Fragile Hearts

C h a p t e r - 13

Arun stands nervously at the altar, dressed in a sharp black suit, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Arun: "Okay, Arun...Onnum illa bayapudadha. Just breathe. It's gonna be fine. You’re not dreaming. Wait, am I dreaming?"

The priest beside him looks over, raising an eyebrow at Arun’s muttering, but says nothing.

Instead, he flips through an enormous book, the pages making an exaggerated flop sound.

Priest: "We are gathered here today to witness the holy matrimony of Arun... and his beloved."

Arun gulps, trying to peek down the aisle, but it’s still empty. His heart is pounding in his chest. He wipes the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.

Suddenly, the heavy wooden doors at the end of the aisle creak open. The entire congregation, though unseen, gasps in unison. Arun squints, trying to make out who’s walking in.

Then, there she is—Riya, glowing in a flowing white wedding dress, arm-in-arm with her father, who walks her down the aisle with a proud smile. She looks breathtaking, almost like she's walking on air. The dramatic background music swells up, and Arun feels his knees go weak.

Arun: "Oh no... Apo idhu unmaidhan.. This is real! Okay, Arun. Don't faint. Ennavenalum Pannu but mayangiradha." He whispered to himself.

As Riya walks down the aisle, Arun’s mind starts spinning. His vision narrows, and he can only focus on Riya slowly coming toward him. A weird mix of panic and excitement fills his chest.

Arun: "Ava edhukaga inga vara, Ivlo sikramava? Na onnum speech kuda ready pannalaye? What if I trip? What if I say something stupid?"

Finally, Riya reaches the altar, and her father, with an exaggerated gesture, passes her hand to Arun’s shaky one. The priest begins the ceremony, his voice booming through the silent church.

Priest: "Do you, Arun, take this woman—"

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Arun blurts out.

Arun: "Wait, where’s the pizza?"

The priest pauses, blinking in confusion, the audience gasps in surprise. Riya turns to Arun, her perfect smile now replaced by a confused frown.

Riya: "Enna? Pizza?"

Arun: "Yeah, yeah, sorry. Uh... It's just... Ohh marriage la pizza la irukadhu la marandhuten? Vera edhachu iruka... like, to snack on? I'm kind of hungry."

Riya raises an eyebrow, but the priest, trying to keep his composure, clears his throat.

Priest: "Do you, Arun, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health—"

But Arun is still distracted.

Arun: "Man, pizza would really hit the spot right now."

Riya glares at him, her bouquet drooping slightly in her hand.

Riya: "Arun! Focus! It’s our wedding!" Arun snaps out of it, straightening up.

Arun: "Right, right! Sorry, sorry. Yes, I do. I mean, of course, I do!"

The priest looks mildly annoyed but continues, turning to Riya.

Priest: "And do you, Riya, take this man to be your---

Before the priest can continue, something feels off.

The priest suddenly looks more like... Siddharth? And the church? Wait, why is there the smell of snacks in the air?