When the stars align

Silent goodbye and new beginnings.

Days turned into weeks, and San’s Roka date crept closer, casting a shadow over her once light-hearted conversation with Taehyung. To ease her worries, she kept things surface-level, sharing only the basics of her routine with Akash and how the preparations were going. Taehyung noticed the subtle shift, the absence of her vulnerability, and thought he missed the closed once shared.

Meanwhile, he poured himself into his career, rehearsals, recordings, and photoshoots to occupy his mind. Yet, whenever her messages mentioned Akash or hinted at the upcoming Roka, he couldn’t ignore the dull ache that set in his chest, a reminder of the inevitable distance between them… 

He knew San was preparing herself for changes ahead, but he couldn’t deny the feeling of her slipping away from him.

Despite this, he continued to be with her, and his replies were gentle and supportive—but within his limits. Keeping RM’s words in mind, he urged himself to let her find her own way and trust her to handle her feelings without his constant reassurance.

One evening, his phone buzzed with a message from San. “Taehyung, today I went with Akash. It was fine. I guess, it's starting to feel real.”

His heart clenched reading those words. He could feel the hesitation between the lines the unspoken sadness. She was trying to mask. He couldn’t stop himself. He typed, “How are you feeling about all of this, San? Not just the Roka, but everything. You can still tell me anything, you know...”

A long pause passed before San replied, her words measured, cautions, “I think... I’m trying to accept it, Tae... am fine.”

A familiar ache was felt, the uneasiness that he didn’t want to name, a mix of emotions of sadness and helplessness. He took a deep breath before responding. “San, I know it’s not easy but whatever happens, remember that you deserve happiness, real happiness. Even if you find it impossible, right now. I hope you find peace with this decision.”

she thanked him, her response short, as if she was holding back more than she was willing to share. Taehyung set his phone down, a heavy sense of finality settling over him. He knew he couldn’t protect her from her circumstances, nor could he keep holding onto her, that things would go back to how they once were.

As the days counted down her Roa, San continued her caution update carefully crafted to sound positive. But still, it was not so hard for Taehyung to sense the hesitation and sadness behind those positive words. He responded with steady encouragement but also tried to keep his replies brief and maintain the distance, he knew was necessary.
Then finally the day Roka arrived, Taehyung didn’t hear from her, that morning he spent most of the day quite eager unable to focus on anything. He thought about reaching out to her. ‘Just a quick message won’t affect, right?’ but he resisted knowing today wasn’t about him nor even about them – it was her day, a day he knew she was struggling to embrace.

San’s Roka

The place was filled with the noise of people talking and walking, filling the house. Her family’s heart was filled with bittersweet emotions. San’s eyes caught her mom working with her aunts. As their eyes met, her mother looked deep into her eyes, like finding something in them. San smiled a little and turned her gaze the mirror back to the mirror in front.

She was wearing a wine suit embroidered with intricate silver and golden-thread work that slimmer under the warm lights, a delicate jewellery pair of hanging earrings, a small pendant, and bangles from her mom. Competed her look.

The ceremony was held at her place, decorated with fresh marigolds and roses, the fragrance mingling with the soft melodic hum of traditional music playing in the background.

Family members gathered around smiles on their faces as they shared laughing and stories. She felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her.

As the ritual started, San and Akash were seated side by side on couches. Akash’s parents came first and put a tikka on San’s forehead, then put a dupatta over San’s head—a pack of money and a few boxes of sweets on her lap—a customary gesture of showing respect and acceptance. 

At a point, San looked down at her hands, adorned by henna for this family gathering. She felt a mix of pride. Her heart carried a silent farewell to the dreams, she once had—a hope for peace in the new path ahead.

When it came time for San’s family, his father put a tikka on his forehead, sweets on his lap, and a pack of money on his laps.

Later it was San and Akash's family exchanging gifts and tokens of money….

As the ceremony wrapped up. San stood beside Akash, smiling at the photoshoot and greeting the family members. But beneath her calm exterior, she felt a quiet conflict a thug of war between loyalty to her family's wishes and the longing for a life that felt truly her own.

Yet as the evening came to a close, she looked at her family. At Akash, and reminding herself that she was choosing the right path for herself San, her cousin, Akash, and his cousins sat in a room as the families were discussing things, which made San scared as hell..

As they sat in the room Akash leaned closer to San and whispered, “She is your sister, right?” as he glanced over at Pihu, who sat on the right side of the bed, her back leaning on the wall. Her eyes were glued to her phone and a clear lack of enthusiasm in her expression.

San nodded with a soft smile, “that’s Pihu.” She confirmed knowing her sister’s slightly aloof attitude was both her defence and her charm.

Akash smiled back and straight up, attempting a friendly greeting “Hello Pihu” he said warmly. 

Pihu barely looked up from murmuring a quick “hello” with a nod. Making it clear that she wasn’t really thrilled about this function or meeting him.

One of Akash’s cousins watched the exchange, leaning over with a grin and teasing look “Looks like your sister-in-law is the hardest part. You’ve got your work.”

Akash chuckled and said “I will take it as a dare” he replied, smiling. Turning back to his attention back to Pihu, trying again to engage her “So Pihu, what you do? Hmm, I mean studying or something else.”

“So, studying, hmm? What subject interests you?” Akash said, genuinely curious.

Pihu shrugged; eyes still fixed on her screen. “designing”

“Planning on becoming a fashion designer or interior designer? Akash inquired.

Pihu raised an eyebrow. “You really want to know?”

Akash nods with a warm smile on her face, “I do.”

“Fashion designing” Pihu replies, subtle face.

San smiled, proudly. “Pihu’s creations are stunning!”

Pihu smiled and said “Well, you are from the banking side, hmm! Crunching numbers all day.”

Akash chuckled and said, “Not always… there’s spreadsheets.”

Pihu playfully rolled her eyes “Thrilling.”

Akash laughed and said “Hey, spreadsheets, have drama too! Mergers, budget battles…”
Pihu smiled and said, “I belong to your stream too. So, yeah, I know”

_______________________________________

Here's the end of Melodramatic life of San. Hmm upcoming chapters gonna be quite interesting and May be meeting with someone..

I don't know... hehe