Don't Leave Me Again

18- Silent Tears

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If you'd like, try playing the background music 'Husn by Anuv Jain' while reading this chapter. I think it captures the emotions and atmosphere perfectly. It's just a suggestion, so feel free to do what feels best for you. Enjoy the chapter.😊

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The engagement ceremony had been a whirlwind of emotions, a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, joyful laughter, and the scent of fresh flowers lingering in the air. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, but just as the celebration reached its zenith, a sudden tension gripped the room. Guests turned their eyes to the entrance, eagerly awaiting the groom's grand arrival. Instead, murmurs and confusion began to ripple through the crowd, like a dark cloud casting a shadow over a sunny day.

Sarah and the groom's mother stood near the entrance, their faces etched with worry as they spoke in hushed tones with Aman. Though Zafrin could only catch fragments of their conversation, the urgent and serious tone was unmistakable. Anxiety gnawed at her, her mind racing with countless possibilities.

Her mother, pale and trembling, hurried over to her. "Zafrin, I need to tell you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zafrin's heart pounded in her chest, a drumbeat of fear. "What is it, Ammi?" she asked, her voice fraught with tension.

Her mother struggled to find the right words. "The groom... he's not coming. He's called off the engagement. He doesn't want to go through with it."

The news hit Zafrin like a punch to the gut. She stared at her mother, her mind struggling to process the gravity of the situation. "What? How? Why?"

Her mother glanced back at the group near the entrance. "He sent a message through Aman. He said he's not ready for this commitment. It was sudden and without warning."

Zaid, who had been standing nearby, looked equally shocked. "Are you saying that after all this, the groom is just... not showing up?"

"Yes," her mother confirmed, her voice trembling. "And he's not coming back. We've been asked to inform the guests and cancel the ceremony."

The crowd's murmur grew louder, a mix of confusion and disappointment spreading like wildfire. Zafrin felt as if the ground had shifted beneath her. The elaborate preparations, the excitement, the dreams of a new beginning-all shattered in an instant.

As the reality of the situation sank in, Zafrin felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Anger, embarrassment, and a deep sense of loss washed over her. She stood there, stunned, while her mother and the others tried to manage the chaos that had erupted.

The engagement that was supposed to mark a joyous occasion had turned into an unexpected and painful turn of events. Amidst the turmoil, Zafrin could only stand there, grappling with the sudden and bewildering turn of fate.

As Zafrin stood there, the atmosphere around her became chaotic. Guests exchanged bewildered looks, whispers of disbelief circulating like an undertow. The once vibrant and festive environment was now clouded by confusion and disappointment.

Sarah and the groom's mother tried to calm the situation, their faces strained with worry. They began speaking to guests, offering apologies and explanations. Despite their efforts, the disappointment was palpable, and the mood shifted dramatically.

Zafrin's thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. She felt like she was in a nightmare, unable to grasp the full extent of what had just happened. Her mother's comforting hand on her shoulder was the only thing grounding her.