sty's

said he came in late last night and now h

e vibrant chaos of women getting mehndi applied. Two artis

ntertained with funny stories but I can bar

One of the artists asks, her voic

even a question! Ask her what her groom's name is!" My cheeks flu

though I can't help the smi

rite then?" The

I said

inished her work and stepped back to

my han

ed at the strange, almost

ut laughing. "

never g

ved. I felt like I hadn't eaten in days. Everyone was

utiful mehndi was almost dry, b

nchkin,

of amusement and pity. My stomach chose that moment to betray

oing to have to be your personal f

tly, his gaze lingeri

ly, the silence between us f

s empty, he helpe

ou" I wh

not" he

mm...

epeated drawin

d, his eyes searching

my head. He smiled an

tting ready for my sangeet,

arting to

backyard where the sa

talking to my

traight to

ve us a moment"

nce at him and

g pretty," he said a

words felt hollow considering h

" I asked Sneha. She nobbed, gl

y?" I Asked as soo

met mine

h, w

n my throat. "You haven't been arou

plied look

lient. It's my dream

e again, looking

art s

too," I murmured

replied

is waiting for us" h

ut the words wouldn't come. I followe

front of t

ng the sangeet but all I coul

ing second

all a m

re you lost?" Mahira as

my head

cause it doesn't

id, wo

small smile "jus

's performance, you kno

who was still eng

're next,

d, not even g

ic began, a beautiful roma

, but he seemed distant, hi

yan'

ol, watching the dances.

retend Shristy doesn't exis

h Maa, I came to

husband and wife. Let's give another round of applause for the b

lass and turne

ng, beta?" Mom ask

know wh

o attend to that," I sa

"watch their performance

turned me to face the stage.

t didn't reach her eye

h

uncomf

rv

o dance, a s

eeing her with him.

a knife to

ined it in one go, my grip on the glass almost painful. I cr

e out of my trance. I blinked rapidly, tr

, not looki

arly see your state" she said, ta

ing this for them, but everyon

ugh escaping my lips. "I'm n

ay. I'm trying to move on, but it's like a constant battle. And yeah, I love my family, but my...my feelin

reality" Mahira sa

g at her. "I'm just

ong will t

know," I

be around her without.

d "Foreve

not," I

. I called her, and ended up confessing everything. I ha

were inseparable- restaurant, clubs, late-night talks... I fell hard. I was ready to tell her, to pour my heart out. But t

ce in her life, but nothing more. She never

forget. I moved to Bangalore, started my busin

will love you as much as you love he

nce had

nother mental case like me" I said sa

said with a forced lau

ea" I said sm

he asked,

nd finding her shoulde

, her brow

e" I blu

d. Then bl

ped, jerking awa

e near me, you idiot!' and ran,

er. Before she could hit the ground, he

ar ki chakkar, bestie!" I mu

an will give you a

zes... They

... Or maybe not.

nd walked aw