THE PRINCE WHO LOVED ME

17

As Yamini and Priya made their way towards the bar, Yamini couldn't help but glance back at Rudransh, who had resumed chatting with the little girl who came back to him.  Priya followed her gaze and noticed the exchange between the two of them and  her eyes are glinting with curiosity.

Priya : Is he single ? 

Priya asked and her tone is playful but keen.

Yamini shot her a sidelong glance and then smiled. 

Yamini : I don't know.

Priya raised an eyebrow and she is clearly intrigued. 

Priya :  Looks like there's a bit of history there. I like how he looks at you.

 She said with a teasing grin.

Yamini rolled her eyes. 

Yamini : Not like that, Priya. He's just... a good guy. Someone who would never get any sort of evil intentions. Don't you think that he would've taken advantage of my drunken state that day ? But he didn't. That's enough for me to figure out his nature to a great extent. 

With that, they reached Rudransh, who had just finished talking to the little girl. He stood up as they approached, looking pleasantly surprised to see them back. Priya, with her usual flair, extended her hand toward him with a wide smile.

Priya : This is for you ! 

Rudransh : Thanks , But.....

Priya offered a cocktail to him. She saw him hesitating to have it.

Priya : It's low alcoholic. 

Rudransh : Oh, Thanks ! 

They all sat down at a nearby table, and the trio quickly fell into easy conversation. The wedding ceremony continued around them, but they were far more interested in catching up. Rudransh shared some funny anecdotes from his work, and Priya offered her own brand of humor in return. Yamini felt herself relax, the nervousness from earlier dissolving with the camaraderie.

.............

As the wedding ceremony came to a close, the couple, Raghav and Alia exchanged their final vows and the applause echoed through the hall. It was time for the newlyweds to make their rounds and greet their guests. Yamini felt a familiar tug at her chest, the mixture of old memories and painful history that threatened to resurface. But she had already made her decision. She had come here for closure, and it was time to seal that chapter with finality.

With a deep breath, she excused herself from the table, her eyes scanning the crowd. Raghav and Alia were standing near the front, smiling at guests as they congratulated them, their wedding glow evident. Yamini could feel the weight of the moment. This wasn't just a polite ' hello. ' No, this was her final act of moving on , of showing Raghav that she was doing just fine, better than ever, in fact.

She walked with purpose towards the stage, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. Priya watched her go, a knowing look on her face.

Priya : She's doing it.

Priya murmured to Rudransh, who nodded and his expression is unreadable but thoughtful.

When Yamini reached the stage, she paused for a moment, taking in the couple before her. Alia was radiant, her red lehenga is glowing under the chandeliers. And Raghav is well, he looked just as he always did, but something about him now seemed smaller, less significant than before. Maybe it was the years of heartbreak she had endured or the distance she'd created between them, but this moment, this final interaction felt strangely anticlimactic.

Raghav's face lit up when he saw her. 

Raghav : Yamini ! 

He greeted her with an easy smile, though it was a little too wide, a little too forced. 

Raghav : So glad you could make it ! 

She gave him a polite but cool nod, ignoring the tightening in her chest. 

Yamini : Of course.

She replied with a tight smile. 

Yamini : I wouldn't miss it.

Raghav's eyes flickered to her saree, striking, regal and he blinked, clearly surprised by how different she looked. There was a brief flicker of something in his eyes, regret ? Realization ? but it quickly vanished as he turned towards Alia.

Raghav : This is Yamini.

 Raghav said as if he needed to explain who she was. 

Raghav : My... uh... ex.

Alia smiled warmly, though Yamini could tell it wasn't as genuine as it appeared. 

Alia : Nice to meet you.

She said and her voice is just a touch too sweet. 

Alia : I've heard so much about you.

Yamini offered a polite smile.

The tension in the air was thick, but Yamini wasn't going to let it affect her. Instead, she reached into her bag and pulled out the silver photo frame she had bought earlier. It was simple, but elegant, with just enough thought behind it to be meaningful.

Yamini : I got you something.

She said by handing it over to the couple. 

Yamini : A little something to commemorate the occasion.

Raghav took the frame with a smile, his fingers brushing hers. The contact felt almost like an afterthought to him, but it burned in her chest. Still, she kept her composure, nodding once more.

Yamini : Congratulations.

She said and her voice is steady.

And then, with the smallest of smirks, one that Raghav definitely caught, she turned on her heel and made her way back toward Priya and Rudransh.

As she approached their table, she glanced over her shoulder to see Raghav staring after her. There was something in his expression, some flicker of recognition, but it was too late. The woman he had once known was no longer in front of him. Yamini was walking away, stronger than ever before.

Priya : Done ? 

Priya asked when Yamini sat down.

Yamini : Done ! 

Yamini replied with a deep exhale, feeling lighter than she had in years.

Rudransh : He's looking at you Yamini. 

Yamini : It doesn't matter to me. He moved on with Alia. And even i moved on. It's an end.

And in that moment, she realized that the weight she had been carrying for so long had finally lifted. Raghav was a part of her past. She had shown him, and more importantly, she had shown herself that she was better off. And with Priya and Rudransh by her side, the future looked brighter than ever.

............

How's the chapter ? 

Raghav's phase is done.

What Rudransh  feels at Yamini ? 

Is she just a weird girl from bar and talented advertiser in his view ?