The night passed, and when the golden rays of the morning sun woke Sarangi, she sat up with a jolt. Today was her wedding day! She looked at the mehendi on her hands, and seeing a 'V' instead of an 'A', she made a face.
"Now even my mehendi is under your control, Mr. Rajvansh..." she muttered.
Just then, Savita Ji entered the room and said, "Sar... I've been trying to wake you for so long… but God knows what dreams you were lost in. Now quickly go freshen up, have breakfast… you didn't eat anything last night either. After this, the parlor ladies will come to get you ready, and there won't be any time left... Why are you still sitting? Get going! Who knows what awaits you in your in-laws' home!" Savita Ji scolded her lovingly and gently tapped her cheek.
Sarangi kissed Savita Ji on the cheek affectionately and ran off to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Rajveer was shocked when he entered Vairagya's cabin. Vairagya had fallen asleep on his chair, still wearing the same clothes from the previous day, now a bit wrinkled.
Rajveer gently nudged him and said, "Sir…?"
"Hmm..." Vairagya mumbled sleepily and stretched where he was sitting.
"You didn't go to your room...?" Rajveer asked.
Vairagya got up and stretched his body fully. Then, without any particular expression, he said, "Raj, I'm leaving today..."
"Suddenly, sir…?" Rajveer was stunned.
"Yes, my work is almost done... so there's no point in staying any longer..." Vairagya said calmly and walked out of the cabin.
"What's up with sir…? He was fine yesterday, what spirit possessed him overnight…?" Rajveer mumbled, scratching his head.
The wedding venue was glowing with flowers and lights. The air was filled with the soft scent of sandalwood and roses. The priest was chanting mantras, and the light chatter of guests mingled with the ambiance. Sarangi, dressed in a red bridal outfit, was sitting in her room, fully ready. Despite the heavy jewelry adorning her, a thin layer of sadness was visible on her face. There was no sign of joy for the occasion.
"What's wrong, dear? Why so sad? It's your wedding day," Savita Ji said, gently caressing her cheeks.
"No, Ma... just feeling a bit nervous," Sarangi replied with a faint smile.
Although everyone was staying in the hotel, the groom's side insisted on taking out the wedding procession. So, they paraded through the streets of Udaipur with great pomp.
Soon, the groom's procession arrived with great fanfare. The sound of drums and dancing guests filled the atmosphere with excitement. Ajit arrived riding a horse, dressed in a cream-colored sherwani and a ceremonial turban.
Savita Ji welcomed him, and he was taken to the stage. Ritual photos were being displayed on the big screen.
Everyone was enjoying the wedding feast when suddenly, something unexpected started playing on the screen.
People were stunned.
On the screen appeared photos of Vairagya and Sarangi that were bound to create misunderstandings. In the first image, Vairagya was lifting Sarangi in his arms—when he had pulled her out of the pool. In the second, he was giving her CPR, his lips close to hers. The images were framed in such a way that it looked like they were kissing.
Shikha stood off to the side with a sly smirk, a cunning glint in her eyes. Vairagya, who had come just to see Sarangi one last time and bid her farewell, clenched his fists in anger upon seeing the images. The veins on his forehead popped, and his fists tightened involuntarily.
After these photos played on the screen, a heavy silence filled the hall, broken only by the harsh voices of Ajit and his family.
Ajit, disheveled in his wedding attire, was red with rage. "What is this drama? What kind of girl is this? Came here to get married and was off with that man… disgusting!" he spat in disgust. "We thought she came from a respectable family, but she turned out to be… characterless!"
His mother, a sharp-eyed woman wearing a heavy gold necklace, stepped forward and spoke with venom in her voice, "Exactly! We won't bring such a vile girl into our family as our daughter-in-law. Mr. Vijay, we trusted you, assumed your daughter would carry your values, but this… this one isn't even fit to sit in the marketplace!" Her voice echoed through the hall, shredding the dignity of Sarangi and her family.
Ajit's father, who had been silent until now, furrowed his brows and said, "And who is this man? This Vairagya… what's his relation to your daughter? She was openly having an affair while we were kept in the dark? Deceitful! You're all liars!"
Wrapped in her bridal attire, Sarangi trembled with shame and humiliation. Tears streamed down her cheeks, falling onto her mehendi-covered hands.
Her sobs were drowned in the insulting voices echoing in the hall. Her father, Vijay, removed his turban and begged in front of Ajit's family.
"Please... please don't say anything about my daughter. This is all a misunderstanding. My Sarangi is not like that. I promise you..." his voice cracked, and helplessness was etched all over his face. "We beg you, please think of our honor."
But Ajit and his family refused to listen. Their rage and insults only intensified, showering Sarangi and her family with accusations.
To be continued...