Anuraag' POV

I am sitting with Sivan as he's telling me about his life how it changed when I left and moved to Canada. He missed me and so did I.

"Sivan, your uncle is calling you."

"Aunt, I am coming. okay buddy, I will see you in a bit."

"Of course and call me if you need any help," I said with a smile.

He nodded and left.

I stood up and walked towards the backyard garden. As I got closer heard someone calling my name. I turned and saw that few girls, were approaching me.

"Hi, I am Riya." One girl introduces herself.

I smiled, "Anuraag," I said.

"If you don't mind, can I ask you something?" Riya asked, flipping her hair to the other side of her shoulder.

"Umm sure," I said hesitantly.

"Are you single?" She asked immediately.

" yes" I replied vaguely.

"Ok, cool, this is my number. Hit me up, sometimes" with that she left.

After she left I crumbled the paper, that she gave me and threw it away in a nearby dustbin.

As I continue walking, I saw Diya sitting on the bench, I walked closer to find out what she is doing here alone.

"Hi,"

"Who's this?" She asked.

"Anuraag...." I replied.

"Are you okay? You look sad." I noticed a frown on her face.

"No" she denied.

"You are a bad lair, Diya." I implied.

She lifted her head up, as she was caught off guard.

"How so?"

"You are Fidgeting, and playing with your hands."

she paused and shifted from her place nervously, "Okay, you got me!" She said in defeat.

"I wish, I did" I mumbled to myself.

"Did you said something?" She asked creasing her nose in suspicion.

"No, Absolutely no,-anyway, why are you sad?" I asked changing the subject.

"I am getting married tomorrow. And I will miss my family." Her voice trembled as a tear fell down from her eyes.

I crouched and knelt on my knees. "Hey don't be sad," I said maintaining a distance between us.

"Here take this." I placed my handkerchief in her hand and got up on my feet.

"Thank you, Anuraag." She said, wiping her tears.

"Didi, Aunt is calling you, for Henna ceremony." A voice called from behind.

"I think you should go," I said and turned to the other side.

"A-Anuraag...can you help me-I forgot my cane in my room...if you don't mind?"

I quickly turned towards her, " of course," I took her hand in mine, for the first time. She held me by my right arm and walked carefully.

"So you are my brother's best friend?"

"Yes," I smiled softly.

"How old are?" She asked.

"27 and you?" I asked almost immediately.

"Twenty-one." She chuckled softly, all of sudden she stumbled on something, losing her balance, and with a swift motion, I caught her as I wrapped my hand around her waist.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, still holding her.

"I-I am okay, thanks." Her hand tightens around my arm as she regained her balance. My eyes met hers but her eyes were not bright-I wondered what if she wasn't blind, could light in her eyes would have been as bright and gleamed beautifully as her smile?

I walked her to her room and went back to my room.

Everyone was attending her Henna ceremony

except me.

I need to get out from here, as soon as possible.

I started to throw my clothes in my bags and zipped them in a hurry.

"Where are you going?" Sivan asked as he leaned back on the door almost startling me.

"I have an emergency, in my office and I have to be there as soon as possible," I said, trying to be convincing, whilst arranging my bags.

"Don't go, at least stay for Diya's wedding."

"I can't," I said closing my eyes for a sec.

"Please you just came and now you are not even attending the wedding-- it would mean a lot to me and my family..please." He looked at me.

"Okay...But I will leave right after the garland exchange ceremony." I sighed.

"Deal...so are you coming downstairs?" He asked sitting on the side of the bed.

"Umm-

"Get ready and come downstairs, I will be waiting for you with my other friends." He said closing the door behind him.

I got ready in a grey sequenced sherwani. And went downstairs to join them.

I sat next to Sivan and his friends, two feet across the stage was decorated where Diya was sitting with some girls circling around her as they were applying henna on her both hands; she was wearing a green color long skirt and blue veil, with matching jewelry. She was laughing at something when one of her friends whispered something in her ear.

"Anuraag? Why are you smiling?" Sivan shook me.

"I-I

''Let's go and dance." Ajay, one of Sivan's cousin suggested.

"Yeah.. let's go," Sivan said dragging me by my arm.

I danced with them and had dinner. After that, I went straight up to my room.

I didn't get any sleep, my heart was throbbing against my chest as I felt anxious, about tomorrow.

She's getting married tomorrow. Maybe this is some random infatuation or a crush. Maybe this will go away by the time...I hope it does. It has to be!

But somewhere in my heart, I knew that I am not going to forget her..at least not easily, her voice was echoing in my ear and her memories were playing on a loop in my head, I was wide awake despite being in sleep.

"Make it fast- the groom's family is going to be here soon...-Anuraag beta, can you check the food and beverage arrangements for the guest?" Sivan's uncle yelled.

"Okay, uncle," I replied and went for a round-up.

As I was checking the arrangments, I noticed a bunch of people arguing about something. "What's happening here?" I asked firmly.

"Sirrr, we are lacking a few food items."

"So, make the arrangement, then," I said.

"Actually, someone needs to go market and buy the ingredients first," the cook said.

"Give me the list I will go," Sivan said.

"No, I will go, this is your sister's wedding you should be here. Besides, it will take 1-2 hrs to come back, what if your uncle will need you?" I reasoned him.

"Okay, But be here before,11 am." He said tapping my shoulder and left.

I quickly drove to the town's grocery shop and bought all the necessary ingredients.

It was 11:10 am when I reached home, I noticed people were standing in a crowd in silence, to find what's happening here, I walked past few guests.

".....Who will marry her now? She is blind and now her to-be-husband left her at an Altar to be with someone else."I heard someone saying.

"Look at her, poor thing. Maybe she had some flaws that's why he left...oh and i also heard that she was rejected by other suitor's family too, No wonder the groom left." Another lady said.

My hands turned into a fist as I feel an urge to hit something.

"Anuraag?" Sivan walked towards me.

"Sivan, What's happening here?"

"The groom ran away with....someone else," Sivan looked at the ground.

I glanced at Diya, who was standing and wasn't moving an inch of her, like a statue. Lifeless.

I saw tears prickling in her eyes, she was hurt I could see that.

"I just feel bad for the family, I mean, the groom didn't show up and eloped with someone else." Another said as they were enjoying the scene.

''WELL LADY, DONT BE SORRY, BECAUSE NO HERE NEEDS IT....AND ALSO SHUT UP...AS YOU CAN SEE HERE PEOPLE ARE SHOCKED AND HURT....IF THE GROOM WAS A COWARD ENOUGH TO RUN AWAY WITH SOMEONE ELSE, IT'S NOT HER FAULT.'' I said in anger.

''But son, the question still remains the same. who will marry her? because in our society if a girl like her, is left at the altar, no noble family would want her as their Daughter in law''

"I will marry her," I said in firm voice, controlling my rage.

Sivan looked at me, shocked. "What did you just say?" He gritted his teeth in anger.

He lifts his fist at me but his uncle stopped him.

"What are you doing, Sivan? He is trying to help us. I am sorry, Beta, are you sure you will marry our daughter?" His uncle asked.

"Yes, only if Diya is fine with it," I said.

"I will marry him, uncle."