Never-not even in my wildest dreams-had I imagined such a scene. Here I was, struggling to control a smile that threatened to break free, while he wore a forced grin, clearly disgusted at being in that position in front of me.

The ritual ended rather quickly, and we shared an awkward hug before being led inside the hall.

My eyes kept searching for Nidhi. My Nidhi.

Almost the entire day had passed without me being able to talk to her or hear her voice. She had called me multiple times, messaged me again and again, but for this once, I had to stay away from her. How hard that was is something I cannot put into words. And now, even those few moments of distance were making me increasingly anxious to see her.

Alas, clouds poured over my plans as my father-in-law blocked my path.

"Darsh, come with me. I want you to meet certain people and relatives."

My heart and face both soured at his request. Before I could come up with an excuse, he placed his hand fondly on my shoulder and gently guided me towards a group of people, introducing me one by one. Remembering their professions was far easier than remembering how exactly they were related.

Though I was physically present, my mind and heart were completely submerged in thoughts of Nidhi. She must have seen my mother and brother by now and realised that we had arrived. She must be wondering where I was, what had kept me so busy that I couldn't come meet her-even when we were breathing the same air, in the same place.

Finally, as if God himself had decided, Enough of your complaints, my phone rang. It was Vihaas, asking me to come inside.

Happiness erupted within me. And perhaps for the first time, instead of asking my boss-my father-in-law-for permission, I simply told him that I was going inside. We were in the middle of a conversation with another doctor couple, but I didn't wait for his response. I was already walking away, my pace quick, my heart racing-towards her.

Stepping inside the hall, I immediately searched for Nidhi, but I couldn't find her anywhere. My eyes then landed on Vihaas, who was standing beside Amma as my mother-in-law was introducing her to a group of ladies.

I went up to them and once again got caught in the cycle of greetings with the women. Vihaas, however, quickly signalled me to move aside. I excused myself, and we walked towards a quiet corner.

"Anna, vadina has been asking about you ever since we arrived. You weren't leaving your boss at all," Vihaas chided softly.

"I couldn't just abandon him there and run off, right? Now tell me, where is she?" I asked impatiently.

"At the back, near the guest rooms. You know that corridor? She went there. Room number three."

Thanking him, I rushed towards the guest room corridor and soon found the room. I knocked on the door, tapping my feet impatiently as I waited for it to open. Two minutes passed, but there was no response.

"Nidhi? Are you inside?" I called out, knocking again-this time louder. It wouldn't look good if I disappeared from my own wedding reception, which was about to begin. Before that, I just wanted one moment of peace with my Nidhi.

Just as I raised my hand to knock again, I was stopped-completely stunned-by Nidhi herself. She stood before me with a stern, serious expression, though she was undeniably beautiful in her green sharara, her hands glowing with bright red mehendi freshly washed off.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice snapping me back to reality-though I barely registered her words.

"Huh?"

"Why did you come here, sir? Go stay with my father, enjoy your doctors' circle, and talk about diseases and operations," she fumed, walking back into the room while deliberately leaving the door open just enough for me to enter.

Smiling, I followed her inside, gently closed the door, and locked it so no one would disturb us. She sat down at the dressing table and began fixing her hair, deliberately avoiding my reflection and refusing to acknowledge my presence.

"You look beautiful," I said softly, stepping closer and standing right behind her chair.

"Oh, you noticed? Thank goodness. What a lucky bride I am-to have such a supportive groom," she snickered.

I chuckled at her sarcasm, but she immediately shushed me.
"Don't laugh. I'm really angry."

"No calls. No messages. Not even a single response. With mehendi on my hands, I kept calling you, but your hands were clearly much busier, right?"

I tried to interrupt, but she didn't give me a chance.

"And on top of that, when you finally arrived, you went off with my father. At least a look at me is something I expected, but..." She paused, then continued, "You only came because I asked Vihaas to call you. Otherwise, you'd still be outside."

I bent down instantly, wrapped my arms around her shoulders, and kissed her hair.

"When that call came, I thanked God. But now I realise whom I should really be thanking-my treasure."

Nidhi gave me a sarcastic smile and looked away, but she stayed still in my arms, leaning into me just a little more.

"I agree-your father dragged me around to introduce me to relatives and friends, mostly without my consent. But I couldn't just walk away; it would have been disrespectful. So I stayed for a while. Still, my heart and mind were only with you."

"I just don't understand how you manage to stay so composed all the time," she replied, now holding my arms herself. Thankfully, she let go of the topic of unanswered calls and messages.

"Oh, trust me-it's the hardest quality I possess and practice. Right now, all I want is to stay here with you and stop time altogether. But we have to go out for the reception. It's time for me to leave."

Saying that, I stepped back and turned to go. Nidhi sighed but agreed, standing up to follow me.

"You stay back for a few more minutes," I suggested. "I'll go first, and then you can come. Otherwise, people will start thinking all sorts of things."

She smiled and nodded.

"Just two more days," I thought as I walked out of her room with a heart full of warmth. "We'll stop time for sure."

Hello Everyone.

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