THE PRINCE WHO LOVED ME

15

3 months  had passed since the day of the pitch, and life had returned to its usual rhythm for Yamini. The buzz of the 'Yummy Bites' campaign had settled into steady planning, and she was back to her daily grind, managing clients, brainstorming new ideas, and keeping her creative energy flowing. Rudransh told that he would be joining her company from the coming financial year which is a week away. They are texting eachother then and now.

But one ordinary afternoon, as she sat at her desk, her phone buzzed with a notification that made her pause. A courier had arrived at her office.

'Who could that be from ?' 

She wondered briefly if it was related to her work, maybe a sample for the next ad campaign, or a gift from a client as a thank-you for her recent pitch. But the sender's name was unfamiliar, and her curiosity piqued. The package was addressed to her, with no return address.

Yamini shrugged and opened the package, her fingers delicately peeling back the brown paper. Inside, nestled within soft tissue paper, was a single item : a pristine white wedding card, embossed with elegant gold lettering.

"Raghav and Alia." 

Her ex.

Yamini's heart did a quick flutter in her chest before she quickly stilled it. She stared at the card for a moment, blinking at the ornate design. "Raghav" her once boyfriend, the man who had crushed her heart with lies and deceit was getting married to 'Alia' the woman he'd cheated on her with. The irony stung, but she refused to let herself feel too much.

She rolled her eyes. 

Yamini : Of course. This was the next step in their story. Perfectly fitting for the two of them.

But then, as her thoughts settled, something else bubbled to the surface.

Yamini narrowed her eyes at the wedding card, her mind beginning to shift gears.

Yamini : I need to go to this wedding.

It wasn't that she had any lingering feelings for Raghav, those had faded long ago, along with any real attachment to the man. But something inside her stirred, a quiet sense of defiance. She needed to show him. Not just him 'them'. She needed to show 'herself' that she had moved on.

She needed to prove that she was 'better off'. Stronger. That her life had taken a completely different direction and she was thriving in it.

With a deep breath, Yamini set the wedding card down on her desk, her mind already working through the details.

Yamini : I'm going to make sure I look my best.

She picked up her phone and called Priya, her best friend. They had been through thick and thin together, and Priya always knew how to pick her up when she needed it most whereas Naina is a tomboy who would go to her own wedding in Pjs.

Yamini : Hey, Priya ! 

Yamini said when her friend picked up, 

Yamini : You're not going to believe this, but I'm going to Raghav's wedding. I got the invite.

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, followed by a burst of laughter. 

Priya : Wait, what ? You're going to his wedding ? Girl, I love you.

Priya's voice was filled with excitement. 

Priya : Okay, I'm in. We're going to make sure you look like a million bucks. Let's go shopping for the perfect saree. And trust me, I know just the place. And I too got the invitation.