In the opulent halls of a grand palace, love and loyalty are put to the ultimate test. Amidst royal duties and hidden agendas, two people navigate a web of deception and passion, discovering that the most dangerous betrayals often come from within t...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The grand hall of our estate was buzzing with a frenetic energy that was both exhilarating and exhausting. As the family's go-to person for multitasking, I found myself at the heart of the whirlwind.
I maneuvered through a sea of bustling relatives, caterers, and decorators, ensuring every detail of Maya Appi's wedding was perfect. My own nerves were a jangled mess, but I kept my face a mask of calm efficiency.
"Have you seen the florist?" someone called out to me.
"Check the garden," I replied, not missing a beat as I adjusted a garland that was slightly askew.
The air was thick with the scent of roses and jasmine, mingling with the aroma of the sumptuous feast being prepared in the kitchens. I took a moment to breathe it all in, then glanced at my watch.
There was still time before the ceremony, but I needed to check on Maya Appi. She had seemed a bit tense earlier, and I wanted to make sure she was okay.
As I headed toward the bridal suite, my path was interrupted by a young woman I hadn't seen before. She was strikingly beautiful, with delicate features and a poised demeanor.
"I am so sorry. I hope I didn't harm you by any means", I apologized, but she simply smiled.
"No need to apologize," she said. "You look wonderful, by the way. Stunning, really."
"Thank you," I replied, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at the compliment.
I excused myself and continued on my way, only to collide with a man just a few steps later.
"I'm so sorry," I started, but he cut me off with a charming smile.
"No harm done," he said. "You look beautiful by the way."
My face flushed. Twice in as many minutes, I thought.
"Thank you," I murmured, hurrying away, my mind already back on Maya Appi.
I finally reached the bridal suite and opened the door to find Maya Appi in the midst of her makeup session. Her face lit up when she saw me.
"Aira! You look lovely," Maya said, her eyes shimmering with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"You look stunning, Maya Appi," I replied, using the affectionate term for my elder cousin. "Are you ready to put on your dress?"
Maya nodded, her hands trembling slightly. "Yes, almost. Can you give me a moment?"
I nodded and stepped outside, giving her the privacy she needed. I threw myself back into the wedding preparations, my mind racing with tasks still to be done.
My mother and my aunt, Fatima, Maya Appi's mother, approached me with expressions that ranged from frazzled to icy.
"Go get Maya," my aunt instructed, her tone clipped. "We’ll be there shortly."
