CHAPTER 43 #2
Every time their eyes met, they both were pulled back to their own wedding.
It had been nothing like this. There had been no warmth, no quiet love.
From his side, it had been cold, empty of emotion.
From Mishti’s, it had been fear, nervousness, uncertainty, not knowing what she was even allowed to hope for.
And yet, standing there now, watching Avni and Rajat begin their life together, they couldn’t stop remembering those moments.
Their marriage, bitter as its beginning had been, had still brought them here. To this moment. To this place where they now felt those feelings more than they had ever said aloud.
Mishti had always had those feelings for him. But Karan never had, or at least, he had never voiced them.
For him, witnessing this marriage and subconsciously linking it to his own felt like being forced to confront his past mistakes.
Mishti watched his expressions change. She saw how deeply he was processing all this and how it hurt him.
Karan exhaled, blinking hard and steadied himself, just as the priest called them forward for the kanyadaan ritual.
They stepped ahead and performed the ritual with utmost care and sincerity, their gazes meeting again and again as they did exactly as the priest instructed.
When the rituals concluded, and Mishti and Karan placed Avni’s hand into Rajat’s, Karan pressed a kiss to his sister’s forehead.
It was soft, protective, and full of brotherly affection.
He then patted Rajat’s back once, as if handing over a piece of his heart, silently asking him to keep Avni safe, protected, and loved for the rest of her life.
Rajat nodded in return, as though making that promise without words.
As the pheras began, Mishti and Karan stood with the rest of the family, showering rose petals as Avni and Rajat completed the final rituals, sealing their marriage, stepping into a new life together, and becoming husband and wife.
***************
The reception was scheduled for late evening.
Mishti had changed into a red saree by then, paired with a different set of jewellery.
Everything was minimal, except for the mangalsutra, which stood out distinctly.
Karan had chosen it with care. The design was exactly to her taste, more black beads, less gold, delicate yet meaningful. He had not missed that detail.
She was in Avni’s room, helping her get ready for the reception. The two of them were alone when Avni noticed Mishti’s fingers repeatedly moving to her neck, touching the mangalsutra without her even realising she was doing it.
“Oh,” Avni said suddenly, her eyes narrowing slightly in observation. “I didn’t notice this until now. When did you get it?”
Mishti smiled. “Karan got it.”
Avni’s face lit up, not just because her brother had bought a mangalsutra for his wife, but because of the pride with which Mishti said it. That alone told her more than words ever could.
Avni studied her more closely then. “This glow on your face,” she said slowly, “it’s different today, you know? It can’t just be the makeup.”
Mishti froze.
“And one minute. What’s this?” she continued, pointing instantly to the crook of Mishti’s neck.
Mishti did not even understand what she meant at first. She moved quickly to the mirror, and that’s when her eyes landed on the reflection of the love bite. Her eyes widened.
She already had a few on her body from the night before.
Thankfully, most of them were hidden in places her outfit did not reveal.
The ones near her navel and cleavage she had carefully concealed with makeup.
But this one was different. It sat right below her ear, slightly behind, just along her neck.
Her mind flashed back to the morning. To Karan’s mouth there. To the way he had kissed and softly nibbled her skin while she was on a call with Rukhsar.
How had she not noticed this one? How had she missed hiding it? Who else saw this today apart from Avni?
Seeing the way Mishti’s face flustered instantly, Avni turned her around, her own cheeks warming as she asked, “Something happened last night?”
Mishti’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red.
“No,” she said too quickly. “What could have happened? Nothing happened.”
Mishti tried to pull away, but Avni did not let her. “Come on, Mishti. You can’t lie to me. This hickey is exposing your lie.”
Mishti knew Avni would not let this go until she knew the truth, but she was not willing to share any details. So she sighed and said quietly, “Yes… it happened. But you are not allowed to tease me or ask for anything more.”
Avni’s jaw dropped instantly. She hugged Mishti tightly and then pulled back, eyes wide with excitement.
“Oh my God. No wonder the way Karan bhai kept looking at you throughout the day. I could see it. Something was different.” Then she paused and added eagerly, “You can’t stop me from asking more details.
And wait… does this mean you both have patched up? ”
Mishti had no answer to that.
Last night should have clarified where they stood in their marriage.
Instead, it had complicated everything further.
There were still so many things left unsaid between them.
A proper confession. Her forgiveness. And above all, the question of her going back to London still hung between them like a sharp sword.
With all of that unresolved, how could she confirm anything to Avni?
Avni read her face easily. “You are still flying to London, aren’t you? That’s what this is.”
Mishti came back from her thoughts and nodded slowly.
Avni sighed. “Look, Mishti. I know what Bhai did was wrong, and you have every right not to forgive him so easily. But as his sister, and knowing how deeply he loves you, especially after the way he broke down yesterday and apologised to you in front of the entire family, I don’t think I would ever want the two of you not reconcile.
” She paused, then added carefully, “At the same time, I don’t want you to rush into anything if you are still unsure. I am with you, whatever you decide.”
She smiled faintly and continued, “And more than that, Karan bhai is now with you too. Whether you fly to London or not, he is supporting your decision. That matters.”
Mishti knew Avni was right. And yet, the hollow ache in her heart refused to go away.
Would leaving for London feel the same this time, too, choosing a life of solitude all over again?
Especially now, when staying back could make her life feel so much fuller.
Could she really walk away from Karan once more, even after knowing how deeply they had both missed each other through those eleven long months?
Just then, Komal entered the room and said, “You both are still chatting? Rajat is going crazy wanting to see his newlywed wife. Abhimanyu had to practically push me to come get you. Come on, let’s go.”
Mishti and Avni nodded, exchanged a look, and then quickly walked out together as the reception was about to begin.
***************
Night
It was night at last. The wedding day had finally come to an end, exhausting every member of the family, and most of all the newlywed couple, who had now retired to their honeymoon suite for their first night together.
Only after helping Avni settle into her room did Mishti finally return to her own.
Karan was not there yet. She did not know where he could be, if not in their room.
Tonight was their last night here. Tomorrow afternoon, the family would be checking out and flying back to Mumbai in their private jet, while the rest of the guests were booked on various flights to their respective destinations.
Mishti too would be flying to Mumbai with Karan and the family in the private jet, and after landing, she had a four-hour layover before boarding her next direct flight to London.
It was going to be a long, tiring journey, and she knew she needed proper sleep tonight.
That thought alone dragged her back to last night’s memories.
As she changed into her night pyjamas and button-up night shirt, she could not stop the vivid images of them on that bed, making the most of every moment.
The sensation lingered, that familiar tingle spreading through her body again, the warmth returning without warning.
She hugged herself before climbing into bed, then reached for her phone and messaged Karan, asking him where he was. Was he avoiding her? On purpose?
He did not reply.
She waited, eyes fixed on the screen, until sleep finally took over.
Karan entered the room almost an hour later.
He had deliberately delayed this moment, choosing to stay away until she fell asleep.
He did not know how he would survive seeing her awake and not end up trying to convince her to change her London plans.
He did not trust himself not to blurt out that he never wanted her to go.
That he was done living without her. That he wanted her back, in their home in Mumbai, in his bed, where he could live with her, wake up with her in his arms, and end each day pouring his heart out to her.
He wanted that life. But he did not want to force her or impose his desires on her.
He did not want her to stay out of pity or guilt and change her decision because of him.
This was the first real chance he had been given to support his wife’s choices, and he was determined to do that, even if it broke his heart.
And so, to avoid any confrontation tonight, he had come back to the room late on purpose.
Thankfully, she was asleep. He tiptoed inside and went straight to the bathroom to change and shower.
When he came out, wiping his face, she was awake, sitting on the bed and looking at him.
Mishti was wearing those cute heart-print night pyjamas and shirt, her hair loosely tied back with a rubber band, and her eyes still heavy with sleep as they stayed on him.
He walked to the bed, picked up a pillow, and was about to take it to the couch when she suddenly grabbed his wrist and asked, “What are you doing?”
He paused, taking a long breath, meeting her questioning eyes before replying, “You have a long journey tomorrow. You need proper sleep. I’ll take the couch tonight.”
She watched him angrily as he continued, “Besides, it’s hardly a matter of one night now. I can manage on the couch.”
Mishti angrily snatched the pillow from his hand, placed it back where it belonged, and turned back to him. “Get on the bed. Stop annoying me now, please.”
His brow lifted, clearly stunned by her tone and her anger. She caught the question in his eyes and continued, “Is this how you want to respect my decision to go to London? By agreeing to it, but avoiding me on purpose? Do you think that’s fair?”
Karan said nothing. He only stood there, watching her vent, knowing he did not want to stress her, not tonight.
So, without another word, he exhaled deeply, returned to his side of the bed, and switched off the lights.
Only after he lay down did she finally relax and lie down too, turning onto her side to face him.
Karan did not look at her. But Mishti watched him, her eyes threatening to tear up as she felt him growing distant again.
As if he sensed it, Karan turned toward her and, in one swift motion, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
She immediately curled into him, her face resting against his chest. His arms came around her, holding her protectively.
That was exactly how he wanted to end every day with her in his arms. But with her flying to London and no idea for how long, tonight was the only night he could hold her this close again, and he did not want to waste it.
Mishti too wrapped her arms around his back and pulled him closer still. Karan kissed her hair, then her forehead once, before gently stroking her back and closing his eyes. They both needed sleep, and the best cure was finding it like this, in each other’s arms.