Threads of Fate

The days leading up to Khushi and Arnav’s wedding were a blur of activity, excitement, and anticipation. The Raizada and Gupta households were buzzing with preparations, each day filled with laughter, music, and the shared joy of the upcoming union. The mehendi ceremony was only a day away, and both families were in full celebration mode.

Despite the festive atmosphere, Khushi couldn’t entirely shake the unease that had settled in the back of her mind. Kabir’s presence, while not overtly threatening, continued to cast a shadow over her thoughts. She hadn’t had any more unsettling encounters with him since their last conversation, but the memory of his intense gaze and cryptic words lingered.

As the day of the mehendi ceremony approached, Khushi focused on the preparations, trying to immerse herself in the joy of the moment. She knew that this was a time to celebrate, to be surrounded by her loved ones as they marked the beginning of her new life with Arnav. But even as she smiled and laughed with her family, a small part of her remained on edge, waiting for something to go wrong.

The evening before the mehendi, the Raizada mansion was alive with activity. The house had been beautifully decorated with strings of marigold flowers, twinkling lights, and colorful drapes that added to the festive atmosphere. Nandini and Anjali were in the middle of finalizing the guest list, while Siya and Khushi’s cousin Karan were busy setting up the seating arrangements for the ceremony.

Khushi was in her room, going over the details of her outfit for the next day, when there was a soft knock on the door. She looked up to see Arnav standing in the doorway, a warm smile on his face.

“Busy, are we?” Arnav asked, his tone teasing as he stepped into the room.

Khushi smiled, feeling her heart lift at the sight of him. “Just making sure everything is perfect for tomorrow.”

Arnav walked over to her, his eyes filled with affection. “It will be perfect, Khushi. Just like you.”

Khushi blushed at his words, but before she could respond, Arnav reached out and took her hand, gently pulling her toward him. “I thought you could use a break. Want to go for a walk in the garden?”

Khushi nodded, grateful for the chance to spend some quiet time with him. They had been so caught up in the wedding preparations that they hadn’t had much time to themselves. As they made their way down the stairs and out into the garden, Khushi felt a sense of calm settle over her.

The garden was bathed in the soft glow of the evening light, the scent of jasmine and roses filling the air. Arnav led her to a quiet corner, where a bench sat under the shade of a large banyan tree. They sat down together, the sounds of the distant festivities fading into the background.

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other’s presence. Khushi leaned her head on Arnav’s shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body next to hers. It was moments like these that reminded her of how deeply she loved him, how lucky she was to have found someone who understood her so completely.

“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Arnav asked, his voice gentle as he stroked her hair.

“A little,” Khushi admitted, her voice soft. “It’s all happening so fast. But I’m excited too. I can’t wait to be your wife.”

Arnav smiled, his eyes filled with love as he looked down at her. “And I can’t wait to be your husband. I’ve waited my whole life for you, Khushi.”

Khushi felt a lump form in her throat at his words, the depth of his love overwhelming her. She turned to face him, her eyes shining with emotion. “I love you, Arnav. More than anything.”