Paayal - His Scarred Butterfly ✅

22 - REALISING HER LOVE

இனி இரவே இல்லை
கண்டேன் உன் விழிகளில்
கிழக்கு திசை!
(There are no dark nights anymore.
I have seen dawn in your eyes!)

It was the time for the wedding. Within the bustling symphony of indistinct chatter and traditional music, the bride and the groom made their grand entrance, radiating a wave of joy over the gathered relatives.

Paayal occupied a chair in the first row amidst the sea of guests. Meanwhile, Krishna, Ajay and some other friends and relatives were busy organising the breakfast in the dining hall. As the time for the wedding ceremony was approaching, Ajay and Krishna came to the wedding hall, leaving the dining hall duties to some other willing hands.

As soon as Krishna entered the vibrant wedding hall, his eyes searched for Paayal and found her in the first row. He immediately approached her with a smile, his heart yearning to reconcile with her.

"Paayal... " He uttered softly, taking a seat beside her. But, She skewed away her face, creating a silent barrier between them.

He forced a smile, her ignorance aching his heart. "Paayal, I am sorry, please talk to me," His voice was gentle as a breeze, seeking a reconciliation. "In my opinion, it was a simple argument which usually happens between friends. You don't need to react this much for that. Still, I am sorry if my words wounded you. Please, let's mend this. Please smile at me."

Silence persisted, Paayal's eyes fixed to the ground.

Krishna added, "I am talking to you only. Please respond to me. At least say what is in your mind. If anything is wrong on my side, I will rectify it. Respond to me atleast."

Paayal remained silent without any response as if a stone. Krishna was losing his composure. His pain was turning into anger. Yet he tried his best to be calm and said flatly, "So, You will not talk to me. Isn't it?! Okay fine." He took a deep breath, bending his head down, covering his face with his palms. His eyes formed tears. He didn't know why she was behaving stubborn for a simple argument. He didn't know whether she would reconcile or not, because of her adamant character. Suddenly, Everything in his life seemed to be uncertain, a fear of his future rising in him, a cascade of questions running in his mind.

He wiped tears, turning his face to Paayal again and his voice shivered, seeking answers for his questions, "You are ignoring me for this simple argument means...., Did you lie that you are looking at me in your mother's place? Did you lie that I am your best friend? Is everything a lie? Is our friendship a lie?"

Tears welled up in Paayal's eyes as she couldn't hold back anymore. She stood up and walked away.

"Answer me and go," Krishna yelled, losing his composure, trailing her.

Paayal wanted to cry out her tears and walked inside the bride's room as there was no one by now. Krishna, who needed answers, entered the room with Paayal and locked the door behind them.

"Leave me alone!" Paayal shouted with tears.

"No. I will not leave without answers. Why are you crying now? Are you hurting yourself by avoiding me? Or Are you crying because I am disturbing you? Tell me the reason. Then I will go," He declared firmly.

She yelled in a reflex, "Yes. You are disturbing me. That's why I am crying. Got your answer?!! Go now." Her sharp retort cut through Krishna's heart, ripping his heart into pieces.

He couldn't believe his angel who seemed to be the most beautiful girl inside out was behaving like this for a simple argument. Tears streamed through his cheeks and his voice trembled, "Okay, I will not disturb you hereafter. But know this - By choosing to walk away, you are not just leaving me. You are taking away my happiness and peacefulness along with you. There will not be any more happiness and peacefulness in my life. Just go," He yelled at the end of his sentence, his incessant tears reflecting the emotions of his wounded heart.