Kismat Connection♡

Samyuktha

It was dark, very dark, and cold. But where exactly am I? What happened? Oh, right-I remember now. I was on my way home from the office, and then there was an accident. Don't tell me... did I die this time? Is this the afterlife? Am I on my way to heaven? But it doesn't feel like heaven, and honestly, I doubt I'd make it there after unapologetically indulging in some top-tier smut novels.

I tried to focus, looking around and down, but there was nothing, just darkness. I rubbed my eyes, and then slowly, a faint point of light began to emerge, gradually growing brighter. I moved towards it, though it didn't feel like I was in control-my feet were leading me on their own.

The light grew nearer, and the closer it got, the more difficult it became to see. But did that stop me from moving forward? No.

The light drew nearer, and despite becoming increasingly difficult to see, I kept moving forward. I didn't know what lay beyond it, but anything was better than this void. With that hope, I pressed on. Just like in a movie where scenes change in an instant, something clicked, and suddenly, I was standing in an open garden, surrounded by decorations.

It was a wedding-my wedding.

Had I travelled back in time again?

I scanned the area. Everyone was busy-some aunties flaunting their wealth, trying to outshine one another, while a few uncles sampled the food with relish. Boys and girls were absorbed in selfies and small talk, children running here and there playing. I hurried toward the dressing room, but my eyes caught sight of Sridha, who always brought warmth with her presence, standing still, her gaze fixed on something. I followed her line of sight and saw she was looking at someone.

It was Advait-Rudraksh's best friend.

This wasn't the first time I'd seen her admiring him. It reminded me of the reception party when I caught her looking at him with the same admiration. But he wasn't at our wedding-I'd checked the photos, and he was nowhere to be seen. So how was he here now?

"Samyuktha, why are you standing there like a lost soul?" Maa's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was looking at me with concern.

"Nothing, Maa-"

"Go and check if Ruhanika needs anything; the ritual is about to begin soon, hmm?" Without waiting for a response, she hurried off, unaware that I was too stunned to reply.

Had I returned to the original timeline? Did she not elope this time? I stood there for a moment, trying to make sense of it all, my legs were giving up and I was a moment before collapsing but somehow I still managed to stand, before slowly making my way to the bridal room. When I opened the door, I saw Ruhi Didi, looking ethereal yet cold, like a pearl, adorned in a stunning golden white lehenga with perfectly matched jewellery. She was sitting in front of a large mirror. And then, I saw myself in the reflection-I was wearing my own wedding lehenga.

I had no idea what was happening, but just as before, something clicked, and suddenly I was standing among the crowd again. This time, in front of me, they were getting married. Rudraksh was taking vows with her-the same vows he had taken with me. He filled her forehead with vermillion like he did mine. With every moment, an unfamiliar ache grew in my chest, sharp and painful. It was becoming harder to breathe with each passing second, but why? Oh, because I was witnessing my husband's wedding with another woman.

Before I could even move, it clicked once again, and now I found myself standing in a hospital-a place where everything started to go wrong, it will be etched into my memory forever. Everything around me began to blur, and the sounds of shouting and wailing pierced through the haze, raw and agonizing, tearing at me from the inside.