CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: A SHADOW OVER FOREVER
By the very next flight, Priya and her family came to India for Priya and Aryan’s wedding preparation.
As the plane touched down on Indian soil, Priya gazed out the window, her heart swelling with a strange mix of nostalgia and excitement. The faint golden hue of the early morning sun bathed the city in a warm glow, and a gentle breeze whispered of memories, of beginnings, and of promises waiting to be fulfilled.
The moment she stepped out of the airport, the familiar scent of earth greeted her like an old friend. Her mother, Mrs. Cha, smiled softly, her eyes glistening with emotion. “Feels good to be back, doesn’t it?” she said, brushing a strand of hair from Priya’s face.
Priya nodded, her smile tender. “It does. It feels like everything’s finally coming together.”
Mini, who had been pulling the luggage cart, grinned teasingly. “Coming together? More like chaos about to begin. You have no idea how much work a wedding takes!”
Her light hearted tone drew a laugh from everyone, easing the tension that had built up from the long flight.
Mr. Cha, however, remained quiet, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked around the bustling terminal. Despite the exhaustion in his eyes, there was a calm determination in his demeanor. He was back on his home ground now, and for his daughter’s happiness, he would make sure everything went perfectly.
Soon, they were in the car, driving through the lively streets of Delhi. The honking of vehicles, the aroma of street food, and the chatter of people filled the air with a vibrant energy that made Priya’s heart race with anticipation. Every passing building, every sight outside the window reminded her that she was stepping into a new chapter, one where love was real, open, and blessed.
At the same time, miles away, Aryan stood on the balcony of his room, his phone in hand and a smile on his lips as he read Priya’s message:
“Just landed in Delhi.”
He exhaled a breath of relief. “I’ll be there with in few days” he replied
For the first time in a long while, everything felt right.
Mr. Oberoi confirmed everything with Mr. Khurana over the call, the venue, decorations, guest list, and all the tiny details that make a wedding perfect. Even from Paris, Mr. Khurana was deeply involved, coordinating every arrangement with precision and care.
“Don’t worry about anything, Mr. Cha,” Mr. Khurana’s calm voice came through the phone. “Just make sure Priya doesn’t stress herself out. Leave the rest to me.”
A small smile touched Mr. Cha’s lips as he replied, “You’re handling things all the way from Paris, and I’m standing here in Delhi, yet it feels like we’re working side by side.”
“That’s what family does,” Mr. Khurana said warmly.
As the call ended, Mr. Oberoi looked out at the sprawling garden of the chosen venue, where the decorators were already at work. The sound of hammering, laughter, and rushing footsteps filled the air, a symphony of excitement and anticipation. His heart swelled with pride and a touch of emotion. His little girl was getting married, and this time, everything felt right.
Meanwhile, across the miles, Mr. Khurana leaned back in his chair, glancing at the calendar pinned to his wall. A satisfied smile curved on his lips as he whispered to himself, “Just a few more days, and our families will finally become one.”
The next morning, soft sunlight filtered through the white curtains of the Oberoi mansion, bathing the room in a warm glow. The house was buzzing with quiet excitement, florists arranging bouquets, decorators discussing color palettes, and soft classical music playing in the background.
Priya stood by the window, holding a cup of coffee as she watched the preparations unfold. Everything felt surreal. In just a few days, she would walk down the aisle, not for a role, not for a scene, but for real.
“Good morning, love,” Mrs. Oberoi greeted her, walking in with a stack of design catalogues. “We have to finalize your gown, the decor, and the church arrangements today. Mr. Khurana already confirmed the venue with your father last night.”
Priya turned, a soft smile playing on her lips. “I still can’t believe it’s happening so soon.”
“Well, believe it,” Mrs. Oberoi said with a teasing smile. “Now come on, we’ve got a wedding to plan.”
At the dining table, swatches of fabric, sketches of décor, and floral arrangements were spread across every inch of space. Priya sat down, thoughtfully running her fingers across a board of soft whites, muted golds, and pale blush tones.
“I want everything to look calm and graceful,” she said finally, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “White roses, candles, maybe a touch of baby’s breath, nothing too fancy, just… beautiful.”
The wedding planner nodded, taking notes quickly. “And the aisle décor? Should we keep it minimal too?”
“Yes,” Priya replied, her gaze distant as she pictured the church bathed in soft light. “Just petals along the path and candles near the altar.”
Later that afternoon, she stood before a row of wedding gowns that had just arrived. The fabrics shimmered softly under the lights, satin, lace, tulle, each more beautiful than the last. But her eyes stopped on one: a delicate ivory gown with intricate floral embroidery and an elegant train that glowed faintly in the sunlight.
When she tried it on, it felt perfect. The fitted bodice framed her gracefully, and the soft lace sleeves brushed against her skin like a whisper. She turned slightly in front of the mirror, the hem of her dress flowing around her like a dream.
Mini walked in at that moment and gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “Priya… you look breathtaking.”
Priya turned with a shy smile. “You think Aryan will like it?”
Mini grinned. “He won’t be able to look anywhere else.”
They both laughed softly, and for the first time in days, Priya felt her nerves settle into a quiet joy. Everything, the scent of fresh flowers, the soft fabrics, the glimmering candles, felt like pieces of her heart taking shape.
As the sun began to set, Priya stepped outside to the courtyard where decorators were stringing up white lights along the trees. The gentle glow reminded her of Paris, warm, timeless, and full of promises.
Her phone buzzed just then. It was a message from Aryan:
“Don’t get too tired, Mrs. Almost Khurana. I still have a surprise waiting for you.”
Priya smiled, her cheeks flushing as she read his message. She quickly typed back:
“Now I’m even more excited. Just don’t make me wait too long.”
As she slipped her phone into her hand, she looked up at the evening sky. The stars had just begun to appear, faint but steady, just like her faith that this time, everything was finally falling into place.
A few days later, Priya was in the middle of reviewing some final wedding details when the house suddenly filled with the sound of cheerful chatter and hurried footsteps. Mrs. Oberoi looked up from her seat, surprised. “Who’s here at this hour?” she murmured, glancing toward the door.
Before anyone could answer, the familiar warmth of a voice filled the hallway.
“Did you miss me?”
Priya froze. Her heart skipped a beat at the sound. She turned around slowly, and there he was. Aryan stood in the doorway, dressed in an oversized black jacket adorned with contrast stitching that traced every seam like careful embroidery. A white sheep was stitched onto the large pocket, standing out against the dark fabric. Beneath it, he wore a simple black crew-neck T-shirt that only added to the effortless charm of the look. His relaxed black distressed jeans were slightly ripped at the knees and cuffed at the hems, paired with black canvas sneakers featuring thick off-white soles and white laces. A black crossbody bag rested against his side, the strap running across his shoulder. His dark hair framed his face perfectly, and without the sunglasses, the soft smile playing on his lips was impossible to ignore.
Behind him, Mr. and Mrs. Khurana were entering with luggage, their faces glowing with joy.
For a moment, Priya couldn’t move. The sight of him after so many days, the comfort in his presence, the calm in his smile, it all hit her at once. “Aryan…” she breathed out, disbelief flickering in her eyes.
He took a few steps forward, his eyes never leaving hers. “You did really think I’d let you do all the preparations without me?”
Priya blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the rush of emotion. “You said you would come after two days.”
“I wrapped up everything early,” he replied softly, his tone filled with warmth. “And I couldn’t wait any longer.”
She smiled, a mix of surprise and relief washing over her. “You came all the way here just to surprise me?”
Aryan’s grin widened. “Not just you, your mom, dad, Mini… everyone. But mostly you.”
Before she could respond, he held out a small bouquet of white lilies, her favorite. “These are for the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” he said, his voice tender.
Priya took the flowers, her fingers brushing lightly against his. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to,” Aryan said simply. “Because every moment with you deserves to be special.”
Mrs. Oberoi smiled softly from behind them, whispering to Mrs. Khurana, “Look at them… it’s like they were meant to meet.”
Mrs. Khurana nodded, her eyes misty with affection. “They’re perfect together.”
Aryan looked around the room, noticing the sketches and color samples scattered across the table. “So this is where all the magic happens,” he said, moving closer to the décor board. “I see you’ve been working hard.”
Priya chuckled lightly. “I wanted everything to be perfect before you came.”
He turned to her with a teasing smile. “And you think I’d let you do all this without me?”
She crossed her arms playfully. “You already did.”
He laughed, stepping closer until they were just inches apart. “Then I guess I have to make up for it.”
“And how do you plan to do that?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Without answering, Aryan reached into his pocket and took out a small silver pendant, a delicate heart engraved with their initials. “By giving you this,” he said, fastening it gently around her neck.
Priya looked down at the pendant, then up at him, her eyes soft and shining. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“It’s a promise,” Aryan replied. “That no matter how busy life gets, I’ll always find my way back to you.”
Priya’s heart swelled at his words. She reached up, lightly touching the pendant. “You always know how to make everything feel right,” she said softly.
“And you,” he said, his voice warm, “Always make everything worth it.”
For a few quiet moments, the world outside seemed to fade away, no planning, no pressure, no deadlines, just the two of them, standing there, wrapped in the kind of silence that spoke louder than words.
It was the morning of the wedding. The bridal room buzzed softly with activity, the gentle hum of a hairdryer, the rustle of fabric, and the faint scent of perfume hanging in the air. Priya sat before the large mirror, her white gown half fastened, her hair only partially styled. Mini stood beside her, holding a makeup brush, while two other bridesmaids sorted through accessories and flowers.
Everything felt both beautiful and chaotic. Priya’s reflection looked nervous yet glowing, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and a trace of disbelief that the day had finally arrived.
Then came a soft knock on the door.
Mini frowned, glancing up. “Who’s that now? No one’s supposed to come in.”
Before anyone could move, the door opened slightly, and Aryan stepped inside. He wasn’t dressed in his formal suit yet, just in a plain white shirt, the sleeves rolled up, and dark trousers. His hair was slightly tousled, and there was a nervous energy about him, as if he’d been pacing outside before gathering the courage to enter.
Priya’s heart skipped. “Aryan?” she said in surprise, turning halfway toward him.
Mini’s eyes widened. “What are you doing here? You’re not allowed here, did you know that?”
“I know,” Aryan said quickly, running a hand through his hair. “But I just need to talk to her. It’s important… really important.”
“Okay, say it then,” Priya said softly, though her curiosity was written all over her face.
Aryan’s gaze flicked toward Mini and the others. “Uh… actually, it’s a bit personal.”
Mini crossed her arms, looking utterly unconvinced. “You’ve got five minutes, Aryan. That’s it.”
Priya gave her a pleading look, and Mini sighed dramatically, setting the makeup brush down. “Fine, fine. Come on, girls, let’s give them a minute.”
Aryan smiled faintly. “Noted.”
Mini rolled her eyes and motioned for the others to leave. The door clicked softly behind them, leaving Priya and Aryan alone.
For a moment, neither said anything. The air between them felt heavy, filled with all the emotions and anticipation that had built up over the past few weeks.
Priya turned slowly to face him, her veil lying loose on the chair beside her. “You shouldn’t be here,” she said, though her tone was more teasing than scolding.
“I know,” Aryan admitted, taking a few steps closer, his eyes fixed on her. “But I couldn’t help it.”
He stopped a few feet away, his gaze softening as he took in her half-finished look, the undone curls, the open back of her gown, the faint blush on her cheeks. “You look… beautiful, even like this,” he said quietly.
A faint smile curved her lips. “I’m not even ready yet.”
“You don’t need to be…” Aryan replied, his voice low and sincere. Then, a faint smirk appeared on his face as he added, “Priya, Just imagine, waiting for your groom on stage, and he doesn’t show up.”
Priya froze, her smile fading instantly. She turned toward him, eyes wide in disbelief. “Aryan, what are you saying? Are you in your senses?”
“I am,” he said calmly, his tone unsettlingly composed.
“Then… then w-why are you… talking nonsense?” she stammered, her voice cracking with confusion and fear.
Aryan took a slow breath, his gaze fixed on her. “Once, you ran away from the wedding,” he said, his voice carrying a strange, almost distant calm. “And now, it’s my turn.”
For a moment, Priya just stared at him, trying to process his words. Then, she let out a soft, nervous laugh. “Very funny. Now stop this joke and get ready quickly.”
Another smirk crossed Aryan’s face, this time colder, more unreadable. “Joke…” he repeated under his breath, and without another word, he turned and walked out of the room.
The door closed behind him, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
Moments later, Mini and the other bridesmaids walked back in, chatting cheerfully, but the moment Mini saw Priya’s pale face and distant eyes, her smile faded. “Hey… are you okay?” she asked gently, moving closer.
Priya blinked, quickly forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah,” she lied softly, nodding as if to convince herself too. “I’m fine.”
But as she turned back to the mirror, her mind wasn’t on the finishing touches or the wedding ahead, it was on Aryan’s strange words, echoing again and again in her head. “Just imagine waiting for your groom on stage, and he doesn’t show up.”
A chill ran down her spine, and for the first time that day, the excitement in her heart was replaced by a creeping unease.
❁𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑❁
❀𝕴𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖎𝖙!❀
♡ 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 ♡
.
