Don't Leave Me Again

7- Shattered Confessions

Aman had called Dhanish away from our conversation, leaving my heart hanging in uncertainty. The garden, which had felt like a haven moments before, now seemed suffocating as my mind raced with possibilities. What could have gone wrong at the engagement ceremony that required Dhanish's immediate attention? Should I wait for him here or go inside?

The sounds of celebration grew distant as I wandered back toward the hall, feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation. I needed to find out what had happened, and more importantly, I needed to know Dhanish's response to my confession. Did he feel the same, or was I the only one in love?

As I approached the entrance, I saw a group of people gathered, their faces etched with concern. Dhanish was in the center, speaking calmly to the groom, who looked visibly distressed. My heart skipped a beat as I watched them, my earlier fears resurfacing.

"What's going on?" I asked one of the guests nearby, unable to contain my curiosity.

"The groom's family had a misunderstanding with the bride's family about some of the engagement arrangements," she explained. "It seems there was an issue with the gifts."

I felt a pang of worry. Gift disputes could be serious and ruin an otherwise perfect day. I made my way closer, trying to catch Dhanish's eye, but he was deeply engaged in conversation with both families, trying to mediate and calm things down.

"Bhaiya," I called softly as I got closer, but he was too focused on the discussion to notice.

The atmosphere was tense, with voices raised and emotions running high. Aysha's father was arguing with the groom's father, both men looking equally stubborn. Dhanish stood between them, his demeanor calm and collected, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Uncle, please, let's discuss this calmly," Dhanish was saying. "We can resolve this without escalating it further."

"We had agreed on certain terms, and now they're changing everything!" Aysha's father exclaimed, his face red with anger.

The groom's father shot back, "We never agreed to such conditions! This is unreasonable."

I watched Dhanish as he navigated the heated exchange, his voice steady and reassuring. It was clear he was respected by both families, as they seemed to listen to him more than anyone else.

As the arguments continued, I noticed Aysha standing off to the side, her face pale and anxious. I made my way to her, hoping to offer some comfort.

"Are you okay, Aysha?" I asked, gently touching her arm.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with worry. "I'm so scared, Zafrin. What if this ruins everything?"

"Don't worry," I said, trying to sound confident. "Bhaiya will sort it out. He's good at handling these things."

We stood together, watching the scene unfold. Dhanish was speaking again, his voice carrying a tone of authority. "Let's take a moment to calm down and discuss this rationally. We're here to celebrate a union, not to create divisions."

Slowly, the heated exchange began to cool down. The families were still upset, but Dhanish's influence seemed to be working. He guided them to a quieter area, away from the guests, where they could talk privately.

After what felt like an eternity, Dhanish returned to the main hall, his expression a mixture of relief and exhaustion. He spotted me and walked over, his eyes softening as they met mine. My heart started to race, wondering what he would say about my feelings.

"I'm sorry about that," he said, his voice low and sincere. "There was a misunderstanding, but I think we've resolved it for now."

I nodded, feeling a mix of admiration and lingering anxiety. "You did great, Bhaiya. I knew you could handle it."