Until I Found You

Chapter : 16

As Alisha adorned herself with the intricate patterns of mehendi, the air in the room buzzed with excitement. Hues of red and gold adorned the space, reflecting the joy of the impending celebration. Amidst the laughter and chatter, Alisha's brother, Ved, entered the room with a determined look on his face.

Observing Alisha engrossed in her bridal makeover, Ved gestured for her attention. "Excuse everyone, Alisha," he whispered, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. Intrigued, Alisha signaled to the beauticians and her friends to step out, creating a momentary sanctuary within the lively atmosphere.

Alisha, her curiosity piqued, looked at Ved with a puzzled expression. "Ved, what's with the sudden visit

Ved : Have you prepared your mind for this marriage completely ?

What's this question? Of course, I have That's why I am getting married!"

Ved, with a thoughtful gaze, replied, "Alisha, I just want to make sure you're happy. Do you really, truly love him?"

Alisha, a bit bewildered, responded, "Absolutely! Ram means everything to me. Why are you asking? Is there something I should know?"

Ved, reassuringly, said, "No, Alisha, it's just that weddings can be overwhelming. I wanted to ensure that you're entering this with your whole heart.As we grew up together I know about you so I was just concerned if you are getting a little rushed or something

Alisha, understanding Ved's concern, smiled and said, "Ved, I appreciate your concern, but there's no doubt in my mind. I love Ram with all my heart, and I can't wait to begin this new chapter of our lives together."

Ved, satisfied with Alisha's response, nodded, "That's all I wanted to hear. I just want your happiness above everything else."

The conversation left a lingering sense of reassurance in the room, and Alisha continued with her mehendi preparations, knowing that her brother's concern came from a place of deep care for her happiness.

After left her room Ved, with a determined stride, aimed to have a candid conversation with Ram about his concerns regarding Alisha's relationship. However, fate had other plans as he found himself halted in the hallway by his father, a figure of authority and wisdom. Ved's intention to seek clarity was momentarily diverted when his father informed him about the arrival of special guests who required a warm welcome. Despite Ved's eagerness to address the lingering doubts, he acquiesced to his father's request, understanding the importance of these guests to the ongoing festivities. As he redirected his steps to fulfill his familial duties, Ved couldn't help but hope that the impending conversation with Ram could be delayed only briefly before he could return to unravel the uncertainties in his heart.

Ram sat alone in his room, the soft glow of dim lighting creating a tranquil ambiance. He lifted his glass, taking a sip of his drink, lost in his thoughts. Suddenly, a light bang echoed through the room, prompting him to call out, "The door is open."

To his surprise, Priya entered, her presence casting a subtle change in the room's atmosphere. Ram, standing up, looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

With a determined expression, Priya spoke, "Ram, we need to talk for a moment."

Ram, slightly taken aback, gestured for her to take a seat. As they settled into an earnest conversation, the room became a space for unspoken words and shared sentiments, each moment carrying the weight of a dialogue that could shape the course of their connection.

Priya, I hope you are not that busy

Ram,Just cut to the chase please yes I am busy

He said agitatedly

Priya,Ram I just came here to tell you that whatever we had shared in our past you need to let them go and take a fresh start with Alisha she is totally into you so please be honest to her that's what I am expecting from you

Ram, puzzled by Priya's unexpected advice, furrowed his eyebrows and asked, "How do you even know about my feelings, Priya?"

Priya, maintaining a composed demeanor, replied, "Alisha told me, Ram. She's deeply in love with you, and she deserves your full devotion."

Ram, chuckling with a hint of frustration, retorted, "You can't dictate what I should feel or do. Priya, we aren't exactly on good terms. How can you even suggest such a thing?"

Priya, undeterred, asserted, "Ram, it's about Alisha's happiness. She trusts you, loves you. Can't you see that?"

Ram, now visibly agitated, snapped back, "You, of all people, can't tell me what's right for me. We have our own history, Priya. Don't overstep your boundaries."

The room, once filled with a potential for understanding, now crackled with tension as the two engaged in a heated exchange, emotions simmering beneath the surface.

Ram, fueled by frustration, stepped closer to Priya, his eyes locking onto hers. He demanded, "Why are you playing the saint, Priya? Deep down, I know you've only ever loved me. How can you expect me to love someone else when you can't do the same?"

Priya, meeting his gaze, responded with a mix of defiance and vulnerability, "Ram, this is about Alisha's happiness. She deserves someone who can give their whole heart to her."

Ram, shaking his head in disbelief, retorted, "And what about you? You expect me to move on like it's the simplest thing. You know it's not that easy, Priya.why do I even need to do this  ?

Ram, his frustration unabated, continued, "Priya, this is so unfair—not just to you, but to Ved and me as well. You're playing this self-sacrificing saint, but it's just a guise. You're not doing this out of courage; you're doing it because you lack the courage to face your own feelings. You're being a coward, Priya."

Priya, her eyes reflecting a mix of hurt and defiance, countered, "Ram, it's not about courage. It's about doing what's right for everyone involved."

Ram, dismissing her explanation, scoffed, "No, Priya. It's about you avoiding the truth. You can't pretend to be selfless while expecting everyone to conform to your decisions. It's not fair to any of us."

The intensity of the conversation lingered, the room filled with the weight of unspoken emotions and the clash of conflicting perspectives.

As Priya stood, on the verge of escaping the charged atmosphere, Ram's hand gently clasped hers, halting her in her tracks. His touch, a mixture of determination and tenderness, anchored her in the moment. He looked at her, his eyes searching hers, and in a voice softened by sincerity, he asked a question that lingered in the air.

"Can you love Ved the way you loved me, Priya? Can you devote yourself to him as you did to me?"

Priya, her eyes reddened and glistening with unshed tears, turned to face Ram. The weight of his question seemed to hang in the silence between them. It was a moment of vulnerability, where the complexities of emotions unfolded in the dimly lit room.

Ram's gaze held a blend of curiosity and a yearning for understanding. Priya, caught in the turmoil of her own emotions, searched for words that could bridge the gap between the past and the uncertain future. The room, once filled with tension, now bore witness to a delicate moment of introspection, where the echoes of unspoken feelings lingered in the quiet exchange between Ram and Priya.

In a moment of shared vulnerability, Ram, sensing Priya's emotional turmoil, enveloped her in a comforting embrace. As he held her, the weight of unspoken emotions spilled over, and Priya, overcome with tears, allowed herself to release the pent-up feelings that had lingered beneath the surface.

For a brief spell, they clung to each other, the room a sanctuary for shared sorrow. The echo of their tears intertwined in the quietude, creating a poignant melody that resonated with the complexity of their history.

However, as the intensity of the moment reached its peak, Priya, suddenly breaking free from Ram's embrace, pushed him away. Her tear-streaked face reflected a tumult of conflicting emotions. Without uttering a word, she escaped from the room, leaving Ram standing alone, surrounded by the lingering echoes of their shared vulnerability.

The door closed behind her, and in the hushed aftermath, Ram grappled with the aftermath of their emotional exchange, the room now echoing with the ghostly traces of a connection that seemed to slip further into the shadows.